Posts Tagged ‘ Worship ’
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:3-4, ESV
True life is found in the love of God.
Give God the Father thanks and praise for sharing His love through the vicarious death of His Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:13 ESV
We must always – ALWAYS – remember to thank God and give Him praise for all He has done and is doing and will do.
In fact, get in the habit of thanking God before asking God.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3 John 1:2, ESV
We should encourage each other and lift each other up.
Especially, we should encourage each other to strengthen our souls through reading Scripture, prayer, and communal worship.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42:11, ESV
Praising God is the best way to get out of a funk of depression, worry/anxiety, confusion, and fear.
Hope in God, your salvation.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:13-14, ESV
Do not despise your appearance or your inability to do something.
God made you! No one else could, and He has a purpose for you!
Praise Him for who you are in Him, or stay stuck in the bitterness of this world.
Instead of my poetry, as I have done in the past, I am posting a music video, as I have done, with some commentary, as I have done, and a response to what others have said … which I have not done as much, at least in the way I am today!
I know I am far from alone in greatly enjoying worshiping God through song. I can be picky with what I like – such that I do not always care for some modern church songs, especially if they fall under the “Jesus is my Girlfriend” type music, but not necessarily … – but I am also willing to give songs a chance, especially in certain contexts.
As an example, I have a concern with Hillsong music. The majority of the concern is that the leadership at Hillsong Churches tend to have questionable theology. That being said, I think the music that comes out of the various incarnations of Hillsong bands can be excellent.
One of my recent favorites is “What a Beautiful Name” from Hillsong Worship. Naturally, there has been some controversy. This article sums it up nicely, but it is about John Piper’s response to the song.
More specifically, it is John Piper’s response to the response of the band at church.
Even more specifically, they take issue with the line in the second verse, “You didn’t want heaven without us, So, Jesus, you brought heaven down.”
The concern centers on whether this lyric is too person-centric rather than Christ-centric.
I think there is good reason for this, however, I think a simple introduction to the song could deal with any possible confusion quite easily. If I were the pastor or music leader, I might say something like this:
God is mighty, powerful, and independent. He has no need for others, as He has perfect community and relationship within the Trinity. And God is love (1 John 4:8), therefore He desires others with whom to share that love. It is not out of a need, but a loving desire to create and share that God made humanity. And even though we have done everything in our power to push Him away, God still desired intimacy with us. Therefore, God did the impossible, and He brought heaven – He brought Himself – down to us.
Confusion gone. And the people are given a beautiful expression of God’s love for sinful people.
My favorite part comes in the official lyric video. Immediately after the bridge, to be precise.
Throughout the video, the lyrics appear to be displayed from a rear-projected light. It is how this is done that gets me excited, as throughout much of the song “JESUS” is lit up, slightly translucent, behind the lyrics.
My absolute favorite part, though, is as the bridge comes to an end, and with the lyric “What a powerful Name it is” the Name “JESUS” suddenly bursts in behind as the music reaches a crescendo.
I know “JESUS” is coming, and as I get to sing “What a powerful Name it is.” The song building to this point reminds me of promise of His return.
His Name appeared in the song, and then it went away.
And then, BAM! BACK! And always behind the worship!
It is just like awaiting the full return of Christ. This event is something we have a vague understanding of, something we can see only slightly in the world today through His Church. And as the things in this world progress, and His Name is shared throughout the world, at a moment which is coming soon, He will appear in glory and power and we will be amazed and worship Him!
Sorry for that run-on sentence, but I got excited!
How can we not when thinking of Christ’s return!
I could talk about so much more in this song, but I think I have gone on enough already. Therefore, I have a hope that you enjoy the song, especially as you anticipate His coming!
You were the Word at the beginning
One With God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our ChristWhat a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my KingWhat a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of JesusYou didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us nowWhat a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my KingWhat a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of JesusHow sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life againYou have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all namesWhat a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my KingWhat a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of JesusYou have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all namesWhat a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my KingWhat a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of JesusWhat a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Find wisdom in everything, and get a head start at Proverbial Thought!
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11, ESVRejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
These are basically the inspiration for today’s poem. Therefore, as Casting Crowns says, will you praise Him in the storm? Will you praise Him when life is good? Will you praise Him when life is “okay”?
in everything (praise Him)
sometimes life is difficult
sometimes our plans all fail
yet i will say in everything
to praise Him Who prevailed
sometimes things do not work out
sometimes things are amazing
but i have learned the joy
of praising Him in everything
sometimes we do not want to praise Him
sometimes praise is all we think
in everything i now know
i need to give praise to my King
If the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, learn some basics at Proverbial Thought!
Call me a conservative Christian, even olde fashioned, but I greatly enjoy hymns. I think much of the greater evangelical church has lost or given up on a great link to our historical and theological past by neglecting the inclusion of hymns from weekly services.
I know. Many churches still play some hymns, and many play updated hymns from modern pop and rock bands.
In fact, today I offer a hymn done by one of those modern rock bands. Fortunately for us, they did little to it!
I will not waste any more time by explaining it. Just listen to the goodness!
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the Royal Diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Bringing forth the Royal Diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
You are Lord of all!
You are Lord of all!
Let every kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
And crown Him Lord of all!
And crown Him Lord of all!
Hear the voice of wisdom through the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!
There is no better reminder for the coming year than to seek first the Lord our God and worship Him alone.
You have probably heard the Christmas carol “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” … and many times in the past few weeks.
I have also heard teachings that, because they do not get to experience redemption as humans do, angels do not sing, and this is based on no biblical references to angels actually singing.
Regardless, there are many references to the redeemed of the Lord singing His praises.
Can you hear the music?
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” SelahCome and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. SelahBless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard
Psalm 66:1-8, ESV
Hear the music?
Giving yourself over to Jesus Christ
Ushers you into the symphony of life.
Jesus is the Perfect Note of this song,
Beginning the song and moving it along.
Those who believe and call on His Name
Hear His Note and help Him sing.
Are you able to hear the music?
Have you stepped away and need to come back?
Remember that as we sing this medley
It is a love song for eternity.
It is God singing His love for us,
And our harmonizing as a chorus,
To return that love He lavishes
By raising up our once quiet voices.
Do you hear the music of heaven?
Do you hear the voices of the repentant?
It is the outcry of broken hearts,
Of people ripping there lives apart
To clean out anything that could hinder
The notes we sing to our Father.
Tune into the heavenly song,
Sung by all those who now belong
To the Father through Jesus Christ.
Hear His music that transcends time,
His music that goes beyond Creation,
That causes death and reconstruction.
Do you hear the music playing?
Do you hear the voices singing?
Add your life to this masterpiece,
Led by the Master of true peace.
Join in with the Chorus of the Saints
Giving our Lord our utmost praise.
Here the call of wisdom and find some insight at Proverbial Thought!
This is not a poem so much as an exclamation. It is very free-verse-y … or something.
It is based on a combination of how excited I find myself getting during singing in church services … or in the car while listening to worship-full music … or just about anywhere, really … and this little passage found in 2 Samuel 6 (verses 16-22, NIV):
As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
When i sing for God
i sing as loud as i can
so that my Father hears me.
If i am not the loudest
…
i am still on the loudest team!
a simple man of God 