And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more...

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. -Philippians 1:9-11

Grant to us, O Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love that which is worth loving, to praise that which pleaseth Thee most, to esteem that which is most precious unto Thee, and to dislike whatsoever is evil in Thine eyes.  -Thomas à Kempis

Awaken Us Today...

 

Awaken Us Today

From the Original Motion Picture "A Great Awakening"

From the oceans, through the valleys

From the mainland to the shore

Let Your Kingdom be awakened

In the hearts of men once more

Call Your children into freedom

Captive souls to liberty

Come awaken, Holy Spirit!

Come awaken us today!

Love unending, grace unyielding

Tender mercies from thy throne

Brings the lost soul into families

Calls the wayward sinner home

Bring salvation, Great Redeemer

Holy fire fan to flame

Come restore us, come revive us

Come awaken us today!

I will serve Thee, Precious Jesus

Unto Thee I give my all

Lay my hands unto thy service

And my heart unto thy call

Perish every fond ambition

Lay aside all selfish gain

All forsaken for thy glory

Come awaken us today!

Wake, O sleeper, from your slumber!

Saints awaken, come to life!

Christ will rise and shine upon you

In His heav'nly light divine

Like the sunrise in its dawning

Breaking darkness with new light

Rise upon us, King of glory

Come awaken us today!

For Your Kingdom, For Your Glory

Come awaken us today!

If my people...

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -2 Chronicles 7:14

I will remember the deeds of the Lord...

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

    and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

    What god is great like our God?

You are the God who works wonders;

    you have made known your might among the peoples.

You with your arm redeemed your people,

    the children of Jacob and Joseph. 

      -Psalm 77:11-15

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love...

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

    for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

    for to you I lift up my soul.

   Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!

    I have fled to you for refuge.

Teach me to do your will,

    for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

    on level ground!

   -Psalm 143:8-10

Since then we have a great high priest...

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:14-16 Image

Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.  -William Cowper

Do not love the world or the things in the world...

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. -1 John 2:15-17

If our common life is not a common course of humility, self-denial, renunciation of the world, poverty of spirit, and heavenly affection, we don’t live the lives of Christians.  

-William Law

Blessed Be Our God and Father

 

Blessed Be Our God and Father 

Sovereign Grace Music

VERSE 1

Blessed be our God and Father 

Who has filled our lives with blessing

Every gift from heaven’s fullness 

now is ours in Jesus Christ 

Oh, what riches of his favor poured out 

freely from His throne

We rejoice in praise for the glory of His grace

VERSE 2

Blessed be our God and Father 

Who before the world’s foundation

Knew He’d make us pure and blameless, 

changing sinners into saints

Oh, what mercy to be chosen

and in love to bear His name

We rejoice in praise for the glory of His grace

CHORUS

Hallelujah! to Your name be all the glory

Hallelujah! to Your name be all praise

VERSE 3

Blessed be our God and Father 

Who with unimagined kindness

Gave His Only Son to save us 

for the glory of His name

Oh what power in His passion, 

raised from death to endless reign

We rejoice in praise for the glory of His grace

CHORUS

Hallelujah! to Your name be all the glory

Hallelujah! to Your name be all praise

Hallelujah! to Your name be all the glory

Hallelujah! to Your name be all praise

The Lord has made known his salvation...

The Lord has made known his salvation;

    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

    to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

    the salvation of our God.

  -Psalm 98:2-3

Every one who receives this Word, and by it salvation, receives along with it the duty of passing this Word on... Where there is no mission, there is no Church, and where there is neither Church nor mission, there is no faith.   -Emil Brunner Image

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:19-25

The Lord is gracious and merciful...

The Lord is gracious and merciful,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all,

    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

    and all your saints shall bless you!

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

    and tell of your power,

to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

          -Psalm 145:8-13 Image

But the Lord will be your everlasting light...

The sun shall be no more

    your light by day,

nor for brightness shall the moon

    give you light;

but the Lord will be your everlasting light,

    and your God will be your glory.

Your sun shall no more go down,

    nor your moon withdraw itself;

for the Lord will be your everlasting light,

    and your days of mourning shall be ended.

Your people shall all be righteous;

    they shall possess the land forever,

the branch of my planting, the work of my hands,

    that I might be glorified.

The least one shall become a clan,

    and the smallest one a mighty nation;

I am the Lord;

    in its time I will hasten it.

-Isaiah 60:19-22 

Image

“Seek the Lord while he may be found..."

“Seek the Lord while he may be found;

    call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, 

that he may have compassion on him,

    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

-Isaiah 55:6-9

The Lord is at hand...

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7

Prayer has everything to do with moulding the soul into the image of God, and has everything to do with enhancing and enlarging the measure of Divine grace. It has everything to do with enriching, broadening and maturing the soul’s experience of God. That man cannot possibly be called a Christian, who does not pray. -E.M. Bounds Image

Holy God!

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy; have mercy on us!

My help comes from the Lord...

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

 who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

    he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

    he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

    your going out and your coming in

    from this time forth and forevermore.

   -Psalm 121

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers..."

O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

    Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

you have established strength because of your foes,

    to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, 

the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, 

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower 

than the heavenly beings

    and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion 

over the works of your hands;

    you have put all things under his feet,

all sheep and oxen,

    and also the beasts of the field,

the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

     -Psalm 8

“Blessed are you..."

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

-Matthew 5:11-12

I waited patiently for the Lord...

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

    out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

    making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man who makes

    the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

    to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

    none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

    yet they are more than can be told.

-Psalm 40:1-5

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus...

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  

-Romans 8:2-4

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

    and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

    it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

-Isaiah 55:10-11

A Thousand Hallelujahs...

 

A Thousand Hallelujahs 

 Brooke Ligertwood

Who else would rocks cry out to worship

Whose glory taught the stars to shine

Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing

But this joy is mine

 

With a thousand hallelujahs

We magnify Your Name

You alone deserve the glory

The honor and the praise

Lord Jesus this song is forever Yours

A thousand hallelujahs

And a thousand more

 

Who else would die for our redemption

Whose resurrection means I’ll rise

There isn’t time enough to sing of all You’ve done

But I have eternity to try

  

Praise to the Lord

To the Lamb

To the King of heaven

Praise for He rose

Now He reigns

We will sing forever

 

(We sing) Praise to the Lord

To the Lamb

To the King of heaven

Praise for He rose

Now He reigns

We will sing forever

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak...

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;

    but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

    that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground,

    and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Yes, the Lord will give what is good,

    and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him

    and make his footsteps a way.

-Psalm 85:8-13 Image

Living stones...

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 2:4-5 Image

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more...

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

-Philippians 1:9-11

There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.  -St. Augustine

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits...

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

    and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

    more than watchmen for the morning,

    more than watchmen for the morning.

-Psalm 130:5-6 Image

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

    The children of mankind take refuge 

in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

    and you give them drink

 from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light do we see light.

   -Psalm 36:7-9

You who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ...

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.  -Ephesians 2:13-17

As Christians, we must maintain day in and day out that peace is not something to be achieved by our power. Rather peace is a gift of God that comes only by our being a community formed around a crucified savior—a savior who teaches us how to be peaceful in a world in rebellion against its true Lord.  -Stanley Hauerwas

If Our God Is for Us

 

If Our God Is for Us 

 Jordan Kauflin and Laura Story

Verse 1

If our God is for us, who can be against us?

His mighty power holds us firm

There is no one like Him, there is none before Him

If we are His, our way is sure

Verse 2

If our God is for us, He will always lead us

To paths of righteousness and hope

If it brings us goodness, He will not withhold it

For from His hand all blessings flow

Chorus

What shall we say, but “Hallelujah!”

For none can take us from His love

He won’t forsake the ones He died to save

Yes, our God is for us

Verse 3

If our God is for us, will He not defend us?

When Satan’s accusations roar

For the blood of Jesus has brought us freedom

He is our confidence alone

Bridge

No tribulation, trial or pain

Persecution, loss or gain

Struggle, battle, lie or shame

Can take us from His love

We know that neither death nor life

Nor angels, rulers, place or time

No pow’r of hell, no depth nor height

Can take us from His love

It is the Lord who goes before you...

It is the Lord who goes before you.

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. 

Do not fear or be dismayed.”   

-Deuteronomy 31:8

God is love...

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.   -1 John 4:16-18

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes...

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

    and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

    and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

    for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

    and not to selfish gain!

   -Psalm 119:33-36

Look carefully then how you walk...

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  -Ephesians 5:15-17

So we do not lose heart...

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.   

-2 Corinthians 4:16

Receive therefore every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God’s goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things, new-created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator. -William Law

Blessed be the Lord!

Blessed be the Lord!

    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

      my heart exults,

    and with my song I give thanks to him.

The Lord is the strength of his people;

    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

-Psalm 28:6-9

The God Who Fights For Us

 

The God Who Fights For Us 

Sovereign Grace Music

VERSE 1

There is a war we cannot see, 

a fight that’s raging in the shadows

A hidden power, our enemy, 

arrayed against the saints in battle

Oh, bride of Christ, lift up your praises, 

You stand upon the Rock of Ages

CHORUS

Who fights for us? The Lord of hosts, 

our strong defense, our only hope

His mighty hand will bear us up, 

we praise the God Who fights for us

VERSE 2

There is a war within our flesh, 

we hear the whispers of temptation

They promise life, but lead to death 

and steal the joy of our salvation

Oh, bride of Christ, look to your Savior, 

His Spirit’s power in you is greater

CHORUS

Who fights for us? The Lord of hosts, 

our strong defense, our only hope

His mighty hand will bear us up, 

we praise the God Who fights for us

VERSE 3

There is a war that has been won 

for Christ has triumphed over evil 

Our debt is paid, the curse undone, 

the Lord will not forsake His people 

Oh, bride of Christ! All for His honor, 

the risen Lamb for you has conquered

CHORUS

Who fights for us? The Lord of hosts, 

our strong defense, our only hope

Who fights for us? The Lord of hosts, 

our strong defense, our only hope

His mighty hand will bear us up, 

we praise the God Who fights for us

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob...

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord his God,

who made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is in them,

who keeps faith forever;

    who executes justice for the oppressed,

    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

    the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the sojourners;

    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,

    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

  -Psalm 146:5-9

You guide me with your counsel...

You guide me with your counsel,

    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And there is nothing on earth 

that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart 

and my portion forever.

-Psalm 73:24-26

Do not be conformed to this world...

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2

Seek the Lord while he may be found...

“Seek the Lord while he may be found;

    call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, 

that he may have compassion on him,

    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  -Isaiah 55:6-7

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence...

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;

    pour out your heart before him;

    God is a refuge for us.

 -Psalm 62:5-8

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel...

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

-Psalm 16:7-1

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God...

 

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God 

Keith and Kristyn Getty

Holy Spirit, living breath of God,

Breathe new life into my willing soul.

Let the presence of the risen Lord,

Come renew my heart and make me whole.

Cause Your Word to come alive in me;

Give me faith for what I cannot see,

Give me passion for Your purity;

Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within,

May Your joy be seen in all I do.

Love enough to cover every sin,

In each thought and deed and attitude.

Kindness to the greatest and the least,

Gentleness that sows the path of peace.

Turn my strivings into works of grace;

Breath of God show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,

Giving life to all that God has made,

Show Your power once again on earth,

Cause Your church to hunger for your ways.

Let the fragrance of our prayers arise;

Lead us on the road of sacrifice,

That in unity the face of Christ

May be clear for all the world to see.

Let love be genuine...

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

-Romans 12:9-13

Come, O children, listen to me...

Come, O children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

What man is there who desires life

    and loves many days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

-Psalm 34:11-14

Therefore, preparing your minds for action...

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”   -1 Peter 1:13-16

For you have delivered my soul from death...

 For you have delivered my soul from death, 

yes, my feet from falling, 

that I may walk before God 

 in the light of life. 

-Psalm 56:13