Thought for the day
There was a woman who spent some months serving as a missionary in South Africa. On her final visit to a remote township she attended a medical clinic. As the Zulu women there began to sing together, she found herself deeply moved by their hauntingly beautiful harmonies.
She wanted to always remember this moment and try to share it with friends when she arrived home. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she turned to her friend and asked,
"Can you please tell me the translation of the words to this song?"
Her friend looked at her and solemnly replied . . . "If you boil the water, you won't get dysentery."
How many times have we been guilty of the same thing in a worship service? No, not of singing that particular song, but of singing (and perhaps even being moved emotionally) without being aware of the meaning of the words we were singing.
Paul said, "I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." (I Cor. 14:15).
The melody may be beautiful, but it is the lyrics which give our songs meaning. Pay careful attention to what is being said.
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:13
Yet we have the same spirit of faith as the psalmist had when he said, "I believe, and that is why I have spoken."
We too believe, and that is why we speak as we do;
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Well then, my beloved brothers, hold your ground, immovable; abound in work for the Lord at all times, for you may be sure that in the Lord your labour is never thrown away.
Matthew 21:22
in fact, when you put your faith into action, you get anything you pray for."
Psalm 112:1,3
Praise Jehovah! Happy a man who fears Jehovah, takes great pleasure in his commandments: In his house are resources and riches, and his rightness stands forevermore.
Prayer
Father, we are assured that You will guide us each day as we keep in step with Your Spirit. You satisfy our needs and give strength to the weary. Thank You for hearing our cries and saving us from our troubles. Thank You for being close to the brokenhearted and comforting those whose spirits have been crushed. Though we choose to live according to Your ways we know that we’re not exempt from problems, but we are greatly encouraged to know that You, Father, solve them all and sustain us in the midst of them. Thank You faithful, holy and righteous One. Amen.
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