In Tune With God: Living by the Hymns of Faith

By Susanna Ranae

In Tune with God is a tribute to the great hymns of Christian faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, songwriters of old and new have penned righteous, lyrical instructions applicable for daily living. These melodies hold deep meaning in our lives as they lift our spirits and fill our hearts with joy for the journey, just as King David's psalms do. This book examines twelve aspects of life and how the faithful tunes relate to our relationship with the Father. Life will afford harmony and discord for the believer and nonbeliever alike. It is inevitable to walk closely with the Savior in order to know and be in His will. One whose life is in tune with God can share a beautiful sound for all the world to hear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640289390

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Susanna Ranae

IN TUNE WITH

God

Living by the Hymns of Faith

ISBN 978-1-64028-938-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64028-939-0 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Susanna Ranae

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

To Mom and Dad

for their constant loving care,

and to all hymn writers and psalmists

for their inspiring words and melodies.

Acknowledgments

With this book comes an intense passion for God’s amazing creation of music. In my heart, I will forever be grateful for my piano teachers, Mrs. Pam Pawlonek and Mrs. Ann Florie. Their instruction brought more joy to my life than I could have ever imagined. Music still enriches my life today, and hymn lyrics remain ever true. I can glorify the Lord in piano arrangements of hymnal favorites.

Life for me would be most difficult without my great encourager-hero that I call, Dad (and Daddy), along with my brother/literary friend, who never fails to lift my spirits. Also, a very sincere and special thank you to my sister-in-law for her help in illustrating this book. Lastly, I acknowledge the one who never ceases to motivate me. She is a most loving critic and my absolute best earthly friend, the one who stirred my desire to learn the piano, ( I wanted to be just like her)—my mother.

Introduction

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.

—Psalm 25:5

How do we stay in tune with God? The ability to stay in tune with our Maker requires a sensitive, ever-listening ear to the Spirit’s voice. This can prove to be uneasy with the confusion and noisiness of the world. The Father has a plan for each person He created and is willing to direct every step with His loving care. Harmony and discord alike will present themselves in life, but it is up to each individual as to how we allow either to shape our character.

In Tune with God examines twelve areas of life, with each chapter referring to hymns and their righteous words. The beloved songs hold true even today with applicable truths from God’s Word. They are songs to live by—keeping us in tune with God.

With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory (Ps. 73:24).

Have Thine own way, Lord . . . mold me and make me after Thy will.

1

The Tune of God’s Will

Then Jacob made a vow saying, If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take . . . then the Lord will be my God.

—Genesis 28:20–21

The lyrics of the hymn Have Thine Own Way speak of sweet surrender and submission to God’s direction and leadership. No doubt, Adelaide A. Pollard was familiar with trials and learned humility, which gave her an obedient spirit to pen the text to this beloved song. George C. Stebbins composed the melody. It recognizes the Lord as the Potter while we are the clay; ready to be willingly fashioned as He pleases. Ephesians 5:17 says, So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. However, finding God’s will for our life may prove difficult, let alone understanding it. The steadfast truth is that God has a will or plan for everyone and everything. His purposes are often hard to comprehend, and we sometimes struggle with which path to travel. But if we walk with God, quietly yielded unto His authority, we are in His will.

It is in God’s will that we find real peace and serenity. Doubts seem to take a back seat when we know where God wants us to be. Staying focused on the Savior by keeping Him our top priority can guide us through deliberations. God helps us find answers to our questions, and we are indeed unwise to live a lifestyle out of God’s will.

Living according to how God would have us, rather than traveling down a wrong path, requires a change of heart and soul. Ezekiel 36:26 tells us, Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone . . . and give you a heart of flesh. This verse is needed even if we are in God’s will; for revival with Jesus never ends. The beginning of a new year is always an excellent time for renewal in our relationship with God. New Year’s resolutions are made, and as Christians, we ought to reawaken our senses spiritually.

The Father desires transformation of our hearts when we become His children, but our spirits need refreshment while striving to follow God’s will. We find still further lyrics of renewal in Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me (Ps. 51:10, NKJV). These are beautiful words of spiritual awakening and dedication. Though the end of the hustle and bustle of the holidays may leave us in a down mode, God grants us the opportunity of a new, up start. If we seize the privilege He has given us to invigorate our spirit within, our unknown future will not seem so overwhelming. This new beginning places complete trust in the Savior so that we are ready to face all that He wills.

Seeking to do God’s will in our life certainly makes the pathway a smoother one. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart (Ps. 40:8). I have found from personal experience that my desire to please God made knowing His will for my life easier to find and follow. He uses the Spirit to lead us down the right roads and lifts us up when the dreary valleys hardly seemed the place to be. God desires for Christians who are seeking His will to obey Him with all of their heart.

Questions tend to flood our mind and consume our thought patterns. How, in His infinite love, could I be on the right track, suffering as I am? Or show me different steps, Lord, because these certainly do not seem like the right ones, not if You really love me. You couldn’t be leading me here.

There is no room for reluctance when trying to lay hold of God’s plan for our life. This journey we travel requires complete submission to what He purposes and allows, just as hymn writer, Adelaide Pollard, penned. An intimate relationship with our Lord helps us to better realize that His will is best. We can claim the promises of God’s Word as we learn to seek His will.

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Ps. 143:10). In order to do God’s will, we must commit to travel on the path He has set before us. The tendency to look back at prior periods of success and ease in our life often keeps us from being motivated to move on for still greater challenges. Also, when our future appears trying, we long for the good old days. If God has blessed us with these so-called good days, more of them are surely on the way. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes advises, Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise (Eccl. 7:10, NLT).

We need not console ourselves by dreaming of what used to be. There is a difference in visiting fond memories and continuously dwelling among them. The Lord does not want us to live in the past—quite the opposite. As Christians, we are to trust the Holy Spirit in leading us on level ground. No looking back is required when the right path of God’s will is yet to come.

And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing (1 Sam. 12:21, NKJV). A wrong turn in our journey through life can send us absolutely spinning. Confusing circumstances along with distressing consequences often develop from one wrong move. These mistakes may happen when we spend our time or days in the lust of the flesh (1 Pet. 4:2). God wants us to be witnesses by demonstrating His power in our walk. This cannot be achieved if we are not walking according to the Lord’s will for us. Straying from His plan can even damage our witness beyond repair.

Empty things are found when we choose the unrighteous path. These misguided directions sideline us from what is best—what is God’s will. Taking our eyes off the straight and narrow is a dangerous way to live, for when we do, it is easier to make a wrong turn. Paul knew this when he wrote to the Colossians about how Epaphras sent his greetings. Laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God (Col. 4:12). This was meant to bring encouragement to the Colossian fellowship.

But sometimes, it takes a good peek into a door or window to see if it is one we need to pursue. We should approach these opportunities that present themselves before us with caution because they could be the wrong avenues for us. What may appear truly worth our while, and holding success for us, could actually be the source of our undoing. We must pray earnestly when confronted with this type of situation, so to know and understand the will of God.

The Lord does open doors for us—ones that we ought to enter in service for Him. They are not wrong turns. Although there are circumstances when all we feel we are getting are door slams, God reveals His plan or will by unlocking the least likely doors. My gracious Father has presented me with the key to windows of ministry I never would have dreamed of. God directs our steps when we become disillusioned in our path and gives us peaceful assurance that comes with doing His will.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33, NKJV). We can find ourselves confused or troubled when the situation we are in does not add up. The absence of an answer to life’s big questions in our life often brings confusion to the forefront. Worried thoughts begin to bombard our mind, and simple trust in the One who is in control fades. Uh, God, what’s going on here? These matters of importance that we face can only truly be tackled by God, through His will, yet our fleshly instinct wants to take over.

Everyone wishes for a steady course, but it will not always be so in this world. However, God can grant us peace of mind while working His plan for us. We may encounter circumstances that are both perplexing and trying, but by placing our faith in Jesus, we can endure. Peace can be found in all that troubles our heart for Jesus knows our heart and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27).

God’s design and plan for each individual is unique in its own way. Although we may feel insignificant, we certainly are not in God’s eyes. He searches our heart, with the Spirit, according to His will. Everyone has dreams or plans for their life, but the Father, in His omnipotence, has a master plan. The blueprint He holds for our life is extraordinary and one that should be trusted to the Builder’s hands. Confusion may creep upon us, but simple belief in the One that can direct our steps should diminish all anxiety.

It is only humanistic for us to become disappointed when our plans do not come to pass. If we do not get what we have desired, we turn questioningly toward Him. However, this selfish mindset does not credit God with knowing what is best for us. But were our plan to have played out, we may have experienced harm. What an extremely difficult lesson this is for us to learn and apply in our everyday living! I know it always has been for me—at least when it came to the dreams dearest and treasured in my heart. How could God love me and yet deny the fulfillment of a lifetime’s desire? This is a question the Lord is asked many times, I am sure. God not only uses His plans to prosper us but also to protect us. With that in mind, we ought to depend on His plans for they are far better than ours—however unbelievable that may seem to us.

Whatever the Lord has planned for our life requires decisions. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth (Acts 22:14). Decision-making can be a very difficult and time-consuming chore in our life. From trivial to major, all decisions will and do make some sort of impact in our daily living. We make decisions every day, not even really realizing we are doing so.

But indecisiveness can put us in a quandary, filling our head with doubts and fears. Many times, we question or second-guess ourselves when deciding upon something. That is why it is so crucial to determine God’s will. Though it may not seem important, God is in the details. Paul did not forget Ananias’ words—letting him know he was God-chosen to do His work and will. Christians can have the same assurance from the same Righteous One. He is available to us for any aid we need in making the decisions of life.

These decisions are often needed when trials come. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Pet. 4:19). Our life will consist of a certain amount of suffering along the way. It is God’s will for us. We are not only appointed to it (1 Thess. 3:3), but are to glory in it (Rom. 5:3) as well. This portion of God’s plan for our lives can be extremely difficult and wearisome—requiring the act of endurance.

Struggle as we might to avoid meeting up with the weight of suffering, we cannot. But strength and power is all ours through trust in a Creator who cares. The Master will enable us to persevere through any type of suffering. I have found this to be so remarkably true in my own life. He will sustain when we are weakened, and the strength the Father fulfills us with is utterly astonishing. As God’s children, we can be mighty witnesses to others by enduring all that we face.

There are marvelous benefits that come with endurance. Romans 15:32 shows us the blessing of following God’s will. So that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. There is indescribable joy to be found in things that are orchestrated by the Lord’s plan. Paul experienced great joy in his ministry for Christ, even though he ministered while in the direst of circumstances. He did find rest among fellow believers and took comfort in his letters and prayers for them.

However tough the road we travel, blessings can be discovered. God desires good for His own (Ps. 33:18–19), and we do not have to look very far to see that as we abide in His will. Our Father places people in our life to encourage us such as our family, friends, and those in our church. This type of blessing serves as refreshment to our soul when struggling to find or live in God’s will. There is tremendous joy awaiting us when we hope and trust in the will of God.

On the other end of the spectrum, we need not think we can know or find God’s will for our life if we are living a sinful one. True joy does not exist here. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins (Heb. 10:26). Everyone is born with a disobedient nature. It is a fleshly attribute. But once knowledge of what is righteous and true has been revealed to us, our appetite for sin should be curbed. When we realize Jesus’s sacrifice and atonement for our sin, the desire of our heart should be to obey Him.

Children disobey, believing they can get by, but will find themselves being corrected in their error. But as adults, to willfully disobey although knowing the boundaries or truth is a risky or lofty way to live. The belief that there is no consequence to disobedience is a shallow one. Doing so is not in keeping with God’s ultimate plan for our life. We tread icy waters if we choose Satan’s side. It is a blatant dishonor to our Savior when the choice is made to willfully disobey our God. And it is obviously a way of life that is outside of His will.

We have no excuse for not knowing a pattern to live by, in living righteously, when sin seems so easy. For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35). Without a doubt, Jesus is the perfect example to follow or imitate when it comes to doing God’s will. Christ informed the multitude that whoever does His Father’s will is akin to him. What exciting news this is for every believer! It should be a supreme rush for us just to meditate upon the fact of belonging in Jesus’s family.

Our Redeemer came to earth in order to fulfill the will of God. When we neglect the right way or opt for the wrong one, we are not being Christ-like. Situations may present themselves when we are unsure of the acceptable or moral answer. It is always best to pause and reflect on what Jesus would do. His aim was that of righteousness—as ours need be. If we endeavor to model Perfection in our life, we are undertaking the will of God. That is what Jesus did for us.

The familiar words of Romans 12:2 should serve as our guide, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. As servants of a living Lord, we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1). The Bible instructs us to not be conformed to worldly ways, but renew our mind by the Spirit. He can transform the mind and lead people who choose to obey the Savior. This transformation of spirit begins in an individual’s mind.

Once a Christian’s mind is changed or transformed, the will of God can be proven. All that is good and perfect in God’s eyes is open for the world to see. The plan set before us may not seem so easily acceptable to us at the time, but when our mind is transformed, we find we only desire to please and trust the One in control.

Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God (Heb. 10:7, NKJV). Just as Jesus came to fulfill the will of God the Father, so it is our task and ought to be our mission in life. In doing so, we need expect nothing less than the best from the Designer of our journey. Trying as it may be at times, with a somewhat dismal forecast, worry should not be a factor. The One who cares and loves us the most will bless and provide as we seek His face.