Paul Baloche gives us a fantastic live album that’s full of some of his most popular songs as well as some new ones. As you know, our worship reviews are meant to help you add music to your services. With that said, every song on this album can be picked up by your congregation. You probably already do more than a few of these anthems! Would love to hear which ones you’re doing in the comments! Here’s the breakdown:
Our God Saves // Driving and instantly singable, “Our God Saves” serves as great opener for the album and for your service. One little tip, make sure that your electric guitar play drops his low string to a D for the signature riff, It really adds to the song. I love the prechorus: “Hear the joyful sound of our offering as your saints bow down as your people sing.” Such a great a truth for your church.
God My Rock // In the midst of a hectic week, your congregation needs to be reminded that God is the foundation and everything we need. The chorus sings the great truth that we can rely on God.
You Lift us Up // There are always people in your church that need to be encouraged that God will lift them up and restore those things in their life that are dead. This song calls to remember what Christ did for us.
The Same Love // It’s easy to come to a weekend service and forget that we’re singing to our Creator and Savior. God’s love is calling to us every day. I really love the quiet moment at the end where Paul encourages everyone to invite God into their hearts. A violin comes in for a very worshipful time. There’s great value in giving your church time to respond to God in silence. Kari Jobe talked about this very thing on our podcast! Don’t be afraid to just be quiet when you’re leading.
Jesus Be My Savior // Coming right out of “The Same Love,” “Jesus Be My Savior” tells the story of Christ’s sacrifice for all of us. The chorus invites Jesus to come and be our savior. The second verse sets up communion wonderfully. We often overlook making communion something special in our services and this song is a perfect way to help people sing about their remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. A small note that stuck out to me about the recording: You can hear someone in the crowd cough early in the recording…I love that this album is so real! There was more concern about capturing a time of worship and I love that about Paul and his music!
A Mighty Fortress // Paul opens this song with the great hymn “a mighty fortress is our God” before moving in to his version. This is an awesome lesson in worship leadership! If you’re bringing in a new song to your congregation that is always asking for hymns, tie it to a classic hymn if they match thematically. You’ll find your congregation will hop right in to the new one after singing out the hymn.
My Hope // God is an ever present hope for us. This song declares that we’re holding on the God in the midst of our lives. No matter what’s happening in our lives, God’s there and he’s all we need.
Hosanna (Praise is Rising) // Ok, seriously, if you haven’t done this song in your church yet…do it this weekend, you’ve been missing out for years. I’ll just leave it here for ya:
Today is the Day // Another recent classic that got a lot of radio play with Lincoln Brewster’s version. Today is the Day sings the trust of Psalm 118:24:
This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.
