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!

- Price
The first thing to think about is price. Remember that with guitars, as with most other things in life, you get what you pay for. Also, take it from a guy who has had MANY guitars, the less you go through to find the one you love, the more money you save in the end. All that aside, decide how much you can afford, save for your investment, DO NOT go into debt for a guitar, and make an informed purchase.

- Style
There are several styles to choose from, and the style of guitar stems from the style of music you’re trying to play. This matters so much, and requires a lot of research to figure out what you like. What do your favorite guitar players play? Do you know the difference between different pickups? Brands? If your favorite band is RED, then you might like an Ibanez, possibly some EMG pickups (both known for hard rock). If your favorite band is the Chris Tomlin band, then you’ll be pretty safe with a Gibson Les Paul (or similar).

- Quality
As someone who has bought (and sold) many guitars, I know that quality is another HUGE issue. Quality not only affects the sound, but how well it plays and stays in tune, three factors that are extremely important. WHERE the guitar is made makes a difference. Mexican-made guitars are close to the bottom of the quality list, American-made is considered the best, but Japanese and Korean-made guitars are considered by many to be close to American standards (Chinese-made is close to Mexican-made). This doesn’t mean you can’t get a fantastic Mexican-made guitar, it just means the consistency is bad, where Mexican guitars may be 1 good guitar out of 10, American would be 9 out of 10 (for example). Fender guitars under $1000 (including Squires) are by-in-large made in Mexico, while the rest are generally made in America. Gibson guitars are generally made in America, while their cheap counterpart Epiphone is made in China. [It’s hard to keep up with every guitar and where it’s being made, so you may need to do your own research for your specific guitar to find out] You can try to buy a cheap guitar and try to swap out some components to make it sound better, but most of the issue lies in the wood itself. This is where you find out that you get what you pay for.

Keep up with the blog, and I’ll continue to dive deeper into the mess that is guitar-buying!

Sidenotes
- Some guys get a kick out of using low-quality guitars and trying to make them sound good. You can probably tell that I am not one of them…

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

Examples of how to connect songs:
1. Use the same key and flow from one song to the next
2. Use the same tempo and the same key to flow from one song to the next
3. Use the same key word…. end one song or thought with a word and begin the next song with the same word. This can also be done with phrases that are similar.
4. Use the same theme of a song (cross, love, savior, forgiveness, etc.)
5. Start with a song, sing other songs, then end with the song that was the first in the worship set.
6. Use instruments to flow smoothly from one song to the next
7. smooth key transitions with trained instruments
8. keeping the music going (and not stopping) is important also
9. media transitions on the screen works well between songs

These are just some. COMMENT here and share other ideas of transitions that work well to make the flow of worship smooth.

You MUST spend time working on the flow of worship and the most effective transitions from one song to the next in order for the process to seem to be done effortless. Your goal is for the focus to be on Christ (through the lyrics and words) and not on you or the other instrumentalists or vocalists.

If you lead others, take time this week to really make your worship experience one that is great and draws others to our Lord.

COMMENT on our BLOG and share with others some of the ways you use TWITTER, FACEBOOK, or other social media!

What are ways you have learned to be more effective in all you do?

COMMENT HERE!

So, take a moment and think about your passion. If you are the person who puts everything together and leads the band and the congregation, then what is YOUR passion?

Is it excellence in the music? finding the right songs? rehearsing? finding the right people to sing the right songs? connecting with those your are leading?

Is it being ready in your own walk with God before leading others? Is it leading others to walk closer to God during worship, then to do the same throughout the week?

All are good and all are needed. Just take a moment to think about it.

What drives you first? What is your passion?

How does your passion drive you to be an effective leader?

COMMENT on our blog and let us know about your passion? We’d love to hear from you.

Is it numbers?
Is it songs? Is it new songs?
Is it how well every one is singing the songs?
Is it how great the flow of the worship experience is?
Is it the words on the screens or the great graphics?
Is it how well everything sounds?
Is it how you look? or how everything on stage looks?
Is it the “feel” of everything”?
Is it your heart?
Is it pointing others to Jesus?

When you decide to take a trip, you usually plan, right? The bigger the trip, the more the planning, right? What are the things you must plan when traveling on a vacation or trip to another place? … how you will travel; how much money it will cost; who is going; where you are going; how long you will stay there; what you will do when you get there; where you will stay when you arrive…

If you have no idea of what success means to you on a trip, how will you know if your trip was successful?

In the same way, if you have not defined what success is to you when you lead worship, how will you know if your worship experience is successful?

Commit this week to take time to evaluate your purpose in leading others in worship. Evaluate why you do what you do. Talk it over with other worship leaders or pastors.

Then, plan your trip ~~~~~ the journey to the Father ~~~~ the one you are going to lead on Sunday (or at another time).

Know where you plan to go.
Know what success is for you before you begin.
Evaluate and look back so you can learn and be more prepared for your next journey.

We as worship leaders have an incredible responsibility of leading others to the Father. Commit to give it your all this week as you lead.