To Us a Son is Given

Isaiah 9:6,7 (ESV)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Continue in Prayer…

As news regarding the tragedy in Newtown, CT continues to saturate the media, I want to encourage you to continue in prayer for the Lord’s provision and purposes in the lives of all who have been impacted.  In particular, keep praying for the pastors and members of Newtown Bible Church.  God has given them a unique and difficult context in which to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the families, community, and first-responders of Newtown.

 

Likewise, be alert and responsive to opportunities the Lord brings your way to share the hope of the Gospel with those you interact with.  Many questions and burdens are on people’s minds concerning what happened last Friday – may God give us all grace, wisdom and boldness to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15; Col. 4:5,6; 1 Pet. 3:15).

 

Because He lives,

Greg

Sing to Him a New Song

The Lord calls His people to sing to Him a new song (Ps. 33:3; 149:1). The sense of “new” relates to new, fresh impulses of gratitude and praise in our hearts as we consider the greatness of God and His works.  One implication is that even when we sing old songs, there should be a newness in the way our hearts are resonating with the truths we’re singing.

 

I think of this often this time of year, when we’re given to sing so many rich and familiar Christmas hymns.  And I pray that for all of us, the glorious truth of what the Father accomplished when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14) will be all the more fresh, amazing, and song-provoking in our lives.  What great, living hope He has called us to in Christ (1 Pet. 1:3, 133:15); and what cause we have for always singing new songs – even when facing grief and sorrow.  And what cause we have to proclaim His life-giving excellencies to those still in darkness (1 Pet. 2:9-10)!

 

Speaking of rich and familiar Christmas hymns, I recently came across some fresh arrangements of many of these classics by a group called Folk Angel – you might check them out.  Beyond wishing that these guys would smile (like they’re actually joyful…), I’ve been blessed and encouraged by their music!  A few personal favorites:   O Little Town of Bethlehem;  Joy to the World; Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus ; O Holy Night; and a “new, new” song called God With Us.

 

Rejoicing and singing on with you,

Greg