Song Lists

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? ... If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” It was 8am in the North Carolina mountains where I woke up 30 minutes before a gathering of 500 Young Life high school kids at Windy Gap camp. I was foggy eyed from having been to bed around 2:30 am. The speaker was going to be talking that morning about sin. There in my bed I was taken back in a vision to my high school days. The pain, confusion and misery were so real it was almost as if I was 17 again. God dropped this song on my heart, and it was written in 15-20 minutes before I was fully awake. I sang it for those kids shortly after that morning and many of them, including me, were in tears. There was a time in my life that I did my best to hide from the presence and Spirit of God. I ran as hard and far as I could. But even on the far side of the sea, in the absolute pit of despair and strung out from addiction, God ran to me as I cried out to Him for help. There's something about being raw and honest and vulnerable that sets the table for the Spirit of God to move in a powerful way. He saved me. And He saves me. Every day. He saves me from my sin, from my selfish ways. He hears my cries for help and He is swift to come running. Even still there are those moments where I'm aware that my heart is prone to wander when I cry, “Lord! Save me. I'm sinking”. And when I reach out, there is ALWAYS a Hand ready to pull me up. I think one of the greatest dangers for me is to think is that I'm any less utterly desperate for God on sunny days than stormy ones. I need Him now like I needed Him then. Yes, some days are sunny and some stormy, but HE is the Lord of them all! I like that this song doesn't wrap up in a pretty bow. It leaves off at the cry for help. The answer to this song can be found in many of our other songs and even more in the Word of God. But one thing is for sure - “Draw near your God (which this song does) and HE will draw near to you”! I thank God that He didn't leave me in my despair. These past two weeks have been really difficult. There are moments where I've felt like running and hiding. It's really hard to just sit in pain and feel it and let the Lord minister to your heart rather than finding a way to medicate the pain, but He's teaching me how to do that and to trust Him. I'm learning every day to trust Him more. Three steps forward, one step back, three steps forward, one step back...over time, that's a lot of steps forward :). I'll focus on that and NOT the shame that wants to tell me I'm no good and focus on the steps back that are part of being human. God is kind and loving and gracious. If He can show me mercy, and He lives in me, maybe I can show myself a little more mercy. I won't stop seeking Him. Man, I love Him!!!! Based on the song SOS by Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, Kyle Briskin. Original post by We The Kingdom is available on YouVersion based on the album Holy Water.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 Sometimes we feel so alone. We can feel like our hope is lost and that we are without a future or purpose. I have even recently had these feelings and doubts. I've felt weak and helpless. These are the moments I find the real Jesus. It's hard not to associate the Lord with the blessings He gives us. And though those gifts are from Him alone, they are not Him. What I mean by this is the blessings are sent to attest to His goodness, but they are only reflections of His goodness, like a mirror reflects the beauty around it. If you sit and experience life through the mirror, you'll never know the fulness real life. If I just see and experience God as the things I have, I can never know the real Jesus—the Jesus that gave His life for me and took all my brokenness and sin. Our savior is able to identify with us in our suffering. He was abandoned by His friends and even His Father when He hung on the cross. He has felt the weight of shame and sin—our shame and sin—so we could walk free. At this moment, even now, He gives me beauty for ashes, strength for weakness. I've never known a love like His. This is my prayer in the hard season: Lord meet me in my weakness. I trust that You are good, that You have me and my future in the palm of Your hands. If You are all I have, that is enough. If You are all that I'll ever have, You will forever be enough! Based on the song If All I Had Was Christ by Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, Kyle Briskin. Original post by We The Kingdom is available on YouVersion based on the album Holy Water.

You have made my heart Your home, loved me with a perfect love,but still I wander, still I roam God, help me burn for You 'til I'm really, truly, wholly Yours Scriptures: Revelation 2:1-7 (NIV) Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) Devotional: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” - Revelation 2:3-5a NIV Jesus' message to the church of Ephesus is profound and cautionary. He implores them to reflect, to 'consider' how far they have fallen and to repent. This is evidence of His great love for them, not the opposite. Christ longs that they would have a deep love for Him in their hearts. Many, if not all Christians can easily relate to the convicting admonition of Jesus in these verses. Consider the passage on Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was consumed with doing many things for Jesus, yet Mary knew better—she had recognized the only thing that was truly important: Christ himself. Scripture teaches that God has loved us in this way: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT). As believers, we have come to recognize the perfect and unending love that Christ has for us. Yet, despite this profound truth, we can find ourselves in the exact same position as Martha or that of the church of Ephesus. It's important to note that Jesus' teaching to this church isn't that all their good work is pointless, or that it should be completely disregarded. Jesus acknowledges their faithfulness to Him. But His correction comes by addressing their heart's intention. It's apparent this church had either lost love in their hearts for God or for others. But both of these are crucial as believers. The hard reality is, we can do things for God but with little or no love for Him in the process. Scripture teaches us to be quite different from this: to love the Lord in word and deed. To grow in our knowledge and wisdom of Him, yet to remain humbly dependent on His wisdom and grace for us. This is the not-so-secret truth of our faith: to behold Him, and to continue to. To see Christ, and to continue to want to. To become His through surrender, and to continually surrender our lives upon the altar of His all-consuming love. Then we will pray, “You have made my heart Your home, loved me with a perfect love, but still I wander, still I roam. God, help me burn for You 'til I'm really, truly, wholly Yours”. 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.

I know the Sower never wastes a tear' SCRIPTURES: Psalm 30:11-12 NLT Psalm 126:5-6 NIV John 10:10 NIV DEVOTIONAL: Life is full of different seasons. We may experience times of blessing, joy, and new opportunities. We should be thankful for these times. However, unfortunately, many of the seasons we come across in life are also ones of sorrow, tears, difficult circumstances, and unwanted challenges. Thankfully, Scripture is not without encouragement and promise regarding our times of trouble. Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV) says, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” One of the beautiful truths of the way that God works in our lives is that He doesn't allow the things we face in life to go wasted. Even more than this, Scripture promises that God uses everything that takes place in our lives and works it together for our good. Romans 8:28 (NLT) says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Regardless of whether the season is full of triumph or of trial, we can take great encouragement in the fact that God doesn't leave us to face the seasons of life alone. He is with us and He is working. Nothing in our lives is wasted when it comes to God. In fact, just the opposite. Many times God turns our sorrow into rejoicing. When speaking of His future crucifixion, Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (John 16:20 ESV). The disciples were unaware of the depths of sorrow they would experience in the days ahead, yet, they were also unaware of the miracle of the empty grave that waited on the other side of their sorrow. This season did not end in sorrow but in rejoicing. We serve a God who not only stands with us in the seasons of sorrow but who turns these seasons around—working everything together for our good. Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT) reminds us, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”. As we go through the seasons of life, and they inevitably ebb and flow with sorrow or joy, we can hold steadfast to the promises of God. They are not empty words of false encouragement, but deep sources of truth that will sustain us through every season of life. This is why we can confidently say, “I know the Sower never wastes a tear.” Original post by Hillsong UNITED available on YouVersion and used with permission from Capitol CMG Label Group. Download lyrics or sheet music from the album Are We There Yet? by Hillsong UNITED.

Call To WorshipAs we gather today, let's rejoice in the living hope we find in Jesus Christ. In a world filled with uncertainties, we have a firm foundation in our risen Savior. Because He lives, we can face each day with confidence and peace. In our worship, let's lift our voices and hearts to honor the One who conquered sin and death. His presence is our source of strength, and His love is our song of joy. As we come together, may this be a time to celebrate the living Christ, who walks with us through every moment of life. In His resurrection, we find the promise of eternal life and the assurance of His unfailing love. Let our worship be a declaration of faith in the One who gives us hope and purpose. We gather today because He lives, and in Him, we have everything we need.Devotional: Unshakeable Hope In The ResurrectionIn the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, there is one unshakable truth that brings us enduring hope: Because He lives, we have reason to live with unwavering faith and confidence. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It's not just an event from the distant past; it's a reality that continues to shape our lives today. In Romans 8:11, we're reminded that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us. This truth transforms everything. Because He lives, we can face each day with the assurance that we are not alone. His Spirit empowers us, guides us, and brings us comfort in times of need. It's a living connection that transcends the boundaries of time and space. The challenges of life may seem insurmountable at times, but in Christ, we find the strength to overcome. Because He lives, our mortality is touched by the promise of eternal life. Every trial, every doubt, and every fear is met with the life-giving power of the resurrected Savior. As we reflect on this truth, let's remember that our lives are marked by the victory of Easter. Because He lives, we can live with purpose, knowing that His love sustains us, His grace redeems us, and His presence never leaves us. Today, let's celebrate the living hope we have in Jesus Christ. Because He lives, our lives are forever changed, and our future is filled with endless possibilities. Scripture: Romans 8:11 (NIV) - "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

Call to WorshipIn our time together, let's focus on the powerful message of redemption and triumph. As we gather, we direct our attention to the Lamb who willingly carried the weight of our sins on the cross, offering us the precious gift of forgiveness. His outstretched hands and feet remind us of His profound love. With great reverence, we recognize the King, the Light of the world, who faced crucifixion but emerged as the Mighty Savior. The grave couldn't hold back the limitless power of God; darkness had its moment, but it's now defeated. We boldly declare that nothing can restrain Him. The grave is empty, and a crown of victory adorns His head. Let our worship overflow with gratitude and joy as we celebrate the risen King, the One who conquered death and offers us eternal life.Devotional: Rising From DarknessIn moments of reflection, we often find ourselves contemplating the profound message of redemption and triumph that lies at the heart of our faith. Today, as we delve into the lyrics of "No Body," let's explore these themes that resonate so deeply with our journey of faith. The cross, once a symbol of suffering, has been transformed into an emblem of victory. In our minds and hearts, we see the Lamb who willingly carried the weight of our sins on that cross, offering us the incredible gift of forgiveness. His outstretched hands and feet are a poignant reminder of the depth of His love for us. With reverence, we acknowledge the King, the Light of the world, who faced crucifixion but emerged as the Mighty Savior. The grave could not contain the boundless power of God; darkness had its moment, but it was ultimately conquered. In this sacred moment, we boldly declare that nothing can restrain our Savior. The grave is empty, and a crown of victory rests upon His head. As we embrace the truth of this victory, let our lives overflow with gratitude and joy. We are no longer bound by sin and death, for Christ has given us the ultimate triumph. God's word reminds us that, through Jesus, we have gained the victory over sin and death. Today, may we walk in the freedom and assurance of this victory, living out our days with gratitude, confidence, and the knowledge that we are conquerors through Christ. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV) - "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Devotional: Our Compassionate SaviorIn our broken world, we encounter a compassionate Savior who intimately understands our pain and suffering. Isaiah 53:3-5 foretells the arrival of this empathetic Messiah, a Man acquainted with grief and well-acquainted with our suffering. His mission was not one of detachment but of connection. This Savior pursued us in our moments of need, offering grace to the undeserving and embracing those who were broken. His life was a testament to the love of God, showing that He was willing to bear our pain, carry our burdens, and endure the cross to bring us healing and freedom. The profound truth is that, in our darkest hours, Jesus is with us. He doesn't shy away from our suffering; rather, He shares in it. His love compels Him to weep with us, to bleed for us, and to reach out to us in our distress. His ultimate act of self-sacrifice on the cross is a powerful demonstration of His love for humanity. As we reflect on the compassionate nature of our Savior, may we carry this awareness into our daily lives. Let us extend His love to those around us, embracing the broken and offering hope to the hurting. Our lives can bear witness to the Son of Suffering who brings healing, restoration, and salvation to all who believe. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV) - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

The classic carol, O Christmas Tree, takes on a fresh meaning in these refreshed words, turning our focus from mere holiday decor to the deeper story of God's love. The Christmas tree, adorned with lights and ribbons, becomes a symbol pointing to Christ, the “light of the world” who came to save us. Each light wrapped around it reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice, illuminating the darkness of our hearts and world. As we gaze at the unchanging green of the tree, we see a reminder of God's faithfulness. In a season where things can feel rushed and fleeting, the tree stands constant, symbolizing the steady, unchanging love of God who “died to save me.” Just as the evergreen tree keeps its color all year, God's love remains steadfast in every season. Christmas calls us to slow down, take in His faithfulness, and offer a prayer of gratitude. The song then transports us back to the night of Jesus' birth, inviting us to join with shepherds and angels in proclaiming the good news. This story—of a child born in Bethlehem, heralded as the Savior—is truly the greatest one ever told. It's a story of joy, hope, and peace for all people, and as we celebrate, our hearts are invited to carry that same message into the world. As you look at your Christmas tree this season, let it remind you of the story it tells: God's unchanging love, His light breaking through darkness, and the joy that came through a baby born to redeem. This Christmas, let the story of the tree inspire you to share the love, light, and hope of Christ with others. And as you do, you'll join in telling the greatest story ever told.

This song, filled with invitation and awe, calls us to behold Jesus—the King who came, divinity incarnate, breathing the same air we do. It reminds us that in Christ, the Creator of the world stepped into His creation, entering our brokenness and darkness to bring healing and hope. Reflecting on Jesus as the “light that the dark cannot contain” inspires us to remember that no matter what shadows we face, His light will always prevail. The lyrics invite us to “come let us adore Him, for He alone is worthy,” echoing the posture of the wise men, shepherds, and angels who worshiped Jesus at His birth. They recognized that in this child, God's promises were fulfilled. Today, we are invited into that same adoration—not just as a holiday tradition, but as a daily surrender to the One who gave everything for us. Worship is our response to the Father's love, “beyond all comprehension,” a love that sacrificed His only Son for our redemption. As we listen to these words, let's reflect on our own hearts: Are there places where we need to make room for Him? The line “every heart prepare Him room” calls us to clear away the distractions and make Jesus the focus of our lives. When we open our hearts to His love, we allow His peace, light, and truth to transform us from the inside out. In the powerful declaration of the bridge, “We give You all the glory,” we're reminded that worship isn't just something we do for a moment but a lifestyle of glorifying God in every area of our lives. Whether in joy or struggle, praise or petition, we can give Him glory through our actions, our choices, and our hearts. As we adore Him today, let's ask ourselves: How can I give God glory in my life? What can I surrender to Him in worship? Christ the Lord is worthy, and when we offer Him our hearts, our praise, and our trust, we experience the fullness of His love and the freedom of life with Him. May our lives reflect this ongoing adoration, honoring Jesus as our Savior, our King, and our Lord.

“Does not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Does not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Has not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?”-Charles Spurgeon. To ”bless God" is a phrase that some might find strange or counter-intuitive, as we are perhaps more familiar with the idea of blessing being something that comes from God to us, perhaps not as much so the other way around. But to bless God – to exalt, praise, magnify Him – becomes a habit – a first response - in the lives of those who have let themselves receive the love of the Lord. To bless God is really the only appropriate response to the realization that the only reason that the possibility exists of making the choice to bless Him is because He has first so richly blessed us. When we "bless God," we are not adding anything to God or giving Him something He lacks, because our Triune God is utterly complete. Rather, when we worship Him, when we declare that He is worthy to be praised, we are aligning ourselves with the truth of His worthiness of all praise and honor, we are rightly seeing the true order of things – you might even say we're aligning ourselves with reality. And when we align ourselves with reality by declaring His reign and His worth, bringing Him worship and sacrifices of praise, we're also entering into communion with the Father and participating in the relationship we were born for. Blessing and glorifying God is a pathway to the gift of His presence, the preciousness of His nearness, and the unspeakable treasures of the joy therein. C.S. Lewis expressed it this way:“The Scotch catechism says that man's chief end is 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” We bless God because we're made to. We bless God because we need to – I need to. We bless God because scripture invites us to, encourages us to, and commands us to! Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." 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.

I'll Praise You … In The Valley As we jump into day two of learning to praise God anywhere, we find ourselves on the opposite side of the mountain: deep in the valley. We all learned about valleys fairly early in life, probably in a science/history/geography type class. In between two mountains is a valley, a low area where the sky is darker and the nights are colder. And then there's the metaphorical valley, where the nights are full of shadows and darkness. We feel doubt, we feel alone, and we feel fatigued. It's hard to see God, let alone praise Him, when we are in a valley. However, Psalm 42 can be our road map in times of deep struggle and stress. The writer of Psalm 42 (called the “sons of Korah”) holds the key to praising God in a valley, and it starts with deep honesty. “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'... Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:3, 5) In the valley, your tears can feel like the only things you feel, that sting of saltwater on your cheeks. In the valley, God feels like a question mark. Where is He? Is He real? In the valley, your soul feels weak and heavy. You feel ruined. You feel tired. You feel disturbed by the sin and pain of the world. If you have felt these things or if you are feeling them now, please know that you are not alone. The author of Psalm 42 has felt them. Psalm 42, however, then takes a unique shift. In the midst of depression and deep grief, the Psalmist turns to praise and remembrance. In fact, verse 5 alone shows a sweet juxtaposition of grief and praise, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God,” (Psalm 42:5). For I will yet praise Him – what a POWERFUL piece of scripture! The Psalmist recognizes that he will not immediately feel better. Praise may not lift him out of the valley. But, he will turn his eyes to God and what He's done before. Praising Him for the past, present, and what He would do next. The word used for praise here is yadah, one that we discussed on day one. It's a type of praise in which one is casting out worship, with their hands extended. There is surrender embedded in this type of praise, and that's what we need in the valley. That's how we find the strength to praise God anyway and anywhere, despite our circumstances. It's turning our eyes to Him – recognizing His love and compassion for us, despite the valley that may surround us. Just like God was carrying us to the mountaintop, He also is holding us in the valleys. Verse 6 brings us another note for praising God in the valley: remembrance. “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you…” (Psalm 42:6). When we turn our eyes from the valley to God Himself and all He's done before, we can praise Him for the mountains of the past, even while in the valley. He is faithful and He will continue to be faithful, always. Take a moment to listen to “Praise You Anywhere” by Brandon Lake and reflect: Where are you experiencing a valley in life right now? Where does it feel hardest to praise God? Remember one thing where God showed up, and take a moment to thank Him for that moment. Based on the song Praise You Anywhere by Brandon Lake. Original post by Essential Music available on YouVersion.

I'll Praise You … In The Ordinary We've taken the time to learn about praising God in the mountains and in the valleys, but what about the in-between? In the song “Praise You Anywhere,” Brandon Lake sings: “Sometimes you've gotta welcome the wonder, wait for the answer, worship with your hands in the air.” And sometimes, we find ourselves just waiting. We walk through the days with a mundane feeling - nothing is bad but nothing is great either. And yet, God calls us to praise Him anywhere with faithfulness. You may know the story of Stephen, the first martyr in the Church, who was stoned to death for his faith in God (found in Acts 7). This was a courageous act of faith, one that we can all look up to. However, if we flip back to Acts 6, we can see the background of who Stephen really was - and His ordinary praise towards God. Acts 6 included a conversation between the 12 apostles who were struck with the problem of widows being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. To remedy this, the 12 decided to choose seven men to whom they would delegate the task of food distribution. “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). And one of these men was Stephen. He was a faithful man, full of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's wisdom, which is why he was chosen for the task. Yet the task was a small one. It wasn't a valley task, after all. He was chosen for something, but it certainly wasn't a mountain task. Even the 12 mentioned the difference between their ministry of the word of God to the idea of waiting tables (Acts 6:2), meaning that the mission of God should not be stopped by the struggle of administration. Yet, Stephen was deemed worthy of the responsibility of taking care of the widows in his community and he did it with praise. In fact, the reason Stephen was then seized by the Sanhedrin came down to the fullness of God's grace and power that was upon him. He glorified God well, even in the ordinary. And Stephen used his ordinary days to serve God faithfully, thus preparing him to be chosen by God for a deep sacrifice. More than often, our days won't be spent in a valley or on a mountaintop. Instead, we'll have to praise God faithfully in the mundane. And sometimes, praising God looks like serving His people well. After all, He loves His Creation (so much so that He sent His Son for us), and we can glorify Him well in spaces of service. Take a moment to listen to “Praise You Anywhere” by Brandon Lake and reflect: What is something that you do every day? How can you bring God into that simple act or habit? How can you currently be faithful with what you have right now? Take a moment to breathe in and out. You are cared for by the heavenly Father, and He enjoys every moment you spend praising Him. Based on the song Praise You Anywhere by Brandon Lake. Original post by Essential Music available on YouVersion.

I'll Praise You … On The Mountain "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." "The Praise and Worship Band will be coming up to lead us." "Praise The Father, Praise The Son." We often talk about praising God. In fact, we often use the word “praise” in Christian circles. But what does that truly mean? And what does that truly look like? A quick Google search will show you that there are at least eight documented words for “praise." Hallah, Yadah, Barak, Tehillah, Zamar, Todah, and Hallelujah. Each has a different connotation – some religious and some not – but each carries a special weight. And if there are eight words for praise, that means that there must be at least eight ways to praise, right? Yadah is worshiping with extended hands. Barak is denoting blessing, often seen at the beginning of a prayer. Tehillah is to sing a song of praise. So, how do we know what it looks like to truly praise the Lord? Let alone, praise Him anywhere? We look to His scriptures and the ways that we have been taught to praise God! Today, we will focus on praising God from the mountaintop, when everything is good and well with our souls. In Luke 17, we get to read about a miraculous event that took place when Jesus healed 10 men of leprosy. Our Savior was on His way back to Jerusalem when 10 men called out to Him, asking for pity: “They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, 'Jesus, Master, have pity on us.'" (Luke 17:12) Now, if someone had leprosy during that time and it had gone away, they would have to go to a priest to be examined and pronounced “clean” before they could re-enter society. So, this is what Jesus commanded them to do. They went in faith before even experiencing healing, and then, on their way, they were fully cleansed. What a wonderful miracle, right? Yes! But the story doesn't stop there. Verse 15 tells us, “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:5) Samaritans were hated by Jews during that time because they regarded them as “half-breeds. They were seen as lesser than, and all around dirty. In fact, most Jews would never even step foot in Samaria (hence the scandal of Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman). But, as we know now, Jesus came for all His children. And, as our Savior will point out in this story, this Samaritan was the only one to return to praise God. He recognized the power of Jesus and wanted to praise the God from whom it came from. So He did, and Jesus blessed him saying, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well,” (Luke 17:19). What a declaration! The word for praise in this particular chapter is doxazó, meaning to bestow glory upon. It's a beautiful word showing the beauty of the Samaritan's worship. But he was only one of 10. The truth is, oftentimes we can be a lot more like the nine who never came back to praise Jesus than the one who did. We don't do it on purpose, but sometimes when we experience a blessing or a miracle, we are so enthralled in it that we forget to lift our eyes to the One who gave it to us. However, let this be a challenge to each of us not to forget about God on the mountaintop. After all, He guided us there. He walked with us there. And He probably even carried us to the top of it. Take a moment to listen to “Praise You Anywhere” by Brandon Lake and reflect: Is there a mountaintop or blessing that you have forgotten to praise God for? If so, take the time to praise Him now. Based on the song Praise You Anywhere by Brandon Lake. Original post by Essential Music available on YouVersion.

In the darkness we were waiting Without hope, without light Till from heaven You came running There was mercy in Your eyes King of Kings Words and Music by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood & Jason Ingram © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia & Fellow Ships Music/So Essential Tunes (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com) There is no doubt - we all began in darkness. In fact, the earth itself was covered in darkness, until the Creator came and spoke light and breathed life into His creation. Today, God is still breathing life into dead things. Our kind Saviour is still bringing light to dark places, hope to hopeless situations, possibility to impossible circumstances. But before we entered His light, we were in darkness. And before we knew true life, we were destined for death. And before coming awake, we were asleep. The Bible puts it like this: “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.” Colossians 2.13 (NIV) Earlier this year our Senior Pastor, Bobbie Houston, asked the question “Do you remember the day the lights went on?” What about you? Do you remember the day you found salvation, and the weight of sin lifted off you? The day that from heaven, Jesus came running with mercy in His eyes? Ready to awaken you to all of the hope, grace, peace and joy that is life with Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that you would remember that moment. That as you listen to the songs from this new album, the lyrics would remind you that you were once in darkness but have been brought into the light – illuminated now to illuminate others. Based on the song King Of Kings by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingrim. Original post by Hillsong Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Awake by Hillsong Worship.

We've been given an extraordinary word to express and call out the praise of God— Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! In Hebrew “hallelujah” is a sign of exuberance, a letting go of restraint and inhibition, which leads to complete surrender to God's control. It is an exhortation to praise! In Psalm 148 the psalmist writes, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let the skies be filled with praise and the highest heavens with the shouts of glory! Go ahead—praise him, all you his messengers! Praise him some more, all you heavenly hosts! Keep it up, sun and moon!Don't stop now, all you twinkling stars of light! Take it up even higher—up to the highest heavens, until the cosmic chorus thunders his praise! Let the entire universe erupt with praise to God.From nothing to something he spoke and created it all.” (TPT) The chorus isn't complete until our voice is in it! We've been invited to join the sound of all creation, to come and praise the Lord. That's why we have breath in our lungs. It's what we were made to do. Songs of praise are the anthem and hallmark of a people who have been saved! It's remarkable to think about all Jesus has done for us. He rescued us from sin and shame. He has given us a hope and future, life and purpose. He is interceding for us and now we have the resurrection power of God at work in our lives! This is our Jesus! Based on the song Hallelujah (Our God Reigns). Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.