Lyrical Friday - Glorious

Happy Friday! 
For the past few weeks, the Lord has been working the discipline of worship in my heart. And by worship I mean worship by thanksgiving, worship by praise, over all, worship by words. Eventually all our works here on earth will be judged and if our works were good than we shall be rewarded. Worship is a good work and I don't want to fail God in this area. By no means am I encouraging anyone to do good works in order to earn a reward, for what greater reward than eternity with God!? But this is where God has me, He is molding me to be a worshiper in spirit, in truth and as a good worker. 
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For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
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I don't know about you, but I want my works of worship to endure all throughout Heaven and eternity. I have determined to worship God with excellence, focus and purpose. I encourage you to do the same as you meditate on the lyrics of this song. May your worship be a sweet-smelling aroma unto the Lord; a worship that pleases Him. 


Glorious, Bryan and Katie Torwalt 

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Hope fills my soul, and the love that youʼve shown
Brings refreshing like the rain
Peace floods my heart, Iʼve known nothing apart
Apart from Your goodness God

Chorus 
You are Glorious, 
You are Holy, Holy 
The heavenʼs shout, You are Worthy, Worthy
My soul cries out, You are Holy, Holy
The Nations will shout, You are Worthy, Worthy

Verse 2 
Your Love frees my soul, and fear has no hold 
For You have broken the chains 
Now Joy fills my life, Your Spirit Your Light
Iʼm undone by the Kindness of Christ

Lyrical Friday - Follow You

Happy Happy Friday! 

Follow You by Leeland is one of those songs that I sing and desire to live out. But, when I dig deep into my heart, I find that I fall short from being that selfless follower of Jesus. James chapter two comes to mind: 

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Beloved friends, I pray that we may be a people who are focused not only on our own needs but the needs of others. Let's follow Jesus into our homes, into our work places, into our schools, into our super markets, into our cities, our states, our countries and into the outermost parts of the world and the gutter-most parts of the this earth! The hurting, the needy, the weary, the weak, the broken, the poor, the lost, the dying are all in need of Jesus.Let's put feet to our faith, be vessels of hope and servants to all.

Follow You, Leeland 

la luce

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

This passage reminds me of that song, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine". But the truth is, that the there is nothing little about the light given to us by Jesus. Yesterday, during worship at church we sang Mighty to Save by Hillsong United. I worshipped Jesus in Spirit and in truth for He is mighty to save. Then Nate, our worship leader, began to sing the bridge:

Shine Your light 

And let the whole World see

We’re singing

For the glory of the risen King

Jesus

There I stood with hands lifted up, not in worship, but in prayer asking Jesus to shine His light. The bridge was repeated and suddenly Matthew 5:14-16 came to mind. It was as if it was being unwrapped right before my eyes, from a tightly closed giftbox (with a pretty little bow on top) to that signature piece that I could wear for years to come. To be light, is a command that I have always understood. I have to confess though, that at times I have been apathetic to it. But yesterday I was reminded, we are the light that He shines for the whole World to see!
 
In my last blog, I challenged you to speak and to encourage. Today I am challenged to shine and not hide the light of Jesus. I challenge you as well. Are your actions bright lights or are they dimmed? Are your conversations and words a beacon of light or do they fade away with the mundane talk of this world? How can you shine for the glory of the risen King? Where can you shine Jesus? Are you aware of who around you is in desperate need of His marvelous light? Let us not lose the opportunity to SHINE Jesus everywhere.
 
Be the light to a dark and dying World.
You are a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden.
Allow Jesus to take you from underneath the basket and to set you on His lampstand, so that you can give light to everyone around you.
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Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1Peter 2:9