Singing the Word

The Way In

2023-04-05T15:31:00.004-05:00

Day 31: The King Forevermore

2022-12-30T22:06:00.002-06:00

It [is] only the beginning of the real story - The Last Battle

Day 30: The Suffering Servant

2022-12-29T21:00:00.001-06:00

We break promises, so God keeps his. We run from God, so he comes to us.
We suffer for sin, so the Savior suffers for us. (BP - 107)

Day 29: Jesus fulfills the promises

2022-12-29T20:58:00.002-06:00

The man now saw who Jesus really was, and he believed (BP - 334)

Day 28: Christ, our Lamb

2022-12-28T19:16:00.000-06:00

Christmas Song: O Hearken Ye

Hymn: Holy Spirit

The Big Picture Story Bible God's Promised One is Followed (271-285)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Heaven breaks through  (200-207)
The Ology: Jesus Sends His Disciples on a Mission  (127-129)

God used an unlikely person who stank and who had weird eating habits to prepare the way for Jesus. Isn't that one of God's amazing and gracious patterns throughout history? - using unlikely people for His big rescue, promise-keeping plan.

God used John to fulfill yet another prophecy - a promise. John gave the Gospel in a nutshell when He said: "behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." We see Jesus declared as the lamb to rescue us and take our place, just like that lamb took Isaac's place many hundreds of years earlier. God was and is and will always keep His promise to rescue His people.

  Tidings and Tidbits:

Here is a text that fits well for today's reading.
We chose to make an ornament that was a bug, because John ate locusts and honey. My kids think this is hilarious, and it is what helps them remember the story. So there you have it.

Day 27: God Leads us

2022-12-26T17:54:00.003-06:00

This child was a new kind of king. This King hadn't come to be the boss. He had come to be a servant (JSB - 198)

Day 26: A Light to light the whole world

2022-12-25T20:58:00.003-06:00

This baby would be like that bright star shining in the sky that night. A Light to light up the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping people to see. And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine. (BP - 190)

Day 25: He's Here!

2022-12-24T20:19:00.002-06:00

Sin and the serpent seemed to be winning. Until...all of a sudden, they lost (Biggest Story - 96)

Day 24: He's Coming!

2022-12-23T20:55:00.000-06:00

"So Mary Trusted God more than what her eyes could see. And she believed." (JSB 179)

Day 23 - Remember the Promises

2022-12-22T22:16:00.003-06:00

And the many years turned into hundreds of years, and the great promises of God seemed to fade away (Big Picture 232)

Day 22 Just a little town called Bethlehem

2022-12-21T20:48:00.002-06:00

God told Mary and Joseph that their baby was the one promised long ago. He would rescue God's people (Big Picture 249)

Day 21: The Prince of Peace

2022-12-20T19:55:00.001-06:00

God has come to live with us. He is one of King David's children's children's children. The Prince of Peace (JSB 147)

Day 20 God makes New

2022-12-19T20:15:00.001-06:00

Ornament: Heart

Scripture Readings:
Ezekiel 36:22-38
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Matthew 5:17-18
Revelation 21:9-27

Verse: Ezekiel 36:26a "And I will give you a new heart."

Christmas Song: Infant Holy

Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart

The Big Picture Story Bible: God's Promise Remains (220-227)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Get Ready! (170-175)
The Ology: The Holy Spirit: God's Best Gift (137-138)

Today's thoughts are simple. We are sinful. We cannot change ourselves. We need someone to help us and rescue us. Only God can give us what we need. A remnant of God's people were able to return home and rebuild Jerusalem. God did as He promised and brought them back. The people worked hard, listened to God's Word, and celebrated. They sang, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136). But even in the midst of celebration, God's people were sad - they knew that the walls that they had just built would eventually crumble. They mourned because they realized that this was not a permanent restoration. They longed for something better - Someone better.

We too look around us and mourn. We do all we can to build a good life for ourselves and for our families, but we know that this is only temporary. All the hurt, disappointment, and pain are only for a short time. We long for Jesus to come again and to restore us permanently in our forever Home with God. That will be a great day of celebration!

Tidings and Tidbits:

Here is a wonderful text if you don't know it already.
I did not post the traditional tune to our hymn today. The arrangement above was written by a dear mentor and friend, Dr. Gustafson. It is beautiful. Thankful for how God used Him on earth and thankful that He is now Home with Jesus.
Take Psalm 136 and teach your children the phrase "for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." You can read the phrases that change, and they can participate. If they are very small, try having them just fill in one word like "good" or "love" or "forever."

Day 19: God, the eternal, living King

2022-12-18T21:30:00.003-06:00

Why do I see four men, completely unbound, walking around in the middle of the fire? (Dan 3:25, The Voice)

Day 18: God, the Gracious Savior

2022-12-17T21:59:00.001-06:00

And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city? (Jonah 4:11)

Day 17: God's Promise Remains

2022-12-16T18:47:00.004-06:00

Even though God's people were far from home, God still spoke to them (BP 213)

Day 16: Water, fire, and Idols - oh my!

2022-12-15T19:57:00.003-06:00

God Hears. God Answers. God has Power. God Provides.

Day 15: God, Our Good Shepherd

2022-12-14T20:08:00.003-06:00

Another Shepherd was coming - a greater Shepherd. He would be called the Good Shepherd (JSB 135)

Day 14: God always wins His battles

2022-12-13T20:31:00.002-06:00

God always wins His battles - JSB 126

Day 12: The Only Redeemer - Jesus Christ

2022-12-12T20:36:00.002-06:00

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer,

and may his name be renowned in Israel!" (Ruth 4:1)

Day 13: God, our Life

2022-12-12T20:32:00.003-06:00

Day 11: Bound for the Promised Land

2022-12-11T11:15:00.001-06:00

Ornament: Trumpet

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 17:7-8
Joshua 1:1-2:21; 6:15-27
Matthew 1:1-6
Hebrews 11:31
Revelations 21:1-3

Verse: Rev. 21:3 "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man."

Christmas Song: Good Christian Men Rejoice
Hymn: On Jordan's Stormy Banks
Story: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

The Big Picture Story Bible: Going into God's Place (141-157)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: The Warrior Leader (108-115)
The Biggest Story: Chapter 5 (65-77)
The Ology: God is All-Powerful (22--24)
The Gospel Story Bible: Jericho Falls (88-89)

It was time to go to the land God promised to His people, but there were enemies - BIG ones. Israel, as usual, could not do this on their own. God would have to fight for them. And He did! It wasn't the marching or the shouting or the trumpets sounding that made the walls of Jericho fall. It was the power of God. Nothing can stop God from providing for His people. Nothing can keep God from doing what He says He will do. God delights in saving His people. The Israelites must have been so overjoyed to see God work out His purposes through them AND keep ALL of His promises!

God also worked out His purposes using the most unlikely of people - Rahab. So, confession ... when I was younger, I always thought her name was the "Scarlet Rahab." I think a combination of the game CLUE, the scarlet cord, and that it rhythms with harlot was enough to confuse me. What a gracious God to weave her, the most lowly of women (in her culture) into the beautiful tapestry of His promises. She had faith that God would do what He said He would - that He would keep His promises.

She became a child of the Promise: the promise that is greater than land flowing with milk and honey. The promise is the same for her as it is for us. God's promise is to return us to a special land, a garden where there is a river as clear as crystal flowing out from the around the throne, and a tree of life, and God Himself will be there. There is no sun, for the Lord will be our light. Christ was born to open heaven's door for us. Christ was born to save! Hallelujah! I am bound for THAT Promised Land! What a marvelous and glorious and mysterious thing Jesus has done for us! What a promise!

Today's story teaches us that we are helpless to save ourselves. Only God can bring victory and receive glory. It is the same with sin - we cannot save ourselves from eternal death. Only through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross can we be saved. We do not deserve salvation, nor can we earn it. It is only by the power and grace of God through Jesus.

Tidings and Tidbits:

We chose to use a trumpet as our ornament today (because I had one), but you could also use a scarlet cord or grapes.
Here is a link for a fun activity with kids
Songs: It is so important not only to sing with your children and for them, but also to make sure they are singing with understanding. As you introduce new songs, take time to pick out a big word and broaden their vocabulary, teach them theology, and help them sing with understanding! I usually sing a song (or the part of the song we are working on) 3 times. Each time, I pick out a different word to explain, or a different truth that the song teaches about God. They are never to young to sing these songs of the faith and to be taught what these words say about God. If you have a question about how to explain certain subjects to your children, The Ology is a great resource for introducing some difficult concepts in an understanding way.

Day 10: Look and Live

2022-12-10T09:04:00.001-06:00

Day 9: God's Good Word - made flesh in Jesus

2022-12-08T22:41:00.003-06:00

It was a very good thing God was always rescuing His people...
the Israelites were never quite safe from themselves (Biggest Story, 66)

Day 8: God's Great Sign

2022-12-07T14:49:00.003-06:00

"When God passes over your house, God will see the blood and know that the lamb died instead of you." (JSB 88)