Song Lists

With news of scandal, tragedy, devastation, heartache and war incessantly at our finger tips it is easy to let confusion, fear and anxiety blur our perspective. Slowly we begin to give authority to these feelings. We wonder where God is in the midst of it all. What is He doing? Where has He gone? Isaiah 6 says, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple... 'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” The nation of Judah prospered under King Uzziah's reign. His death would have been a time of sadness and sorrow for the people. But in that same year, in the middle of grief and pain, Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne. The throne of heaven is not empty. The throne of heaven is occupied. And like Isaiah, when we see God on His throne our perspective changes. It does not mean things are always good, that we won't face opposition or conflict, or that our hearts won't break. But we can trust that God has not abandoned us or forgotten his promise to save. In Psalm 73 Asaph cries out to God — afflicted, punished, betrayed, and confused, then he enters the sanctuary of God. In the presence of God, Scripture says Asaph “understood their final destiny.” When we see God we can accurately weigh what we are walking through. We can see that God is greater than our problems and our circumstances. Based on the song Ever Almighty. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Whole Heart by Passion Music.

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.

Phil Wickham's House of the Lord is a celebration shouting out praise to our God who made a way for us. His presence and provision billow up and overflow from grateful hearts. When you experience His joy, or when you have been rescued and set free, it is hard not to shout out with joy from the mountaintops. Is there joy in your house? A joy that bubbles up, spills over, and leaves your world just right. Maybe you glimpse joy walking along a forest trail, watching your kids play outside, or having that first-morning cup of coffee. Possibly, it is sunsets, sunrises or walking along the beach that does it for you; the moments we feel like our most authentic selves and right there in the middle of this moment, we feel it - deep and steady as a heartbeat - joy. There's joy in the house of the LordThere's joy in the house of the Lord todayAnd we won't be quietWe shout out Your praise But, have you noticed that it doesn't take much to steal your joy? How quickly deep contentment like this can be snatched away? Slipping from your soul the moment you see "that" look from the store clerk and realize you forgot to lift your mask up to cover your nose. You know the look: the judgy eyes, furrowed brows, the look of deep disapproval. Sometimes joy is stolen in moments when family or friends comment or question your decisions, their words laced with sarcasm, passive aggression or explicit judgment. Ever disagreed with a friend and then been ghosted, unfollowed or blocked? And one of the biggest dangers lurks on social media platforms—conversation threads enticing responses and disrupting contentment and joy both for the reader and the ones who post. We don't even have to post a comment to be and feel disturbed by what we read. Joy, peace, and provision. In His house, there will be joy. In His house, we will experience peace. In His house, we will have all that we need. If there is joy in the House of the Lord, we should expect to experience it. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7, NIV) If we have confident assurance that our God is near, that He heals, and that He saves, why isn't joy plastered like wallpaper all over our social media platforms, filling our feeds? Because our lives are messy, complicated and we are easily prone to distraction and disappointment. The most common presenting issue in my counseling office is anxiety. Anxiety (fear) and joy rarely co-exist. The emotional marathon of 2020 left some of us depleted with a lingering sense of dread for the next hard thing. Maybe we are having trouble concentrating or feeling stuck and unsure how to get moving again. Some are not excited to re-engage socially when given the freedom to do so. Others report feeling aimless, like wandering through the day looking through a foggy window. With so many unknowns in the days ahead, hope for change is waning. There is a word to describe this -- it is called languishing. Someone described it to me like this: "It's been like hitting a dead end at every turn in a cornfield maze. In the beginning, it was a game, and we were set on winning and persevering. There was all this adrenaline to make it through and to overcome the obstacles. One dead-end isn't discouraging because you've only been in the maze for a short while, and you have a lot of energy to keep pressing through. But now, hitting one detour after another ... having to pivot and change directions has become tiresome. I want to stop playing and have someone rescue me. If I could shoot up some flares and have someone lift me to safety, I'd do that." The thought of experiencing life as a maze is so dark and heavy compared to the contagious joyful expression of praise in the "House of the Lord." What do we have to shift in order to have more sustainable joy? At any given moment, you can respond in one of two ways: Either your authentic best self may show up, or your more compromised version of yourself may appear. Think of being overtired, hungry, distracted, or frustrated, and suddenly someone cuts you off in traffic or drops the entire carton of milk all over your paperwork sitting on the kitchen island. Sidestepping all grace, words and gestures fly from your body quickly without much thought. You react rather than reflect, and your compromised self shows up strong and powerful. Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.(Habakkuk 3:17-19) Or maybe this is more you. Scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, you land upon a post from a "friend." It is outlandish, offensive and flies in complete contradiction to all your values. In fact, you can't imagine how you didn't know this "friend" felt this way. Thoughts rush in: "what an ignorant comment to make," and "how can they call themselves Christian?" or "how can they believe that garbage is true?" Think about the last time you read something online that annoyed you, rattled you with such intensity that you reacted and responded rashly, or maybe you just muddled it over and over for days after. And, we keep going back to check that post to see what new absurd comments are being made, further disturbing our thoughts and disrupting our sense of calm. Criticism, judgment, seeing myself as the expert, name-calling, and hiding behind anonymity. These joy-robbers, peace-stealers, and grace-dismantling thoughts lead us directly into disappointment, anxiety and impulsiveness. We react rather than reflect. Our behavior becomes quick and prickly. Our compromised selves have sharp edges and tend not to respond well to correction from others. Not surprisingly, you may find yourself irritable, distracted, and sensitive to criticism and judgment in this state. So what can we do when we find ourselves in a prickly, reactive, critical way? Take a social media break and tend to the garden of your heart. Resist the pull to respond. "Whatever momentary self-satisfaction we experience when we entertain it leaves behind darkness and a hardness of heart — like cement that begins to cure while we're standing in it up to our knees." (The Chosen Book Two: 40 Days with Jesus. Day 8 Love) Lift your eyes above your circumstances and reconnect with the Prince of Peace. Sing praise and worship, allowing His truth to wash over you. He heals, He saves, and He is still rolling away stones. He makes a way through every dark valley or risky mountain climb. He will give you what you need to face the tricky places you find yourself in. But His direction, leading, and heart will not be easy to hear or find if you have not attuned to Him. We grow close to those we spend the most time with, and intimacy is cultivated intentionally, mindfully and with consistency over time. We sing to the God who healsWe sing to the God who savesWe sing to the God who always makes a way Come back to the revelation that we are the house of the Lord. We are the body. We are not a building. We are a people. How we engage with the world reflects how deeply His presence has touched us. 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. House Of The Lord was written by Phil Wickham and Jonathan Smith.

"He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." Daniel 2:22 Have you ever locked yourself in a bathroom with a glow-in-the-dark stick? My kids have pulled me into the bathroom more than once to experience the power of a glow stick. I'm always amazed that a tiny little wand can light up the whole room and incite so much excitement from my children. I'm equally amazed that those same children, who still sleep with a night light, can also willingly walk into a dark bathroom with no fear. They can do it because they believe the advertising promised on the glow stick packaging. They believe it will light up the darkness. God has always been using light to prove that He is with us since the beginning of time. He's been advertising this promise to us since Genesis. Do you realize the second thing God did in creation was bring light into the darkness? “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3). God made sure that we knew right from the beginning that He is in the darkness with us and He is committed to being the light we need. In Daniel 2:22, Daniel proclaims God knows what is in the dark and light dwells with Him. Several chapters later in Daniel 6:19, we find Daniel's trust in this promise is tested when he is thrown into a lion's den, a real-life dark pit full of hungry lions. Daniel was being punished for praying to the God of Abraham instead of praying to King Darius. In Daniel 6:17 it says, “A stone was brought and placed over the opening of the den. The king put his seal on the stone...so that Daniel's situation could not be changed.” How many of us have been in dark situations that we were completely convinced could not be changed? Situations where we could not see the light at the end of the tunnel? I know I have. But in this story, God shows up for Daniel and proves that nothing is impossible for Him. God does not fear the darkness, for light dwells in Him, and He is in the darkness with us…“At dawn, as soon as it was light, the king got up and went to the lions' den to find Daniel ALIVE! Daniel tells the king, “My God sent his angel and shut the lion's mouths so that they couldn't hurt me.” God showed up in that dark lion's den and brought His light and salvation to Daniel. And in the stories of our lives, He will do the same for me and you. Just like Daniel, I too have experienced dark pits. I have had moments when I thought my dark days would never turn around or see light again. But just like the wise men saw the Star of Bethlemham fill the night sky and lead them to worship Jesus, I too have felt the light of God lead me to the feet of Jesus in those dark seasons. At His feet, I've poured out my tears, prayers and worship and experienced His light break through the darkness and show me a way forward. So now, when dark seasons come, I do not fear. Because just like my daughters, I too am able to walk confidently into “dark places” knowing that God's promise of being with me is true. It's not a false advertisement. I believe His promise and His light is the proof. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 God has been bringing light into darkness throughout history. He did it in creation, He did it with Daniel in the lion's den and He will do it again in your life and mine. God is not shaken by the darkness because even in the darkness there is light, and He is The Light. It's been said by scientists that darkness is not the absence of light, but the absence of visible light for humans to see. This means, even though we might not be able to “see” light, it doesn't mean that light doesn't exist in the darkness. This is also true of Jesus, who is The Light of the World. Even though we sometimes can't “see” Him in our darkest moments, it doesn't mean He isn't there. Right now, you might be in the darkest season of your life. It might look hopeless or impossible. You might be convinced that nothing can change it. Let me encourage you to pull out the glow stick of God's word and let it light up your situation. His word will light up peace, joy, hope and faith inside of you. His words will silence fear, doubt, depression and more. His word will build your faith, comfort your soul, and bring light into your life. Just like Daniel, you don't have to fear the darkness anymore. God is in it with you and His light dwells with you right where you are. He will never leave you or forsake you. Darkness is never dark to God because where He is, He has promised there is light. And where there is light, there is hope. GOD PROMISES TO REMEMBER Psalm 139:11-12 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Isaiah 60:29 The sun will no more be your light by day, no will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Hope Darst, has been leading worship, growing her family and serving the local church. She wears many titles…wife, mother, worship leader and songwriter. Promise Keeper was written by Jonathan Smith, Ethan Hulse, Hope Darst, and featured on the Peace Be Still album.

“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.

When we sat down to write the song Peace Be Still, our lives were filled with circumstances that had us feeling fearful. We were all standing face to face with some scary situations. We knew that fear was present in our personal lives, but we also knew that we could choose to declare the promises of God in the midst of our fears, and His presence would flood us with peace that silences every wave of fear, and anxiety or worry. Worship is a weapon to defeat the schemes, lies and voices of the enemy. Worship is a way to stand upon the waves and tell the storm to go to sleep. I can't begin to tell you how many times, I have personally had to sing the lyrics of Peace Be Still over my own life, mind and situations. I have battled fear and anxiety a great deal in different seasons. At times, I have failed to anchor myself in the word of God through scripture or song and the waves of anxiety and fear have overtaken me. The aftermath of those storms have sometimes left damage that took more time and energy to restore than God ever intended. However, when I chose to grab on to the lifeline of God's word, declaring His promises over my life, the storm was silenced, either in me or in the natural. As we started this new decade, all over the world, we are facing a health pandemic that hasn't been seen in over 100 years. People feel confused, scared, uncertain and worried about the future. It feels like a storm of fear and anxiety has hit us pretty hard. Right now, we can choose to get swept up in the waves of fear and worry, doubting that God is for us or we can choose to remain anchored in the presence of God and allow His peace to wash over us and calm the storm inside our hearts and minds. We don't know what the future holds. We don't know how this current world situation will play out in the following weeks and months. What we do know is that our God is our shield, our fortress, our deliverer, our provider, our healer and our strong tower. Psalm 91:1-4 (God's Word Translation)Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” He is the one who will rescue you from the hunter's traps and from deadly plagues. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth (word) is your shield and armor. Worship builds a reservoir of God's truth to draw from when we face difficult moments. I know that every time I choose to worship, it builds my faith in God. It reminds me once again, that my God is greater than any storm and He speaks PEACE OVER ME! My prayer is that during these times of fear and uncertainty you will find refuge in the Almighty, declare His promises, sing His praises and know His Peace that passes all understanding! Hope Darst, has been leading worship, growing her family and serving the local church. She wears many titles…wife, mother, worship leader and songwriter. Peace Be Still was written by Hope Darst, Mia Fields, Andrew Holt, and featured on the Peace Be Still album.

Jesus is the embodiment of God's grace toward us. He is the real life, God-in-flesh, full-on expression of God's love and heart to save and rescue His children. He is the living evidence that God would move Heaven and Earth to not only meet us in our brokenness but also make a way to lead us out into life everlasting. What makes this truth all the more amazing is that Jesus, who was born in a manger, is now and always has been enthroned above all eternity. When our King spoke the word “light,” there was light. He is the holy eternal King, sovereign over all. Throughout the story of Scripture, God has been telling us that our Savior King would come to rescue us from our sin and shame. The prophet Isaiah says that our King is a “Wonderful Counselor” and a “Mighty God.” He says our King has come to establish a kingdom that is greater than any government on the face of the earth. Justice and peace will reign true in this kingdom of God. When the eyes of our hearts get even a glimpse to see that our majestic King Jesus was born to forgive the sins of mankind, we can't help but sing “Glory to God” forever and ever. Based on the song Grace Of God With Us by Ben Fielding, Brett Younker, Aodhan King. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Hope Has A Name by Passion.

So help me God, breathe on my weakness For all I want, is to be like JesusI don't have much But what I have is Yours to use So make my whole life Your Upper Room Upper RoomWords and Music by Benjamin Hastings & Joel Houston© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia It is one of our greatest desires that the music from our own local church, Hillsong, would serve the local church the world over. That the songs that have been birthed within our own ministry, would also minister to you. Yet it is not just Sunday services we hope to serve. The lyrics and melodies of these songs have been prayed for and laboured over in hopes that the Holy Spirit would invade your car, your home, your workplace – and meet intentionally and specifically with you, bringing the light, life, hope, revival and awakening you need, personally. That these songs would serve you, serve your family and help you serve God and others in the season that you find yourself in. It is in Matthew's account of the last supper when we discover Jesus doing exactly that – serving those He loved. At that supper, in the upper room, Jesus was not the guest, but He was the host – He was not the served but the servant. “He took…He blessed…He broke…He gave….” Our beloved Saviour knelt and washed the feet of His friends – He broke bread and fed their bodies and most importantly – He offered them forgiveness. Jesus met them at the table that night and we believe His invitation to you today, in this very moment, is to do the same. He invites you to sit and fellowship with Him. He invites you to both serve and be served. He invites you to enter into relationship, friendship and discipleship with Him – to intimate encounters with Him as a Friend, Confidante, Healer, Heart Mender, Provider, Saviour and King. He invites you to partake in the bread and the wine - His body broken for you and His blood poured out for your healing and wholeness. It was in the upper room that Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas in his doubts; where Jesus revealed His resurrected body, the fulfilment of age-old prophecies. It is where He communed with His friends. It is where He gave them His Holy Spirit as an Advocate for their lives. A physical place that represents the revelation of the old covenant meeting the new… a covenant He keeps with His disciples, you and me, today. What is it that you need from Jesus, today? As you listen to these songs and allow the lyrics to wash over you – may you be reminded of the God who comes close. Of the lengths He goes to for His friends – His sons and daughters, His disciples. May we be a people awake and aware of all He has done for us, and all He desires to do through us. May your life be a place of prayer, a place of worship, a place where others encounter God. May your whole life indeed become His upper room. Based on the song Upper Room by Joel Houston and Benjamin Hastings. Original post by Hillsong Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Awake by Hillsong Worship.

In the past two decades, the sound of modern worship has evolved, especially during the Christmas season. Chris Tomlin set the stage with his iconic Glory In The Highest (Christmas Songs of Worship), and the trend has only grown stronger. The Christmas season is now a key time for releasing fresh worship music, with standout songs that resonate deeply with congregations.

With open honesty and humor, Jernigan bares his soul about overcoming the difficulties of fear and anxiety that often creep in when breaking the news of a diagnosis like this. Through stories and anecdotes, as well as practical advice, Dennis shares the beauty of his journey so far and the myriad opportunities he's found to make new and lasting—and sometimes hilarious—memories with his family. Find out more here.

The faith of Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Did the life of Christ end on the cross, or is he still alive today? Without Christ's resurrection, we are left with a question mark regarding his divinity, which would negate anything he ever said. C. S. Lewis puts it this way in his book Mere Christianity: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell.” Paul stresses the importance of the resurrection when he says, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith.” (1 Cor. 15:13-14) The resurrection is what proved Jesus was God. It's what proved the power of the cross. From heaven to earth our savior cameFor us on a cross he bled and diedAnd from the cross to an empty graveHe rose to life The truth of the resurrection means Christ is alive today, and he is alive in us. Galatians says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) As Christians who believe in the resurrection, we believe that we have also died—died to sin—and are no longer slaves, but children of God, inheritors of His kingdom. (Gal. 4:7) We now live because of and for Christ. “You must make your choice,” continues Lewis. “Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” Choose to believe in the power of the resurrection today, that Jesus reigns on his throne and he reigns in you. Based on the song He Lives by Chris Tomlin. Original post available on YouVersion based on the album Never Lose Sight.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.""—Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) Reflection: In a world where fear often leads us to anxiety and despair, the concept of the “fear of God” might seem paradoxical. Yet, Brooke Ligertwood's song “Fear Of God” reminds us that this fear is not one of terror, but of deep reverence and awe—a fear that anchors us in the face of the enemy's schemes. The opening verse sets the scene by acknowledging a reality that every believer must face: “Satan roams around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us.” This is a vivid reminder of the spiritual battle we are engaged in daily. Satan's tactics are real, and he is relentless. But the lyrics immediately counter this with a powerful truth: “But the fear of God will keep us.” It is the fear of God—our reverence, awe, and recognition of His ultimate authority—that becomes our shield and fortress against the enemy's attacks. This fear of God is not about shrinking back in dread but standing firm in the knowledge of who God is. The song encourages us to “hold to what lasts and keep your lamp lit,” echoing the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Keeping our lamps lit means living in readiness, staying rooted in God's Word, and being prepared for Christ's return. It is in this posture of reverence and preparedness that we find true security. The chorus brings us to the hope of transformation: “In the blink of an eye and a trumpet sound, we will be changed by a supernatural power.” The fear of God not only keeps us in this life but prepares us for the life to come. The moment of Christ's return will be sudden and glorious, a moment when all will be changed, and the mortal will put on immortality. This is the hope that sustains us and the reality that we must live in light of every day. As we move into the bridge, the song acknowledges that while we may not win every battle, the war is already won by Christ. This is a profound truth that the fear of God helps us to grasp. It gives us perspective, reminding us that the struggles of this life are temporary, but the victory in Christ is eternal. “Christ is coming, and there's only so long He'll wait.” This is both a promise and a call to action. The song ends with a powerful image: “He's comin' for a pure and spotless bloodwashed bride.” The fear of God purifies us, aligning our lives with His will, and preparing us as His bride. It's a call to live in holiness, to lift our voices, and to do the work we are called to while we are still here. As you reflect on the lyrics of “Fear Of God,” consider what it means to live in the fear of the Lord. How does this reverence shape your daily decisions, your responses to the enemy's schemes, and your preparation for Christ's return? The fear of God is not just about avoiding sin; it's about embracing the fullness of life that comes from living in awe of our holy and sovereign God. Prayer: Lord, I ask that You deepen my understanding of what it means to fear You. May this fear be the foundation of wisdom in my life, guiding my steps and keeping me close to You. Help me to live in readiness, with my lamp lit and my heart prepared for Your return. I thank You for the victory that is already won through Christ, and I pray that my life would reflect the purity and holiness You desire in Your bride. In Jesus' name, Amen. Action Step: This week, take time to meditate on the fear of God in your own life. Reflect on how it influences your thoughts, actions, and spiritual disciplines. Consider any areas where you may need to realign your life with this holy reverence, and make a commitment to live in the light of His soon return.

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

It is amazing how an ordinary boy with a less-than-glamourous job of tending fields (read: shoveling sheep poop and fighting lions off in his spare time) for his father was chosen by God for His extraordinary purposes and specifically commended as being one “after God's own heart.” Our stories are the same! God has called us by name, and through Jesus, brought us into his family. He has made the ordinary extraordinary and given us a new heart, a heart freed from captivity to sin and death which can now choose instead to follow Jesus with abandon. Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 16:9 that the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. In another translation, it says he strengthens hearts “that are completely his.” The world tells us to abandon our hearts to other things, and our flesh beckons us back to a life of sin. We may have our hands balled up around something which we have not given to God. It may be something we compartmentalize: God, you can have it all…except this one thing. What is the thing, the relationship, the addiction, the money, the area of life you want control over? Are there any walls in your heart toward God? What would happen if our hearts were “completely His?” He gives us a strength which encourages us, gives courage to us, and sustains us. We lose our false semblance of control, but gain the protection and loving leading of God in our lives and peace that passes understanding. Let it be said of us, the Church, this generation, you and me, that we are a people with hearts abandoned, hearts that are completely His, hearts that are ever after Him alone. God, give me a heart abandoned, ever after you alone. All the things of this world pale in comparison to You. If they don't, awaken me to the reality of Christ, open my eyes to see you and surely everything else will fade into the background. I know You're the one who gave me a new heart in Christ, so please shape it and guide it into your ways. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Based on the song Heart Abandoned by Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran. 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!

How amazing is our God! He knows you and I so well and wants only the best for His children. In Psalm 69, David describes a time of great suffering. He laments as his enemies continuously pursue him with hatred. What is incredible about this scripture is the journey of faith on which it leads us.In verse 1 he begins so clearly with a troubled heart that is honest and vulnerable before God. He says phrases like “I'm in over my head” and “I am burdened and tired of crying.” Have you ever been in over your head? Have you ever hurt so badly that you've grown tired of crying? As we journey through life, we are all affected at one point or another with pain. The good news today, friend, is that it is not the end. God has a plan for good and not for evil.Though the Psalm starts out with words of lament, the language of the passage begins to change as David thinks upon the Lord and assumes his posture of praise. “Let me shout God's name with a praising song.” He meditates on the faithfulness of God and begins to prophesy to everything around him saying, “You heavens praise Him; praise Him earth.” Reading on, we begin to see that David not only enters into God's presence, but he is reminded of his authority and the power of his declaration.When we know who Jesus is, then we find ourselves. When Jesus is exalted above our issues, we are reminded of our identity. We are more than conquerors. We are sons and daughters, kings and priests. In His presence is fullness of joy among the trials of life. Though there's pain in the offering, I believe that as we enter His courts with thanksgiving, we are given the divine perspective we need to see the victory of Jesus displayed in our mind, body, and spirit. Leading a Christian life does not indicate the absence of pain, but rather the power to overcome and move forward knowing that God is working all things together for our good. In our weakness His strength is made perfect and that's how He is glorified.Today, as you sing, bring your reality to God and exchange it for the garment of praise because He is faithful to reveal His perspective. Lift Him high above any pain by singing this one statement that puts every life-defining question to rest: “Jesus, I know who You are.” Based on the song I Know Who You Are by Planetshakers Original post available on YouVersion based on the album - Overflow.