Today’s song was a difficult choice, because there were a few different songs that I could have shared. But Sunday, an old song popped into my head, “Nothing But the Blood” by Matt Redman. The verse that stuck out was, “Your blood speaks a better word…” and I began to think about different aspects of the Word.
In Genesis, God spoke a word and the world, and everything within was formed. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Then John 1:14 described Jesus as the Word made flesh. In John 19, Jesus said that “it is finished” and then in Revelation 12 we read that Satan, the accuser, is conquered by the blood of the lamb and the word of the testimony of the believers.
And so, the song we’re looking at today is “Better Word” by Elevation Worship. Beside the chorus singing, “Nothing but the blood/A better word was spoken” the bridge goes on to state “I left my shame where the nails were,” and I can’t help but get excited about this song, and the fact that it reminds us of what Christ did for us on the cross. There aren’t a lot of current songs that talk about our sin and need for Christ–it’s actually something that I personally feel has prevented revival in this generation; a lack of brokenness and repentance, but that’s a conversation for another date.
Check out the lyrics below and listen for yourself to this simple, but beautiful song describing an individual who finally realizes there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves. It’s only by the blood shed on the cross that we’re saved, and it’s to that, we cling.
What can wash away the guilty stain
After all the wrong I’ve done?
I’ve already tried a thousand ways
But it’s never been enough
What could be enough?
Chorus: Nothing but the blood
A better word was spoken
Oh, I know it was
Nothing but the blood
Every curse was broken
Oh, I know it was
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood
And when I’m reminded of my shame
To the fountain I will run
Every failure covered now in grace
For the Lamb has overcome
What can overcome?
Bridge: On that cross, hallelujah
I left my shame where the nails were
Jesus Christ, O Lamb of God
Be lifted higher forever
On that cross, hallelujah
I left my shame where the nails were
Jesus Christ, O Lamb of God
Be lifted higher forever
Today’s worship is inspired by Amos 4:13 – For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is His name!
We were born for greater things/We were born to chase Your dreams/Come my Lord, awaken holy fire/ We are turning from our sin/We are praying once again/Come my Lord, awaken holy fire
We are aching for the real thing/Hearts are open wide
Burn like a star/Light a fire/In our hearts [repeat]
Send revival start in us/Set Your holy spark in us/Send us out in resurrection power/History’s about to change/We are rising once again/Send us out in resurrection power
We are aching for the real thing/Hearts are open wide
Burn like a star/Light a fire/In our hearts [repeat]
For Your glory/For Your fame/In this darkness/Light a flame in us
Burn like a star/Light a fire/In our hearts [repeat]
For Your glory/For Your fame/In this darkness/Light a flame in us
You call us out from the depths/Into Your freedom/Our chains are gone/No weapon formed shall prevail/Your word is stronger/We overcome
Your glory resounds through the age/All saints declaring/Your great renown/Your Kingdom forever will stand/We won’t be shaken/We will not fear
Our God a mighty warrior/You’re a consuming fire/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name/Jesus the great commander/You conquered death forever/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name
Your glory resounds through the age/All saints declaring/Your great renown/Your Kingdom forever will stand/We won’t be shaken/We will not fear
Our God a mighty warrior/You’re a consuming fire/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name/Jesus the great commander/You conquered death forever/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name
And we declare Your name is power/Exalted One no name is higher/You stand alone our strong defender/Above You there’s no other, above You there’s no other [repeat]
Our God a mighty warrior/You’re a consuming fire/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name/Jesus the great commander/You conquered death forever/In victory You reign/We triumph in Your name [repeat]
You hear me when I call/You are my morning song/Though darkness fills the night/It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy/Underneath my feet/You are my sword and shield/Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me/I know who stands behind/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever/He is a friend of mine/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side
My strength is in Your name/For You alone can save/You will deliver me/Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear/Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me/I know who stands behind/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever/He is a friend of mine/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side
And nothing formed against me shall stand/You hold the whole world in Your hands/I’m holding on to Your promises/You are faithful/You are faithful [repeat]
I know who goes before me/I know who stands behind/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever/He is a friend of mine/The God of angel armies/Is always by my side [repeat]
Today’s worship is inspired by Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Our God, a firm foundation/Our rock, the only solid ground/As nations rise and fall/Kingdoms once strong now shaken
But we trust forever in your name/The name of Jesus/We trust the name of Jesus
You are the only King forever/Almighty God we lift you higher/You are the only King forever/Forevermore, You are victorious
Unmatched in all Your wisdom/In love and justice You will reign/Every knee will bow
We bring our expectations/Our hope is anchored in Your name/The name of Jesus/We trust the name of Jesus
You are the only King forever/Almighty God we lift You higher/You are the only King forever/Forevermore, You are victorious
We lift our banner high/We lift the name of Jesus/From age to age You reign/Your kingdom has no end [repeat]
You are the only King forever/Almighty God we lift You higher/You are the only King forever/Forevermore, You are victorious You are the only King forever/Almighty God we lift You higher/You are the only King forever/Forevermore, You are victorious
When my hope and strength is gone/You’re the one who calls me on/You are the life/You are the fight/That’s in my soul
Oh Your resurrection power/Burns like fire in my heart/When waters rise/I lift my eyes/Up to Your throne
We are more than conquerors, through Christ/You have overcome this world, this life/We will not bow to sin or to shame/We are defiant in Your name/You are the fire that cannot be tamed/You are the power in our veins/Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror
I will sing into the night/Chris is risen and on high/Greater is He/Living in me/Than in the world/Nor surrender, no retreat/We are free and we’re redeemed/We will declare/Over despair/You are the hope
We are more than conquerors, through Christ/You have overcome this world, this life/We will not bow to sin or to shame/We are defiant in Your name/You are the fire that cannot be tamed/You are the power in our veins/Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror
Nothing is impossible/Every chain is breakable/With You we are victorious/You are stronger than our hearts/You are greater than the dark/With You we are victorious
We are more than conquerors, through Christ/You have overcome this world, this life/We will not bow to sin or to shame/We are defiant in Your name/You are the fire that cannot be tamed/You are the power in our veins/Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror
God is fighting for us/God is on our side/He has overcome/Yes, He has overcome/We will not be shaken/We will not be moved/Jesus You are here [repeat]
Carrying our burdens/Covering our shame/He has overcome/Yes He has overcome/We will not be shaken/We will not be moved/Jesus You are here
I will live, I will not die/The resurrection power of Christ/Alive in me and I am free/In Jesus’ Name
Carrying our burdens/Covering our shame/He has overcome/Yes, He has overcome/We will not be shaken/We will not be moved/Jesus You are here
I will live, I will not die/The resurrection power of Christ/Alive in me and I am free/In Jesus’ Name
I will live, I will not die/I will declare and lift You high/Christ revealed and I am healed/In Jesus’ Name
God is fighting for us/Pushing back the darkness/Lighting up the Kingdom/That cannot be shaken/In the Name of Jesus/Enemy’s defeated/And we will shout it out/Shout it out [repeat]
I will live, I will not die/The resurrection power of Christ/Alive in me and I am free/In Jesus’ Name
I will live, I will not die/I will declare and lift You high/Christ revealed and I am healed/In Jesus’ Name
Today’s worship is inspired by Ephesians 6:12: For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Satan goes around like a roaring lion/Seeking whom he may devour/But he has been defeated so I’m testifying/By the blood of Jesus, he lost his power
Christ was lifted up with my sin upon Him/His life and blood came flowing down/So hear me I’m declaring Jesus Christ is Lord/And I’m taking back His holy ground
I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin/I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin
All sin nailed to the cross/And the Lamb’s blood flowing/Meant victory was sealed that day/When Satan saw the blood/He knew that Christ had won it/And he knew that Sunday was on its way
The ground began to shake/And all of heaven’s power/Came bursting from the tomb within/The stone was rolled away/And hell was overpowered/By the King who rose again
I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin/I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin
He was lifted up/He was lifted up/He paid a costly price/He paid a costly price/He bought me with the blood/He bought me with the blood/Of His own life/Of His own life/Christ the King now reigning/Christ the King now reigning/He wears the victor’s crown/He wears the victor’s crown/Satan was defeated/Satan was defeated/When the blood flowed down/When the blood flowed down
I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin/I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin
He was lifted up/He was lifted up/He paid a costly price/He paid a costly price/He bought me with the blood/He bought me with the blood/Of His own life/Of His own life/Christ the King now reigning/Christ the King now reigning/He wears the victor’s crown/He wears the victor’s crown/Satan was defeated/Satan was defeated/When the blood flowed down/When the blood flowed down
I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin/I belong to Jesus/I belong to Him/I belong to Jesus/Free from sin [repeat]
Making war in the heavenlies/Tearing down principalities/Standing firm in Jesus’ victory/Making war in the heavenlies/Casting down every high thing/That exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ [repeat]
We do not bow our knee to the prince of the air/We know the truth has set us free/And under our feet he will shortly be crushed/And having done all we’ll stand in victory
Making war in the heavenlies/Tearing down principalities/Standing firm in Jesus’ victory/Making war in the heavenlies/Casting down every high thing/That exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ
Our hearts are set apart for the courts of the Lord/And we will not be bought or sold/By His Spirit in us we will overcome/Pulling down every stronghold
Making war in the heavenlies/Tearing down principalities/Standing firm in Jesus’ victory/Making war in the heavenlies/Casting down every high thing/That exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ
You are always fighting for us/Heaven’s angels all around/My delight is found in knowing/That You wear the victor’s crown/You’re my help and my defender/You’re my Savior and my friend/By Your grace I live and breathe/To worship You
At the mention of Your greatness/In Your Name I will bow down/In Your presence fear is silent/For You wear the Victor’s crown/Let Your glory fill this temple/Let Your power overflow/By Your grace I live and breathe/To worship You
Hallelujah/You have overcome/You have overcome/Hallelujah/Jesus You have overcome the world
You are ever interceding/As the lost become the found/You can never be defeated/For You wear the Victor’s crown/You are Jesus the Messiah/You’re the Hope of all the world/By Your grace I live and breathe/To worship You
Hallelujah/You have overcome/You have overcome/Hallelujah/Jesus You have overcome the world
Every high thing must come down/Every stronghold shall be broken/You wear the Victor’s crown/You overcome/You overcome [repeat]
At the cross the work was finished/You were buried in the ground/But the grave could not contain You/For You wear the Victor’s crown
Hallelujah/You have overcome/You have overcome/Hallelujah/Jesus You have overcome the world
Every high thing must come down/Every stronghold shall be broken/You wear the Victor’s crown/You overcome/You overcome [repeat]
Today’s worship is inspired by John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Your light broke through my night/Restored exceeding joy/Your grace fell like the rain/And made this desert live
You have turned my mourning into dancing/You have turned my sorrow into joy
Your hand lifted me up/I stand on higher ground/Your praise rose in my heart/And made this valley sing
You have turned my mourning into dancing/You have turned my sorrow into joy/You have turned my mourning into dancing/You have turned my sorrow into joy
This is how we overcome/This is how we overcome/This is how we overcome/This is how we overcome [repeat]
You have turned my mourning into dancing/You have turned my sorrow into joy/You have turned my mourning into dancing/You have turned my sorrow into joy
I am pressed but not crushed/Persecuted, not abandoned/Struck down, but not destroyed/I am blessed beyond the curse/For His promise will endure/That His joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night/His joy comes with the morning
I’m trading my sorrows/I’m trading my shame/I’m laying them down/For the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness/I’m trading my pain/I’m laying them down/For the joy of the Lord
I am pressed but not crushed/Persecuted, not abandoned/Struck down, but not destroyed/I am blessed beyond the curse/For His promise will endure/That His joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night/His joy comes with the morning
I’m trading my sorrows/I’m trading my shame/I’m laying them down/For the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness/I’m trading my pain/I’m laying them down/For the joy of the Lord
brokenredeemed 