Keeping in the Word

I was pondering on what makes a worship song, a worship song. Recently finishing a short book study on 'Writing Worship' by Krissy Nordhoff, I read in Chapter Ten, '10 things to check for when critiquing your own songs.' The first one says that the lyrics should be 'true and biblically accurate, because song teaches theology'. That really stood out at me. I do not take writing worship songs lightly. The fact that whoever would sing my songs, or even just hear my songs means I need to be sure that what I've written is not going against the Word of God, and that it is theologically accurate.

As a Christian, reading the Word of God daily is something I never want to minimize. Keeping in the Word gives me inspiration, as well as being the source of all truth, hope and life. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was encouraged that the word of God would never fail (Luke 1:37), after she was told by the angel of God that she would have a son, called 'the Son of the Most High God' (v32). The Word of God remains true, and I want my songs to revolve around this truth.

Keeping in the Word means not only reading the Bible daily, but living in its truths. This is how I can be sure that I am receiving lyrics and melodies that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. It's the rhema word of God - that is, God's word revealed, when I read it with the Holy Spirit's wisdom and discernment. And because the Holy Spirit lives in me, he can speak to me and I can listen with ears that understand!

Really, I just wanted to share with you the importance of keeping in the Word, in whatever you do. Whether you're a songwriter, a Pastor, a teacher, in the business world - whatever you do as a Christian, keeping the Word in your life daily will not only keep you in 'the know' with that which God has for you, but it will bring you life, hope, joy, and everything else that He has for you! 1 Peter 1:23-25;

23 for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God.

24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word [the good news of salvation] which was preached to you.

The Word of the Lord endures forever. Keep in the Word, and see how it transforms your life.