Isaiah 55:12
For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

It’s rare that we understand what God’s tomorrow for us looks like. Even when we catch only the fringes of His ways, He is the best! And when He seems to have withdrawn from us altogether, He is there and He promises us that “we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” As you worship today, be encouraged. God is for you and all of creation is shouting, “He is faithful!”

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

When athletes quit an exercise test in exhaustion, their muscles usually remain physically capable of continuing. It’s the mind overwhelmed with suffering that often precipitates a decision to stop. When trying to accomplish what God has for us, our own thoughts can stop us quick. Too many “what-ifs” alone can keep us from moving forward. Try not to get overwhelmed. Worship today by taking one step at a time. Before you know it FINISH LINE!

Psalm 46: 1 & 10

I’ll never forget my first tandem jump from a plane high above Ogden, Utah. My initial thought: “What if the parachute doesn’t open”. But that didn’t last long as I began to realize there was only one thing to do – trust. Sometimes it can feel like we’re in free fall and out of control. Know that God has you. Worship Him by leaning in as makes provision to land you safely on solid ground.

Psalm 30:4

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
and give thanks to His holy name.

My grandfather would sing a hymn every morning. He wasn’t a musician, yet this awakened his heart to God’s heart before every sunrise. Music plays an enormous role in our lives. Even in sleep, research shows that we often have musical hallucinations (we dream it). Music transports us and humming a favorite worship song has the potential to direct our hearts heavenward. Today, spend time in worship with a song. Tune your heart to His.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

At 15,000 feet my backpack was unmanageable and Mount Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak was still another 1,200 meters straight up. Though exhausted, I refused numerous offers from my porter to carry something. Finally, his request became an instruction. “I’m here for you, Chad. Please, give me your pack”. Living a life of worship sometimes means surrendering pride and handing  God the stuff that makes our journey onerous, even impossible. Today, worship by letting God carry something.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get (thanks, Forrest Gump). As we make life choices we often end up with something different than expected. But don’t let the fear of not getting exactly what you want keep you from setting goals, dreaming dreams and making a difference. Trust in the work God does that you can’t see. He is working for your good and He is for you!

EXODUS 14: 11-12

¹¹ Then they said to Moses, “Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.

Did you ever think “If I could just go back, yesterday was better.”  The Israelites thought so as God took them from Egypt by way of the wilderness. This route made no sense to them. They couldn’t see that it was the one which, ultimately, would lead to their freedom. Sometimes, our journeys can be unimaginably arduous. Worship today by standing strong and staying the course. God is leading you to a much better tomorrow.

Hebrews 13:15-16

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Professional musicians know that a composition isn’t just a musical blueprint. Each note played selflessly, forms a living, breathing work, embracing the listener as it returns to its author. We might think of our lives in the same way every selfless act, a worship service meant to benefit others as it returns to the Author of our faith. What might your worship service look like today? Who are you called to embrace? God’s composition waits.

1 Samuel 14:6

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over.”

In this Bible story, (read all of chapter fourteen if you like), Saul remains frozen in fear of the Philistine army before him, while Jonathan moves forward with confidence. Jonathan knew two things: God’s blessing wouldn’t come from him doing nothing at all and nothing could hinder God, no matter what the odds. Is fear holding you back from moving forward on that which you know to be right? Be bold. With God, you’re unstoppable.

Isaiah 55:12
For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

It’s rare that we understand what God’s tomorrow for us looks like. Even when we catch only the fringes of His ways, He is the best! And when He seems to have withdrawn from us altogether, He is there and He promises us that “we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” As you worship today, be encouraged. God is for you and all of creation is shouting, “He is faithful!”