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What are you singing? And why?

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You’ve got a song in your heart. I know because I do, too. These songs can come out when we reminisce about a past experience, or run into an old friend, or uncover a new challenge.

If it’s a good song, it will help us. God will see to that. But if it’s not, it becomes a hindrance, a soundtrack we can’t turn off, bringing up negative emotions and unhealthy thoughts.

Music can use us. Or we can use music. The songs we listen to today matter not only for today, but also for tomorrow.

While we rarely can choose which new songs will come our way (although we can choose genres, artists, radio stations), among those available, we can choose which ones we’ll listen to over and over.

Here are 3 WAYS TO USE MUSIC to build our faith, using the song “Cornerstone” as a model. It’s a modern hymn (2012, Hillsong) based on an older hymn (1834, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote).

[Worship with it here. Also hear why it was written.]

What are you singing and why {donotdepart.com}

1. TEST THE LYRICS
While some songs appeal to us immediately because we love the tune, we don’t want to embed them in our hearts if the lyrics are bad. Examine the words you’re singing to make sure they are true and God-honoring.

In “Cornerstone,” these verses remind us to depend solely on Christ’s righteousness. Even in our doubts, these are lyrics we can sing to bolster our faith in what Christ has done, not in our own works.

Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name

Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

2. DO A BIBLE STUDY
Often the writers use a Bible passage as a base text. Look it up in context. But even without specific references, we can study general themes to flood our hearts with God’s truths.

Writers Reuben Morgan, Jonas Myrin, and Eric Liljero likely pulled from Ephesians 2:20 (“Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone”) for their chorus and theme of “Cornerstone.”

Other Biblical references related to this song for study might include: Psalm 118:21-23; Isaiah 28:16-17; Matthew 21:41-43; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 2:6.

Chorus:
Christ alone Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all

3. WORSHIP THROUGH IT
Whether you sing it with others or in the car with your kids or at home alone, use the words as personal worship to God. If you know an instrument, learn the chords so you can play it. Introduce it to your church’s worship team. Download it to your iPod.

When our church sings “Cornerstone” on Sunday mornings, the praise is powerful. Who can’t relate to times of darkness, or the need for more faith, or the profound truth that we stand faultless through Jesus’s righteousness?

Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne

Music touches us in places that words alone cannot. Let’s use those connections wisely to praise our Lord in every way we can. He is something to sing about!

Tweetables:

“The songs we listen to matter not only today, but also for tomorrow. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2SK @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”
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“Music can use us. Or we can use music. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2SK @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”
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QUESTION:
What song will you put in your heart this week? What is one of your favorite worship songs? Please share here.

Cornerstone - Songs Hymns Spiritual Songs {donotdepart.com}

Especially in the Storm

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I heard it for the first time during a funeral for a godly mother of two young children. An 18-wheeler ran right over her suburban in heavy city highway traffic. An entire family forever changed in an instant.

It wasn’t just the words of “Praise You in the Storm” that impacted me. It was knowing that the family had picked the song. In the midst of overwhelming grief and life-altering circumstances they chose to praise God and stand on His truth no matter how things looked – or felt.

Here’s the chorus of the song by Casting Crowns (find the full lyrics here):

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

storm buttonThe truth reflected in “Praise You in the Storm” is very biblical, though it doesn’t come naturally – or easy – for many of us. When circumstances are dire, when the way is difficult, and even the future looks dark, we can praise God. We can stand firm on the truth of Who God is, even when our emotions tell us He doesn’t care or He has forgotten us.

God lovingly highlighted this truth for me a couple of years ago when pain hit our own family. Believer, sometimes, on the darkest days, we must simply choose to believe that God is there and working for our good. When all we see is chaos and all we feel is hopelessness, we can cling to what we know to be true about God.

Along with the prophet Habakkuk we can declare:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT

God is faithful and trustworthy all the time. Not just when everyone is healthy and there’s money in the bank. He is faithful and trustworthy in the midst of the storm. Especially in the storm.

Tweetables:

“God is faithful and trustworthy all the time. Especially in the storm.” http://ow.ly/vyjC7 @DoNotDepart  Click to Tweet

“When all we see is chaos we can cling to what we know to be true about God.” http://ow.ly/vyjC7 @DoNotDepart Click to Tweet

Sing and clap – Isaiah 55:12 {Memory verse}

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For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 (ESV)

All creation is called to express joy. That includes you and me!

While we may not always feel full of joy, we can always find reasons to express our gratitude anyway. Look back over Isaiah 55:1-11 and remind yourself of multiple gifts you’ve been given.

Then tell God thank you for them–perhaps even by singing and clapping your hands.

This is our next-to-last week to memorize Isaiah 55. If you’re still memorizing and meditating, rejoice in that as well.

Tips for memorizing Isaiah 55:12

  • Place verse 12 in several places around your home, car, office
  • Pray about what brings you joy and peace; praise God for those
  • Recite Isaiah 55:1-11 twice a day until you’re comfortable with all the verses
  • Find a partner to help you with verse 12; practice out loud together
  • Notice trees outside with their uplifted arms; see this as praise to the Creator
  • Practice using Scripture Typer
  • Practice using first letters
    F y s g o i j a b l f i p; t m a t h b y s b f i s, a a t t o t f s c t h.

Tweet this:

“In joy & peace, sing & clap to your Creator. We’re memorizing Isa 55:12. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OR @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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What song of praise is in your heart this week? Please share.

Hiding Isaiah 55 in my heart (DoNotDepart.com)

Praising God… Just As I Am

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Praising God... Just as I Am DoNotDepart.comI love music.  I guess I come by it naturally.  My paternal grandfather (who passed away well before I was born) was a musician who started out playing for his preacher-father’s tent revivals and later played with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra.  My father, being the son of a professional musician, began playing guitar at the age of four.  He and my mother, who also grew up singing in a musical family, introduced my siblings and I to music before we were even born.

And, I grew up singing.  Lots and lots.  I’ve always loved the intricacies in the sounds of chords, harmonies, and arrangements, but nothing reaches in and touches my heart like lyrics.  I’m a word girl… a logophile at heart.

Just As I Am

As Julie wrote recently, “Songs speak to our hearts when only music can be heard above the noise, the pain, the questions, or the confusion. God uses worship music to help us grow.”  One song that makes me feel completely overwhelmed and humbled by God’s grace is Just as I Am, by Charlotte Elliott.  I especially like the version by Brenton Brown that includes a new chorus.   I love the reminder of God’s graciousness in reaching out to this sinner just the way I am.  He loves me far too much to leave me where He finds me, so I am ever journeying this path of sanctification.  But the good news is that He will accept my repentant heart (and yours, too) even when it’s grimy with fresh sin.  It’s absolutely overwhelming how much God loves us, isn’t it?

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou will receive,
Will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promises I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Jesus take all of me
I run to You, I run to You,
I lay everything at Your feet
Let my life be Yours

God wants His children to come to Him.  He doesn’t expect us to go and get cleaned up and picture perfect before we come running to Him for salvation, for forgiveness, for help, for love, or even for service.  The truth is that we could never do that anyway.  We aren’t capable of cleansing our own sin.  We need the blood of Jesus to do that!  And that’s why He bids us to come to Him.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psa 51:7)

“…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 b)

 

Yes, we need the precious blood of the Lamb to remove the dark spots from our souls and wash us whiter than snow!  He meets us where we are, and pardons, cleanses, and relieves us of the heavy burden of sin.  Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness.  To get that, all we have to do is come in faith.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

And this sacrificial act of love is exactly why we can raise our hands in praise and cry out,

“Jesus, take all of me… I run to you, I run to you!  I lay everything at your feet.  Let my life be yours!”

I’m praising God for His grace today and how such beautiful lyrics can illustrate His Holy Word!  Thank you, Lord, for the love that reaches out to your children wherever we are!  And, thank you that I can come to you… Just As I Am!

How does God speak to you, and even enrich your Bible study, through music?

Tweetables:

“Just as I am. We don’t need to get picture perfect before we come to Him.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I Am. Christ covers all our ugly sinfulness with His beautiful righteousness.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So @DoNotDepart #SingPraise”  ~ Click here to tweet this.

“Just as I am.  Beautiful lyrics can illustrate God’s Word.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2So  @DoNotDepart #SingPraise” ~  Click here to tweet this.

 

Songs, hymns & spiritual songs as Bible study tools

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So many events in our lives are accompanied by a background track. Songs speak to our hearts when only music can be heard above the noise, the pain, the questions, or the confusion. God uses worship music to help us grow. Has God used a song to help you find Him, know Him, follow Him, or worship Him?

Songs Hymns Spiritual Songs

The Do Not Depart team knows what it is to experience songs, hymns, and spiritual songs as powerful tools for truth in our lives. Our Bible study is better because of the faith-filled music playing in our lives.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

This month join us as we look at how God uses music to richly plant His word in us. We’ll share songs that teach and admonish us through the depth of their true messages. We’ll talk about the lyrics and sounds that have given gratitude a means of expression in our own lives. As we do, we pray you will be inspired to use songs, hymns, and spiritual songs as Bible study tools in your own life.

#BibleStudy is better because of faith-filled music playing in our lives. http://bit.ly/1i1mgzk @DoNotDepart #SingPraise < Click to TWEET & share!

Words that succeed – Isaiah 55:11 {Memory verse}

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So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)

Do you ever feel like nobody’s listening? Like what you’re saying will have no effect at all?

While we may feel that way at times, God doesn’t. He knows His words will be fruitful. His words are intentional and purposed. And successful.

We may not always see how, but we can trust that He sees. He makes it happen.

As we memorize and meditate on Isaiah 55:11 this week of March 31-April 6, let’s praise God for His power and design in where and how He places His words. And let’s allow His word to accomplish in our own hearts what He is purposing.

Tips for memorizing Isaiah 55:11

  • Read verse 11 several times in the morning and evening
  • Think about its meaning: what word? what does it accomplish? how is it sent?
  • Recite Isaiah 55:1-10 at stop lights, while cooking dinner, before you go to sleep
  • Ask God to prove His word fruitful in your own life
  • Look up definitions of accomplish, purpose, and succeed for greater insight
  • Practice using Scripture Typer
  • Practice using first letters
    S s m w b t g o f m m; i s n r t m e, b i s a t w I p, a s s i t t f w I s i. (ESV)

Tweet this:

“His word is purposed. Memorize Isaiah 55:11 with me this week. Tips here http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OP @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”
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What “word” has He used to accomplish something in you in this season? Please share.

Hiding Isaiah 55 in my heart (DoNotDepart.com)

Drinking Deeper Together – Isaiah 55 Study Recap

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Lisa started this month sharing how “the more you know, the more you love.” And she’s right, especially when we talk about our God.

Now that we’ve studied Isaiah 55 together this month (and some have been memorizing), we can see an addition to that statement:

The more you trust, the more you love.

God bids us to come and drink, all of us who thirst (which is all of us) (Isaiah 55:1).

If we accept, that means we trust His providence.

God reminds us to listen (Isaiah 55:2).

If we listen, that means we trust His words.

God says “come to me” (Isaiah 55:3).

If we come, that means we trust His love.

God says seek Him (Isaiah 55:6).

If we seek, that means we trust His purposes.

All of this trust brings us closer to Him, so that our eyes see and our hearts understand more of His traits. That His thoughts are higher (Isaiah 55:8-9), His Word accomplishes (Isaiah 55:11), and His joy and peace are evident (Isaiah 55:12). All of those actions come from His love, the greatest love we can know.

May we praise and clap our gratitude to God for His amazing love.

Drinking Deeper Together - Isaiah 55 Study Recap {DoNotDepart.com}
Original photo credit

This month:

We’re praying today that we all may trust harder and lean to Him. How can we pray for you today? What did you takeaway from studying Isaiah 55?

(If you’re still memorizing with us, there’s just a couple of weeks left! You’ve got this!)

Tweetables:

“After studying Isaiah 55, we can see the more you trust, the more you love: http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2S3 #DrinkDeeper @DoNotDepart” – Click here to tweet this.

“What did you takeaway from studying Isaiah 55 with @DoNotDepart? http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2S3 <– A #DrinkDeeper recap.” – Click here to tweet this.

Singing Mountains and Clapping Trees

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I would not have wanted Isaiah’s job. For 60 years he went to work every day to warn God’s people of His coming judgment on their unrepentant sin. The job must have had great benefits, because he stuck with it until the end.

Even though Isaiah’s message and contained a lot of “gloom and doom,” life-giving portions of it promised God’s restoration and ultimate salvation. All this month, we’ve focused on chapter 55, one of those hope-filled sections of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Isaiah 55:12-13

Today, we’ll finish the chapter with verses 12 and 13. But let’s get a running start. Here is Isaiah 55:10-13 from the NLT:

10“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! 13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

God’s Word will fulfill God’s purposes. I love that we can trust this promise!

I also love that God intends for His Word to bring His people joy and peace. When we receive and accept His Word in our lives it will fill us with His joy and peace. God’s Word will restore and refresh.

Where grief and sadness once grew, His abundant love will take root and a song will burst forth from our lips. Where sadness once ruled, God’s power will reign and our feet will begin to dance to the Father’s heart beat.

Is your life overgrown with thorns and briers? Immerse yourself in God’s Word today. The mountains will  begin to sing and the trees will clap their hands!

He rains down – Isaiah 55:10 {Memory verse}

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For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
Isaiah 55:10 (ESV)

Spring is here, just in time for Isaiah 55:10 in our chapter memorization for the week of March 24-March 30.

After seeing the huge distance between God and us in Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us here He bridges the gap! Just as He promised physical rain to come down, He kept His word in sending spiritual water by sending Jesus down.

Now we can buy without money (Isaiah 55:1), eat what is good, and delight ourselves in rich food (Isaiah 55:2).

As you meditate on Isaiah 55:10 this week, thank God for coming near and raining down on us. He nourishes, satisfies, and causes growth. And gives us seed to spread that good news to others. (Read more from Lindsey.)

Tips for memorizing Isaiah 55:10

  • Record yourself saying Isaiah 55:10 and listen to it during the week
  • Illustrate the verse using colored pencils or markers
  • Continue rehearsing Isaiah 55:1-9 at the beginning and end of each day
  • Concentrate on one phrase per session to really nail it
  • Read through the remainder of the chapter to keep the flow
  • Find someone to listen to you recite the verse
  • Pray for awareness and open hands to receive the rain from heaven
  • Practice using Scripture Typer
  • Practice using first letters:
    10 F a t r a t s c d f h a d n r t b w t e, m i b f a s, g s t t s a b t t e,

Tweet this:

I’m memorizing Isaiah 55:10 this week. Tips here for you to memorize it too:
http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2ON @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord
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What’s your favorite thing about spring? Do you have a favorite scripture that waters you? Please share in the comments.

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What God’s Word Is Supposed to Do

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What God's Word is Supposed to Do In Our Lives

God’s Word was never meant to leave us empty.

It was never meant to be something we have to do…something that’s on our “to do” list, right along with laundry and soccer practice.

Look at Isaiah 55:10-11, a couple of verses that talk about the Word of God:

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

God’s Word isn’t meant to leave us empty. It’s meant to leave us full.

Let’s break this text down  to see exactly how God’s Word is meant to refresh us.

1. It nourishes.

Just as the rain and snow water the earth and prepare the ground for growth, God’s Word nourishes our souls and prepares us for growth in Christ.

2. It produces a crop.

As I studied this text, I kept coming back to Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:3-8).

Jesus explained the parable like this. There are 4 types of people:

  • People on the path-These people hear the Word, but the devil takes it away from them.
  • People on the rock-These people hear the Word but have no root; they fall away when tested.
  • People among thorns-These people hear the Word, but it is choked away by worries and pleasures.
  • People on good soil-These people hear the Word, retain it, and produce a crop.

So the question is…what type of people are we?

When we hear the Word of God, how do we respond? Do we forget about it as soon as we put our Bibles away?

Or…do you retain it, persevere through hard times, and produce a crop?

This is what the Word of God is designed to do in our lives.

3. It’s sent from above.

A third aspect of the Word is that it is sent from above. As rain falls from the skies, so the Word was sent to us from Heaven.

It’s so easy living where I live to neglect my study in the Word. I have at least 10 Bibles in my home, not to mention commentaries and concordances. This surplus, instead of leading me to study the Bible more, has at times (to my shame) led me to neglect it. It has become almost commonplace. (Ugh, please tell me someone can relate to that admission.)

God’s Word should never become commonplace to us. It is the living Word of God, sent directly from the Father.

If we let it, it can do amazing things in our lives. The key, though, is that we have to let it.

How has the Word of God nourished you in the past?

Tweetables:

“God’s Word was never meant to leave us empty.” –Click to tweet this.

“If we let it, God’s Word can do amazing things in our lives. The key, though, is that we have to let it.” –Click to tweet this.

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