THIS WILL BE MY LAST POST ON WAIT! WHAT? WORSHIP. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO SERVE THE LORD IN THIS WAY. PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND PRAY FOR ME. I PRAY THAT GOD WILL RESTORE US AND RENEW MY HEART TO SERVE HIM WITH MY GOD-GIVEN LOVE OF MUSIC. FOR NOW I AM SORRY AND I PRAY THIS WEEKS SONG HELPS YOU COME BEFORE GOD WITH A HEART OF WORSHIP.

Lyrics of songs will often come to me by the Holy Spirit to remind me of something or correct my thinking. Yesterday the lyrics for The Heart Of Worship by Matt Redman from Intimacy (1997) came to mind. I pray they redirect your heart as they did mine.

When the music fades,
All is stripped away,
And I simply come,
Longing just to bring,
Something that’s of worth,
That will bless Your heart,

I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself,
Is not what You have required,
You search much deeper within through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart…

I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
And it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus,
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it,
When it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus.

I am often guilty of thinking worship is found in music. But I’m reminded that it’s so much deeper than that. I’m completely open before God, He sees my heart and that’s where I want my worship to come from. Starting from a heart that longs for God and outworking through my hands and lips. 

King of endless worth,
No one could express how much You deserve,
Though I’m weak and poor,
All I have is Yours, every single breath,

Lord, you see my heart, may it always seek to know and serve you.

The Heart Of Worship – Matt Redman

A lot has happened this year, I’m battered and bruised, but I know God so so so much deeper. I’m growing in love for Him and as a result love everyone else more, particularly my family. About a week ago I got Brand New (2020) by Matthew West, and I think every single song is amazing. I’ve been listening to it almost non-stop and it was very hard to choose just one song, Looking Up.

Daddy was a preacher,
The man I wanted to be,
No he didn’t wear a cape and he couldn’t fly,
But he was a hero to me.

Even heroes are human,
But there’s one thing I always knew,
The whole time I was looking up to him,
He was looking up to you.

I look up to my earthly father, a great man of God who inspires me more and more, but this song reminds me to look up to my heavenly father. “I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.” – Psalm 123:1. I’ve memorised it, and constantly need to remember it.

Now I’m somebody’s daddy,
Got two beautiful girls,
They look at me like they think I hung the moon,
And I feel the weight of their world.

When I don’t know how to lead them,
So, lead my every move,
Cuz I know those eyes looking up to me,
That’s why I’m looking up to you…

I don’t wanna take a step unless you lead it,
I don’t wanna speak a word unless you breathe it,
God I’m looking up, keep me looking up,
Looking up to the light I know will guide me,
And I pray everyday you find me,
Find me looking up, always looking up.

I’ve been working my whole life,
To stand up on this stage,
In front of a crowd under the bright lights,
Yeah but one thing have changed,

I used to dream of the day it was my name,
That everybody knew,
Now I know that I led me here to leave em,
Looking up to you…

At the end of the song is a prayer by Reverend Joseph West. I want it to be my prayer as well, that as I lead my family and those around me, I resist temptation and keep looking up to God, my saviour.

Dear Lord, when I’m tempted to look at the world around me for satisfaction only you can provide, keep me looking up to you. When trouble surrounds me and I’m tempted to fix my eyes on my circumstances, keep me looking up to you. I’m trying to lead my family, help me remember that starts by following. Lord, keep me looking up to you, always looking up to you. Amen.

Looking Up – Matthew West

I haven’t been alright for a while now. Satan has been feeding me so many lies that I’ve had a hard time working out the truth. Which makes Devil Is A Liar by Colton Dixon a perfectly timed song.

I get caught up in tryin’ to be something I’m not,
To please everyone else,
I look deep in the mirror, to find everything that isn’t right,
With myself.

God only knows, I’ve tried to fight it, fight it,
It’s just a wolf, who’s always crying crying…

I was fighting so hard. It has been a hard battle, lies have almost killed me. The battle is really only just beginning, but I must look to the truth. God’s Word is the only thing I can trust, even though the devil will tell me not to. I must expect that, it’s what he does, lies. But the Word of God is completely trustworthy. 

The devil is a liar,
Says he can give you everything that you desire,
Everything you want but you’d be playin’ with the fire,
So don’t believe the lie, it comes at a price.

Looks like you got somewhere to be,
People you need to see, gotta keep up,
They say image is everything, makin’ it hard to think,
That you’re enough.

Don’t be dancin’ with the devil, don’t believe a single word,
Cuz when we get to Heaven, we gon’ sing and watch him burn.

The other thing I’ve realised is that everytime I lie or am careless with my words, I’m actually helping the devil. Helping him spread lies, cover the truth and deny Christ. I must stop that. I want my words to be from God and helping to achieve His purpose.

Lord, help me to speak on your behalf in this world. May my words be pleasing to you. May they bring healing, understanding and light.

Devil Is A Liar – Colton Dixon

Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful by Keith Green from So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt (1980) is not the song I planned to share with you today. It is a song I’ve always wanted to share, but I didn’t think it would be in these circumstances.

I had a dream this morning, and it was crystal clear, which my dreams rarely are. In my dream the song Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful was playing, I remember that as Keith started singing I was able to work out that it was Keith Green. So I decided to share Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful today.

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

This song always settles me down and makes me lift my voice in worship. Being able to see the face of my first love is extraordinary, and it is a reminder of God’s never-ending grace.

I want to take your word and shine it all around,
But first help me to just, live it Lord,
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown,
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clean,
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.

This song matches my heart, I love God’s Word, my desire is to learn from it, live it and breathe it, but I still need the Lord to light me on fire.

Lord, I pray that You breathe your Spirit on my heart, may I behold your beauty and give you all the glory.

Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful – Keith Green

I’ve always liked You Are My Rock by Petra from This Means War! (1987), mainly because of the combination of keys and drums. But this week I heard the lyrics, and realised they match the album theme of spiritual warfare, and therefore the impact of the song only increases.

Moving through the shadows of uncertainty,
Clinging to the words You said,
Through my loneliness and fear I long to feel You near,
But I hear another voice inside my head,

But then the darkness is broken into,
By inescapable light from You,
I’m never standing alone…

You are my rock, my fortress, my shield,
You are my rock, let Your strength be revealed,
My rock, my comfort, my peace,
My salvation, my refuge, my God,
You are my rock.

I gain so much strength from the chorus knowing that it’s not something to be sung when I’m joyful, but a message I should remember when I’m not.

Through the desperate night my soul cries out to You,
Longing just to hear Your voice,
In the quiet solitude, I sense Your magnitude,
I feel the strength that makes my heart rejoice,

You are the anchor securing me,
I’ll never drift on the shifting sea,
You are the eye of the storm…

Through all the loneliness this world can ever bring,
I’ll take my refuge in the shadow of Your wing…

Lord, help me to stand on the rock in times of trouble. May I trust in your word and know You are always right beside me.

You Are My Rock – Petra

This week it’s hard to write, not because of trying circumstances or lack of a song, but because the message of Undone by Stephen Christian from Wildfires (2017) is so deep and humbling that I don’t think I should talk about it.

Spirit of God, fall fresh on me,
To bring good news into poor,
Set the captives free,
Oh, let Your mission become mine,
Unless a seed falls to the ground,
Gives no life until it dies…

Let my will be undone,
Till all I want is the kingdom come,
Change my heart,
Change it, Lord,
Let my will be undone,
Fix my eyes on the things above,
Let my desires be one with Yours,
Be one with Yours.

A house divided cannot stand,
So build my world upon Your truth,
Yes, my life is in Your hands,
What could a mortal do to me?
To live is Christ, to die is gain,
Death, oh, death, where is thy sting?

Let us be of one mind,
Let us be of one heart,
Let us be of one soul,
May we be one,

I meditated on these lyrics this week, and they bring me to tears. The heartfelt desire to have my will so closely aligned with God’s is a longing of mine. 

Lord, may your will be done. Please remove any trace of pride and reluctance in me. Help me be humble and submissive to You, always.

Undone – Stephan Christian

There are some weeks when I have a song, but nothing to write about it. This is one of those weeks. But I’ve had My Arms by LEDGER in my head since Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning it provided comfort in my distress, and it still does. But I noticed something divine as I wrote this. My Arms was released on Saturday morning. I wasn’t notified, didn’t expect it and didn’t search for it. I just opened YouTube, saw a new song from LEDGER and pressed play.

For me it demonstrates how big God is, because the amount of things that have to fall into place for me to be encouraged by this song at that exact time, is something only God can do.

When did the scars over your heart,
Become your hiding place,
When did the stars become so dark,
You couldn’t find your way,

The light inside your eyes is fading out,
But I’m not gonna give up on you now…

Don’t be afraid,
I know you think you’re on your own,
But you’ll be ok,
You don’t have to go through it alone,
Fall into my arms,
Fall into my arms.

When I reflect on things, I know that my heavenly Father is always there, holding out His arms. And it’s a good thing, because I fall over a lot.

So let me see the hurt underneath,
I’m not a stranger to pain,
Cause I believe in what you can be,
I’ll never turn away,

I see you right where you are,
I hear the whisper of your heart,
And it’s ok to fall apart,
I will carry you my arms…

Don’t be afraid,
I know you think you’re on your own,
But you’ll be ok,
You don’t have to go through it alone,
Fall into my arms,
Fall into my arms,
You’re not the one who needs to be strong,
Fall into my arms.

It’s ok to fall apart,
Just fall into my arms.

Lord, help me to trust You in the difficult times. May I always remember the faithfulness You’ve shown in my life and the sacrifice of Your son, my Saviour Jesus Christ.

My Arms – LEDGER

The album only arrived yesterday, but already Citizen Of Heaven by Tauren Wells from Citizen Of Heaven (2020) is in my head. And as I face my foes and stand my ground, I need the reminder constantly.

Getting caught up in the here and now,
Has a tendency to wear me down,
Am I really free if I’m thinking ’bout,
Only temporary things?

The world’s screaming so loud,
When I’m locked to the middle of my doubt,
When I’m lost in the rhythm of the crowd,
I hear heaven calling me,

Don’t want to be another victim,
Falling prey to the system,
When You’ve called me into the kingdom…

In my struggles today I’ve focused on the two lines of the chorus, but in reading the lyrics I’m seeing more of the enemy I face and the constant traps I fall into. But I still know the answers in the chorus…

I know I am a citizen of Heaven,
My identity forever is Yours, Yours,
I know I am a citizen of Heaven,
My identity forever is Yours, Yours.

I can see You breaking through the clouds,
You made this soul to be glory bound,
I can hardly keep my feet on the ground,
‘Cause I know I will be free,

Lord, won’t You open up the gates wide?
Gonna step into a new life,
No way I’m ever leaving Your side…

Christ is seated in Heaven. It’s only His grace that keeps me going when this world attacks me with more than I can bear.

Oh glory, glory,
Oh hallelujah,
When I rise, come alive,
I’m gon’ fly to You,
(Glory) Oh glory, glory,
(Glory) Oh hallelujah,
(Glory) When I rise, come alive,
I’m gon’ fly to You.

Lord, help me to live Your Kingdom now.

Citizen Of Heaven – Tauren Wells

When someone asks about my day I often reply with alright, or good. But I’m thinking I should change that answer, and I pray Great Day by Finding Faith from Finding Faith (2018) gives me the courage to do that.

I think I should change my answer because my mood and day should not be dictated to by my successes or failures. My day is defined by the fact that God is Sovereign and Christ is on His Throne.

Your love is for me, always with me, never changing,
Faithful are You, God,
Love abounding, everlasting, all around me,
Overwhelm my soul,

That’s how You love us,
God of love…

Today is a great day because You love me,
Knowing that You, my God are for me,
Today and always, Your goodness surrounds me,
Today is a great, great day.

New each morning, ever dawning,
Endless mercy, no matter what we’ve done,
You make all things, for Your glory, now and always,
Great and faithful One,

In You, I am living,
In You, I am breathing,
In You, I know who I am,
In You, I am living,
In You, I am breathing,
In You, I know who I am,
Who I am (who I am)…

Father, give me the wisdom to define my day by Your love for me. Help me to shake off the idea of success and failure this world has, for my identity is found only in you.

So, how was your day?

Great Day – Finding Faith

This week I’m sharing a song because it’s hovering around for over a month now. The song is Days Of Elijah by Robin Mark from Days Of Elijah (1995).

From childhood I’ve sung this song and liked this song, but over the past month the story behind it, particularly the story of Elijah, has become important for me. I see there’s so much more power in this song when I understood the power of God, working through His servants Elijah, Moses, Ezekiel  and David.

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord,
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored,
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying,
“Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call,
Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh,
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise,
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

There’s no God like Jehovah!

I also love how the song speaks into my life today. Today I’m living with opposition, oppression and trail, days of Elijah, but I know the salvation God has for me, giving me confidence to prepare and declare that Jesus is Lord.

Days Of Elijah – Robin Mark