Context with Clayton: For August 16th
Hey Church! Welcome to Context with Clayton!
This is a way for me to communicate with you about what songs we are singing this week, why we are singing them and some ideas that really emphasize what we are going to be learning about this through our scripture this week. I want to use this space to say what I wish we had time to say on Sunday mornings.
Our Scripture this week – Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
Battle Belongs – Phil Wickham
I picked this song because one of the thoughts I had while reading the scripture reading for this week was how beautifully this song depicts conflict. The chorus says “when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high – oh God the battle belongs to you…”
I think this applies to the scripture reading in the way we approach conflict and trials. We need to be in prayer about everything in our lives – good or bad and this song depicts how we are to approach those situations.
Yes I Will – Vertical Worship
We picked this song because it is a fantastic reminder that we are to praise God’s name when we are in best of times and in the worst of times. The verse of this song repeats twice and that is for good reason – the point the artist is making reminds us that God is always perfect and never changing. That His love is never ending and His timing is perfect – that He will never fail us.
The bridge is special in the verbiage that is used… “I choose to praise, to glorify, glorify the name of all names, that nothing can stand against”. Emphasis on the word CHOOSE. We choose to glorify God or not glorify Him though our words, decisions, and actions. The way we choose to praise and glorify can make a positive or a negative impact on our witness to others.
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) – Maverick City Music
We are going to sing this one again and it is so so good! I love it for many reasons as I stated last week but, this week it is our reminder to build our lives on Jesus, and nothing else. All other ground is sinking sand – this is hard to remember when we desire the next big thing or get upset about the small things in our lives. Remember, God is bigger than all of that stuff that we put in place of Him. This song helps us remember that when the rain and storms come, as long as our hope, trust, and foundation is built on Jesus we can continue on with joy and peace in the most chaotic situations.
Son Of Suffering – Bethel (feat. Matt Redman)
This song was selected because I doing some supplemental reading in John this week and I ran across some passages that were interactions between Jesus and people at the festival of tabernacles and the unbelief of the pharisees. Jesus is telling the crowd that He has been sent from the father and they just cannot wrap their heads around it. This song does a great job of helping us to sing that God sent His son down to be with us, to be “acquainted with our grief” and “chased after us in merciful pursuit”. Remember that as you go through the week – He is acquainted with our grief and was here, present with us on earth until we sent Him to be crucified and He conquered fear, anxiety, and death and rose 3 days later. That is something to sing about!
Jesus, Jesus – Mike Romero Music
This song is near and dear to my heart. The artist is not very well known but he used to play at all of the retreats we would have at Kingwood UMC and that is where I know him from.
I selected this song because for our moment of reflection I just want to see what can happen if we all pray this together at the same time. – I will leave you with the lyrics –
“Jesus Jesus, How I love you
I’ll sing it over and over and over
Jesus Jesus, How I need you
I’ll sing it over and over and over
Jesus Jesus, How I want you
I’ll sing it over and over and over”
This is a simple prayer but, when we sing over and over and over that means day after day minute after minute, situation after situation. Never ceasing to sing His praise and our desire of God.
Closing Thoughts:
Thank you for being here, and thank you for coming back! It is a joy to serve you and we love worshiping God together with you every single Sunday! That being said, worship is not designated for Sunday morning church or Sunday School/Small Group. It is for every breath we draw, every scenario and trouble we are faced with, it is a condition and perspective of the heart. May we go through this week energized, filled with God’s love and purpose for our lives.
Grace and Peace,
Clayton Hill