Hey Church!
This weekend, as you prepare your hearts and minds for Sunday morning, I want to encourage you to set aside a pocket of time to meditate on the lyrics copied below. Watch the videos, learn the melodies (extra credit if you learn the harmonies), and read through the words we will be singing together in church. What scriptures come to mind as you listen and read? How can you make each phrase your own heart’s cry to the Lord? Do you believe the words you will sing?
I have written my own commentary alongside the first song, “Here Comes Heaven.” Please use it as an example when you write your own meditations. If you feel like sharing your reflections, I would love to read them! Even if you prefer to process things internally, not in writing, the goal of this exercise is to become more aware of your expectations before, your encounter with God during, and your reflections after experiencing God’s presence in worship. No one else can do that for you; it is a conscious decision of your own will to seek out the presence of God. Will you join me and the Church in doing that this weekend? If so, then miracles can truly happen. Lord, may it be so!
Your brother,
Ryan
Here As In Heaven
Verse 1
The atmosphere is changing now
For the Spirit of the Lord is here
Verse 1
The atmosphere is changing now
For the Spirit of the Lord is here
If you have ever experienced the presence of God in an unmistakable way, take a moment to recall that scene. Will you believe that God can and will do it again this Sunday as we sing these words? Sing it in faith, even if you don’t yet feel its truth. The glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle and also Acts 2 come immediately to mind.
The evidence is all around
That the Spirit of the Lord is here
The evidence is all around
That the Spirit of the Lord is here
What is the evidence of God’s presence? What do you sense happening in your innermost being? In the atmosphere around you?
Chorus
Overflow in this place
Chorus
Overflow in this place
“Overflow” is a great descriptor of what it feels like to encounter God’s presence. If you open your hands and heart to receive that overflow, you may just find yourself moved in soul to a new and beautiful place with Him.
Fill our hearts with your love
Your love surrounds us
Fill our hearts with your love
Your love surrounds us
Love is Paul’s key to worship! If we do not have love (a manifestation of His Spirit), then our music is just noise, a meaningless, clanging cymbal. Being filled with the Spirit of God means bearing the fruit of God, love being chief among them.
You’re the reason we came to encounter your love
Is that, truly, the sole purpose driving you to go to church this Sunday? I want to go to church NOT primarily to hear, or to learn, or to feel encouraged, but to encounter God Himself. And when you have done so, all those other blessings will be “added unto you” as well. (Matt. 6:33)
Your love surrounds us
Bridge
Spirit of God fall fresh on us
We need your presence
Your love surrounds us
Bridge
Spirit of God fall fresh on us
We need your presence
Oh, Lord! Isn’t that the truth?! The spirit of this world, and even the spiritual forces of sin within myself, make my soul dry, weary, and hopeless. Pour out your Spirit afresh on us today! We need your presence!
Your kingdom come, your will be done
Here as in heaven
Your kingdom come, your will be done
Here as in heaven
May the worship center be a mirror image of heaven’s temple! Lord, bring heaven down to earth as we consciously join with the myriad upon myriad of worshipers currently falling down in worship before your throne in heaven.
Verse 2
A miracle can happen now
Verse 2
A miracle can happen now
For the Spirit of the Lord is here
Do you believe that? What miracle are you asking Him for on behalf of someone other than yourself?
The evidence is all around
That the Spirit of the Lord is here
The evidence is all around
That the Spirit of the Lord is here
Consciously press into the Lord’s presence this Sunday and actively look, feel, and listen for the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work among us. Be attentive to His voice as He directs your thoughts and feelings through the songs we sing and the message we receive from His Word. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts to anger him.” (Heb. 3:15)
Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Matthews Ntlele | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye
© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
CCLI License # 692967
Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Matthews Ntlele | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye
© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
CCLI License # 692967
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus (Refrain)
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh for Grace to trust him more
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Verse 1
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy my righteousness and freedom
My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 2
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side the Saviour he will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 3
No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 4
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Ending
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich Thompson
© 2018 CityAlight Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CCLI License # 692967
Breakthrough
Verse 1
I am weary from the waves crashing over every day
God of mercy please come rescue me
Verse 2
I am longing for Your voice
The gentle whisper in the noise
Father tell me everything’s all right
Chorus
Your power Your presence breaks strongholds
King of Heaven when You speak mountains move
I believe there will be breakthrough
Verse 3
You alone can take my scars and
Piece by piece restore my heart
Take what’s broken
Make it whole again
Bridge
Shake the mountains break the walls apart
Open the heavens Almighty God
You are Overcomer Defender of my heart
By Your power the oceans open wide
Your fire falls down Heaven and earth collide
King Jesus forever by my side
Jake Espy | Jason Stocker | Kory Miller
© Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Songs Of Red Rocks Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Redburns Music (Admin. by Jason Stocker)
CCLI License # 692967