Singing At Supper

Picture from http://www.coopersvilleunitedmethodistchurch.org

On a typical evening, my family and I rush through dinner because we have some place to go by a certain time.  Plus, my eldest son tends to take his time eating his meals so my husband and I normally coax him to eat, which consumes time.  The other night, dinner was no ordinary dinner.  Out of a goofy mood, we sang at the dinner table.  Although I cannot remember the song we sang, I do know it was a children’s song.  We had a good laugh at the impromptu dinner singing, and enjoyed the closeness in our family.  We are blessed!

Today, I read passages in scripture regarding the Last Supper.  One statement jumped off the page!  “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”  This sentence is found both in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26.  I never in my life knew Jesus sang!  Interesting.  This is the only indication in all of scripture (that I know of) that Jesus knew music.  Plus, they sang at the dinner table!

Of course, the two moments compare only a little since our family sang out of a goofy nature, and the disciples sang because this was the last meal they were going to have with Jesus for a LONG while.  The similarity is the closeness each person at the table had with each other.  Just as singing at our dinner table reflected the closeness in our family, singing at Christ’s last supper indicates the closeness they had.  How beautiful that moment was!

Just a thought.  We normally remain quiet while the band plays a song during communion.  The next time we take communion together, shall we sing as we eat the bread and drink the wine (or grape juice)?  What would it sound like if we all sang a-cappella as we took communion?  My guess would be beautiful.

Personal Worship Time

When I worship at home, I tend to use the same songs in my personal worship time. The songs are not a formula for my personal worship time, but they do reflect how much I want the Holy Spirit to permeate my life and counsel me as I testify to others.

"Heart of Worship" is my always my first. This song always brings me to repentance. I cannot sing this song without tearing up at the phrase, "I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it" because how many times have I tried to take the lead in worship when the Holy Spirit should be in that role?

"Hungry" is typically my next song. It is the testimony of my heart. I'm hungry for the Spirit and want Him to fill my life with his presence. Only He can satisfy and heal my soul as I seek his face. I choose to empty myself so that I may be full with Him.

"God of This City" is my heart's battle cry right now. I see multiple denominations (churches practically on every block), and nothing consistently connecting them. I see the Lord's children scattered in the same town. The Lord's children can do better than this. "Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city."

Curiously, do you have songs that you use repetitively in your personal worship time? How have they shaped the way you lead worship?

Building Relationships

For a while now, the Lord reminds me to “build relationships.”  I must be honest and forthright here.  Sometimes, I struggle with what that actually means.  Does it mean to build on new relationships?  Is God telling me to reinforce the old ones?  How much time should I invest in people’s lives? Who should I approach?  What do I do?

Then I read Luke 6:37-38.  Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This passage spoke to me differently than before.  Most people see this passage in the context of unbelievers criticizing believers for telling them they are going to hell if they do not accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Sadly, many Christians believe that context, and it is simply not true.  Here is the truth:  Jesus is speaking to his disciples on relationship building in this short passage.  “Do not judge” and “Do not condemn” are other ways of saying, “do not base your relationships on presumptions, hearsay, and inconclusive results.”  If we choose not to build relationships with others based on cultural differences or personality differences, what good will that do us?  We must NEVER find ourselves in a pattern of avoiding people because of differences of culture, personality, opinions, etc.  Jesus had dinner with sinners, and went out of his way to talk to a Samaritan woman in a time when Jews and Samaritans were forbidden to communicate to each other.  We MUST take the time to spend with people.  Cultivate deep spiritual relationships earning the trust of those who normally would not trust you.

The next part is so encouraging!  “Give and it will be given to you.”  What does this have to do with relationships?  Well, it’s kind of obvious!  If we are willing to give our time and our resources to people outside of our “friendship circle,” God will bless it.  I’m not talking finances here.  I speak of trust, honor, and influence with the people we choose to give our time to.  Our Lord is sure to reward that behavior with “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”  WOW! 

Jesus also said, “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Again, when it comes to relationship building, how do we measure relationships?  Whatever measure we use, the same measure is used thus for us.  So, love unconditionally, forgive unconditionally, give unconditionally, and see what God does!

I want to challenge you today to build relationships outside of your comfort zone.  Always take the message of Christ with you.  As you live a life pleasing to our Savior, you may very well find you will gain favor from the most unlikely people, and lead them to a life changing decision to follow Jesus Christ!  Be encouraged, child of God!  You are worth more than all the earth can provide.  Therefore, go today and make disciples!