SPIRIT FILLED

MEMORY VERSE: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

The tongue of man reaches its highest potential when praising the Lord. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians lay aside their differences and praise the Lord together. When that happens in any local church a revival is taking place.

Music is an important part of the Christian life. It always has been. The early Church lacked our music-making equipment, but they made up for these helps to harmony with joyful hearts and voices.

Revival speaks of the return of life, and that wouldn't hurt the music in most churches. There are some great hymns in our hymnals, but mouthing the words of a song means nothing at all. Songs of dedication are generally prayers of commitment set to music. Realizing that should make us sing with care.

When the soul is refreshed by personal revival, singing follows. Choir members do not have to be coaxed. Congregations do not have to be talked into doing their best. Music flows naturally from a revived heart.

The tone of the music changes. Songs about the difficulties of the Christian life are replaced with songs of praise. Luther said: "The devil is a chronic grumbler. The Christian ought to be a living doxology."

Paul said it all: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

Is your heart in tune today?