You thought I forgot - did not forget - just wanted to give you a little drama and keep you wondering.
Philippians 2 says that Jesus Christ “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. FOR THIS REASON also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of JESUS EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and theta every tongue will confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD to the GLORY of God the Father.”
Forever he is GLORIFIED! Forever He is HE IS LIFTED HIGH! Forever he is EXALTED! He Has overcome the grave
THEREFORE - we sing Hallelujah, the Lamb has over come!
Lift up praise -this song will change how you worship as we understand the greatness of Jesus Christ - the WORD who came to die as the substitutionary atoning sacrifice. His Life in my place. Redemption! His death for me - Atonement! His victory brings me home to him - Adoption! His blood covers my sin - FORGIVENESS
MY God!
Here is the video - I know its long - but you have to watch it all - You will be blessed
#1 song we should be singing for the rest of the year -
FOREVER - Kari Jobe
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Before we get to #1, here is two songs from the “classic video that never ceases to encourage” department:
Revelation Song by Kari Jobe.
Taken from Revelation 4 and 5, the Revelation song is a worship song period. Bowing before him one day I will sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
I have included the passion 13 video because I love the middle part of this song. The key change, the free singing, the hitting and sustaining of the notes…brings me to a place of worship. What an amazing God, what a wonderful savior. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. He is so worthy of this song and so much more!
Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Paul wrote: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword…NO! in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For i am sure that neither death nor life, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord…" (Rom 8:35-37)
His love never fails! Enjoy this "oldie" but a goodie!
Song #4 - #1 are so close in my heart. At any given moment over these past few weeks I have been singing one of these songs. All of them are either fun or passionate or griping to the soul. So let’s start with:
#4) Sing Out - Jesus Culture When I first heard Sing Out I couldn’t help but think about Rich Mullins. The hammer dulcimer that they used in this song was amazing. Only Rich Mullins had used the dulcimer in a song before that I can recall. Anyways, I remember playing the song at the house several month ago while Ben was watching TV. When it was done, he turned to me and said, “Dad, why don’t we sing that one in church…it’s really good.” He’s right!
Look at the lyrics - “Let every heart, let every tongue, Lift up Your name with all creation sing. Let earth resound with heavens praise and with one voice let all creation sing…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” It’s the song of heaven and I suggest we start practicing these lyrics now.
Worthy is the lamb That was slain Glory be unto Your Great Name
(Pre-Chorus) You are, You are You are, Holy
(Chorus) Let every heart, Let every tongue Lift up your name, With all creation sing Let earth resound With heaven's praise And with one voice Let all creation sing
(Verse 2) Holy is the lamb That was slain All creation Every tongue proclaim
(Pre-Chorus) You are, You are You are, Holy
(Chorus) Let every heart Let every tongue Lift up your name With all creation sing Let earth resound With heaven's praise And with one voice Let all creation sing
(Bridge) We sing, sing out We sing, Holy is your name We sing, sing out We sing, Worthy is your name
#3) Oh the Blood - Jacob Sooter
Harvest Bible Chapel’s and the Vertical Church Bands own Jacob Sooter makes our top 3 with a song close to my heart, Oh the Blood.
You were bleeding, nearly breathing as your father looked away You were fighting, forever writing my name on the pages of eternity such a mystery, the Lamb of God in place of me
Oh the blood, oh the blood of Christ A fountain of Your Love that never runs dry Oh the blood, Let it cover me, the power of Your blood is my victory. the power of Your blood is my victory.
It was crowded and we all shouted crucify the King of Kings In that moment it was spoke Father forgive them of their sin See what he has done, The Son of Man has over come
In agony and shame my victory attained Jesus on the Cross for me In agony and shame my victory attained Jesus on the Cross for me
Sadly, I don’t have a video for you to see. I would suggest that you go to iTunes or Amazon and purchase this album. It is called - Jacob Sooter - WEDDING DAY
On to #6 on our worship music count down - and it’s time for a little Jesus Culture. One of the song’s I have been singing a bunch lately is “Surrender All, (give you everything)”.
What great words of worship! Read them be
All to Jesus I, I surrender all All to him I freely give
I will ever love, and trust Him with my heart
In His presence daily live
I surrender all, to Jesus Christ my King
I surrender everything
Oh, I surrender all, my hopes and all my dreams
I surrender all, and give You everything
All to Jesus I, I surrender all Humbly at His feet I bow
Pleasures of this world, I would gladly trade
Take it all Lord, take me now
I surrender all, to Jesus Christ my King
I surrender everything
Oh, I surrender all, my hopes and all my dreams
I surrender all, and give You everything
All to Jesus I, I surrender all Oh to feel thy sacred flame
Love's salvation born, filling us with joy
Glory, glory to His Name!
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Jesus, I surrender all
Worship in and of itself is surrender. Something greater than you is receiving your praise and adoration. Who is greater than the Lord? Who has done more for us than our loving and gracious and merciful Savior, Jesus Christ? Surrender All today #5) Almighty - Chris Tomlin
I just was introduced to this song this week. It has been on repeat on my play list now for several days. In our small group, the guys are reading Revelation 1. John’s picture of the risen Christ and the lyrics of this song seem to go hand in hand. Enjoy the video and join me in singing this very soon at church.
Fun songs are important to be singing too. Not everything has to be solemn or sad. In Christ we are alive, free, loved with an everlasting love, saved and found! In Christ we have a good shepherd to follow who will never lead us astray. Enjoy this video
#7) At the Cross - Chris Tomlin -
This song starts out with lyrics that are amazing - “There is a place where mercy reigns and never dies…Where all the love I’ve ever found comes like a flood Comes flowing down…” Then the chorus answers the question - “where is this place?” At the Cross (of Christ) “where your love ran red and my sin washed white, I owe all to You Jesus.”
The cross of Christ, the turning point in all humanity’s existence. What we do at the cross is important! Hope is at the cross; grace is at the cross; Love, immeasurable love, is at the cross. What will you do with the cross?
There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies, There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide. Where all the love I've ever found, Comes like a flood, Comes flowing down.
[Chorus:] At the cross At the cross I surrender my life. I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white. I owe all to You I owe all to You Jesus.
There's a place where sin and shame are powerless. Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness. Where all the love I've ever found. Comes like a flood, Comes flowing down.
[Chorus]
Here my hope is found Here on holy ground Here I bow down Here arms open wide Here You save my life Here I bow down Here I bow down
Every year I like to set forth a list of songs that I believe churches should be singing in the ministry year that is to come. This year is no different, except for the fact that I wanted to include several songs that many of you have never heard.
So here we go…
#10 - Sovereign Over Us - Aaron Keys
We have been singing this song for a couple of month. What a great song to sing to the Lord - Your plans our still to prosper, you have not forgotten us…Faithful forever, perfect in love you are sovereign over us. Placing God in the proper place. He’s the sovereign, he’s the ruler, he’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. Sing along with the video.
There is strength within the sorrow, There is beauty in our tears You meet us in our mourning, With a love that casts out fear You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us When beyond our understanding, You're teaching us to trust CHORUS Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us You're with us in the fire and the flood Faithful forever, Perfect in love You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight Even what the enemy means for evil You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory Even in the valley You are faithful Youʼre working for our good, Youʼre working for our good and for your glory
#9) My Heart is Yours - Kristian Stanfill
This song starts with some of the best words we should be singing every day of our lives. “I give you my life, I give you my trust…You are my GOD and you are enough.” Who are we singing that too? JESUS…”take it all, take it all, Jesus.”
One thing I also love about this song is the blending of new and old. All to Jesus, I surrender is a proper and wonderful close to this song for sure. I hope you enjoy the video and I hope you can seriously worship to the words of this song.
I give You my life I give You my trust
Jesus
You are my God You are enough
Jesus
My heart is Yours My heart is Yours
Take it all Take it all
My life in Your hands
I lay down my life And take up my cross
Jesus
For You are my God Whatever the cost
Jesus
For You, Jesus
All to Jesus I surrender
All to You I freely give
I will ever love and trust You
In Your presence I will live
Today a local Christian radio station had as its status - "Difficult Roads lead to Beautiful Destinations." Man, I have found that to be very very true. I never imagined that 29 years ago, when I chose my life verse, how much I would be put to the test by that verse.
James 1:2-5 "2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Here are a few things I have learned:
First thing about trials and difficult roads - we are to "Count it all Joy". That has truly been the hardest thing! Reminding myself that this difficulty - if not brought about by my sinful behavior - has been brought about to make me more like Christ. I don't think like that in the moment as much as I need too. I need to abide under it for a moment or two and allow the refining work of God to sanctify me in this trial. Count it all joy!
Next - "When you meet (or face) trials of various kinds." Not if, but when. Church, they are and will and maybe are already trials here. To many of us want to skip this part like we wanted to skip through our teen years to get to being a young adult or like we wanted to skip the ache years for the grown up years. But notice in the text - one leads to another. In our walk with Christ we are called to PRESS ON through difficult roads not find a way around them. I am more and more troubled by the humanistic approach Christians try to take the easy road around trouble. We tend to follow our hearts rather than pray and trust and press on. We tend to tell other - do what is best for you - not really understanding that the pain is only temporary and we are meant to endure it to be like Jesus.
Then there is this - your testing produces something. "the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…" Steadfastness = Endurance. Endurance is [hoop-om-on-ay']
"the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way." Every one of our teachers in school did this to us. Every one of our coaches and bosses put us under pressure to make us stronger. In boot camp, Petty Officer Navidad did that to Company 74 when we were getting ready for our swim qualifications. None of us enjoyed it, UNTIL we all passed the first time. Weeks of endurance paid off when the real trial came. Did you catch that - it took weeks of enduring. What is the trial not of your own choosing that you have to endure today? Maybe its a who a situation or a frustration? PRESS ON through it.
Finally - the end game. What is the end game? According to the text - "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Do you see it there? That you may be mature (PERFECT) and complete (WHO GOD WANTS YOU TO BE). Let's face it church - we want that in our walk with Jesus. He wants that for us too. Mature believers. Complete believers and I love this - "not lacking anything.(NIV)" In the Greek - [li'-po]
- not to be deficient, lagging or lacking; not failing or wanting of anything. That is what I want - don't you?
PRESS ON through the trials church - PRESS ON! Maturity and completeness awaits.
Minor Judges are judges with very little written about them. Tola and Jair are minor judges number 2 & 3. The term "Minor" is somewhat of a misnomer. Their job was no less as difficult nor arduous as other judges. What they must do is 1) unite a fracture nation by a would-be-king and 2) maintain the peace brought about by Gideon. Let's see how they did.
"10 After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 And he judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried at Shamir…."
Here is what we know about Tola?
1) His grandfather was from Issachar,
2) his dad, many translators believe, was the Uncle of Abimelech.
3) That means Tola had a front row seat to the destruction of his Nephew - Abimelech.
Now, with the death of Abimelech, there was a hole in the dam and if someone doesn't step up and judge rightly, what would become of the nation? Thankfully we don't have to wonder - we have Tola.
When I think about Tola I think about a judge who understood what was years later in Ezekiel 22:30 - “I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it…" Tola became that man. Notice from the text: "there arose to save Israel Tola…" "Save" in this text isn't to judge, nor is it to battle like Gideon. "Save" means "to give victory from moral troubles." He brought them back to what Israel was suppose to be - a light to the surrounding nations and an example to all that Jehovah is the one true God. He brought them back to the God of Joshua, Moses and Jacob.
But he didn't just "save", he also "judges". "...And he judged Israel twenty-three years…" He "judges" in the sense like Deborah from chapter 5. Tola went to Shamir. Shamir was near Shiloh, where the temple was located. For twenty three years he sat and sorted out the disputes of the men of Israel. He was a peacemaker. (Matthew 5 - 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.)
Application from the life of Tola is an important one - when the opportunity to stand in the gap for a generation and lift high the name of Jehovah - will you do it? Are you willing to train a generation to be ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness? Will you train them to be peacemakers, to be men and women of mercy and to have a pure heart? Will you? Men and women can learn to step out and lead like Tola.
Back to the text: "3 After him arose Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. 4 And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, called Havvoth-jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. 5 And Jair died and was buried in Kamon."
Jair was the next minor judge. What happens when we have a ruler who has ruled well and now passes away? There is a bit of speculation as to what will happen next. Jair was the man for the job. Now, we may think that what was said of him was a bit weird - he had 30 sons who rode donkeys. Here in America that would mean nothing- in fact it might even be part of a "funniest home video" or a "donkey basketball game." But hang with me - Jair was a great administrator. He judges like Tola, but takes it a step further. How? The term - "riding on a donkey" meant something to the Israelite s. It was actually a sign of nobility. What Jair did was set up his sons as mayors in 30 different cities which helped him keep the peace. Jair served Israel as a great administrator.
The result - between Gideon, Tola and Jair there was an incredible 85 years of peace. No other time in their history was there such a stretch of peace. Why was it the greatest time of peace in this period of Judges?
Three reasons
1) When men (and women) are willing to be mold-able clay in the masters hands they can and will do great things for God.
2) When men (and women) who are willing to stand in the gap for things that are right they will be uplifted and strengthened by God for the task ahead.
3) When men (and women) who have been given leadership gifts and abilities use them for the kingdom of God, great things happen.
Tola and Jair - Minor Judges, Major contributions - see you Sunday
