Reckless Love

Reckless Love

Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson

 

“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.“

– Luke 15:4-7 (The Message)

 

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh the overwhelming, never ending,
reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’till I’m found,
leaves the ninety nine
I couldn’t earn it I don’t deserve it
Still, You give yourself away
Oh the overwhelming, never ending
reckless love of God

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

There’s no shadow You won’t light up,
mountain You won’t climb up, coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down,
no lie You won’t tear down, coming after me

 

This is a worship song that serves as much as a reminder to us as it does a praise song for God. God is well-aware of his own reckless love; how it climbs walls, crosses oceans, denies rejection and defies human logic just to make itself known to us. What’s important when singing this song is to remember that truth, and to then thank Him for that caution-to-the-wind love that has given us eternal life. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: Reckless Love – F.

To purchase the song, go here.

Free

Free

Gungor

 

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.“

– Galatians 5:13-14 (The Message)

There’s a world at war
Caught in suffering
Silent casualties
Oh, God, grant us peace
In these sleepless nights
I can hardly breathe
Despite brutality
I know that we’ll be free

Let the light keep a-shinin’
Let it break into the darkness
All the love dares us to see
We’ll all be free

In these desperate times
Love will hold us here
Love will join our hands
Teach us to have no fear
So we lay our hate down
To wash their feet
When we see our brother
Oh, we’ll all be free

We are free, free
We’ll all be free

 

Maybe the most important thing Christ’s love has done for us is to set us free. Free from a life that depends on the recognition of others. Free from the shackles of sin to steer our minds straight towards guilt and shame when we falter. Free from the culturally systemic barriers we’ve put up, whether intentionally or not, that tell us our differences and disagreements are what define us. Yet so many of us forget that freedom. We cling tightly to those familiar, beckoning chains like a bad case of stockholm syndrome. When singing this song, use it as a reminder that YOU have been irrevocably set free by Christ and no longer have to live in the bondage of this broken world. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: Free – D.

To purchase the song, go here.

Psalm 5 (Let the Party Last All Night!)

Psalm 5 (Let the Party Last All Night!)

Matt Greene

 

“…you’ll welcome us with open arms
    when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!“

– Psalm 5:11 (The Message)

 

Every morning, I lay out my life
And wait for your fire to descend
A garbage pile of selfishness
Anger, hatred and sin

You’re sitting on Your perfect throne
Handing out a decree
There’s a gathering of saints and sinners
And you’ve made a way for me

You’ve invited me
Say you delight in me
It’s incredible that

You welcome us with open arms
We’ll run for cover to you
Let the party last all night
Let the party last all night

You don’t socialize with the wicked
Or have evil as kith or as kin
Lies and boasts and death are not welcome
And me, I’ve called them all friend

You’ve invited me
Say you delight in me
You’re incredible

 

God’s love is a party, and his guest list is a paradox. He being perfect, He doesn’t get close to wickedness, hatred, sin and death. We being imperfect, we are often best friends with wickedness, hatred, sin and death. You would think this would put us at odds with God. When he sends out his call for us to join in His celebration of Life and Love, we will certainly be left out. But we’re not. He finds a way to overcome logic, and happily invites us. So when singing this, accept that invitation and enter the party, warts and all. You’ll be so busy dancing and singing, you won’t even notice how His Love is changing you from the inside out. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: Psalm 5 (Let The Party Last All Night!) – G.

To purchase the song, go here.

So Will I (100 Billion X)

“So Will I (100 Billion X)”

Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin

 

“God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
    God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
    Professor Night lectures each evening.
Their words aren’t heard,
    their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
    unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.“

– Psalm 19:1-4 (The Message)

 

God of creation
There at the start
Before the beginning of time
With no point of reference
You spoke to the dark
And fleshed out the wonder of light

And as You speak
A hundred billion galaxies are born
In the vapor of Your breath the planets form
If the stars were made to worship so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made
Every burning star
A signal fire of grace
If creation sings Your praises so will I

God of Your promise
You don’t speak in vain
No syllable empty or void
For once You have spoken
All nature and science
Follow the sound of Your voice

And as You speak
A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath
Evolving in pursuit of what You said
If it all reveals Your nature so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You say
Every painted sky
A canvas of Your grace
If creation still obeys You so will I

If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
If the wind goes where You send it so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence so will I
If the sum of all our praises still falls shy
Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times

God of salvation
You chased down my heart
Through all of my failure and pride
On a hill You created
The light of the world
Abandoned in darkness to die

And as You speak
A hundred billion failures disappear
Where You lost Your life so I could find it here
If You left the grave behind You so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done
Every part designed in a work of art called love
If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart
Eight billion different ways
Every precious one
A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I

Like You would again a hundred billion times
But what measure could amount to Your desire
You’re the One who never leaves the one behind

 

This is, without question, the wordiest song I’ve ever introduced to a congregation, which can often be daunting. However, this is also one of the most densely powerful songs I’ve ever led. Taking the old hymn structure of looking at the arc of creation, it dives into how God’s very creation worships Him just by being his creation. If we believe this, that all elements of creation and life are wordlessly singing God’s praises, then we should be inspired to do the same. When singing this song, recognize the magnificent beauty on display in creation, and join in the chorus of the cosmos. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: So Will I (100 Billion X) – A.

To purchase the song, go here.

Psalm 1 (Chart the Road)

Psalm 1 (Chart the Road)

Matt Greene

 

“For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.“

– Psalm 1:6 (NLT)

 

Thrill me with Your word
Plant me in Your garden
Surround me in Your courts

Chart the road
Chart the road I take
Chart the road I take to meet You

Make me righteous
Make me pure
Make me fruitful
Make me Yours
Make me Yours

 

The first Psalm is a nice, concise capture of the Psalms as a whole. It’s celebratory, it’s dark, it’s hopeful, it’s angry, it’s joyful. That’s why I love it, and the Psalms, as a whole.  When singing this, remember that if You are confused and frustrated but determined to seek Goodness and Love, then You are in good company. God will chart Your path if you give Him the map. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: Psalm 1 (Chart The Road) – G.

To purchase the song, go here.

Lord I Need You

“Lord I Need You”

Daniel Carson, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill

 

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.“

– Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

 

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

 

 

“Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.” That’s it. No matter what our life may look like, Christ’s grace can cover us. That’s why we need Him: He provides goodness where we can only offer failure. So when singing this, cry it out to God and remind yourself of your need of Him.  -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: Lord I Need You – G.

To purchase the song, go here.

Death was Arrested

Death was Arrested

Seth Condrey

 

“Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!”

– 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (The Message)

 

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin
Lost without hope and no place to begin
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains
(and) My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began

 

Oh Your grace so free washes over me
You have made me new, now life begins with You

Released from my chain, I’m a prisoner no more
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore
He canceled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began

It’s Your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new now life begins with You

Our Savior displayed on a criminal’s cross
(and) Darkness rejoiced as though Heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That’s when death was arrested and my life began
That’s when death was arrested and my life began

Oh we’re free, free, forever we’re free
Come join the song of all the redeemed
Yes we’re free, free, forever amen
When death was arrested and my life began

This song is a beast. Yes, it fits into the mega-church anthem genre that has so pervaded the Christian music landscape. However, it’s message of death’s powerlessness because of the unending grace bestowed upon us is so beautifully realized, you get why part of the song feels like such a shout of joy. So when singing this song, join in the song of all the free and redeemed who recognize Christ’s sacrifice for our life. -Matt Greene

To download the chord charts: Death Was Arrested – Capo 4-G.

To purchase the song, go here.

Grace Wins

Grace Wins

Matthew West

“Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.
    Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.
You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth,
    and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.
For your Maker is your bridegroom,
    his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel,
    known as God of the whole earth.”

– Isaiah 54:4-5 (The Message)

 

In my weakest moment I see You Shaking Your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment written all over Your face
Here come those whispers in my ear saying “who do you think you are?”
Looks like you’re on your own from here
cuz grace could never reach that far

But in the shadow of that shame, beat down by all the blame
I hear You call my name saying it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat so loud now
Drowning out the doubt, I’m down but I’m not out

There’s a war between guilt and grace
and they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah grace wins every time

Words can’t describe the way it feels when mercy floods a thirsty soul
The broke inside begins to heal and grace returns what guilty stoleFor the prodigal son, grace wins
For the woman at the well, grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar, grace wins
For always and forever, grace wins
For the lost out on the street, grace wins
For the worst part of you and me, grace wins
For the thief on the cross, grace wins
For a world that is lost

For some, this song is a wake up call. For many (myself included), this is an urgent reminder, that we are NOT our failures but are children of Grace. And that Grace is a defeater of shame. So when singing this song, especially the bridge, place yourself specifically in the lyrics. For YOU, whoever you are, wherever you’re at, whatever you’ve done / are doing, Grace wins. Every time. -Matt Greene

To download the chord charts: Grace Wins – D

To purchase the song, go here.

10,000 Reasons

10,000 Reasons

Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman

 

“Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.”

– Psalm 103:1-2 (The Message)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before,
0 my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore!

 

There’s a reason this song has become a giant, inescapable anthem within the church. Sure, the chorus is a giant melodic beauty, and the verses each build for any community to get excited by. However, what really makes this so ubiquitous is its poetic, biblical theology. Beautifully compares a day to an entire life, we see the natural hope of beginnings, and the supernatural hope in endings we get only from Christ. So when singing this song, use your voice bless His name for the graceful hope He has provided. -Matt Greene

 

To download the chord chart: 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) – G.

To purchase the song, go here.

Come Alive (Dry Bones)

“Come Alive (Dry Bones)”

Lauren Daigle, Michael Farren

 

“He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones: “Dry bones, listen to the Message of God!”‘

God, the Master, told the dry bones, ‘Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!’

I prophesied just as I’d been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone.”

– Ezekial 37:4-8a (The Message)

 

Through the eyes of man it seems there’s so much we have lost
As we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked
And one by one the enemy has whispered lies
and led them off as slaves
But I know that You are God, Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come that we may not yet see
So with the faith You’ve given us
we step into the valley unafraid
You call out to dry bones, come alive, come alive
You call out to dead hearts, come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes, let us see an army rise
You call out to dry bones come alive
God of endless mercy, God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter bring us back the wayward sons
And by Your spirit breathe upon them
show the world that You alone can save, You alone can save
So breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe

I love how this song, a song that is big on CCM radio right now, is not only catchy and emotionally stirring, but theologically strong and biblically centered. As Christians, we know there is a future implication to the words in Ezekiel about God calling forth the dead to live. However, there’s a not-so-subtle implication for the present. So when singing this song, cry for the life-giving breath of God to restore purpose and drive to the walking dead among us…which could include ourselves. -Matt Greene

To download the chord chart: Come Alive (Dry Bones) – G.

To purchase the song, go here.