JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to put our heart into worshipping God.
A chapter in Judah’s history captured this kind of worship in Second Chronicles chapter 30 under the reign of King Hezekiah.
Verse 21 records that “The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great rejoicing, while the Levites and priests sang to the LORD every day, accompanied by the LORD’s instruments of praise. Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of the LORD.”
This was a moment of joy and celebration from the heart of God’s worshippers. They were not just putting in time or going through the motions. The assembly was so moved by praising the LORD that they agreed to celebrate the festival seven more days. Worshipping God from the heart leaves us with the joy of the Lord and a longing in our soul to love Him more.
Take the daily challenge to worship God from the heart on the journey of faith.
This week’s Praise & Worship Playlist has a collection of mini-themes that were on my heart this week. Listen for songs taking us out of the wilderness and into the promised land, plus a big Philippians theme. I also have a couple of 3-songs sets including one based in Psalm 51 and the other celebrating God’s goodness through our ups and downs. I also added some of the newest worship releases, including songs from Chris McClarney, Hillsong Worship, Village Lights, Skye Reedy and more!
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to use music as an instrument of worship.
Music is a gift from God and is a meaningful way to express our love for Him.
Throughout history, God’s people have lifted up their voices together in praise to God. Music can be a picture of how God desires for His people to live in unity with each other. We don’t all play the same instruments, nor do we all sing the same parts, but as we harmonize with the body of Christ, we lift up a beautiful song that glorifies God.
Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to 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.”
Take the daily challenge to use music as an instrument of worship on the journey of faith.
Happy Mother’s Day! This week’s playlist is themed for the occasion, with lots of songs from worship leading moms and some mini themes including Wonderfully Made, Songs for the Household and a Floral mini theme, too!
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Delight.”
To take delight in something or someone is to find enjoyment and satisfaction in the source of our delight.
Psalm 37:4 instructs us to “take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This passage is encouraging us to enjoy time with the LORD. Find satisfaction in His grace, because His grace is sufficient for our needs. Find joy in worshipping Him because He is worthy of our praise and delight.
As we delight in the LORD, He will rearrange our desires to His purposes. The words of the Bible will be meaningful in building our relationship with God. We will find joy in the journey of following Jesus and being in relationship with Him. We will take delight in God’s work among us, leading to changed lives for His glory.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Find encouragement in the opportunity to delight in the Lord in the Year of Endurance.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Worthy.
One of the definitions of worthy is “deserving of honor or respect.”
When we worship God, we are really celebrating His worthiness to be praised and honored and adored.
One of the activities that makes heaven so heavenly is the unhindered worship that happens there.
In Revelation 5:11, the Apostle John heard the voice of many angels, encircling the throne along with the living creatures and elders. In a loud voice they were saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Find encouragement in the worthiness of Jesus to receive our worship in the Year of Endurance.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step into the light of transformation.
This process starts with a proper view of God’s mercy. His mercy spares us from the punishment that we deserve because of our sin. John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, observed near the end of his life, “I remember two things clearly, ‘I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.’”
Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Transformation happens when we respond to God’s mercy with a heart of gratitude and worship, and renew our mind to follow Gods’ will.
Take the daily challenge to walk in the transformation that embraces God’s purposes on the journey of faith.
Wow, what a year! I’m so thankful for the worship songs that released at just the right times to help us have hope in our hearts and praise on our lips through 2020. Check out the 2020 Praise & Worship special playlist below—and tune in Sunday morning for a rebroadcast of this lineup from 6-10AM!I’m also grateful to have launched WJTL’s Praise & Worship Podcast right before the pandemic began. Our collective circumstances (and Zoom!) helped to bring out some great conversations with worship leaders–both national and local–sharing what songs are ministering to their own hearts and also their congregations. They also shared worship leading tips, inspiration and plenty of stories behind the songs we sang this year. And they, too, were surprised at God’s timing. Lining the right songs up for just the right seasons!
Speaking of, one of the biggest songs of this season has been “The Blessing”. I caught up with Kari Jobe to hear all about it!
Find the links to watch and listen below, and subscribe wherever you connect because there are more episodes coming soon!
Happy Father’s Day! We’re celebrating our good good Father in song this morning, with a themed playlist including songs like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Run To The Father”, “You Made Us Your Own”, “Lean Back”, “No Longer Slaves”, “Children of Light” and more.
Today’s playlist also has brand new music from Matt Stinton. It’s been over 6 years since he’s released new worship music, but his first single, “There Is No Striving” released a couple days ago. And there are more on the way! This one was produced by Nathan Horst of Attic Studios and Life Center Worship in Harrisburg.
