196. Rock Goes The Gospel - Magnum "Falling For The Big Plan"

Legendary and beloved Midlands melodic rockers Magnum return with a new album Escape From The Shadow Garden. Guitarist, producer and sole song writer in the Magnum machine Tony Clarkin is one of the most prolific songwriters out there. Shortly after the release of their last album On The Thirteenth Day he was hard at work creating the follow up before heading into Mad Hat Studios in Wolverhampton.  The post millennium Magnum albums have had one recurring element to them, a dark overtone in the music and herein lays the most dramatic difference in this latest opus in comparison to its predecessors – that dark overtone is gone. Escape From The Shadow Garden has a far lighter ambience to it and although Clarkin always writes songs which will appease his fan base those nods to the bands past is not always as obvious as they are with this lighter tone. Escape is very much modern Magnum but the nods to the past are far more visible which should leave long standing fans with big smiles on their faces as many of these songs will transport you back in time. This is probably the most accessible and instantly enjoyable album Magnum has done in a long time. Since the bands reformation I’ve felt every album is better than the last almost as if Clarkin is purposefully (and successfully!) one up-ing himself. It’s great to see a strong songwriter still producing so much quality music so frequently and not resting on laurels or falling into a rut.‘Falling For The Big Plan’ is catchy as hell with emotive vocals from Catley. Who says Magnum can’t do commercial anymore?!

When no one knows you
You can be just who you are
There's nothing to get through
You don't have to see very far
They won't track you down
And you won't get caught in the middle
Some other grey town
That you just don't need

Nobody here can feel your pain
Nobody here will take the strain

It's the dead of night
Crossed with holy water
Full moon shining in her eyes
With no appetite
Heading for the border
Black dress like somebody died
Can't see which road to take
Somehow make it or break
Tried to change her name
Life in such disorder
And things will never be the same

Her ship has been sailing
She's missed it over the years
How long she's been waiting
To follow some crazy idea
And she's going to go
Whatever it takes to deliver
'Cause she'll always know
In what to believe

Nobody here can feel your pain
Nobody here will take the strain

It's the dead of night
Crossed with holy water
Full moon shining in her eyes
With no appetite
Heading for the border
Black dress like somebody died
Can't see which road to take
Somehow make it or break
Tried to change her name
Life in such disorder
And things will never be the same

Falling for the big plan
That's decided by your teacher
And you're falling for the tin man
Who survives the double feature
And you're falling
Oh, you're falling
Yeah, you're falling, yeah, yeah

It's the dead of night
Crossed with holy water
Full moon shining in her eyes
With no appetite
Heading for the border
Black dress like somebody died
Can't see which road to take
Somehow make it or break
Tried to change her name
Life in such disorder
And things will never be the same

It's the dead of night
Crossed with holy water
Full moon shining in her eyes
With no appetite
Heading for the border
Black dress like somebody died
Can't see which road to take
Somehow make it or break
Tried to change her name
Life in such disorder
And things won't be the same 

This song "Falling for the big plan" is about a runaway girl heading for the border, on the run from people who are dangerous. She has already tried to change her name and he life is in chaos. Alternatively it's a song about a woman who has been talked into being a drug mule. Heading for the border, she's been waiting so long to follow some crazy idea, and now she is going through with it, things will never be the same. Perhaps she has been waiting for a moment to better herself. Perhaps she rally has no choice in the matter. Perhaps it's her own attempt to be free. Whatever is the real reason behind the meaning of the lyrics, one thing is for sure she is on the run and it looks like she will be in a forced exile. The certainty is that some how she is living to the plans of others, or living to the plans of her own making, while all the time longing to be free. The song is called "falling for the big plan" that should give us a clue. The devotional passage this morning is taken from Jeremiah 29 and speaks of the plans of God. It's more than just a safety plan though, it's God's plan to bring us to a living relationship with himself, It's God's plan to release from exile and captivity and he does that supremely through Jesus.

Wow! Could there be a better verse for anyone to grab hold of and apply to their life than this verse? There is a lot of comfort in knowing that God has a plan for my life, that He is concerned about my welfare, and that He doesn’t want me to be destroyed. God wants to give me a future and a hope. While all of these principles are true, the reality is that this verse doesn’t support those claims. Well, it doesn’t support those specific claims for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 has been one of the most misused verses in all of Scripture. When you do an internet search for verses used out of context this verse will almost always make the top ten list. Most people want to take this verse and use it to support a theology that teaches prosperity and safety in the Christian life. The problem with that thought pattern is God never promised us prosperity, and He definitely did not promise us safety! The Christian life is not a life of promised prosperity and safety; it is a life of taking up our cross and following Jesus daily.

To understand the meaning of this verse you must look at it in its context. When you read verses 1-4 you will see at least four specific references to whom this letter was written. The context is the prophet Jeremiah writing a letter to the exiles that are in Babylon. In verse 4 Jeremiah states specifically that this letter was written to the exiles that were deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. As Jeremiah speaks to the people on behalf of God, there were several things that God wanted the exiles to know. One was that He was the one who sent them there. They were not there by mistake or coincidence, they were there because God had sent them there. Second, He wanted them to know that they would be there for a while. He told them to build houses, plant gardens and have families. Third, He wanted them to seek work for the prosperity of Babylon. Even to the point of praying for Babylon. Fourth, He warned them about listening to messages that said they would be delivered soon. God said that those who would speak in such a way were not from Him.

So in the midst of His message to the exiles, He wants to make sure that they knew He had their back. Yes you are in a tough situation, yes you are living among your enemies, yes I have asked you to settle down, to establish homes and to even pray for your enemies; but in all of that I have plans for you. I have not forgotten you. I am not sitting back and watching you be overtaken by your enemies, I have a plan! And my plan for you is for your welfare and your hope. The plan was that they would be allowed to go back to Jerusalem and eventually rebuild the walls, the temple, and prepare for the coming Messiah. God’s plan for their welfare, future and hope was found in Jesus.

All of that to say, does God have a plan for my life? Is God concerned about my welfare? Does God want me to have a future and a hope? Yes He does, and His name is Jesus! this is God's big plan. I have personally fallen for the big plan of God for my life. I've accepted that in my heart I'm an exile from the plan of God, I'm someone who had run for many years, run from responsibility, run from the truth and certainly run from who I was. All that changed when I knew that I could not run, dodge or hide any more. I was confronted with the truth that God had got more in store for me than I could comprehend. I came to faith and the rest, they say is history. I had fallen for the big plan! It's been that way for over 30 years now and I have not looked back.

195. Rock Goes The Gospel - The Moody Blues "The Voice"

"The Voice" by the Moody Blues is the second single released from the album Long Distance Voyager. The song continued the success of previous single "Gemini Dream", becoming a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 15 in September 1981. The song had previously topped the Billboard Top Tracks chart for four weeks during June–July 1981. It has a mystical-sounding intro and the song has an urgent, jaunty feel to it, akin to most of the Moody Blues' later, more commercial efforts. This was one of the songs that propelled The Moody Blues to a comeback in the early 1980s, and of their newer songs, this appealed the most strongly to fans of their original work.

Won't you take me back to school
I need to learn the golden rule
Won't you lay it on the line
I need to hear it just one more time
Oh won't you tell me again
Can you feel it
Won't you tell me again
Tonight

Each and every heart it seems
Is bounded by a world of dreams
Each and every rising sun
Is greeted by a lonely one
Oh won't you tell me again
Can you feel it
Oh won't you tell me again
Tonight

'Cos out on the ocean of life my love
There's so many storms we must rise above
Can you hear the spirit calling
As it's carried across the waves
You're already falling
It's calling you back to face the music
And the song that is coming through
You're already falling
The one that it's calling you

Make a promise take a vow
And trust your feelings it's easy now
Understand the voice within
And feel the changes already beginning
Oh won't you tell me again
Can you feel it
Won't you tell me again
Tonight

And how many words have I got to say
And how many times will it be this way
With your arms around the future
And your back up against the past
You're already falling it's calling you
On to face the music
And the song that is coming through
You're already falling
The one it's calling is you

Each and every heart it seems
Is bounded by a world of dreams
Each and every rising sun
Is greeted by a lonely one
Won't you tell me again
Can you feel it
Oh won't you tell me again
Tonight 

 Written by Justin Hayward, the lyrics have the same philosophical tone of their songs in the late 1960s, and the song is alternately urgent and hopeful about the future. It seems to be telling listeners that they face major choices on how their world will turn out, and that there is great hope in it, but only if they make it happen of their own initiative.In the third verse of the lyrics we can hear the source of "The Voice" 'Cos out on the ocean of life my love, there's so many storms we must rise above, can you hear the spirit calling, as it's carried across the waves'  The song "The Voice" propels us into the sphere of hearing and listening outside of ourselves. In the passage of scripture for today we can hear Jesus speak to his disciples in a similar way about the role of the Holy Spirit. In John 16 we can hear Jesus clearly say that the Spirit will guide and he will make known to us what he receives from Jesus. He will take that which is from Christ and will reveal it to us.

The Word Advocate is the source word for Paraclete. Our English word "Advocate" is derived from Latin: ad, "to", and "vocata", "called"---"somebody called to or in." The word Advocate is the word for a lawyer. It means someone who speaks in our defense or in our behalf. The word "Paraclete" is taken from the Latin word, "Paracletus," meaning a person who is called in alongside to help, or someone who can do something for you that you cannot do for yourself. The following is a devotional study on the advocate.

1. Who Is the Advocate?
The Advocate (Holy Spirit) is God. He is the Third Person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-substantial with God the Father and God the Son. He is not a a ghost or a concept. He is not a white cloud. He is not a dove. He is a person possessing a will, an intellect, and emotions. The Holy Spirit is called the Advocate, the Comforter, the Counselor, an Intercessor, a Helper, a Standby, a Strengthener, a Teacher, a Guide, a Love between the Father and the Son, the Uncreated Power of God.

1. The Roles of the Advocate
The roles of the advocate are indeed varied and numerous. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is our Paraclete, our Comforter.  We don't need anything more than that. Many people have little idea of the reality of what the Holy Spirit came to do in us in a continual basis.

In John 16:7,Jesus says," But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you." In John 7:37, Jesus exclaimed, " Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says:  "Rivers of living water will flow from within him."

The advocate dwells in us. We are his temple. 

In 1 Cor.3:16, the Word of God says, "Do you not know that you are the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 

The Holy Spirit (Advocate)  is our Helper. He is here to guide us and to strengthen us and to equip us. When we are in the midst of a storm in our life, we need to call on the Holy Spirit to help us. We can always depend on Him. We do not just rely on our friends and relatives or on our own wisdom and knowledge, or strength or power but most of all, rely on the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who guides us and leads us to the right path and to the right direction to the fullness of life.

The Advocate glorifies Jesus and leads us into all truths.
In the Upper Room, on the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus said to his disciples,

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name---He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."(John 14:26).

In John 16:14, Jesus says, "The Holy Spirit will glorify me. because He will take what is mine and declare it to you." 

He will make Jesus and things of God real to you and me. The advocate enables us to know Jesus and to give us the power to live and to do His works and to share the abundant life to all who obey and trust Him. He will make the Word of God alive in our hearts as we read the Scriptures. It is the Holy Spirit who makes the Word of God relevant and meaningful in our lives. He inspired holy and Godly men of old to write His Words.

Jesus says, "My words, they are Spirit and they are life."(John 6:63).

We cannot live a holy and blessed life apart from the power of the advocate (Holy Spirit). Without the help and the power of the advocate, it is impossible for us to have a vibrant prayer life, to understand the Bible and other spiritual truths, to witness or do anything for the Lord, to become the person the Lord wants us to be, and to live a victorious life.

In Eph. 5:18, St. Paul says, "And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit."

To be filled with the advocate (Spirit) is to be filled with Jesus, who is the baptiser of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we should strive to become more like  Jesus in every way. The only way we can become more like Jesus is through the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness, and self-control,(Gal. 5:22-23). Without possessing the fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for anyone to enter into the Kingdom of God.

The Advocate Equips and Empowers Believers

In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem , throughout Judea and in Samaria and to the ends of the earth." 

As  believers we are imbued with power from on high, we have received the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

The Advocate's gifts

The power of the Holy Spirit is manifested through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

In 1 Cor.12:4- 11, St .Paul says, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes."

These gifts of the Holy Spirit are designed to serve and to build up the Body of Christ.

We need the gifts of the advocate in order for us to do the works of Jesus. The spiritual gifts are God's manifestation of His presence and power in and through individuals and groups of believers. It is indeed very exciting to be alive in this day and age because the advocate is still very active in the world today. These "grace moments," the powerful manifestations of God's presence and power, are indeed still available to any believer who is a yielded vessel to His advocate. Therefore, in order to receive and experience these "grace moments"from the Lord, all we have to do is to open our hearts wide to our Lord Jesus Christ and say, with faith and expectations, "Come Lord Jesus, and fill me with your Holy Spirit, your advocate and with your power."

194.Rock Goes The Gospel - Cheap Trick "Surrender"

"Surrender" by Cheap Trick was released in June 1978 from the album Heaven Tonight. It was the first Cheap Trick single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 62. Its success in Japan, as well as the success of its preceding singles "Clock Strikes Ten" and "I Want You to Want Me", paved the way for Cheap Trick's famous concerts at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo in April 1978 that were recorded for the group's most popular album Cheap Trick at Budokan. Rolling Stone deemed it "the ultimate Seventies teen anthem" and ranked it #471 on its list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". The song originates from 1976, as it was played in concerts before its release like many Cheap Trick songs.

Mother told me, yes, she told me
That I'd meet girls like you
She also told me, "Stay away
You'll never know what you'll catch"
Just the other day I heard
Of a soldier's falling off
Some Indonesian junk
That's going round

Your Mommy's all right
Your Daddy's all right
They just seem a little weird
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away
Hey, heeeeeey

Father says, "Your mother's right
She's really up on things
Before we married, Mommy served
In the WACS in the Philippines"
Now, I had heard the WACS recruited
Old maids for the war
But mommy isn't one of those
I've known her all these years

Your Mommy's all right
Your Daddy's all right
They just seem a little weird
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away
Hey, heeeeeey

Whatever happened to all this season's
Losers of the year?
Every time I got to thinking
Here'd they disappear?
But when I woke up, Mom and Dad
Are rolling on the couch
Rolling numbers, rock and rollin'
Got my KISS records out

Your Mommy's all right
Your Daddy's all right
They just seem a little weird
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away
Hey, heeeeeey

Away
Away

Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away
[repeat to fade]

"Surrender" is a late 1970s teen anthem, describing the relations between the baby boomer narrator and his G.I. generation parents. The narrator describes how his parents are weirder and hipper than many teens would believe. For example, the narrator describes how he discovers his "mum and dad are rolling on the couch" and listening to his Kiss records late at night ("rolling numbers, rock-and-rolling, got my Kiss records out"). In the 2007 book "Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide", a section on Cheap Trick featured reviews on the top 20 stand-out tracks from the band. One track included was "Surrender", where the author John M. Borack wrote "A no-brainer selection, to be sure, but since I believe that it's clinically impossible to get tired of this rock and roll funhouse, it belongs here. A stone classic for the ages."  "Surrender" is what the devotional is about this morning. We pick up the reading in Luke chapter 9 where Jesus is predicting his own death. Jesus speaks of surrender in this passage as taking up your own cross and following him.

Advertising has become a huge business. You can’t escape from it, it is everywhere, on the radio, on tv, on our computers, on the clothes we wear, on the back of buses, everywhere. The purpose of a good advert attempts not only to sell you a particular product, it tries to sell you a life style choice. For example, we are encouraged to believe that the type of car we drive, the sort of clothes we wear, the place where we choose to go on holiday, says something very important about the sort of people we are, it says something about our values and aspirations. Charles Revson, who owns a factory making lipstick, said this: “In our factory, we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope.”

In this mornings bible passage when people came to Jesus and asked him what they would have to do to follow him, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) Clearly Jesus hadn’t had any lessons on advertising, because if you are going to try and sell something, talking about taking up your cross, and loosing one’s life, is probably not going to attract many takers. The Royal Marines run a recruiting advert which has the strap line, 99.9% need not apply, the point being that clearly only a select few are good enough for the Royal Marines. Although Jesus’ words are not to be interpreted in this way, he is making clear the cost of discipleship.

Denying Ourselves

Firstly Jesus said we are to deny ourselves. But what does he mean by this? We are in Lent, and during Lent many Christians give up things that they like, is this is the sort of denial Jesus was referring to? The answer is no, although self denial of this sort is a good spiritual discipline.  By denying ourselves, Jesus is saying we need to renounce self. We need to put God, and not ourselves at the centre of our lives. It is about letting God be the one who is in charge of our lives. It is about putting God in the number one spot, rather than ourselves. We are living in a society, where so much emphasis is placed upon putting self first, and so Jesus’ words are incredibly counter cultural. As a rock star Alice Cooper, is very famous, he is also a Christian. In an interview about becoming a Christian this is what he said. “People think it’s ironic that Alice Cooper, this rock ‘n’ roll rebel, is a Christian. But it’s the most rebellious thing I’ve ever done. Drinking beer is easy. Trashing our hotel room is easy. But being a Christian – that’s a tough call. That’s real rebellion.”To put God first in our lives is not easy. Martin Luther said “Here is what Christian living entails: wishing in all things whatever God wishes; desiring his glory, seeking nothing for oneself, either now or in the hereafter.” Many people find this difficult. This is why many people find it easier to live their lives their way rather than God’s. C.K Chesterton said “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it’s been found difficult and not tried.”

Take Up Your Cross

The other instruction Jesus gives is to ‘Take up your cross’. Mark was writing this gospel for Christians living in Rome, who were undergoing persecution. It would have been a familiar site to see a condemned man carrying his cross to the place of execution. This theme of having to suffer for your faith would have been very relevant for the Christians in Rome. And today many Christians around the world face real persecution for their faith. But living in this country, we do not have to face the same hardships. So what does Jesus actually mean by ‘taking up our cross’? It means being prepared to surrender everything to God, giving our whole life over to him, submitting our lives to him. Just as Jesus submitted himself to the will of his Father. There is actually a great paradox in what Jesus is saying, because it is when we surrender our lives to God, that we discover true freedom.

Dietrich Bonheoffer was a German theologian and pastor, who established the Confessing Church in the 1930s, and was involved in the German resistance movement against Hitler. He wrote a book, called ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, first published in 1937. In this book he writes, 

"To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only Him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us. … All that self-denial can say is: "He leads the way, keep close to Him.""…and take up his cross." … Only when we have become completely oblivious of self are we ready to bear the cross for His sake. If in the end we know only Him, if we have ceased to notice the pain of our own cross, we are indeed looking only unto Him. If Jesus had not so graciously prepared us for this word, we should have found it unbearable."

He goes on to write, “To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When it comes, it is not an accident, but a necessity. … the suffering is an essential part of the specifically Christian life.

It is not suffering per se but suffering-and-rejection… for the sake of Christ. If our Christianity has ceased to be serious about discipleship, if we have watered down the gospel into emotional uplift which makes no costly demands and which fails to distinguish between natural and Christian existence, then we cannot help regarding the cross as an ordinary everyday calamity… We have then forgotten that the cross means rejection and shame as well as suffering. Bonheoffer, had to carry his own cross, he was killed by the Nazi’s days before the end of the war.

The Faith That Impacts Others

The parable of the sheep and the goats, from Matthew’s Gospel is a reminder to us that we cannot live our Christian lives in isolation from other people. And this too, is part of the cost of discipleship. I have heard people say that their Christian faith is a private matter, but this parable demonstrates that it cannot be purely private. Our faith has to impact our life, and the way we treat others.

In James chapter 2 verse 14 we read, ‘What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

As Christians we are called to demonstrate God’s love through the love we show to others. These acts of love and compassion aren’t dependent upon wealth, ability or intelligence, they are simple acts freely given and freely received. The people Jesus reached out to, and the people we also are called to reach out to, was the prostitutes, the alcoholics, the drug addicts, the homeless, those people on the margins of society. The challenge here is not only to demonstrate love to those people that are similar to us, but to those people who the rest of society would shun. This takes us beyond our comfort zone. To people and places we would rather not go to. And it can be costly. And Jesus makes it clear that we will be judged on the criteria of how we have treated others.

A Challenge, A Struggle. A Commitment

Being a Christian is not easy, we know from the Gospels, that there were many people who wished to follow Jesus, but found the demands too difficult, like the rich young man. The Christian life is challenging, and at times it can be a struggle, as we seek to overcome our own wills and passions, in order to put Christ first. Fortunately, the God we worship and follow is merciful and kind, and understands are struggles and our frailties. To be a disciple of Christ requires a full-time, long-term, commitment, being prepared to endure all manner of things for the sake of Jesus Christ, but which results in the reward of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Augustine said: “Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all.” God has not called us to be comfortable Christian consumers, silent spectators, or a half asleep half-hearted halfway followers, he has to be at the heart of our lives. We are encouraged to SURRENDER.

193. Rock Goes The Gospel - Bad Company - "Holy Water"

Holy Water is the ninth studio album by Bad Company, and their third with Brian Howe as lead vocalist, released in June 1990. It went platinum, selling over 1,000,000 units, and climbed to #35 on The Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart. The first single "Holy Water", was a #1 Billboard Album Rock Track for two weeks during the Summer of '90 as the band toured the U.S. with Damn Yankees. The single "If You Needed Somebody" became a major hit in early 1991, reaching # 16 on Billboards Hot 100 chart and #2 (for two weeks) on the Album Rock chart. "Boys Cry Tough"(#3), "Stranger, Stranger"(#9) and "Walk Through Fire"(#28 Hot 100 chart / #14 Album Rock chart) also received substantial airplay.

In my life, there's been changes
But nothing seems to satisfy me the way you do, no
You make it easy, the way you please me, everytime I'm close to you
All this temptation, I can't see wrong from right
It's a new sensation, you know I'm blinded by the light

[Chorus:]
(Feels like) I'm walking on holy water
Feels like I'm walking on sacred ground, baby
(Feels like) I'm walking on holy water, everytime (that) you come 'round

You were all I ever wanted, never had a girl in my life 'til I met you, oh no
I got a certain feeling, you got my senses reeling
Whenever I get close to you
You're my salvation, I found you just in time
My one temptation, you know I can't believe you're mine

[Chorus]

Ooh yeah, it's funny how it see,s like yesterday, lovin' of the first degree
One word was all I heard you say, ooh baby
It's funny what you've done to me, just wanna see you run to me

[Solo]

All this temptation, I can't see wrong from right
It's a new sensation, you know I'm blinded by the light

[Chorus repeats out]

This song was released in 1990 as part of the "Holy Water" Album. The lyrics are strong with emotions of love. It's a classic rock track in the true sense. It#s about love. It's a track that nails the "Your the only one for me" type lyrics. It's a worship song set in tune to a woman who has captured the narrator's heart. The devotion this morning involves water of a different kind and comes from Matthew 14: Peter with the rest of the disciples is called to have courage and not be afraid, Peter takes this moment to take a step further.

By providing for the crowds, Jesus showed himself greater than a human magician who could just heal some individuals or turn some stones into bread. At the least, Jesus was a prophet like Moses or Elisha (vv. 13-21; Ex 16:14-18; 2 Kings 4:42-44). But by treading on the sea, Jesus now takes a role that the Hebrew Bible had reserved for God alone (Job 9:8; see also Ps 77:19; Hab 3:15; Nevertheless, as in an earlier storm scene, Matthew is interested here in teaching us not only Christology but also about the requisite faith for disciples (Mt 8:26). Of all the disciples, Peter alone begins to walk, and Jesus wants Peter to succeed. this time he fails but there will be other times when Peter comes through.

The Setting for the Miracle (14:22-24)
From the setting we already see Jesus as a man of prayer (v. 23). Rather than sticking around to reap the political benefits of his miracle, Jesus retires to prayer, which, unlike political advancement, is central to his mission (compare Jn 6:15). We also learn that the fact that disciples face difficult situations does not mean that Jesus is not the One who sent us (Mt 14:22, 24).

Jesus' Coming Should Bring an End to Fear (14:25-27)
If the disciples were still struggling against the winds at the fourth watch of the night-the Romans divided the night into four instead of the Jewish three watches-the disciples must have been exhausted. Probably accustomed to awakening around 6:00 a.m., they instead found themselves still trying to cross the lake between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. We may chide the disciples for accepting the popular notion of ghosts, but the biggest offense here is that they still underestimate Jesus' power. It has not occurred to them that he could know their plight, walk on water to come to them or catch up to them in a storm! To their credit, however, the fear issue seems to be solved once they recognise that their teacher is with them. They knew him well enough to know that if he was there, he would bring them through their storm.

Jesus Wants Us to Imitate His Works (14:28-31)
Although the proposal that Peter walk on water is first Peter's idea (v. 28), Jesus' response indicates that he approves of it (v. 29). Peter is gently reproved not for presumptuously stepping from the boat but for presumptuously doubting in the very presence of Jesus (v. 31; compare 6:30; 8:26; 16:8; 17:20;  Disciples were expected to imitate their masters, and Jesus is training disciples who will not simply regurgitate his oral teachings but will have the faith to demonstrate his authority in practice as well. Once Jesus has given the command, walking on water is simply a matter of trusting the One who has performed so many miracles in the past. Peter's failure comes as he observes the wind (14:30), looking to his situation rather than to God's power that is sustaining him. Still, Peter knows by this point whom to cry out to; his feeble attempt to walk on water is no more feeble than our first attempts to walk on land. Our faith may be more infantile than Peter's if we have never even tried to step out in obedience to Jesus' commands or direction for our lives; many of us have less practice walking in faith than a two-year-old has walking physically.It is important to note that while Jesus is disappointed with Peter's inadequate faith, Peter has acted in greater faith than the other disciples-he is learning. Faith cannot be worked up by formulas or emotion, but it grows through various tests as we continue to trust our Lord and he continues to teach us. Faith grows out of a relationship with the Person of Jesus, and in no other way.

Jesus Has Authority to Settle Any Crisis (14:32)
As soon as they enter the boat, the wind grows still. Stilling storms was a sign of God's authority in the biblical record. The disciples may recall an earlier occasion on which Jesus simply commanded and the storm died down (8:26); this time, however, the storm acts out of respect for him-apparently without so much as requiring a word on his part.

Jesus' Power Leads the Disciples to Acknowledge His Identity (14:33)
Their knowledge will still need to be tested outside the excitement of miracles (16:15), but the disciples nevertheless offer the correct response. When we recognise Jesus' works, thereby learning more of his character, the appropriate response is to worship him. This will deepen our relationship of faith with the Lord we love.

A Correct Response To The Presence Of Jesus.

Walking on water is a commitment to a correct response. Whether walking on ordinary water or in the Bad Company song walking on "Holy Water" it is the correct response to the presence of Jesus. It is the correct response that all disciples are encouraged to take. Walking is the response of faith. It did not matter that Peter failed what mattered is that he got out of the boat at all. The other did not. May you get the opportunity today to respond to the leading of Jesus by faith and get yourself out of the boat.

192. Rock Goes The Gospel - Coldplay "Yellow"

"Yellow" by Coldplay. was co-produced with British record producer Ken Nelson for their debut album, Parachutes (2000). The song's lyrics are a reference to band vocalist Chris Martin's unrequited love. The song was recorded in March 2000, and released in June that same year as the second single from Parachutes, following "Shiver", and the lead single in the United States. The single reached number four in the UK Singles Chart, giving the band their first top-five hit in the United Kingdom. Helped by heavy rotation and usage in promotions, the song thrust the band into massive popularity. "Yellow" has since been covered by various recording artists worldwide, and remains one of the band's most popular songs.

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah, they were all yellow.

I came along,
I wrote a song for you,
And all the things you do,
And it was called "Yellow".

So then I took my turn,
Oh what a thing to have done,
And it was all yellow.

Your skin,
Oh yeah your skin and bones,
Turn into
Something beautiful,
Do you know,
You know I love you so,
You know I love you so.

I swam across,
I jumped across for you,
Oh what a thing to do.
'Cause you were all yellow,

I drew a line,
I drew a line for you,
Oh what a thing to do,
And it was all yellow.

Your skin,
Oh yeah your skin and bones,
Turn into
Something beautiful,
Do you know,
For you I'd bleed myself dry,
For you I'd bleed myself dry.

It's true,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine.

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And all the things that you do.

Lead singer Chris Martin has said that the lyrics are about being devoted to someone, wanting to do anything for them: writing a song for them, swimming across the sea for them and so on. He said that it's not necessarily a romantic devotion, but could be about someone that you look up to and would do anything for, a brotherly love. He claims to have had no specific person in mind when he wrote it. The band came up with the line "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you" after looking up at the night sky. They were recording in Wales, which had a nice, clear sky. The colour yellow can have many negative implications ("Yellow Journalism," "Yellow Fever," a "Yellow Card" for a foul in football), but for Coldplay, it is a beautiful colour. According to lead singer Chris Martin, "It was simply because that word sounded nice, it just seemed to fit, no other reason. None of the other colours would have sounded right really!" The Beatles were kind to the colour when they used it in their song "Yellow Submarine." Martin initially wrote the words and melody, then the rest of the band wrote the other bits and pieces (the hook, the riff, fills, etc.). This morning in the Rock Goes the Gospel Devotion we will be looking at 1 Corinthians 16: for some practical down to eart advise on how to live a life of devotion.

These verses might be said to contain a formula for victorious living, for the kind of Christian life that God has made possible and that He desires for His children –- and that His children desire to live! You will see that they contain very practical and down-to-earth advice. There is a military tone about the commands that are stated here; it is almost as though soldiers were going into battle, but before going their general addressed them and said, “”Be on your guard……stand firm……be men of courage……be strong……do everything in love!”” We should remember that as Christians we are soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3), engaged in a terrific warfare (Ephesians 6:12). But thank God, we have a great Captain! –- look up Hebrews 2:10. How are we to win through? Let us examine the five-fold secret of victory that Paul outlines for us:-

1. Always be on your guard

This is the significance of the words in verse 13. They mean, ‘‘Keep awake and be vigilant!’’ The picture is of a sentry on duty. He must be on the alert all the time. Our three great enemies are the world, the flesh and the Devil, and unless we are on guard and doing constant sentry duty we shall be overcome by these enemies.

• The World is the enemy without. Corinth was the most important city of Greece, a great centre of commerce and of educational institutions, but it was a notoriously wicked city. It was rich and beautiful, but it was sinful and corrupt. What a powerful enemy the world is –- look up 1 John 2:15-17!

• The Flesh is the enemy within. The ““flesh”” is evil and corrupt and it is incapable of improvement (Romans 7:18). We very quickly fall a prey to our old nature, which is seen when we show anger, bad temper, pride, irritability, and when we are critical of others.

• The Devil is the enemy around. Satan is a real and a powerful foe and he is determined to bring about our downfall (1 Peter 5:8). But we are not to be ““unaware of his schemes”” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

2. Stand firm in the faith

Compare our verse with 1 Corinthians 15:58. The word really means ‘’stay put’’ –- have spiritual convictions and stick to them. If we are going to have spiritual convictions and stick to them we must be men and women of the Word –- look up 2 Timothy 2:15. We shall never grow up into spiritual maturity and be strong in the Lord and in His power unless we feed constantly upon the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17), and especially underline verse 13. But it is important to notice that the words “”stand firm in the faith”” also mean, ‘‘Keep on trusting, do not lose faith’’. In the midst of international tensions and personal trials and testings, when reverses and losses come upon us, Satan’s primary objective is to shatter our faith –- look up Luke 22:31-32; therefore, stand firm in the faith! –- let your whole trust be in the Lord who will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6).

3. Be people of courage

How long have you been a Christian? Perhaps you need the advice, ‘’Act your age!’’ –- look up 1 Corinthians 13:11. Christians are often childish and petty and they behave like babies; they have not grown up –- look up 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Such behaviour is an indication of spiritual immaturity. We must rise to the full stature of our manhood in Christ. But how can we do this, and what are our resources?

4. Do not rely upon yourself

When Paul says in verse 13, ““Be strong…”…” he is not for a moment suggesting that we have any strength of our own. We are incapable of facing the world, the flesh and the Devil, of being victorious over these enemies, of living a life that pleases God in our own strength –- read Ephesians 6:10-17 and you will discover that there is no need for defeat. Every time we are defeated the reason is that we have been relying upon our own resources. The plain, simple advice is this: Don’t rely on yourself! –- look up 2 Corinthians 3:5-6.

5. Let love regulate all that you do

This is the meaning of verse 14. Love is the hallmark, the distinguishing feature of the Christian: love to the Lord Jesus (John 14:15); and love for all the Lord’’s people (John 13:34-35). It would help to read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 every day for a month. Let’s remind ourselves of verses 1 to 7:-

““If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

““Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.””

Out of all of these five points to a rich life of relationship with Jesus the last one is the most difficult to put into practice. This kind of devotion is what is being sung about by Christ Martin in "Yellow" The kind of love that is not sentimental but is full of action "For you I'd bleed myself dry" this kind of love is seen in the way Jesus devotes himself to the cross for our sakes and this is the kind of live that we are encouraged to have for God and for the people around us.