Weekly Devotional: Colton Dixon "Never Alone"

Weekly Devotional: Dustin Kensrue "God is Good"

Dustin Kensrue is the lead singer of a post-hardcore rock band and he is a devout follower of Jesus Christ. Most might think that those roles are diametrically opposed. Dustin has been filling his band's lyrics with meaningful, life-giving material for years but there was something missing. So the band has taken a break (maybe indefinitely) and Dustin has been added to the staff at Mars Hill. This gives him a chance to spend more time with his family and lead worship. Even though Dustin is relatively new to me, I've really enjoyed diving in to his lyrics and songwriting. Very impressed and I look forward to seeing good things continue to come from Mars Hill (Citizens, Ghost Ship, etc.)



Even when it seems the answer's no
The promises of God all find their Yes
In Christ who worked the Father's will below
That all who run to him would find their rest

And even when it seems he hides his face
And darkness seems to be our only friend
We look to Christ who suffered in our place
That one day all our suffering would end

God is good, all of the time
All of the time, God is good
God is good, all of the time
All of the time, God is good

And even when it seems he pays no mind
We have a guarantee of his great love
In Christ who came and left his crown behind
That one day we would reign with him above

Lord, we believe
But help our unbelief
Lord, we believe
But help our hearts to sing

That you are good, all of the time
All of the time, you are good
You are good all, of the time
Your are good
Lord, you are good

Weekly Devotional: City Harmonic "City on a Hill"

Based on the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount this song is another knock out from City Harmonic. Check out the lyrics below the video.




Blessed are the poor
for the kingdom is yours
Blessed when you mourn, there’s comfort in His arms
Blessed are the meek with the world at your feet
Blessed when it’s righteousness that you seek
It’s beautiful
Beautiful

[CHORUS:]
Like a city on a hill
Lighting up the night
For the glory of the Lord
Rise and shine
We will…
Shine
Light of the world
we can’t hide it
This beautiful light it
Shines
For all of the world
To believe we can be
A city on a hill

Blessed when you’re merciful, you’ll find grace
Blessed are the pure, you’ll see the face of God
Blessed are you making peace on earth
Blessed when you follow, even when it hurts
It’s beautiful
Beautiful

[CHORUS:]
For the glory of The Lord -- Rise and shine [x3]
For the glory of The Lord
The glory of the Lord

Weekly Devotional: Finding Favour "Shake the World"

Bombs Away - Jonathan Thulin (Feat. Rachel Lampa)

Sometimes we don't take sin as serious as we ought. Sin is deadly. We sometimes take it too lightly. Sin caused Christ to die on the Cross. Our sin. Me. And you. Our sin. And when you start down the wrong path it's easy to let it snow ball out of control. Thankfully we have a Savior who is ready to forgive us and make us new again when we are ready. We just have to ask. Then our Father will see us as unblemished and clean again. Jesus takes away that sin. We are made whole again.

Beautiful imagery in this video. Take a look at the 'Behind the Scenes' first to get a better idea of what Jonathan Thulin is trying to get across. Powerful stuff.

TobyMac - Eye on It

The very first scripture that comes to mind when I heard TobyMac's Eye on It was Philippians 3:13-14.  Keeping our eye on the prize as we run the race of life. 

13b I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

How do you win a race? Don't ask me if you really want to win an actual race. I've never been one to win many races but I know one thing for sure, you keep your eyes on the finish line not on the pretty girls in the stands cheering you on. You stay on the path and you run until the race is over. So how does that translate for our Christian walk? Are you staying course? 
Another scripture that comes to mind is also from Paul in 1 Corinthians 9. Paul speaks of the training we go in. Are you in training?
Lastly, Paul also speaks of the prize and running the race in 2 Timothy 4 where he says, 

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Rend Collective Experiment - Build Your Kingdom Here

Come set Your rule and reign

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we're made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your Church

We need Your power

In us

We seek Your kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You're our joy and prize

To see the captive hearts released

The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for Heaven's cause

We are Your church

We pray revive

This Earth

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here

We pray

Unleash Your kingdom's power

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your beauty changing hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your church

We are the hope 

On Earth

Wasted Life - Seventh Day Slumber

In an interview with Christianity Today, lead singer and founder of Christian Hard Rock band Seventh Day Slumber, Joseph Rojas admits to his past struggles. “I've struggled in my own life with feeling like I couldn't hear the voice of God clearly, especially in the middle of stressful situations,” says Rojas.

“You may not be able to hear God as clearly as you would like to at times but you should take confidence in the fact that your God is always in control!” 

Joseph has a miraculous testimony. Check it out.

Heartbeat - The Fray

My wife really likes this band and I've had moments of really liking them too. Maybe it's time to give them another listen with their latest album (Scars and Stories). The idea for this song came while the band was in Kigali, Rwanda. Read all about it here.

Ben Harper - My Own Two Hands

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Matthew 25:31-45

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’