Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. Psalm 89:15.
As the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids His children today gladden their pilgrim life. There are few means more effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures; power to quicken thought and … to promote harmony of action…. It is one of the most effective means of impressing the heart with spiritual truth. How often to the soul hard-pressed and ready to despair, memory recalls some word of God’s—the long-forgotten burden of a childhood song—and temptations lose their power…. Let there be singing in the home, of songs that are sweet and pure, and there will be fewer words of censure, and more of cheerfulness and hope and joy.
Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact…. Often He expressed the gladness of His heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs. Often the dwellers in Nazareth heard His voice raised in praise and thanksgiving to God. He held communion with heaven in song; and as His companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from His lips. His praise seemed to banish the evil angels, and, like incense, fill the place with fragrance.
With the voice of singing He welcomed the morning light. He listened to the lark caroling forth music to its God, and joined His voice with the voice of praise and thanksgiving.
Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.
The voice of thanksgiving, praise, and rejoicing is heard in heaven. The voices of the angels in heaven unite with the voices of the children of God on earth as they ascribe honor and glory and praise to God and to the Lamb for the great salvation provided.
Let us learn the song of the angels now, that we may sing it when we join their shining ranks.
The Faith I Live By p. 273
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Prayer Requests
—-I pulled my back out and my ribs on my left side are hurting too. Please pray that everything will settle down and the pain will go away.
—- I have some very sad news to share. A pastor and his wife in India, friends of ours whom we first met in India, had placed their three beautiful children at _____. Last night all three children died in a house fire at a home in ______, while visiting on Christmas Break. Please pray for the parents who are enroute on a flight from India right now! Christopher
—-Today we got a 6 year old boy from DEEP in the jungle!! . . . his poor boy fell out of a tree and a branch went completely through his body, in one side and out the other just below his heart! We thought he was going to die for sure, but AMAZINGLY enough the stick did not break one bone or hit one vital organ, didn’t touch his lungs or anything. A a small amount of his intestines came out but the dr put them back in. Miraculously he thought the boy would be fine. He said if he doesn’t have a fever or abdominal pain after 2 days he can go home!! He said but if he has pain that would be bad, and he’d have to have major surgery. So please pray this boy won’t have any stomach pain! Toni
—-Just received word that my nephew was taken to the hospital with a brain bleed. Please for him his name is Brett. Shirley
—-Please pray for a retired teacher who is in hospital with a broken hip. Kay
—-Please keep David in your prayers. Juaneta
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Dear Friends,
Christmas time is always special to children, and I was no exception. When I was a little girl and living with my grandparents, my mother and my aunt would take me with them to get a Christmas tree. About half a mile from our house was a tree lot where each year a man sold fragrant pines, firs, and spruce. Under my mother’s artistic eye, we picked out the most symmetrical one on the lot. Michigan is cold and snowy in December, so dragging it home did not hurt it a bit.
When it was set up in the livingroom, it would nearly touch the ceiling. Then came the time I loved the best—my mother’s bringing down boxes of fragile ornaments some of which had been passed down from one generation to another. Because of my mother’s artistic abilities, she was the one who did all the decorating. As she unwrapped each valuable ornament, I looked upon it with delight. The oldest ones were my favorite, because of their delicate beauty. They were irreplaceable and I was forbidden to touch but could look to my heart’s content. And look I did! These favored glass creations were anticipated by me far more than any other part of the Christmastime celebration. When my mother was finished, the tree was literally a work of art.
God’s Word is like a valuable treasure for all generations. We are bidden to explore its pages to our heart’s content. Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Mat 13:44-46 There is nothing in this world more important than this Treasure that our Great Creator offers us. Indeed, He is longing for us to take it from His outstretched hands. He calls, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” Isa 55:1-3
Through God’s word we learn of Jesus and His Great Sacrifice for us. Salvation is the greatest of gifts! Nothing is more important than making our “calling and election sure!” 2 Peter 1:10 This Great Treasure is free for the asking, yet how few are willing to “sell all that they have” in order to receive it. Jesus tells us, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Mat 10:37,38 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26
May we daily “unwrap” God’s Holy Word, that we may find our Greatest Treasure, even the One “Who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 May we “count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.” Phil 3:8 May we seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, for we have the promise that all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt 6:33)
Rose

Singing on Life’s Way