20schemes is a ministry in Scotland that seeks to plant churches and evangelise in Scotland's poorest communities, the housing schemes. Learn more about their work from their website: https://20schemes.com/
Today's song is taken from the 20schemes Music channel on YouTube. The song is called "I will wait for you" and is written by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, Jordan Kauflin and Matt Merker. It's based on Psalm 130, which says in verse 5: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope."
"Forever Jesus" is the newly released song from writers Matt Papa and Stuart Townend.
Here are the words from the video's description on YouTube: "Little did we know, when we were crafting the last verse of this new hymn, how relevant the lyric would be to the times we are living in:
“My final breath shall be forever Jesus
When shadows lengthen before my eyes;
My Lord and Friend, companion through the valley
When dearest ones are left behind,
His hand will lead me to the light.”
Not only are so many of us facing the prospect of battling this awful virus that has claimed so many lives already. But loved ones, relatives and friends are literally having to "be left behind" as the ill are taken into hospital, because of the dangers of passing on the virus. How important, then, to be reminded that Christ is there to "lead us to the light" - whether that is the light of eventual recovery, or (and this is the reality) the light of His eternal presence.
Perhaps we are not keen to be reminded of the awfulness of the times in which we live in a song! But to know that we are completely held in His loving arms, and guided by His all-powerful hand, is so vital for every single one of us right now."
"For the Cause of Christ the King", by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend, calls us to renew our commitment to walk in faith and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Words from the last verse can be offered as a prayer: "Let it be my life's refrain: 'To live is Christ, to die is gain!'
Having posted Melodic Monday songs regularly for the last three years, I've decided to take a break for a while. This is partly because the days I work are changing from next week, but also because my responsibilities in the church have changed as the church has grown, and I feel I need to focus my attention elsewhere for now. As I wondered what song to finish with, I found this post in my "draft" folder, and it seemed an appropriate choice of song and song-writer. "How deep the Father's love for us" is written by Stuart Townend, and helps us to focus our minds on what it meant for Jesus Christ to be obedient to his Father "even unto death" (Philippians 2:8) and how much God must love us if He gave His only Son to save us.
We're definitely now in the Christmas season, so I thought it was time to share some Christmas songs and hymns on the Melodic Monday blog post, not only for you to enjoy listening to but also to consider sharing with your church if the song is new to you. "Immanuel (From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable)" is a Christmas hymn by Stuart Townend and is here performed acapella by David Wesley. The song begins at the birth of Jesus Christ, the Immanuel (meaning "God with us"), but then guides us through his life, death, resurrection and promised return, reminding us of the hope and peace we find when we trust in him.
"How deep the Father's love for us" was written by Stuart Townend in 1995. It draws our attention to the immense love of God and the glory of Jesus Christ, both of which are displayed at the cross.
We sang this song yesterday when we gathered as a church, but we didn't sing it like this! "All My Days (Beautiful Saviour)" is about the glory of Jesus Christ and how we can trust him to save us, from now to eternity. The song is written by Stuart Townend.
We sang this together recently. Although the timing can be a little tricky to learn, the words are a great reminder that Christ came to redeem and renew the whole Creation.
The song "Speak, O Lord" (by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend) seems appropriate for sharing while we continue our series in James and are challenged to have a faith that is visible.
Do you ever lend something to a friend, only to forget which friend you lent it to? I do that a lot! But last week, I finally discovered which friend I had lent "The Ultimate Keith and Kristyn Getty Songbook" to!
To celebrate the return of this useful CD-Rom resource, here is a song from that collection which encourages us to face the future with the strength that God provides, knowing "the outcome is secure, and Christ will have the prize for which he died."
