Posted on

Lauren Daigle: You Say (Starstruck Sessions)

It’s lovely to have one voice singing with such sincerity and commitment accompanied by a single instrument. This is an Explore favourite, You Say from singer songwriter Lauren Daigle.

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe.

You Say
Songwriters: Jason Ingram, Paul Mabury and Lauren Daigle
Posted on

Matthew 1: He is the one who will save his people from their sins

This was how the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place. His mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph; but before they came together she turned out to be pregnant – by the holy spirit. Joseph, her husband-to-be, was an upright man. He didn’t want to make a public example of her. So he decided to set the marriage aside privately. But, while he was considering this, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream.

‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid to get married to Mary. The child she is carrying is from the holy spirit. She is going to have a son. You are to give him the name Jesus; he is the one who will save his people from their sins.’

All this happened so that what the Lord said through the prophet might be fulfilled: ‘Look: the virgin is pregnant, and will have a son, and they shall give him the name Emmanuel,’ – which means, in translation, ‘God with us.’

When Joseph woke up from his sleep he did what the Lord’s angel had told him to. He married his wife, but he didn’t have sexual relations with her until after the birth of her son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1, New Testament for Everyone.

Image from TBN.co.uk.

Posted on

Sovereign Grace Music: O Come, All You Unfaithful…

I like the message behind this new Christmas song: O Come, All You Unfaithful.

O come all you unfaithful
Come weak and unstable
Come know you are not alone
O come barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you

This video contains people who are getting their heads around the message ‘O Come, All You Unfaithful’, most of them for the first time, in light of their own experiences. A stillborn child. A strained marriage. Feelings of shame. Legalism. Loss. Loneliness. Or simply having a heart that weeps with those who weep.

We think seeing their responses as Lisa Clow sings communicates even more clearly that Jesus wasn’t born for people who have it all together. He was born for those who have nothing.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11.28–30, ESV)

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1.21, ESV)

So come.

Here are the full words:

Pages: 1 2
Posted on

Matt Redman: Jesus Your Name (Acoustic)

We love this version of Jesus Your Name by Matt Redman recorded with strings. It’s particularly helpful at this time.

Jesus Your name, when the whole world shakes
Jesus Your name, I will ever praise
My battle cry every night and day
I’ll sing Your name over everything

Jesu Your Name
Writers: Matt Redman, Jacob Sooter, Josh Silverberg & Lindsey Sweat