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Worship Wednesday – Revisiting “The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham

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Photo Credit: Heartlight

[Adapted from the archives]

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5-8

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

I will always be grateful for Bernie Cantrell. She loved me enough to tell me the truth.

In my 20s, I had fallen in love with a fellow college student, and we dated into his medical school years. Much of it long-distance and all of it out of God’s will for my life. He was Jewish, I was Christian. I don’t know about his mother, but my mother prayed.

Late in our relationship, I remember vividly a night at my women’s discipleship group, all of us sitting on the floor with our Bibles open, in Bernie Cantrell’s living room. They knew about my relationship with this young man. They knew also that my heart was sincere toward the Lord as well. This is what deception can do…you can be fixed on the way of the Jesus but your eyes can blur from misplaced desires, and, before you know it, you find yourself in a ditch.

I don’t remember if we were in John 14 that night, or if it became a kairos moment when Bernie felt the time was right to talk openly and directly to me about my relationship with this young man. She pointed me to the verse:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

That night, as she discipled me (all of us) on Jesus being the Way and only in walking in His way will we find Home, the Holy Spirit grabbed my heart anew. Shortly after that, both this boy and I mutually severed our relationship. Done deal. Full stop. No looking back.

He would marry a Jewish woman, and God brought Dave my way.

Now there have been other times in life, when I was tempted to choose my way instead of God’s way for me. Seasons when life was hard and I even questioned my salvation (that particular season was the one of parenting small children – physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming at times). There were hard seasons when entitlement raised its ugly head and when offenses made me blind with hurt and anger. God’s Word seemed too far out of reach…or beyond my sense of fairness. Misplaced desires tempted me to believe lies over truth.

These days (in our country and occasionally seeping into our church life), we are bombarded by the push and pull of political ideology, cultural swagger, family estrangement, and the sense that God is far away.

Truth: God is NOT far away. We have been drawn off course, but He is as near as a Shepherd’s voice. He is just ahead. His way can be ours again.

I am so thankful for the truth of Scripture. So thankful for friends and family who point me back to Christ when I get distracted or discouraged. So thankful for opportunities when the Lord allows for me to point sweet ones to the way of Jesus.

God tells us that His way is different (higher) than the one we, in our sinful bent, would naturally take. However, when we surrender our lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior, we don’t have to be bound to another way anymore. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can walk in His way. We bear the fruits of the Spirit in this world…on this path. What an amazing life we have, reflecting the humility, mercy, and love that Jesus displayed. How much it profits those around us! How much it pleases God the Father!

The King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers or sisters, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40

Sometimes it’s me who benefits the most – as “one of the least of these”…staying on the way of Jesus. No more being twisted in the wind of Satan’s lies about me and about others.

Earlier this year, Pastor Cliff preached on loving our enemies from Matthew 5:43-48. So good! In the worship play list for that morning, our worship leader Ryan included the Phil Wickham song The Jesus Way.

Jesus’ way is not the way of this world. It is so beautiful and so worth our lives to point in this direction. To walk in His way daily “tapping into a reservoir that is not of this world but for this world” (from Cliff’s message). For our sakes, our neighbors, our children and grandchildren, and our enemies.

Photo Credit: Heartlight

Worship with me.

[Verse 1]
If you curse me, then I will bless you
If you hurt me, I will forgive
And if you hate me, then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way
Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
If you’re helpless, I will defend you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
If you’re burdened, I’ll share the weight (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
And if you’re hopeless, then let me show you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
There’s hope in the Jesus way

[Chorus]
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

[Verse 3]
If you strike me, I will embrace you
And if you chain me, I’ll sing His praise
And if you kill me, my home is Heaven
For I choose the Jesus way

[Chorus]
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

[Bridge]
And I choose surrender, I choose to love
Oh God, my Savior, You’ll always be enough
I choose forgiveness, I choose grace
I choose to worship, no matter what I face
I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way

[Chorus]
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

[Outro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh*

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

The Jesus Way – Lyrics – Songwriters: Phil Wickham & Jonathan Smith

Faith Behind the Song: “The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham – by Scott Savage

Just yesterday, an iconic singer/songwriter/philanthropist, Dolly Parton, went to be with the Lord. It made me so sad…not for her now in the presence of her Savior, but for this world a poorer place with her gone.

Photo Credit: Facebook , Thy Flame of Love

If you study her life, you get past all the glitz and even the inspired songwriting, and what you find is a deep and abiding faith in Jesus – across her life, more than not, she chose the Jesus Way.

Practicing the Way – Course & Free Resources on Spiritual Formation

Worship Wednesday – For Christ-Followers – It’s Surrender – Not Self-Improvement – Deb Mills

Worship Wednesday – First Things First – With Consumed by Fire – Deb Mills

https://www.youtube.com/embed/bpTOcZN9JB4?feature=oembed Bernie CantrellCliff JordanHayden DaumJonathan SmithLove Your EnemiesMovement ChurchPhil WickhamThe Way of JesusWorshipWorship Wednesday

One last song by Dolly – sung at our Chad‘s funeral – “I Will Always Love You”

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Monday Morning Moment – Rewiring Our Brain – from Lies to Truth

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Photo Credit: David N. Johnson

What we think and then speak about ourselves (and others) can, with repetition, become hard-wired in our brains. This function, of which you may be familiar, is neuroplasticity. It’s super helpful with new work tasks, habit formation, and learning to play an instrument, for instance. The tricky thing about neuroplasticity is that it also is engaged when we repeat things that aren’t necessarily true about how we see ourselves or the world around us.

I follow Erika, a Christian neuroscience coach, on Instagram and Facebook. She recently posted a clear and practical guide to how we can consciously rewire our brain, especially when we’ve allowed negative (essentially untruthful) thoughts and comments take us to a dark place.

She should write a blog or Substack, but I haven’t found one yet. So below please find her well-studied take on “mind over matter (brain)”.

Erika writes: “Neuroscience shows us that: thought + emotion + repetition strengthens a neural pathway.”

She writes for Christians, but honestly, her 8 practices for rewiring our brains are noteworthy for anyone desiring to clear their thinking:

  1. Notice the thought. Think about what you’re thinking about. At times we say things that if checked and sorted we know aren’t true; they are just how we feel at the moment. Not facts but feelings.
  2. Identify the lie. Because of repetition, you may have thoughts that have taken up residence in your brain for so long (neuroplasticity), they seem true. You may need help, through prayer or with a trusted friend, to assess whether you have held onto a lie – about yourself or others.
  3. Take the thought captive. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Even if a thought or opinion has long been lodged in our minds, we don’t have to preserve it. With help from God or a friend, we can acknowledge a thought that is simply not true and begin the work of isolating it and ridding it from our minds. Rewiring our brain and altering a neural pathway.
  4. Replace the lie with God’s truth. What an amazing guide for life is the Word of God! Wisdom for all of us. If you aren’t a believer, sort out what is really true vs. what has taken up squatter’s rights in your brain – hurting you rather than healing you. For Christians, we look for what is true in the Bible and replace the lie with the truth. It will require its own repetition to rewire our thinking. So worth it. “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” – Jeremiah 23:29
  5. Preach the truth to yourself. When a lie sets up residence in our brains, we have to use repetition to unseat it. Speaking what is true over the lie will put neuroplasticity in a higher gear. I love what Erika says here: “Your mouth reinforces what your mind believes”.
  6. Keep renewing your mind. The old cortisol-filled thoughts aren’t going to go away easily. When they rise up, remember to speak/think what is actually true. The negative thoughts will fade. The Bible talks about “renewing the mind” (Romans 12:2) It is an ongoing practice.
  7. Stay consistent when nothing seems to change. Again, those negative thoughts, those lies, may have embedded over years. The neural pathways are strong. Don’t be discouraged that change takes time. “Don’t mistake slow progress for no progress.” I’m a visual learner. Sometimes for me, it takes written cues on my keyboard, in my journal, on my kitchen counter, in my car. [OK, I can be a slow learner, too.] So thankful for truth that sets my captive brain free!
  8. Build a Godly fortress in your mind. If you have dark days or you struggle with thoughts that overwhelm you, if you can’t resist speaking out contempt for yourself or others, you need to build fortification against such thoughts which turn into words. When we allow our brains to be wired with negative, hateful thoughts, we can rid ourselves of those thoughts. However, we also have to replace them with what is true (Matthew 12:43-45). Building a fortress takes work, but, over time, it is that amazing rewiring of our neural pathways and setting in motion a very different neuroplasticity. So worth the work!

Erika at Nourished and Rooted on Instagram

Photo Credit: QuoteFancy, Laozi

You Become Your Thoughts – Erika – Nourished and Rooted – Instagram

You Become Your Thoughts – Erika – Nourished & Rooted – Facebook

Dr. Lee Warren Podcast – excellent resource – on all things mind/brain – Christian neurosurgeon – brilliant and and easy to engage

The Life-changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery – Dr. W. Lee Warren, MD

Brainwork: The Power of Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Restructuring – Sydney Ceruto Ph.D.

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Jesus and Holy Week – Day 3 – Tuesday – Long Day Teaching & Countering Religious Opposition

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Photo Credit – slidesharecdn.com

Adapted from the Archives]

When He [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” – Matthew 21:23

On this long day, Jesus would demonstrate in one situation after another that he spoke and acted with the authority of God Himself. The barren fig tree cursed by Jesus the day before had indeed withered and died. The disciples saw it themselves that morning as they walked again from Bethany to Jerusalem. Jesus spoke to them of faith, which they would need all the more in the days ahead (Matthew 21:21-22).

Again and again…in Jerusalem, in the Temple, and on the busy streets during Passover, Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders.

It’s amazing that he even gained entry to the Temple after overturning the market there just the day before. Again, another sign of his authority. He was untouchable, until he gave himself over to his own death on the cross…for us.

The religious leaders were determined to trap him in some sort of blasphemous teaching or interpretation of the law. It would not happen, yet they were set on his destruction one way or another.

In an attempt to test Jesus’ understanding of the law, a legal advisor to the Pharisees asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the law. The Pharisees cautioned strict adherence to the laws of the Torah, all 613 of them! They were not prepared for Jesus’ response:

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” –   Mark 12:29-31

Two commands: 1) Love God with your whole being; 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. Some might say that a third is presumed in that you must love yourself in a right and wholesome way in order to truly love others.

Jesus’ love for the Father and his love for all people were in perfect unity. Loving God, with all we are, gives us perspective and capacity to love those around us, whomever they are, as we have experienced love ourselves, from the God who loves us perfectly and completely.

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and other Jewish leaders grew more angry at Jesus and were vexed as to how to destroy his popularity and influence with the masses of Jews loyal to him. All their trickery failed this time. Jesus was not intimidated by them, and, in fact, spoke some of his strongest words against them while teaching that day.

His 8 “woe to you” pronouncements against the Pharisees are listed at the bottom of this page. When I read them, the song from the original Godspell film comes to mind as the Jesus character stands against the religious “machine” of his day – those “hypocrites”, those “blind guides” of the people.

http://debmillswriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Blog-Holy-Week-Pharisees.jpgPhoto Credit: www.faithbibleministries.com

Finally, leaving Jerusalem that day, Jesus stopped on the Mount of Olives (Olivet) to speak about the future. He talked at length, to his disciples and all those who followed, about the end times. He warned them about false teachers and the evil that would rise up in those last days. What it must have been to listen to Jesus, the Messiah, on that Tuesday – filled with a mixture of faith in him and fear of what could lie ahead for them, and the generations to come.

When Jesus and his disciples returned for the evening to Bethany, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, stole away and met with Jesus’ enemies. [Matthew 26:14-16] In the dark of night, he would betray Jesus to them. He acted as a coward, away from the crowds who would have strongly objected…

For 30 pieces of silver, Judas would seemingly take history into his own hands, but the clock was already ticking, and Jesus would finish what he came to earth to do.

Postscript:

8 “Woe’s” Spoken by Jesus Against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-30)

1- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men.

2- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows’ houses, and pray at length as a pretense.

3– Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

4- Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.”

5- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.

6- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.

7- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

8- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.”*

The Final Days of Jesus – Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

YouTube video Alas for You from the original film Godspell

Spotify Playlist – From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection – Beth Wayland

The Way of Jesus #2: Unsettling the Religious Status Quo – James Nored & Phil Ware

Reasoning Why Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree – Sam Shamoun

Jesus and the Pharisees

*8 Woes Upon the Pharisees – Curtis Kittrell

Great Texts of the Bible – The Two Commandments – commentary by James Hastings

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Worship Wednesday – Loving Well, Hating Well

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Photo Credit: Destiny City, Don Vess

But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. – Luke 6:27-28

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:31-32

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. – Proverbs 6:16-19

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” – Romans 12:17-19

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:8-9

The beginning of this year in the US has been marked with violence in the streets and clashes with federal agents. Social and news media posts are daily filled with critiques of one group of people vs. another one. Whole people groups. Division is high. Fingers pointed. Disdain fueled by distancing. Even Christians against Christians…sadly.

Writer, theologian Trevin Wax posted a blog this past week on something I’d never heard of before – censoriousness. It is defined as “the state of being censorious, which means having a tendency to blame, criticize, or condemn others. It often involves a habit of finding fault and reproaching others for their actions or opinions.”

How to Deal with a Censorious Spirit – Trevin Wax (really excellent read)

In John Bevere‘s book The Bait of Satan, he teaches on how to respond when we are treated unfairly. Our temptation is to react when someone berates or condemns us. We don’t feel understood. The same applies to those toward whom we express contempt. There is always more to the story. The saying “Two things can be true” is applied. Issues brewing in our country are not so simple as one side against another. The causes are multi-layered and complex. Oh for the simple to reign…and in God’s Word, He breaks down the complex. We are to pray for those in opposition to us (and vice versa). We are to be curious and seek understanding. We are not to allow the world and its evil to divide us. We are to remember that God is in control, and it is His prerogative to judge and make things right.

Photo Credit: Charles Brent, Heartlight

Clinical psychologist, leadership expert Dr. Henry Cloud’s describes how to hate well in his small and fascinating book 9 Things a Leader Must Do. He is wise and succinct on all the topics of this book but especially on hating well, and I quote him here:

“Hate is one of the most crucial ingredients of a good person’s character. What we hate says a lot about who we are, what we value, what we care about…Basically, we are defined in part by what we love and what we hate. You can tell a lot about people by what they love…[and] by what they hate…You can depend on people who…hate arrogance, lying, innocent people being hurt, harmful schemes, evil practices, telling lies about others, and things that stir up dissension among people. [the things that God hates – Proverbs 6:16-19]…The first thing that hate does for us is to help us move against certain traits and issues, thus becoming different from them…The second way hate benefits us is that it causes us to protect what we value…The third way that hate is a good thing is the flip side of protection. Hate moves us to destroy bad things, which are often the things that threaten the good. [However] Unsuccessful leaders hate in ways that solve problems as opposed to creating problems…The difference between leaders who hate well and those who hate destructively lies in the difference between two kinds of hate: subjective and objective. Subjective anger [hate] blasts other people, causes overreactions, dissensions, inability to resolve conflict, broken relationships…Make the subjective hatred objective. Transform it to the kind of hate that solves problems, protects things that you value, and stands against the things that you do not want in your life and work…[he/she] shows up with integrated character. When he brings hate, he brings love as well…and respect, kindness, and forgiveness [taking] a hard stand on a touch issue but remaining loving and kind in the process.” – Dr. Henry Cloud, 9 Things a Leader Must Do – pp. 73-83

In hating well, the focus is on unrighteous acts not on the offenders. It’s not personal. Hating well treats all people as God’s image-bearers. He says repeatedly in His Word that He will avenge, He will make right, He will repay. Because He is without sin, He alone knows just how far to go for the sake of redemption. Our own “righteous anger” moves to sin so quickly because the subjective nature of the offense catapults us to hatred, and not in a good way.

Using the name of Jesus to justify mistreatment of image bearers – Instagram post – Kendra Leeanne Kuntz

I was reminded on a zoom call earlier this week that we are one body with many members – some of us are gifted by the Holy Spirit to speak out against evil, others of us are more the encouragers and mercy-givers, still others serve both the church and those experiencing hardship in the world, and still others point us to the Scripture to make sure we believe what God says and not just what we want to believe He says…

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has give you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. – Romans 12:3-5

God calls us to love well (following the example of the Godhead) and to hate well…the same. Only He is the One without sin. He alone can move our hearts to love as He loves and hate as He hates.

Photo Credit: John Stott, Heartlight

Monday Moment Morning – How Can We Keep From Hating? – Deb Mills

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Monday Morning Moment – Word for the New Year – Focus

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Photo Credit: Heartlight, James Houston quote

[Adapted from the Archives]

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I [we] will not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

You, [Lord], will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 19:11-13

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day…For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

New Year’s Resolutions have been a long-time habit for me. I actually find them very helpful in steering my life into the next year. More intentional, more thoughtful. It doesn’t matter to me if those resolutions don’t get me to whatever goal I set…they have always gotten me a bit closer, a bit farther down the road. In 2017, pastor Cliff at Movement Church challenged us to commit to some resolutions to the Lord…together [podcast of 12/31/2017 here]. That was such a pivotal exercise that I have kept those same resolutions, made that day, in a visible place, to be reminded of those Godly habits, and the struggle to walk in them… Still in view…eight years out. Still relevant to now.

Then in 2020, I read Debbie Macomber‘s book One Perfect Word. It is not the same practice as setting resolutions in motion, but it is a discipline of seeking one word to set the tone for the coming year.

In 2021, my word was “compassion”. In 2022, it was “joy”. “Wonder” in 2023. “Strong” in 2024, when feeling weak was the norm that year. This past year, in a season of medical challenges, my word was “trust”.

Choosing a word for the year gives a sense of direction like I’ve not experienced in the past. It’s a target toward which I take aim or correct my aim. Each year, the Lord seems to direct me (can’t be certain, but it feels like Him) to a word to set in my heart and mind. A marker in my walk with God. In recent weeks, the word that has come to mind for 2026 has been focus. In fact, I’ve seen it repeatedly communicated in Scripture during my quiet time (see verses above) and in every day conversations and sightings (like the cap below in a thrift store).

My whole adult life, I’ve dealt with distractedness. To the point of thinking it could be ADD (attention deficit disorder). Starting strong and then dwindling in my interest and resolve. Distracted by the needs around me (which isn’t a bad thing). Struggling to stay on task. As I approach my 75th birthday (crazy, right?!), the Lord has reminded me that He doesn’t see my distractability as a weakness. It is just part of who I am, and He can mold it into something beautiful and useful to the Kingdom, when I stay focused on Him…and His nature.

Photo Credit: Heartlight

This will be my challenge and delight in 2026. To start with Him each day, to focus (and refocus) on Him through the day, and to finish the day, not in defeat because of any failures or unfinished tasks, but resting in His presence and peace. Eyes on Him, not on me.

Here we go, 2026. As the Scripture above prompts. The LORD always before me. My mind stayed on Him. Seeking Him with my whole heart. Pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Fixing my eyes on what is unseen. Running the race marked out for me.

Postscript:

Twentieth-century Quaker Thomas Kelly wrote, “Over the margins of life comes a whisper, a faint call, a premonition of richer living which we know we are passing by. We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power. If only we could slip over into that Center! If only we could find the Silence which is the source of sound!”

Lord, withYour coming, our lives have a greater demand placed upon them. Help us learn the art of active, consistent service while maintaining enough silent spaces to hear Your call. Amen. commonprayer.net.

Photo Credit: Heartlight

Photo Credit: Heartlight

Monday Morning Moment – Word for the New Year – Trust – the Object of Our Trust Matters – Deb Mills – [quick review of how a Word of the Year became a habit in my life]

The Focused Christian – Craig Meeker – practical primer to the focused life

The Focused Christian
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Worship Wednesday – Is Peace Possible? – I Heard the Bells – Casting Crowns

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Photo Credit: Roseville Lutheran Church

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:14

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:4-5, 8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! – Psalm 32:8-11

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” – Romans 12:17-19

[From the Archives: One week ago this morning, I woke to the results of the 2024 US presidential election. Before going to bed in the early hours of today, I prayed, wanting to trust the outcome to Him. Wanting to believe Him for whatever direction our country would go. Affirming that the Scripture validates that He is sovereign, and we are in His care.]

October is near, and in our home, it begins the season of Christmas music. So many beautiful anthems to the glory of God – the month of December is not enough to listen, sing, and meditate on the message of these words written by inspired authors and composers.

As this week has unfolded around our nation, social media and news outlets are filled with a range of both shock and jubilation. Of fear and relief. We continue a nation divided…for now. May the church not be a vessel of division…but an instrument of God’s peace.

In December, 1863, American poet and scholar Henry W. Longfellow received his wounded son home from battle. It was Christmas time, and the U.S. Civil War raged on. Having already lost his wife years earlier, Longfellow nursed his son, Charley, back to health. His own thoughts, in turmoil over all that was happening around him, he poured out in the poem “Christmas Bells”.

“I Heard the Bells” – 2022 film on Longfellow’s life and circumstance of writing this poem

Longfellow clearly took comfort from God as he wrote, ending the poem with this stanza:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
        The Wrong shall fail,
        The Right prevail,
    With peace on earth, good-will to men.”*

I Heard the Bells is a Christmas carol, not a worship anthem. Yet, given the continuing wars of our day, and the politics surrounding them, we must tend the fires of our hope. God is the “lifter of our heads” (Psalm 3:3). He is the One who gives strength to our “weak hands and shaking knees” (Isaiah 35:3). He will do as He’s promised. He is faithful. When you hear the bells ring where you are in the wake of this past week, and as Christmas looms in weeks ahead, take heart in that. We must continue to pray for His peace on earth. We can be vessels of His good-will toward our neighbors, both near and far away.

Photo Credit: Ullie Kaye Poetry, Facebook

Leaning into “the right [to] prevail” is where we stand, as Christ-followers. Straight and resolute in our understanding of God’s intentions and His movement in our world. We can resist and refuse to add to the noise of hopelessness and cynicism in this world. We bend our hearts to hear the voice of God speak through the chaos…speaking the peace that only He can bring…through our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. We can speak that peace to our neighbor – the truth wrapped in His love.

Worship with me…

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (Peace on Earth)
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir singing (Peace on Earth)
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they’re ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (Peace on Earth)
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing? (Peace on Earth)
The life the angels singing (Peace on Earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (Peace on Earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men*

Photo Credit: Dr. Rex; Jill Jackson Miller

* Lyrics to “I Heard the Bells” – Casting Crowns

YouTube Video – Casting Crowns performing I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Christmas Carol Soldier – Story of Charley Appleton Longfellow & the occasion for H. W. Longfellow’s writing of the poem/lyric

The Story Behind I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day – Tom Stewart

*Longfellow’s poem Christmas Bells

YouTube Video – Let There Be Peace on Earth – Jakarta Philharmonic Children’s Choir

YouTube Video – Let There Be Peace on Earth – Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Chet Akins, & Michael McDonald 1993

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Worship Wednesday – God Speaks – Take Him at His Word – with Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings

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Photo Credit: Busy Blessed Women

[Adapted from the Archives]

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. – Proverbs 30:5

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? – Numbers 23:19

“My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” – Isaiah 55:11

Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me: He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. – Psalm 34:3-5

“I sought Him and He answered me.” God speaks to us. I can’t even imagine a world without His Word…without His Word made Flesh dwelling among us (John 1:14)…without His Spirit comforting and convicting us and connecting us to Him and each other.

My life verses are Jeremiah 29:11-13.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13

In those times when we don’t experience God speaking to us, I know for me it’s because I have turned my eyes away from Him and on to myself. God speaks to us in so many ways: through His Word; through His Spirit; through nature, our circumstances, the church, other believers. God has not stepped away. He leans in to us, desiring to be close to His people.

In C. S. Lewis’ classic book Screwtape Letters, we receive insight on how we are tempted away from intimacy with God, not through great sins, but through small, serial distractions. Here is part of the Evil One’s genius:

“….anything or nothing is sufficient to attract his wandering attention. You no longer need a good book, which he really likes, to keep him from his prayers or his work or his sleep; a column of advertisements in yesterday’s paper will do. You can make him waste his time not only in conversation he enjoys with people whom he likes, but in conversations with those he cares nothing about on subjects that bore him. You can make him do nothing at all for long periods.

You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [GOD]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,

Your affectionate uncle, SCREWTAPE

How Screwtape Still Speaks to a Distracted, Digital Generation – Paul Cozby

Several days ago, I caught a Becket Cook podcast where he interviewed theology professor Thaddeus Williams about his book “Revering God – How to Marvel at Your Maker”. I ordered it immediately and have started through it. So rich and full of the wonder of God.

Williams wrote this book using the word Revering as an acronym describing God as 1)Reliable, 2) Enjoyable, 3) Victorious, 4) Eternally loving, 5) Redemptive, and 6) Expressive.

In the first chapter, Williams makes the case that God is always speaking to us. Can you even imagine this life without God speaking to us? He does not leave us to our own devices. He guides us always. In those moments when we feel adrift, or we feel He is silent, we have a way Home. Through His Word. By believing prayer. Obeying what He has already told us. Taking in the beauty He’s created for us. In the company of His people.

God Is There and He Is Not Silent – Joel Hawthorne

“The great enemy of the Christian is the sin of unbelief—the sin of refusing to accept what God says and the sin of refusing to do what God says. The great friend of the Christian is the joy of belief and the joy of obedience. Where is God asking you to simply take him at his word?” – Tim Challies

We can take Him at His word.

Worship Wednesday – Take You At Your Word – Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings – Deb Mills

Worship with me.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your way is the only way for me

It’s a narrow road that leads to life
But I want to be on it
It’s a narrow road but the mercy’s wide
‘Cause You’re good on Your promise

Come on

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it You’ll complete it
I’ll take You at Your word

Come on

You spoke and the chaos fell in line
Well, I know ’cause I’ve seen it in my life

It’s a narrow road that leads to life
But I want to be on it
It’s a narrow road and the tide is high
‘Cause You parted the water

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it You’ll complete it
I’ll take You at Your word

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it You’ll complete it
I’ll take You at Your word

You’re good on Your promise
Yeah, I know
You’re good on Your promise

You said Your love would never give up
You said Your grace is always enough
You said Your heart would never forget or forsake me

Thank you, Lord

You said I’m saved, You call me Yours
You said my future’s full of Your hope
You’ve never failed so I know that You’ll never fail me

I say sing it again

You said Your love would never give up
You said Your grace is always enough
You said Your heart would never forget or forsake me

Hallelujah

You said I’m saved, You call me Yours
You said my future’s full of Your hope
You’ve never failed so I know that You’ll never fail me

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it You’ll complete it
I’ll take You at Your word

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it You’ll complete it
I’ll take You at Your word

‘Cause You’re good on Your promise
Oh, You’re good on Your promise

I’ll take You at Your word

Let’s go

Hallelujah*

*Lyrics to Take You At Your Word – Songwriters: Cody Carnes, Benjamin William Hastings, and Aodhan King

Thinking Biblically Podcast – Revering God with Thaddeus Williams

Take God At His Word – 21 Bible Verses About Taking God At His Word

Where Is God Asking You to Take Him at His Word? – Tim Challies

What It Looks Like to Take God at His Word – Colin Smith

Photo Credit: LivForHim, Pinterest

Worship Wednesday – Blessings Disguised – Laura Story’s Discovery of the Mercies of God – Deb Mills

YouTube Video – For God Is With Us – For King & Country

YouTube Video – Big Daddy Weave – Overwhelmed – Official Music Video

YouTube Video – Megan Woods – The Truth

YouTube Video – Trust In God (feat. Chris Brown & Isaiah Templeton) | Elevation Worship

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Worship Wednesday – Shout to the Lord – Darlene Zschech

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Photo Credit: Robert Griffith

“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” – Psalm 32:11

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” – Psalm 66:1-2

Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! – Psalm 47:1

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song. – Psalm 95:1-2

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp. With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King. – Psalm 98:4-6

In the Fall of 1998, we returned to the US from living overseas for three years. It was a bit of a sabbatical where we had a few weeks to reconnect with friends and family. For that period of time, we traveled around the US, visiting folks. On Sundays, we would go to their churches.

Oddly, every Sunday (or the majority of them), the same song was on that church’s worship list. A song released in 1994 in Australia by composer, worship leader Darlene Zschech. This song would put the then 10-year-old Hillsong Church on the global worship map.

That song? Shout to the Lord.

Our kids were still youngsters in 1998 but remember well how we stood gathered with other believers and sang that glorious anthem to the Lord – week after week. Amused at times, we puzzled over how many times we ended up singing it. That song and those worship experiences would bring me (at least) to tears in those moments. In awe of Jesus…and His provision for His beloved.

We don’t sing this song much anymore, now over 30 years since its release. However, its call to worship is still real and relevant. Yesterday, I found Australian pastor/teacher Robert Griffith‘s piece on shouting to the Lord. He writes that there are 135 references in Scripture referring to our shouting to the Lord. His observations are powerful and transformative, some quoted below.

Shout to the Lord – Robert Griffith

Now, all of us shout. If we have voices, we have all shouted many times, and for numerous reasons. We’ve shouted in the overflow of great joy. We’ve shouted in the exultation of victory. We’ve shouted in the tension of competition. We’ve shouted in the chaos of battle. We’ve shouted in the tumult of controversy and argument. We’ve shouted in moments of great danger. We’ve shouted in the explosion of hot anger.

But we rarely shout alone. Have you noticed that? Similar to laughing, and to some extent singing, shouting seems to be designed primarily as a corporate expression of strong emotion, something we find most enjoyable or helpful or needful when we do it with other people.

There’s something profound and mysterious about a group of people sharing a common excitement and joy. Often, joy is heightened when we experience it together with others – and certain joys are only properly expressed in shouting. To not shout together in the stadium as your team crosses the line to score, would emotionally mute the whole experience.

[Photo Credit: Freepik]

Most of the scriptural instructions to shout are addressed to the gathered saints – the Psalms were mainly meant to be sung (and sometimes shouted) together with others.

What about when our Church gathers together to worship (and it’s not a funeral)? What does our Church culture encourage? Are there occasionally moments of exuberance in song where all the saints “shout for joy to God” (Psalm 66:1)? Or does that always feel out of place, or only done by one or two courageous (and odd) people?

Do we ever feel the realities of the mercies of God, our redemption, the spiritual conflict we’re engaged in, the promise of our resurrection, and Christ’s ultimate triumph strongly enough to inspire a shout? I ask this question for a couple of reasons. One, it might reveal a personal deficiency in our souls that we need to address with the Lord – that we’re not connecting deeply enough with the realities of what God has done for us, and what God has promised us. And, of course, that’s all of us to a greater or lesser degree. What we may need is to repent of giving excessive attention to lesser things and spend more extended time meditating on “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8) in order to stoke the embers of our deep passion for Him. Without passion, nobody is going to shout.

But a second reason is that, to some degree, an affectional deficit might be due to the fact that we don’t shout together. I often feel certain great truths of God, or at least dimensions of them, more deeply and intensely when I share and shout over them with others.

Shouting is commended and commanded in the Bible, like singing, because there are dimensions of joy in God that are only experienced when we express ourselves in this way – particularly when we express ourselves this way together as the people of God.

Because of the clear biblical exhortations to shout, I commend these thoughts to you for your prayerful consideration – especially pastors and leaders who craft worship times for gathered saints. What we all want is for the saints to experience as much blessing of delighting in God as possible.” – Shout to the Lord – Robert Griffith

Let’s make some noise! Our church when gathered is definitely Spirit-filled but, at the same time, somewhat reserved. I do sense a movement stirring…may we voice our delight in the Lord in ways that honor Him.

Worship with me.

My Jesus, my Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

(My Jesus) To my Savior (my Savior)
Oh, Lord there is nothing like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

You’re my comfort (my comfort), and my shelter, yes (my shelter)
You’re my tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, and all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in…

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing, yeah
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down (mountains bow down and the seas will roar)
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
(Nothing compares to the promise I have in You…)
Oh, nothing compares to the promise I have in You*

*Lyrics to Shout to the Lord – Songwriter: Darlene Zschech

Story Behind Darlene Zschech’s Shout to the Lord – Timothy Yap

Greatest Hits Hillsong Worship Songs Ever Playlist – Top 50 Popular Christian Songs By Hillsong

WOW Gold Album – 30 Landmark Christian Songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s

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Worship Wednesday – Highly Exalted – Robin Mark & Paul Baloche

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Photo Credit: Parade

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away.” – Isaiah 53:7-8

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds, you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:5-11

[For further study, see also Ezekiel 16:5; Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29; Acts 8:32; Hebrews 11:25; Luke 19:9; Romans 11:11; Philippians 2:9 – Sifa Lyrics: Highly Exalted – Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration – https://sifalyrics.com/robin-mark-highly-exalted-lyrics]

This week we have the pleasure of my mom-in-law visiting. She is a complete blessing. Such a humble servant and faithful pray’er. You want her to be praying for you. She is a great story-teller and encourager. Her great-grandchildren adore her! She brings joy with her into the house.

One thing that changes in our home when she is here is some of what we watch on TV. On Sunday evenings in her home, she watches a church program produced through Pensacola Christian University. The name of the program is Rejoice in the Lord. The sermon this week was “Renaming Your Sorrow”. Sunday night’s message was impacting, but what touched me the most was one of the worship songs. It was the first time I heard this song “Highly Exalted” and it’s been on repeat since then. You can watch/listen to the university choir sing it here at 11:40 minutes in. So beautiful. Written by Robin Mark and Paul Baloche (released in 2018). All Scripture. I got goosebumps and still get them. Thank You, Jesus.

This song has burned its message into my heart. We treat Jesus too lightly sometimes…and, if we are honest, we can turn our faces away from His teaching, the example of His life, and His atoning sacrifice for our sins. To our detriment. Lord, have mercy on our souls. Forever a part of the triune nature of the Godhead, the Son of God came in obedience to the Father to make a way for us to become children of the most high God. He came in humility as a baby, lived as a carpenter’s son, touch lives radically for three years of public ministry, died a horrible death…in obedience to the Father and for our sakes. Then God the Father raised Him from the dead, and Christ lives forever to intercede for us and welcome us Home. Thanks be to God.

The rise and fall of this song and the lyrics that Robin and Paul knit together from the Word take us to the booming chorus:

“For God has highly exalted Your name; He has enthroned You on high: Jesus the name above all names!”

Amen and Amen.

We exalt You, Lord Jesus. You are worthy of all our praise.

Let’s worship together to this beautiful anthem:

You were despised
You were rejected Lord
Those who passed by
Even averted their gaze from Your sight
Such was the suffering You bore for us
Led like a lamb, lamb to the slaughter
You spoke not a word
Chose to be silent
Though You did no wrong
Nor was deceitfulness found in You
Yet by Your wounds our salvation has come
Yet by Your suffering our freedom is won
For God has highly exalted Your name
He has enthroned You on high
Jesus the name above all names (2x)
Led like a lamb, lamb to the slaughter
You spoke not a word
Chose to be silent
Though You did no wrong
Nor was deceitfulness found in You
Yet by Your wounds our salvation has come
Yet by Your suffering our freedom is won
(For) God has highly exalted Your name
He has enthroned You on high
Jesus the name above all names (2x)
Yet by Your wounds our salvation has come
Yet by Your suffering our freedom is won
(For) God has highly exalted Your name
He has enthroned You on high
Jesus the name above all names (2x)*

Photo Credit: Knowing-Jesus

*Lyrics to “Highly Exalted” – Songwriter: Paul Baloche & Robin Mark

YouTube Video – Highly Exalted | Schönfeld Projektchor

Highly Exalted Music Video – YouTube

YouTube Video – Highly Exalted – The Allens in Israel

YouTube Video – Highly Exalted – Robin Mark

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Worship Wednesday – Unbelief? – “Believe!” by Blessing Offor

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Photo Credit: Knowing-Jesus

Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. – Jeremiah 7:24

“They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” – Ephesians 4:18

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. – Hebrews 2:1

“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” – Proverbs 28:14

Unbelief is a dangerous state of being. Rather than take a disturbing or confusing situation, and dig into prayer, Bible study, and reasoning with other believers…we are tempted to take our own counsel. We are drawn to a lesser gospel which “allows” for us to come out on top or to be right and the other is wrong. We want to be comfortable, justified, without sin.

Recently, we were blessed to be in a long conversation with a young family member who is struggling with a theological matter. He has studied long on this issue and can’t wrap his mind around it. Is that unbelief? I don’t think so. His heart is earnest toward the Lord. He wants to know what is true, and he wants to believe what God is saying. As we grapple over this, continue to study, and pray, I believe God will give him enough understanding that faith will take him the rest of the way…wherever he lands. He wants to believe and God will reveal what He needs to know.

What’s scary is those who choose unbelief as their only recourse…their only way forward in our post-Christian culture. Those, even in the church, who refuse to bend to the teaching of Christ…it’s enough to be moral, to be nice, to be ____________ (whatever our culture says is correct).

I knew a man once, a beloved brother, in the church where I grew up. He stopped coming to church after a long season of perceived faithfulness. His reason? He said he felt so burdened by what he had already learned and known about God that he didn’t want to risk being held responsible for any more knowledge of God!!!!!

Tragic.

Yet do we sometimes struggle with that ourselves? Being a part of church but having false beliefs…shutting our ears to what we hope not to have to obey. Or walking away from the church because of the same hardening of heart and refusing to believe.

“…is true Christianity only to be measured by what I believe, or also by how I live? Functional Christianity is when your confession impacts your way of life — you are functioning in accordance with your confession that Jesus is Lord.  If Jesus is the reigning Lord of heaven and earth, then discipleship (true Christianity) is measured not simply by what I believe, but by how I live my life in relation to the rule of Jesus.  In other words, the gospel should impact every area of my life.” – John H. Armstrong, Functional Christianity

A hardened heart has lost its desire to obey the Lord. Oh that we would never allow our hearts to be so far from Him as to not be able to hear His voice. He is always calling us back to Himself. Believe Him…trust Him…and obey. What freedom and beauty we have in this life with Him!

30 Powerful Bible Verses About Hardening of the Heart – Pastor David

Worship with me to singer/songwriter Blessing Offor‘s heart-gripping call for us to believe. Not just in God’s Word but in His love as well. No matter what.

So You catch me when I fall, right?
And You hear me when I call cryin’
And You fix me when I’m broke, right?
And that’s all I need to know
So the storm is gonna break right?
And the sun is gonna start shining
And everything is gonna go right
And that’s all I need to know

But what if You know something I don’t?
What if You will something I won’t?
If You don’t give me what I want
But You give me what I need
Is that enough to…

Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?
Will I still
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?

So nothing’s ever going wrong, right?
And every day I’m gonna be smiling
Turned my water into good wine
And let the good times roll

But what if You know something I don’t?
What if You will something I won’t?
If You don’t give me what I want
But You give me what I need
Is that enough to…

Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?
Will I still
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love
Will I still
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love?

Do I want You? Do I want You?
Do I want You or what You can do for me?
Do I love You? Do I love You?
Do I love You or what You can do for me?
Sometimes I don’t know
But all I wanna do is

Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love (Yes, I do)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love
(All I wanna do, all I wanna do is believe)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love (Yes, I do)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love
(Believe in Your love)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love (Yes, I believe)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love
(I believe, I believe, I believe)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love
(In Your love, in Your love, in Your love)
Believe, believe, believe, believe in Your love*

““Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24b

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” – Jeremiah 24:7

*Lyrics to “Believe” – Songwriters: Hank Bentley, Blessing Chibueze Offor