Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4:8-9
Higher Things is the name of a national service organization that is recognized by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. It’s mission is to make the gifts of Christ Jesus known to youth and young adults.
To serve this goal, Higher Things operates a web ministry and it holds youth conferences at multiple locations around the U.S., typically on college campuses during summers.
Higher Things conferences emphasize traditional Lutheran services and hymns, as we do in our own congregation. Higher Things’ offerings on the web are excellent for Christians of all ages to use to supplement their private devotions.
Our greatest need is to be saved
God’s great gifts for you
Oh come let us sing to the Lord
The Venite, an ancient call to worship, is based on Psalm 95.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
— Psalm 95:1-7
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
(It may sound a little unfamiliar, because the words are the original ones, translated. The music is the original tune.)
A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon.
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected.
But for us fights the valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there’s no other God;
He holds the field forever.Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we feel no ill;
They shall not overpower us.
This worlds prince may still scowl fierce as he will
He can harm us none,
He’s judged, the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and spirit.
And take they our life, goods fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone
Our victory has been won;
The kingdom ours remaineth.— Martin Luther (1483 – 1546)
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart
This brief video is from a worship service at a Higher Things conference. We sing this hymn in our own congregation every Sunday after we receive Holy Communion. It is based on the biblical words of Simeon, whose long wait to see the Christ Child was finally satisfied.
Like Simeon, we give thanks to God for the gracious and miraculous gift of His Son.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
— Luke 2:25-33
The essential history of the Church
This excerpt from a Higher Things conference features this hymn that covers the truly essential things that have happened in Christ’s Church.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
— Revelation 5:11-12
The Word of the Lord endures forever.