Song Lists

Hymns withstand the test of time for good reason. “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was written in 1758, but congregations around the world still sing it today. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love—lyrics that will always resonate with the heart of the believer and the age-old battle between our sinful selves and who we are in Christ: “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” (Rom. 7:18-19) As the hymn says, Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God. Jesus came to us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8), not after we had cleaned ourselves up and gotten our acts together. He came right into the middle of our wandering, and that wasn't a one-time event. We are daily prone to wander, but scripture tells us his mercies are new every morning. (Lam. 3:22-23) His kindness continues to pursue us, in spite of us. How your kindness yet pursues meHow your mercy never fails me Because of this, we can tune our hearts to grace, rather than to fear or shame. In Christ, the song from our hearts sings of the kindness God has done for us, by no power of our own and by no performance or act that is worthy. We can rest in a Father who has taken our hearts and sealed them. We are his and no matter how far we wander, his kindness pursues us still. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal itSeal it for Thy courts above Based on the song Come Thou Fount (I Will Sing) by Chris Tomlin. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Never Lose Sight.

The power of a name is profound. It can evoke emotions, memories, and reactions. And when it comes to the name of Jesus, its potency transcends all human understanding. The song I Speak Jesus as performed by Charity Gayle captures the raw, transformative power vested in the name of our Savior. "I just wanna speak the Name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus." This anthem is a reminder that amidst the cacophony of life's challenges, uncertainties, and fears, there's a name that can bring peace, healing, and salvation. The song aligns seamlessly with our key scripture in Philippians, where the apostle Paul expounds on the unparalleled majesty of the name of Jesus. Drawing inspiration from "I Speak Jesus" and our scripture, let's glean some deep-seated truths: 1. Exaltation through Humility: The reason Jesus' name is exalted is rooted in His humility and sacrifice. Before being elevated to the highest place, Jesus humbled Himself, taking on the nature of a servant and dying on the cross for humanity's sins. His name's power is intertwined with His unparalleled love and sacrifice. 2. Universal Reverence: Philippians speaks of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing Jesus as Lord. It's a vivid portrayal of a future where Jesus' lordship is universally acknowledged. When we declare Jesus' name over situations, as the song suggests, we're aligning ourselves with this eternal truth, invoking the authority of heaven itself. 3. Peace in His Presence: Charity Gayle's rendition beautifully communicates the peace that emanates from Jesus' presence. Speaking His name isn't a mere utterance; it's an invocation of His very presence. And where He is, peace abounds – calming storms, soothing fears, and mending broken hearts. Today, as you meditate on the lyrics of "I Speak Jesus," consider the situations in your life that need a touch from the Savior. It could be a personal struggle, a challenge at work, or perhaps a loved one in need. Instead of being overwhelmed by the situation, make a deliberate choice to "speak Jesus" over it. Remember, every time you declare the name of Jesus, you're invoking the mightiest power known to humanity. You're aligning yourself with God's will and inviting His intervention. Let the name of Jesus be your go-to response, your first line of defense, and your continuous declaration, irrespective of what you face. Let the beautiful message of "I Speak Jesus" envelop your heart and mind. And as you step into your day, may your lips continuously echo the name above all names, finding in it strength, solace, and an ever-present help in times of need.Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

It is right to praise You, to bring the sacrifice You deserve. For those forgiven much, dare not forget Your touch, cannot withhold Your praise Scriptures: Revelation 2:18-29 (NIV) Devotional: “These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” - Revelation 2:18-19 (NIV) In ancient and Jewish thought, to use the title 'Son' was to equate oneself with the very nature and likeness of the person or thing one was referring to. So, when Scripture says, “the Son of God,” this clearly denotes equality with God. This is important to understand. Jesus is speaking to the church of Thyatira through the Apostle John, and He establishes that first and foremost, He is God. In other words: King. The image of Christ's deity is written out even further as the verse continues: “whose eyes are like blazing fire.” This communicates the just judgment of the Son of God—He looks at our lives with righteousness and holiness, both clearly and yet with power. The picture continues, “whose feet are like burnished bronze.” This is meant to communicate Christ's purity and strength. Images of the powerful and awe inspiring Son of God are all throughout Revelation, and ultimately, they should inspire and lead us to worship Jesus. To pray or sing words like:“It is right to praise You, to bring the sacrifice You deserve. For those forgiven much, dare not forget Your touch, cannot withhold Your praise”. In other words, when we have had an experience with the living Son of God, or our minds have somewhat grasped these images in Revelation, the appropriate or fitting response is to praise Him for his goodness and glory. In fact, we often cannot withhold the praise we long to give Jesus after an encounter with Him. Interestingly, as we behold this image of the Son of God in glory, we can have confidence that He sees us as well. The next verse in this passage says, “I know your deeds, your love and faith…” Thyatira was the smallest and most insignificant of the cities that the seven letters of Revelation are written to, but how encouraging that despite their significance by human standards, they are seen, known, and loved by God! He sees us, too—with eyes ablazing and purity of heart. This should astonish us. A God so worthy of glory and honor, One surrounded by heavenly creatures who sing “holy, holy, holy” without end—this God!—sees us. He is that glorious and equally that kind and good. Amen. Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

During desperate, dark, difficult, and confusing times, we must cling to the belief that God can do the impossible. Yet when we are desperate or feel surrounded by darkness when times are difficult and confusing—this is when it feels impossible to believe in the impossible, doesn't it? People tell you to pray and believe in a miracle, but your circumstances tell you to be wary and skeptical. It's hard to believe Jesus' words, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26) But what if instead of believing in and hoping for a big miracle out there, you looked at the miracle that's already happened inside of you? Before Christ, we were sinners without hope for redemption. Redemption felt impossible, as did freedom. But Jesus made all of this possible. He says in Luke, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” (Luke 4:18) You heal the broken heartedYou set the captive freeYou lift the heavy burdenAnd even now You are lifting me During times of trial, we must retrace the steps of our faith journey and remember, that God has already done the impossible in us through his son: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!” (Rom. 5:8-9) One word and the sinner's forgiven 'Cause You do impossible things No matter what your circumstance are, nothing can change the fact that you are a captive set free. And that makes you walking proof that God can do impossible things, and that he will. Based on the song Impossible Things by Brenton Brown, Chris McClarney, Chris Tomlin, and Ed Cash. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Never Lose Sight.

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.

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.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 When I was a kid all I really understood about Christmas was that Jesus was born, and I got presents. (To be honest, the presents were the lead story. I was a kid, and I lived for Nerf guns.) However, as the years went on, the true story and weight of Christmas began to come into focus. What I didn't fully understand as a kid was that the world had been waiting on God who had been silent for 400 years. When Jesus was born it was the WORD made flesh that the world had been longing for God to speak for centuries. Hope was living, and it was breaking through the silence at last. These days there isn't much silence to be found, but even still, God wants to break through whatever chaos and crazy that surrounds you today, with a necessary and needed interruption. Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded of God's heart and love for us. We need to be reminded that we are not forgotten or insignificant. We are secure in His love and purposed to bring His glory to Earth wherever we are. We need this interruption to remember the unthinkable step that Jesus took from the highest heavens to the lowly manger, then to the sinner's cross, and ultimately up out of the grave, so we could taste freedom and live for what matters most. Christmas carries an invitation: “Child, come as you are…” Come if you're broken; Come if you're searching; Come if you need healing; He's where you find it; Lay down your burden; Breathe in forgiveness; If you need freedom; He's where you find it. The world is full of unknowns, and the days are loud. Let Jesus break through the uncertainty and noise and take Him up on His invitation today. He is close and He is calling, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NIV). This is where our hope is found: in the name above all names, Jesus. Based on the song Hope Has A Name by Kristian Stanfill, Jacob Sooter, Sean Curran. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Hope Has A Name by Passion.

Bring home the music featured at the 2022 Worship Innovators Conference. Find all the chord charts, lead sheets, choir sheets, orchestrations, and more!

It's easy to look around and see that the world is looking for love. We all deeply connect with the idea of feeling known, accepted, and ultimately, loved, and are searching for it…maybe in all the wrong places as the old adage says. But more often than not, we look for it in good things: a relationship, our career, a success or goal met, our family, the next adventure or “big” thing on the horizon. We may readily run to these things to fill us with a sense of love and acceptance, but there's a void of dissatisfaction wherever earthly love has taken residence in us where only divine love will do. There are a lot of “good” loves, but only one heavenly Great Love. Only the love of God in Christ Jesus will satisfy continually the innermost depths of our hearts, minds, and souls, to the brim and overflowing both now and forever. Scripture tells us in 1 John 3:1: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God, and that is what we are! Romans 8 says that nothing, not death, life, nor circumstances, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Through the Innocent Perfection who gave his life for us, we have been forever changed by the power of the cross and brought into this great love of God. This kind of love calls us by name and lifts us up. It gives us a mercy which is new every day. It allows us to live from a place of love and acceptance, not a place of striving or earning. We are simply free to respond to the love of God with our lives. Oh Lord, let us do that today! Father, thank you that I can call you that! Father. You have poured out in great measure continually, even now, your unmatched love on me, that I would be called your child. Thank you that through Jesus I have access to the love and power of God through the Spirit. Help me to lift my eyes to you today, and let your love transform me as I cease striving and live from acceptance not for it. Amen. Based on the song How Great Is Your Love by Brett Younker, Kristian Stanfill. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the live album - Passion: Worthy Of Your Name, featuring worship songs from Passion Band, Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, Jimi Cravity & more!

What do you think is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture? There are the famous Ten Commandments, a plethora of additional commands the Israelites were supposed to obey in the Old Testament, and of course the greatest commandment: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'... And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37,39) But the command we are given more often than most throughout Scripture may surprise you. It is not a warning or a "thou shalt not." It is simply this— give thanks! The Hebrew word for "thanks" is used forty-seven times in the Psalms alone. If we look at each occurrence, we notice it is often accompanied by a specific reason for giving thanks. The psalmists learned general thanks is valuable, but there is power in naming what God has done in our lives! Psalm 9:1 says, "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Wherever we find ourselves today, there is always room for giving thanks. There is always space to recount the faithfulness of God in our lives. In the harvest— give thanks.In the desert— give thanks.In the pain of heartbreak— give thanks.In the disappointment of dreams lost— give thanks. In the face of uncertainty— give thanks.In the grief of death— give thanks.In the celebration— give thanks! And there, in the middle of our gratitude, is right where we find God! Because His command to give thanks is an invitation to enjoy Him! It is in our rehearsing, retelling, and recounting of what God has done that we see once again His grace, mercy, love, and kindness toward us. When we remember what He's done— that Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, emptied Himself, humbled Himself to the point of death so that we who believe in Him could be made alive with Him, that we should not perish but have everlasting life, we realize thankfulness is an act of praise! Our gratitude is worship! And we see once again Jesus is worthy to receive all the worship we can bring! Based on the song What He's Done by Mia Fieldes, Jacob Sooter, Chidima Ubah. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Burn Bright by Passion.

“All it takes is one moment, and just one touch from You…” Every time I sing these words, the weight of their meaning hits me every single time. We serve a God who is so powerful, so all-encompassing, and so gracious, that it takes just a moment for Him to change everything if we allow Him to do so. I Came for You is more than just a song, it's an invitation.Throughout my life I have spent many seasons praying for God to bring a breakthrough in various areas, and I often felt like I was banging my fists against a brick wall. I would approach God and ask Him to turn things around, but would ultimately find myself farther from His presence than where I started. It was the strangest occurrence, and I couldn't figure out why it was happening.I remember one day in the middle of a very difficult season, I came to the end of my rope and told God I was done talking because nothing was happening. You know those moments where it's almost like you can hear God laugh at you? Not in an unkind way, but in a way a Father would lovingly laugh at His child when they do something silly. Well, I heard that chuckle. In my frustration I asked Him what on earth He was laughing at and simply felt Him say, “Good. I've been waiting to do some talking. Are you ready to listen now, sweetheart?”I was floored. Right then I realized that in all of my praying and seeking an answer from the Father, I never actually invited Him into the problem in the first place. I put my need for an answer to my problem above my desire to simply be near Papa God. When I finally just invited Him into the conversation, and simply delighted in His presence, I realized the answer was always there. The answer to every problem is His presence.“Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)Life is full of seasons, of ups and downs. As Christians we aren't promised a problem-free life. There won't always be an immediate answer to our current issue. Sometimes the answer comes right away; sometimes the answer is decades down the road. However, there is one thing that we are promised, and that is His presence. My encouragement to you is this: Invite Him in. Make way and make room for Holy Spirit to come into your situation. Sometimes we just need to cut out the noise of our own well-intentioned voices and allow Papa God to minister to our spirits. The answer is in the encounter with Him, not the other way around. Based on the song I Came For You by Planetshakers Original post available on YouVersion based on the album - Overflow.

In the miniseries, The Chosen, there's a moving scene that beautifully illustrates the relentless nature of faith. Friends of a paralyzed man, unable to get to Jesus due to the dense crowd, climb to the roof of the house, tearing off tiles, and lower their friend down to the Savior. It's a tangible act of desperate faith, embodying the lyrics of Brandon Lake's Tear Off The Roof. The line, "Tear off the roof, the King's in the house. Just get me to Jesus, I don't care how," captures the essence of that raw determination to reach Jesus, no matter the barriers. Many times, in our lives, circumstances, doubts, or the opinions of others can crowd our path to Jesus. But the song and the scene both remind us that sometimes, faith demands unconventional methods. The chorus magnifies the unmatched power found in Jesus' presence - a power that transcends our understanding and challenges our perceptions. "There's power in the presence, power in the blood, power in the name of Jesus." This isn't mere ritualistic power but transformative power – the kind that heals, saves, and restores. The lyric "He has more in the hem of His garment, then the camp of the enemy" alludes to the biblical account where a woman, having suffered for years, believed that merely touching Jesus' garment would heal her. Her faith, like that of the friends in The Chosen, pushed past societal norms and personal reservations. Both the scene and the song converge on a pivotal truth: the environment around Jesus is thick with potential. It's laden with the promise of change, healing, and revival. The bridge encapsulates this atmosphere, speaking of the "life-changing, grave shaking, dead-raising power in the room." However, accessing this power requires more than just a casual approach. The paralyzed man's friends didn't just 'hope' for a healing; they actively pursued it. "I didn't come here to hide in the crowd," the song declares, challenging us to evaluate our approach towards our faith and relationship with Jesus. Are we mere spectators, or are we tearing off roofs to get closer to Him? In the realm of faith, desperation is an asset. When combined with unwavering trust in God's power, it becomes an unstoppable force that challenges norms, breaks barriers, and ushers in miracles. As you reflect on this song and the heart-gripping scene from The Chosen, ask yourself: 1. Determination: What 'roofs' are you willing to tear off in your life to get closer to Jesus? 2. Belief: Do you truly believe in the transformative power of Jesus' presence? 3. Action: How are you actively pursuing your faith beyond just being part of the crowd? Let the raw faith portrayed in the miniseries and the passionate lyrics of Tear Off The Roof inspire you to deepen your pursuit of Jesus. For in His presence, the impossible becomes possible, and the unreachable becomes tangible. Mark 2:4 (NIV) "Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on."

The joy that comes with daily sacrifice only makes sense in light of the cross. It will be my joy to say, “Your will, your way.” The world sees the Christian life of sacrifice and says, “Stop giving up all of your rights and privileges. You must be miserable!” But Christians have experienced the paradoxical joy in giving up your life to someone else, in dying to self and living for Christ. As Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Of course it's not easy at first, the dying-to-self thing. Paul also said, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:14-15). We are sinful beings who even when we know the freedom of Christ still long to satisfy the desires of our flesh. This is why we must daily lay down our lives. Letting go of my pride, giving up all my rights. Take this life and let it shine. How do we do this, practically speaking? By inviting Jesus into our day-to-day. There is a moment in each Christian's life when we make a decision to believe Jesus was the son of God. That is huge. That is our salvation. But in order to know God, we must make a conscious effort to choose Christ every day like we did in that one salvation moment. As we accept this discipline, we see that the sacrifice gets a bit easier with time, and the joy of the sacrifice begins to outweigh the shame of sin. We choose to submit to the leadership placed in our lives, rather than fight it. We choose to call our sibling or parent back even though they're difficult to talk to. We choose to end the relationship that is pleasing to the flesh but devastating to the spirit. Eventually the thought of not owning ourselves, but actually belonging to someone else will be the only thing that makes sense. Left to our own devices, we have made some poor decisions that placed us in bondage to something or someone. But left to Christ's guidance, we feel the freedom of our lives and are joyful that life is no longer up to us. We are relieved to no longer be living for ourselves and instead to be a part of a much larger story. Based on the song Lay Me Down by Chris Tomlin. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Burning Lights.

Ever feel like you are moving just fast enough that God's goodness, His kindness, and His presence slip right past? We sense Him in the periphery but can't seem to slow down long enough to fully take Him in. We hurry past without noticing that God is near. Part of our hurry might be our efforts to avoid all of the potential landmines so prevalent in the world. It takes vigilance to sidestep divisiveness, leaving our nervous systems locked in and loaded. We might notice our senses roaming back and forth, watching for danger. It is tremendously difficult to enter His rest when our souls are on guard for the next threat. And if we cannot enter His rest, how are we able to experience thankfulness? Sometimes my soul needs a hefty dose of the end goal. I sometimes need a reminder of the end of the story through an extended time in scripture and worship. Settle in with Cody Carnes and Brandon Lake's song, Too Good To Not Believe. I've lived stories that have proved Your faithfulnessI've seen miracles my mind can't comprehendAnd there is beauty in what I can't understandJesus, it's You, Jesus, it's You Sitting down to watch a show, my TV displayed this message - "cannot load content." My attempts to troubleshoot this message went through "ask Google," then "ask the kids," and finally, after an hour of checking the internet, unplugging devices, trying to reload content...I clicked the one word I was a bit hesitant to press -- RESET. Why so downcast oh my soul?Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,my Savior and my God.Psalm 43:5 The reset button clears the memory and reboots the machine forcibly, says Wikipedia. The English Language Learners Definition of reset is: : to move (something) back to an original place or position: to put (a broken bone) back in the correct position for healing: to put (a gem) into a new piece of jewelry I love how sitting with words can shift perspectives making something implicit, explicit. Illuminating the truths buried between letters. Why do I feel so afraid, like some danger is just lurking around every corner? I imagined God's response would be gentle and comforting, like an invitation to sit awhile and rest. And there in the stillness, I sense this question - Are you staying close to His love for you? There is no fear in God's love. His love for us is never far off, but we miss it when we hurry past. The display of His love is evident in beauty all around me. The vibrant changing colors of fall. The smiles of delight on my granddaughter's face. The quiet whisper of peace and the welcome of rest in the morning moments with Him. And in this space, my heart wells up with thankfulness. My soul longs for a reset where I am placed back in a correct position to promote healing. I am even open to some memory wiping if I was honest. You're the wonder-working GodAnd You heal because You love Today, I was relieved that social media crashed, and it felt like a threat was neutralized - at least for the moment. I couldn't help but smile - this is evidence of His love for me. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting the things of the past, or at the very least, putting them down. And picking back up the things I know and believe. He is good. His mercies are new every morning. He is near. He is not surprised, caught off guard, or unprepared. 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. Too Good To Not Believe was written by Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes, Chris Davenport, & Joshua Silverberg and featured on the Homecoming Album by Bethel Music.