Moderate Tempo

The Ten Commandments are an important part of our faith. Though we live in an age of Christ's grace, Christ emphasized that He came not to destroy the old law, but to fulfill it. The commandments form the first coded "law" - a set of values explaining just who God is and what He expects of us. Note: this song is from the King James Version

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy." This psalm is one of peace, resolution, trust in God. We can certainly praise Him for other reasons - for who he is, for His mighty acts in general. But as you sing this song, dwell a little longer on the "praise be to the LORD," and contemplate how He has answered your calls for mercy - then join with the psalmist and say, "my heart leaps for joy!"

Psalm 119 exalts in the beauty and protection to be found in God's word and His laws. This section, which continues to verse 96, praises God's faithfulness demonstrated in his unchanging, eternal word. We also see God's sovereignty - for "all things serve you" - an acknowledgement that despite what the situation, God is ultimately in control. Our hearts can rest, like David's, in ultimate submission expressed in verse 94 - "save me, for I am yours".

God's laws - his statutes and precepts and commands - are wonderful! His word lets us know Him, and so it gives freedom, life, and light. How eagerly we should long for God's word - the Psalmist goes as far as to say "I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands." Laws, commands, and limits are not a popular subject these days, but how important they are - they show us God's character and His love for us, and they prompt us to live in His light.

Ever have times when you feel like your circumstances are eating you alive? King David sure did! He describes feeling so anxious that if the LORD didn't answer quickly, he'd be as good as dead - and for good reason: his enemies were closing in on him. Yet through all this, David's faith brings hope and expectation that a new day will bring him word of God's unfailing love. And that's a faith we can share in our times of difficulty!

"The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me", prophesies Isaiah of the coming Christ. The works Isaiah lists are the ministry of God through his grace throughout the ages - release from spiritual poverty, blindness, bondage. We sing this primarily of our Lord Jesus and the redeeming work He's done in us. But let's also sing it as a reminder that, via the priesthood of believers and because of the consistency of God's character, it's become our message as well. Let those who are in the Messiah proclaim His freedom to those who seek Him.

The "great commission" actually starts with verse 18, where Jesus tells his disciples that he has all authority in heaven and earth. 19 starts with a "therefore" - because of Jesus' authority, we therefore are commanded to make disciples of all nations - baptizing, teaching the doctrine of the trinity, and all other things that Jesus showed us in His life and teaching. It's exciting to remember that He will be with us always, to the very end of the age. Christ's enabling power and his loving presence will never leave us. Let's follow His command and live in His power!

The message of the angel to the shepherds, "do not be afraid, I bring you good news," was a message of comfort and hope - the Messiah had been born, and he was given for the salvation of ordinary folks like us! This message of good news has resounded through the centuries, as the theme song of Christ's own Church. Drink deeply of these words this Christmas season!

Paul illustrates the awesome position, power, and knowledge of God. We are so blessed to know the one from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things.

Paul has just finished describing the awesome supremacy of God - and His mercy because we can be forgiven and may know Him. In the light of this mercy towards us, our best choice in life is to offer our entire selves as a sacrifice to God. Verse 2 describes how: to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, as we submit to the Holy Spirit. Then we can truly glorify Him by demonstrating His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

What are we to think about Christ's death and resurrection for our sins? Paul puts it directly: the fact that Christ took the drastic measure of dying for all must mean then that all had died - that Christ died in our place. And Christ's resurrection power provides more than a mere return to life; He gives us something to live for instead of self - we live for Him! This is glorious, and we can look at everything in a new way. In fact, anyone who is in Christ is a new creation!

Paul links our newness in Christ to our ministry as His ambassadors - sharing the perfect hope of reconciliation with God. Each of us is not only a recipient, but also a messenger to the world and to one another. Paul gives a condensed salvation message, explaining how this can be: "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Be personally reconciled to God every day, and then spread that glorious hope to the world!

Paul lays out five very important gifts that God gives to his people - to all of us, for the building up of his Church. We're to be serving him by building up our brothers in unity in the faith. And as we become mature, His Church will more and more reflect the glorious "fulness of Christ."

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy - these are the things that should fill our thoughts.

Jesus' presence in our lives leads to a profound peace - a calmness that transcends understanding. That peace is especially important since we are one body in Him. And when his word dwells richly in us, we see it reflected in loving actions to that body- teaching, warning when necessary, and worshipping the Lord in song. When He dwells in us to that extent, surely whetever we do - word or deed - all will be to His praise and glory, with thanksgiving.

Paul starts with the rhetorical question, "who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" It may seem that we could answer, "many could," but if we truly set apart Christ as Lord, then even Satan and all his attacks can't harm us! When we set our eyes on the unmovable, infallable Christ, who loves us eternally, then truly we have a great hope, one that is likely to arouse questions and probing - and all to God's glory if we are prepared to answer in His power.