Who will be our next president?  I don't know.  But I do know who will be my God.  That is enough for me.

For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

We can all get wrapped up in what's happening in our country.  We can worry about who the president will be.  We can worry about where our country (or world) is headed.  We can worry about the evil that has been and will be committed.   We can worry about the effect on our children.  The list can go on and on.  

I have a choice.  Let the worry of events I can't control drive me.  Or let a faith and trust in the One True God move me. 

I am doing my utmost not to be overly concerned with the things of the world.  (But I am human, so it does creep in!)  I'm trying to be more concerned about what will last for eternity.  I'd like to focus less on the poor behaviors of people and more on the fact that they may not know Jesus.  He is the true way of transformation.  He is the One True God.  He is the one who provides true life.

Jesus: I give my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them from my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me is greater than all.  No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  I and the Father are one. (John 10:28-30)

worship Him 24/7...
scott

PS - Ponder this as you listen to One True God by Steven Curtis Chapman and Chris Tomlin.

One True God lyrics

One voice in the dark
A song that lights up the stars
One breath that gives life
One sovereign in power
Who speaks with thunder and fire
One Lord, one King
There is no other that can compare to You

You are
The One alone in greatness
The One who never changes
Jesus, You are
The One who rose in power
The One who reigns forever
Jesus, the One true God

One man on a cross
One light of the world
One Name, one Word
One Way to be saved
One Lamb that was slain
One Love above all
There is no other that can compare to You

We have seen the glory of
The One and only Son of God
Yes, we have seen the glory
The One and only Son of God

There is so much discord around us. Transgender bathroom issues.  LGBT.  ISIS attacks.  Concerns of Islam.  Election woes.  As a result, there are many many worried, anxious, concerned people. 

I'd lie if I said I have no concerns or worries.  I have two small boys.  However, seeing the distraught nature of people, many of which are born again Christians, believers in Jesus Christ, my concern often flows in a different direction.   The attention of so many seems to lead towards fixing the establishment government and working to construct laws to curb evil.  Allow me to be clear: I believe these are good things.  And I applaud those believers who work in such a capacity to see them happen.  But, hear is the direction of my concern...

Many good, well intentioned, Bible believing, born again Christians have their focus on attempting to "fix" what can never be fixed.   Never by this particular means at which they attempt.  And in the result may not be spending time and energy pouring into what I believe, correction, what I know is the only real "fix".  Evil man will always be evil without the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is only ONE way in which evil will be curbed.  Salvation in Jesus Christ.

It is only in God whom I place my trust. He is my hope. My only hope.

He alone is my Rock and my Salvation.  He is my Fortress.  I will never be shaken.  My salvation and honor depend on God. He is my mighty Rock, my Refuge.  So, trust in Him at ALL times, people!  Pour out your hearts to Him.  For God is our Refuge. (Psalm 62:6-8)

We carry HIS name.  That is the only hope for us. And for the world at discord around us.  And rest assured... My God will finish what he began in Jesus Christ.  The world will come to salvation or be reckoned with my Almighty God.  But I am not the Reckoner.  I am the carrier of HIS name.  That is my mission.  It's the only mission he gave all of us who call on Jesus Christ.  In Him alone I will trust. 

worship Him 24/7...
Scott

The song below is In God We Trust by Hillsong worship.  Lyrics follow.  

lyrics for In God We Trust

Overwhelmed but I won’t break
Through the battle I will say
Your grace will be enough
Your grace will be enough

Under fire but we won’t fall
We will never be alone
You’ll always be enough
You’ll always be enough

Now in God we trust
In His Name we hope
I know God will not be shaken
God is here with us
He’s already won
I know God will not be shaken

We will follow where You go
We will trust through the unknown
I know You go before
I know You go before

Lead my heart now in Your ways
For we’re carrying Your Name
Your promise never fails
Your promise never fails

You finish what You begun
Forever strong in Your love
Your Name is sure
And You will fight for us
Our hope forever secure
In You alone

Louisa Stead's husband tragically drowned in front of her very own eyes.  Her response was "'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus."

It can be easy to love Jesus when life is good.  It can be difficult to love Jesus when life is not.  Yet, for many, many people, myself included, Jesus is the brother, friend, and savior that holds them through those difficult times.  The same was true for Louisa.

Louisa, her husband, and their daughter, Lily went to the seaside to enjoy a family picnic.  While picnicking, there was a boy struggling in the current.  He began to drown.  Louisa's husband rushed out into the surf to save the boy.  As the rescue was attempted, he was pulled down by the struggling boy.  Both died.  With wife and daughter watching horrified.

Yet,still and always... it is "sweet to trust in Jesus.  Just to take him at his word.  Just to rest upon His promise.  Just to know... thus saith the Lord."  

Louisa and Lily were nearly destitute.  Their husband and father was gone. Trusting in the Lord, food was provided by those hearing of the story.   Their hope was in Christ.  Their hope was in his provision and ultimately his salvation. And he saved.  She knew well the words of Jesus... "Trust in God.  Trust also in me." (John 14:1)

"How sweet to trust in Jesus.  Just to trust His cleansing blood.  Just in simple faith to plunge me 'neath the healing cleansing flood!"

In the struggle she asked why.  Why did this happen to me?  But in the struggle of her own soul she penned these meaningful words.

"I'm so glad I learned to trust him, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend.  And I know that he is with me.  He will be with me to the end." 

Mother and daughter then left the United States to tell others of Christ is Africa.   Life continued for them.  She found love and married again.  Life was full again.  Not without sorrow.  But trusting in Jesus.  Because Jesus proved himself in her life again and again... I am here. 

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!  Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!  O for grace to trust him more!"

worship him 24/7...
scott

PS - Check out the clip below of Casting Crowns' 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.  Louisa wrote into the song the name of Jesus 25 times.  It is not about us.  It is all about him. 

When was the last time you ate an old steak that has been sitting around in your fridge for a year?  I'd throw it out and start fresh.  We need to do the same with our worship repertoire.

Why It's Important.
You can check out my previous three posts about worship repertoire!  We need to keep our hearts fresh with new songs, yet not overload our overall worship repertoire.  We also need to stay current to allow for fresh people and a fresh movement in our church settings.

It's Not About When the Music Was Written.
When we say we need to take out the old to make room for the new, we are not talking about chopping out all the hymns.  We could be chopping out the more modern songs.   This is about taking out songs that are "feeling" old.   Why would you keep a song around in your repertoire that people aren't engaging with?  It's like eating a year old steak.  Why not start fresh?   

New Music That Doesn't Work.
There is no shame in removing new music from your repertoire that isn't working.  (Check out the post on new music to have a better concept of this area.)    When you first introduce a new song, please keep in mind that people will most likely not engage right away.  They need to learn it first.  This takes 4-5 times for most people.  So don't give up on a new song.  Stick to the process of frequency for new songs on that previous post.   

However, once a song has been done 4-5 times and it still isn't gaining any traction, take it out of the repertoire.  There is no point to using a song that you like if people aren't engaging.   This brings up an important note: Be careful choosing your songs.  It is NOT healthy for a church to have lots of new songs that are only being done 4-5 times without having songs stick around for a while.  A good new song should stick around in your repertoire for a few years. 

Older Music that Doesn't Work.
There may be songs which the church really gravitated towards and worship well with that have lost their punch.  Don't keep a song around simply because it once worked or because you or a few people still like the song.  Use it at home in your own worship.  But remove it from the church's repertoire.   Keep music in the repertoire that works for the mass, not the few. 

Struggling with those Hymns.
No need to struggle!  Treat the hymns and older songs like new songs.  You may be in a church like mine which loves hymns yet loves the new stuff.  Don't feel like you need to keep hymns around forever.  Treat them like the newer songs.  When they get stale, take them out.  If they aren't stale, keep them.  And keep in mind that there's no reason why a hymn can't be brought back a few years later as a "new" song.   Just remember to treat it as a "new" song for all those newer people (and for the older ones who forget)!  

When to Remove Repertoire.
This depends on your worship department.  Some churches remove repertoire once every few years. Some churches remove repertoire every month.   Ideally, removing repertoire every 3-6 months would be best.   If you wait too long, the overall repertoire gets too big, which was addressed on a previous posting.  If you do it too often you may remove songs which need some time to breathe and in doing so remove a song prematurely.  

Bottom Line: Keep your worship repertoire fresh.  Know your church.  Rely on your team for thoughts: worship team members, speakers, senior pastor, congregants.   Most importantly, use what you can to see Jesus lifted up (Romans 1:16)!   It's not about the song.  It's about Him!

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Special Note to Worship Pastors or Worship Leaders (whoever has final say on the repertoire):
You will always be told opinions.  People will always have preferences.  Including yourself.  Pray God would help you to use these as tools to make a decision, and go straight towards it.  Then keep going.  Otherwise you will get side tracked by people's preferences.   One sad fact remains as leader: You can not make everyone happy.   But you can make God happy.  He already IS happy with you if you know Christ!   So pick a direction for your repertoire with his discernment and the discernment of those on your team and go!

Hymns are great.  The new stuff is great too.   Of course, they both lack greatness too.  Just depends on which particular song you get.  What's the saying?  There are bad lemons in every bunch?

Since before I began leading worship (which is now closing in on 20 years) I have heard it all...
"But the doctrine is in the hymns!"
"But the power is in the new songs!"
"But the new stuff is so repetitive!"
"But the hymns are so boring!"
It goes on and on and on.  And on.  I suspect that I'll still hear much of these rumblings til I'm dead and gone and in heaven.  Where the simple fact is... no one is going to care. 

Heavenly Worship.
I'll say it again... When you are in heaven you will not care what type of music you sing.  

Why?  Because it will all be for HIS glory.  Not yours.   Ironically enough... just like it is here on earth.  Some of you just haven't accepted that yet.   Old songs, new songs... they are all meant for HIS Glory.  Not yours.  If your love for the Lord is genuine and deep it should override any preference you have, because WHENEVER you hear ANYONE sing praise to Jesus with ANY SONG, you can't but help singing out as well!

Okay.   Now that I've put that out there...  Get ready for your mind to be blown.

A new song IS a hymn.   Boom.   WHAAAA?!?    Yup.  

New Songs Are Hymns.
A new song is a hymn.  "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." (Psalm 40:3)  In fact, every song that is a song of faith sung in praise about God or to God is a hymn.  That is the definition of a hymn.  So they are ALL hymns.   And as you've seen in the previous post on "new songs", every song should be a new song.  Why?  Because every time you sing any song you should sing it from a new fresh place because of your overflowing love for God.  So it doesn't matter if it's Amazing Grace or How Great is Our God, which you've sung both 64+ times, both are hymns and both should be sung as new songs with a fresh love for Jesus.  

It has been my prayer for years that people would get this.  Unfortunately in our humanness we like our preferences.  Unfortunately we have students in seminaries being taught by professors who aren't leading churches, knowing next to nothing about music, that are being told that hymns are good and the new stuff is just okay or even bad.  Unfortunately we have people who don't like to be still and have a healthy fear of the Almighty God that don't get hymns.  Unfortunately we have people who don't want intimacy and don't want to tap into their God-given, God-reflected emotions that don't get the new stuff. 

We Need to Stop Dividing Our Worship.
Can't escape these facts:  There are good hymns.  There are bad hymns.  There are good new songs.  There are bad new songs.  Hymns have doctrine.  New songs have doctrine.  Some hymns don't.  Some new songs don't.  Some hymns are emotional.  Some new songs are emotional.  Whether it is a Gregorian chant, an old traditional bar song hymn, an early 20th century hymn, a praise song from the 70's and 80's, a modern worship song, or even an ancient psalm from King Dave, they are ALL songs of praise.  Understand this.

We need to stop dividing our worship.  Yes, worship leaders... if you are in a church with a population that enjoys hymns and WORSHIPS with hymns (not just sings through them) then use them!   Use what they engage with!   For those of you hymn lovers who can't stand the newer music, get over it.  They are here to stay.  And they have doctrine and power in them too.  Whichever camp you are in, I urge you to be in God's camp.   And He is far more concerned about what is in YOUR HEART and coming from it than the period or genre of the song.  He is also far more concerned about the church being UNIFIED than your personal preferences.  Honor each other.  Honor Jesus' prayer of unity in the garden. 

Diversify Styles as Needed.
Know what your church worships well with and use it.   We contemporize "hymns".  We also simplify "new songs" with piano or guitar.  We have "new songs" which feel like "hymns".  We now have "hymns" that feel more like "new songs". When you add new repertoire, consider adding an older hymn!

Mix up your worship repertoire.  Use what works for the church, not what works for yourself.  Then engage and lead well. 

worship Him 24/7...
scott

New music.  For some in the church it keeps them fresh.  Keeps them singing.  For others it is a struggle.  They don't understand the need.  It keeps them from singing.

Why We Use New Songs.
Let's put it to rest... Singing new songs of worship is biblical.  More than that... singing songs that come only from your soul are biblical too.  (Ie. spontaneous worship from your soul that no one else might be able to follow.)  David sees the joy of being rescued by the Lord and declares in Psalm 40:3, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."   Psalm 96:1 commands, "Sing to the Lord a new song.  Sing to the Lord all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name!"   New songs show a fresh love for God. 

New songs also allow newer believers (and even true seekers) to relate and integrate into our worship since newer music is more similar to what is in the culture of the world.  (Note: We are not OF this world, but we are IN it.  We can use that for godly purposes like Paul did as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.)  New songs allow newer people to feel they are on an even playing field with people who have been in the church for decades and know all the other music. 

Check out this excerpt from gotquestions.org:

Spiritual Songs & New Songs.
The term spiritual songs can have a wider meaning. A “spiritual song” could refer to any song with a spiritual theme, such as a modern praise chorus or a song of personal testimony. A spiritual song might express the joy of one’s salvation, revel in the grace of Christ, exalt the greatness and power of God—in short, a spiritual song can communicate a wide variety of sacred themes. A spiritual song could also be what Scripture elsewhere calls a “new song.” From Psalms to Revelation, the Bible encourages us to “sing a new song to the Lord” (Psalm 96:1; 144:9; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; 14:3). Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

A new song is one that arises from the spirit of a person whose heart overflows with adoration for God. Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians about music is preceded by the command to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). When we are filled with the Spirit, then psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are the natural expression of our hearts. A Spirit-filled person is a singing person. One clear indication that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit is a natural desire to sing and praise God. Musical ability has little to do with it. God created us to find great spiritual expression through music (Psalm 135:3; Judges 5:3). Scripture is filled with music, and God delights when we use what He created to worship Him (Deuteronomy 31:19; Psalm 33:2; 149:3).   [end excerpt]

Choosing New Music.
Select new music because, first and foremost, it contains the truth of God.  Then consider how catchy and singable it is, how it fits within the church, and how it fits within the current repertoire.  We had to add missional songs, because we had but a few.  And we are a "missional" church, so our songs need to reflect that!  We recently have been adding more upbeat songs because we noticed we were lacking in that area.  So balance out your repertoire with new songs. 

Rate of Learning New Music.
Keep in mind that for every one time a congregant sings a song in church the worship team has heard the recording a few times, practiced at home a few times (hopefully), practiced with the team a few times, and played and sung through the song a few times on Sunday morning.   So for every 9-12 times the worship team members has used a song, the congregation may have used it once.  By the time the team has used the song 50 times the congregation has only sung it 4-5 times!  They have only just learned it and are beginning to worship with it freely when the worship team begins feeling like the song is "old".  Worship team: dig into those lyrics and keep the song fresh for the Lord!  Even songs that have been sung 50 times need to come from a fresh place as a "new song from your mouth". 

Never use more than two brand new songs in one service.  And try avoiding using both a new song and a song for only it's second time in the same service.  It's too much for the average person to learn.  As a result, mathematically, you'll see that this works out to not having more than 26 new songs each year.   Even churches like Hillsong (who are big "worshiping" churches) don't use more than 26 new songs a year.   Most churches would be better using 12-20 new songs a year. 

Utilizing New Music.
Tie the first time use of a song to the start of a series or a special Sunday.  This helps to make it special and create a memory for the song.  To help the church learn a new song, don't use it once and wait too long to come back to it.  Some leaders introduce a new song and don't use it again for a few months.  People will never learn it that way and as a result won't worship with it.

Use a new song at least 2 Sundays in a row and frequently the first 2 months.  Our worship department follows a general guideline for new songs: Use it week one, week two, then week three and a couple more times within the next month.  This way the congregation hears the song about 5 times in two months.  It greatly increases the chances of them learning the song.  Which increases the chance that they can freely worship with it. 

When introducing a new song, TEACH IT!    Don't just sing it.  There's nothing wrong with letting people know it is a new song.  Sing the chorus once for them.  Then have them join you.  Then add a bridge.  Stop and start.  Encourage them.  It's church.  Not a concert.  Teach them.  We often do this for a new song as a prelude, then use the song in it's entirety later in that service.  When we use the new song in the service, we put a very well known song next to it. 

We also post a YouTube link of every new song to our church Facebook page the week before we use first use it so everyone in the church has the opportunity to hear it at home.  I use this blog to do the same thing. 

Be on the Same Page.
If you have multiple worship leaders, do your utmost to have each worship leader agree to use the song or it won't be used well by everyone and therefore the church may not worship with it well.   As leaders, the worship team needs to worship with the song themselves!  If they don't, they cannot lead.  As I say to my team... You cannot lead someone to a place you have not been yourself.  This goes for new and newer songs.

Bottom Line: New songs are good to use.  They are even biblical.   Choose them and utilize them strategically so your church can worship well!

worship Him 24/7...
scott

25 songs.  75 songs.  150 songs.  300 songs.   How many songs do you know really well?  If you were to turn on the radio and hear only the songs you could sing very well, nearly memorized, how many songs would that be?  

This is your personal repertoire.  It is a stock list of songs which you know internally.  Songs which live in you. Songs that you can sing and connect with from a real place in your heart.  Songs you could sing with spirit and with truth (John 4:24). 

So, let's talk about repertoire.   For those of you in a worship team or department use these posts to consider why you do what you do.  For those of you who are not leading worship, here's some info that might help understand why those people on stage do what they do!  Today, we will start with a big issue for many churches and worship departments: the number of songs in our repertoire. 

Why it's Important.
Too many songs in the repertoire make it difficult for the congregation to worship. 

Size of Repertoire.
The size of your repertoire is dependent upon how often you use the music.  And that is dependent on how many songs you sing on a normal Sunday.   A church which uses 3 songs (12-15 min) each week will have a very small repertoire compared to a church that uses 8 songs (35-40 min) each week.  Take your average number of songs per week and multiply it by 12.  A church with 3 songs a Sunday would benefit with a repertoire of 30-40 songs.  A church with 8 songs each week would be around 90-100 songs.   It's would be a general rule because...

This depends on a few factors. If yours is a "worshiping church" which is very engaged you could possibly have more songs.  If the church struggles to engage, decrease the repertoire.  If the church has established songs which have been around for decades and every one knows you could have a bigger repertoire.  But keep in mind that it can discourage newer people, who do not know the music, which eventually will cause the worship and the church to fade away.  

At our church, we normally have 6 songs (24-30 min) each week.  This would put us at 70-80 songs.  That's the ideal.  We also have many older hymns and worship songs which the current congregation knows very well, so we've kept our range higher at the moment... 105-115 songs.   This has been a big change for us.  Prior to my arrival the repertoire was at 300 songs.  Many people did not know the music and as a result worship engagement was low. 

Bottom line: a repertoire that is too big or too small can negatively impact your church's corporate worship time.  If they don't know the music well, worship is difficult.

Frequency of Repertoire. 
An average song for an average person would take 4-5 uses in order to really learn the song. (We will talk about this more in our next post on new songs.)  Considering this, the average person will not be able to freely worship with a decent amount of music over a long period of time unless they use it frequently enough.  (Obviously a song like Amazing Grace would be an exception for many if they lived and breathed it for many years.  But most songs are not like Amazing Grace!) 

Keeping this in mind, you want to aim at having each song in your repertoire sung 4-5 times in a given year to keep it on their personal internal repertoire.  (New songs will need to be used more often.  See the next post.)  Take your repertoire size, multiply it by 50 weeks out of a year (Sundays like Christmas that use special songs get a pass) then divide it by the number of songs in your repertoire.   For example... a church with 6 songs each week times 50 weeks would have 300 song slots.  Divide that by a repertoire of 75 and you get 4.  That is a healthy frequency number for songs (4-5 times a year).   A less healthy example would be a church with a 300 song repertoire with 6 songs per week.  That only allows each song to be sung once a year.  This would frustrate many in the worship setting.

Big Point.
Know your church.  These numbers are great guidelines.  But... You need to know your church.  Talk to people.  Find out if they feel they know most of the songs on a given Sunday.  Notice whether they are engaged or not.   As worship departments, know your church.  Be more concerned about their worship than getting excited about what you want to do.  We are here to minister to God and to them!

All this helps people to worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH (John 4:24).  Rather than trying to struggle learning or remembering how a song goes!

worship Him 24/7...
scott

PS - For those of you who may say, "I don't want to sing the same music again," remember this... day and night they never stop singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Revelation 4:8).

Seriousness isn't a fruit of the Spirit, but joy is.

This past week many of our worship team (and church) went to see Rend Collective.   What a worship night it was.   During the evening, Chris Llewellyn, the lead vocalist, made this comment: Seriousness isn't a fruit of the Spirit, but joy is. 

Let that sink deep in your heart.

Rend Collective had fun that night.  And as a result, we had fun.  The place was filled with great joy, because they were filled with joy... for HIM.  And pointing us to HIM.  Not a "happy go lucky, no cares" joy.  A real joy.  Pointed entirely at Jesus and the freedom he gives all of us.  So the room was filled with jumping and clapping and crying and singing and shouting and praising and surrendering... all in joy.  The band takes their calling very seriously and please do not mistake me... there were some very "deep" and "serious" moments.  But the seriousness came from the truth of a word or the truth of where we stood in a particular moment with the Lord.  But seriousness did not reign the night.  Joy did.   Because that's what Jesus provides.  It's what he calls us to: joy.

Not seriousness.   How can I say that?

Because the fruit of the spirit are listed in scripture (Galatians 5:22-25).   The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

Joy!  Not seriousness. 

Yes, there is a passage in Titus 2:7 which says we are to teach the Word with integrity and seriousness.  If you look at the actual Greek word, you'll see that "seriousness" is more accurately translated as "dignity" or "honor".   It's about giving great importance to the Word and exalting it above other things.    It's a tad different than what we think of as "serious", which often is given the synonyms of stern, grave, somber, dour, grim, humorless.  A quick search of the word "serious" uncovers only 4 uses of the word in the New Testament.  Yet the word "joy" appears 59 times. 

Again, don't mistake me.  There are times for serious.  But too often are our lives defined by it.  That is NOT who we are!   It's not why Jesus died!  He died to give us JOY!

Live and worship in joy!   ENJOY life.   Throw some big glowing balls out into the crowd of your life and put on your panda head for no good reason other to have fun, because life in Jesus is FUN! (You Rend Collective fans out there will understand the references!) 

worship Him 24/7...
scott

PS - Any worship team members out there... don't forget this: Your visage on the platform leads people.  If you are serious, those you lead are more apt to be in worship.  If you are filled with joy, those you lead are more apt to be in worship.

Get out there and have some fun!

Check out this song by Rend Collective... Joy of the Lord.

So many of us spend so much of our lives looking for love.   Even when we think we've found it here on this earth, we eventually still continue looking for it.  High divorce rates can attest to that.    What so many don't realize is... the love your soul is truly looking for will never be found on this earth.

At least not in the way we look for it.

I have a beautiful wife and two great kids.  I have a family who loves me.  I have friends who love me.  I have people in my life who would give much in their love for me.  If you have this, never take it for granted.  It is a gift.   But remember... all of it can be fleeting.  People come and go.  People move.  People pass away.   But there is one who will always remain. 

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39)

Pour your heart, your love, into people.  Yes.  We are called to do that.  But never forget that there is one whose love has always been offered to you and while you draw breath will always be offered to you.  And it's a love that you can never be separated from.  His love finds you.  Right where you are.  No matter where you are. 

Jesus tells the story of a lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7).   When a sheep is lost, the shepherd does not give up on it.  He goes after it.  He searches.  No matter what the journey takes.  And when it is found he rejoices.   We are that lost sheep.  And God searches us out.  His love finds us.  Right where we are.  No matter where we are.   

God's love for you is vast.  So vast he went on a journey of great cost to find you.  He sent himself in his son Jesus to die for you.  He went searching for you.  No matter what the journey took. 

His love is searching for you.  Right where you are.  No matter where you are. 

worship him 24/7...
scott

Love Has Found Us by Gateway

Where can we run?
Where can we hide?
Is there a place that we can go
Where you cannot find us?

You're there when we fall
There when we rise
Nothing is hidden from you face
You know every breath we take

Your love has found us
Your love has found us
We are yours forever
Your love has found us
It's all around us
Holding us together

Nothing on earth
Above or below
Nothing in all the universe
Can take us from your love

You came to us
Made us your own
You have redeemed us from the fall
You paid the ransom once for all

We will sing because your love has found us
Even in the darkest night
We sing because your love has set us free



Upbeat version below!

God showed us his love for us in this: even while we were sinning, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8)

We did not deserve it.  But Jesus died for us.  Washing away our mess ups like a strong spring shower.  Because of his unfathomable love for us.   The hold that death had on us is broken because of one death... Jesus' death.   And what's more... Jesus' resurrection from the grave.  He defeated death!  We can share in that by believing in Jesus' life, his death, his resurrection and making Jesus Lord of our lives. 

King.  Glorified.  Risen.  Alive. 

Listen and worship along with this beautiful song by Kari Jobe, Forever.

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) by Kari Jobe

The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
The weight of every curse upon him

One final breath he gave
As heaven looked away
The son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated

Forever he is glorified
Forever he is lifted high
Forever he is risen
He is alive, He is alive!

We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome

"We needed a sight of Jesus.  We needed something bigger than ourselves to lift our eyes up daily, off of the rubble and off of the worry, and magnify Him.  To get to see the church, every generation, denomination, every nationality singing to Him, and just enjoying His beauty and His holiness, and Him wrapping us up as one, it's overwhelming and humbling."
- Jennie Riddle

Jennie Riddle, author of Revelation Song, asked the Holy Spirit to provide her a song which would be a painting of God, a song which the angels and all of creation were already singing, so that we as believers could join in the worship with one voice to our one King.  The song given to her was Revelation Song.  A song inspired directly from scripture itself.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 says of heaven... "There was a throne of sapphire, and high above the throne was a figure like that of a man.  I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire, and a brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."

Revelation 4:2-3,5 says... "There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.  And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.  A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.  From the throne came flashed of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder."

This painting of God should cause each of us to be filled with an awestruck wonder!  And remember this: in heaven for all eternity voices around the throne of God himself sing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come!"  Let's join in that song.  As one church. And imagine every generation of every nationality singing this praise to Him!

As we do, never forget the worthiness of the Lamb that was slain.  The reason we sing. To Jesus all power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise (Revelation 5:12). 

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Revelation Song lyrics

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

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

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

I deserve to go to hell.  You deserve to go to hell.  So does your mom and my son.  This is what we deserve.  Believe me these are not easy words to type.  But they are true.  Because of our selfish and sinful ways.  No matter how good we try to be we can never be perfect.  And perfection is the standard for heaven. 

But... because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ [who was perfect] even when we were dead in our sins.  It is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).   Jesus and his Father, God, were in agreement.  They would put themselves on the line.  Their love for every person in the world.  On the line called the cross.

We didn't deserve this.  That's why it is called... GRACE. 

Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24).   Our sins, failings, and mistakes are erased by Christ's death.  Like a river washing away our wrongs into an infinite sea, never to be seen again.  If we believe.  If we surrender and follow Jesus.   Then he will rescue our souls from death (Psalm 116:8).

This is the greatest romance in history.  God and you.  The greatest Valentine you will ever be offered.  Will you accept it?

Listen to this song... Love on the Line by Hillsong.

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Love on the Line lyrics

You put Your love on the line
To bear the weight of sin that was mine
Washing my river of wrongs
Into the sea of Your infinite love

With arms held high
Lord I give my life
Knowing I'm found in Christ
In Your love forever
With all I am
In Your grace I stand
The greatest of all romance
Love of God my Savior

Mercy roars like hurricane winds
Furious love laid waste to my sin

To the one who has rescued my soul
To the one who has welcomed me home
To the one who is Savior of all
I sing forever

I enjoy the beach.  The waves. The sun.  The sand castles and moats.   I just don't like the sand itself.   First, it gets everywhere. (Especially in places some hidden places that isn't all that comfortable.)  Second... it is hard to walk on.  I need something solid to walk on and stand on.

Life is like that.  We often build our life on things that aren't so firm.  A love of a hobby.  A love of a job.  Even a love of a family.  These can all be good things.  But a solid firm foundation they are not.  You need something that is unchanging.  Something not like sand that can shift.  But something like a rock.  Something that will never leave you.  Ever. 

God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Those are comforting words.  In God, in his Son Jesus, and in his Word we are given a firm foundation which is never changing.  That's something to stand on.  Like the man who would build his house on the rock rather than the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

Enjoy this song!  It's a cool modern folk version of the old hymn How Firm a Foundation, by Chelsea Moon and the Franz Brothers.

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Christmas.  Such great music.  I recently saw a song in our church's old hymnbook which I used in Christmas concerts years ago... One Small Child by David Meece.  It brought back some great memories.   Song has a tendency to do that... remind you of a specific moment in time. 

In the midst of describing the end of time (at least the end of earthly time), Revelation 12:5 says that Israel would give birth to a son who would rule all the nations.   This son, this one small child, would be savior to the world.  Kings known as magi would bow before this small child.  So would the world.   These kings would bring gifts of gold and incense.  This one small child would bring life to all. 

This child is Jesus. 

The gospel of Luke describes a sky filled with angels singing their praise that Jesus was born.  Glory to God in the highest!  Their song marked the moment for all of time. 

Revelation 12:5 noted above describes Jesus' birth.  The latter half of it his death... the child was snatched up to God and to his throne.  Revelation 12 thru 18 goes on to describe the end of the world, the great tribulation period.  And marks the end of this great period of tribulation?  Worship!  In Revelation 19:1-8, the followers of Jesus worship.  The one small child. Their song marks the moment for all time.

As Christmas draws close, consider the lyrics in the songs you hear.  Consider what they mean to you.  Consider how they mark the moment.  Consider how you can use them to worship the one small child. 

worship Him 24/7...
scott

Below is a recording of One Small Child by Rebecca St James.  Enjoy! 

One Small Child lyrics

One small child in a land of a thousand
One small dream of a savior tonight
One small hand reaching out to the starlight
One small savior of life

One king bringing his gold and riches
One king ruling and army of might
One king kneeling with incense and candlelight
One king bringing us life

See Him lying, a cradle beneath Him
See Him smiling in the stall
See His mother praising the Father
See His tiny eyelids fall

See the shepherds kneeling before Him
See the kings on bended knee
See the mother praising the Father
See the blessed infant sleep

One small light from the flame of a candle
One small light from a city of might
One small light from the stars in the endless night
One small savior of life

For months I have had this song on my desktop.  Yes, perhaps the day would come when I would use it in worship corporately.  But sometimes you just need to let a song live in you for a bit.  Such is true with me and this song. 

It speaks simple truths of scripture.  God is good.   That is who God is... good.  Nothing wrong. Nothing impure. Nothing out of place.  God is good.   This is usually the easy truth to accept.  The text is usually the haard truth to accept.  I am loved.  That's who I am... loved.  It's my identity.  Not rejected.  Not despised.  Not ignored.  Not who the world wants me to be or how the world treats me.  I am loved.  And that will never change, because God is the one who is doing the loving.  He defines me.  His love defines me.

I'd often turn on this song when I needed that reminder.  Now I'm looking forward to sharing not only the song with the church.  I'm looking forward to sharing God's heart for me and my heart for him through this song.  That's what leading worship should be about. 

God is a Good Father
For you, Lord, are good. The Lord is good. So give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His love endured forever.  You are good and you do what is good! The Lord is good to all. No one is good except God alone. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father. (Psalm 86:5; 100:5; 107:1; Psalm 119:68; Psalm 145:9; Mark 10:18; James 1:7)

You are Loved
God's loving kindness is good to you.  God is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love for you.  The Lord God will quiet you with his love. God shows his love for you in that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you.  Nothing will be able to separate you from His love.  Because of His great love for you, he made you alive with Christ.  Cast your anxieties on God, because he cares for you.  For God so loved the world, He gave you his only son. (Psalm 69:16; 86:15; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:39; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Peter 5:6-7; John 3:16)

Good Good Father (lyrics)

I've heard a thousand stories of what they think You're like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone

You're a good good father, it's who you are
It's who you are, its who you are
And I'm love by you, it's who I am
It's who I am, it's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers only you can provide
'Cause you know just what we need before we say a word

You are perfect in all of you ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your way to us

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still, as you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still, into love love love

You have idols in your life.  We all do.  Sure, you may not have a statue that you "bow" or "pray" too.  But idols take many forms.   What name do you "bow" to?  What name do you worship?  Is that name Work? Career? Significant Other? Money? Football? Music? Self?

But there is only ONE name that will bring true contentment, true joy.  There is only ONE name that will bring salvation.  Found in no one else, there is only ONE name under heaven which you can be saved (Acts 4:12).  

Every one of us separate ourselves from God through our mistakes, our missteps, our failures.  But through Jesus, and ONLY Jesus, we can be reconciled with a holy God. Free from blemish.  Free from accusation.  If you live in faith, live with Jesus as Lord, as your Master in life, you will have hope (Colossians 1:21-23).  Real hope.  Hope that will bring everlasting joy. Everlasting contentment.

ONLY in the ONE name of Jesus will troubled hearts find healing.  Jesus is even now preparing a place for you in God's mansion in a land of glory (John 14:1-3).  A place that will be filled with true friendship and affection.  An affection, a love that will never fade. Never falter. Never fail.

There is ONLY ONE NAME... JESUS.

JESUS.  JESUS.  JESUS.  Just that name... JESUS.

The Only Name (Yours Will be) lyics

Yours will be the only Name that matters to me
The only One Whose favor I seek
The only Name that matters to me

Yours will be the friendship and affection I need
To feel my Father smiling on me
The only Name that matters to me

Yours is the Name the Name that has saved me
Mercy and grace the power that forgave me
And Your love is all I’ve ever needed

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
And with the saints I will tell my story
There will be one Name that I proclaim

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, just that Name

Losing your job.  Christ is enough.  Diagnosed with cancer.  Christ is enough.  Discovered a personal failing.  Christ is enough.  Struggling in your marriage.  Christ is enough.   Fighting with your children.  Christ is enough.   Lost reasons to live.  Christ is enough.   Realized that you will never be good enough to make it to heaven.  Christ IS enough.

The Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Paul said of his own weaknesses, his own struggles, that he would boast of them!  Why?  Because he saw them as opportunities to rely on Christ.  As opportunities to experience Christ's power in his life.  Only by recognizing his own deficiencies would he experience Christ in his life. 

Paul understood the words of Jesus... "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  (Matthew 16:24)  Paul understood that realizing his own failings, his own need, that meant denying himself and looking to the sufficiency of Christ Jesus. 

Too often do we first try to strive on our own and then ask God to intervene.  We need to change our thinking.   Let's focus first on God.  Give him control, he has it anyway.  Recognize we can't do any of it on our own.  Accept that the King's grace and power is enough.  Claim that.  And don't turn back.

worship Him 24/7...
Scott

lyrics to Christ is Enough

Christ is my reward and all of my devotion
Now there's nothing in this world that could ever satisfy

Through every trail my soul will sing
No turning back, I've been set free

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need

Christ my all in all, the joy of my savlation
And this hope will never fail, heaven is our home

Through every storm my soul will sing
Jesus is here, to God be the glory

I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
The cross before me, the world behind me
No turning back, no turning back

Sunday morning I had the chance to worship with my five year old.  As the music started and the church stood, I lifted him up high, so he could see the screens and the stage. 

Do you know who we are all singing to?  I asked.

God!  He replied.

How cool is that?  It was a really incredible moment for me as the church sang out 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman and I was holding my son.  10,000 reasons?  At that moment, I only needed one.  God gave this awesome kid to me! 

Can we really even put a number on the reasons we have to praise him?  The song of course isn't declaring that there are only 10,000 reasons, but uses the large number rather as a point of consideration.  Can you spend the next few moment and write down 10,000 reasons why God is to be praised?  Where do we even start?   For me on Sunday, it started right where I was: holding my son in worship.  Singing praises together with him. 

In Psalm 34:1-2, David says "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my lips.  My soul will make its boast in the Lord."   I want to be able to say that.  Not just to let the words come from my lips.  For the words to pour from my heart. 

As we sang together, my son and I, the third verse struck me in a new and personal way.

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forever more

As I held my son, praising with him, the thought occurred to me that the one day my time with him will come to an end.  This vision of my son being lost to my arms entered my mind.   Do I believe in these words that I sing?  Do I believe that I will continue in worshiping God?    My eyes blurred with tears as I had feelings of sorrow and loss.   But as the tears choked my voice I felt as well the joy of knowing God's incredible love for me.  Only a whisper came... "still my soul will sing your praise unending".  

Worshiping with the kid gave me a different view.  And then I wondered... why don't I do this more often?

worship Him 24/7...
Scott

So often we believers teach about God and Jesus and yet leave the Holy Spirit out.  Bummer.  I need to work on that.  You might need to as well. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of the incredible role of the Holy Spirit.  Let's first keep in mind that God is three in one.  The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  So just as Jesus is God, so the Holy Spirit is God. The Father is seated on the throne in heaven.  Jesus Christ physically walked this earth, but now sits at the right hand of the Father and prepares a place for us (John 14:3).  The Holy Spirit is everywhere.  Here on this earth.  Now.  And right next to you at this moment. 

The Holy Spirit.  What is his role?   The Spirit convicts us of sin which leads us to salvation in Christ (John 16:8).  The Spirit dwells in every believer and guides us through life (1 Corinthians 6:19).   The Spirit teaches us and reminds us of God's desire for us (John 14:26).  The Spirit helps strengthen us when we don't have the strength to carry on (Romans 8:26).  The Spirit provides comfort in our pain (John 14:26).  The Spirit helps us keep God's commands (Acts 2:38).  The Spirit provides us with spiritual gifts we can use for God's Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12).  The Spirit provides freedom wherever he dwells (2 Corinthians 3:17).

As a worship leader, it is the Holy Spirit which moves me to sing praises to the Father (Philippians 3:3).  The Spirit is integral in my life.  Most importantly, in all things the Holy Spirit points us back to the Father.  I am grateful to the Holy Spirit. 

Let's not neglect his role in our lives.   Let's allow him to fill our hearts and our lives with God's glory. 

worship Him 24/7...
scott

lyrics for Holy Spirit

There's nothing worth more that will ever come close
No thing can compare, You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

I've tasted and seen, of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone
By Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

War. Famine. Disease. Stress. Persecution. Homelessness. Starvation. Death.  None of these, no, nothing on this earth or anywhere for that matter, can or will separate me from God's love.  (Romans 8:38-39)  I know this, because I have felt, experienced, and studied the historical, real person that is Jesus.  He took a dark trip up a rocky hill named Calvary in Jerusalem and died there so I would know this truth. 

He forever covers my shame, my sin, my guilt.  With grace and mercy they don't count anymore.  Calvary covers it all.

Do you believe this?

Listen to this new song by Hillsong Worship: Calvary. 

The Savior alone carried the cross
For all of my debts, He paid the cost
Salvation complete now forever I'm free
Calvary covers it all

Calvary covers it all
My sin and shame, don't count anymore
All praise to the One who has ransomed my soul
Calvary covers it all

No power on Earth
Not even the grave
Could separate us from mercy and grace
He is faithful to save, oh His blood never fails
Calvary covers it all

No one but Jesus
Can make us pure as snow
We stand in Your freedom
Calvary covers it all