Song Lists

New Year resolutions - love them or hate them? A new year of valleys, fires and storms. Are you ready? Do you make resolutions and spend time creating goals for 2022? Or are you someone who swims upstream, side-stepping the resolution bandwagon? For years, I began every January with a list of goals to pursue for the new year. I joined gyms, set out to eat more healthily and began new reading material. I started out strong. Went three or four times a week to work out. Followed the clean eating plans suggested by nutritionists. Following the directives of a naturopath, I completed all the testing and purchased my supplements to improve my gut health. I downloaded the most recent Bible study programs from one of my favorite leaders. Determined to see growth in all the areas, physically, mentally and spiritually, I felt ready to see improvement. I felt so proud of my potential, I posted on social media to showcase my goals for the new year. I was determined. I was ready and resourced for what had to be a better version of myself. And He is my strengthHe is my portionWith me in the valleyWith me in the fireWith me in the storm It never took long to stumble into obstacles along my path, thwarting my plans. A series of random events caused me to miss that day at the gym, another day the following week, and, finally, that entire week in early February. I shared my car with one of the kids and ended up without a vehicle midweek. One day, I went out to pick up a friend from the airport and just ran out of time to get back to the gym before it closed. (Ok, if I was honest, I drove relatively slow home, so I didn't have to go back out and make it before closing.) I began to think I would follow a program more closely if I purchased an online version that I could do anytime I wanted in the comfort and convenience of my home. I was wrong. I paid for both for months before finally canceling my memberships. I took those supplements until the first refills and then decided it was too expensive. Embarrassed by my lack of follow-thru, I have never returned to that particular doctor. I fell so far behind the Bible study, like the slow fading of battery-powered string lights, that I just stopped logging on. My little online accountability group must wonder what happened to me, or perhaps they followed the same path and are lurking in the shadows somewhere just like I am. Don't start penning an email about the value of personal goals. Without a plan or goals, we risk meandering around aimlessly, which doesn't serve us well either. But, something about this time of year can feel like pressure to set up something new, join in on the resolution bandwagon, and make the appearance that we are purposeful and intentional. But, why start some workout plan that we will not follow after a month? Why begin some fresh eating or dieting plan that will end in feelings of failure because we cannot stay on track? So come if you're needingForgiveness or healingHis mercy's enoughOh, and this is our hopeThe cross, it has spokenDeath is no moreChrist is the Lord This year, I am trying something different. At the end of the day, I have one primary goal: to witness His love. How would my life change if I dialed up my sensitivity to the love of God? But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 I don't earn His favor. God isn't waiting for me to follow through on my plans before he lavishes me with His love. He is not waiting for my performance, withholding His assessment of my progress before expressing His love for me. He isn't watching how I manage before deciding whether I get to level up. God just loves. He loves without condition, regardless of failure and doesn't demand payback. The gift He gives comes with no strings attached. God really loves usHis mercy's enoughHis grace is sufficient What would happen if I lived like I believed in this kind of love? He really loves us. We are not alone. Two powerful life-changing truths. Do we believe that His love is enough to undo the loneliness, to heal the brokenhearted, to help us navigate through the current chaos? See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a Songwriters Benjamin Glover, Dante Bowe, David Crowder and Jeff Sojka created a song, God Really Loves Us, that beautifully begins my intentions for this year. I have a funny feeling that I won't forget a day, once I start paying closer attention; my gut says the dividends will be spectacular. So this January 2022, I am taking the focus off of self-improvement. Instead, I am going to search for where I see His love. 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 Really Loves Us was written by David Crowder and featured on the Milk & Honey album.

In A Cradle in Bethlehem, we're invited to peer into the quiet, holy night when Jesus was born, when the Creator of the universe chose to enter our world as a humble child. The song paints a vivid picture of a mother rocking her newborn in the stillness, as angels hover near, their voices gently blessing the scene. It's a moment both ordinary and profoundly sacred—God incarnate, Emmanuel, lying in a cradle. The song's tender refrain of “Sing sweet and low, a lullaby” calls us into the beauty of simplicity. It reminds us that God often comes in gentle, unassuming ways, hidden within the humble acts of our lives. Just as Mary cradled Jesus in a simple manger, we're reminded that God can be found in the quiet, intimate places of our own hearts when we make room for Him. As the wise men journey through the dark, led by a star, we're reminded of the pursuit of truth, the willingness to follow God's light even when the way is uncertain. The star that “beckons them” is a symbol of hope—a guiding light in the night. Just as the wise men searched for the Savior, we're called to seek Christ in our own lives, trusting that His light will guide us, even in our darkest moments. The chorus calls us to “Fall on your knees” in worship, echoing the angelic declaration of the night divine. It's a reminder that encountering Jesus demands a response. In Him, the holy meets the human, and we are invited to worship, to lay down our burdens, and to trust the One who came to bring peace to our hearts. “A little child shall lead them,” the bridge says, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would bring a new kind of kingdom—one marked by peace, humility, and love. This small child in a cradle represents the profound truth that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. He does not come with force or power but with gentleness and grace, inviting us to let Him “keep us in storm and tempest,” just as He came to lead and comfort all who seek Him. As we reflect on this scene, let's remember that Jesus came not only to be born in a Bethlehem stable but also in the hearts of those who open their lives to Him. This holy night calls us to respond with worship and awe, embracing the profound simplicity of God's love in the cradle in Bethlehem. May we, too, welcome Him into our lives, letting His presence be the peace and hope we hold close.

How can it be? There is a table for all who would come, for all who would come. Taste now and see, there is a table for all who would come. Scriptures: Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV) John 3:16 (NIV) Devotional: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” - Revelation 3:19-20 NIV Each of the seven letters in the book of Revelation contain stern warnings, rebukes, and admonitions toward a purer faith and trust in Christ. The seventh letter to Laodicea is no exception. But this letter is unique in stating why: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Here, Jesus explains why His critique to His Church is important and valid—it proves His deep love for His people. The next lines are equally encouraging. Jesus stands at the door of people's hearts awaiting invitation to their lives. His use of, “I will come in and eat with that person” not only communicates His love, but His desire to spend time with people. In other words, God not only loves, but He likes and desires communion or togetherness with His people. That is to say, God loves us and is also deeply fond of us—He wants friendship with you. What encouragement! Christ's promise is that “anyone” who hears and opens the door will be the recipient of this great blessing. This echoes the promise found in the famous words of the book of John: “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 NIV). One of the greatest glories of the mighty love of God is that it is not for a select few or a unique type of person. Instead, His love has been lavishly offered to all, freely given without condition. This is the staggering truth of the Christian faith, and why it is good for us to prayerfully reflect: “How can it be? There is a table for all who would come, for all who would come. Taste now and see, there is a table for all who would come." Ephesians encourages us to reach out and grasp this profound truth and mystery: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV) May this be our portion. 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.

I remember when the worship team first introduced the new song The Blessing. It was one of the last in-person weekend services before the first wave of COVID hit our area. As these powerful words reached our hearts, the Spirit moved profoundly through our auditorium. One by one, people stepped to the front of the church, hands raised, hearts opened to receive the gift in the blessing. The echo of this melody prepared our hearts for what was coming. We didn't know how much we needed to hear this. The timely reminder that His presence surrounds us; how He hems us in both behind and beside. While our world waged war with the invisible threat, The Blessing reminded us that through every hour of every day, our Father's face turns towards us. In the morning, in the eveningIn your coming, and your goingIn your weeping, and rejoicingHe is for you Thinking back how we basked in the radiance of His presence on that Sunday, I wonder if those sweet moments of tenderness mattered when the road became rocky? When we faced social distancing precautions as the unknown divided households, communities and countries. Facing disappointment, heartache, and fear did we lean towards hope in the promises of God? Were we comforted by the faithfulness of our Father who is for us? Or did our doubt and frustration spill out everywhere over everyone? Our God Is For Us When your kids can't graduate with their classmates, and your daughter cries herself to sleep. When your school moves to online classes and you fail pre-calculus because online learning is hard. When you have to homeschool your kids, yet don't know what the heck you are doing. When Zoom meetings give you headaches, and your office shuts down, leaving you without a paycheque. When the venue cancels your wedding, and your dreams go up in flames. When you don't meet for the holidays with your family, but notice your neighbours not following the public orders or precautions. With all the information and opinions online, you hardly sleep at night worrying about what to believe. During all that sadness, confusion and heartache, do you believe: He is for us? Our God Transforms Your Mourning In early 2020, collective grief and suffering fractured and divided our families, cities, and countries. We lost loved ones. We faced loneliness, disappointment, and restriction in our movements. Displaced from our pews and meeting centers, we faced sickness, death, and the disorderly conduct of family, friends, and associates who aligned on one side or another regarding precautions, advisory notices, and public orders. We may have watched our frustration rise and fall, and seen the way fear ran through social media posts. We moved to smaller spaces and fewer faces, but the blessing of our God never diminished. In the months that have passed, have we boasted in the hope of the glory of God? Did we glory in our sufferings? Did we share the hope of our Father's love...a love poured out for us? Or did we only mourn? Please hear this ... mourning is healing. Rationalizing away hurt and disappointment is one of the great ruptures found in church communities. A belief that if we feel pain, we do not have faith. We don't have to invalidate the pain, to receive the blessing. We are not without faith if we acknowledge the losses around us. We are not without faith if we feel disappointed about the changes and adjustments our families have made in response to this global pandemic. But, we don't have to stay immobilized by pain either. Our God Meets Us In The Middle Of The Mess What will you remember? Standing here in the middle space between The Blessing and our mourning of what is lost, will you remember the precious moments of singing about the radiance of His face turning towards you? Will you remember that He is for your children and your children's children? Will you remember that He turns our mourning to dancing? Will you take the brave and courageous steps to let your neighbors, work associates, and family know that they do not have to walk this journey without help? Peace in the midst of our disappointment and sorrow is possible -- not because we avoid or minimize the pain, but because we find peace in His presence. Hear this good word? The brilliance of the blessing is in the abundant, faithful love of the Father. Our Father in heaven turns His gaze towards us. Our circumstances do not change the blessing offered to us. When your circumstances blurry and muddy His plans and purposes and you are weary, He is for you. He is with you while you wander in the wilderness in the same way He is for you when you praise Him on the mountaintop. When you fall on your knees, head bowed in grief…He is for you. When you reach your arms to the heavens in gratitude, He is for you. Our circumstances do not change the heart of the Father…He is now and forever will be your more than enough. Our circumstances change, our God does not. Let this truth matter…take it in. Our God Has Not Moved Entering into 2021, this promise in The Blessing still rings true. We need to hear words of a faithful God who moves towards us, not just in time of need, but because it is in His nature to be with us. We need to know that the Lord will go before us and hem us in as we move through the sometimes unbearable losses. Being in His presence is how we manage disappointment and regulate fear and anxiety. He is with us…the Prince of Peace is with us. Even when the world around us feels uncertain, we can experience peace in His presence. Spending time in peace, slowing down, and taking in that you are not alone with this…might be the shift you need to keep pressing through one more day. He pours His love into our hearts. Let it flow out of you towards the people in your sphere of influence. Our world changed in 2020. We may meet in different places, in smaller spaces, or over Zoom screens, but our God has not moved, nor is he limited. The world needs to know the blessing of our Father is for them. We can bring the hope and peace of His presence into the hurting places in our world. Where your influence extends, reach out with grace, mercy, and hope. Let the peace of God move through you and out into the world around you. Undoing aloneness is a powerful gift. 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. The Blessing, performed by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship was written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Steven Furtick. It won the GMA Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year. The Blessing has been produced by various artists and languages all over the world.

So let our praise build an altar, Christ forever and no other. Jesus Your Name be the banner over us Scriptures: Revelation 3:7-13 (NIV) Mark 16:15 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV) Colossians 4:3 (NIV) Devotional: ​​”I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” - Revelation 3:8 (NIV) Often in Scripture, an 'open door' is referring to some sort of evangelistic opportunity (see 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, and Colossians 4:3). This meaning makes the most sense in the context of Revelation 3:7-13 as well. Jesus is encouraging the believers in the Church of Philadelphia about a gospel opportunity in front of them and he says, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name”. As believers, often we can pray for 'open doors' for any number of things. We may pray for an open door within a work opportunity, or maybe for a new relationship to start, but the ultimate opportunity has already been opened before us: the 'open door' of sharing the gospel. Jesus has entrusted and empowered His people to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15 NIV). When it comes to sharing the good news of the Christian faith, many times worry can be placed on what will happen, how we will come across to others, or even confusion about what exactly this process is meant to look like. But, despite these potential worries or roadblocks, we find great encouragement in this passage in Revelation 3:8. Christ promises an 'open door', but not a fleeting, temporary, or fast closing one. Instead, the door Christ promises is one that “no one can shut.” Sharing the gospel isn't predicated on our own goodness or delivery of truth, but on God's goodness and reality of truth. What a promise from the Lord! The believers in this passage found in Revelation were likely facing severe persecution. The testimony of their faith was not without consequence or ramification. How much more should believers in contexts outside of persecution be emboldened to share our faith with confidence. The prayer “Jesus Your Name be the banner over us” is not only one of representation or identification with Jesus, but also one of bold faith and proclamation. We are called to boldly proclaim the faith and trust that we have in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He promises an open door before us as we do—one that no one can shut. 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.

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

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

Before following Jesus, we were all building our lives on something. Whether it was a relationship, an achievement, a dream, a failure, or our own plan, our foundation was our own making. We can only build our lives with our own hands for so long until realizing that our foundations aren't strong enough. They are cracked. Or completely shattered. What God wants to build in each of our lives is an eternal, purpose-filled life, a life that we cannot muster or earn or build on our own strength. It takes a strong and sure foundation. When we put our faith in Jesus, we exchanged our faulty, self-made, crumbling foundation, broken by the weight of sin and darkness, for a sure footing on the brand new foundation of God, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. As we surrender daily to Jesus, we begin to see him building what only He can build in us: eyes that see him, hearts filled with the things He loves, and lives which seek to serve those around us. His is a love which cannot be moved, and in Jesus we are given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Jesus holds it all together and the Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom and revelation, revealing who God is to us. Revelation always moves us to act. If we have truly seen God for who He is, our desires will shift and eventually become His desires. As He changes our lives, we will long for others to “know and rely on the love God has” for both us and those around us. Father, show me who you are today. Fill me with your heart—all the things you love and want me to love—and empty me of the things which don't build up your kingdom. Then lead me in your love to, in turn, love those around me with the love of Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. Based on the song Build My Life by Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Matt Redman. 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!

Do you know your giants? It is hard to imagine not seeing that one giant standing in a crowd, but some giants tend not to be that easy to spot. What about interactions with people or things that leave you feeling small or threatened? Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.James 1:2-4 You would think all giants would be easy to notice, but Goliaths go by different names and attack us in different ways. The ones that dwell inside us rule with an iron sceptre—the giant of insecurity or pride, for instance, or the giant of greed and self-promotion. Prowling around is a giant called judgement who hides in plain sight, distorting scripture and using biblical truth to promote a contrarian agenda. I may not face Goliath, but I've got my own giants. Elevation Worship's, Same God, featuring Jonsal Barrientes, invites us into realignment. A powerful reminder of who remains the giant slayer, the promise keeper and the healer of broken hearts and minds. He restores all things to himself because he, alone, created all things for himself. I'm calling on the Holy SpiritAlmighty River come and fill me againCome and fill me againCome and fill me again The same God who heard the cries from generations past hears us now. And His sameness matters. While the circumstances around us seem fluid and ever-changing like ocean tides, God is the same through all our tomorrows. He still heals and hems us in from behind. He is our protector and defender. You heard Your children then, You hear Your children nowYou are the same God, You are the same GodYou answered prayers back then, and You will answer nowYou are the same God, You are the same God Whether you are battling the giants lurking inside you, or giants that live on the mountain standing in your way, take a moment and remember the God who is for you. He hears. He saves. He restores. The same God whose heart and intention never shifts for your good remains faithful to His promises. 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. Same God was written by Pat Barrett, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake and featured on Elevation Worship's Same God album.

It is easy to let the news, social media, and our past experience determine the way we see our future in today's world. Our hopes can rise and fall on the general state of our country, workplace, or family. For others of us, we choose to resist any form of hope whatsoever. The very idea of hopes dashed is too painful. When we look at our situation, we seem to be surrounded by a desert on all sides. It is as if we are in the middle of a hot, barren wasteland where nothing can grow. We are thirsty, but there is no river. And in this place, we are tempted to believe this is the hand we have been dealt. Nothing can change. There is no way forward. But God. Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Through Isaiah, God is saying he is making way for all creation. He has a plan for salvation and a path of deliverance for all people, and His name is Jesus! He is saying he has come to give us hope and a future! In the middle of the dried up, worn out, broken down— there is a way forward. Time after time in Scripture, we see God do just this. After tending sheep for forty years, Moses was stopped in his tracks by a burning bush. He was about to become the leader of the Israelite exodus. Joseph was thrown into a well, left for dead, sold to the Ishmaelites, falsely accused, and thrown in prison for over two years. He became second in command over all of Egypt and saved his family and the entire country from famine. Hannah longed for a son but couldn't have children. Year after year, she wept and poured out her heart before God. She eventually gave birth to Samuel and five other children. The way may look different than we think or desire, but God's promise remains. As we close, it is important to note God does not promise to bring us out of the wilderness but that he will make a way in the wilderness. Paul says in Romans 5:5, "Hope does not disappoint us because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us." God has given us the Holy Spirit whose work it is to open our eyes to the overwhelming significance of God's love for us; a love that has staggering implications for our future, a love that fills us with hope! We are prone to believe the lie, the false story that things cannot change. But take another look at God's track record and his promise. For generations, he's been doing new things; he's been making ways in wastelands and rivers in deserts. Who are we to believe the promise is not for us? Who are we not to believe he will do it again? Based on the song New Thing by Melodie Malone, Jessie Early, Patrick Mayberry. Original post by Passion Music available on YouVersion based on the album - Burn Bright by Passion.

Spirit Sound (Pentecost) “Spirit sound, rushing wind, fire of God fall within” — Fresh Wind, Hillsong Worship The Spirit of God has been present throughout the Bible; found from the creation story in Genesis until the return of our Saviour in the book of Revelation. In Genesis 1:2, we read that the Spirit of God was there at the start, when there was nothing but emptiness and darkness, and once again, in Genesis 2:7, we read that God breathed life into humanity. Through His Spirit, God brought humanity to life, blessed them and gave them purpose. The Spirit of God, this breath of life, is found again in the account of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4, when the disciples and followers of Jesus came together. The Spirit blew through the space they were in, filling each of them, bringing boldness and vision to fulfil the great commission; to go out into all the world and make disciples. The Spirit of God, the source of empowerment, breathed into the early church that day through a collective and shared experience. The Spirit lit the flame, and it burns brightly to this very day! Today you may be experiencing darkness and emptiness in your own life. The Spirit of God is blowing once again and can bring revival, blessing, and purpose to your life! Perhaps you desire to step out in boldness with fresh vision to show the people in your community the saving, healing, and redemptive power of Jesus. The Holy Spirit wind is blowing and desires to fill you, just like on the day of Pentecost, giving you courage and boldness, dreams and vision as you live each day. Reflection & Application: Take a few moments to pause and reflect. Which areas of your life do you need a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through? Now, take a few moments to write them down. Prayer: Thank you, Father God, for sending your Spirit to be with me. Holy Spirit, I need your wind to blow in my life right now. Please fill me with life and purpose today and every day. Please give me courage to carry out the work of your Kingdom, boldness to tell others of your goodness, and vision for my life today. In the name of Jesus, amen!

Do you ever glance around the world searching for a reason to feel hopeful? Do you ever end up discouraged? Such a quest can feel like a flickering flame, threatening to extinguish in the slightest breeze. While driving through my hometown today, I passed by a row of small wooden crosses stationed along the side of the road, each adorned with toddler-sized dresses. My stomach churned, considering the horror represented by the roadside tribute to 215 children whose remains were found in an unmarked burial site. The unmarked graves discovered in multiple residential school grounds across Canada represent a generation of young people abducted from their homes who faced unknown horrors. If I'm honest, I feel angry and I'm unsure how to respond. Who holds our faith when fears arise? Who stands above the stormy trial? So what happens when in the face of human suffering, the fire of hope in eternity fades? What happens when the words of our worship songs sit like stones in our chest? A quiet hallelujah is barely uttered and the fiery darts of the enemy slide in behind our breastplate. Why do we endure and keep searching for some measure of hope? Because right there in the middle of our suffering is a promise: we will feast in endless joy. And what reward will heaven bring?Everlasting life with himAnd we will rise to meet the LordThen sin and death will be destroyed Maybe you face another kind of agony that is closer to home. Alzheimer's, dementia, ALS, Parkinson's, Cancer: these are the names of afflictions so distant for many and a real-life battlefield for others. When you are on the battlefield, it is easy to feel helpless, hopeless, and numb. Where is the hope in that? This is the plight of our human condition: everyone bleeds. Human suffering is unavoidable. No one escapes hardship -- in some form, at some time. We cannot look here for our hope. Earthly hope does not endure. It fades, disappoints, and dies. "Christ has been raised from the dead" (1 Cor 15:20). That is the only statement that can transform how we live each day and how we prepare for our earthly life to end. To find comfort in life, we must know how we can face death. Hope comes only in trusting the one who died to take the curse of death and who crushed the power of death by His resurrection. See Getty Music. We all experience suffering as our earthly bodies waste away, but we hold fast to a promise that is unfading, protected by the resurrection. One day, we will feast at His banqueting table. Can you feel that truth settling into your heart? Like a healing balm of comfort, God says, "take my gift and have endless joy." And the God of all grace, who called youto his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore youand make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10,11 Don't sit in silence. Tell yourself both sides of the story. We will have suffering and there is a promise. Worship through the grief and find the promised hope. Breakthroughs come when hearts break open. 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. Christ Our Hope in Life and Death is a modern hymn written by Keith Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, and Matthew Merker (Getty Music). Words inspired by the Heidelberg Catechism.

We live in a world often shrouded in darkness; a realm of uncertainty, pain, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. Yet, amidst this backdrop, the lyrics of "Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah)" by We The Kingdom reverberate like a beacon of hope. This song offers a powerful reminder that even in the midst of the darkest nights, the brilliance of God's love shines brightest. 1. Beginning and End: The lyrics initiate with an acknowledgment of Jesus as the 'Light of the world', a 'treasure of heaven'. This speaks to the eternal nature of Christ, present before the creation and persisting beyond the end. Despite the tragedies of time, despite human frailty and failure, the love of God remains undiminished. 2. The Humble Birth: The juxtaposition of a 'crown in a manger' encapsulates the profound humility of Christ's incarnation. The King of the universe, the Creator of galaxies, chose to be born in a humble stable. This wasn't an accident or a backup plan; it was a deliberate choice to showcase that the grandeur of God's love can be found in the simplest places. 3. Salvation through Sacrifice: "Born for the cross, to suffer, to save" - this line embodies the core of the Gospel. The Light didn't just shine to expose darkness; it penetrated the darkness to bring salvation. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paved the way for humanity to step out of darkness into His marvelous light. 4. Anticipation of His Return: The song doesn't stop at the cross or the resurrection but catapults us forward in time, reminding us of Christ's promised return. And with that return comes a future where darkness is a distant memory and where God Himself is our light. Drawing inspiration from our key scripture in Isaiah, it's evident that a day is coming where the natural sources of light we've grown dependent on — the sun and the moon — will pale in comparison to the radiant glory of God. His light will be the only source we need, both illuminating our path and filling our hearts. When life seems overwhelming, when the shadows seem to grow longer, and the night darker, let's anchor our hearts to this truth: The Light of the World has come, and His radiance dispels all darkness. And not only has He come, but He promises to return, bringing an end to all sorrow and establishing an eternal day under His benevolent reign. Today, let's choose to step into this Light. Let's bask in the warmth of His love, let His truths guide our path, and let His promises uplift our souls. And as we do, may we join the chorus of believers across the ages and "Sing hallelujah to the Light of the world."Isaiah 60:19-20 - "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end."

Who has made the righteous bright Who has paved my way with grace Loved me through my darkest hours A thousand different ways No One But YouWords and Music by Scott Ligertwood, Aodhan King & Brooke Ligertwood© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia. Life with Jesus is both full and abundant, filled with gracious adventure and wide-open spaces. But an awakened life is not necessarily easy or without its valleys. In fact, in living in relationship with the Creator of the universe, it is easy to feel grief for the state of the world and the times we are living in: complicated political days; the tone of the world economy; the darkness of war and famine; people living in abject poverty and desperation – not to mention everyday personal struggles that we can each encounter, such as financial hardship, mental illness, health challenges and relational breakdown. One of the most beautiful aspects of this album for us as a team was watching the unified creative community of Hillsong Worship contributing their gifts, talents and time to this project. Throughout listening to this album, you will hear the collective voices of dozens of faithful people from our church congregation – people just like you and I – who have walked through their own dark days, some still in the middle of the challenge. The beauty of this for us, and we hope for you also – is that they have walked through seasons, both hills and valleys, and they have remained. They have remained in Jesus; they have remained planted in community and they have remained steadfast in worship and prayer. Many of the well documented revivals and moves of God in history have started with prayer. This project was soaked in it. Tim Keller, author and theologian says, “Prayer is the thing that sanctifies your imagination. It plunges it into God. Then the things you think up are gospel movement things.” (timkellernyc on Twitter) Each day before we started recording these songs, we would plunge our imagination into prayer, asking God to help us hear things we couldn't hear and see things we couldn't see. Why don't you do the same today? Invite the Holy Spirit to awaken your imagination through prayer – to open your eyes to see what you cannot see and hear what you cannot hear. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you again in a new way, in your current season. And say a prayer for the world around you – for the suffering in your own family, your community and our world. Pray for persecuted christians, for God's love to reveal itself to them in a thousand different ways so that they too, can remain. Based on the song No One But You. Original post by Hillsong Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Awake by Hillsong Worship.

"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18From the moment we're born, we immediately begin to struggle with the need to fit in. Some mysterious mixture of the way we are wired and the environments in which we grow up begins to form early on, and we are enticed to fit into the mold of being the person that we think everyone around us wants us to be. We become a player on the stage of life, ferociously trying to find the part that feels the most like our true self. We'll play a part for a while until that character is worn out or not well-received, and then we'll move on to the next, doing whatever it takes to be known and loved.I've worn every mask you can find at the mask maker's shop. It's an enticing place filled with the most beautifully impossible promises..“Got a little shame? Try this mask on. It's perfect for keeping people from knowing all the horrible things you've done.”Got a little insecurity? This is the one for you. It's called Pride, and it'll keep everyone from being able to see the things about you that you think they wouldn't love.”“Struggling with doubt? Our Distraction model is the ideal antidote to keep you from having to confront the deep places in your heart that scare you to death.“Carry these with you back to the stage of life, and you're sure to dupe everyone around you and even yourself into believing that you've got it all figured out.”I'm done. I'm finished being defined by the masks of my past. I'm finished being defined by fear. I'm not finished with the struggle, but I'm finished with hiding. Not because I heard a motivational speaker or read a blog or listened to a great podcast or had a great conversation, but because I've finally surrendered to the journey of self-discovery that I believe can only happen when we begin to see ourselves through the lens of God's perfect love. It started with acknowledging that I had indeed placed a veil over my heart that I used to hide from myself, the people around me, and even my Savior. I realized that until I was honest about my struggles, I'd never be known, and I'd always feel locked up. I'm constantly discovering cages that lurk in the hidden caverns of my heart, but I've learned that the love of Jesus is the light-beam key that unlocks each prison door. When we surrender our souls to His searchlight, we find the freedom to be our true self. I'm learning how to daily allow the Lord to remove the veil from my face and just be candid about my battles.Our song “Cages” ends with the plea “What I wouldn't give to be known”. We spend our whole lives trying to give it all we've got just to be known, but the beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus already gave everything. We don't have to try to fit in. We don't have to play a part. The director of the true play is in the business of tearing through the masquerade with His perfect love. Based on the song Cages 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.