THINK ON THESE THINGS
Part 2
I started the first blog post on this theme quoting Philippians 4:4-8 from the New King James Version of the Bible.
As I start this second part on this theme, let me quote verses 6-8 this time from The Living Bible (TLB). The Living Bible was first published in 1971 by Tyndale House, being a paraphrase of the Bible by Kenneth N. Taylor.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Philippians 4:6-8 TLB
These verses in this version of the New Testament were wonderfully set to music in the nineties as two songs in the "Children Arise" music albums produced by Merrilyn Billing and her family while they were living in Brisbane, Australia. Straight from scripture, the four original albums, I believe are still available from Zions Hill Church in Ravenswood, Launceston, Tasmania - and well worth investing in. So uplifting and anointed songs. A fifth "Children Arise" album was produced in Tasmania some years after the original four. In the last couple of years, two more albums of children singing Scripture songs based on verses from The Passion Translation, a relatively recent modern English translation - have been produced called "Let The Whole World Sing." I personally have not heard these albums, but I can only imagine that they would be very high quality and anointed music albums with catchy tunes, not unlike the "Children Arise" series.
For further information about all music albums from Zions Hill Church in Launceston, head to the website: www.zionshill.com.au
While I am thinking about the power of Christian music, especially songs that are based directly on Scripture, I remember with fondness the wonderful Scripture in Song choruses, straight from the Word of God, and set to music by David and Dale Garrett, from Auckland in New Zealand in the 70's and 80's. At the time, these songs were used greatly to impact the church worldwide. Should we still be singing such songs today? Well, personally, although I still enjoy listening to them, I must say that the contemporary church now has its own music that has developed with new generations, and there are certainly some very gifted and anointed singers, songwriters and musicians today whose passion is to glorify God, and to exalt Jesus in all they accomplish for the kingdom of God. Times have changed, but the message is essentially the same in the most inspired and anointed praise and worship music.
In considering the theme of this blog, "Think On These Things", Hebrews 12:1,2 in the New Testament are worth quoting here:
Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Vs 1-4.
We need, as Christians to be filling our minds and our hearts with the Word of God, which has the power to supercharge us with God's ability in us to live whole and wholesome lives, filled with life from Spirit of God, being led into all truth and knowing a deep abiding sense of divine Peace, Love and Joy-filled Hope for now and the future, as we commit our lives daily into His loving care.
Then we can confidently say with the psalmist, King David:
The Lord is my light, and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1,2
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Philippians 4:6-8 TLB
These verses in this version of the New Testament were wonderfully set to music in the nineties as two songs in the "Children Arise" music albums produced by Merrilyn Billing and her family while they were living in Brisbane, Australia. Straight from scripture, the four original albums, I believe are still available from Zions Hill Church in Ravenswood, Launceston, Tasmania - and well worth investing in. So uplifting and anointed songs. A fifth "Children Arise" album was produced in Tasmania some years after the original four. In the last couple of years, two more albums of children singing Scripture songs based on verses from The Passion Translation, a relatively recent modern English translation - have been produced called "Let The Whole World Sing." I personally have not heard these albums, but I can only imagine that they would be very high quality and anointed music albums with catchy tunes, not unlike the "Children Arise" series.
For further information about all music albums from Zions Hill Church in Launceston, head to the website: www.zionshill.com.au
While I am thinking about the power of Christian music, especially songs that are based directly on Scripture, I remember with fondness the wonderful Scripture in Song choruses, straight from the Word of God, and set to music by David and Dale Garrett, from Auckland in New Zealand in the 70's and 80's. At the time, these songs were used greatly to impact the church worldwide. Should we still be singing such songs today? Well, personally, although I still enjoy listening to them, I must say that the contemporary church now has its own music that has developed with new generations, and there are certainly some very gifted and anointed singers, songwriters and musicians today whose passion is to glorify God, and to exalt Jesus in all they accomplish for the kingdom of God. Times have changed, but the message is essentially the same in the most inspired and anointed praise and worship music.
In considering the theme of this blog, "Think On These Things", Hebrews 12:1,2 in the New Testament are worth quoting here:
Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Vs 1-4.
We need, as Christians to be filling our minds and our hearts with the Word of God, which has the power to supercharge us with God's ability in us to live whole and wholesome lives, filled with life from Spirit of God, being led into all truth and knowing a deep abiding sense of divine Peace, Love and Joy-filled Hope for now and the future, as we commit our lives daily into His loving care.
Then we can confidently say with the psalmist, King David:
The Lord is my light, and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1,2
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