Why "Before the Throne" Would Make a GREAT Christmas Song

By: Jim Umlauf

A few thoughts on the lyrics of "Before the Throne of God Above," and why I think it would make an awesome Christmas song.

Song of the Week (11.04.09)

By: Johnny Coggin

Shane & Shane (also known as Shane Barnard and Shane Everett) released a new album yesterday entitled Everything is Different. If you already like Shane and Shane, you'll probably love it because it's classic S&S fare. If you're not familiar, here's a free sample!

Today's featured song is called "For the Good." This morning while I was running and listening to the album (yes, I really do exercise, I promise), the lyrics really jumped out at me. The theme centers around the familiar concepts of Romans 8:28 ("And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"), and God's goodness and glory even in the storms of life.

You can hear the entire song for FREE here. (The full album is available for download from iTunes and Amazon.)

And the lyrics are below. Hope the message will minister to you as well.

For the Good

by Shane & Shane

When darkness is surrounding me

By Your Spirit, Lord, help me see

That You are working all things out

And Lord, I really need to hear You speak

So remind me in the waiting

You are working all things out

For the good of those who are called by You

For the good of those who are in love with You

That's why we sing:

Holy God of light

I lay down my life

Holy is the Lord

Even in the storm

Be glorified

We like to take the blessing from You

Shall we not take the trouble too?

You are working all things out

And we like to take prosperity

Shall we not take the suffering?

You are working all things out

For the good of those who are called by You

For the good of those who are in love with You

That's why we sing:

Holy God of light

I lay down my life

Holy is the Lord

Even in the storm

Be glorified

Feeling Guilty?

By: Johnny Coggin

We're all prone to feeling condemned and guilty in light of our many sins against God. You may even question your salvation, lacking any real assurance that you're right with God.

Brothers and sisters, the following response needs to be deeply and permanently woven into your mindset:

“…when the devil comes and says, ‘You have no standing, you are condemned, you are finished’, you must say, ‘No! my position did not depend upon what I was doing, or not doing; it is always dependent upon the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Turn to the devil and tell him, ‘My relationship to God is not a variable one. The case is not that I am a child of God, and then again not a child of God. That is not the basis of my standing, that is not the position. When God had mercy upon me, He made me His child, and I remain his child. A very sinful, and a very unworthy one, perhaps, but still his child!

And now, when I fall into sin, I have not sinned against the law, I have sinned against love. Like the prodigal, I will go back to my Father and I will tell Him, 'Father, I am not worthy to be called your son.' But He will embrace me, and He will say, 'Do not talk nonsense, you are My child,' and He will shower his love upon me! That is the meaning of putting on the breastplate of righteousness! Never allow the devil to get you into a state of condemnation. Never allow a particular sin to call into question your standing before God. That question has been settled.”

(Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Soldier, p. 255)