Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

January 13
Sunday


SCRIPTURAL
SONGS

READ:
Colossians 3:15-17
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Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly...
in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in
your hearts to the Lord.
__ Colossians 3:16
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John W. Peterson, the beloved songwriter, was a master at using Scripture in his songs. When I was a teenager in the church choir, we performed his cantata "Jesus Is Coming" and sang these words taken from 2 Timothy 3, verse 1: "In the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of themselves." Then he wrote of the grim signs that we would recognize in the last days (vv.2-7). The steady rhythm of his music helps me remember that list even today.

While some of us have trouble memorizing verses from God's Word, something in our brain helps us to remember words in songs. If we analyze some of our favorite Christian songs and choruses, we find that they have been derived from Scripture. Thus, we can use the memory boost of music to hide away God-breathed words in our hearts (2 Tim. 3:16). Songs such as "Open the Eyes of My Heart" (Isa. 6:9-10; Eph. 1:18) or favorites like "Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart" (Ps. 119:11,105) are taken from the Bible. with these words hidden in our memory, a song of praise comes quickly to our lips.

No matter what kind of voice you have, when you sing the words of Scripture back to God, it is sweet music to His ears. __ Cindy Hess Kasper
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You are the chosen of the Lord~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To sing His highest praise,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~And through the melody of song~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~To show His wondrous ways. __ Anon.~~~~~~~~~
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Hymns are the incense of a worshiping soul
praising God!

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Colossians 3:15-17*********

15 And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to
which also you were called
in one body; and be
thankful. 16 Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the
Lord. 17 And whatever you
do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through Him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHTS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Christian fellowship, peace should rule in our hearts. The word
translated "rule" is brabeueto, i.e., "arbitrate, decide every debate."
Given the diversity among those who follow Christ, differences of
opinion are inevitable. However, we are told the remedy is to allow
divine peace to arbitrate in resolving any conflict. Each side may not
fully agree, but each should yield to God to restore interpersonal
relationships. __ HDF