We're singing

 

We’re singing 

 

The Psalms have been called a songbook for God’s people.  I’ve even heard of some churches specifically using them only for music.  I could debate Christian music with people for hours because of how I was raised and some of that would be getting into a pointless argument.  Mostly because I’ve seen too many well-meaning church goers who only like certain styles of music.  Instead, I want to use this blog to encourage you to praise God.  Why because like King David we all need a “But as for me moment.”  Some of you just said, “Do what now?”  Before you completely make the Scooby Doo confused look let me explain what I mean.  We need music that points our hearts to God.  You need to seek and praise God because it gets your focus off of you and on Him.  I’ve seen this thing on facebook that as a Christian makes zero sense to me.  It says,  “It’s Sunday time to get my praise on.”  If your relationship with God doesn’t cause you to praise God, the rest of the week and you only sing praise to Him on Sunday you might need to read your Bible and ask some questions about what you claim to believe.  

 

Psalm 59:16-17 is about to drive my point home.  

 

“But as for me, I will sing about your power.  Each morning, I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.  For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.  O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.”  

 

Every morning David is praising God.  That’s more than one day a week.  

 

In Ephesians 5:18-20 we are called to praise God.  

 

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

 

Kari Jobe said it best in her song called I’m singing.  

 

“I’m singing 

To the God who brings redemption to the nations

Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise 

And I’m singing to the God 

Who wrote the book on our salvation 

To the One who covers me in grace”. 

 

We owe our Creator and redeemer praise.  

 

 

I’m singing by Kari Jobe

All in all by Charmaine 

Sing your Praise to the Lord by Rich Mullins

View changed

 

View changed

 

I grew up a preacher’s kid, and I’ve been around a few churches. I was saved at the age of 16.  Listening to pastors and deacons praying in church can be one of the most intimidating things for a younger Christian.  I’m going to endeavor to take you on a journey of how my view of prayer changed because I’ve heard a lot of prayers from other people.  Some have lengthy flowery prayers with big fancy words.  I understand that from a certain perspective, but there was a time when the way I looked at prayer simply changed.  God wants us to communicate with Him often.   If you spend time in the Psalms and I have spent a lot of time, there you will find King David is the most vulnerable person you will ever hear praying and singing to God.   

 

Psalm 51:16-17

 

“You do not desire a sacrifice or I would offer one.   You do not want a burnt offering.  The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”  

 

See years back in my college days I went to this place called Disc Go Round and I bought my first Margaret Becker cd.  That’s when I discovered the song that changed the way I viewed prayer and talking to God.  Years before in 1989 she wrote this song called Honesty and it is for everyone who has sat in church and heard the fancy prayers and thought “I don’t understand how to pray because I can’t wrap my head around all these strange words.”  I’m here to tell you along with Maggie B that you don’t need all that.  What you need is an open and contrite heart before God.  Sometimes we have to come to God in prayer with our broken mess.  

 

Her song says this.  

“Tonight, by the glow of the firelight 

You found the courage to speak your mind

And tear down the walls 

you’ve been hiding behind 

You spoke of your struggle 

And you cried from the pain 

You spoke of your failure 

And then you turned in shame

You said, you knew you’d never be alright.

 

God’s not afraid of your honesty 

He can heal your heart if you speak honestly 

Humble sorrow and honest cry 

He will not pass by no.”

 

See, those words changed me.  It made me realize that I didn’t have to sound all fancy when I prayed and made me realize God wants me to talk to him as I would talk to a friend.  Yes, I’m to be respectful because He is almighty God but he doesn’t want me to try to pretend to be something I’m not.  

 

Philippians 4:6-7 

 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  

 

In Luke 18:9-14 there is a story Jesus tells about prayer between the Pharisee and the tax collector, and I’ve always related more with the tax collector because of what he did.  

 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed.  Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”  

 

Even on my best day I’m a screw up and yet God wants me to pray to Him and he listens.  Let your guard down don’t try to be something you’re not.  Speak to God honestly.  He created you He sent his Son to die for your sins and be raised to life and He loves you.  

 

I want to end this with one of the most important verses you will ever learn about prayer.  

1 Peter 5:8

 

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”  

 

That verse tells you when to pray.  When you’re worried and concerned.  And then it tells you why.  Because He cares about you.  

I rarely ask for prayer but if you feel led to pray, please pray for Becky and I as we are getting married this coming Saturday.  Please pray that we would be the people God wants us to be. 

 

Honesty by Margaret Becker 

Humble yourself by Mylon Lefevre and friends

Praying man by Petra