Tuesday, July 28, 2015

More Than A Song: Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

I desire to love God with all of my being, but to do that I must focus on His love for me revealed in the Gospel. 

Song lyrics that present the Gospel--the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ--give us a beautiful way to remember and meditate on the truth of God’s redemptive plan.


Slow down for a moment and read the lyrics to Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery by Matt Papa*





Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity

In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us

Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin

See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory

See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes 


Here’s the link to Matt Papa’s YouTube channel if you’d like to listen to Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

How do you preach the Gospel to yourself?


*Song Title: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery, Artist: Matt Papa, From the album: Look & Live ℗ 2013 The Summit Church, Writers: Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker, Matt Papa, © 2012 Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker), McKinney Music, Inc. (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) © 2013 Love Your Enemies Publishing



Tuesday, July 21, 2015

More Than A Song: The Lord Our God

If you’re anything like me (and I’m guessing every other Christian on the planet), you’ve encountered the following situation at least once in your Christian walk: you come to a crossroads in some area of life, pray about it, get godly counsel on the decision, feel certain you know what direction God is guiding you in, and off you go barreling down that path. Whatever it is, you’re certain it leads to fulfillment, optimal joy, and free rides on sparkly unicorns. Then you find yourself in the thick of it and it’s hard. It’s dark. It’s lonely. It’s not the warm fuzzy experience you were certain God had in mind when you signed on.

What now? Did God trick you? Lie to you? Abandon you? If He led you here, is He still good? Can He still use this—even this—for His glory?

Don’t move. Stay right there and listen. Wait for Him. He is there with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Read these lyrics from the worship song The Lord Our God by Kristian Stanfill*

The Lord our God is ever faithful
Never changing through the ages
From this darkness You will lead us
And forever we will say
You're the Lord our God

Promise maker, promise keeper
You finish what You begin
Our provision through the desert
You see it through ‘til the end

In the silence, in the waiting
Still we can know You are good
All Your plans are for Your glory
Yes, we can know You are good

We won't move without You
You're the light of all
And all that we need

Here’s the link to Passion’s VEVO if you’d like to listen to Kristian Stanfill lead The Lord Our God

What song has helped you focus on the Lord?

*Song Title: The Lord Our God, Artist: Kristian Stanfill, from the album Passion: Let The Future Begin ℗ 2013 sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records, Writers: Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill © 2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)

Thursday, July 16, 2015

More Than A Song: Lord I Need You

As a worship musician, I often have the privilege of hearing and playing the same song dozens of times during a week. Some songs stick with me long after the song services are over. I’ll find myself using the lyrics in my devotional times or randomly throughout the day in prayer.

As a writer, I wondered if anyone else would benefit from this. So today I’m starting a new blog series called More Than A Song where we’ll slow down for a moment and mediate alone on the words we usually sing together.

The song Lord I Need You by Matt Maher* is a simple prayer, but the lyrics so beautifully echo the cry of my heart.


Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

The Lord knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8) and what we need most is Him. The nearness of God is our good (Psalm 73:28) even at work, even in traffic, even in the waiting room. He is there defending us, interceding for us, loving us, forgiving us, strengthening us, and making a way for us to escape temptation. Every hour, He is with us. Lord, we need you. 

Here’s the link to Matt Maher’s VEVO if you’d like to listen to Lord I Need You

What song is on your heart today?



*Song Title: Lord I Need You, Artist: Matt Maher, Album: All The People Said Amen, 2013 Provident Label Group, LLC, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment, Writers: Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher, © 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)