Everyone always has those certain songs that they love to hear in praise and worship. In high school, I was so very blessed to have a great music ministry at my church. Music is one of my favorite ways to worship. I have certain memories attached to each of these songs. God gave us this gift so we could worship him, always and forever.
1. Good Good Father
I first heard this song at a retreat over the summer. This song is a reminder of how much God loves each and everyone of us, and how worthy we are of his love. This song is a very good reminder of all of these things. In worship, this song makes me feel like I am talking directly to God and praising him for loving me.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
2. Healing Begins
I had often heard this song on the radio in middle school and liked it. I never really connected with it or thought deeply about the lyrics. Around January in 2011, I got invited to go meet a motivational speaker. Little did I know, it was one of my favorite motivational speakers, Justin Fatica. His goal is to help fix the broken so they can love Jesus with their whole being. His approach is rather different because he breaks down walls and barriers. After admitting my fault as described in the video, I was being prayed over by his ministry and this song was playing. This song made me realize that I needed to be fixed so I could love Jesus with all of my heart.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:13
3. Beautiful Things
This is one of my all time favorite recordings of this song. This song brings back a time when I was helping lead a retreat for a group of 8th graders. One of the other high school leaders, whose voice I love so dearly, sang harmony in this song with the music minister. This song looks at all of God's creations and shows how everything he makes is beautiful and should be admired.
" For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20
4. Build Your Kingdom Here
I sang this at the Baccalaureate Mass for my high school graduation. There is something special about praising Jesus with the people you've gone to school with for (at least) four years.
5. Lord, I Need You
This song talks about how we constantly need God's help, and basically we have peace when we let him control us.
"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up toeternal life." John 4:14
6. Garden
This song has a special connection to my heart because it was played at the funeral of one my very good friends. This reminds me that God will make peace in the world.
" It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of theair nested in its branches." Luke 13:19
7. How He Loves
Once again, this song talks about God's infinite love for us. I heard this song on my first retreat, where I committed my life to Jesus.
"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37
8. Word of God Speak
My church always sings this song during Lent. If you stop and just listen to the lyrics, they are very meaningful. It talks about listening to what God has to say. Sometimes we get so drawn up in life, we forget to listen to what He has to say.
"He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7
9. Always Forever
This is an older song, however it is still very touching. This is a favorite at my youth group because it is a declaration of our love for our God.
"The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved." Psalms 93:1
10. Redeemed
This song talks about how we are already redeemed. We need to stop seeking redemption because God loves us, and has already forgiven us.
" For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14
So thank you wonderful Lord for giving us worship through music! You are beautiful in all things, and all things in you.
