Posted October 23rd, 2009
One of the central applications of the Gospel is to imitate it. Israel was to love the sojourner because they were sojourners in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:16). If they, when fatherless, widowed and homeless, were fed, clothed and sheltered by the Lord, they should display his glory in their treatment of others.
Likewise, James says to Christians (James 1:27), “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” James is not content to refer merely to God. Rather, he writes of “God, the Father,” reminding his readers of the privileged relationship they have with God—namely, He has become their “Father.”
As believers, we may call God “Father” because of our adoption as “sons” in Jesus Christ. We were born “sons of disobedience” and “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3). But the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, chose us and predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6).
He sent his Son to live a life of full obedience, to die on the cross for our sins, and to be raised from the dead. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are adopted as sons of God and become heirs (Galatians 3-4). Because we are sons, the Father sends the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba! Father!” To keep us from falling back into fear, the Spirit of adoption bears witness to us that we are children of God, fellow heirs with Christ, with whom we will be glorified (Romans 8:15-17). God the Father graciously makes his home with us until he calls us to his house (John 14).
If God the Father has blessed us with this great and altogether undeserved adoption, we will show like care to “orphans and widows in their affliction.” In application of the Gospel, Christians become people who display the greatness of their Father through their care for those in need.
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Posted May 27th, 2004
This popular hymn has several modern settings, but the depth and beauty of these lyrics deserved yet another treatment. This is a general song of praise from Psalm 103 where we see the gospel truths of our restoration in Christ, God's faithfulness to His covenant people through all generations, His tender fathering, and a command to all of creation to adore Him. Praise Him has a unique chorus structure - the responsive "Praise Him" with a different second line after each Chorus. This is based on the original hymn. Also note that the alternate chords shown for the third verse are optional, but add a more personal feel to this more personal verse. The echo part is sung by Abigail Ward, not quite 6 yrs old.
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Posted May 27th, 2004
This song helps us accomplish two purposes of singing in worship: Remembering and declaring the gospel. There is hardly a more wondrous story than that of Jesus' death on the cross for our sins. This song lays out the gospel very clearly - that Jesus died for us, his lost sheep. We sing of our lost state, that we were bruised, faint, and cowering in fear. Though our Christian journey will at times be filled with despair and sorrow, we are comforted to know that our Shepherd is with us (Psalm 23:4). Once we are in Christ, nothing can take us from the Father's hand of protection (John 10:29) - even the great enemy death, described here as a river (like in Pilgrim's progress). We have the glorious hope that God will lead us safely through death to be with Him and our believing loved ones forever!
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Posted July 10th, 2003
This is a song of gratitude to God for all that He has done for us. God has restored our soul, removed our tears, showered us with His love, even given us His Spirit! How else can we feel but overwhelmed by all that God has given us. As we sing this song, let our prayer be that of the hymn author's - may my life show honor to the God to whom I owe everything.
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Posted July 10th, 2003
This is a very well known and well beloved hymn from Isaac Watts. In fact, there is another modern version of this hymn from WorshipTogether.com that is gainging popularity. Like many of the other hymns we have reworked that other songwriters have also begun to compose new tunes for, our version is amazingly similar to the the WorshipTogether version. The running theme of this hymn is the incomparable riches of the cross compared to earthly treasures, thus the traditional first verse makes a natural chorus. Isaac wrote of our need to resign all that entices us away from setting all of our affections on God, even if it means giving up the whole world (the whole realm of nature). Truly the love God demonstrated for us on the cross demands we give our all back to Him, especially in worship.
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Posted July 10th, 2003
Philip Bliss, a well known hymn author, penned these beloved lyrics in the 19th century. A song about singing (which we find makes a very special song indeed), "I Will Sing" is an endearing tale of what our Savior has done for us. From the wondrous love shown in His debt-paying sacrifice, to His conquering power which gives us the victory over death, singing this hymn reminds us of why it is we can sing our praises to our Lord with such joy.
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Posted July 10th, 2003
Based partly on Philippians 4:4, this song describes why we can find our joy in God. How amazing it is that God actually commands us to be joyful always. In the first verse, we remember that Christ's triumph over the enemy of our sin is what makes our joy possible. In the second verse, we find joy in remembering that Christ is the Judge of all mankind and will one day take us to be with Him in heaven. In the chorus, we get to proclaim God's command to rejoice - and sing it again.
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Posted July 10th, 2003
A general song of adoration, "To God all Praise and Glory" sets forth many wonderful truths of God's character. These include the fact that He is creator, the author of our salvation, His sovereign rule, His role as Shepherd, and His protection and care for us.
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Posted July 9th, 2003
Every now and then we find songs about singing! In this beautiful hymn, John Stocker turns our attention to God's mercy. In the first verse, we remember that it is only by God's mercy that we escape the terrors of Hell and that it was because of and for mercy that Jesus gave himself on the cross for our sins. In verse two, we remember it is only God's mercy that can overcome the coldness of our heart. Verse three proclaims the blessed truth that God's mercy is freely available to all who come for it, while we conclude by singing that it is God's covenenat love that guarantees our ownership of His mercy. This hymn has also been made popular by the group Caedmon's Call, who wrote another tune for it with slightly different verses and lyrics.
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Reformed Praise presents Martin Luther's setting of Psalm 130 in a fresh, reflective, piano-driven setting suitable for a wide range of worship music styles.
