MAKING MELODY
Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 25-26
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. You can see Cave Number 4 in the middle where the first scrolls were found.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 25:2
Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
Asaph, along with David and others, wrote Psalms (click here for Psalm 50). Giving thanks and worshipping the Lord was a very important element of the services in the Temple. The Psalms were the content of their hymnbook. We may be sure that if they had modern technology, the words of Asaph would have often been projected on a screen so that the congregation could sing along. The words and music of the hymns and gospel songs have endured as instruments of worship sung directly to God (e.g. “How Great Thou Art”). They are a form of prophesy born in the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul, who would have regularly participated in the music of the Jerusalem Temple, wrote these words: “Speaking to one another in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Some translations start this verse with the words, “Encourage one another.” Verse 21 goes on to describe the content of the singing: “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray today the words written by Fanny Crosby and then put to music for congregational singing…“Thou, my everlasting portion! More than friend or life to me, all along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee. Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, all along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.” I pray this in Jesus’ Name! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS
I’ve found myself while writing this blog breaking into singing the hymn, “How Great Thou Art!” Also I have just sung the song of personal experience, “Amazing Grace.” This past Saturday, I sang the world’s most often sung words, “Happy Birthday,” to my 4-year-old great-grandson, James Stowell. I’m so happy that my great-grandchildren are learning the Scriptures by singing them. Yesterday, Father’s Day, after attending church, Norma-Jean and I were together with our family. First we were at the home of our granddaughter and her husband, Sheryl and Todd Neilson, for the third birthday of their daughter, Autumn. We sang “God Rocks” songs, which consist of Bible verses. Then later we were at the home of Elaine and Bruce Stacey, Autumn’s grandparents, for a Father’s day celebration. We heard more of the Scriptures put to music by the God Rocks composer, Bruce Stacey. When I need a lift for my heart, attitude, and my spirit, I’ve proven that “singing and making melody” is a sure remedy. Here is a link to a video of one of the “God Rocks” Scripture songs. You can find out more about “God Rocks” at www.godrocks.ca.
Yours for “singing and making melody,”
David
Indeed it is a good thing to make melody and to be encouraged by one another through God’s word. I think of the enormous wealth of music that we have as Christians, from the classics, traditional hymns, gospel music, and contemporary praise and worship …. there’s something out there to encourage everyone! Along with David, let’s sing words of praise to Christ our King giving thanks for such wonderful grace and salvation that He alone has bestowed on us all!
I think I’ll start my day off with “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUnSe7VUPco
Amen, Scott!
Thanks for the link Scott…a great way to start the day!!!
Love the photo of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! Thanks for the link to the God Rocks song, David–it led me to Jacob’s Well.
Here is Jacob’s Well singing Psalms 9
I will give thanks to the Lord, with my whole heart
I will tell of all your wonders, I will be glad
I will give thanks to the Lord, with my whole heart
I will tell of all your wonders, I will be glad and exalt in You
I will sing praise to Your name
The Lord will be a refuge in times of trouble
Those who know Your name will put their trust in You
For You, have not, forsaken those who seek You
I will sing Your praise, oh most high
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart
I will tell of all Your wonders, I will be glad
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart
I will tell of all Your wonders, I will be glad an exalt in You
I will sing praise to Your name
The Lord will be a refuge in times of trouble
Those who know Your name will put their trust in You
For you have not forsaken those who seek You
I will sing Your praise, oh most high
The Lord will be a refuge in times of trouble
Those who know Your name will put their trust in You
For You have not forsaken those who seek You
I will sing Your praise, oh most high
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaalqYhbttw
I think I played it 5 or 6 times–so uplifting! Singing away to the Lord with you, this beautiful morning! Blessings fellow saints!
Thank you Beverlee….that was great!
“God Rocks” lyrics and music is a “God send” for the nurture and development of praise and thanksgiving among children and families today! I will encourage viewing God Rocks on CTS with my 3 year old grandson and have music available. Have a great day “as we journey close to thee” with our Saviour!
I Love those songs I just started playing my flute again playing by ear not to long ago
I took lessons in school and played in band. David I don’t know how you keep straight
all the birthday’s I use a calender for my family. Have a wonderful day with God our saviour !
Lianne Hogg
Awesome, Lianne! I used to play the flute, too. Such a beautiful sound! Music from heaven!
Perhaps all of creation is God’s song and each human being is a verse in it. Amen
It is wonderful to have a large family I have 6 daughters and my son died in 1977 I became born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as well that aws the year my son went to be with Jesus a few days later I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and God has been working in our lives and 15 grandchildren so I love you David and I ve been watchong and supporting your ministry more on than off and God Rocks on you tube is fantastic God Bless you and thank you for healing David Lord in Jesus name Amen and Amen
Thanks for all the music featured this morning. I sang along also with “Oh, What a Saviour”, Scott and it blessed my soul. Your blog, David and Psalm 9 is also meaningful today. I am scheduled for my operation this Thursday, June 20th at 1pm in St. John. I will miss this blog a lot, and will be looking for someone with a laptop or Ipad. God bless all of you today.
All the saints will be holding you up in prayer, Thursday, Ger, rest assured! May God Bless you, and keep you, and wrap His loving arms around you. May He comfort, and hold You, with His peace!
Ger: I will be praying for you on Thursday!!!
Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
I pray that you will feel the strength and presence of God as you undergo your surgery and that you will be at peace knowing that all your bog-buddies are holding you up in prayer. We anticipate good results. Our God is Able!!!! AMEN!!!
I will be much in prayer for you Ger on Thursday, along with our fellow bloggers.
Father, please give Ger the peace that passes all understanding, grant her a full recovery and bless those who will minister to her through the surgery.
May God’s loving arms hold you tight.
Thanks for letting us know, Ger. We will pray. The Lord will be with you and is with you. Praise Him!!! Lord I pray that Ger will sense your Presence and your Peace. That You will quiet her heart. Amen
Thanks as well, Ger you will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Psalm 63:6-8 When I think of You as I lie on my bed,
I will meditate on You during the night
watches because You are my helper;
I will rejoice in the shadow of Your
wings. I will follow close to You; Your
right hand holds on to me.
Praying for success with your surgery on Thursday Ger, and help with the blog or scripture reading.
Thank you Pastor David for our blog today…..the links to God Rocks and once again sharing your family with us.
We have sadness at the passing of a family member today, but rejoicing he is now with The Lord, a comfort that is always present even as we grieve.
Rejoicing in songs to my Saviour.
Music has an amazing ability to lift one’s spirit when you are feeling down or are feeling burdened with the pressures of life.
Dottie Rambo’s song “Sheltered in the arms of God” is one that blesses me every time I hear it. I wish I knew how to put a link here to it but if you go into You Tube you can find it.
Have a great day today bog-buddies and blessings to all!!
I think I figured it out. Here is the link. I hope it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Q1mDT1QLM
Blessings!
Dear David M . and precious fellow bloggers
I could literally picture all the children around you and Norma – Jean and parents chanting to the Lord and our Heavenly Father . How cool can that be . Already visualizing my future grandchildren dancing and worshiping the Lord to the rythm of God Rocks and me spinning around in my electric wheel chair and this is a request that I send to my Heavenly Father in Jesus name Amen.
Dear Ger I will be rallying all my church on thursday as we gather for five days of fasting and prayer seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in guiding us for a new pastor for our church ,
May God manifest His Full Power in The Name above all names Jesus Christ
Amen and Amen.
xxxx Carole .
Hi Carole what a small world my church is also looking for a new pastor. We have been blessed with a wonderful transitional pastor while we pray and wait. I will be praying for your church. God Bless each one today!!!!
Dear Colleen What an amazing God we serve . I truly know this is no coincidence just the Holy Spirit uniting us strengthening us isnt that Jesus Christ in full force He is truly alive .
Have a blessed day my dear sister in Christ.
After a week away it is good to be back and to get caught up on here.
A wonderful start to today with all the mentions of ‘singing’ psalms and links to songs. It is such a blessing and source of encouragement to ‘sit at your feet’ David M. and learn from you, and to see Reynold’s photo’s, and to read everyone’s posts. Blessings to all.
Thank you all you bloggers for that beautiful music and song s and all your prayers, what a wonderful group of people, and D. Mainse thankyou for
this blog, I’m so blest by it thank you so much…R…
I have been enjoying the reading assignments ever since my son David said how he was enjoying all the names. He said he puts his arrow on the assingment and then turns on the sound,puts his feet up and enjoys. I’ve been doing the same thing ever since. It is very relaxing and enjoyable. He is a very smart son. He calls me every Sunday. I have been enjoying seeing you live on One Hundred Huntley Street. Bye for now Elaine.
Thank you everyone for your blessings, scripture and promise to pray on Thursday and for you rallying your whole church to pray, Carole. What a blessing this blog is to each of us. Thank you, David Mainse as I am so glad to have this prayer support upholding me and giving me peace. You can feel the love expressed on this blog. Today, as I was sorting through some papers, I found a little pop open card and inside it said, “… Do not fear, for I am with you…I am your God. I will strengthen you…help you; I will uphold you…” Isaiah 41:10 Then it said, “I refuse to be afraid, because God is with me.” I appreciate all of you. The Lord bless you.
David you are such an inspiration. God must be smiling, hearing your version /visualization of how they must be rejoicing over your confession to your teammates about your acceptance of Jesus in your life.
May the good Lord give us the grace and boldness to do the same in this age.
🙂