Audrey Assad

What’s Right with Contemporary Worship – Remembering the Blood

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
The Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”
1 Corinthians 11:23b-25 NLT

Every hymn has an audience in mind. For example, “Holy Holy Holy” sings to God, while “Amazing Grace” addresses the church. Some hymns invite us to the altar, others offer comfort. Some rejoice in the promises of God while others teach us to weep over sins. God loves to use different expressions of worship to reveal Himself at different times, in different ways to different people. The most important aspect of our worship is that God should be glorified. In today’s song, “Thank You Jesus for The Blood” by Charity Gayle, her lyrics remind us of the primary focus of the Gospel: The Blood of Jesus Christ.

No one loves singing the old hymns more than I do. Some weeks I get to sing them for several small meetings at various nursing homes in our community. Some of their favorites are, Love Lifted Me”, “Mansion Over the Hilltop” and “In the Garden.’ While all of those are wonderful songs, none of them is more Biblically focused than today’s song. Even, “Amazing Grace” doesn’t mention God till verse four and “Holy Holy Holy” gives no mention of the cross. In His final meal on earth, Jesus commanded us to remember His coming sacrifice by breaking bread and drinking from the cup, which represent His Body and Blood given for us. What greater words can we sing than those of today’s song that tell of God’s greatest gift of love to us!

Thank you Jesus for the blood applied
Thank you Jesus it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness
Into glorious light!

Abide with Me – Audrey Assad

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The Reverend Henry Lyte wrote the lyrics to the hymn “Abide With Me” in 1847 just weeks before his going to be with the Lord. But rather than being morbid and glum the words instead are filled with the fresh breath of hope. No matter what you are facing in your own person life there is hope in an eternal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has pursued us faithfully down all the pathways of our lives. His gave His loving discipline when we have strayed, His encouraging hand our our shoulders when we mourned, and His mighty strength when we were weary. So why should we doubt the  faithful love of God as we transition from one chapter of our lives to the next? Whether leaving home for the first time off to the grand adventure of life or preparing for heaven when we lay all we have gathered at His feet; He abides. He has given His all so we could receive all of Him. Don’t be afraid what ever step is before you. I loved this rendition by Audrey Assad. She brings the timeless melody and lyrics to us in her own unique way. Thank you Audrey and may my readers be blessed this Sunday as you remember again the one who has promised.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me