Praise & Worship Podcast Episode 3 features special guest, David Leonard! Singer/Songwriter, Worship Leader, Producer–he’s a Dove Award winning unstoppable generating force of creativity. We talk about filming a music video with his dad, corporate versus individual worship songs, and breaking away from the keyboard on MercyMe’s 2020 tour. Plus, miscarriage from a man’s perspective: how it feels and what helps.
On a personal note: David Leonard‘s album, “The Wait”, was huge for my husband and me. If you know our story, you know Sam was diagnosed with testicular cancer right after we were married. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a couple years later. Doctor’s said we had a one in a million chance at having a baby. It was 7 years before our son, Josiah, was born with some help from IVF. We say (hands down!) infertility is harder to go through than cancer. You might also know that last year: after trying and waiting for even more years, we got pregnant–but it was ectopic, which meant emergency surgery and incredible shock. Pain like that threatens to destroy you. But, surprisingly God has encouraged us deeply, reawakening our hearts and our hope! After that hardest hit yet, we feel more compelled than ever to share and encourage you. We know so many can relate. For me, songs are essential in this process. Lyrics give you voice while music does its work on your soul. If you are in this boat too, I’d love to share this conversation with you. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. I pray it helps you feel more hope (and less alone).
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 33, verse 1.
“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
When we commit our lives to Jesus, we are moved by His love to honor Him in worship. God has given us a meaningful way to express our devotion and praise to God from the overflow of our joy. That way is music.
Verse 2 of Psalm 33 encourages us to “praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
Through Jesus, we are set free to celebrate His glory and grace with songs of worship.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Ephesians 5, verses 18b to 20.
“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Lord is honored in various styles of songs. If not, He would not have invited us to use three different types of songs for worship. He works just as powerfully in the hymns as He does in worship choruses, as long as the content of the songs reflects Him accurately.
We can use music for worshipping God and for teaching others about Him. In these ways, music builds our faith in Jesus.
Celebrating Jesus in music is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 40, verse 3.
David said this about the LORD, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”
When the grace of God moves the heart, praise for God becomes the theme of our songs. Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” That is what was happening in David’s life. His music became an instrument of praise that became a public testimony of what God had done in his life. This kind of music continues to have an impact on people’s lives today.
Using music as an instrument of praise for God is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Isaiah 12:5 and 6.
“Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
If there is one thing that will give the follower of Jesus real joy, it is to notice when God does glorious things in the world.
It might be the conversion and salvation of a precious soul to Christ.
It might be the mending of a troubled marriage.
It might be the opening of a new church in the neighborhood.
Or it might be seen in a person who is moved by God to help their neighbor in a meaningful way.
As we notice the glorious things that God is doing among us, we will have a reason to sing songs of praise from a joyful heart.
Walking in praise and joy are virtues to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on worship from the heart
In Psalm 69:30, David, a man after God’s own heart, said, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”
It was common for animal sacrifices to be used under Old Testament law to reveal our need for forgiveness and cleansing from sin. In reality, they were not the real cleansing agent, but they did foreshadow the complete cleansing from sin that we can experience through faith in Jesus Christ, who was the perfect sacrifice to take away our sins.
David was saying that sincere worship from a thankful heart would mean more to God than the offering of an ox or a bull on the altar.
Hebrews 10:22 invites us to draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. God has given us music as an instrument to lift up the name of Jesus with words that overflow from our heart.
Worshipping God with a sincere heart is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
The “Story Tour: A Christmas Celebration” is coming to The Giant Center in Hershey at 7PM on Sunday, December 15th. The lineup includes Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Matthew West, Nichole Nordeman, Selah and more! Click here for tickets and more info.
Tune in to WJTL all day long on Black Friday (November 29th) and we’ll give you chances to call in and win tickets to the show–and meet & greet passes to say hi to the artists afterwards! (Most of the artists plan on participating as long as they are able to that evening.) Just listen for the DJs cues to call in and win. You may want to program our number on your speed dial: 717-392-3690 (392-FM90).
Tune in to the Afternoon Drive with Kristi Leigh all week (Monday – Friday, 2-6 PM) for your chance to call in and win a $10 gift card to Naturally Grounded in Stevens! We’ll give one away daily! Naturally Grounded is a new family-owned and operated coffee shop and “neighborhood joint”. It’s rooted in the community in Stevens and is a great place to catch up with a friend, do some work, hang out or just relax! In addition to coffee and hot/cold drinks, Naturally Grounded offers soups, sandwiches and desserts! They also have live musicians and open mic nights Live In The Cafe! Get all the details, hours and info–plus The Naturally Grounded Story–here!
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Over the centuries, God has used music as an instrumental tool for worship and ministry. Songs with Christian lyrics have been known to be a source of comfort in troubled times, a source of spiritual growth for the heart that is searching for God, and a source of wisdom to teach us what it means to follow Jesus.
Music is a language to express our love for God and to praise Him for His goodness and greatness. Music is also a means to speak to each other about God’s saving grace through the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We can share His story through a variety of Christian songs today.
The use of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for worship and ministry is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.
