The Saturday Song – God’s Not Dead

It’s revival day! 

Today’s the day Franklin Graham is leading Prayer March 2020 in Washington D.C. for the healing of our nation, and the day Pastor and Rabbi Jonathan Cahn is leading his event, The Return, also seeking God’s forgiveness, repentance, revival, and healing of our nation. 

Heavenly Father, we come to you in humility and total dependence on You, praying that in Your mercy You would pour out the power of Your Holy Spirit throughout our country to soften hearts and open eyes to the truth of the destruction of sin, and the truth of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that paid for our sins, that many will turn to You with repentant hearts and that there will be a great awakening and revival of our nation in the name of Jesus Christ.  We pray you would send your warrior angels to bind the hand of the enemy from stopping or disrupting any of the prayer events going on today. We look to You, LORD, for help and hope and renewal. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen. 

This is the song the Lord put on my heart to share today.

 

 

God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)
Newsboys

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To seek a revolution somehow

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To bring a revolution somehow
Now I’m lost in Your freedom
In this world I’ll overcome

My God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Roaring, He’s roaring, He’s roaring like a lion

Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead I need resurrection somehow
Now I’m lost in Your freedom
In this world I’ll overcome

My God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Roaring, He’s roaring, He’s roaring like a lion
He’s roaring, He’s roaring

Let heaven roar and fire fall
Come shake the ground
With the sound of revival
Let heaven roar and fire fall
Come shake the ground
With the sound of revival
Let heaven roar (Let heaven roar) and fire fall
Come shake the ground
With the sound of revival

He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

He’s roaring, He’s roaring, He’s roaring like a lion
He’s roaring, He’s roaring, He’s roaring like a lion (Roaring like a lion)

 

 

 

The Saturday Song – Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)

Happy Saturday, friends. You know, for the most part I feel called to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, but every once in a while the Lord will put me in the path of an unbeliever, and that’s where I want to be today. 

In the path of those who have no idea what this Jesus thing is all about, and the path of those who once thought they knew, but they’ve been away for a hundred million different reasons. 

I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart that God loves you more than you can ever know. Yes, He does. You might not feel it right now, but sometimes feelings lie. 

You might have been hurt and blame God. I understand.

You might have done something terrible and don’t think He could ever forgive you. I understand. 

You might be afraid to trust Him again. I understand. 

I’ve been there, done all that, bought the t-shirt and worn it until I didn’t think I could wear it anymore.

But the power of the blood of His Son paid for all of it. 

And thirty years down the road I also understand that if you let Him, God will heal your heart; that He not only can forgive you, He is waiting to forgive you; and that no matter what the future holds, He will be right beside you, hurting with you when you hurt, but through it He will give you His peace and strength to forgive, to heal, to grow in grace and love, into very the image of His own beautiful Son. 

And just like the story Jesus told the people who had gathered around him: “while {the prodigal son} was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him,” (Luke 15:20) so the Heavenly Father waits for you to take but a step toward Him, asking for forgiveness, and He will run to you with such compassion and all the love you ever wanted, throw His arms around you, and welcome you home. 

Today’s song is dedicated to you.

Father, let the chains fall…

 

 

Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)
David Crowder

Lift your head weary sinner, the river’s just ahead
Down the path of forgiveness, salvation’s waiting there
You built a mighty fortress 10,000 burdens high
Love is here to lift you up, here to lift you high
 
If you’re lost and wandering
Come stumbling in like a prodigal child
See the walls start crumbling
Let the gates of glory open wide
 
All who’ve strayed and walked away, unspeakable things you’ve done
Fix your eyes on the mountain, let the past be dead and gone
Come all saints and sinners, you can’t outrun God
Whatever you’ve done can’t overcome the power of the blood
 
If you’re lost and wandering
Come stumbling in like a prodigal child
See the walls start crumbling
Let the gates of glory open wide
 
If you’re lost and wrecked again
Come stumbling in like a prodigal child
See the walls start crumbling
Let the gates of glory be open wide
 
Let the chains fall…
Let the chains chains chains chains chains chains…
 
If you’re lost and wandering
Come stumbling in like a prodigal child
See the walls start crumbling
Let the gates of glory open wide
 
If you’re lost and wrecked again
Come stumbling in like a prodigal child
See the walls start crumbling
Let the gates of glory be open wide
Let the gates of glory be open wide
Let the gates of glory be open wide

 

The Saturday Song – I Will Rise


“There’s a peace I’ve come to know”

“Jesus has overcome”

“There’s a day that’s drawing near”

“And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees

        And rise

             I will rise…”

 

 

The Saturday Song – Move (Keep Walkin’)

There are days, months, years, when I feel like I’ve been on a 1000-mile march, uphill, carrying 500 pounds on my back.  Maybe the apostle Paul knew that feeling, too, and guessed Timothy might also, and why Paul wrote to him: 

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4

That word “good” means beautiful, honest, worthy, valuable, virtuous (for appearance or use.)

Be sure we’re in a war, and maybe now more than ever. But we don’t walk alone. God is with us, strengthening us, empowering us, enabling us to finish in victory.  

So keep walking.  And look up. Cause things may seem bleak right now, but it ain’t over yet. (Spoiler Alert – God wins, and if we’re with Him, so do we.)

 

 

Heavenly Father, help us keep moving and to endure the hardship we encounter in this life, not as those who is endure alone or needlessly, but as a people who, in Christ Jesus, oppose your enemy who prowls around looking for someone to devour, and to be witnesses of your great grace and mercy and proclaimers of the power of the gospel to save.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

 

The Saturday Song – The Steadfast Love of the Lord

My dear friend posted this song the other day and it was just what I needed.  Duane Clark and his brother, Terry, are pioneers of the contemporary Christian music genre. If you’d like to have some of their music for your own, you can check it out here.

I pray this song blesses you, too, and reminds you of how very much God loves you through anything and everything you go through. 

I pray you’re always reminded of that when you come here, that you’re always drawn to Jesus and His love and hope, and that it causes you to want to walk with Him closer than the day before. 

 

The Saturday Song – Give Me Your Eyes

If there’s anything God shows us about Himself in His word it’s that He is a personal God. Yes, He loves the whole world, but He also sees and loves the individual. 

He saw Hagar and her son a distance away, alone in the desert, waiting to die, and had compassion on them. 

He saw Hannah, alone in the temple, weeping and praying for a son, and granted her request.  

He saw Mary, a humble worshipper of God, and made her the mother of the Messiah. 

He saw the Samaritan woman, sitting alone by the well, and gave her hope through the greatest message of all time. 

He saw the man with leprosy, and having compassion on him, healed him, restoring his life.

He saw the woman who had bled for twelve years when, in faith, she touched His cloak and was healed.

He saw John, alone on the island of Patmos, and gave him a vision of the Son and of His coming kingdom to give the world.

He sees you right now, too, and whatever you’re going through He has compassion for you.  

 

Father, give me your eyes. 

 

The Saturday Song – Remind Me Who I Am

“…beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:7

Many times in my life I’ve watched the genuine friendship and love among others and wondered what that must be like. Just this morning as I was thinking about dear Ravi Zacharias who will soon be hearing those words from the Lord “Well done, good and faithful servant,” I thought about the love pouring out to him from so many, and was thinking, he’s not only loved, he is beloved. What must that be like?

And not two hours later, the Lord led me to this song and reminded me that I am beloved.  And so are you. 

 

The Saturday Song – Blessed Be Your Name

I love the old songs we used to sing, and this was one of my favorites. And for some reason, when I thought of it today, I thought of my friend Matt, who loved music and played it beautifully from the depths of his heart.  He went to be with Jesus it seems like a lifetime ago, and so many of us still miss his smile, and his kind and loving and gentle spirit.  So, I want to dedicate this song to our dear friend, Matt.  We can’t wait to see you again, friend.  What a glorious day it will be when we’re all there, worshipping our precious Lord together again.  

 

The Saturday Song – Reckless Love

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

‘When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.’
(Psalm 68:18)

(Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)”
Ephesians 4:7-10

The word {lower} parts of the earth is katōteros, meaning of Hades (different word than that for hell). 

There’s much more to learn in the scriptures about this than I’ll take to explain here, but Christ was not idly waiting inside the tomb. After He shed His blood and died, sin’s power was broken.

It was time for Him to descend to those who’d already died in faith, whose belief in the Lord was counted to them as righteousness, and were waiting for this pivotal moment to be rescued and taken to their eternal home in heaven.  

If He was willing to die on a cross while we were yet sinners, and He was willing to descend into a part of Hades to rescue those who were His, what is He not willing to do, and where is not willing to go to rescue any one of us?  

 

 
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
 
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
 
And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
 
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

The Saturday Song – Peace Be Still

Today’s Saturday Song is Lauren Daigle’s Peace Be Still.  I thought it appropriate considering this month’s header picture and last week’s blog Path of Faith

Praying that even though the wind and waves may rage around us, He brings a stillness to our hearts and minds and a peace to our souls. 

Lord, strengthen our faith in you, and help us follow you wherever you lead us.  In Jesus name, amen.

 

 

I don’t want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Oh, peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

I’m not gonna be afraid
‘Cause these waves are only waves
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it’s roar
I’m not gonna fear the storm
Oh, I’m not gonna fear at all, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, oh
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Oh Jesus, let Your peace call them
Ooh ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Lift your voice up higher
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, oh oh
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

Peace, peace, yes, over me
Yes Jesus
Oh, peace, peace Lord over me
Yeah, yeah

Lord Jesus, You’re the God of peace, Jesus
Ooh ooh
You’re a piece of a stone
You are in everyone, Jesus
Oh yeah, we receive it, we receive it
Oh, let the peace come
And wash all over me, yes
Oh oh
We rest in peace
Oh Jesus, You make our heart stay up
‘Cause You’re the creator, the strength of us all, ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
It’s our pray in the night
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
One more time again
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe it
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace over me, yeah
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Hallelujah
You bring peace, Jesus
Yeah, let it wash all away
Let it wash all away above us