Young People's Group

SINGING WITH GRACE IN OUR HEART

April 06, 2014

Preparing For The Coming Easter Concert

Easter is less than three weeks away and we still have many things to work on for the coming Concerts. There are intricate Concert details to look into and Easter songs that need to be mastered. As such, we will not be having our usual YPG meetings for the whole month of April. Time on Saturday afternoons would be dedicated to Easter Concert practices from 2 pm to 6 pm. This will be challenging for all, to say the least. And yet, we can do nothing less than give our best in our preparations because these Concerts are meant to lift up the Lord’s name and to honour Him. We must do well for the Concerts because our Saviour’s name is at stake.

Singing With “Grace-Ful” Hearts

“Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” 
Colossians 3:16

If we truly have faith in the Lord and we are identified with Him, we would sing with grace in our heart. The word “grace” in the Greek has more than one meaning. It can refer to the favour that has been given to us by God. It can also refer to the idea of being full of gratitude. Grace should fill our heart to such an extent that we are full of gratitude to God. Paul wrote of how the Colossians had experienced the grace of God through hearing the word of truth that has been preached to them (Colossians 1:3-6) and he was thankful to Him for this. It was through God’s grace that the Colossian Church was complete in Christ. They were meant to be thankful to God.

“And be thankful.” 
Colossians 3:15

“Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 
Colossians 3:17

The phrase “be thankful” in the Greek means to be grateful for the grace of God. God’s grace can bring about a deep peace within the heart (Colossians 3:15). This was what the Colossians were called in one body to have. Paul commanded them to be thankful for this. This was a non-negotiable for them. Paul also challenged the Colossian church to be thankful to God the Father for His grace through Christ. As they did all things in name of the Father, Grace should fill their mind and heart so much so that they cannot help but be thankful to God. They were to sing and do all things with “grace-ful” hearts. Young people, let’s also fill our hearts with God’s grace till we are so appreciative and thankful that we cannot help but sing to the Lord with great joy.

Being Word-Enriched

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” 
Colossians 3:16

How can the grace of God fill our heart? It is through letting the word of Christ dwell deeply in our heart. The word “dwell” has the idea of dwelling in a home. The apostle Paul knew how false ideas and man-made philosophy could fill the mind and heart of man. He challenged the brethren to let the word of God indwell their souls like a person dwelling in a house. It is meant to “settle” in one’s life and to remain there till the richness of His word permeates one’s whole being. We must get down to placing His word in our heart and mind till we can gain much wisdom from it. Then, we can encourage and counsel each other with it. Much has been learnt about the grace of God at this year’s family camp. Even as we listen to them (they are available at our Bethany Youtube channel), let’s take time to dwell richly on them. Let the concepts and the reality of God’s grace fill our heart till it deeply touches and enriches our life. Even as we prepare for the Easter concerts, may His word dwell deeply in us so that we will always sing to God with grateful hearts!

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