Sunday, 6 April 2014

Tell yourself the truth

There are many days when I choose to listen to and to believe lies. They don't seem like lies to me, but they are. How do I know that they are lies? They are untrue because they are not consistent with the gospel.

Constantly we have to remind ourselves of the truth of the gospel or else it fades and life crowds in. When Paul writes his letter to the Galatians he reminds them of the truth that saved them so that they continue in the same gospel because they are starting to stray. But Paul preaches the gospel clearly in all that he writes. The early church needed that to enable them to keep going. We need it too.

Yes, I am talking about personal time reading the bible regularly. I think, though, that there are many other ways in which we can talk the truth to ourselves too. It can be in the words of our friends. It can be in the facebook statuses and tweets of strangers. I follow certain organisations and people on twitter in order to have a regular dose of gospel in bite-size. It can be in blog posts. Even in writing this blog I have a way to speak the gospel to myself as try to figure out what a life following Jesus looks like. 

One way I find really helpful is in the lyrics of songs and hymns. I go through phases where I play a song to myself daily to help me focus my thoughts as I prepare to face the day. Sometimes when I find it hard to pray, songs help me find the words to say.

This week I'm going to share some of the songs that I have found particularly helpful to tell myself the truth. Perhaps you'd like to share some lyrics you find helpful too? Today I am posting the words from a modern song which is modelled on the Lord's prayer. For a period at university a number of years ago I listened to this song every day.


Your love is strong - Jon Foreman
Heavenly Father 
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come 
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need 
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive 
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window 
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune 
Or out of place
I look at the meadow 
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl 
On her wedding day
So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is strong
The kingdom of the heavens 
Is now advancing
Invade my heart 
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens 
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself 
To buy the one you've found?
Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

No comments:

Post a Comment