God Is Our Refuge

Christian, are you in need of encouragement?
Here is a message that reminds us to look to God alone.
Finding Stability in an Unstable World • Message given by Darren Wiebe

This is a stressful time for me, and reminders of God's dependability and calming music with good lyrics are helpful.
Here are two songs I've heard in recent times that came into my mind this week.

Social Justice & the Gospel Statement, Podcast, & Messages + Hymn in Español

It's finally out!  The Statement on Social Justice & The Gospel.
I had been waiting what seemed like a long time for this to be released.
I had heard early information about this, and so I was eagerly checking the link.

I found out today from someone else that it was published.
https://statementonsocialjustice.com/

John MacArthur has been preaching on Ezekiel 18 recently which addresses this topic.

Social Justice & The Gospel - Part 1

Social Justice & The Gospel - Part 2

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Music for Your Day
We sang a hymn at a local church this past Sunday, and I thought the lyrics were very good.
I came across a singing group called "Esclavos de Cristo" which in English is "Slaves of Christ" that sang & played a Spanish version of it beautifully.

 

 Two lyric choices in English for the song are HERE and HERE.

Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right - A Childlike Trust

On Sunday night I heard a song which had some solid lyrics that those of us who may be suffering would well attend to.

Sometimes our feelings rebel and resent increased pain and trials even as Christians.
Yet we don't want to be rebellious against God and His Sovereign purposes.
God does care about us, and we must look to Him for endurance, strength, and rescue.
I know that God is not unjust, and that one day sorrow and pain will depart for the believer in Heaven.
So, I must patiently endure, realizing the hope of  the joy of Heaven, and recognizing God's care of me on earth as well.
Even the hard times are meant to turn me to trust Him.

Christians, please pray that I will have true joy and a childlike trust in Christ in my trials with no sinful resentment, and if you would like prayer, please comment and let me know.
I know that some of my friends also are going through very difficult days.

 The last words of the four verses of the song "Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right" go like this:

 "He holds me that I shall not fall" 

 "His hand can turn my griefs away." 

 "...sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart." 

 And again:
"He holds me that I shall not fall."


 

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.
Psalm 131:2 NASB

Dear Pastors

This week I was watching parts of a 9 Marks conference called the "First Five Years." It was directed at newer pastors, and this was one of the messages that especially stood out to me.
Jonathan Worsley is a pastor in England at a church called Kew Baptist.

This message is really worth your time:




Don't Throw Out The Hymn Books
The following is an interesting article about hymns (though one of the songs mentioned in this article I take some issue with...as we don't crown the Lord...as "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name" says).
I actually like a mix of hymns & other spiritual songs with good lyrics, but people shouldn't write off the tried and true.
Hymns are still good 

Expository Preaching
A lot of pastors claim to do expository preaching, but do they?
Evangelicalism's Got Talent Part 2

Church Clothes Matter
What a pastor wears can affect how people approach the Word of God:
Q & A: Pastor Jayson Explains Why A Pastor's Wardrobe Matters

Culture of Death, Messengers of Hope, Lyrics Languages

Culture of Death
I grew up listening to Christian music quite a bit, and there are some songs that have messages that transcend the time they were written.
The following song discusses the culture of death that still reigns today.



Messengers of Hope
Last Sunday night during the Grace Community Church live-stream, I heard a particular hymn for the first time that is found in the Hymns of Grace book.
(The hymn books have sold out, & are going to be put out by Moody Press in the future.)
 Near the end of the song I heard last Sunday, it talked about the call to be messengers of hope & to bid the nations to sing the praises of the Lord.
Some people are able to go in person, and that's great!
With my limitations, I'm thankful to be able to still use the internet. Maybe one day I won't be able to, but God still has His purposes.

 

Lyrics Languages
Sovereign Grace Music is now making some of their song lyrics available in multiple languages!
They have Chinese, French, Russian, Korean, Spanish, & Welsh.
The downloadable lyrics of one of the songs that I like are found on the left side of the following page (scroll down a little ways on it):
Behold Our God