Believing God Today

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Tag Archives: Worship


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The Absolute Necessity of REAL Worship

I have written much on this topic, worship and its proper form and function.

I guess it would be fair to say that worship not given its proper place really annoys me…it should upset you as well.

In the first place, worship is not about you or me…it is all about God. It is always about God first last and always. Yes we all want to attend a church where we like the worship “style”, and that is ok.

The problem comes in when people see worship as being for themselves. That doesn’t really happen you are thinking, or maybe its “I would never do that”. Really? Ever go to church and think that the worship was not that great? Ever think the song selection was bad? Maybe you just could not worship to “those” songs? You just made worship all about you and not about God.

When we show up to church, and the worship band, or the organist, or piano player or whatever is used for worship where you are starts…it is not at all about the music being played, or the person on the stage playing or singing. It is all about worshiping Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven. It is not about that song you did not care for, it’s not about you! If you go to church with the attitude that all the music played should be stuff you like, you have already lost the battle.

This next has nothing to do with any given worship team, and any worship team worth their salt will be the first to tell you this. Worship in the church MUST come first. All other functions in the church, and this includes evangelism and teaching…flow FROM worship and glorification of God.

Do you doubt this? What is the greatest commandment of Christ? Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Loving God with all your heart…a big part of this is worship! What we need to run the church, our requirements for living life if you will…all flow through worship of our Lord. This does not always mean in the church either. Worship at home, in the car, anywhere.

Worship is a direct link to our Creator, similar to prayer. The thing about worship is when we concentrate on true worship…praising God with our very soul, loving Him through the words of adoration and praise we are singing, or praying to Him while the song is being played…when we do this, the Lord blesses us for it! We worship Him and we receive the blessing for doing so. We are refueled, energized again, regenerated by His Spirit!

A great worship team is a treasure, a true blessing in worship and I have been fortunate in that. Still…we ought to be able to walk into a church that is playing any music, and be able to worship God.

Thanks to a wonderful worship director, Aaron…I have this excellent video to share about worship. Enjoy!

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Revelation Song…

Revelation Song: written by Jennie Lee Riddle
                              sung by Meredith Andrews

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!

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Looking for Angels: Healing in a Hurting World

This song just reads “today” in so many ways, I imagine that is why John wrote it.
There seems to be so much unrest and anger in the world. There is for sure a plethora of drugs and alcohol to dim the pain. For you see…the drugs and the booze only temporarily damp down the feelings of rage, of worthlessness. The deep seated insecurities within people are never far from the surface, the fear of failure, always lurks just beneath every choice. Thoughts are all consuming, peace a fantasy.

Today’s teens are as never before pummeled with a never ending array of choices, many of them bad ones. Teen are also faced with parents who have high expectations…or worse yet no expectations at all. You think a parent that has no expectations is freeing to the youth…think again. Ask them how they feel about that.

The world has changed, it has changed into this crazy array of technology and stuff that has NOT made life so much better, rather it has made life so much busier. There are social websites galore…you have to belong to many you know. Now some of these sites are even (Klout) tied into your future job prospects! Before Tech reigned supreme…the world had more time, and people were more relaxed.

Adults are not immune either, the world moves at a faster and faster pace, some of this is intended for our ill. To much to do means in many cases God gets left out and Satan wins a victory. Get with God, do it today…right now!

The answer to the pain, the misery, the world’s suffering…all that is wrong. The drugs, the drinking, the anger…the killing and violence. It all has its solution in one place…Jesus Christ.

Read the words to this Skillet song, they are good. Then listen to it…

May God bless you, strengthen you, and give you peace, in Jesus name, Amen

“Looking For Angels”

Going through this life looking for Angels
People passing by, looking for Angels.

Walk this world alone try to stay on my feet

Sometimes crawl, fall, but I stand up cause I’m afraid to sleep
And open my eyes to a new day, with all new problems and all new pain
All the faces are filled with so much anger
Losing our dignity and hope from fear of danger
After all the wars, after settling the scores, at the break of dawn we will be deaf to the answers

There’s so much bigotry, misunderstanding and fear
With eyes squinted and fists clinched we reach out for what is dear
We want it we want
We want a reason to live
We’re on a pilgrimage
A crusade for hope
Cause in our hearts and minds and souls we know

We need it we need
We need more than this

[Chorus:]
Going through this life looking for angels
People passing by looking for angels
Walking down the streets looking for angels
Everyone I meet looking for angels

So many nations with so many hungry people
So many homeless scrounging around for dirty needles
On the rise, teen suicide, when we will realize
we’ve been desensitized by the lies of the world
We’re oppressed and impressed by the greedy
Whose hands squeeze the life out of the needy
When will we learn that wars, threats, and regrets are the cause and effect of living in fear

Who can help protect the innocence of our children
Stolen on the internet with images they can’t forget
We want it we want
We want a reason to live
We represent a generation that wants to turn back a nation
To let love be our light and salvation

We need it we need
We need more than this

[Chorus]

I became a savior to some kids I’ll never meet
Sent a check in the mail to buy them something to eat
What will you do to make a difference, to make a change?

What will you do to help someone along the way?
Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek
Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love’s staring back at me
In the midst of the most painful faces
Angels show up in the strangest of places

[Chorus]

[4x]
Walking down the streets looking for angels
Everyone I meet looking for angels

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Joseph, Jesus, and the Key to Your Choices: Genesis 49:22-26

Make Good Choices Jesus Joseph Genesis 49To see the previous post from Genesis, go to Can God Use a Sinner Like You, or Like Me?

Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel

Genesis 49:22-24

Joseph

Joseph endured a difficult life. Described as “archers” in this passage, Joseph faced arrows of persecution from his own siblings–they plotted to murder him, then they settled for selling him into slavery. So he was separated from his family, while he served as a slave in Egypt. Then he was falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, after which, he was tossed into a dungeon–for years.

In this great new article by Kurt from bennett’s blog, Kurt dives right in on why some of us make wrong choices and what we can do to fix that. We do nor have to continue making poor choices, we can do better!

To finish reading this article, please head over to http://kurtbennettbooks.com/2013/01/12/joseph-jesus-and-the-source-of-power-for-choices-genesis-4922-26/


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Living Water…Drink Deeply

Grant oh Lord a well within
A Living well of abundance
Water with no end

Living water that refreshes
A wellspring that flows forever more
Never to run dry

Bless me oh Lord
Bequeath to me your Spirit
Living within the heart, yet never contained

A spirit guided by the Spirit
Let the Spirit rule over all
Let the flesh be subservient to this Spirit

May the Spirit reign in me
May the water overflow
The Living water into other vessels in need

The Living water flows
Reflecting a light so bright
Dazzling to behold

The brightness of Christ
Yes Christ and no other
Light on a hill

The Spirit guides
The water flows
My spirit knows


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Motion of Mercy…

Francesca Battistelli

I was poor I was weak
I was the definition of the spiritually
Bankrupt condition
So in need of help

I was unsatisfied
Hungry and thirsty
When You rushed to my side
So unworthy
Still You gave yourself away…

That’s the motion of mercy
Changing the way and the why we are
That’s the motion of mercy
Moving my heart

Now I’m filled by a love
That calls me to action
I was empty before now I’m drawn to compassion
And to give myself away

That’s the motion of mercy
Changing the way and the why we are
That’s the motion of mercy
Moving my heart

Living for the lost
Loving ’til it hurts
No matter what the cost
Like You loved me first
That’s the motion of mercy

God give me strength to give something for nothing
I wanna be a glimpse of the Kingdom that’s coming soon

That’s the motion of mercy
Changing the way and the why we are
That’s the motion of mercy
Moving my heart

Living for the lost
Loving ’til it hurts
No matter what the cost
Like You loved me first

That’s the motion of mercy
Moving my heart

To give myself away
To give it all away
That’s the motion of mercy

 


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Rebirthing…

Skillet: Rebirthing

I lie here paralytic, inside this soul
Screaming for you till my throat is numb
I wanna break out I need a way out
I don’t believe that it’s gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting In this womb I’m suffocating

Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I’ve died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Right now
Right now

I lie here lifeless in this cocoon
Shedding my skin cause I’m ready to
I wanna break out, I found a way out
I don’t believe that it’s gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this womb I’m suffocating

Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I’ve died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Tell me when I’m gonna live again
Tell me when I’m gonna breathe you in
Tell me when I’m gonna feel inside
Tell me when I’m gonna feel alive

Tell me when I’m gonna live again
Tell me when this fear will end
Tell me when I’m gonna feel inside
Tell me when I’ll feel alive

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Rebirthing now I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Right now
(I come alive somehow)
Right now
(I come alive somehow)


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Just A Quick Moment For Us To Worship Together

Originally from: Vine of Life News

A stirring song of worship to the Lord, the sax playing is just beautiful…you want to hear this!

IF THIS DOESN’T BRING YOU INTO THE ANOINTING, I DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL! PLEASE, WON’T YOU WORSHIP WITH ME FOR JUST A MOMENT?

ALSO INCLUDES THE SAXOPHONE! POWERFUL! BEAUTIFUL!


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Even If…the Healing Never comes

From: Kutless – Even If

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone

You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise


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DecembeRadio: For Your Glory

DecembeRadio: For Your Glory

Lord, here’s my offering
You are the One that takes what I bring
And somehow uses it
For Your glory, for Your glory

It don’t add up but somehow it’s enough
To lift You up and let the world see
That it’s You, it’s You
The Maker of all, Lord I believe that

It’s You that lives in me
Faithful I will be
And I do everything
For Your glory, for Your glory

Your love is a message that can’t be erased
The cross is a story of mercy and grace
Still brings us together today
For Your glory, for Your glory

Broken, humble we fall at Your feet
Lifting our hands together we sing
To You, to You
The maker of all, King of all kings


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Worship the Lord

In the light of His eyes
Worship begins
In the light of His eyes
Praise rises

The Love of One
Love that matters
The Love of One
Love that never fails

His love we live for
His love He gives freely
His love compares to no other
His love is true
Precious and great

For worship are we made
Worship is our great privilege
Worship of One
Worship of the One who holds life

On my knees to worship Him
To worship my Lord
To praise Him who made me
To lift up the Name

He reigns righteous and true
He resides high above
High in the heavens
Seated on a throne
A throne of glory

He sees all
Yet loves us still
He reigns on high
Yet softens His heart towards us

Riches I would give
Things would I leave
His love is worth more then these

Come to worship
Come to love
Come to Him

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Glory, Praise, and Worship

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Glory to God in the highest at all times, in all places, in all things.
Receive not God’s glory unto yourself, for you are but a servant.

Praise to the One, the One who leads in all things even death.
Jesus commanded many things; He also never failed to practice what He preached.
Jesus purchased life; with His own blood…glory and praise to the King.

Jesus is the Rock, upon which we are enabled to stand.
Jesus is the Great Sheppard, our guide through a life lived in a difficult world.
Take heart, Jesus overcame the world for us.

God our Father hears us, because Jesus asks Him to.
Jesus lives to make intercession for those who follow Him.
While we were yet sinners, Jesus rescued us.

On our knees are we made able to stand.
On our knees we speak and are heard by a Holy and perfect God.
On our knees we gain strength to face the day.

The Word of God is just that: the Words of God.
The Word is living and active, surround yourself with it.
The Word is powerful, avail yourself of its incredible power today.

God over all, the Creator, the Sustainer of all, Giver of life…became a servant.
Likewise do we need to serve and be His servants.

Worship Jesus and no other, give praise and worship to the Lamb who is alone worthy.
Worship not…your money, your family, your possessions, your job…
Worship the Lord; release your idols.

Because of I AM…we are.
Because of the One who is the Way…we can follow.
Because of the One who is Truth…we can know.
Because of the One who is Life…we have life now and forever.

Father bless your children with a love that is on fire for You. May we who are your children also love one another. Help us Lord to serve the Body of Christ in whatever way we are capable of doing. May we honor you in our service to You Lord. Let us not put anything above or before You Lord. Help us in our weakness Father, that You may be glorified by showing your strength through our weakness. Father may You also grant us discernment that we may know what is of You and from You, and what is of ourselves or the world. Lord may all who read this be blessed by these simple words.
In the Great Name of Jesus, Amen.


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His Love Endures Forever

Can we ever give “enough” thanks to the Lord?
Where would we be without Him? True we might have a good life, but what about when we leave this life, what happens then? We certainly would not be living the good life. Even in this life, the presence of Jesus does astounding things for us.
We would not change into the new people we become without God.
There would be no “fruit of the spirit”.
We would not care the way that we do after God gets a hold of us.
We would be living for self without the Lord.
We become so much more because He loved us first
We are loved by the One who created us, and all things around us
We are given eternal life, by the One who suffered for us…as a gift
We are called out of darkness and death, by the same One who defeated darkness and death
We are lifted up high upon our death, without the cross that our Lord had to endure
We are with God when we die, without having to suffer separation from the Father as Jesus did.
We are forgiven
We are loved by the One who is love
We have a Father, and a Brother, and the Holy Spirit
We are given grace, and mercy
We are given rest and peace
We are the children of the Almighty God
Praise His Name, praise His Name always
Thank Him, each day every day

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Seat asunder
His love endures forever.

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.

18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.

20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.

21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.

22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.

24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.

25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

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Worthy is the Lord

On my knees I’ll find the strength

My Lord He will go to any length.

On my knees before Him face to the ground

I will listen to Him expound.

On my knees I ask forgiveness

My sins are redeemed with decisiveness.

On my knees before the throne

Jesus says; I will intercede with the Father, so I may bring you home.

On my knees I ask His will for me

My Father He says follow my Son, and then all will be plain to see.

On my knees I seek His grace

Oh this ability to seek His face.

Oh the beauty of His matchless grace

It abounds all through this place.

For the love of money I will not live

For the love of my Lord, I will give.

This world He created for us to share

In this world we need His care.

Lift up your hands all you people of the Lord, sing to Him, the only One

Worship His great Name

Praise the Father, and Jesus the Son

Blessed be the Lamb, without any blame.

Worthy is He

The One and only

Oh worthy He is

To be His child is just great bliss

In the middle of the storm I will lift up my hands

On bended knee, you will give me the strength to stand.

In the walk of life, I praise your Name

For your glory was I made

I listen when God speaks, for this is no game

I thank my God, for I will not fade.

The Lord I will confess

For me He has chosen to bless.

gth                                                                                                                                                                                                                               3/14/12

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The Joys of Home Maintenance

Today I was home as it is to cold and just plain yucky out there to be working. The weather outside is fine if you work indoors, but a lot of my work is…you guessed it, outside.

So I have this water leaking where the tub wall joins the tub. This is a new tub and walls I installed only a couple years ago, and already I am having problems! Naturally the drywall on the side of the tub is cracked, peeling and has water behind it now, awesome! I do this type of stuff for a living among other things, so I know what I am doing. The problem is where the tub and the tub wall meet, there is a space there so water can drain out. Except that this space continues right to the edge of the tub, not good! So now I have cut out the drywall next to the tub all the way to the floor, and have filled the notch I cut with an adhesive silicone, I also pushed as much silicone into the space between tub and tub wall near the edge of the tub to hopefully seal the space and avoid having the water leak behind the drywall again. Then I will have to finish the drywall yet of course, “sigh”

Our faith is a lot like owning a home. If we don’t maintain our faith, it won’t last! If I didn’t fix the water damage eventually the whole wall would need repairs. In the same way if I don’t keep working on my faith, it will eventually need serious repairs. In our walk with Christ we need to make sure we are doing preventative maintenance; reading the Word, reading devotionals, praying, and worshiping. All these things help to maintain and grow our faith.

It is not always fun to have to do what needs doing. Sometimes I just plain don’t want to read, or pray. But these things are the lifeblood of our faith. We need to feed ourselves on the Word, which in turn keeps our faith strong. Worship is another important piece of our spiritual nourishment. Worship keeps it real, allows us to praise the One who has done so much for us. Worship reminds us Who is important and why. Worship also just plain feels good!

Pick up the Word; sing a song, write a poem, discuss God with someone…feed your soul and nourish your spirit. You need to take care of your home. You also need to take care of your body which is home for now to your spirit. What good does any of that do if you also are not taking care of your spirit?

gth                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1/23/12

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