March 19, 2024

The King Is Among Us

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

All our fathers saw
In the days of old
Would you do it again
Do it again
All the stories told
All the miracles
Would you do it again
Do it again

You said “Consecrate yourselves to Me
And you will see amazing things”

We need Your revival
Holy Spirit fire
Burning ever brighter
In our souls
Kings and kingdoms falling
Hear your people calling
King of Kings we need a miracle

There’s a time to sow
And a time to reap
Would you do it again
Do it again
There’s a time to heal
And a time to build
Would you do it again
Do it again

The King is among us
And His glory surrounds us
And His fire is falling as we sing
The Savior is for us
And His love is victorious
And revival is rising in His name

Elevation Worship
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye, Matt Redman

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Every single word in the Bible is true!  

Every story and every miracle and every word written was given by our Heavenly Father…to you and for you.  How often do you read it?  Is it just a coffee table book that collects dust?  Or is it a memory that you received in fifth grade for Promotion Sunday and you used to read it then (when the teacher called on you).

We are about to step into a new year, friends, and it’s always a time to reflect on what has been and also to move forward with change.  And what better way to start a new year than to begin in His Word? Because He really is among us.  He longs to walk with you daily, into whatever it is that you’re facing.  He longs to give you the peace that you so desperately need and have been longing for.  He wants to give you a hope in His Son, Jesus.  And He wants to save your life.

So as you listen to this song today, I pray that the Spirit moves in your heart.  And that whatever change is needed in your life, that you will allow God to show you and allow Him to help you move forward, leaving all the past exactly where it needs to be—in the past.  I pray that you have a great 2016!   May God bless you and be with you!

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Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to share with these friends every week. I pray that You move in each one of their lives as You see need. Bring them peace and hope and joy. May they walk with You into this great new year and see it as an opportunity to get to know You better. Help us to stay in Your Word and to share it with all who will listen. We love You and we praise You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Give Me Faith

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I need You
To soften my heart and break me apart
I need You
To open my eyes, to see that You’re shaping my life

All I am, I surrender

Give me faith to trust what You say
That You’re good and Your love is great
I’m broken inside, I give You my life

And I may be weak but Your Spirit’s strong in me
My flesh may fail, but my God, You never will

Elevation Worship
Matt Brook, Chris Brown, London Gatch, Wade Joye

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He said to them, “…For truly, I say to you,
if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 ESV

When things are going really well, it is so easy to have faith.  When there’s money in the bank and food in the pantry,  it is easy to believe that God is with you.  But what if things are not so easy?  Jesus tells us that as long as we have faith like a mustard seed then we can tell a mountain to move and it will!  Do you know how small a mustard seed really is?

Sometimes God allows us to go through things so that we can help someone else who is going through the same thing.  In this song it says “…soften my heart, break me apart.”  I wonder if we really mean this…when the only way for this to happen is for us to go through trials of our own!  In those trials, I hear myself saying this,”I need You..to pierce through the dark and cleanse every part of me…all I am…I surrender.”

When we are at our weakest, He is strongest.  When we fail, He never will. We need Him in so many ways and we need to have the faith to believe that He is who He says He is.  That God is great and God is good.  And most of all, He is crazy in love with YOU!

What are you believing Him for today?  Or are you in a place of just trying to find Him and believe Him for something that seems impossible?  Nothing is impossible with God.  Nothing.  Believe in Him and know that He is on your side.  I leave you with one more verse.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

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Dear Lord, You are amazing and awesome.  You promise us that when we call, You will answer.  That no matter how big the problem, Your answer is enough.  Lord, I pray that You comfort those who are hurting today and having a hard time finding You.  Reveal Yourself to them today in special ways that only You can.  And when it is hard, I pray that we remember the words to this song, and pray it to You as a prayer… “Give me faith to trust what You say…You are good and Your love is great. I give You my life.”  In Jesus’ name, amen.

You Reign Alone

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is no one greater than You
All our praise belongs to You
Holy in power
Faithful and true
There is none like You

There is no one stronger than You
Sin forever conquered by You
Fearless in life
Faithful in death
There is none like You

Lord, You reign
You reign alone
Exalted over all the earth enthroned
The majesty and greatness of Your name
Let all creation say ‘Lord, You reign’

There is none more loving than You
Near to all who call out to You
Your mercies anew
You’re faithful and true
There is none like You

No One is higher than
The King above all nations
No one is like You God
The name of Jesus is
Higher than any other
No one is like You God

Written by Wade Joye and London Gatch / Elevation Worship

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I love singing Scripture and this song is full of Scripture!   The writers used Psalm 96 as their inspiration, and here are just a few other verses that declare the character and greatness of God.

There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might.
Jeremiah 10:6

Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
Psalm 77:3

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.
Psalm 47:2

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them
because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—
and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.
Revelation 17:14

As I sang this song and meditated on it, I kept coming back to the words “You reign alone.” As a verb, ‘reign’ refers to holding a royal office, to be sovereign, to rule.  As a noun, ‘reign’ refers to the period of time during which a sovereign rules.

The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
Psalms 93:1-2

In this Scripture (one of many), it is confirmed both that our Lord is reigning now, He is sovereign, AND His reign is forever.  For me (and I hope for you) that establishes an assurance in my heart that I am safe, cared for, and secure.  In a home where neither parent assumes responsibility to be head of the household, the children feel insecure and even unloved.  For us, as children of God, we never have to feel that way.  God reigns, He has always reigned, and He has taken responsibility to make sure that we are secure and loved through the sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. Ladies, we don’t need to look to anyone else or anything else for this security and love.

For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
Psalm 86:10

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this:
‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.
Mark 12:29

God alone (Who needs no help from anyone or anything else) rules and reigns.  He is quite capable of and wanting very much to take care of us.  Our God is faithful and true, loving and merciful, holy and just, strong and majestic!  This great God, Who reigns alone in all the universe, loves you and me.  There is definitely no one like our God.  Please join me today in singing to and worshiping our Sovereign Lord and King!

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.
They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong
to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
Revelation 5:13

AMEN!

Mighty Warrior

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You call us out from the depths
Into Your freedom
Our chains are gone
No weapon formed shall prevail
Your Word is stronger
We overcome

Your glory resounds through the age
All saints declaring
Your great renown
Your Kingdom forever will stand
We won’t be shaken
We will not fear

Our God a mighty warrior
You’re a consuming fire
In victory You reign
We triumph in Your name
Jesus the great commander
You conquered death forever
In victory You reign
We triumph in Your name

And we declare Your name is power
Exalted One, no name is higher
You stand alone our Strong Defender
Above You there’s no other, above You there’s no other

Jesus the great Commander
You conquered death forever
In victory You reign
We triumph in Your name

Songwriters: Chris Brown, Jane Williams, Matthews Ntlele
Performed by Elevation Worship

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Is there anything that can destroy us if we are His children? As you listen to this song, I hope you are reminded that nothing is impossible for Him and there isn’t anything that is more powerful than our God.
There is freedom in His Name and chains are broken and we are victorious over anything that attempts to destroy us. Because He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and to redeem us and restore us, we will forever live with Him in His home, Heaven.
We won’t be shaken, we will not fear, for nothing can ever separate us from Him. No weapon can be formed against us. Forever we will be free. Our God is to be exalted in the Heavens and the earth, now and forever more. He is to be praised and worshipped and loved by His children. We are to spread His hope to this dying world. He alone is our Joy and our Hope. He is our Rock and He never changes.
Oh friend, I pray today that you know Him. I pray today that you can rest in Him. Get into His Word and hear all He has for you—all His promises and blessings that are yours. And if you don’t know Him, reach out today. Your life will never be the same!

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Let us pray: Dearest Lord, we praise You and we love You. We thank You for being our Rock. You are our Provider. You give us joy and peace and make our lives here on earth so much more fulfilled. All around us are Your wonders and Your artwork. Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us and restore us. Thank You for breaking chains and giving us freedom in Your Name. Your Word is our shield and our hope. We can do anything with You as our God. Thank You for songs like this, that remind us of Your character. You give each one of us a way to glorify You. Help us to use it for Your glory. Give us courage to spread the hope of You to this world, for it’s in Your son’s name we pray, amen.

 

Give Me Faith

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I need You to soften my heart
to break me apart
I need You to open my eyes
to see that You’re shaping my life

All I am I surrender

Give me faith to trust what You say
that You’re good and Your love is great
I’m broken inside, I give You my life

I need You to soften my heart
to break me apart
I need You to pierce through the dark
and cleanse every part of me

I may be weak
but Your spirit’s strong in me
My flesh may fail
My God, You never will

Songwriters: Matt Brock, Chris Brown, London Gatch, Wade Joye
Performed by Elevation Worship

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My prayer through an extremely hard time was this Bible verse, ”I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 ).  This world can be full of so much pain and heartache! And, even though we know God is good and all He gives is good, there are times when we would love to change the details of our lives.  Sometimes we think we know what is best!  And, for a minute, we forget that He loves us so much and only wants what is best for us.  We really don’t know what is best….

This song is my own personal prayer to Him.  When my heart hardens to the world and those who are suffering, I need Him to break it for what breaks His.  A softened heart and a clean heart are what we desire and only God can change our hearts.  There are times when He needs to open our eyes to what HE is doing in our lives and through our trials.  He is shaping our lives as the Potter does to the clay.  All that we go through and endure is forming who we are.  We gain strength and endurance, peace that passes all understanding, and patience when we walk with Him and trust Him in the midst of all that we don’t understand.

The chorus speaks volumes—“All I am. I surrender.  Give me faith to trust what You say, that You’re good and Your love is great.  I’m broken inside, I give You my life.”  Do you trust Him with your life?  He created you and knows you more than you know yourself.  You must trust the God who loves you unconditionally. And when we are broken inside, the only way to make it through is to give Him your whole life.  You cannot do this on your own. We were created to need Him and to have a relationship with Him. You may be weak but He is strong.  You may fail but He will never fail you.

Let this song be your prayer today as well.  We will all be praying it together!  And all God’s people say… AMEN!!

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Let us pray; Oh dear God, You are our Stronghold, our Portion.  You are our Strength.   You change our hearts and our lives.  We thank You for loving us so much and for the grace You so freely give.  Lord, I pray that You open our eyes to what You have for us to do and that You will break us so that You can penetrate the cracks in our souls. And when we fail, Lord, You pick us back up and give us the strength to endure. We love You and worship You.  In Jesus’ name, amen!