A New Commandment, Knees In Prayer, Crucial Areas of Personal Discipline, You Are My King (Amazing Love), Lessons From Judas & Jesus, Resurrected Third-century Praise Song, and "The First Hymn"
In This Issue... John 13:34-35, Quotes by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Doug Stringer, Observations by Chris Tomlin, Alistair Begg, and Diana Chandler, Plus Song with Chris Tomlin and Ben Felding
Photo from City of Texas City FB Page
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, one 24-hour day at a time, not just a weekly event.
The one24worship Newsletter is a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights landing in your email inbox every Thursday... 1-2-4: one verse, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
JOY ON THE JOURNEY
Yesterday morning - EARLY yesterday morning - I had the privilege of joining an online Quarterly Devotional offered by Dr. Richard Blackaby.
Trust me, I not only had both my Bible and my one24worship Journal opened and ready to go, I also had a pot of coffee going! ☕️ #DefinitelyCoffee dg
Even though the world is currently right in the middle of Holy Week, Richard’s devotion yesterday came from a Scripture passage early on in Jesus’ earthly ministry - Mark 4.
It’s the account of Jesus calming the storm in the Sea of Galilee and His disciples being amazed! In the text, right after calming the storm, Jesus addressed the disciples’ fear and their lack of faith in that moment.
In the King James Version, the last verse of Mark 4 says it like this…
“…they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41 KJV
The disciples “feared exceedingly” after Jesus had calmed the stormy sea and then addressed their fear and lack of faith.
Richard made the point that it was the journey in between Point A and Point B that Jesus’ disciples encountered Him in a way they had not yet (in this early stage of Jesus’ earthly ministry) had the opportunity to encounter Him.
And then Richard said this…
“The journey may be more important that the destination. […] The journey may take longer because we need to be shaped for the destination.”
Whoa, that was a powerful reminder to me this morning and I hope it is to you, too.
Our journey may seem to be taking longer than we’d planned for or prayed for because Jesus knows that we need to be “shaped for the destination” that He has and is preparing for us, both now and for eternity!
As the celebration of Easter approaches, may we be aware of and amazed by our ongoing encounters with Jesus while we’re still on this journey!
He is Risen!
Enjoy!
David
One Verse/Passage
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESV
Spoken by Jesus to His disciples on the Thursday before His crucifixion.
Two Quotes
Henry & Richard Blackaby
“When spiritual leaders take their task of leading people seriously, they will be driven to their knees in prayer.” Henry & Richard Blackaby
[Source: Henry & Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People On To God’s Agenda, (Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, Published by Broadman & Holman Publishers, ©2001, page 151)]
Doug Stringer
“One of the most crucial areas of personal discipline you’ll need as a leader is prayer. It is not just an option; it’s a necessity.” Doug Stringer
[Source: Doug Stringer, Leadership Awakening: Foundational Principles for Lasting Change, (Doug Stringer, Published by Whitaker House, ©2016, page 84)]
Four Observations
1. Chris Tomlin Kicks Off Spotify’s First Easter Singles Campaign on TheMusicUniverse.com featuring “You Are My King (Amazing Love)” Written by Billy Foote, Recorded by Chris Tomlin
Excerpt: “‘You Are My King (Amazing Love),’ originally written almost 30 years ago by Billy James Foote, became a timeless song in churches around the world. Centered on the powerful lyric ‘Amazing love, how can it be, that You, my King, would die for me?,’ the song captures the heart of the gospel and Easter. […]
‘You Are My King (Amazing Love)’ was deeply impactful for me early in my career, and it’s an honor to shine a new spotlight on it through the Easter Spotify Singles release. My hope is that this powerful song moves people today the way it moved me all those years ago.”” 👉 Read More…
2. Betrayal and the Last Supper: Lessons from Judas and Jesus - by Alistair Begg at TruthForLife.org
Excerpt: “On that historic night, two hands on the table night belonged to a traitor who had traveled with the Lord but whose heart loved the world. Two other hands belonged to the Savior, soon to be nailed to the tree. Twenty-two belonged to those who would be found covering their faces as they huddled in their hiding places.” 👉 Read More…
3. The First Hymn: Resurrected Third-century Praise Song Set for Pre-Easter Release - by Diana Chandler at BaptistPress.com
Excerpt: “What was left of the hymn, archeologists found 100 years ago in ancient Egyptian ruins on a scrap of tattered papyrus, long buried by desert sand. The discovery was sealed in a climate-controlled vault at Oxford University until John Dickson came along. […] ‘I’m thinking, why has no one brought this back to life? You know, this is a song from before there were denominations,’ he told Baptist Press. ‘And it’s thoroughly Orthodox Christian theology.’” 👉 Read More…
Below is Dr. Michael Dickson’s translation of the ancient papyrus P.Oxy1786 pictured above, also known as The First Hymn.
“Let all be silent: The shining stars not sound forth. Rushing rivers be still as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To our God be glory, honor, power forever. To the only giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen.”
Visit TheFirstHymnMovie.com to learn more and you can listen to “The First Hymn” song in Observation 4 below. dg
INTERACT
I’d love to hear your thoughts about today’s newsletter.
4. SONG “The First Hymn” with Chris Tomlin and Ben Felding - YouTube Video: Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding - The First Hymn (Live)
VERSE & CHORUS
“Let all be silent / The shining stars not sound / Rushing rivers still / Let the mountains bow down / In awe and wonder / In reverence, we come / Who is worthy of all worship? / Who is seated on the throne?”
“All powers cry out in answer / All glory and praise forever / To our God, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit / Amen, we sing, amen!”
Music video by Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding performing The First Hymn (Live).
© 2025 Rivermusic Holdings, LP, under exclusive license to Capitol CMG, Inc.
Until next week,
David Guion
P.S.
Sermon Notes Sunday (250413) on IG
“When we learn to praise the Lord unspeakably, it brings a joy that does not know defeat, that sees the future beyond the present, and that you can believe the unbelievable!” Dr. George Harris
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