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

For to this you have been called...

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 

-1 Peter 2:21-24

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!

“Turn to me and be saved,

    all the ends of the earth!

    For I am God, and there is no other.

By myself I have sworn;

    from my mouth has gone out in righteousness

    a word that shall not return:

‘To me every knee shall bow,

    every tongue shall swear allegiance.

   -Isaiah 45:22-23

The Lord is my light and my salvation...

 

Psalm 27 (The Lord Is My Light) 

 Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story

Vs 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Chorus

Lord, You are my shelter

God of my salvation, I am not forsaken

Lord, my shield and protector

Waiting on Your promise 

I will see Your goodness O Lord

Vs 2

When troubles arise no foe can harm me

You are my peace, You are my peace

You lift me above the raging storm

You conquer my enemies

Chorus

Vs 3

One thing I have asked, to see Your beauty

This I will seek, this I will seek

To dwell in Your house, to walk in Your ways

Your presence is all I need

Bridge

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

2x

Chorus

You did not choose me, but I chose you...

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.  -John 15:16-17

How can we love a holy God? The simplest answer I can give to this vital question is that we can’t. Loving a holy God is beyond our moral power. The only kind of God we can love by our sinful nature is an unholy god, an idol made by our own hands. Unless we are born of the Spirit of God, unless God sheds his holy love into our hearts, unless He stoops in His grace to change our hearts, we will not love Him. He is the One who takes the initiative to restore our souls. Without Him we can do nothing of righteousness. Without Him we would be doomed to everlasting alienation from His holiness. We can only love Him because He first loved us. -R.C. Sproul

I sought the Lord, and he answered me...

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

   and delivered me from all my fears. 

Those who look to him are radiant, 

   and their faces shall never be ashamed. 

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 

   and saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the Lord encamps 

   around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

    -Psalm 34:4-7 Image

 O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire Thee with our whole heart; that, so desiring, we may seek, and seeking find Thee; and so finding Thee may love Thee; and loving Thee, may hate those sins from which Thou hast redeemed us. -St. Anselm

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous...

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

    our God is merciful.

The Lord preserves the simple;

    when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return, O my soul, to your rest;

    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For you have delivered my soul from death,

    my eyes from tears,

    my feet from stumbling;

I will walk before the Lord

    in the land of the living.

      -Psalm 116:5-9

Keep yourselves in the love of God...

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  -Jude 20-21

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

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom 

and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are his judgments 

and how inscrutable his ways!

 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,

    or who has been his counselor?”

 “Or who has given a gift to him

    that he might be repaid?”

 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 

To him be glory forever. Amen.

 -Romans 11:33-36

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness...

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. -Romans 8:26-27

It is not necessary to maintain a conversation when we are in the presence of God. We can come into His presence and rest our weary souls in quiet contemplation of Him. Our groanings, which cannot be uttered, rise to Him and tell Him better than words how dependent we are upon Him. -O. Hallesby

Jesus, Your Mercy

 

Jesus, Your Mercy 

Sovereign Grace Music

Verse 1

Jesus, Your mercy is all my plea

I have no defense, my guilt runs too deep

The best of my works pierced Your hands and Your feet

Jesus, Your mercy is all my plea

Verse 2

Jesus, Your mercy is all my boast

The goodness I claim, the grounds of my hope

Whatever I lack it’s still what I need most

Jesus, Your mercy is all my boast

Chorus

Praise the King who bore my sin

Took my place when I stood condemned

Oh how good You’ve always been to me

I will sing of Your mercy

Verse 3

Jesus, Your mercy is all my rest

When fears weigh me down and enemies press

A comfort I cling to in life and in death

Jesus Your mercy is all my rest

Verse 4

Jesus, your mercy is all my joy

Forever I’ll lift my heart and my voice

To sing of a treasure no pow’r can destroy

Jesus, your mercy is all my joy

O Lord, God of my salvation...

O Lord, God of my salvation,

 I cry out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you;

    incline your ear to my cry!

   -Psalm 88:1-2

Begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do; and that you can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have an opportunity to do so, either alone or with others, while at work, while at rest, or while walking down the street. Anywhere!  

-O. Hallesby

When you walk through fire...

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

 and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

-Isaiah 43:2

As sure as ever God puts his children in the furnace, He will be in the furnace with them.  -CH Spurgeon 

Humility and love...

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

    and to revive the heart of the contrite.

 -Isaiah 57:15

Humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand, if they do not comprehend doctrines. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes. The poorest... Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility.  

-J.C. Ryle 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

Christianity does not consist in any partial amendment of our lives, any particular moral virtues, but in an entire change of our natural temper, a life wholly devoted to God. -William Law Image

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...

-Psalm 130:5-6

Faith is that which, knowing the Lord’s will, goes and does it; or, not knowing it, stands and waits, content in ignorance as in knowledge, because God wills; neither pressing into the hidden future, nor careless of the knowledge which opens the path of action.  -George MacDonald Image

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land...

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

    who do his just commands;

seek righteousness; seek humility;

    perhaps you may be hidden

    on the day of the anger of the Lord.

  -Zephaniah 2:3

To be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope, and without heaven.  -J.C. Ryle

How Long, O Lord, How Long?

How Long, O Lord, How Long? (Psalm 13) 

 Sovereign Grace Music

VERSE 1

O Lord, our God, to You we come

Will You still hide Your face?

We cry before You and on our knees we pray

How long, O Lord, how long?

 

VERSE 2

Our sorrows leave us weak and worn

Surrounded by our fears

We look to heaven through feeble faith and tears

How long, O Lord, how long?

 

CHORUS

Till Your glory fills our eyes

And our faith is turned to sight

Till our thirsty souls are satisfied

How long, O Lord, how long?

 

VERSE 3

Our foes and enemies rejoice

Injustice seems to reign

Lord, we are shaken and we are losing strength

How long, O Lord, how long?

 

VERSE 4

But we will trust Your steadfast love

Your grace will be our song

You bring new mercies with ev’ry rising sun

How long, O Lord, how long?

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints...

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

    and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

    and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

    but joy comes with the morning.

     -Psalm 30:4-5

Pray without ceasing...

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to God, which I may call an actual presence of God; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with God, which often causes in me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.  -Brother Lawrence

We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus...

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.  -Hebrews 10:19-22

Ransomed men need no longer pause in fear to enter the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His Presence and live our whole life there. This is to be known to us in conscious experience. It is more than a doctrine to be held, it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day.   -A.W. Tozer

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might...

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

-Ephesians 6:10-12

The Christian is engaged in a warfare. There is a fight before him, hence armour is urgently needed. It is impossible for us to stand against the wiles of the Devil unless we avail ourselves of the provision which God has made for enabling us to stand.   -A.W. Pink Image

But seek first the kingdom of God...

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:33

I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. -Martin Luther

Draw near to God...

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  -James 4:8

Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; he is nearer to us than we are aware of.   -Brother Lawrence

Good Shepherd of My Soul

 

Good Shepherd of My Soul 

Keith and Kristyn Getty

 Good Shepherd of my soul

Come dwell within me.

Take all I am and mould

Your likeness in me.

Before the cross of Christ

This is my sacrifice:

A life laid down

And ready to follow.

The troubled find their peace

In true surrender.

The prisoners their release

From chains of anger.

In springs of living grace

I find a resting place

To rise refreshed,

Determined to follow.

I'll walk this narrow road

With Christ before me

Where thorns and thistles grow

And cords ensnare me.

Though doubted and denied

He never leaves my side

But lifts my head

And calls me to follow.

And when my days are gone

My strength is failing

He'll carry me along

Through death's unveiling

Earth's struggles overcome

Heav'n's journey just begun

To search Christ's depths

And ever to follow.