Just Another Song??? Worship/Praise
Have you ever had a horrible day and needed to look to God for guidance? Of course you have! We all have! Has there ever been a song that helped you through this situation?
When I found out that my family had to pack our stuff and move to Minneapolis last Christmas for Carter's bone marrow transplant I had one of those moments! I remember sitting in my truck thinking about what was to come and begging God for comfort. I put in Jeremy Camp's unplugged album and Walk By Faith came on. It was just what I needed, just when I needed it!!!
Have you ever been in a great mood? Everything was seemingly going right and you just started singing to yourself...or out loud for that matter!!!
Worshiping God through song is a powerful and useful tool in the life of a christian. It is SO MUCH MORE than just singing a couple predetermined songs at the beginning of a service. Just as a preacher receives "insights" from God on what to preach about, so too do we when a song just "hits" us out of nowhere and strikes us.
When I asked God to help me figure out my purpose in my christian walk there was no doubt that using my talent as a singer/songwriter/musician was part of His plan for me. With that comes the responsibility for everything I do musically to be more than just "singing a song". Just as a pastor preaches on, lets say, peace and tranquility for example, so too can a worship leader, but through song!!! It can be just as powerful. Even more so in some occasions and circumstances!
My goal with my music is not to write songs to benefit myself...it is to convey a message that will touch people on a level that simple preaching may or may not not be able to reach. Some people that can be reached by my music may not have been reached by a sermon on any given sunday...however, after that initial breakthrough has been achieved, the sky is the limit.
Although music itself comes in all shapes and sizes, styles and genres, one thing remains the same...Music is universal. Everyone loves some sort of music and it can reach anyone in ways that other tactics may not. I've always, somewhat jokingly, said that music and sports are the only two things in life where adults can act like kids...and it is OK!!! It is so pure. It is so beautiful. It should be used to glorify GOD.
The power of singing praises to the Lord can be found throughout the Bible...the one example that really sticks out in my mind, other than and entire book called the Psalms of course, can be found in 2 Chronicles 20:20-22 when Jehoshaphat gathered up a group of singers to go before the army to sing praises to God...The Lord answered and sent an ambush! Look what was accomplished here, with a song! God hears us when we pray, when we talk, when we preach...and when we SING!!!
I want everyone to know that what I do is so much more than music and a song to me. I don't want to see people hurt or in need, but I know that the Lord has given me a talent, which I have given back to Him to glorify His kingdom. The Bible says that through Jesus we have the ability to heal the sick, soothe the weary and cleanse the unclean.
The next time you are singing in your car or opening Sunday morning service, think about this...God has given EVERYONE a talent and a purpose. When those talents are used to glorify God, NOTHING is impossible. To me it truly is MORE THAN JUST A SONG...That feeling in my soul is real. That feeling in my soul is the Holy Spirt. It was brought about by just another song...and that is why I do what I do!
God Bless and Faith Always
Josh Pepper
When I found out that my family had to pack our stuff and move to Minneapolis last Christmas for Carter's bone marrow transplant I had one of those moments! I remember sitting in my truck thinking about what was to come and begging God for comfort. I put in Jeremy Camp's unplugged album and Walk By Faith came on. It was just what I needed, just when I needed it!!!
Have you ever been in a great mood? Everything was seemingly going right and you just started singing to yourself...or out loud for that matter!!!
Worshiping God through song is a powerful and useful tool in the life of a christian. It is SO MUCH MORE than just singing a couple predetermined songs at the beginning of a service. Just as a preacher receives "insights" from God on what to preach about, so too do we when a song just "hits" us out of nowhere and strikes us.
When I asked God to help me figure out my purpose in my christian walk there was no doubt that using my talent as a singer/songwriter/musician was part of His plan for me. With that comes the responsibility for everything I do musically to be more than just "singing a song". Just as a pastor preaches on, lets say, peace and tranquility for example, so too can a worship leader, but through song!!! It can be just as powerful. Even more so in some occasions and circumstances!
My goal with my music is not to write songs to benefit myself...it is to convey a message that will touch people on a level that simple preaching may or may not not be able to reach. Some people that can be reached by my music may not have been reached by a sermon on any given sunday...however, after that initial breakthrough has been achieved, the sky is the limit.
Although music itself comes in all shapes and sizes, styles and genres, one thing remains the same...Music is universal. Everyone loves some sort of music and it can reach anyone in ways that other tactics may not. I've always, somewhat jokingly, said that music and sports are the only two things in life where adults can act like kids...and it is OK!!! It is so pure. It is so beautiful. It should be used to glorify GOD.
The power of singing praises to the Lord can be found throughout the Bible...the one example that really sticks out in my mind, other than and entire book called the Psalms of course, can be found in 2 Chronicles 20:20-22 when Jehoshaphat gathered up a group of singers to go before the army to sing praises to God...The Lord answered and sent an ambush! Look what was accomplished here, with a song! God hears us when we pray, when we talk, when we preach...and when we SING!!!
I want everyone to know that what I do is so much more than music and a song to me. I don't want to see people hurt or in need, but I know that the Lord has given me a talent, which I have given back to Him to glorify His kingdom. The Bible says that through Jesus we have the ability to heal the sick, soothe the weary and cleanse the unclean.
The next time you are singing in your car or opening Sunday morning service, think about this...God has given EVERYONE a talent and a purpose. When those talents are used to glorify God, NOTHING is impossible. To me it truly is MORE THAN JUST A SONG...That feeling in my soul is real. That feeling in my soul is the Holy Spirt. It was brought about by just another song...and that is why I do what I do!
God Bless and Faith Always
Josh Pepper
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