Weekly Devotional: Audrey Assad "I Shall Not Want"

This song is a reminder, at least to me, of David's words in Psalm 23,

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."

And the words he wrote in Psalm 16:2, "I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Weekly Devotional: Meredith Andrews "Pieces"

Who better to share a song with someone than from the artist herself? So here's a little info about the song "Pieces" from Meredith's own web page:
Andrews is a frequent speaker at girls’ conferences and she’s excited about sharing “Pieces.” “I feel like this is what I want to say to them: ‘You are loved and special and God has a purpose for your life. You can hand over your broken pieces to Him. God can take anything broken and make it beautiful.’ When we got to the end of the record, I’d written ‘Pieces,’ but I wasn’t going to record it. We almost didn’t record it.  We literally had one more day in the studio and I looked at my manager and said ‘I know that it’s not a worship song, but I feel like it has to go on my record. I want to sing it and I want people to hear it.’ We all talked about it and discussed where it would fit because I feel like the first 10 songs are a journey hopefully into God’s heart, like getting a glimpse of truth, like who He is and ‘Pieces’ is its own other thing. It’s separate. I’m not even going to try to pretend it’s a worship song or where it fits in there because that’s why we made it a bonus track.”

Weekly Devotional: Colton Dixon "Never Alone"

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"

Weekly Devotional: Capital Kings "You'll Never Be Alone"

Note: this post was originally published in May of 2013 on my blog

One of my favorite passages in scripture is the beginning of the book of Joshua. God has placed the leadership of Israel on his shoulders after the death of Moses but God then reminds Joshua that's he's not in it alone. God's gonna be there right by his side. I know that sometimes I need that reassurance as well in my life. Here's how it reads and I think this song was written with this scripture in mind (at least in part). I've underlined my favorite parts.

After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9

Weekly Devotional: Lecrae "Don't Waste Your Life"

Lecrae has quickly become my favorite Christian hip-hop artist. Ever since someone told me about "Jesus Muzik" I've been excited about what he would come out with next. This latest offering from Lecrae will not disappoint. After spending time with John Piper (author/pastor) Lecrae wrote this song. Don't Waste Your Life is also a book title from John Piper.

How often we spend time on things that won't last. On things that are earthly. On things that don't really matter. How often we get caught up in working more so we can have the bigger house, the faster car, the newer version of ________. We call it pursuing our dreams but where did that dream come from? The 'American Dream' or a godly vision for expanding His Kingdom?

We, on the other hand, are instructed to store up our treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

There are so many great nuggets in this song that come straight from Scripture. Below you will find 1) the lyrics, 2) a snippet of an interview of Lecrae speaking about the new album and this song, and 3) the video itself.

Please take a look at all three and take note of the Scripture references I've added. God bless.

[Hook: Cam]Don't wanna waste my life

[Verse 1: LeCrae]

I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die

Couple of em thinking they'll be livin in the sky

But while I'm here livin man I gotta ask why, what am here fo I gotta figure out

Waste my life / No I gotta make it count

If Christ is real then what am I gone do about

All of the things in Luke 12:15 down to 21

You really oughta go and check it out

Paul said if Christ ain't resurrect then we wasted our lives

Well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive

Everyday I'm living tryin show the world why

Christ is more than everything you'll ever try

Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire / Ain't no lie

We created for Him

Outta the dust he made us for Him

Elects us and he saves us for Him

Jesus comes and raises for Him

Magnify the Father why bother with something lesser

He made us so we could bless Him and to the world we confess him

Resurrects him

So I know I got life

Matter fact better man I know I got Christ

If you don't' see His ways in my days and nights

You can hit my brakes you can stop my lights

Man I lost my rights

I lost my life

Forget the money cars and toss that ice

The cost is Christ

And they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.

[Verse 2: Dwayne Tryumph]

Armed and dangerous

So the devil jus can't handle us

Christian youth them a stand wid us

Livin' n driven

Given a vision

Fullfillin the commission he handed us

London to Los Angeles

Da rap evangelist

Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us

"I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac"

So are you ready to jam with us

So let's go, gimme the word an let's go

Persecution let's go

Tribulation let's go

Across the nation let's go

Procrastination bes go

Hung on the cross in the cold

Died for da young and the old

Can't say you never know

Heaven knows

How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em / Whaaaaat!

[Verse 3: LeCrae]

Suffer / Yeah do it for Christ if you trying to figure what to do with your life

If you making money hope you doing it right because the money is Gods you better steward it right

Stay focused if you ain't got no ride

Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive

The clothes you wear the job you work

The color your skin naw we Christian first

People living life for a job

Make a lil money start living for a car

Get em a house a wife kids and a dog

When they retire they living high on the hog

But guess what they didn't ever really live at all

To live is Christ yeah that's Paul I recall

To die is gain so for Christ we give it all

He's the treasure you'll find in the mall

Your money your singleness marriage talent and time

They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine

That's why it's Christ in my rhymes

That's why it's Christ all the time

My whole world is built around him He's the life in my lines

I refused to waste my life

He's too true ta chase

That ice

Heres my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ

If he's truly raised to life

Then this news should change your life

And by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.

Weekly Devotional: Matthew West "Hello, My Name Is"

I John 3: 1 tells us, "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him."
What awesome news that is. We are God's children. What else could we ever want in this world than to be called a child of God? Just awesome news that we need to share with the world.

Weekly Devotional: Ghost Ship "Mediator"

I don't believe that I could have picked a better song to start the year with my new classes. Ghost Ship has to be one of my new favorites right now. Very talented and their lyrics are so rich. Like this song, Mediator, they take the lyrics straight out of 1 Timothy 2:5-6 where it says,

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

I hope you love these guys as much as I do. I'd also recommend Orion, Son of David and Lion Man if you're interested.

Crowder - Here's My Heart

It doesn't get any more raw and honest than David Crowder's latest song "Here's My Heart." Very simply penned words but very moving. Below are the lyrics and video from 2013's Passion Conference here in Atlanta, GA.

Condensed lyrics:
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord, 
Speak what is true

‘Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

Here's my life Lord,
Speak what is true

You are more than enough
You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace
You're all I have, You're everything

Grace Amazing - Jimmy Needham & Trip Lee

Originally Posted in 2011

According to Webster, grace is unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. I love a good definition from Webster but I also asked my students what they thought grace was.

According to my students grace is...

...like love for others when they fall short of the standard. Grace is an undeserved favor and it comes from God.
...providing someone a way out like a warning or get-out-of-jail free card.
...being given something you don't earn and don't deserve.
...having so much love that you forgive something.
...mercy, and God's love for us.
...where Jesus forgives us even when we sin even when we don't deserve it.
...forgiving people when they make mistakes.
...having mercy on those who need it.
...what we need to get to heaven. 
...salvation, love, and what Jesus offers us. We just need to accept it. 

One of my favorite lines in this song by Jimmy Needham w/Trip Lee:

You found my heart in the tomb

Wrapped up all lifeless and bruised

I was the living dead

Couldn't even lift my head

To see You enter the room

That's how it is with us all

We weren't just damaged

We fell dead at the fall

Only the innocent

Can breathe the air again 

The Letter Black - The Only One

I don't care what genre you talk about or what style of music you prefer. These lyrics are dead on. God is the only one we need. We tend to travel around looking for something that will fill us up/fulfill us and it's not out there. Only God can truly satisfy and He's always there for us.

Wanna see the lyrics? Go here.

Capital Kings - You'll Never Be Alone

One of my favorite passages in scripture is the beginning of the book of Joshua. God has placed the leadership of Israel on his shoulders after the death of Moses but God then reminds Joshua that's he's not in it alone. God's gonna be there right by his side. I know that sometimes I need that reassurance as well in my life. Here's how it reads and I think this song was written with this scripture in mind (at least in part). I've underlined my favorite parts.

After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9

Sanctus Real - "Promises"

^{Romans 8:37-39}

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VOTA - Hard to Believe

Is it hard to believe that God even notices us? You know who God is right? Here's just a sampling.

He knows everything (Ps 139:1-6)

He is unchanging (Ps 102:25-27)

He has no limits (the heavens can not contain Him) (1 Ki 8:27)

He is holy (Ex 15:11)

He is righteous (Dt 32:4)

He is truthful (Ps 31:5)

He is just (Nu 14:18)

He is good (2 Chro 5:13b)

He is love (God = Love) (1 Jn 4:8)

He has all-power (Ge 18:14)

He is beyond our understanding (Job 11:7)

He is sovereign (Ps 135:6)

He is merciful (Ro 9:14-16)

He is always present (Pr 15:3)

He is self-sufficient (Acts 17:24-25)

He is eternal (Da 4:34)

Yet he loves me. 

He loves you. 

He loves us so much that He sacrificed His own Son to rescue us from eternal separation from Himself (Jn 3:16). What an amazing gift. 

What is your response to that? 

Joy? Thankfulness? Total awe? A life dedicated to sharing this amazing gift with others? 

It's unbelievable! Nothing else can compare. 

These guys agree. Take a look at both of these videos from VOTA:

Chris Tomlin - "God's Great Dance Floor"

Growing up in the Church of Christ I didn't hear a lot about dancing. And what I did hear was negative. Dancing was forbidden. Not like Footloose sort of forbidden but we didn't talk about it much. Not that it really affected me much. I'm not one to cut a rug. I'm okay sitting out.
But dancing is a natural expression of happiness or joy.

The first story that comes to mind about dancing in the Bible is David dancing before the Lord as he celebrated the Ark of the Covenant returning to Jerusalem. Great story found here in 2 Samuel 6.
Wanna hear another great song about dancing before the Lord and David's story? Check out David Crowder Band*'s song "Undignified."

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.

Mat Kearney - Ships in the Night

BONUS VIDEO OF THE WEEK!!

Dry Bones by Gungor

Absolutely the BEST concert I've been to in the last 5 years at least was the Gungor concert earlier this fall. Phenomenal. Fantastic. Intense. Overwhelming. 

This is a great song that comes from the book of Ezekiel 37 with the story of God's interaction with the prophet in the Valley of the Dry Bones. This is a live performance at the Relevant Magazine Studios. The song comes off of their "Beautiful Things" album but is also featured in concert and on their latest album which is a live album entitled "A Creation Liturgy." See lyrics below.

My soul cries out
My soul cries out for you

These bones cry out
These dry bones cry for you
To live and move
'Cause only You can raise the dead
Can lift my head up

My soul...

Jesus, You're the one who saves us
Constantly creates us into something new
Jesus, surely you will finds us
Surely our Messiah will make all things new
Will make all things new

My soul...

These bones...

Jesus, You're the one who saves us...

Life is breaking out, it's breaking out
Life is breaking out, it's breaking out, it's breaking out

And life is breaking out, it's breaking out, it's breaking out

Jesus, You're the one who saves us...