Blessings through choosing to praise God
**THE JUBALHEIRS**
It’s easy to rejoice in the Lord when all is well, but the choice to praise Him in times of adversity comes with maturity in our faith. As we tru
st the Lord more and more in our walk with Him, we learn to lean upon His promises when we go through times of darkness. In times of trial and grief, He promises to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the heaviness of sorrow. (Isaiah 61:3) The promises of God in this verse also apply to the fruit that our choice to praise Him in trials will bring. The same scripture verse tells us that the fulfillment of these precious promises will be “that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” No one who leads worship can escape a deep awareness that there are always people in any service of worship who have come with heavy hearts. The most comforting truth that we can cling to in such times is that God knows all about our pain and our sorrow. He is right there with us in the midst of the storm, even when we are not aware of His presence. As we learn to trust His heart, His love for us, and His nearness, we can make the choice to praise God and allow Him to work on healing our hearts.
Cindy and I are still in the process of getting to know our sisters in the Lord who are members of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Jubalheirs, directed by Dr. Jon Duncan. Several of these talented ladies are members of our home church whom we know quite well, but we are so new to Georgia that we are still becoming acquainted with the wider membership of the Jubalheirs and their Ministers of Worship and home churches. However, it’s been evident to us, even in a relatively short time period, that the Jubalheirs are women who love to praise the Lord. Their radiant faces and beautiful voices testify of their love for God and longing to be more like Christ. Many of the songs in their repertoire have very profound messages of deep faith, so it was an honor when Dr. Duncan selected my anthem, “Much More Than a Song” for the Jubalheirs’ repertoire not long before our move to Georgia. “Much More Than a Song” is a reflective ballad with a message about choosing to praise God in times of trial. The Jubalheirs have also recorded this song on their CD entitled “New Every Morning.” When Cindy and I came to Georgia to meet with the Music and Worship Search Committee in 2008, I’d been asked to sing for them. We sang some worship songs together, and then I sang a solo, choosing “Much More Than a Song.” I didn’t know that 3 of the women on the search committee were members of the Jubalheirs and had already sung this song until after I finished singing. It was a fairly new song at the time and was only in it’s second year of inclusion in the repertoire of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma. It never occurred to me that some of the committee members would have not only heard the song but also had sung it in concert. It’s amazing how God puts things togethers sometimes, and that will always be a special memory for me. We look forward to many other special times of worship in our home church and around the state of Georgia with our sisters in Christ in the Jubalheirs and our brothers in the Sons of Jubal.
This year, the Jubalheirs are singing one of my newest choral anthems, “Greater.” They recorded it in September, 2011, for their newest CD project, which has not yet been releasesd. “Greater” is also a song about praising God in every circustance. In the lyrics of “Greater,” the listener is reminded that our God is greater than any challenge we may face. And, just like my good friend David Neely (and his wife, Phyllis), who is mentioned on the title page of “Greater,” I am confident that the women of the Jubalheirs will trust in our great God no matter what life brings. “Greater” was written for the glory of God and to encourage my friend and all of God’s people. What a blessing it is to know that the women of the Jubalheirs will share this message with passion and with integrity, choosing to praise the Lord in all of life.
“His name is higher!
His love is deeper!
He reigns forever and ever more!
Alpha, Omega, Master, and Savior…
Far above anything, of His praises we’ll sing
And at His feet we’ll fall.
For our God, yes, our God is greater than all!”
Lyrics from “Greater”
Copyright Travis L. Boyd, WorshipSounds Music
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“Much More Than a Song” and “Greater”
and many other songs
are available on our WorshipSounds Music website
Worshipful and affordable music for your Choirs, Ensembles, Soloists, Orchestra, and Congregation
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Do you know Jesus?
The decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you could ever make! The one true God is ready to give you forgiveness and eternal life as soon as you understand your need for Him and believe on the name of His only Son, Jesus, for your salvation. Here’s a blog page link to help you find the answers to your questions about Jesus. http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/
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Worship Sounds Music 