Christian Compositions

24/12/2024

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain:

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past,
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”

Tell how He’s gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.

Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He’s coming in glory
For all the saints of His love.

-F***y Crosby

22/12/2024

A gift can be offered, but it is not owned until it is received.

Christmas is about much more than remembering a sweet baby in a manger. It is about the offering of the ultimate gift - salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

He humbled Himself to come to this earth. He died on the cross to pay the price for my sin and yours. He offers the gift of redemption and forgiveness to every person.

Many acknowledge that Christ came. Many even agree that He died for sin, but they have never received that gift for themselves through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the ONLY way of salvation.

This gift is not deserved. It cannot be earned. It can only be received by faith. It is a gift of grace. (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Eph. 2:8-9)

My friends, have you received the gift of God, Jesus Christ?

Do you realize how much you need Him - that apart from His salvation there is no forgiveness of sin, and no hope of heaven?

Do you believe that His death and resurrection are the only payment for sin that will satisfy God?

Have you turned to Him, and asked His forgiveness for your sin, and received His sacrifice as the complete and only payment for sin?

What are you trusting - more importantly, WHO are you trusting - to get you to heaven?

“Will you receive His gift?
Will you believe and live?
In love He seeks you, kindly entreats you.
Will you receive His gift?”

If you have any questions about trusting Christ as your Savior, please message me.

If you know Christ as your Savior, share the gift of the Gospel this Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

18/12/2024

MAGNIFY - How Do Others View God Through the Lens of Our Lives?

To magnify is "to extol or laud", “to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect”. It also means to cause something to appear larger or closer than it is.

Magnification does not change the size of an object, but it does cause it to be more clearly visible. Magnifying a person does not change their character, but it may change someone’s estimation of them.

As believers, we are to magnify Christ.

We cannot make the Lord Jesus Christ any greater than He is, but the testimony of our lips and our lives should cause others to hold Him in greater esteem or respect.

As those around us view God through the lens of our lives, they should see more closely and clearly what a beautiful, holy, powerful God He is.

Do our lives magnify Christ or minimize Him?

Are others able to observe through us how gracious and good He is, or is their view obscured by our sin?

Do our lives make God more distinct to others or do we distort their perception of Him?

Does our faith point with assurance to a trustworthy, loving God?

Does the change in our lives cause others to glorify God?

It was said of those who had never met the Apostle Paul that, “…they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed, And they glorified God in me.” (Gal. 1:23-24)

Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord…”, and this theme is repeated through the account of Christ’s birth. The angels, the shepherds, Zacharias and Elisabeth, their neighbors and cousins, the wise men, Anna, and Simeon – these all praised and magnified the Lord for His wonderful work, His promises fulfilled, His saving power.

Speaking and living for the glory of God is the result of true worship. Magnifying His name is the purpose of a transformed life.

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Ps. 34:3)

“Let those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” (Ps. 40:16; 70:4; see also Ps. 69:30; 138:2)

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Phil. 1:20)

13/12/2024

Why did He come from heaven’s palaces
And in a manger lay?
Why did He leave His Heavenly Father
And take on a form of clay?
Why did the King of glory leave His throne
A lowly man to be?
Why did He choose to come to earth
And give Himself so willingly?

Because He loved me,
That’s why Jesus came.
To die for sinful man,
To complete salvation’s plan.
He came to seek and save the lost,
To give His life upon a cross,
Because He loved me,
That’s why Jesus came.

For God so loved the world
That Jesus He did give
That whosoever would believe in Him
Eternal would live.
Amazing love that brought my Savior
To suffer shame and loss!
What wondrous love that bled and died
Upon an old rugged cross!

Because He loved me,
That’s why Jesus came.
To die for sinful man,
To complete salvation’s plan.
He came to seek and save the lost,
To give His life upon a cross,
Because He loved me,
That’s why Jesus came.

© 2000 Niki Lott.

Find this trio arrangement at Christian Compositions.com

28/11/2024

I am thankful for many things, and one of them is you!

Thank you for each comment and note of encouragement, for choosing to use my songs and studies, for being my friends and fellow laborers in Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving!

27/11/2024

There is no valid excuse for ingratitude for a child of God. The Lord is our joy, our strength, our peace, our life.

We are commanded to be thankful in all things, and for all things. (Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6; Col. 3:15) How is this possible?

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13)

🎶When He is my joy,
my joy is unspeakable.
When He is my strength,
I can do all things.
When He is my peace,
it passes understanding.
When Jesus is my song,
I always have a reason to sing.🎶

-The Reason I Sing
Niki Lott

Sheet music and book available at ChristianCompositions.com

21/11/2024

A needed reminder…

For the child of God, seeking to obey God’s commandments and to do that which is pleasing in His sight is not called legalism; it is called love.

Obedience to Christ is not about procuring or prompting His love for us. That love is ours by His grace alone. Rather, obedience is about proving our love for Him.

Living a life - heart, soul, mind, and strength - that is focused on pleasing and obeying our Lord should be our greatest desire and joy, not drudgery.

My friend, don’t be discouraged or deterred from wholeheartedly seeking to please the Lord. Don’t be afraid to show the world how much you love Him.

Some may mislabel you.
Some may misunderstand you.
Some may mock you.

But I ask you, do you love Him? If so, then make pleasing Him your chief purpose. Seek out His commandments and ask Him to help you to obey them fully.

That is love.

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John‬ ‭14:21‬

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:2-3

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:3-5‬

“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:6‬

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:10‬

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-2‬

11/11/2024

Old Wives & Aged Women

I am preparing a lesson to teach this week on this topic, and am reminded again of the powerful truths here.

This passage speaks of “old wives’ fables”, while Titus 2:1-5 speaks of aged women teaching truth. There is a vast difference.

Just because someone is teaching, even if they are older, does not always mean we should heed their advice.

They may use biblical terms, and may be interesting, engaging, or witty but are they teaching “the doctrine which is according to godliness”?

In I Timothy, the old wives’ fables are profane and false. In Titus, the aged women’s teachings are truth and “good things”.

One focuses on stories, the other on sound doctrine and the “things which become” and adorn it.

One type of teaching is to be refused so that we can avoid erring from the faith (see also I Tim. 1:3-7). The other is to be received so that the Word of God is not blasphemed (Tit. 2:5).

One offers sensual satisfaction and personal pleasure (I Tim. 4:6-8; II Tim. 4:3-4; Pro. 9:17). The other teaches soberness, submission, and practical service to God and others.

One appeals to the flesh; the other to the spirit.

Ladies, we must take great care which teachers we listen to and follow.

In Proverbs 9, both wisdom and folly are calling. Both are instructing. The lessons of one lead to life and holiness; the other leads to death and hell.

Each of us needs to consider:

Who am I following?
Who am I heeding?
Who am I allowing to influence and instruct me?
Where do the teachings I follow ultimately lead?

The message that makes us feel good does not always end well.

Be careful.

Learn to discern.

Be willing to refuse any teacher or teaching that does not align faithfully with the Word of God. (Pro. 19:27; I Tim. 6:3-6; Rom. 16:17)

And if we are teaching, we must be certain that we are teaching the good things the Bible commands. They are not popular, but they are true.

07/11/2024

I have seen a post multiple times over the past few days about God choosing a sinful, adulterous man, David, to rule His people, and that this wicked ruler still gave us the psalms. It implies that it is self-righteous to be concerned about the spiritual condition of a political leader. But is that scripturally true?

There is no doubt that David sinned, or that God forgave him and still used him.

There is also no doubt that David was chosen to lead God’s people, not because God was unconcerned about his spiritual condition, but because of his genuine faith and heart for God. The previous king was rejected by God because of his disobedience (I Sam. 13:14).

We dare not forget that when David strayed from the Lord into sin there was a terrible cost to his family, to his nation, as well as to him personally.

Uriah died.
David and Bathsheba’s baby died.
Amnon died.
Absalom died.
70,000 men of Israel died.

And these are only some of the consequences we are told about in Scripture.

Although David was a sinner (as we all are), when confronted with his sin, he did not boast or revel in his sin. He mourned over his sin. He repented of his sin.

Yet his sin still caused pain, destruction, and death to many people, most who were completely innocent of his sin.

It is true that God often permits wicked rulers. In fact, the first king of Israel was the choice of the people. God allowed it, although he warned them of the sad consequences it would bring. God has given wicked rulers many times throughout history to judge wicked nations. Wicked rulers bring tragic consequences to the people they lead. (Pro. 28:12, 15-16, 28; 29:12)

It is never wise to downplay wickedness, or to forget that “…sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (Jas. 1)

It is doubtless the grace of God that allows any of us to be used by Him.

But “shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Rom. 6)

We should pray for our rulers, but we should never justify wickedness - not in ourselves, nor in our leaders.

Send a message to learn more

06/11/2024

05/11/2024

“We must meet the present emergency with a spirit of optimism (not a spirit of fear). This is no time for repining, no time for looking backward, no time for self-pity or defeated complaining…

Let us beware allowing our spiritual comforts to rise and fall with world news or the changing political and economic situation. We who lean on Jesus and trust in the watchful love of a Heavenly Father are not dependent on those things for our peace.” -Tozer

This was a very fitting, comforting, challenging devotion in my reading this morning.

Evil days need not mean defeated Christians. If we are pinning our hopes for the present or future on any political candidate, we are deceived.

No matter who wins or loses the presidential election, we can be of good cheer. Our Savior, our Lord, our commander has overcome the world. “‘Lo, I am with you alway’ (Mt. 28:20) makes ultimate defeat impossible.”

Keep your eyes on Christ, my friend. In Him, we have peace.

04/11/2024

Imagine we woke up....

Imagine we woke up and were as fervent talking to God in prayer, and talking about God to others, as we are talking about politics, or problems, or other people.

Imagine we woke up and were more concerned that Christ may return today than we are who may win the election.

Imagine we woke up and realized that our world isn’t wicked because of the behavior or beliefs of whomever is in the White House, or the houses of Congress, but because of those who are in our house, and God’s house.

Imagine we woke up and instead of trying to find excuses to stay out of church, we went out and tried to find others to bring into church.

Imagine we woke up and were as passionate to follow Christ, righteousness, and holiness, as we are to follow our favorite sports team, TV show, or celebrity.

Imagine we woke up and instead of trying to imitate the world in a pathetic attempt to draw them to us, we tried to imitate Christ in a passionate attempt to draw them to Him.

Imagine we woke up and were as eager and faithful to share the Good News of the Gospel as we are to share the latest bad news we heard on tv or the internet.

Imagine we woke up and were more concerned about our private, personal walk with God than our public profile or perception.

Imagine we woke up and were as zealous about being His followers as we are about gaining our own followers.

Imagine we woke up and were as anxious to spend time in His Book as we are on Facebook…or Twitter…or Instagram…

Imagine we woke up and remembered that the grandest house, newest car, biggest raise, or trendiest gadget have zero value in eternity, but the redemption of a soul is precious.

Imagine we woke up and instead of being concerned that if we speak the truth someone might think we’re judging them, we were concerned because without Christ they are condemned already.

Imagine we woke up and realized that abortion, terrorism, shattered marriages, drug abuse, and a million other “ills of our day” are only symptoms of the real sickness of mankind – sin, and that we have the cure – Christ.

Imagine we woke up and our fear of God was greater than our fear of man.

Oh, Christian, imagine we woke up….

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Rom. 13:11-14)

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (I Cor. 15:34)

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
(Eph. 5:14-16)

01/11/2024

We are studying “Influencers: Wisdom & Folly” in The School of Biblical Womanhood right now. This post (which I have shared before) goes well with our current study.

AN INFLUENCER TEST

If my desire for influence becomes more important to me than my desire for obedience, my focus has just shifted, and my direction will eventually change.

When I stand before the Lord, I will give account, not for the scope of my influence, nor the size of my audience, but for the simplicity, sincerity, and sum of my obedience.

It is easy to deceive ourselves and feel that it is okay to compromise a little here and there in order to maintain, or even expand, our influence “for Christ.”

The truth is that if we are willing to compromise truth or integrity in order to gain or retain influence, it is never for Christ’s sake, it is for our own sake.

It is my responsibility to walk in obedience to the Word, and it is God’s responsibility to give (or not to give) me influence in the world.

To seek influence without obedience is a betrayal of our Lord.

We are not commanded to be influential. We are commanded to be obedient.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (Jn. 14:15)

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (Jn. 15:14)

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (Jn. 15:18-20)

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Sam.‬ ‭15:22‬)

28/10/2024

"Strangers far, and neighbors near,
Every person needs to hear,
Life eternal can be theirs.
They can know if we will share.

We must go, the fields are white,
Countless souls lost in sin's night,
It is up to me and you,
We must go and reach them too.

Those the world may well respect,
Those society rejects,
Time is short, the workers few,
Who will go and reach them too?

We must go, the fields are white,
Countless souls lost in sin's night,
It is up to me and you.
We must go and reach them too."

© 2022 Niki Lott.

This simple song is a challenging reminder of the great need for people to hear the Gospel, and of our great responsibility to share it. The hymn-style arrangement is easy-to-sing, and suitable for choirs or congregations.

You can find the printed or downloadable sheet music at https://www.christiancompositions.com/product.php?catID=49&prodID=432.

26/10/2024

Our world seems to be possessed by the spirit of fear, and especially at this time of year, they celebrate and glorify it.

How we need to be reminded, as God’s children, that the spirit of fear is not from Him. His Spirit is the opposite of the spirit of fear.

The spirit of fear will control us, but God has not given us that spirit. He has given us the Spirit of power.

The spirit of fear will consume us, and make us consumed with ourselves, but God has not given us that spirit. He has given us the Spirit of love.

The spirit of fear will confuse us, but God has not given us that spirit. He has given us the Spirit of a sound mind.

Fear is a natural response to troubling times.
Faith is a spiritual response to troubling times.

When the spirit of fear comes knocking at your door, know that God did not send it. Answer it with faith and the Word of God.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Hebrews 13:6
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

26/10/2024

I wrote this song in honor of my grandpa, Bro. Bob Adams, who was a missionary for many years. I believe this song is a fitting tribute for any man of God who is faithfully serving Him.

I am very grateful to the Lord for my husband, Pastor Brian Lott, my dad, Missionary Gary Neal, my brother, Pastor Nevin Neal, and many other faithful pastors who God has allowed to be in my life. It is a joy and honor to follow their faith as they follow Christ.

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬

Provided to YouTube by CDBabyFollow Their Faith · Niki LottHow Can I Sing?℗ 2019 Niki LottReleased on: 2019-10-04Auto-generated by YouTube.

11/10/2024

The heavens declare His glory.

Every person
In every place on this planet
Can look up and see God’s glory on display.

His handiwork, His power, His wisdom
Are written in the skies.

What is even more amazing
Is that the God who created this
Vast, beautiful universe around us
Created you and me.

And He loves us.
In all our sin,
Knowing our thoughts and deeds,
Our wickedness, our needs,
He humbled Himself and came to us.
He gave Himself for us.
Not because we were worthy,
Or because we even wanted Him,
But because He is worthy
And He wanted us
To be reconciled to Him,
To have our sins forgiven,
To know and fellowship with Him.

And so He suffered.
He died,
The Just for the unjust,
That He might bring us to God.
He arose from the dead
That we might have life in Him,
Not just abundant life here,
But everlasting life.

In Him,
Through Him,
By Him,
We can have life.

Look up!
Do you know the everlasting God?
The Creator?
The Savior?

He loves you.
He invites you to come to Him
For forgiveness,
For salvation,
For rest.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? O LORD our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭9‬

09/10/2024

Some thoughts on this beautiful and powerful passage of Scripture:

“And let us not be weary in well doing...”

-when it seems there is no reward for doing right
-when it seems there is no retribution for those who do wrong
-when it seems the harvest will never come
-when we feel we labor alone

“In due season...”

-not in our time, but in God’s
-perhaps not now, but soon

“We shall reap...”

-we shall, not might

“If we faint not.”

-lean hard on the promises of God
-lean hard on the power of God
-look hard at the person of God

Faint not, my friends. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. He always keeps His Word.

Keep sowing to the Spirit.
Keep laboring in His fields.
Keep trusting that He’s faithful.

In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.