Song Lists

Before the creation of the world, before the stars and galaxies, the oceans and rivers, before the redwoods and daffodils, the lions and the butterflies—God knew you. On that fateful day in the garden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and sin entered the world—God knew you. As history unfolded and God enacted His redemption plan to save humanity, God knew you. When Jesus hung on the cross, beaten and bruised, suffering and dying to defeat the power of sin and death—God knew you. When Jesus was buried in the tomb and when He rose again three days later—God knew you. When Jesus ascended to heaven, God made you alive in Christ; then He picked you up and set you down right next to Him! You were there! (Eph 2:6 MSG) God has not for a second forsaken you or forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. His promises are good and His heart is for you. You did nothing to deserve His love. And there's nothing you could ever do to earn it. Like the lost sheep, He found you. His arms are open wide to you. He wants to put you on his shoulders and carry you home. That's the love of our God. It doesn't make sense. It isn't selfish. It isn't self-serving. And it never fails. In these next few moments will you let God's love rush over you? Will you let Him come near, comfort you and remind you He gave His life for you? He is here. Based on the song Reckless Love. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.

Often we think of heaven as the place we hope to go when we die. It is the place where God will wipe away every tear, where there will be no more death or crying or pain. If we are honest, most days the hope of heaven is seemingly so far away. But not to Jesus. Jesus prays in Matthew 6:9-10, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” For Jesus the Kingdom of heaven was not only a future promise but a present reality. If that is the way Jesus prayed, maybe the gap between heaven and earth is not as wide as we think. Maybe Jesus came not just to get us into heaven, but to get heaven into us. John Wesley says the moment we believe in Jesus and come to know His unsurpassable love for us unveiled on the cross, “heaven is opened in the soul.” To know this love is simply a “foretaste of heaven now.” One day we will experience, face to face, Jesus in the perfection of heaven, but right now we live with the peace, assurance and hope that the power of heaven is inside of us now. The Holy Spirit is bringing that future life into the present, awakening us to God's love revealed in Jesus. The closer we grow to Jesus and the more we know Him and His love for us, in that same proportion will we see the Kingdom of heaven around us. We'll see tides begin to change, walls begin to fall and darkness shake! And we won't be able to keep that immeasurable love and joy to ourselves! Based on the song Whole Heart by Sean Curran. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.

In Psalm 13, David is crying out to the Lord in anguish. He cannot feel God's presence. His heart is overwhelmed with sorrow and torment. You can sense the desperation in his voice. He's being honest with God about his feelings. God invites all of us into that same genuine relationship. It's important to see that David doesn't let his emotions determine his response. David keeps praying until he remembers and declares over his own soul what he knows to be true. He says, “But I trust in your unfailing love and my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise for he has been good to me.” (NIV) With the blood of God's only Son, our sins were paid for and bought on the cross. When we remember what God has given us—His grace, His love, His sacrifice—we can't help but rejoice! David prays until a song of praise erupts from his mouth. “For he has been good to me!” There is power in speaking the truth of who God is, and there is power in speaking the truth of who we are. In order to do that, we must know what God says about us in His Word. Scripture says we are blessed and called! We are healed and whole! We are saved in Jesus' name! We are highly favored, anointed, and filled with God's power, all for the glory of Jesus! Based on the song God You're So Good. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.

“So now, what can I ever give back to God to repay him for the blessings he's poured out on me? I will lift up his cup of salvation and praise him extravagantly for all that he's done for me.” Psalm 116:12-13 (TPT) What can I give back to God for the goodness He has poured out on me? I will praise His name. I will lift up the cup of salvation. In The Message version of Psalm 116, Eugene Peterson uses the word “toast.” He says, “I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!” How fitting! A toast is usually given when a group of people are gathered for a celebration to bring honor and praise to someone. Standing in the courts of the King, if we were to give a toast to God, what would we all be thinking? In that moment what would we, the children of God, say to our Savior? Almighty God forever You reignwe worship Youfor even the grave You overcomewe magnifyYour people rejoicewith hands held highfor every sin You overcome Based on the song Almighty God. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.

You've Already Won is a powerful song by the Worship Initiative that speaks to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The song tells the story of the Ukrainian people who have been caught in the midst of a brutal conflict for years. It is a reminder that, despite the hardships and struggles that they face, they are not alone and that they have already won the victory through Jesus Christ. The lyrics are a message of hope and encouragement for those who are living through the war in Ukraine. The song begins by acknowledging the pain and suffering that the Ukrainian people have experienced, and it speaks to the fear and uncertainty that they may feel on a daily basis: There's peace that outlasts darkness, hope that's in the bloodThere's future grace that's mine today that Jesus Christ has wonSo I can face tomorrow, for tomorrow's in Your handsAll I need you will provide, just like you always have However, despite these difficult circumstances, the song reminds the listener that they are not alone. It tells the Ukrainian people that God is with them and that He is fighting for them. It speaks to the power of faith and the hope that it brings, even in the darkest of times. The chorus is particularly poignant, as it reminds the listener that they have already been victorious through Jesus Christ. It declares that, no matter what they face, they can find strength and peace in Him: I'm fighting a battle that You've already wonNo matter what comes my way, I will overcomeI don't know what You're doing, but I know what You've doneI'm fighting a battle You've already won In the midst of the war in Ukraine, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. You've Already Won serves as a reminder that, no matter what challenges show up, we can find hope and victory through faith in Jesus. It is a powerful and uplifting song that offers encouragement and strength to all those who are caught in the midst of conflict. You've Already Won is written by Shane Barnard and Bryan Fowler, and featured in the album You've Already Won: A Song For Ukraine.

Passage: John 4:1-42 This song came out of nowhere. Most songs take hours/days/months for me to finish. This one seemed to drop from the heart of heaven. I'm singing to God in this song, but every time I sing it, it's like He's singing it over me. What a faithful friend He is. It's so important for us to remember what He has brought us through and to let it propel us to trust him. There is a powerful story in John 4 where it says that Jesus “had to go through Samaria.” What's interesting about this phrase is that it doesn't make geographical sense. Samaria is actually out of the way. It also doesn't make sense socially, since Jews didn't associate with Samaritans. Yet Jesus would not be deterred from going to this town. It was there that He met a woman coming out to draw water in the middle of the day. When Jesus encountered her, the conversation moved from Jesus needing a drink of water to Jesus pointing to Himself as what she was truly thirsting for. “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). The story continues, telling us that this woman had been in multiple relationships, which may be why she was drawing water in the heat of the day. In that culture, only men had the legal right to divorce, which means we can only imagine the pain, objectification, and abuse she could have gone through. But then she met Jesus. Not only did she change, but the whole town changed. I love this story because it shows how Jesus cares about “the one.” The outcast. The unworthy. He cares about us, and He is a King who takes detours to meet us right where we are at—and to show us He is what we have been thirsting for all along. The reality is, no matter how sincerely we could ever sing, “It's always been You,” He will always be the one singing it louder back over us. Based on the song It's Always Been You by Phil Wickham. Original post by Phil Wickham available on YouVersion based on the album - Hymn Of Heaven.

Where would we be without Jesus? He is no doubt the most incredible gift to us all! Our Heavenly Father saw fit to place upon His Son all of our sins and transgressions so that we might be free. That concept alone should evoke such a sense of gratitude and joy, knowing that we can be completely free of the weight of sin and the shame that comes from our failures.With that said, there are too many of us that still live with the guilt and shame of our past. The enemy likes to remind us of the mistakes of our past and place condemnation upon us that sometimes causes us to sink into a sense of despair. We may then be tempted to give up on pursuing the life of righteousness that is available to us. We may be lured into believing that we are a “hopeless case” and live in compromise instead of embracing the completed work of Christ on the cross. Jesus made a way for us all to walk in complete freedom from sin and it is ours for the taking. All we need is a little faith. That is why worship is such an integral part of a Christian's lifestyle.When we worship, we focus. When we focus, we are able to see more clearly. When we worship God, we can see Him more clearly. When we see Him more clearly, then we can let distractions, such as our past, fade into the background where they become blurry and difficult to see. Now, instead of focusing on our shortcomings, we see with greater clarity the attributes of our Great God. I love the line in this song that says “My heart need wander no longer, for in Your grace I shall stay. I am reconciled to Heaven, now forever to praise.” We can focus not only on the great things that God has done for us and his matchless character, but we can also focus on where we are headed – heaven!I know that over the years imagining heaven and how glorious it will be has helped me to let go of my focus on the current difficulties I am facing. Worship also helps me turn my affection towards God and somehow it has helped the negative emotions become overcome by deep gratitude. It has this amazing power to lift you up out of the dark feelings that can be overwhelming and have a heart instead that gets flooded with hope and light. As the song continues, it encourages us to declare, “Sings my soul, sings my soul. The song from my heart overflows.” The work of Christ overflows to us today. It is complete. It is for everyone. Let us today receive by faith the freedom that Jesus has provided and turn our worship to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! Based on the song Sings My Soul by Planetshakers Original post available on YouVersion based on the album - Overflow.

I'm Free: The Enemy's Defeated, Jesus Has Won!There are so many scriptures in God's Word that talk about freedom. If you look at all the amazing things Jesus did on this earth, it was all about bringing freedom to people's lives. Then, of course, we received the ultimate prize of freedom when Jesus died on the cross for all our sin, defeating the works of the enemy! We wrote the song I'm Free to give people a weapon of declaration. “The enemy's defeated, Jesus has won!” When I look at God's Word, the following two scriptures scream out to me, declaring I'm free!“…the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.” Romans 8:11“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17From these two scriptures alone, we learn the amazing truth that freedom lives on the inside of us! No matter what the enemy tries to bind us up in, we have the power in us to break every chain and bondage. Jesus is stronger than anything that may come our way! Whenever you feel like the enemy is trying to weigh you down, declare the verse from this song:Light, Oh I'm feeling so lightLike a weight has been lifted, by YouJesus You are by breakthrough, It's YouI love what Galatians 5:1 says in the amplified version: “It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].”There is power in our declaration. No matter what you are facing today, whether it be spiritual or physical, declare God's freedom! John 8:36 (AMP) - “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.”YOU ARE FREE! Based on the song I'm Free by Planetshakers Original post available on YouVersion based on the album - Overflow.

Oh gosh, I love fall and pumpkin spiced lattes. I love the colors of our trees in the backyard, but it is a very different experience from the love I feel for my husband, children, and gorgeous granddaughter. Do you end calls with family with a quick "love you !" Or sign the bottom of birthday greetings the same way? Hear the phrases "love that new coat on you" and "loved that show on Netflix!" We have watered down what it means to love. What does it mean to you to love your neighbor? If I can't love my neighbor like I love myselfIf I won't move when my brother cries out for helpIf I'm too proud to forgive before the sun goes downThen this life that I've been living what does it mean now None of my love comes close to the love that God has lavished on us. We will continually fall short of this unrestrained expression of love while we continue to practice loving only those who are easy to love. Try working it out when the road is rocky, the other is difficult, and your strength is weak. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And this is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 Something struck me listening to this song by Pat Barrett and Dante Bowe's "Nothing/ Something. " The back and forth sharing of the phrases reminded me that the invitation to love others is something I need help to do. I am not good at it on my own, and I don't have to look hard to notice some of you are not good at it either. Our love billows over when there is no risk, and it blooms easy. It is a whole other workout loving the people around us who are challenging. Maybe they masquerade as our neighbors, but they are often our siblings, children, partners, or friends. These relationships expose our incapacity to love well. Out of one corner of our mouths, we say as for me and my house, we serve the Lord...and then whisper words of judgment on our brothers and sisters. It is the kind of bait and switch that my non-Christian friends find disorienting with the church, seeing a love that looks sloppy and exclusive. I could say I love my neighbor, but it does not nearly shine as bright alongside the love I hold for my children. My love for my neighbor is dim at best. I hardly know my neighbor. With complete transparency, there are some neighbors I don't wish to know at all. And don't get me started on that one person (or two) who grate on my nerves, leaving me rigid from all the tongue biting I do around them. Show me how to love like YouCause if I don't have love it means nothing My love for people and how much I give depends on a few things. How they treat me and how invested I am in their well-being. If I am irritated, I have been known to withhold love, and I shut down, remaining emotionally disconnected. What is your modus operandi? We tend to have a predictable way of discrediting, minimizing or invalidating another's experience. Do you move away because, you know, they don't know the Lord like you do? Or, they don't have the education, experience, money like you do? What pattern do you choose when dealing with difficult people who don't think like you, dress like you or work as you do, so you do not have to love them? I don't want to sound like a crashing cymbalI don't want to be some empty noiseI'm down on my knees, Lord I surrenderJesus help me to love with a love like Yours My least favorite place to linger is a church foyer. The perfunctory meeting, greeting, and hand-shaking turns my insides like we are gearing up to head onto the main stage for a performance. One part of me wants to feel a part of the group and searches for someone I recognize to talk to; another part wants to make a beeline to my preferred seat in the auditorium to avoid making small talk with anyone. When I show up in a church foyer, my "on again off again" love dial switches on. I show interest, smile, ask you about the details I remember from last week. And we have this interaction that at the moment feels like we love one another, but at best, we are being kind. Kindness is love's cousin, for sure, but it is a part not the fullness of God's love. Foyer's are easy places to pretend we love one another. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 For God so loved. He so loved. He doesn't love the world the way I love the changing colors of Fall, or a long walk along a riverbank. His love created. His love created all I know and hold dear. His love sacrificed comfort, set-aside fame, notoriety and chose a humble beginning with a horrific ending instead. His love did this for me. It was a profoundly personal, intimate act of love. This ending paid the highest price and bought my freedom for eternity-THAT is love. If I can't love my neighbor like I love myselfIf I won't move when my brother cries out for helpIf I'm too proud to forgive before the sun goes downThen this life that I've been living what does it mean now My prayer today as I recognized once again my ineptitude to love well: Jesus, loving the people you created is not a task I can do alone. Help me. Show me what You see. Fill me with Your love so I can do better. Your love is an indescribable gift, and I want to be ready to give it to others - even when it is a challenging task to do so. Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children. Nothing / Something was written by Pat Barrett and featured on the Nothing / Something album.

In the book of Joshua, we encounter a powerful declaration of faith and commitment: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). This proclamation by Joshua serves as the foundation for the song "As For Me And My House," reminding us of the intentional choice we must make daily to honor and serve God in every aspect of our lives—especially within our families. In a world where distractions and competing priorities can easily pull us away from our core values, this song stands as a rallying cry for households to stand firm in faith. The message is simple yet profound: God's sovereignty extends to every corner of our homes, and we are called to lead our families with the same unwavering trust and obedience that Joshua displayed. The Sacred Call to Lead As Christians, we are given the responsibility to lead those in our care toward a deeper understanding of God's love and truth. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, spouse, or friend, this call to leadership transcends roles. "As For Me And My House" challenges us to examine the spiritual climate of our homes and to ensure that Christ remains at the center of our daily rhythms—through prayer, worship, and biblical instruction. The song echoes the sentiment that faith is not passive but an active choice. It's not simply a set of rules to follow but a lifestyle of grace and commitment to Jesus. It's about creating an environment where God is glorified and where His truth is lived out in love and service. Leading your family doesn't require perfection; it requires faithfulness. The Power of Unity in Christ One of the most beautiful aspects of the song is how it emphasizes unity in Christ within the household. A home built on Christ's foundation is one that flourishes in peace, love, and understanding. The lyrics serve as a reminder that when we commit to serving the Lord together as a family, we experience the fullness of His blessing and grace. In a culture that often encourages division and individualism, this song redirects our focus to the biblical mandate of unity. When our homes are centered on Christ, our relationships become healthier, our conflicts are resolved with grace, and our love for one another reflects the love God has for us. This unity becomes a powerful witness to the world of God's transforming power. Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition Joshua's declaration was made in a time when the Israelites faced numerous external pressures and temptations to follow other gods. Similarly, today's families encounter countless challenges and distractions that can pull us away from God's path. "As For Me And My House" encourages us to stand firm, even when society pushes us in a different direction. We are reminded to remain steadfast in our faith, boldly proclaiming that our homes belong to the Lord. A Prayer for Our Homes As we reflect on the message of this song, let us be intentional in making our homes places of worship, love, and spiritual growth. Let us pray for God's guidance in leading our families, asking for His strength to remain faithful and His wisdom to instill His truth in our hearts. Prayer: Lord, we dedicate our homes to You. Help us to lead our families with grace and faithfulness, always keeping You at the center. Let our homes reflect Your love and truth, and may we stand firm in our commitment to serve You, no matter the challenges we face. Amen. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Let this be the anthem of our lives, not just a momentary decision but a lifelong commitment to honor God in every part of our family's journey.

My heart busted right open when I heard that first newborn cry. Our first grandchild is a bright, delightful little person. If she's over at our house, all the family comes, too. Her aunties and uncles cannot get enough of her. When Grandbaby and her parent's come to visit, schedules clear, plans adjust - we all want to sit and take her in. Along with this depth of love pounding in my chest, I notice something else. Slipping in amongst the awe and delight is worry. It is a familiar worry connected to a younger version of myself. I haven't perceived this gnawing at my heart for quite some time - not since my kids were little. When I first became a mom, I couldn't believe they let me take that sweet, vulnerable tiny baby home from the hospital. He came with no instruction manual and an immense responsibility to keep him safe. It is a familiar kind of worry attached to the indescribable adoration I feel for this little girl. But now, my confidence is buoyed by what I know. I am my older, wiser self, and I know how to pray. Grandma use to pray out loud by her bed every nightTo me it sounded like mumbling, like she was out of her mindShe said, Boy this kind of praying is what saved my lifeYou outta try it some time; now I know she was right And I know the good work that God is doing in her parents. A work that is not complete. An ongoing purposeful work of grace, love, and growth. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.Philippians 1:4-6 When your heart is gripped with anxiety about your kids being in this upside-down world, talk to Jesus. He has plans for us, and he has plans for our kids. Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music's song, Talking To Jesus tells the story of how we can get through the messy uncertainty of parenting. Mama use to drag me to church, Sunday morning and Wednesday nightsKhaki pants and a polo shirt, boy, I put up a fightShe said, Son, one day you'll thank me for having God in your lifeAnd yeah I know she was right, yeah my mama was right Get them talking to Jesus. That is the antidote to my worry. Knowing that the ones my heart bursts for know Him. They see this friend who will never let them down. He will never leave them out. He will never leave them alone. He will never take offense, and He will always forgive. He is never too busy or distracted. With Him, there is no favoritism. No competition. No fear. What a friend! Thank God they are talking to Jesus. Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children. Talking To Jesus was written by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music and featured on the album Talking To Jesus.

While walking in beautiful South Carolina along the May River, where majestic oak trees form canopies over the walkways, I drank in the spectacular views. Taking in each breath as I walked, I felt my entire nervous system settle. With each step, each intake of fresh air, I entered further into a place of rest. I whispered a prayer of gratitude for this time of rest. Finding rest is not easy. Biblical rest isn't a call to stop moving but an inclination towards settling on the inside. If you are prone to anxiety, you are well acquainted with the internal energetic waves or a sense of constant churning. Author Bonnie Gray calls rest "emotional honesty." We go to Him as we are...our tired, worn-out selves. We can be ourselves at best or ourselves at worst, but are invited close regardless. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 Our Difference-Maker We have the confident assurance that Christ in us is how we can enter fully into rest. He is the difference-maker. He is our how and our why: How we find peace amidst the heartache. Why we can rise from the ash heap, and the reason we carry on through our weaknesses — the double-edged sword of the Kingdom. He is my strength when I am weak. His presence brings peace in the middle of my storms. Not in our strength alone, but because of who He is in us — Christ in us, the hope of glory. As chosen by God, we are loved by the Father and fully restored to Him through the cross. He has created us; we are His workmanship. Our identity in Him is one we can rest in without striving to prove ourselves or getting lost in climbing up the ladder of success. We can rest in Him. Go and Dwell "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1 We are invited to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and go to Him for rest. Go and dwell. Dwell means to live in a specified place, to think, speak or write at length about a particular subject. We take our whole selves somewhere to remain. We don't pop in now and again…we dwell, remain, and linger longer. Tim Challies, a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario, and co-founder of Cruciform Press, interviewed Richard Thompson and Jonny Robinson of CityAlight about their new music: "Our most recent hymn, Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me, took us 12 weeks to write. We dove deep into the idea of what it meant to have Christ dwell in us. What an incredibly profound, mysterious truth. It needed time. We wrote and rewrote the songs many, many times. We struggled for every word. If there are any songwriters reading this, we would encourage you to slow down. Your songs will be richer for it." Find rest in your writing. Slow down and notice God's presence surrounds you. Speak from that place of emotional honesty. Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children. "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" was written by Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson, and performed by CityAlight.

“Saviour I come, quiet my soul, remember.” Approach, posture, reflection. These three simple actions at the beginning of prayer have been hallmarks of my own devotional journey for decades now. Firstly, my choice to approach. As a recent paraphrase of Psalm 100, “the Lord is always good and ready to receive me," but I've learned it is still always my choice as to whether or not I will come to Him. Oh what a world of difference our lives become based on the choices we make. Secondly, my posture. A life of prayer means that I am invited into an ongoing conversation with the Father in whatever state I'm in. (Thank God!) Occasionally, I come to God bouncy and grateful, astonished in wonder and aflame with love. But often I come to God all bombastic and blustery, flustered, frustrated, mad, sad, indignant, any number of things – and that's actually wonderful – because the point is that whatever state I'm in, I've stepped “through the door” so to speak. I've come. And once I have, He has a way of sorting me out, calming me, helping me settle into the posture of quieting my soul, even if the way I've come in is anything but quiet, getting into a place where I'm ready to listen: “I'm here, Lord." Thirdly, remembering. Remembering who He is, tracing the lines of His faithfulness in my life, remembering the promises, power and hope that issue from the Father's supreme gift. His Son died on the cross for us. I fix my eyes on my Savior. I focus my heart and mind and soul and remember that I might press on with the right things in focus. Approach, posture, reflection and then, consideration. In the light of the cross, we can now rightly consider all that we would bring to the Lord in prayer. We can allow His love, grace, truth and mercy to teach, lead and guide us. I finish with the glorious consideration of Paul in Philippians 3. Philippians 3:7-14 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A five-day reading plan exploring some of the Biblical perspectives that anchor Brooke's album, EIGHT. Enjoy devotionals that journey through themes like the fear of the Lord, postures in prayer, enduring in wilderness seasons, enjoying God, and choosing Him in response to His choice of us!, as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album EIGHT by Brooke Ligertwood.

Not sure if you have been there before. The sweet moments of intimacy with Jesus where you know His closeness, are moved by His word and experience the fullness of His spirit. Walking into Sunday services being so close, feet hardly touching the ground as you walk to the stage, grab your music...plug in your instrument. Those are tender, meaningful times of worship; sweet moments of connection with a deep sense of purpose. You hear Him call your name on that mountaintop knowing that He is pleased with you. It's a long drop falling from a mountaintop. Stepping over the edge of a cliff happens in a flash. Maybe the next morning starts with hot-tempered, overtired toddlers, or a spouse up too many times in the night with the baby. Sharp words over coffee and running late into the sanctuary where you feel like an ash heap. Feet heavy walking to the stage, heart pounding with guilt for displays of impatience and anger; plugging in your guitar, checking the monitor levels you feel unworthy. The worship set ends, and the imposter syndrome weighs heavy on your heart as you reflect on the morning. And then...you hear Him. He tenderly calls your name down into that valley. Yes, He still calls your name. And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:3 Mountains or valleys, He doesn't differentiate your position. He just invites you to come. Bring the sacrifice of praise and offer your gift. Shame into glory. Beauty for ashes. Not because of anything you did, but because of everything He is! He is the only one who can re-shape your broken, battered self. He is the God who turns mourning to dancing and your shame into glory. Those dry and brittle bones creaking in your weary soul find refreshment in His presence. Go to Him bruised with your failures and flaws out there in the open. Nothing is better than a touch from the Father. Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children. Graves into Gardens is a song performed by Elevation Worship and singer-songwriter Brandon Lake. Graves into Gardens was released as the second single from their eighth live album. The song was written by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, and Tiffany Hammer.

In Worth the Wait, the powerful refrain of “Noel” reminds us of the ancient longing and expectation of Israel for a Savior. For centuries, they waited for the promised Messiah, hoping for the One who would deliver them from darkness. And then, in the quiet town of Bethlehem, that promise was fulfilled—Jesus was born, the King of Israel, the Light of the world. This song celebrates God's faithfulness, proclaiming, “You were good, on Your promise.” It's a reminder that God's timing is perfect, even when it may not align with our own expectations. We often find ourselves waiting—waiting for answers, for healing, for breakthroughs—and in those seasons, it can be easy to wonder if God will come through. Yet, just as He did with the birth of Jesus, God is always working, fulfilling His promises in ways that are beyond our understanding. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” The bridges in the song invite us into the profound purpose of Jesus' coming: He is the Savior who heals the broken, reclaims what was stolen by the enemy, and brings freedom. This powerful image of Jesus reminds us that His coming wasn't just for those in Bethlehem; it's for each of us. He came to redeem our pain, to restore what's been lost, and to offer us the hope of new life. When we're weighed down by brokenness or feel stuck in darkness, we can look to Jesus, knowing that He came to bring light and life to every corner of our souls. “Jesus, You were worth the wait,” the song declares, capturing the joy of seeing God's promises fulfilled. He is the answer to our deepest needs and longings, the One who loves us unconditionally, and the One who calls us to bow our hearts and lives before Him. The invitation extends to all: “Every heart, come and adore Him; every knee, bow before Him.” Jesus came not just to fulfill prophecy but to transform lives, to give us hope and healing, and to reign as King over all. In this season of celebrating His birth, let's reflect on how God has been faithful in our lives and remember that His timing, though often mysterious, is perfect. When we recognize Jesus as our Savior, we find that He truly is worth the wait—He is our light, our freedom, and our peace. May we join the song of heaven, proclaiming Noel with grateful hearts, as we honor the One who came to be with us and promises to walk with us always.