worship

STEP 1: Sing

/ Gail Johnson / 16 Comments

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. 

Psalm 59:17 (KJV)

Not every plan we implement this year will bring the success we crave. The first step to a successful year is to realize a one-size-fits-all plan is not the answer. Just as our dreams and journeys are personal, our plans should be designed for us, too.

Another reason our strategy should be personalized is that complicated plans are abandoned, while easy plans often leave out crucial elements for the sake of reaching the goal. Discovering the perfect steps to help us obtain our objectives may take a while. Still, we shouldn’t give up. Meanwhile, we succeed anytime we obey the Word of God. Guaranteed.

5 STEPS for Success in 2025 is a simple way to reach daily goals. I want to share Step 1 today.

Sing for Spiritual Renewal

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 30:4 (KJV)

If remembering God’s holiness is the only reason we sing, then let us sing for that reason alone. Of course, there are other reasons for an aria.

Something happens when we sing.

If you think the commandment to sing is for God’s benefit alone, you’re mistaken. A physical, mental, and spiritual shift occurs when we lift our voices in song. For instance, our physical bodies are changed. We move beyond the pain and heartache. We break spiritual chains and win wars. We walk in victory.

When Paul and Silas were in Philippi, they were beaten with many stripes and thrown in prison. But they didn’t quit.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Acts 16:25-26 (KJV)

Another example is Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. When he faced three armies, he cried unto the Lord for a plan. The Lord answered his prayer.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 

2 Chronicles 20:17 (KJV)

Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army. (How would you feel about that plan? 😊)

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

2 Chronicles 20:22 (KJV)

Sing for Physical Renewal

Did you know that something happens in, and to, your body when you sing?

For instance, the left side of the brain is responsible for speech. With it, we construct sentences. However, the right side is responsible for creativity, which involves rhythm and melody. When we sing, both sides of our brains light up! That’s why people who stutter can sing their words without any difficulty.

Singing also strengthens the lungs. A great exercise is to sing or hum while walking or running. And that’s not all! Belting out our favorite tune improves memory because we focus on several things, like music, rhythm, and words.  

Singing can also reduce anxiety and stress, thereby reducing cortisol. Can anyone say belly fat?

Another reason to sing is that singing releases endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s painkillers.  

Serotonin improves sleep, boosts moods, and helps control appetites.

Dopamine helps a person feel pleasure and motivation. It plays a key role in learning, memory, mood, and sleep.

Oxytocin is released in different ways. A few are laughter, exercise, music, and ultraviolet light. A reason we need to spend time in the sun. It relieves stress and anxiety, builds trust, and affects our moods.

As you can see, there are many different reasons to sing. So grab your favorite playlists, radio, or CD, and sing your favorite song while walking in the sunshine!

Your Turn

Share your favorite worship songs and hymns in the comments. Have a wonderful week!

Articles to Read

Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever – Harvard Health Publishing

The Science Behind Singing: What Happens When We Sing? – London Singing Institute

The World’s Most Accessible Stress Reliever – bbc.com

What to Know About Oxytocin Hormone – WebMD

O Come All Ye Faithful

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20

History:
Words attributed to John F. Wade
Translated from Latin to English by Fredrick Oakley (verses 1-3 & 6) and William T. Brooke (verses 4-5)
Music Adeste Fideles attributed to John Wade, John Reading, Simao Portogallo, and King John IV of Portugal Wikipedia.com Cyberhymnal.org

Favorite Line:
O come let us adore Him.

Reflection:
Adore means to pay divine honor to; worship

Faithful is defined as true to one’s word, steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: reliable. Dictionary.com

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:15-18

When told of His birth, the shepherds didn’t hesitate but rushed to Bethlehem and worshiped the newborn King. So moved by their experience, they didn’t allow it to remain in the four walls of the stable but told everyone they met. And the people marveled.

Today, we have the privilege to worship the Lord anytime, any place, anywhere. We are so blessed. There is much to praise Him for. Let us not hesitate to give God the glory for the marvelous gift of His Son, our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Come, let us adore Him for He alone is worthy to be praised! Let us tell everyone we meet of His goodness and mercies.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11