by Sandy Simpson
Apologetics Coordination Team
Updated As Of: 1/14/12
A rating
of fours stars indicates an excellent song, one which teaches sound doctrine
and accurately portrays a Biblical view of God.
A rating
of three stars indicates the song is suitable for use in Bible believing
Christ centered churches.
A rating
of two stars means the song is only fair, usually as a result of having
at least one lyrical problem or related issue.
A rating of
one star means the song has seriously compromised unbiblical lyrics and
should not be used.
A rating
of zero stars means this song is not recommended for ANY use in a Biblical
church.
The criteria for this ratings page stems from a proper exegesis of the Bible and the use of the core doctrines of the Faith. You can also use the following articles as reference and ideas on how to test music in your church.
Testing
Music In The Church by Sandy Simpson, 10/00
Testing
Music In The Church 2 by Sandy Simpson, 3/17/09
Before we get into rating individual songs, I want to give you some tips on how to test music in your church and choose good songs for your worship team.
(1) You can make any song better by NOT repeating phrases in the song over and over. That can only lead to people zoning out and not really thinking about what they are singing. Sing more songs instead of singing a few songs over and over until people are numb.This ratings page will be an ongoing project. Check back often for new ratings that have been added. If you have any songs you want rated you can submit them to me at ditc@hotmail.com. I hope this page will be a help to many.(2) Avoid songs that focus on self, repeating words like "I", "me", "my" and "mine" throughout. Choose songs that focus people on Jesus Christ.
(3) Test all music, both new and old. There are bad old songs and good new ones, and visa versa as you will see as you read these ratings.
(4) If a songwriter or music publisher is affiliated with a heretical or compromised church or movement, those false teachings will eventually come through in their compositions.
(5) Consider mixing up musical styles. A church can get into a rut focusing on only contemporary music just as easily as focusing only on hymns. Choose a mixture of new and old and different methods such as overheads and hymnbooks.
(6) Don't foster the habit of having people clap on every upbeat song. That gets very boring.
(7) Consider, if possible, having more than one worship team in your church, especially if they have different styles. I know one church who had a jazz band, a contemporary band, a rock band, and a classical music group with violins, etc. I could add a lot more styles to that group including choirs, pipe or electric organ, folk, etc.
(8) Choose songs that glorify God, teach sound doctrine, teach about God's character, etc.
(9) Establish a committee of elders, pastors and worship leaders to make sure good worship music is being used in your church.
SEARCH FOR SONGS ALPHABETICALLY
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Chorus:
My dreams may not come true
I may fall, I may fall on my face
Still my hope is in You
All I need is the strength to make it through
Verse 2:
God strengthen these hands that always hurt You
This mind that wanders and always gets out hand
I'll keep my eyes on You
I'll keep my eyes on You
Chorus:
My dreams may not come true
I may fall, I may fall on my face
Still my hope is in You
All I need is the strength to make it through
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
(I'll keep my eyes on you)
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
(I'll keep my eyes on you)
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
(I'll keep my eyes on you)
Like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared
(I'll keep my eyes on you)
Chorus:
My dreams may not come true
I may fall, I may fall on my face
Still my hope is in You
All I need is the strength to make it through
My dreams they may not come true
I may fall, I may fall on my face
I may fall, I may fall,
I may fall, I may fall on my face
The good aspect of this song is that our hope is in the Lord (Ps. 39:7) and we do need to keep our eyes on the Lord (Matt. 14:29-31). Not sure what "like a breath in the fog my memories have disappeared" means since there is no mention of that concept or apparently the word "fog" in the Bible. I'm not sure if the author meant this as a good thing or bad thing. It may be poetic but if people can simply assign any meaning of their own to a phrase, then there can be no unity in worship.
I love You
So much more than anything
I'll live for You
Jesus You are everything
You're all that I want
You're all that I need
You're all that I want
You're all that I live for in this world
(REPEAT)
Jesus
You are all I need
Jesus
You are everything
Good song though sparse lyrics.
Chorus
Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the
Church
Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that
burns
Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of
our lives
We believe You're all to us
Verse 2
Only Son of God sent from Heaven
Hope and mercy at the cross
You are everything, You're the Promise
Jesus, You are all to us
Bridge
You're all to us
You're all to us
You're all to us
Yes, You are
Verse 3
When this passing world is over
We will see You face to face
And forever we will worship
Jesus, You are all to us
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
A truly great and classic song of Christianity. I urge you to read more on the amazing story of this song here.
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you
You're my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
And I love you more than any other
So much more than anything
Chorus
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
Good song taken directly from, among other places in Scripture, Ps. 42:1.
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x2)
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x4)
1 Corinthians 15:55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
Because of who You are I give you glory
Because of who You are I give you praise
Because of who You are
I will lift my voice and say
Lord I worship You because of who You are
Lord I worship You because of who You are
Jehovah Jireh, my provider
Jehovah Nissi, Lord You reign in victory
Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace
And I worship You because of who You are.
Jehovah Jireh, my provider
Jehovah Nissi, Lord You reign in victory
Jehovah Shalom my Prince of Peace
And I worship You because of who You are.
Because of who You are
I give You glory
Because of who You are
I give You praise
Because of who You are
I will lift my voice and say
Lord I worship You because of who You are
Lord I worship You because of who You are
Lord I worship You because of who You are
Good song. True worship is worshipping the attributive names of God. Would have been nice to mention Jesus Christ as He should always be our focus of worship because both the Father and Holy Spirit make Jesus Christ the centerpoint of our worship today in true biblical churches.
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(Than thousands elsewhere)
One thing I ask,
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
(One thing I ask)
One thing I ask
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(Better is one day)
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(My heart and flesh cry out)
My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the Living God
Your Spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted, and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
To You
Better is one day
Better is one day
Better is one day
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(4X)
Yeah, than thousands elsewhere (Yeah)
Oh, than thousands elsewhere
This song is taken from Psalm 84:10: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." As long as people don't take this song to mean that Christians are to expect the Shekinah Glory in their churches, but instead are looking forward to the resurrection, then it is fine. I am not at all sure what the author means by saying he has "tasted" and "seen". If he is saying he has tasted and seen God in the sense of being born again and filled with the Spirit, than that is good. If he is saying that he as tasted and seen the Shekinah Glory, then he is mistaken. Since this author is associated with Hillsong he may well be subtly advocating New Apostolic/Latter Rain ideas.
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Great song on the willingness to put your whole life in the hands of the Lord, no matter the ups and downs. Though the author is working with Hillsong, this is nevertheless a good song.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but
I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD.
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I'm, I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you
And I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm desperate for you.
(Cry out to live)
I'm desperate for you..
I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm lost without you..
I'm lost without you
I'm desperate for you
The main problem with this song, which is why I do not recommend it for worship music, is that it tends to portray God in a pantheistic way. The authors may or may not have intended it this way and the lyrics can be taken figuratively, but this song sung over and over again brainwashes people into thinking that God is in everything. Therefore if the air that you breath is God, then logically since everyone breaths air they must be part of God. These types of ideas are all leading to a false world religion under the antichrist. Smith, who popularized this song, is himself working with Third Wavers and does concerts in their churches, on TBN, etc. Benny Hinn demonstrated this idea of God being in breath when he was famously filmed blowing on people (and even on himself) to slay them in the spirit. Hinn said:
"When we breathe out we breathe ourselves out and when we breathe in we breathe in the Spirit". (Observed by Ed Tarkowski on TBN, Fri, 11 Jul 1997)
This is clear, unadulterated pantheism. Smith would have been aware of this idea when he picked up this song to perform it. Many Christians who have sung this song assume it is speaking figuratively about Jesus meaning everything to them. To see more on the Third Wave religion of people like Benny Hinn, check out this DVD.
Another problem I have with this song is the assertion of a "believer" like Smith that he is "desperate" for God. It can sound like he really wants "more" of God or like he has perhaps not really connected with Jesus Christ. Yet he states that this experience is his "daily bread" without mentioning the Scripture. The Bible is our bread, not breathing in air. You don't get your "word" out of the air or an experience ... you get it from reading the written Word of God. Those who believe that they can get truth through somehow breathing in the Holy Spirit will be desperate for real truth and will end up feeling very lost unless they allow the indwelling Spirit to teach them through the Scriptures. The reason for the one star rating is the repetition of the worst lyric in this song.
You can hear Mike Bickle adding to the song with disgusting references to God in sexual terms. These ideas are misapplications of the Song of Solomon. JFB Commentary states in introductions to the Song of Solomon:
Three notes of time occur [MOODY STUART]: (1) The Jewish Church speaks of the Gentile Church (#So 8:8) towards the end; (2) Christ speaks to the apostles (#So 5:1) in the middle; (3) The Church speaks of the coming of Christ (#So 1:2) at the beginning. Thus we have, in direct order, Christ about to come, and the cry for the advent; Christ finishing His work on earth, and the last supper; Christ ascended, and the call of the Gentiles.Scofield states this:
The interpretation is twofold: Primarily, the book is the expression of pure marital love as ordained of God in creation, and the vindication of that love as against both asceticism and lust: the two profanations of the holiness of marriage. The secondary and larger interpretation is of Christ, the Son and His heavenly bride, the Church (#2Co 11.1-4, refs). In this sense the book has six divisions: I. The bride seen in restful communion with the Bridegroom, 1.1-2.7. II. A lapse and restoration, 2.3-3.5. III. Joy of fellowship, 3.6-5.1. IV. Separation of interestâ€â€掖he bride satisfied, the Bridegroom toiling for others, 5.2-5. V. The bride seeking and witnessing, 5.6-6.3. VI. Unbroken communion, 6.4-8.14.It is quite a stretch, in fact patently bad hermeneutics, to teach that the Song of Solomon is painting a picture of lust and love between a human individual and God rather than a picture of the relationship (not sexual) between the Church and Christ. To profane this wonderful prophetic book, a picture of both earthly human marriage and the marriage of Christ and His Church is sickening, in fact blasphemous.
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry 'til you're better
You will never come at all
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O, there are ten thousand charms
See Him Prostate in the garden
On the ground your Maker lies
On the bloody tree, behold him
Sinner, will this not suffice?"
Lo! the incarnate God ascended
Pleads the merit of his blood
Venture on him, venture wholly
Let no other trust intrude
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O, there are ten thousand charms
This is a good song except for the very last line. It is almost as though they ran out of rhyming words. There is no such reference to Jesus in the Bible, in fact when the word "charms" is used it is used in a bad way, particularly talking about magic charms. The Gospel is not magic, nor is being embaced by Jesus to be compared to charms. According to the dictionary the word "charm" is defined as: a : the chanting or reciting of a magic spell : incantation, b : a practice or expression believed to have magic power, :something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune : amulet. :a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights,:a physical grace or attraction 蓉sed in plural <her feminine charms>, :compelling attractiveness <the island possessed great charm>, :a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain, :a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2?3 and a measured energy of approximately 1.5 GeV; also : the flavor characterizing this particle. The only definition that would fit would be alure or delights. But even that is not really a proper way to address God. Notice that the first primary definition is of a chant or magic spell. Because of this one problem it taints the whole song.
Verse 1
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
Verse 2
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
Verse 3
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Misc 1
(BRIDGE)
All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
(REPEAT)
Verse 4
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
This is basically a good prayer to the Lord in every season of life. It does sound suspiciously like a "Desert Fathers" litany but I cannot find the reference. One problem I have with the bridge is that saying "I have a reason to worship" without actually worshipping God (except to say He is "still God") is what a lot of modern "worship" songs do. They are always promising to worship the Lord but rarely get around to doing it. This is more of a prayer/petition song with promises to obey the Lord but is not really a song that extols the many attributes of God. Also, declaration is not what brings the presence of the Lord. It is the gathering of true believers together. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Perhaps the song lyrics that get the award for being the "ugliest" would be this song written by Kathy Riss, wife of Dr. Richard Riss who is the foremost historian and apologist for the Third Wave movement. That Dr. Riss would allow his wife to write this song and publish and republish it all over the Internet, shows he has no headship over his wife at all. This song was used in Toronto "Blessing" meetings to put people into an altered state of consciousness so they would be more receptive to the false anointing. It sets people up for unbiblical and even demonic oppression. The things mentioned in this song have been going on since John Wimber and the Vineyard and continue today in Toronto "Blessing" and Brownsville AoG influenced churches. This song is so disgusting I had reservations in citing it, but I do so to inform you about how far away from the Word of God many churches have strayed in their music, teaching and actions.
Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is
from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come
rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the
west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding
of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by
the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way
I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness
into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me
through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your
word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on
to me
You're holding on to me
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the
west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising
up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the
west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other
This song is based on this verse: Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. The problem with some believers is that they allow the enemy to taunt them with sins that God has already forgiven. If a person is fighting a war with being reminded of their past forgiven sins everyday, they likely have not understood the Gospel message or have not really repented of those sins. This song is more of a personal testimony and should not be sung as a worship song in the assembly of believers. Not every believer can sing this because those who truly know the grace of God have left the past behind and stand against the enemy when he tries to bring those sins up again. One problem that causes this situation is methodologies like Cleansing Stream and Theopostics which get people to drag up past sins and dwell on them when true believers need to "let go and let God". You cannot move forward in serving God if you are allowing the enemy to taunt you with past sins. I am glad the author does acknowledge that he does need to change and that Jesus Christ died for his sins in the chorus. This is a good song for those who call themselves followers of Christ to think about if they are dealing with past sins still weighing them down. If they are, however, they should not be singing about it but follow what the Bible says:
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should
no longer be slaves of sin.
Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former
conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts,
Of course to say that God will leave you and forsake you over one sin is not biblical. In fact He died for our sins while we were yet sinners.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and
be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you."
It is true that if those who call themselves followers of Christ have never repented of their sins or live in unrepentant lifestyle sin, then they need to test themselves to see if they are in the Faith.
1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin,
because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of
God.
1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness;
and sin is lawlessness.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in
the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you...unless indeed you fail the test?
This heretical song is easy to discern in many ways. First of all the
Bible says: 泥o not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead,
be filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5:18) Is this passage teaching
us to replace alcohol drunkenness with being "drunk in the Spirit"? No.
It is saying we must be "filled" with the Spirit. "But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law."
(Gal. 5:22-23) Drunkenness and self-control are mutually exclusive
concepts. Therefore anyone filled with the Spirit will not be drunk, with
wine or with the "Spirit". Anyone opening themselves up to being
"drunk in the Spirit" is actually opening themselves up to another spirit,
because the Holy Spirit never causes people to be drunk in any way. Ever
wonder why they called alcohol "spirits" in the old days? In fact, drunkenness
is a sign of the antichrist spirit of the whore of Babylon. "Babylon
was a gold cup in the LORD's hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The
nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad." (Jer. 51:7)
Forever Reign
(by Hillsong Live from the album A Beautiful Exchange,
(C) 2010 Hillsong Church T/A Hillsong Music Australia)
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I知 running to Your arms,
I知 running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go
Oh, I知 running to Your arms
I知 running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus
Oh, I知 running to Your arms
I知 running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. This song overemphasizes a bit of a romantic aspect to our relationship to God. Fortunately it does not go as far as songs from IHOP.
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
(CHORUS)
And hallelujah,
Grace Like Rain falls down on me
And hallelujah,
And all my stains are washed away -
They're washed away...
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
(CHORUS)
(BRIDGE)
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing Your praise
Than when we first begun...
(CHORUS 2X)
And hallelujah...
And hallelujah...
And hallelujah...
And hallelujah,
And all my stains are washed away -
They're washed away...
This song is basically the lyrics to the classic song "Amazing Grace" with added new lyrics and melody in-between. This is a good song that adds little to the wonderful lyrics of "Amazing Grace".
This song, by the group 4HIM, has so much bad doctrine it ought to be easy for anyone with even a simple knowledge of the Scriptures to spot. But it is amazing how many church leaders let songs like this slip by without even checking them for content. Lets test this song step by step.
(1) The song talks about seeking "signs and wonders". The Bible does
not call us to seek signs and wonders but rather the sign for our generation
is "the sign of Jonah" (Lu. 11:29) which is the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ through faith and repentance.
(2) It speaks of a "great awakening" or end times revival. The Bible
does not paint that picture but rather one of apostasy (2 Th. 2:11, 2 Pe.
2:1, Matt. 24) and a great turning away from the love of the truth (2 Th.
2:10).
(3) What "mighty power" are they talking about? Since it is not articulated,
it could be any mighty power, including the power of the enemy. These things
need to be spelled out in Christian songs because so many people are calling
on any "power" these days.
(4) It talks about the "latter rain". The Latter Rain is a false
doctrinal system of end times revival and impartation of a false anointing.
The latter rain has already fallen at Pentecost and the Holy Spirit is
available to all men through salvation in Jesus Christ today. We're not
waiting for a latter rain, we are already living in the time of the latter
rain since Pentecost.
(5) It speaks of "restoration". Restorationism is another false eschatological
doctrine that states the Church will take over the systems of government
of the world and Christ will rule the earth through His church, not as
a result of His bodily return at the start of the millennium.
As you can see, this is a very dangerous song because of all the false doctrine in the lyrics. Yet it has been played on most Christian radio stations and is used by youth groups. As it is with most unsound doctrinal songs and teachings, error is laid alongside truth (2 Pet. 2:1) to make it more palatable. But the fact is that the message of the song can cause people to be lead astray into doctrines and movements that are not of God, and in fact may lead them into following the coming antichrist.
This song also has good theology. God truly is holy, just, powerful, trustworthy, faithful, true, merciful, full of love. No matter whether this song is sung a cappella, with a pipe organ, with a guitar or with a rock band, it teaches sound doctrine.
Even in the first verse and chorus of this great hymn it teaches us many important core sound doctrinal concepts.
(1) God is faithful.
(2) God never changes.
(3) God is always compassionate.
(4) Gods mercies are new every morning.
(5) God provides for His children.
The doctrines presented in this song are all supported by the whole Scripture, both in word and in testimony.
I lift my hands i praise you lord
I bow my head i honor you lord
I lift my hands i praise you lord
I bow my head i honor you lord
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
I lift my hands i praise you lord
I bow my head i honor you lord
I lift my hands i praise you lord
I bow my head i honor you lord!
key change
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy to be praised
Hallelujah your worthy TO BE PRAISED!...
instrumental break
Halleljuah youre worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah, lord we lift you up!
Halleljuah youre worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah, lord we lift you up!
(guitar solo)
Lord we lift you up!
(gutar solo)
Lord we lift you up!
(sopranos)
Halleljuah youre worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah,
(all)
lord we lift you up!
(altos)
Halleljuah you're worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah,
(all)
Lord we lift you up!
(tenors)
Halleljuah you're worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah,
Lord we lift you up!
ALL
Halleljuah you're worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah,
Lord we lift you up!
Halleljuah you're worthy!
Hallelujah we praise your name
Hallelujah so worthy
Hallelujah,
Lord we lift you up!
LORD WE LIFT YOU UP
LORD WE LIFT YOU UP
LORD WE LIFT YOU UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The repetitive nature of these lyrics is unfortunate. The words are generally good, though I get tired of being pressured into raising my hands in so many modern worship songs. I'm sure the performance by this choir is inspiring though I have not heard the song but have heard songs by them before. I just wish more could be said about the Lord that would teach people about Who He is.
Good song about suffering and the love of Jesus. A little awkward as a worship song. Better as a performance song but the message of being held by God is a good one.
Is. 41:13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
[Chorus]
And here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days,
Oh so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above.
Humbly you came to the earth you created.
All for love's sake became poor.
[Chorus]
Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon
that cross.
I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin
upon that cross.
And I'll never know how much it cost to see my
sin upon that cross.
No I'll never know how much it cost to se my sin
upon that cross.
[Chorus]
Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
So Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
Hughes wrote this song after reading Philippians 2.
And there's a God that walks over the earth,
He's searching for a heart that is desperate,
And longing for a child that will give him their
all,
give it all, He wants it all
And He says, "Love Me, love Me with your whole heart
He wants it all today
serve Me, serve Me with your life now
He wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
He wants it all today (x3)
He wants it all
And there's a God that walks over the earth,
He's searching for a heart that is desperate,
longing for a child that will give Him their all,
give it all, He wants it all
And He says, love Me, love Me with your whole heart
He wants it all today
serve Me, serve Me with your life now
He wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
He wants it all today (x3)
He wants it all
All of you, more of you
He wants it all today oh oh oh oh ( x2 2nd &
3rd line)
All of you more of you
He wants it all today, today, today
He wants it all today, He wants it all today
so give it all
There is a voice that cries out in the silence,
searching for a heart that will love Him,
longing for a child that will give Him their all,
give it all
He wants it all
The problem with this song is that it implies that some men and women are "desperate" for God when the Bible is clear that none seek God (Ps. 14:2-3, 53:2-3, Rom. 3:10-18) but that it is God who seeks us. Romans 10:20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins (John 16:8), opens our blind eyes (Acts 26:18), and then gives us a choice whether to believe and follow Him or not (Acts 16:31). Finally, if God had waited for men to seek Him He would not have sent His Son to die for our sins "while we were yet sinners" (Rom. 5:8).
Holy Fire burn away,
My desire for anything
That is not of you and is of me,
I want more of you and less of me, yeah.
Empty me,
Empty me, yeah,
Fill, won't you fill me,
With you, with you, yeah.
Holy Fire, burn away,
My desire for anything
That is not of you and is of me.
I want more of you and less of me, yeah.
Empty me,
Empty me, yeah.
Fill, won't you fill me, with you, with you, empty
me now.
Well won't you empty me, well won't you empty me
now. repeat x2
I want more, I want more, I want more of you, Jesus.
I want more, I want more, oh.
Thank you, Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, oh yeah,
Thank you, Jesus, yeah.
Holy Fire, Holy Fire, Holy Fire, Holy Fire.
There are a couple problems with this song. Though it is admirable to want to be filled with the Spirit, it is not biblical to ask for emptiness. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and even ask for it for the purposes of serving the Lord and His purposes, but we are never to seek emptiness in doing so. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. When God's Spirit moves it is never in spite of the human mind but in concert with a mind dedicated and commited to Him. This song then is promoting exactly what the Third Wave has been promoting for decades which is to (1) empty your mind, leave it at the door and do not pray so that you can (2) receive a transferable impartation from someone else, which is entirely unbiblical. This is another example of a song which can be taken in a figurative way but which was written to get people into the mood to receive "slain in the spirit".
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to
hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Good song because it extols the Biblical virtues of God, particularly the Trinity, which is so much under attack in Christendom today.
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine, yeah
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I知 longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
Bridge(7X):
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to You
Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
Good song about surrendering your life to the Lord. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand
This would have been a great song if not for two lyrics. The first one is "light of the world by darkness slain". If he had said "light of the world in darkness slain" that would be correct as the sky turned dark during the daytime when Jesus died (Matt. 27:45). But Jesus was not slain by darkness or by the devil as many Word of Faith teachers claim. Jesus laid down His own life for the purpose of redemption. John 10:17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life熔nly to take it up again. The second problem is the line "no scheme of man could ever pluck me from His hand". Yet the Bible warns us to beware of the schemes of men. Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; Matthew 7:15 釘eware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep痴 clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves". It is clear that we are to grow to maturity as Christians or else we can be carried off into heresy, especially by false teachers. Those who are carried off by the schemes of men can end up believing in vain (1 Cor. 15:2). God holds those in His hand who continue to believe in Him and obey Him and hold on till the end (Heb. 3:6). Those who choose to walk away should not blame God.
I never lost my hope,
I never lost my joy
I never lost my faith
But most of all, I never lost my praise
My praise is still here,
My praise is still here
I've let some blessings slip away
When I lost my focus and went astray
But thank God I didn't lose everything
I lost possessions that were so dear
I lost some battles walking in fear
But in the midst of my struggles, in my season
of pain
One thing never wavered, one thing never changed
I never lost my hope,
I never lost my joy
I never lost my faith
But most of all, I never lost my praise
Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise
Most of all, I never lost my praise
My praise still here,
My praise still here
Of course these lyrics beg the question a bit: Who never lost their praise? It would have been nice to state clearly that it was God Who never lost their praise. I guess that is supposed to be implied. But this could also be used as a relationship song with a husband or wife, etc. This is more of a performance/concert song rather than a praise and worship song, since it is fundamentally about the person singing it.
Another catchword of the Third Wave is talk about the Holy Spirit in terms of a power "on" someone. This song uses hypnotic induction to get people to think that what they feel is the power of God without any objective evidence. How can a person prove they are "feeling" the power of God? The most important evidence is that we tell the truth and live the truth, and show the fruit of the Spirit. How can a person singing this song claim to be telling the truth when they cannot prove in any objective way that the "feeling" of the "power on" them is God and not simply emotions or another spirit. This is not the fruit of the Spirit of truth. We do not lie to people to get them to experience something. The end does not justify the means. We tell them the truth and then if they experience the hand of God in their lives it is because they are living in the truth, worshipping God in Spirit and in truth. Also, why would you want to sing a song to God telling Him that you "feel" Him? Imagine standing in front of Jesus Christ in person and singing a song saying "I can feel you". Whether or not you actually felt Him, would that be the point? Would it not be better to worship and praise Him at His feet?
Chorus
It ain't over until God says it's over
It ain't over until God says it's done
It ain't over until God says it's over
Keep fighting until your victory is won
Verse II
He never said it would be easy
But you're a winner in the end
Jesus defeated all your enemies
Way before the fight began
But the impossible is God's chance
To work a miracle, a miracle
So just know
Chorus
Bridge
When people say you can't, remember
(He can, He can)
When you don't know what to do,
Please remember
(He has the master plan)
He will free you from your sin
And give you peace within
So hold your head up high
You're gonna win
(You're gonna win)
Chorus
Vamp
Keep fighting, keep praying, keep fasting
It ain't over, no
Keep pressing, progressing, keep moving
It ain't over, no
Keep reading, interceding, keep believing
It ain't over, no
Keep trusting, keep trying, keep travailing
It ain't over, no
Keep living, keep giving, keep going
It ain't over, no (8x)
Keep fighting until your victory is won
This is a good biblical song in that the Lord tells us to keep fighting for the victory.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
He gives us victory over sin and then as we continue to repent and go His way He gives us many victories over our old man.
1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This
is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally He gives us the ultimate victory of salvation when we are resurrected and join Him for His millennial reign and later in the new heaven and new earth.
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
The only small problem I have with this song is lumping in fasting with fighting, praying, reading, interceding, believing, etc. Fasting doesn't quite rise to the necessity level of the other things mentioned in this song, though fasting is something that has it's obvious physical, mental and spiritual merits.
All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my sight
High above my life
I will trust in you alone
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you
Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone
In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow
John 21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
[Chorus:]
I could sing of Your love forever (x4)
[Bridge:]
Oh I feel like dancing
It's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy
Like they're dancing now
I could sing of your love forever (5x)
It is a nice sentiment to sing that you could sing of the love of Christ forever. However, there are a couple of serious problems with this song. As stated previously this song has too few lyrics which means you will be repeating those scant lyrics over and over again. There is also an untruth in the song. When the world sees the return of Christ they will not be dancing, nor are they dancing now in anticipation. They will not dance with joy but be sorrowful. Luke 13:28 典here will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. The world neither knows Him or those who are true believers. It is clear that the world follows the devil and does not rejoice at the coming of the Messiah, but rather joins with the anitchrist to fight Him. 1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Revelation 13:3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast預ll whose names have not been written in the Lamb痴 book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Revelation 16:14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. I don't know where those who wrote this song got their theology, but this is yet another reason to test all Hillsong music.
For the uninitiated and those who somehow don't know about the Third Wave, this song is describing experiencing the "transferable impartation" or "slain in the spirit" - "opening up" and "letting it flow", the "feeling is electric", "diving into "grace"", "feeling His presence", etc. These lyrics are not meant to be figurative but are describing exactly what happens in the experience of getting some kind of of unbiblical "anointing". The Third Wave has long promoted just opening up and jumping into "the river". They want you to stop thinking and start experiencing what they are doling out, but what they are doing is no different that the practice of Kundalini "Shaktipat" from India. This is the same experience the followers of Bahgwan Shree Rajneesh experienced. The feeling of electricity is exactly what Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard Brown and others have described what happened to them and what they attempt to pass on to others.
Read these articles on the "new" anointing:
The NEW Anointing
by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries
Shocking
facts about Benny Hinn...
The New Violence of
the holy Spirit? by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries
There are many more articles on the Third Wave/Word of Faith practice of "slain in the spirit" which are available on the Apologetics Coordination Team.
For these reason I do not recommend this song for any Biblical church as it is simply introducing a practice that is not biblical.
And I worship You
I give my life to You
I fall down on my knees
As Your Spirit moves upon me now
You meet my deepest need
And I lift my hands up to Your throne
Your mercy I致e received
And I worship You
I give my life to You
I fall down on my knees
You have broken chains that bound me
You have set this captive free
I will lift my voice to praise Your name
Through all eternity
And I worship You
I give my life to You
I fall down on my knees
Yes I worship You
I give my life to You
I fall down on my knees
Generally older songs by publishers such as Vineyard, particularly pre 1986 or so, are predominantly good songs. Fortunately this song was apprently written before Vineyard people started falling on their backs!
Other tracks include: "All Night Long," "My Lover," "Faint with Love." (Orrel Steinkamp, The Plumbline, Volume 14, No. 2, March/April 2009) Again, it is blasphemous to refer to God in a sexual way. Though the ideas are take from the Song of Solomon that book is looking forward to the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church or bride, not a sexual relationship with God.
May my prayer like incense rise before You
Lifting up my life as sacrifice
Oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me
For I know there is mercy in Your sight
Your statutes are my heritage forever
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees
Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion
Let Love keep my will upon its knees
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
To all creation I can see a limit
But Your commands are boundless and have none
So Your Word is my joy and meditation
From the rising to the setting of the sun
All Your ways are loving and are faithful
The road is narrow but Your burden light
Because You gladly lean to lead the humble
I shall gladly kneel to leave my pride
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
Generally a good song obviously inspired by Ps. 119. The one aspect I wish had been innumerated is that the "statutes" and "decrees" we are to obey and follow today are the law of Christ, not the Old Testament Mosaic Law from which Christ freed us through his death and resurrection. Romans 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death (the Mosaic Law). If this song is sung with the understanding that you cannot be justified by obeying the Mosaic Law (Gal. 2:16, 3:11), since no one can obey it (except that Jesus did) then it is proper to say that we will obey the commands of Jesus Christ. John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commands.
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
I have built an altar where I worship things of
men
I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from
You
Now I am returning to Your mercies ever flowing
Pardon my transgressions
Help me love You again
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
I have longed to know You and Your tender mercies
Like a river of forgiveness ever flowing without
end
I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your
presence
Your grace forever shining
Like a beacon in the night
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
Smith has been promoting the New Apostolic and now the Emergent Church for some time. This song shows the influence the Catholic mystics have had over him. The chorus is taken directly from the "Litany of the most sacred heart of Jesus" from the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church (http://www.jesusiam.com/jesus_litany.pdf). It is not bad to ask for mercy from Jesus but simply repeating this litany over and over again will not force mercy from the Lord. Matt. 6:7 And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Mindless repetition is exactly what the RCC promotes with their endless liturgies. Yet many "Protestants" are now headed back to the pagan ways of the RCC in many respects via the Emergent Church movement. The second problem with this song is that it is not particularly worshipful to sing about your failures to the Lord in unison since they may or may not apply to the individual. Again, what we look for is worshipping God "in sprit and in truth" and if you are singing this song and (1) sinning the sins mentioned yet not planning to repent of them or (2) not sinning those sins yet singing those words trying to convince yourself that you have sinned does not being people to unity of the Faith.
This is another song that has been sung for decades by many churches. But this song was written by Jack Hayford who is fully supportive of the New Apostolic Reformation and their Dominionist agenda. False teachers are known for laying error alongside truth. This song has a clever way of inserting a Dominonist theme inside of worship words. Most Christians I know have never noticed this. I did many years ago before I knew Hayfords affiliations and teachings. Christians only have "Kingdom authority" as long as they are preaching the Gospel and discipling Christians from all nations. Jesus is establishing His spiritual Kingdom in the hearts of men now, and when He comes again He will establish His physical Kingdom on earth in fulfillment of the many prophecies of Scripture. The Church will not establish God's physical Kingdom on earth. Only Christ can do that. Read my article called A Tale Of Two Kingdoms by Sandy Simpson, 8/31/11.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus
(x2)
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave
This is a song that has a few minor flaws. I don't like the phrase "I give my life to follow everything I believe in". Technically this is correct but it would have been better stated "I give my life to follow the Savior I believe in". Also Jesus Christ is not the hope of the nations at this point. He is the hope of Christians all over the world but not the nations. As usual, test all Hillsong music.
I wanna sit at your feet
drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breath, hear your heart
beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming
First of all, we are to seek God after we are born again by studying His Word, obeying it, and bringing our petitions and praise before Him in prayer. But the Bible is clear that no one really desires to seek Him.
Romans 3:11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
He seeks us, convicts us of sin, and opens our blinded eyes so that then we can understand the Gospel and believe. But it is also clear that we are encouraged to seek God for petitions.
Luke 11:10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Seeking is good and if we seek according to His will (1 John 5:14) and His Word (John 15:7), then we will find what we ask for, though this is not talking about finding God but finding what we are asking from God according to what we need.
The real problem with this lyric, however, is the resemblance it bears to the Gnostic story that, because John was close to Jesus and leaned on His breast, John received something special above the other Apostles. This is used to bolster the idea of a transferable impartation, for instance, which the Bible does not teach. I am not saying the author is aware of this, but this is a false teaching that crept into Pentecostalism a long time ago and many have been expose to it in one form or another. I heard a guy witnessing to a man in a restaurant some years ago and was happy he was doing it until I heard him tell this yarn. You don't get truth by laying back against Jesus and feeling Him breathe and his heart beat. The author may have meant this figuratively but a whole lot of pantheistic ideas about God have crept in this way via music into the churches. I don't recommend any songs that reduce God to a force, as in those songs which endorse "slain in the spirit" or talk about God being "the air I breathe". God is not only One "What" but also three "Who's" who share all the aspects of deity and personality. To talk about Him as a pantheistic God gives people the wrong impression of His character and how He actually works in the life of the believer.
Searched all over... couldn't find nobody
I looked high and low... still couldn't find nobody
Nobody greater... nobody greater no... nobody greater
than you
Nobody can heal... like you can
Oh most holy one you are the Great I am
Awesome in all your ways and mighty is your hand
You are He who carried out redemption's plan
You are He who carried out redemption's plan
Searched all over... couldn't find nobody
I looked high and low... still couldn't find nobody
Nobody greater... nobody greater... nobody greater
than you
Nobody greater... nobody greater... nobody greater than you [repeat, adlib and fade]
There is certainly no one greater than God (Heb. 6:13-14).
Bridal Identity teachings are a strong influence for an abundance of intimacy worship songs. These songs are tied to and used by Mike Bickle and his IHOP (International House Of Prayer). Bickle is a long time false prophet originally with the Kansas City Prophets, who is a leader in C. Peter Wagner's "New Apostolic Reformation" and has been a member and leader in Wagner's "International Coalition of Apostles" for many years. Anytime to hear a song being used in this way talking about Jesus Christ, you are seeing blasphemy at work.
And my heart burns for you
And my heart burns
And I'm so filthy with my sin
I carry pride like a disease
You know I'm stubborn God and I'm longing
to be close
You burn me deeper than I know
I feel lonely without hope
I feel desperate without vision
You wrap around me like a winter coat
You come and free me like a bird
And my heart burns for you
And my heart burns for you
Again we have yet another example of defining God in terms of a sexual relationship. That is not a proper definition of God at all. This is also a performance song, not a worship song that should be dung by a congregation. Some Christians think if they just sing a song and repeat it enough that it will become reality for them. But if you sing lyrics that you really don't mean you are lying to God.
chorus
Something about the ocean
Makes me rise up and praise
Something about the heavens
Makes me stand in awe again
Something about the sunrise
Reminds me of Your faithfulness
Something about the ocean
And I'm lost in love again
I'll sing until I sense a smile
Upon Your great and lovely face
And till I know Your glory's in this place
Your glory's in this place
This is a song about how the creation reflects our God, though God is not named in any way. The problem I have is that the person singing this song is expecting that through the singing of this song God's glory, the Shekinah Glory, will fill the place where they sing this. Yet no man can invoke God, summon God, or sing any magic formula to command God. The true God of Christianity is sovereign. The glory cloud was over Israel, in the tabernacle and in the temple. But where is the glory of the Lord today? It is within each believer (2 Cor. 3:18, 1 Pet. 4:14) and in the Church as a whole (Eph. 3:21) by virtue of them being the collective bride of Christ. The idea of the Shekinah Glory being in churches today is an idea from the Third Wave, New Apostolic movement which is a dangerous misunderstanding of Scripture. That is not how God is working in this time. Jesus Christ will return in His glory (Matt. 24:30). Till then we believe in Him who we have not seen (John 20:29).
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may You receive the honor that You're due
O Lord I bring an offering to You
I bring an offering to You
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may You receive the honor that You're due
O Lord I bring an offering to You
O Lord I bring an offering to You
O Lord I bring an offering to You
I bring an offering to You
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Psalm 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise葉he fruit of lips that openly profess his name. The point is that it is not just singing that brings praise to God. The most important thing is that we openly profess His name, not just in church but before the world through the Gospel.
When is the author expecting to see the Lord? Now or in heaven?
Most would assume that he is talking about seeing Jesus Christ in heaven,
but then it seems that he is saying that he wants to see God in His glory
"as we sing holy, holy, holy" now. Which is it? The song is
not clear on this. So then this can be taken in a future tense or
in a present tense and can be used by Third Wave churches in claiming they
are experiencing these things now in glory clouds, etc. Also God does not
pour out His power for experiences, but for the purpose of ministry.
Those who continually ask for power usually get fooled by the enemy.
There is no prayer for power in the Bible. God lends his miraculous
power to those who are involved in ministry to others, particularly in
the proclamation of the Gospel. So this song can confuse people.
It also has too few lyrics so has to be sung over and over again.
Verse 1:
From the rising of the sun,
Until the going down of the same;
He痴 worthy, Jesus is worthy,
He痴 worthy to be praised.
Chorus 2:
Glory (2x),
In all things give Him glory;
Jesus, blessed Savior,
He痴 worthy to be praised.
Verse 2:
God is our rock,
hope of salvation,
a strong deliverer,
in Him will I always trust.
Great song. Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of
kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power
be
To You the only one who's King
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of
kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Oh, You're worthy, mystery
You are worthy
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of
kings
You are my everything and I will adore You, I will
adore You
Good new worship song that takes many of its observations about Jesus Christ from the Bible. I like this song because it is refreshing to read song lyrics that do not dwell on self but rather on extolling the virtues of Jesus. Only 6 mentions of what "we" will do and 25 mentions of "Him". If you are concerned with the "rainbows" reference, I looked it up to remind myself of how the King of Kings is described.
Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds
on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance
of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown,
and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Revelation 4:3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper
and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
Revelation 10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from
heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head;
his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
The "mighty angel" is a reference to Jesus by how He is described at the beginning of Revelation. The pre incarnate Christ was called "the" angel of the Lord in the Old Testament so, even though Jesus Christ is not a created being, He has been called the angel of the Lord many times.
I would like to see other composers follow the trend this artist is following in ascribing glory to God by listing His glorious attributes. Kudos!
This "river" being sung about is not some allegorical river but the river of the counterfeit revival. It is tied to the Third Wave so tightly that its intent cannot be easily separated from that movement. Notice the reference to "the river" causing "laughter". This is in reference to the "holy laughter" of Rodney Howard-Browne and the Toronto "Blessing" movement. Also, to state that touching this "river" will revive a person is deception. Only salvation in Jesus Christ can cause a person to be born again, and only the indwelling Holy Spirit can revive. The Bible says: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing (revival) may come from the Lord ..." (Acts 3:19). The criteria for true revival (refreshing) is repentance, not getting some kind of mystical Gnostic "anointing" experience imparted by "slain in the spirit". And finally, can we get any more of the Lord than we already have? Think about it. He created us, He sustains us, He died to save us from our sins, He rose again to guarantee us eternal life, and He gave us His Spirit to indwell us, sealing us till the day of our resurrection. In the light of what God has done for us, all this "I want more" business sounds incredibly self-serving.
Please don't follow all my
commands
Cause what's the point in that
I keep hoping that all of your
plans
Will fall through the roof
Chorus:
Like two ships passing in the
night we're gone
Only the moon and the stars
in the sky did know
To cry for me
As I sailed on
Please don't trouble yourself
I only want your love
You keep giving me your help
Oh please stop playing along
You know your wasting your energy
And your breaking my heart
(Chorus)
Oh I can just see it now (I can
see it now)
Your recklessly in love
Your hearts boiling over
Oh I can just see it now
Your coming around
I don't know where this Pigg person, who wrote this song, learned this stuff but it goes directly against what the Bible teaches about proving our love for the Lord by obeying His commands.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.The above lyrics give the impression that love for God is actually proved by not obeying His commands. Whenever you see Bible teaching being turned inside out or spun 180 degrees out of phase you know you are dealing with doctrines of demons.
Joh 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Joh 14:24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Joh 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
1Jo 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
1Ti 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.Where did these people get their inspiration for this new wave of "worshipping" God by promoting a spiritual/sexual union with God? It comes from the same Catholic mystics that the Emerging Church people have been studying (instead of their Bibles, I might add).
The writings of mystics in the Middle Ages echo the passion of the Song of Solomon and indicate the intimacy which characterized their relationship with their Saviour.Looks like Heather Clark and the others lyrics mimic these ideas from Madame Guyon, a mystic and pantheist.Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
(1090-1153)St Bernard, from France, was the compiler of the Rule of the Order of Knights Templar. He wrote eighty-six sermons on the Canticle (Song of Songs). Towards the end of his life Bernard attempted to describe how he himself experienced the coming of the Word â€â€ the Bridegroom â€â€ to the soul.
You ask, then, how I knew that He was present, since His ways are past finding out? Because the Word is liv-ing and effective, and as soon as ever He entered into me, He has aroused my sleeping soul, and stirred and softened and pricked my heart, that hitherto was sick and hard as stone. He has begun to pluck up and destroy, to build and to plant, to water the dry places and shed light upon the dark, to open what was shut, to warm the chill, to make the crooked straight and the rough places plain; so that my soul has blessed the Lord and all that is within me praised His Holy Name. Thus has the Bridegroom entered into me.[3]Hildegard of Bingen
(1098-1179)Hildegard claimed to see visions from a young age. She wrote,
"Creation is allowed in intimate love to speak to the Creator as if to a lover. As the Creator loves the creation, so the creation loves the Creator. The whole world has been embraced by this kiss."[2]Gertrude the Great was a nun of the abbey of Helfta in Saxony. Her devotional "Exercise of Divine Love," uses the Song of Songs as part of a step by step progression on the road to God. The text admonishes:At Lauds, pray that you be taught the art of Love; At Prime, that you be led into the school of love with God as a teacher and master; At Terce, that you learn the alphabet with which the Spirit writes his law of love on your heart; At Sext, that you learn to know the Lord not only by syllables but also by theory; At None, that you be accepted into the militia of love and bound by oath; At Vespers, that you march in the armor of love and triumph over evil; At Compline, that you become oblivious to the world and be consummated in loving union with God.She continues in a more amorous vein:Ah! Show me your face and let me contemplate your radiance. Lo, "your face," which the most beautiful dawn of divinity illuminates, "is pleasant and comely" (6:3). Miraculously, your cheeks blush with "omega" and "alpha" (Apocalypse 1:8). Very bright eternity burns inextinguishably in your eyes. There God's salvation glows as red for me as a lamp. There radiant charity sports merrily with luminous truth. The scent of life breathes forth from you to me. â€Å滴oney and milk drip down from your mouth" (4:11) to me." [3]John of the Cross wrote "The Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ" in the 16th century.O you soul, then, most beautiful of creatures, who so long to know the place where your Beloved is, that you may seek Him, and be united to Him, you know now that you are yourself that very tabernacle where He dwells, the secret chamber of His retreat where He is hidden. Rejoice, therefore, and exult, because all your good and all your hope is so near you as to be within you; or, to speak more accurately, that you can not be without it, "for lo, the kingdom of God is within you." So says the Bridegroom Himself, and His servant, St. Paul, adds: "You are the temple of the living God." What joy for the soul to learn that God never abandons it, even in mortal sin; how much less in a state of grace! "Courage, then, O soul most beautiful, you know now that your Beloved, Whom you desire, dwells hidden within your breast; strive, therefore, to be truly hidden with Him, and then you shall embrace Him, and be conscious of His presence with loving affection. [4]The "Friends of God"Henry Suso (c. 1295-1366) was a part of the "Friends of God", a loosely constituted and informal but wide-spread spiritual and mystical movement. In his written answer to Elizabeth Stäglin who begged to be told more of what God is, he wrote:
Ah, gentle God, if Thou art so lovely in Thy creatures, how exceedingly beautiful and ravishing Thou must be in Thyself. "Come, daughter, thou hast now found thy God, whom thy heart has so long sought after. Look upwards, then, with sparkling eyes and radiant face and bounding heart, and behold Him and embrace Him with the infinite outstretched warms of thy soul and thy affection, and give thanks and praise to Him, the noble Prince of all creatures.One of his contemporaries, Flemish mystic Jan van Ruysbroek (1293-1381), author of the "Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage", also explored the inward life and described:The pure soul feels a constant fire of love, which desires above all things to be one with God, and the more the soul obeys the attraction of God the more it feels it, and the more it feels it the more it desires to be one with God.[4]Developments in the ReformationMadame Guyon (1647-1717). French mystic. Her written works include, "The Song of Songs of Solomon."
VERSE 1. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.
THIS kiss, which the soul desires of its God, is essential union, or a real, permanent and lasting possession of its divine object. It is the SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE. ... This, then, is the lofty and intimate union that the Spouse so pressingly demands at the hand of the Bridegroom. She asks it of Him as though she was addressing another; an impetuous sally of love, giving vent to her passion without particular thought as to whom she was speaking. Let Him kiss me, says she, since He can do it, but let it be with the kisses of His mouth; no other union can content me; that alone can satisfy all my desires, and that is what I demand.[5] (Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridal_theology)
As I just stated, these people are some of the influences and mentors for Emerging Church leaders such as Brian McLaren, Leonard Sweet, Richard Foster and a whole host of others. John Wimber, whose CORE group that initially implemented his Vineyard movement, was teaching Bridal theology. Today many others in the New Apostolic Reformation such as Mike Bickle (IHOP and Bridegroom Movement), other Kansas City Prophets, C. Peter Wagner and his New Apostolic "apostles" are following the ideas of the above heretics and mystics of the Catholic Church. They are leading the churches further and further into apostasy. If these people are promoting some kind of sexual relationship with their so-called "Jesus" we need to rebuke them and if they refuse to discontinue their adherence to this music and the false teachings of Mike Bickle, then we need to mark and avoid them.
Those promoting this movement and its music are a leaven that is leavening the whole lump. If your church has not been leavened yet I suggest you get the leaven out before it activates and you have no choice but to leave your church.
(So) Set a fire down in my soul
That I cant contain that I cant control
Cause I want more of You God I want more
of You
First of all there are not enough lyrics to this song to prevent it from being repeated over and over again just to take up enough time.
Second, though the sentiment of not wishing to be anywhere away from the love of God is good, the chorus to this song reveals the theological background. The words "fire" and "more, more, more" were the mantra of the Toronto "Blessing" and Brownsville "Outpouring" counterfeit Third Wave revivals which featured "slain in the spirit" and other unbiblical practices. This continues unabated in the Word of Faith, New Apostolic and Third Wave movements and churches, bolstered by songs like this one.
Third, the idea of getting something into your soul that you "can't control" is totally against the revealed character of God and those who follow Him, as well as the fruit of the Spirit of self-control.
Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
1 Corinthians 14:40 But everything should be done in a fitting
and orderly way.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...as
in all the congregations of the Lord's people.
Those who do not control themselves show the evidence of the lack of the fruit of the Spirit. What continues to be seen in counterfeit revival meetings as a result of slain in the spirit is disorder, not order. Those who have the Spirit of truth revere control, not the lack thereof.
Finally, as mentioned above, the continual cry of false teachers is to ask God for more and more with patent disregard to the fact the Christ gave his ALL already on Calvary, following that up by sending His Holy Spirit. Why are we not singing His praises for that? I do not recommend this song to be sung in the congregations of saints.
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
This is a song practically every Christian has sung countless times. My only problem with it is the reference to a river that will flow and flood the nations. This sounds like an introduction to the "river" of the Third Wave and Dominionism. It can be taken figuratively and has been by many churches, in other words it could be referring to evangelism and missions. The other problem is that Graham is very involved with Catholicism as is evidenced on his web site and recent concerts. I bet most Protestants who use this song don't know about the author. This is not to say that Catholic songs cannot be used if they are Biblical. This one, however, has some compromise built in.
You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God
A wave of Your hand can command the seas to hold
their peace
If you can handle the seas
Then I know that You can deal with all my needs
So I will put every situation
Into Your capable hands
I don't have to know the plan
Because You are
You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly
Above all we ask or think
So take all your burdens and lay them at His feet
And watch Him meet the need
We have the victory
Because You are
You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God
He is sovereign, He is
He is sovereign, He is
(repeat sequence 3 times, inverting each time up
to one octave¦)
You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God
This is the kind of song you should look for if you want to have a song that extols the virtues of God and teaches sound doctrine. Good job, Maurette!
And I surrender all to you, all to you
And I surrender all to you, all to you
I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as
loss
For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your
name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain
Even though this song is from Vineyard Songs and you should always test
songs from Vineyard or Hillsong, this one is a good one. Just don't
repeat it countless times since there are few lyrics.
But there was a voice speaking to me
Awaking the passion so quiet in me
In me
So still in me
But I choose to worship (Choose to worship)
I just cant give up (I just cant give up, no)
I choose to worship (I choose to worship, yes I
do)
My mind is made up (My mind is made up, oh)
Is that Your voice, calling me
Into that secret place with Thee
My heart has longed for this moment (My heart has longed for this moment, with Thee)
But I choose to worship (Choose to worship)
I just cant give up (I just cant give up, no)
I choose to worship (I choose to worship, yes I
do)
My mind is made up (My mind is made up, oh)
He's healing me, I'm gonna worship (8x)
I'm gonna worship (5x)
My heart longed for this moment with, Thee
And I choose to worship
Of course this is another song that may be taken figuratively by many, yet it comes out of the unbiblical theologies of the Third Wave. The phrase "open heaven" is one being used in the counterfeit revivals and by people like Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. But that phrase is nowhere to be found in Scripture. The biblical concept is that we have access to the Father in Heaven because we have a High Priest at His right hand. But we are not in heaven literally, nor can we command the territorial spirits from there. We also should not expect the "glory cloud" in churches, real gold dust, angel feathers, etc. We rely on Jesus Christ and His will as we may bring our petitions before Him. The second aspect of this song is that it sounds like it is advocating hearing from God directly by way of a physical voice "Is that Your voice calling me". That is not how we communicate with God in this time. We ask the Spirit to teach us and He speaks to us through the finished revelation of His Holy written Word. He may "speak" to us through our renewed conscience, but if it is a message from the Holy Spirit He always directs us to the written Word. To advocate getting your guidance from listening to an inner or outer voice leaves the door open for deceiving spirits and leads to accepting what the occult and false religions practice. This is what the Emergent Church also advocates. For that reason I cannot recommend this song.
Apart from the use of the word "Holy Ghost" which I think gives a bit of a negative picture of the Holy Spirit in our modern English language, this song gives a false impression of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in our times. The Bible clearly states that "where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Christians need not summon the Holy Spirit to meetings because He lives in them if they are believers and He is present with them when they meet together in Jesus' name. The Holy Spirit has already sealed and baptized every true believer. He already inhabits the "temple" made without human hands. Church buildings are not the "temple" today. The Holy Spirit certainly does fill believers for service to the Father and for witness. It is nice to welcome the Holy Spirit, but "invoking" or "summoning" the Spirit by way of words or music in unbiblical ways can be dangerous and actually has more in common with shamanistic practices. God is sovereign and moves as He will, thus we dare not command Him to be anywhere but wait upon His sovereign will to move. We may ask, seek and knock but only in His will according to His Word. If we summon the Holy Spirit and the Word tells us He is already present, then "summoning" is an unbiblical practice. We can give an opening to the enemy to pose as the Holy Spirit and bring deception into the lives of those doing such "summoning". This is exactly what happened in John Wimber's church when Lonnie Frisbee invoked God by repeating "Come Holy Spirit" and the unbiblical manifestations of the Toronto "Blessing" counterfeit revival had their genesis there. We are not to bring "strange fire" before the Lord or worship Him in ways He has not ordained. This very summoning of the "Holy Ghost" is what was done at the beginning of every Vineyard meeting before the false unbiblical manifestations of laughter, barking and screaming would show up, and later on in the Toronto "Blessing" and Brownsville AoG. I would be very leery about singing this hymn in my church, unless it was made clear to those in the church that it is not being used as an invocation but as a song acknowledging the presence and work of the Holy Spirit already taking place.
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever
What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other
This is yet another song that cheapens the spiritual love between Jesus Christ and the saints by comparing that love to a sexual relationship. Intimacy in a relationship can be talking about having a close personal relationship to someone but is often used these days to mean sexual relations. If this word is not defined then people are free to make their own associations. In this case it seems to be defined by the words "I have felt your touch". Generally when you are talking about a friend, mother or brother you would not say that you have felt their touch. Also it is acceptable to talk about Jesus Christ as your friend but we must never forget that He is also our God and Savior. This song is an example of how many Christians who sing this song have lost their respect and fear of God by thinking of God in terms of a sexual relationship. The only way this song should be sung is for there to be an explanation that you are NOT implying sex.
Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for your nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Good song. The only reason I did not give it a four star rating
is that many songs from Hillsong are compromised with Third Wave, New Apostolic
teachings, so I want to warn people to be very careful of their other songs.
You will need to test them on an individual basis. Not sure I like
the phrase "darling of heaven" though if it is talking about the beloved
Son of God then that is backed by what the Bible teaches. We need
to be careful not to use terminology that might have other connotations.
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice, God of Jacob
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
My only wish is that, instead of "God of Jacob", the author had been using the name of Jesus Christ. Jews, for instance, who hear this song would not come to an understanding that it is only through Jesus Christ the Son that we have grace, not through the Law. John 14:6 Jesus answered, 的 am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Great Discernment Tools!
Bible studies in Galatians, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude with a focus on applying timeless discernment priciples to our modern times.
Go here
for more information or click on the "Add To Cart" below. The price
is $18. per book plus s/h.
BIBLES STUDIES IN DISCERNMENT
Companion CD!
by Sandy Simpson
Bible Studies in Discernment
contains the PDF text to the book BIBLE STUDIES IN
DISCERNMENT plus extra studies by Sandy & Juanita Simpson covering
many issues of apologetics and discernment.
Go here
for more information or click on the "Add To Cart" below. The price
is $10. per cd plus s/h.
A Whole Lot Of Wishful
Thinking These Days!
by Sandy Simpson
This DVD series is a teaching based on this
article.
In this DVD series I want to detail a number of beliefs people have these days that have no basis in Scripture. I am going to roam all over the map, so to speak, and try to give fairly short answers on a number of topics and also give you useful links to articles that will help you deal with any particular issue. It is truly amazing how many false ideas people cling to without giving a thought to what the Bible has to say on the subject.
Only $10. plus s/h. for US. Go here
for ordering details.
BIBLES STUDIES IN DISCERNMENT
Companion CD!
by Sandy Simpson
Bible Studies in Discernment
contains the PDF text to the book BIBLE STUDIES IN
DISCERNMENT plus extra studies by Sandy & Juanita Simpson covering
many issues of apologetics and discernment.
Go here for more
information or click on the "Add To Cart" below. The price is $10.
per cd plus s/h.
Signs Of Apostasy In The
Churches In The End Times
by Sandy Simpson
This 2-DVD series is a teaching based on this
article.
There are many signs of the great Apostasy, or falling away (2 Thes. 2:3) indicating we are living in the end times (Mt. 24: 3-14) I am going to go through some indications of the Apostasy in the churches as a follow up to the signs of the times in the world.
Only $10. plus s/h. for US. Go here
for ordering details.
The Responsibilities of
a
Good Shepherd
by Sandy Simpson
This CD is a message based on this
article.
Go
here for ordering
details!
What's Up With Christian
Bookstores?
by Sandy Simpson
This DVD is a message based on this
article.
Go here
for ordering details!
The ElijahList
The biggest promoter of false
prophecies in cyberspace!
2004-2007
by Sandy Simpson
This 2-DVD set is a message based on this
article.
Go here for ordering
details!
The ElijahList
The biggest promoter of false
prophecies in cyberspace!
2008
by Sandy Simpson
This 2-DVD set is a message based on this
article.
Go
here for ordering
details!
The Extreme Prophetic
by Sandy Simpson
This DVD is a message based on this
article.
Go
here for
ordering details!
Emerging Church CD &
Free DVD
All the links to resources
and articles we have on the Emerging Church on one CD.
by Sandy Simpson
When you purchase the "Resource Tools - Emerging Church" CD for $5. plus s/h you will also receive a brand new free DVD called "The Emerging Church" that features Gary Gilley, Ray Yungen, Joanna Michaelson, Mike Oppenheimer and Sandy Simpson.
Go
here for ordering details!
From Church To Emerging
Church DVD Series
by Sandy Simpson
The issue of the Emerging Church and it's introduction
into many churches and mission organizations has reached a critical point.
Many do not undersand what is being leavened into churches by the EC leadership.
Many would be shocked to know their belief systems involve Universalism,
New Age, defense of postmodernism, Interfaithism, and many other false
doctrines. In order to reach out to this generation the EC leadership
is proposing a whole new "map" to deal with what they perceive is a lack
of understanding on the part of the churches on how to communicate. EC
proponants believe the "scripture" for today is evolving and must change
in order to reach postmoderns.
Go here for ordering details
on this 2-part DVD series!
Idolatry In Their Hearts
Landmark Book!
by Sandy Simpson & Mike
Oppenheimer
IDOLATRY
IN THEIR HEARTS
Does having eternity in your heart mean that you know
God and are His child? Could Gentile cultures understand the Gospel from
the stars? Did God create manâ€â¢s cultures? Has
God always been in the process of redeeming cultures from the time of Babel
by placing in them a true revelation of Himself? Is there the worship of
YHWH in all cultures and religions through the names of â€Å都upreme
beingsâ€Â? Have all cultures always had a way to
make things right between them and God? These questions and many more are
answered in this book that addresses the false teachings of The New Apostolic
Reformation regarding missiological methods as being carried out by many
agencies including the World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People,
YWAM, and many Bible societies.
Go here for ordering
details.
The New Apostolic Reformation
- What is it and where is it going?
Every Pastor Needs This!
by Bill Randles, Arnold
Fruchtenbaum, Jacob Prasch, Mike Oppenheimer, Orrel Steinkamp, Gary Gilley,
Dave Hunt, Sandy Simpson and others.
THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION
What is it and where is it
going?
is a DVD /VHS expose of
the NAR and it's leadership of C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Chuck Peirce,
Dutch Sheets, Bill Hamon, Jack Deere and others.
Go here for ordering details!
Lessons In Forgiveness
Great Study!
by Sandy Simpson
LESSONS
IN FORGIVENESS
Through the years I have
been presented with many opportunities to forgive. Sometimes the situation
was so severe that it took me some time to forgive and start the process
of healing for myself, and eventually for others. I learned that a Christian
needs to forgive other people even if they have not repented of their sins.
That can be really hard if we let it be hard. But if we give our burdens
over to the Lord, He will carry them and that frees us up to treat other
people with love, compassion, and be in the right frame of mind and heart
to set them up for reconciliation with Jesus Christ. That does not mean
we tolerate their sin. We simply forgive them for what they have done to
us, whether perceived or real, and move on to looking for ways to redeem
them. We can then present to them the â€Å鍍ruth in loveâ€Â
even when we have to rebuke them.
Go here
for ordering information.
Companion DVD Series
to "Idolatry in Their Hearts"!
by Sandy Simpson & Mike
Oppenheimer
THE FIRST NATIONS MOVEMENT
Deceiving the Nations!
This DVD video series features Mike Oppenheimer and
Sandy Simpson and their in depth research regarding the World Christian
Gathering on Indigenous People which is backed by the New Apostolic Reformation.
This is an issue that pastors and missionaries need to be informed of because
it goes to the core of evangelism and preaching the Gospel.
Go here for ordering details!
by Sandy Simpson
FINISH THE RACE!
was written to help believers
to realize the absolute necessity of growing to maturity in Christ. Many
churches are urging Christians to push aside discernment in favor of experience.
It is our hope that this book will inspire many believers to fight the
good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).
Go
here
for ordering details.
The New Apostolic
Reformation - What is it and where is it going?
Companion Book!
by Sandy Simpson
THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION
is now available in book form. This is the DVD
script plus commentary by Sandy Simpson. The commentary of the DVD series
is not in the book, but there are many more quotes available than in the
video series. Good reference material. Also available on CD-ROM.
Go here for ordering details.
Letters To The Church
Timely!
by Sandy Simpson
LETTERS TO THE CHURCH
is a fitting manual for the Revelation Christian.
All the precepts are in the seven letters in Revelation 1:9 - 3:22 to help
us keep the faith, stay in sound doctrine, and reach out to those who are
perishing. I hope and pray that this book will help
the reader to be an â€Å登vercomerâ€Â.
Go here
for more details and how to order!
DISCERNMENT TOOLKIT
Demolish Arguments!
by Sandy Simpson
Want to be able to see your way through to clear
biblical discernment? Want a set of tools that will allow you to disciple
your loved ones so they will stand firm in the Faith? Want to sort out
many of the false arguments and teachings that have invaded the churches?
Then
DISCERNMENT
TOOLKIT book is for you!
Go here for more details and how to order!
Go here for ordering
details!
SPIRIT OF TRUTH OR SPIRIT
OF ERROR?
Important Video Information
On Benny Hinn!
by Sandy Simpson, Mike Oppenheimer
& Jacob Prasch
SPIRIT OF TRUTH OR SPIRIT OF
ERROR? PART 1 - BENNY HINN
features tons of video showing
the teachings and prophecies of Benny Hinn. This is a proven tool
to keep people away from heresy.
Go
here for more details
and how to order!
LIVING WATER 2003
Discernment Conference
Featuring Bill Randles, Gary
Gilley
& Ray Yungen
3-DVD Set & 2-VHS Set Now
Available!
Featuring Bill Randles, Gary
Gilley
& Ray Yungen
Go here
for information!
DISCERNMENT 2001
Conference
Featuring Dave Hunt, Duane Magnani,
Mike Oppenheimer, Jacob Prasch, Jewel Grewe & Bill Randles
6-DVD Set & 2-VHS Sets
Go here
for information!
THE EMPTY PULPIT
Highly Recommended!
by Mike Oppenheimer
What is Christianity? What significance does the
cross have? Are there teachings that can wreck our faith? We live in an
age unlike any other in the history of man. To follow the Lord among the
unique challenges we must understand Scripture and live by it. Available
for $20- includes shipping. Apologetics Coordination Team HIGHLY
recommends this book. It deals with many crucial issues for the Church
today.
Go here
to order the book by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, P.O. Box
860683, Wahiawa, HI 96786.
