Songs that teach.

While at the Resolved conference Bob Kauflin was their "Surprise guest", he is in charge of Sovereign Grace Music which is an amazing music ministry that I love. One thing that he said at Resolved that I really loved is that songs can and should teach us something. That may seem like a simple statement, but living in a generation where music is an almost constant especially in a teenagers life I thought it a good thing to keep in mind.

With the music industry bursting everywhere, and with all the various kinds of music out there I definitely have to use discernment in what music I put on my ipod. That's not to say that I never listen to anything secular, because I do. I enjoy artists such as Jack Johnson, Coldplay, Owl City, Michael Buble and Norah Jones. However, I think it's very important to ask myself if what I'm listening to is causing me to think on "whatever is true, whatever is lovely..." (Philippians 4:8). Music does teach us, and its always a good thing to ask whether it is feeding your soul teaching about Christ Jesus the Lord, or if it's feeding lustful sinful desires.

There are two songs right now that have been such an encouragement to me, and I praise God for the blessing of living in a time where I can have an ipod and download music from itunes.

The first is called, "All I Have is Christ" written by Bob Kauflin's son. I love it because it is filled with rich biblical truth. I also love it because it is a reminder that it is a joy to give our lives away to the Lord. Singing "Hallelujah, all I have is Christ!" is not a lament over having nothing but Christ. It's a rejoicing because we have been saved by Christ's blood, loved by the Father, and can now rejoice in Christ. Nothing, absolutely nothing in this world compares to Him, He is so much more wonderful and greater than anything this world has to offer.

The 2nd song is by Sovereign Grace Music from the album "Come Weary Saints", and it is called "Every Day". I love that song because it's such a great reminder that God ordains every single day for a specific purpose, and if we are saved we know He works all things for good for those who He has called (Romans 8:28-29). It's just such a reminder that through all crazy circumstances of life, the trials and the hurt that He has ordained it all, He's faithful & we can stand firm in Him. We can rejoice in Him no matter the trial we're going through, because He's ordained it and He's working it for our good. The joy of the Lord really is our stregnth! Praise God for that!

Here's the lyrics to both these great songs.

"All I Have is Christ" by Jordan Kauflin:

"I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hellbound race indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross

And I beheld God's love displayed You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!

Now Lord I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me

Oh Father use my ransomed in any way You choose

And let my song forever be my only boast is You

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!"

"Every Day" by Sovereign Grace Music:

"In Your grace, You know where I walk

You know when I fall, You know all my ways

In Your love, I know You allow

What I cannot grasp to bring You praise

Thank You for the trials, for the fire, for the pain

Thank You for the strength

Knowing You have ordained every day

Your great power is shown when I'm weak

You help me to see Your love in this place

Perfect peace is filling my mind and drawing my heart

To praise You again

Thank You for the trials, for the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained every day

In my uncertainty Your Word is all I need

To know Your with me every day"

I praise God for the blessing of music, especially when it's songs that are theologically informed and praise the glory of Christ! Some specific artists I've been blessed by are of course Sovereign Grace Music, Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Enfield. Those three are my favorites. What a gift it is to be able to fill an ipod with songs that sing of the glory of the Lord and cause us to worship Him throughout each day.

For Christ's glory,

Willa