Song Lists

In a world full of voices, opinions, and shifting truths, the concept of authority often feels tenuous. Yet, Brooke Ligertwood's song “Authority” beautifully centers us on a truth that is both unshakeable and eternal: the authority of God. The song opens with the image of creation itself responding to the voice of God. This isn't just poetic imagery; it's a reminder of the power inherent in God's word. The same voice that spoke the universe into existence, that breathed life into dust, is the voice that commands all of creation. This is a voice that darkness fears, a voice that can push back even the longest night. When we face the darkness in our lives — whether it's fear, uncertainty, or spiritual warfare — we must remember that God's word has the power to change things. The chorus repeats a truth that we often need to hear: “One word from You, things change on Your authority. Your word, it's true, things change on Your authority.” God's authority is not just a distant theological concept; it's an active force that shapes our lives, moves mountains, and silences storms. The song moves into a declaration that our battles are not fought in our strength but are won through God's authority. “My fight is not my own, its end is in Your hands,” the lyrics remind us. It's easy to take on the weight of our struggles, thinking we must fight our battles alone. But the truth is that victory belongs to the Lord. Our response is worship, rooted in the confidence that all things must bow to His command. The bridge of the song boldly proclaims that heaven will prevail, strongholds will be moved, and spirits will be silenced. This is not wishful thinking; it's a declaration rooted in the unchanging authority of God. The forces of darkness have no choice but to bow to Him. When we stand in that authority, we can face our fears with courage, knowing that nothing can deny God the glory that is rightfully His. As you meditate on the lyrics of “Authority,” let them sink deep into your heart. Consider the areas of your life where you need to submit to God's authority, trusting that His word is powerful and true. Remember that you are not alone in your fight. The God who spoke the stars into existence, who silences the darkness, is the same God who fights for you. What have you to fear? Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the power of Your word and the authority that You hold over all creation. Help me to remember that my battles are not mine to fight alone, but that You go before me, silencing the darkness and commanding victory. Give me the courage to stand in Your authority and the faith to trust in Your unchanging word. May my life be a reflection of Your glory and a testimony to the power of Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen. Action Step: Take time today to speak God's word over a situation in your life where you need His authority to prevail. Whether it's a relationship, a fear, or a challenge, declare His promises and trust that His word will accomplish what He desires.

You probably remember the moment when you first encountered Jesus as your savior. Maybe it was at an altar call in a church setting, maybe it was in a hospital room, or alone in your car, or at coffee with a friend. That moment marks the turning point of your life. Your story is now divided into two parts: pre-Jesus and post-Jesus. The Christian life is marked with moments when we have to return to the moment and remember the difference Jesus made in our lives, that he really is and always will be our first love. You are still my first loveAnd all I am is yoursYou are still my anchorForever I'm secure The Book of Revelation warns against abandoning our first love. In reference to the church at Ephesus, it says, “…you have persevered, and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works.” (Rev. 2:3-5) The church at Ephesus had been doing good works for the gospel, but they had lost the heart behind it, the reason they were working for the gospel in the first place. They had left their first love, and when we do this, no matter how much “good” we're doing, our attempts are in vain. First Corinthians explains, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3) Oh, how I love you, JesusYou are my greatest joyHow I adore you, JesusOh, my soul rejoice Christ is the reason and the force behind all we do. We feel this strongly at the beginning of our Christian journey. We are in love with Jesus and do things out of that place of love. As time goes by, however, we slip into performing out of obligation or to look good to others. If this is the pattern you find yourself in today, take this opportunity to stop and remember why we do good. Return to that moment you first met Jesus and the passion and desire it stirred in you. No matter how much time has passed since then, no matter what's transpired, he is still and always will be your first love. Based on the song First Love by Chris Tomlin featuring Kim Walker-Smith. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Never Lose Sight.

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 have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) Back in February 2020, who among us could have predicted the changes that a pandemic would foist upon us? For me, like many others, there was a loss of career and the accompanying fears and sleepless nights working through the questions that plague us in the depth of the night-watch! The COVID-19 era and its lockdowns have been a very dark time for so many of us who simply long to see the light of day once again. I do believe that we Christians suffer from what I refer to as spiritual amnesia. I tend to forget, like the Israelites of the Old Testament, just what God has done for me in the past, choosing instead to wallow in fear and self-pity, doubting that God will come through in my time of need. Before my years of pastoral church ministry, my wife and I spent 12 years serving the Lord by faith in a music ministry capacity. We had so many stories of how God took care of us, and how he could direct us. Perhaps years of regularity causes complacency, and our Lord must shake the cage a bit to awaken our faith in him once again. As I entered into my 'enforced sabbatical', God began bringing scripture to mind as a source of comfort. Jesus' words to the disciples in John 16:33 remind us that we will have trials. That is a certainty. But we can also be certain of his victory over death, because of an empty tomb. And that empty tomb points to his ultimate return, where all darkness and death is banished, and we can all bask in the light of the Day of the Lord! Let our prayer, then, echo the declaration of Jesus where we can say daily and through every situation, "You are The Way and The Truth and The LifeKing of all Kings and the Lord of LightCome will you lead us in the Spirit's wayUntil our eyes see the Light of DayUntil our eyes see the Light of Day". Johnny Markin is a songwriter, worship leader from Abbotsford, BC, Canada. The Covenant Award-nominated singer/songwriter has new original work of his own compositions, a much-anticipated comeback album called Light Of Day, setting ancient creeds and texts of Scripture to musical styles that reflect the wide breadth of Johnny's journey. See recent PraiseChart Live conversations co-hosted by Johnny and PraiseCharts owner Ryan Dahl.

There is something profoundly stirring about the name of Jesus. It's a name that has resonated through centuries, breaking chains, healing hearts, and proclaiming freedom. In the song What A Beautiful Name by Brooke Ligertwood, we are taken on a lyrical journey that magnifies the splendor, majesty, and unparalleled power of Jesus' name. "You were the Word at the beginning, One with God the Lord Most High. Your hidden glory in creation, Now revealed in You our Christ." From the very outset of the song, we're reminded of Christ's divinity and His eternal existence. This is a profound mystery: that the Word, through whom all things were created, would step into creation as Jesus, revealing the heart of the Father. Our key scripture, found in Philippians, reminds us of the supreme authority embedded in the name of Jesus. It's not just any name; it's the name above all names, holding dominion over every realm. At the mere mention of this name, every knee – whether in reverence or in defeat – will bow, and every tongue will confess the Lordship of Christ. So, what makes the name of Jesus so powerful and beautiful? 1. Redemptive Love: The chorus resounds, "What a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus." This name is synonymous with sacrificial love. The beauty lies in the fact that Jesus, knowing our deepest flaws, still chose the cross, bridging the chasm between humanity and divinity. 2. Victorious Power: "Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You. You silenced the boast of sin and grave."* Jesus' resurrection wasn't just about defeating death; it was a triumphant proclamation of victory over sin, death, and every force that stands against humanity's redemption. 3. Unchanging Nature: In a world where change is the only constant, the name of Jesus remains unshaken. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises, anchored in His name, are reliable. As we embrace the bridge of the song, "Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the glory, Yours is the Name, above all names," it becomes more than a song; it's a declaration. It's about acknowledging the sovereign reign of Christ in our lives and over all creation. Today, as you reflect on the magnificence of "What A Beautiful Name," let it be more than a melody that stirs your heart. Let it be a call to realign, to surrender, and to worship. Whether you're facing mountains of challenges or walking through valleys of despair, remember the name that holds the power to change your circumstance. Invoke the name of Jesus in your prayers, your praises, and your struggles. There's beauty in His name, not just because of its poetic resonance, but because of the hope, love, and power it embodies. In every season, may our hearts echo the truth: What a powerful, wonderful, and beautiful name is the name of Jesus!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."

“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.” - Song of Songs 4:9 I have found that sometimes it is difficult to consider God as our Lover. We think of Him as the Holy One, the Father, the Creator, the Savior, even a Friend, closer than a brother. But I believe God deeply desires for us to understand how radically, relentless and recklessly that He loves us. Jesus came to Earth, took on all our filth and sin, and took it to the cross. He died so we don't have to receive the punishment that was inevitable for us, because he was in love with us. Recently, I just married the love of my life, Austin Cain. We have a beautiful love story and I'm so in love with him. I have never gotten tired of him. I am so challenged and encouraged by all of our conversations, and I never laugh so hard or so often as when I'm with him. Austin and I are both broken lovers who often love out of our selfish hearts to get something in return, or to manipulate, or fill a void in our heart. We wish we didn't but we are very imperfect and very much sinners. Jesus Christ is a perfect lover. He never gets tired of us, He loves spending time with us. He so incredibly, unselfishly embraced the cross because He knew that in dying, we would find living—with Him forever. Jesus loves us, not out of emptiness, but out of the fullness of His never-ending source of love. That never-ending source of love then spills over into our hearts, starts filling us and then running over and brimming over. “I feel like I've never been so high, like I'm never gonna die, You are Heaven.” This song “You Are Heaven” is about love. It's about when I have been so intoxicated with God's love that I feel more alive and vibrant than I ever have before. It's about how the love of God in my life is paradise. On this side of heaven, there are not many moments when we feel this way in and out between the grind and pain of life. But because Jesus embraced pain, He embraced death., He embraced the gap that separated us from Him, we will never die. We will live forever with our Lover. That is Heaven. Based on the song You Are Heaven 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.

Ever faced a vast army? Have you walked alone down your driveway to see an angry mob glaring back at you waiting for you to cross the residential boundary line so they could attack? Would you turn around and run back inside? The story in 2 Chronicles describes a vignette like this and is the inspiration behind the song Battle Belongs. The people of God find themselves facing a war they cannot win without help. In 2 Chronicles 20, one of my favorite stories in the Bible, a huge army has amassed to come against the people of God," Wickham explains. "Every time I sing Battle Belongs, it pumps me up because we know that in anything we might face, our God is bigger. I hope this song reminds people that He is with us and for us. If we stand firm and hold our position, we will see the salvation of the Lord on our behalf!" - Phil Wickham We have been facing a pandemic for some time now, and it isn't the virus. The most common presenting issue in my counseling office is anxiety, along with the unbearable feeling of being alone. Unbearable aloneness is the current crisis we face. We may be a part of community groups, bible studies, ministry teams, surrounded by others, and yet, feel lonely. Surrounded by people and still feeling alone seems incongruent. But it is sadly common and very understandable. Aloneness is the vast army many of us face. I will feel alone, not just in the absence of people around me, but when the people around me don't know who I am. Ask yourself: who knows me? Who knows me at my best along with the side of myself when I am compromised? Does my compromised self stay hidden? When you feel anxious, angry, or disappointed, are you alone in those moments? At any given time, we can be our best selves or our worst selves. In my work, I notice that we often feel uncared for when we are showing up less than our best selves. When we are afraid that we won't be heard, accepted, or understood, we don't allow others to see behind the curtain of our one-dimensional "Instagram-worthy" personas. We hide from the potential for criticism or judgment. We present only the parts of ourselves that we decide are worthy of being known. We are often validated to keep offering only the good because we experience the same criticism and judgment we fear when we show up compromised. In 2 Chronicles 20, it says "You will not have to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf". – Phil Wickham Do we hold to the distorted belief that we can only bring our best selves to worship? Isn't the better way to hope that our faith communities would be safe for us to show up no matter what? Sadly, many are not. People who have been hurt by church communities often end up in offices like mine. They have been minimized, victimized, and shamed because they risked showing more vulnerable parts of themselves and faced rejection or invalidation. They heard hollow, spiritually sounding phrases; vain attempts meant to offer hope but left them feeling broken and damaged. Hurting people are told to, "cast all their cares onto Jesus," "trust He has a plan," or that "God is using this season to grow you." There is truth in these words, but if we over-spiritualize distress, we serve to protect only ourselves from our discomfort witnessing someone else's pain. If I offer you some spiritual platitude when you bring me your pain, I only create distance between us, and you are left feeling alone with it. For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. – 2 Chronicles 20:12 Unbearable aloneness is the crisis we face today. Why are we not brave enough to be with another while they are in pain? Please resist the temptation to rush in to fix, to offer some empty spiritual words; instead, allow each other space to be in it. My Christian clients are often very relieved to hear that they can feel an emotion from beginning to end, and it doesn't mean they are not "trusting" in the Lord. I have witnessed the great misconception or belief that rewards and commends chasing after emotions like joy or peace but criticizes all negative emotional experiences. What if we stopped being afraid of emotions…both the ones that reside in ourselves and the ones we witness in someone else? What if we humanized emotion? By our very design, God gives us the neurobiological mechanisms to have feelings and respond to His creation. We can be in awe. We can feel joy. We know sadness.We feel anger … and we can be disappointed, hurt, and betrayed. All of this is what it means to be human: we feel. Emotions show up in our bodies, wired into our physiology. When we pay attention or notice them, they do come and go like waves come and go. Pathologizing people as "too emotional" or labeling emotions as good or bad feeds loneliness. Emotions exist to help us experience the world God created. But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze; For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. – Isaiah 43: 1-3 Unbearable aloneness is like a vast army standing against us. When faced with profound loneliness, our Father says: I will be with you! It is a battle cry, your war song. Wherever I am, in the middle of the storm, falling from the mountain top or dragging myself across the desert wasteland. My God is with me…undoing my aloneness. In the face of the loneliness experienced globally, knowing that He chooses to be close to me even when I am at my worst, is deeply encouraging. Imagine the healing possibilities for us if we could be with one another in our pain, sorrow, and disappointment and undo the aloneness so prevalent in our world. 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. Battle Belongs © 2020 Phil Wickham Music, Simply Global Songs, Sing My Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing) Bethel Music Publishing CCLI Song No. 7148126.

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.

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.

Less than a year ago, we were hard-pressed to locate toilet paper. This summer, the hunt is on for air conditioners. With extreme temperatures, unusually high for Western Canada and the USA, conditions increased the risk of forest fires. Smoke blankets the air as wildfires destroy one hectare after another. Evacuation centers are set up in local towns to accommodate the displaced families. The losses are devastating. Perhaps you read on the news that the forest fires consumed an entire community in British Columbia this past month. Lytton, a town only a few hours from my home, recorded the highest-ever temperature in the history of Canada (49.6C / 121.3F) on June 29, 2021. Two days later, fire obliterated the whole town. Within 15 minutes, flames destroyed homes, businesses, livestock, and wildlife. The destruction of fire is shocking. Fire moves with a mind of its own, knocking to ash one property while leaving a neighboring building intact. Single chimneys remain as a reminder of cozy living rooms. A ping pong table was found standing untouched by the flames in the middle of what must have been a games room. Even when circumstances look bleak all around, know this truth -- our God is a master rebuilder. Creation reveals that our God restores all things. In moments of significant loss, unavoidable pain, defeat, and brokenness, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Healing comes as we let out sounds of grief and groans of suffering. We can fall to our knees, lift up our hands and let the tears fall, grateful for our God who is well acquainted with suffering. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26, ESV) God is a faithful, steady anchor of hope. In Hold On to Me, Lauren Daigle's worship reaches inside broken hearts, connecting us to the immovable one. The words allow tears to flow and hope to rise up above the sorrow. When the best of me is barely breathingWhen I'm not somebody I believe inHold on to meWhen I am sure I have reached the endHold on to me when I forget I need YouWhen I let go, hold me again A fire ripped through my own community back in 2003, destroying buildings, homes, and the surrounding countryside. Today, driving through the area, what is most visible from the highway is the new growth, not the evidence that a fire destroyed the forest. Meandering between the scorched stumps of blackened, broken trees are shades of green — the evidence of God restoring the earth. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.(1 Peter 5:10) God is continually restoring, rebuilding, and creating things new. Up from the ashes, new life grows. What is left is a patchwork across the mountainside — multifaceted shades of green and gold. The dark forest, untouched by the flames of the past, grows tall and rich while the newer growth catches up, fresh and mossy. A forest is reborn. A reminder that our lives burn at times, falling into an ash heap. But not all is ever lost -- because God's design is both for our good and our growth. Read more about the devastation at Lytton here. Read more about the fire from 2003 here. 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. Hold On To Me was written and performed by Lauren Daigle.

Did you get your invitation? You are not going to want to miss this. It is just going to be that good! The food is going to be excellent and the company -- spectacular! There will be more than enough of all the good things your heart craves. And this remarkable gathering will last forever. You won't tire of the company or tap out because you have no more emotional bandwidth to keep visiting with people. Come all you sinnersCome find His mercyCome to the tableHe will satisfyTaste of His goodnessFind what you're looking for One small matter. We don't know the date. For this event, we just always need to be ready. Anticipating an event like this is going to be tiring at times. Waiting is hard. Because in the waiting, other circumstances take our focus off what is to come. At first, we have all this excitement. We are ready; love the idea of being on the guest list and are eager to maintain our appearance, so we won't be caught off guard. But we can become distracted, even discouraged, because it just seems to be taking too long. Come all you wearyCome all you thirstyCome to the wellThat never runs dryDrink of the WaterCome and thirst no more Maybe your waiting is for your person, that particular person who is yours for life. Maybe your waiting is for the pain of grief to lighten because your person is no longer with you. Perhaps you are waiting for provision, protection or wholeness; worn down from human suffering. Our earthly conditions make the time of waiting for the grand reunion, the miraculous dance, our first heavenly supper feel dreadfully far away. For some of us, the waiting becomes unbearable. We turned to sources of gratification that feel good at the moment but leave scars on our bodies and wounds in our spirit. Bring all your failuresBring your addictionsCome lay them downAt the foot of the crossJesus is waitingGod so loved the world God so loved the world that he gave the very best for you and me. He so loved. God, as our host, is gracious, compassionate and attentive. He spares no expense, provides all we could hope for or imagine, and He, alone, will meet all our needs. He has extended this invitation for all to come, and He is all that we require while we wait. Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV There are some seasons in life where the things we look forward to seem thin and less noteworthy. There are no significant events right around the corner; nothing new on the horizon; one day leads into the next. Life feels flat or lacks clarity and color. Things around just seem hazy and grey. Maybe it is the time of year, here on the West Coast? Possibly it is all the world events that we have shared on repeat these years, but January through March can be dull, grey, flat. The journey can be hard, can be tiresome. For now, we are to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus" (Heb 12:1c-2a ESV). The NIV replaces "looking to" with the phrase 'fixing our eyes' -- we are to "fix" or "lock" our eyes on Jesus. We lift our eyes above the muck and mire that weighs us down; we set down the heavy burdens and focus heavenward on the celebration that will happen when we get to the finish line. We The Kingdom's worship song, God So Loved, has been on repeat today. For God So Loved! This time of worship reminded me of that invitation to the heavenly banquet. You won't want to miss this event because you can't be disappointed there and it will exceed your expectations. The guest list, alone, will leave us awed. But it will be the indescribable waves of emotion when we see the One who extended the invitation that will leave us breathless. 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. God So Loved was written by We The Kingdom and featured on the Live At The Wheelhouse album.

For many, the holidays are the most heartwarming, comforting time of the year. We're reminded of what matters most as families and friends gather, reconnect, and spend quality time with one another. For others, though, this season reminds them of what they don't have. It highlights the fact that their family isn't close anymore, that loss is real and present, and that they feel alone when it shouldn't have to be that way. You may find yourself in this position where everyone else seems happy and filled with holiday spirit, but for you, life feels a little bleak and cold. Let me remind you that even in the bleakest moments, even when life feels heavy and dark, Jesus is the light and the warmth you need in every moment. If you stop and draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to you. When the things of this world cease to satisfy, He gives a peace that will never, ever leave you, and it's only found in daily relationship with Him. Challenge Whether life is good or it feels a little bit bleak, pause and draw near to Jesus. Cry out to Him, and be reminded of the peace that you have in Him alone. —Stacey Willis Based on the song Midwinter. Original post by Life.Church Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Gloria by Life.Church Worship.

Have you ever walked through a season when, despite difficult circumstances, you had joy in your heart? And when your friends asked how you were doing, and you told them all that was going on, you got weird eyes because all they could see was joy? It can definitely be an interesting feeling. This is what I like to call the joy of the Lord. Despite the craziness all around us, with this kind of joy, we can find ourselves unfazed. I'd like to clarify the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion that comes from something temporary like receiving a gift or winning an award. But joy is from the Lord—it's deeper, like the feeling we get when we give to others or worship our God. There was a season in my life recently when I had finally achieved my dream job—and not just that, but my calling! I had worked so hard for five years for this moment. My husband and I were given one week to pack up all our belongings and move to a different town. What we didn't expect was all the obstacles that would come our way during this one week. There were plenty, trust me. But the one I remember the most vividly was when I dropped off my rental car and noticed that someone had broken into my personal car. My whole car was trashed inside. Papers were scattered everywhere, pieces were missing, and the hood was left wide open. Someone had tried to hot-wire my car. I'll be honest, I was definitely shocked at first. But then I started small: I reorganized all my important papers and placed them in their spot. I shut the hood of my car, finally found the missing plastic piece, and replaced it where it belonged. After all this, I called my husband to inform him and began to laugh. See, despite someone trying to steal my car during a very hectic time in my life, I had joy, because I knew the enemy was working hard to make trouble so I would become frantic and angry. But our God is so mighty and powerful that He showed me what the enemy was trying to do and reminded me that He was taking care of me throughout this whole process. The Word says that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), so there is no need to fear or worry. God gives us joy and peace to weather the storms and trials we face. When we're in His Word and we trust God, He reminds us of this. The next time you find yourself in a difficult season, try first seeking the Lord in prayer or worship. Once this becomes a natural practice for you, His joy will come to you more quickly. Challenge: How are you finding ways to experience God's joy? —Dominique McHenry Based on the song Joy (To The World). Original post by Life.Church Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Gloria by Life.Church Worship.

When you hear the word faithful, what does it make you think of? Does it remind you of a loved one, maybe a parent or a best friend you trust? Or maybe you've heard the phrase “faithful as the sun.” We know the sun will always rise and it will always set. It will be there every day when we wake up. But what happens when those friends fail you? What happens when your parents don't love you the way you need to be loved? Even the sun will someday burn away. The truth of the matter is that here in this life, faithful will always come up short when it's attached to humanity. But a move of true faithfulness was set in motion over 2,000 years ago, when the Savior of the world arrived as a baby. He came down and reached into our suffering to save us from our sin—to bring us hope when we were hopeless. He lived for 33 years and then died on the cross. But even then it wasn't over. He rose from the dead, and when He later ascended into heaven, He left His Spirit here to encourage and empower us. We have never been without the presence of our heavenly Father, even though sometimes it's hard to see it and feel it, especially when we or the people around us fail to live up to the Word. But what we know is that our God loved us so much that He came down to be with us, and He's never left us since. He's always present in our time of need. In fact, He calls to the brokenhearted, waiting to display His glorious love. That is our God. He is the definition of the word faithful. Challenge Think about the depth of God's faithful love for you today, and worship Him for it. —Rob Estevez Based on the song Faithful. Original post by Life.Church Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Gloria by Life.Church Worship.

I don't know about you, but I have an innate and compulsive ability to complicate the simplest things in life. It's a gift that I'm not proud of, but I am truly, and regrettably a master of the craft. I think the simple things can raise our suspicions because oftentimes they seem too good to be true. And if we're not careful the idolization of complexity can become the very framework of our thinking, and dangerously — that framework can find its way into our relationship with God. You see, when I let the lens of complexity frame my relationship with God, things get out of perspective really quickly. The beautiful simplicity and sincerity of His presence is replaced by a series of hoops I have to jump through, feelings I should feel, or standards I must attain to. But the longer I've followed the Lord, the more I am convinced that He doesn't dwell in the temple of complexity. He isn't looking down from an ivory tower checking our prayers against a formula. On the contrary, His open-door presence is flung wide, ready and waiting for us to rush in with security, simplicity, and wonder. His invitation isn't to a public spectacle; it's to a secret place. He's not looking for impressive; He's just looking for authenticity. He's not afraid of our questions, our anger, or our doubting. He keeps things simple — you are welcome here and you don't have anything to prove. I'm sure I'd be mortified to know how much time I've spent trying to semantically move God's ear when He's always been more of a “God have mercy on me, a sinner” kind of guy (Luke 18:9-14). And to think that even when I have no words at all, the Holy Spirit steps in to intercede on my behalf (Romans 8:26). And if that all sounds too good to be true, then do I have some news for you — it isn't. God really is just that good. He really is that kind. His presence is your home country. You belong there. So our prayer is that the song, “Secret Place” ministers to you, to that end. And that maybe, just maybe, it helps lead you along the path to the open doors of your loving Father and all that He has for you. As the song says, “it's an open invitation, no words you have to say, if you want it, you can get there…” In Jesus' Name. Reflection & Application: Today I'd like to encourage you to take a few moments, or a few hours, and seek God. Our prayer is that you discover the path to the loving arms of your Father and all that He has for you. Think of a time and place where you can meet with God—just you. It can be any time or any place, but intentionality is key. Come near to Him and He will come near to you. Written and based on the song Secret Place by Chris Davenport. Original posting by Hillsong Worship available on YouVersion from the album These Same Skies.