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Hillsong United And The Story Behind The Song “Oceans”

William Wagner
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Hillsong United And The Story Behind The Song “Oceans”

It’s one of the most popular and beloved worship songs of all time, touching millions of listeners since its 2013 release and sung every week in thousands of churches across the earth.

Based on the New Testament account of Jesus calling Peter to joining Him in walking on the Sea of Galilee, “Oceans” has resonated with individuals from every culture and all walks of life. Stepping Out: The Story of Oceans was filmed in Israel and features Joel Houston, one of the composers, Taya Smith, whose unmistakeable voice popularized the song, and other members of Hillsong United sharing how “Oceans” was written and recorded, and how it has personally impacted them. “It’s really a song about stepping into the unknown,” explained Joel Houston, “about faith and raw trust in God.”

Matt Crouch noted that “sooner or later every one of us finds ourselves in the ‘deep waters’ of life that require total dependence upon God’s mercy and grace. That’s what has made this worship song so relatable to so many people. We’re thrilled to have Joel Houston and the folks from Hillsong United with us to talk about this song’s global impact.”

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Yeah
Oh Jesus yeah, my God
I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

 

TBN

In The Stretch – Pt. 1

William Wagner
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In The Stretch – Pt. 1
I thought the ‘the stretch’ was a seasonal thing, much like the discomfort you feel when you walk around in a new pair of shoes. I thought God would only stretch me a few times over the course of my life, but I was wrong. Welcome to the stretch life. If you’re reading this and feeling it, don’t worry, you are in good company.

At times the stretch life can feel extra tight, slightly restrictive, and weighty. It’s in those moments that I refer to a conversation I had with Joel, back to when I had just started travelling with United. He pulled me aside and shared Matthew 11:28-30, which changed my whole perspective on how to do this God-life. We had been discussing the weight of what we do as a creative team; not just in the seen but in all areas – whether we choose to hold what we do with reverend hands or not.

Leading people to Jesus is an immense responsibility and it’s all that we do. There is weight that comes when being entrusted with the platform, but Joel reminded me of Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). In the fullness of life, this has been truth that I’ve come to realign myself with again and again. In the Message translation, Eugene Peterson describes it like this:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly”(Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).

I always let out a sigh of relief when I read that first part. We are called to walk and work with Him. The very definition of “yoke” is:

(noun): a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart they are to pull;

(verb): to cause (two people or things) to be joined in a close relationship…  TO BE CONT.

 

Taya Smith

Australian Prime Minister Vows To Defend Christianity, Says Country Needs ‘The Love of God’

William Wagner
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Australian Prime Minister Vows To Defend Christianity, Says Country Needs ‘The Love of God’
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, made a surprise appearance at a Christian conference yesterday, declaring that the country needs more of “the love of God.”
Speaking at the annual Hillsong Conference in Sydney, the PM who is believed to be a devout Christian, also openly prayed for the Lord to intervene and bring an end to a widespread drought that continues to cripple his nation.

“Lord, we just pray for rain: That your rain will fall on this nation,” Morrison declared in front of thousands of believers, according to Reuters. “Lord, that you will restore those communities, and that you will see a prosperity in this nation from the rain.”

He added: “What this country needs more than anything is the love of God.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzsaGdsAr1S/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In light of the religious freedom case currently engulfing former Australian National Rugby player, Israel Folau, Morrison who described his recent election victory a “miracle,” sought to assure believers of his intentions to usher forward legislation that would further protect the free speech of Christians.

Praying for Australia at the evangelical Christian event with his wife, Jenny, Morrison addressed the government’s growing internal debate about religious freedom by arguing that culture was more important than laws.

Australia has no bill of rights or explicit protections for religious freedoms, but Morrison’s conservative government is considering such measures in the wake of a high-profile rugby player’s sacking over religious posts on social media.

“We’ll do what we must do from a legislative point of view and the law,” Morrison told the 21,000-strong crowd on Tuesday night. “There’s a lot of talk about our freedoms as Christians in this country and they should be protected.”

He added that there was “nothing more fundamental than the freedom of belief, whatever that belief might be,” and that values of religious freedom should be “nourished and protected.”

“But what all that boils down to is the culture in this country,” Morrison said. “It’s not the laws that make freedom of religion work, it’s the culture that accepts it.

“So I speak about my faith … because I want everyone in this place to feel comfortable talking about faith in this country,” he declared, to rapturous applause. It’s not a political agenda, it’s who we are.”

 

Bp-News-1

Jeremy Hunt Vows To Protect Persecuted Christians Around The World

William Wagner
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Jeremy Hunt Vows To Protect Persecuted Christians Around The World
Christians are the “most persecuted religious group in modern times”, UK politician and Conservative leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt has revealed. If he wins the Tory leadership race, Mr Hunt said he will seek to protect Christians around the world as Prime Minister by enacting all the recommendations of a review he commissioned as Foreign Secretary last year.

He said he develop a term for anti-Christian hatred equivalent to Islamophobia and antisemitism and impose sanctions on countries that persecute Christians, adding that the UK government’s response to discrimination hasn’t always “matched the scale of the problem”.

Jeremy Hunt

Hunt said that “misguided political correctness” had prevented Britain from providing support for Christians facing violence and discrimination around the globe.” “At home, we all benefit from living in a tolerant, diverse society and we should not be afraid of promoting those values abroad.

“It is a sad fact that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in modern times. I am determined to show that we are on their side.”

He said that if elected he would implement all the recommendations of an independent report into their plight, published today by the Bishop of Truro.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, above, the Prime Minister’s special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, said the Government has already “acted on the rising tide of Christian persecution across the world with some success”.

He added: “We, therefore, note the findings of this independent report and will consider the recommendations carefully and how they may further enhance our work in tackling Christian persecution specifically and in strengthening our work on freedom of religion or belief.”

 

Bp-News-1

Dedication of RCCG – GLORY ARENA

William Wagner
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Dedication of RCCG – GLORY ARENA
Dedication of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) expansive GLORY ARENA for youth and children by the General Overseer (GO), Pastor E. A. Adeboye yesterday at the City-Size Redemption Camp, Km 37 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The Inside Photo

William Wagner
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The Inside Photo

Self esteem is the photo of yourself that you hold inside or in your imagination. Another way to say this is, the way you see yourself or what you really believe about who you are is what you self esteem becomes.

Throughout this series I have been thinking about what to cover in the blog section because there is so much to cover when it comes to self esteem. I think instead of mentioning 5 ways to develop or build your self esteem I would like to elaborate on why this series is more important than you might realize.

In our society or world today, the question of identity is under fire! Everyone has an opinion on who you should be and what you should look like, gender, sex and I mean everything today is under fire simply for one reason IDENTITY. You need to be careful of who is shaping your self image and Gen. 1:26 is crucial to you understanding this.

Gen 1:26 the first thing God gave us is His “image”. Let us make man in our own image which means like Him. God’s priority to us is about who we are on the inside not what people see on the outside. People can make comments about your stature, gender, age, occupation and so on but what really matters above all, is what you see on the inside.

The person you see on the inside will always dictate what direction your life will take whether for good or worse. You can make that change today by asking God to help see yourself how He sees you. My friend, if you can always see yourself like this, your whole life will change and I mean every area will change.

The whole point of becoming born again is to change us from the inside out and change that inside photo that you look like.

You are more than where you are right now and I mean, there’s a lot more to you than people can predict. Jesus asked who do men say I am? Then He asked who you think I am? He asked for feedback and everyone just painted Him as a reincarnation of a previous prophet, but Peter said “you are the son of God”. He said: no one could have revealed that to you but the spirit of God Himself.

The Holy Spirit is how you can really know yourself and discover more about you.

Start today by dedicating time to God and see your future revealed.

 

 

Brazilian Soccer Player ‘Neymar’ Went To Church Then Accept God

William Wagner
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Brazilian Soccer Player ‘Neymar’ Went To Church Then Accept God
The Brazilian superstar and Soccer player Neymar was at Church praying and he asks the Pastor to pray for him because he wants to accept God as his personal savior.

Get Off The Fence

William Wagner
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Get Off The Fence
Beloved, I have a special prayer for you this day—for every person that God leads to read this revelation: “I pray that the Holy Spirit will shine His holy light upon your eyes, that you may be able to see as you have never seen before. I pray that every blind, spiritual cataract will be taken from your eyes … in the Name of Jesus!”

In the book of Revelation, John wrote to the churches … remember, this was not to the unsaved, but to the born-again believers.

I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot; I would that thou wert either cold or hot.  Revelation 3:15

There is something about somebody who straddles the fence … I believe God would rather have you for Him or against Him, than to have you hide under some cloak of misrepresentation, making people think you are what you are not.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked.  Revelation 3:17

I promise you this … if you get off that fence, let go of your spiritual traditions, and plunge in wholeheartedly; the Holy Spirit will do something for you that will become the greatest spiritual apex of your whole Christian experience. It will be the beginning of turning defeat into victory in every area of your life where you have struggled.

Let me pause here to define my objective. My purpose is not to bring you just a blessing. If God does not bless you through this message … I am not concerned. I am concerned about one thing only … and that is that you begin to have the power of God produced in your life in a greater way than you’ve ever experienced before.

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law, That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance   Psalms 94:12-14, NKJV

Say this faith declaration out loud:
I am ready to fully commit my life to Jesus Christ. I am ready to face every circumstance knowing God has delivered me in the past, He delivers me in the present, and He will deliver me in the future!

 

Hillsong Conference 2019 – Sydney

William Wagner
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Hillsong Conference 2019 – Sydney
Hillsong Conference is all about championing the cause of THE Church of Jesus Christ — across every nation, denomination, age and background. It is for people who are passionate about the local church and the call of the Kingdom of God.

This conference gathers the greater church, inspires fresh vision and hope for the future, and equips every individual to walk out the call of God on their life. It inspires leaders and believers alike to make a difference in their sphere of influence for Kingdom’s cause. It equips the church with God-breathed sessions, practical tools and relational connection.

You’re invited to join your hosts pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, Global Senior Pastors of Hillsong Church, at Hillsong Conference Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena – the largest indoor entertainment arena in Australia or at Hillsong Conference London in the O2 Arena!

This year’s Invitation to the 2019 Hillsong Conference is adorned with bold language designed to stir not only spirit and soul to what is immediate and before us, but also to what lies ahead of us as the collective and commissioned Body of Christ.

The words and statements speak for themselves. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE has the capacity to gather anyone and everyone who believes or senses that they are alive for something larger than themselves. CHORUS, MELODY and HARMONY are strong metaphors painting images of a rising, unified and triumphant Church, and the idea of BRINGING to the table what is upon our lives suggests that God’s grace can and will find its target in our generation.

Among the 2019 line up, which always includes the global strength of Hillsong leadership and worship, are invited guests Bill Johnson, Joseph Prince, Earl McClellan and Louie Giglio. Each will bring their own distinctive anointing to what God has planned and prepared for us.

Give Thyself Wholly Conference 2019 With Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

William Wagner
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Give Thyself Wholly Conference 2019 With Bishop Dag Heward-Mills
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