Just Another Melodic Monday: Psalm 121 (I lift my eyes)

During a time when we may be feeling isolated, it's good to be reminded that the Lord is with us and will help us.  Today's song, based on Psalm 121, is written by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa.  The words of the chorus are:

O my soul, praise the Lord most high

Strong to save, He upholds my life

Forevermore, he will be my light

I lift my eyes up to the Lord most high

Just Another Melodic Monday - O Come All You Unfaithful

"O Come All You Unfaithful" is written by Lisa Clow and Bob Kauflin and is the first track to be released from Sovereign Grace Music's forthcoming Christmas album, "Heaven has come".  Here is information from the YouTube page, explaining the filming of the video:

This video contains people who are processing “O Come, All You Unfaithful,” most of them for the first time, in light of their own experiences. A stillborn child. A strained marriage. Feelings of shame. Legalism. Loss. Loneliness. Or simply having a heart that weeps with those who weep. We think seeing their responses as Lisa Clow sings communicates even more clearly that Jesus wasn’t born for people who have it all together. He was born for those who have nothing. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11.28–30, ESV) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1.21, ESV) So come.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

When we face the storms of life, it is good to know that Jesus Christ remains faithful as our Saviour and Lord; he is, as this song puts it, "the sure and steady anchor".  Whatever difficulties and weaknesses we experience, we can be assured of Christ's steadfastness.  

"Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor" is written by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell.

Just Another Melodic Monday - I will wait for you (Psalm 130)

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."

Sermon: The King in His Suffering (Psalm 22)

In this sermon, we look at Psalm 22 and learn how we are able to connect the suffering of David with both the suffering of Jesus Christ and our own suffering. When we do that, we discover truths that give us hope for the future and help us to move forward in life after we have experienced unjust suffering.

Welshpool Community Church · The King in His Suffering

Just Another Melodic Monday - Church (Take Me Back)

In Ephesians 2:11-22, the Apostle Paul describes how, through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, we are able to find a solid foundation and a spiritual family in the church.

But later, in Revelation chapter 2, we find a letter written to the church in Ephesus where Christ warns them (verse 4): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

"Church (Take me back)" is a testimony song by Cochran & Co. about a person who had drifted away from church and from the cross.  The words of the second verse of the song struck me:

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost

Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross

It's not a trophy for the winners

It's a shelter for the sinners

And it's right where I belong

Let's pray that, with so many church worship services now being made available to watch online, there will be many coming back to Jesus Christ and the love they had at first.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Forever Jesus

"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."