His Word Dwells Within Us

 Col 3:16
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.

To dwell is to live in. How does the word of Christ live in us? Reading His word and committing it to memory is one aspect of His word dwelling in us, “if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee”- Prov 2:1. It is good to know the word of Christ and know His teachings. But, His word living in us must be more than a mere intellectual knowledge of knowing his teaching, it is an abiding presence that lives in us from day to day. It is a fountain of life that springs from our heart. The word is living and working in our lives every day. It is not something we do on Sunday when we go to the house of worship. His word lives in our heart and is expressed in how we live. Through prayer, mediation, singing, and reading his Word, we learn to let the word of Christ abide in our hearts, to dwell in us richly.

Sing Unto The Lord

Psalm 98:1b, 4 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things:…Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Worshiping God is demonstrated in many ways. We enter into the house of God expecting Him to meet with us. We express our love and faith by giving Him praise. He is worthy of worship and it is only right that we make a joyful noise, rejoicing by singing praises to Him. True worship of God is more of an attitude of spirit than a physical demonstration of emotions. We can sing with gusto and lift our hands toward heaven all we want, but if our heart is in rebellion against God, then we worship in vain. For to obey is better than sacrifice, or giving lip service by speaking words of praise. God is pleased when we recognize His holiness, His majesty, His greatness, but coming to Him with a song that has been places there by Jesus Christ is what He desires. Let us enter into His gates with thanksgiving in our heart, and worship Him for who He is and what He has done in our lives. 

My Song Brings a Smile

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

I’m not a very good singer, but my heart sings for joy when I think of the goodness of God. We don’t always feel like singing, but the song He puts in our heart propels us to continue on regardless of the circumstances that we may face. As the song writer writes, “I have a song that Jesus gave me, It was sent from heaven above. There never was a sweeter melody, Tis a melody of love” It is a song that puts a smile on our face. We don’t always feel like smiling and life has a way of wiping the smiles off our face. But we don’t trust the world to bring us happiness, but we trust in Him, the one that causes us to rejoice and to sing unto we smile again. 

Music for the Soul

Colossians 3:16 “ 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.”-

Music, the key that opens the door that allows the heart to express its soul. The music we listen to and sing to allows us to enter into His presence. The implication is that music is a way we use to help admonish and teach one another the things of God. It is important that we don’t feed our minds with music that does not glorify God. All secular music (music that does not infer God) is not bad. Lyrics that invite fleshly carnal desires and cause one to think sinful thought are to be abstained. “ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.” are the words of Paul given to us in the next verse. Genre of music in our day are many, and we all have our individual taste to what appeals to our spirit. There are some genre that I have a hard time listening to even when Christian lyrics are used, but God uses means beyond my understanding to speak to the hearts of people. I enjoy listening to music that lifts up the name of Jesus. It feeds my soul and I can express my love and adoration. Let the music we sing and listen to be pleasing to God and lift our spirit to live a life in Christ. 

Israel Restored

Isaiah 62:1-12

As we look ahead to things that are yet to come, we find hope in knowing that Christ will someday rule over all earthly kingdoms. He shall reign forever and forever! And those who have been redeemed by his precious blood, washed and made clean will come to Zion singing, the song of the redeemed. Until then, let us remain diligent and watchful lest we find ourselves without a song to sing.

Righteousness Rules- righteousness goes forth

• God’s Objective- His People (Jews) will lead
• The People of God are a light shining in darkness

Renewed in Christ – a new name

• Exalted with Christ- as father Abraham is the bossom..
• We are given a new start- know by others as –a new man
• Things are different now- a changed life

Royal Diadem – royal diadem in the hand of the Lord

• We our the precious jewel in his hand
• God’s handiwork- God said, “it is good”

Rejoicing of God – God rejoice over thee

• Parallel- Christ and the bride
• The joy of the bridegroom over his bride
• ·Marriage supper of the lamb

Reign of Christ –till he establish-arms of His strength

• God will set his watchman to guard against the evil

• There will be no rest or ceasing to watch until all is safe
• His kingdom will be established- His promises is true

Return to Zion – go through the gates

• The gathering of God people back to Jerusalem
• The people of God from all times will return
• Spiritual return to Christ- Leave your sin- clear the way

Reward of God- his reward is with him

• A reward to them that diligently seek him

Redeemed of the Lord- They shall be called the redeemed

• Once forsaken and desolate- Mercy of God to remember
• Sought out by the Holy Spirit
• Called unto holiness