For example, the Rich Mullins song, “Sometimes By Step” has a great chorus (or refrain).

O God, you are my God and I will ever praise you
O God, you are my God and I will ever praise you
I will seek you in the morning and learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days

After singing the refrain 2 or 3 times, consider taking the phrase “and step by step you lead me” and substituting a characteristic of God.

For instance:
“faithfully you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days”
Sing this phrase at least 2 times. You may want to sing it 3 or 4 times.
After you sing it once or twice, a scripture about faithfulness could be added to the screens.
Another worship idea is to let the instruments keep playing and lead the congregation to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness in their lives and encourage them to be faithful in their walk with him.

Other text ideas:
“by your word you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days”
“with your right hand you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days”
“through brokenness you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days”
“by your grace you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days”

As the one who is leading others to the throne, don’t be afraid to change things up and try something new. Try it first in rehearsal. You’ll get a feel for if it will work or not with the whole congregation.

Just remember, don’t make changes so fast that you frustrate everyone and lose them. LEAD them. You are the LEADER and it is important that you lead them and move them toward worshiping our God.

When planning worship or rehearsal, leaders must make many decisions that ultimately affect everyone who leads or attends the worship service. The easy decisions are the ones that don’t take much deciding. In other words, once the standard (or expected action) is in place for things like volume levels, instrumentation, size of group, time of service, how to dress on stage, what style of music we are singing, etc., it is easy for the worship leader to make decisions with parameters as guidelines.

The difficult decisions are all the gray areas.
For instance, if the sound is too loud, then what is the appropriate sound level and who is the final authority? … the worship leader, the sound technician, the pastor, or someone else?

If one instrumentalist is dragging the team down musically, what is the musicianship level that you are going to require to be on the team? Who makes that decision? What happens when someone leaves the team and the musicianship level changes again? Do you rehearse individually with each team member? Do you spend more time rehearsing with the entire team?

If your commitment is to memorize all the music and one person can’t or will not, what do you as the leader do? Do you let one person use music and all others not? Do you say you can’t sing unless it is memorized? What if that person is your best vocalist and has a great servant heart? As the leader, what are you going to do?

Some guidelines to consider when making tough decisions:
1) Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no”  ~ this should be a goal but is not always possible. You may make a decision, find out more information, then change your decision. However, your goal should be to lead with consistency in your yes and your no.
2) Gather information quickly before making decisions. Be sure you know the facts and take all things into consideration.
3) Look FORWARD! So often leaders make the mistake of making a decision for the moment without counting the cost of the future. Take a moment and consider how the decision will affect future decisions that you or your team will make.
4) Communicate! As soon as you can, give your answer. Let everyone affected by your decisions know what you are going to do. Your team needs to see you setting the example and leading the way. They must be informed.

There are many more. If you have suggestions on how to be a strong leader in the midst of the gray areas, comment on our blog and share your ideas.

As a leader, do you want to know how to lead better?
As a leader, do you want others to tell you where your weaknesses are?
As a leader, are you willing to change in order to help the organization be stronger?
As a leader, is your focus “your” agenda and “your” time, or is your focus on serving others?

How can you become stronger in leading?

One way is to ask those around you. Ask them to tell you things that are hard to hear. Ask them to be honest with you.

The only way others are going to tell you honest answers will be when they can trust that you will honor their words and not throw them back at them or make excuses.

Take some time to be alone with God. Ask him to give you wisdom as you seek to lead others. Ask him to help you to truly listen to others as they share with you your strengths and weaknesses.

Then, take COURAGE to en-COURAGE those you lead to tell you how to lead stronger.

The ultimate goal…. that we get out of the way and that the Father is honored and glorified.

“Teach me your ways that I may walk in your truth.” Psalm 86:11

For those seeking to know and follow the Lord, discipline is a natural part of growing closer to God. He disciplines us because he loves us so much.

Discipline (def)
1) training expected to produce a specific character (moral, physical, mental or spiritual)
2) punishment intended to correct or train

In Deuteronomy 8, it is clear that our God disciplines for both punishment and to produce a heart after him.

God led the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years that he might:
1) humble them
2) test them to know what was in their heart (to see if they would keep his commandments or not)

vs. 5-6 > “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.”

As God humbles us and tests us, his ultimate goal is to bring us even closer to him. During these times we either run away from God or run to him.

What is God doing in your life RIGHT NOW?
Is he blessing you?
Is he humbling you?
Is he disciplining you?
is he drawing you nearer to himself?
Is he testing you to know your heart? (He is the only one who really knows your heart.)

What is your response to him?
Are you running toward him?
Are you trying to escape his love and his discipline?

Take time to worship God today, just you and God.
Thank God for his grace and mercy in your life. Thank him that he loves you and cares for you and desires for you to walk closer to him. Thank him for his patience in his life. Tell him how much you love him and desire to know him.

Then, as you lead or attend worship, listen carefully to the lyrics of the songs. Express them to God as your testimony. Listen carefully to the teacher of the word and to the scriptures. Allow God to speak to you from his word.

Worship the Lord with all your heart!

DEFINITION
1. intense feeling of affection toward someone 2. a great interest in someone or something 3. God’s affection toward His creation; or our affection towards God

INSIGHT
Scriptures are filled with love letters from God to us and from men to God. In the Old Testament, God demonstrates his love for the Hebrew people as He is loyal to them, and asks for their loyalty in return. When Jesus comes, He beautifully demonstrates and illustrates what God’s love is all about. From the way he treats the poor, sick, and needy, to his gift on the cross, Jesus is always reflecting the love of His Father. This kind of love, known as “agape” in the Greek, means a sacrificial, redeeming, unmerited, unconditional love. Through His examples, Jesus challenges us to “love our neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19 (NIV)). The disciples echo this commandment many times throughout the New Testament when talking about relating to others in the world as well as in the church. May we be “united in love” (Colossians 2:2 (NIV)) for the purposes of knowing God and making Him known.

“You will find all that is lacking in your heart in the heart of Jesus, dying on the cross. Then you will be enabled to love those whom you would naturally, in your pride hate.”
- Francois Fenelon

WORSHIP THE LOVING GOD
God, You are Love! Your Love is amazing and never fails! You have demonstrated Your Love for us so many times. We are grateful and humbled. You have our affection, devotion, and obedience. Teach us to love our neighbors and our enemies. We want to be a reflection of Your Love.

“This is how God loves us. God pays attention to us.”
-John Ortberg
Love Beyond Reason

In its familiarity, we sometimes overlook an important word in verse 2. The word is “benefits.”

The scripture begins with “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Before you read further, take a moment to just “bless the Lord.” Tell him how much you love him. Thank him for his steadfast and unending love for you. Acknowledge him as your strength and your provider.

Verse 2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his BENEFITS.” The following verses spell out some of those benefits.

vs 3: He FORGIVES all your iniquity.
vs 3: He HEALS all your diseases.
vs 4: He REDEEMS your life from the pit.
vs 4: He CROWNS you with steadfast love and mercy.
vs 5: He SATISFIES you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Stop. Read. Listen.
Take a few minutes to read and absorb Psalm 103. God can use his scripture to draw you near to him in a personal time of worship. As you read, consider his greatness. Consider all that he has done for you.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Everyone, spend time in God’s word and in prayer as you prepare each week.

As you prepare to lead this week…
…be grateful for those God has brought your way.
…be grateful for the talent he has given you to lead others.
…be grateful for your relationships.
…be grateful for the opportunity to point others to Jesus through worship.

Comment here if you have more ideas of how worship leaders should be prepared so they will be more confident as they lead.

If you lead others, it is important that you are bearing fruit. It is important that others see the fruit of your ministry, not just your actions and words.

Take a moment and reflect on the fruit of your ministry. Then, take a moment and reflect on the fruit from YOU.

Read the following versions of the same scripture. Then, with an obedient heart, ask God to show you how to grow closer to the vine (Him) and ask him to bear more fruit in you and in your ministry.

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. (Amplified)

“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. (the Message)

So often, we quickly overlook all that Jesus is doing in our life, in our ministry, or in our family, and jump to the next situation or event. Instead, there should be a time to reflect with a heart of thanksgiving ALL that Jesus has done for us.

Instead of focusing on the needs that he has not met, take time today to pay attention to all the needs that he HAS taken care of. Instead of willfully being blind to all he has done, ask him to open your eyes to ALL he has done and is doing in your life.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3 (NIV)

“…for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.” Luke 1:28-29 (NIV) Mary’s declaration

As you enter into worship, first, thank God for all he has done for you; and second, tell others (with a joyful heart) what he has done for you.

“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 (ESV)

Also, use the month of July for “RE”…..
ReNEW your commitment to lead others in worship.
ReTHINK how and why you do the things you do.
ReCOMMIT to the Lord your time in the word
ReFUEL yourself so you will be strengthened and ready to lead others stronger.
ReVIVE your family life. Find time to spend with each family. Invest in them.

Ask God to use the month of July in your life to prepare you to be the best musician and the best worship leader you can be.

If you are not a worship leader, ask God to help you have a surrendered, obedient heart as you come and worship him week after week.

COMMENT on other RE’s that are good for the month of July as we all look forward to the fall.

For Christians, July 4 is also a time that we celebrate our freedom in Christ.

So many Christians are bound by sin or by strongholds in their lives. Christ came to save and to set us free.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Cor 3:17 (esv)
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1 (esv)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal 5:13 (esv)
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19 (esv)
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (esv)

Take a moment this week (as you reflect with gratitude on the freedom you have in this country) to reflect on the freedom you have in Christ.

Listen to AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE) and reflect on the things in your life that bind you.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE)

Not being able to resolve conflict can tear up a marriage or close relationship. Ignoring the conflict instead of dealing with it will many times lead a marriage to divorce, or will lead close friendships to an end.

Take a few minutes and watch this video as Matt (of Sanctus Real) and his wife share very openly about the need they had to work on things at home. Ask God to give you boldness and strength as you seek to lead your family.

WATCH ~ STORY BEHIND “LEAD ME”

#setlistsunday on twitter
or COMMENT on facebook

No order this time, just a lot of great songs.
If you are not aware of some of these songs, you can find most of them on itunes.

Marvelous Light
Sing Sing Sing
Your are So Good to Me
Never Let Go
Emmanuel God With Us
Because of Your Love
Blessed Be Your Name
Mighty to Save
How Great is Our God
The Wonderful Cross
Our God
Savior King
Awake My Soul
Friend of God
Your Name High (Hillsong)
My Glorious
Evermore
Tear Down the Walls
Better Than Life
How He Loves Us
Because of Who You Are
Bless His Name
My Savior Lives
Hear Our Praises
In Christ Alone
Shout to the Lord
God You Reign
My Redeemer Lives
All the Saints Join In
Hosanna
God of Wonders
Your Grace is Enough
My Savior Lives
Everlasting God
Lord Reign in Me
I Will Rise
Not but Jesus
He Reigns
Yesterday Today Forever
Desert Song
Hungry
You Are So Good to Me
Amazing Love (You are my King)
Glorious Day
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise
In Him We Live
Higher Ground
We Fall Down
It is Well With My Soul
Nothing But the Blood
Worthy is the Lamb
Revive Us Again
Our God Saves
Here I Am to Worship
Let Us Lift Your Name on High
Holy is the Lord
Give Us Clean Hands
Let Everything That Has Breath
You and You Alone
Jesus Messiah
Draw Me Close

To the one who strikes you on the cheek,
offer the other also,
and from one who takes away your cloak
do not withhold your tunic either.

Give to eveyone who begs from you,
and from one who takes away your goods
do not demand them back.
And as you wish that others would do to you,
do so to them.

There is so much more about loving others in this passage in Luke. Take a few minutes and read Luke 6:27 and following. Consider your enemies. Consider those who have hurt you. Ask God to come close and help you walk through your difficult days while at the same time reaching out and loving those around you.

Focus on his word today. Focus on him today. Focus!

Find more on the FQ Facebook or twitter @fqworship.

Our God / Chris Tomlin
Jesus, Thank You / Soverign Grace Ministries
Glorious Day / Jeff Johnson
Your Name
This Is My Desire
How Great is Our God / Chris Tomlin
Here I Am To Worship / Tim Hughes
With Everything /
You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)
Would You Come
O Praise Him / David Crowder Band
Shout to the Lord / Hillsong
Worshiping You
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Unchanging
Sweet Mercies
Hosanna
I Am Free
Sing Sing Sing
Glorious / Paul Baloche
I Call You Holy
You Never Let Go
I Will Rise
Hear Our Praises
God You Reign
Freedom Reigns
Open Up The Sky
I Saw the Light (hoedown section) / David Crowder Band
This is Our God / Hillsong United
He Reigns
I am Free / John Egan
Counting on God / Jarod Anderson
You Are Good / Israel Houghton