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    God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr...
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Shout To The Lord

  • Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Psa. 96:1 ESV

    I was still nervous as I took the microphone. The singers in our praise and worship team had failed to show up, and the rest elected me to lead them that day. I did not want to, but I got somewhere quiet, prayed and heard the Lord tell me this very clearly. It put me in tears and changed the way that I looked at singing from that day:

    If one of your children came to you with tears in their eyes, and told you how much they loved you, and thanked you for all that you have done for them, would you care at that moment what their voice sounded like or if they pronounced every thing correctly? Would that be your focus? Or would your heart be glad and listen to what they said? Would you not be filled with joy and delight in them? Neither do I care what your voice sounds like. It is why you do it.

    David was a praiser and God loved him. Even Jesus and the disciples sang hymns together (Mark 14:26). The Lord does not care about what your voice sounds like. Lift up your voice and sing praises to Him and you will see great rewards in your life. Chains will be broken and depression will flee. It is not how, but why. There is something about parents that love to see their children sing and our Heavenly Father is no different. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

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43 comments
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Martin Snyder
Martin Snyder The regular worship leader at our church had to work this past Sunday (Resurrection Sunday 2015), so we had a substitute leader for the day. He brought with him a lead guitarist and bassist that had never played with us before also, so we had a practice Saturday afternoon to meet and go over the material he had selected for the next day (which included two songs we have never done in our church before). Practice was a total disaster as he had come down with some sort of biological attack to his throat and sounded like a rusty fog horn when he lifted his voice to heaven. Practice was cut short (praise God) and we decided to have faith that God would have things work to his will and everything would "work together for good". Sunday came and his voice didn't, so, unrehearsed and afflicted, we charged ahead into the unknown and were beset with PA malfunctions, delays, and misc. distractions. The congregation was blessed, the service was wonderful and no one got struck by lightning from above. I believe God was pleased.
April 8, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Wonderful message, Pastor Todd! Far better than I could have written, as it speaks to my heart! I was thinking about my present family situation and feeling quite depressed today; now I'm SO very glad I turned to your devotion before getting a bath--LOL!  THANK YOU!!
April 8, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Amen, Thank you Pastor Todd
April 8, 2015
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Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Hi pastor Dion, my doughter is pianist and played keyboard in the worship team of our church.  She was only 11 years old then. There were some problems with some members, who said that the sound was too loud. I think that the problem was that they did not want her to be in that group because we were new members. I would like to relate you more things, but i can not because my english is poor. Sorry, God bless you.
April 8, 2015
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Karen Pietrantonio
Karen Pietrantonio There's a sign above our heads when we're on stage at church that reads "Audience of ONE," to remind the worship team that it's all about God. No one else matters, and when that is our focus, we enter a state of worship that lets us know that God is among us. There is this indescribable joy, peace, and fulfillment like nothing else. I believe that no matter how we "think" we sound, God hears a beautiful melody.
April 8, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen
April 8, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
Anna Eriksdotter This is so true and when I am at work... Just want to lay down or anything, I sing and it helpes!!! Did it for a little while ago, thinking about My voice isnt so good and then I read this <3
April 8, 2015
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Rich Morgan
Rich Morgan I have been there too, I am glad the church was not judgemental that day! 
April 8, 2015
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Rich Morgan
Rich Morgan I am sad to read that your daughter was not readily accepted.  It seems worse when it happens to a child doing their best for the Lord.
April 8, 2015
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Carmen McCall
Carmen McCall I just had a conversation at church on Sunday regarding this very subject.  A woman had to sing a solo and she prefaced it with saying she was not a soloist, she could sing, but she wasn't a soloist.  She began to sing and her voice was amazing.  After the service I commended her on allowing God to use her solo voice to speak to the congregation.  She still insisted she was not a soloist.  I am going to share this devotional with her on Sunday.  I believe it makes the point I was trying to make better than I could ever have done.  
April 8, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Theresa Smith Amen
April 8, 2015
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Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy When I started going to this little church in East Texas, I had just been saved and didn't know any of these beautiful old hymns they sing in church. I felt very self-conscious of my voice and I prayed day after day for God to give me a nice voice! After I got to know the songs I would sing with all my heart. God didn't give me a beautiful voice but He did take away my inhibition to sing! Praise the Lord!! :)
April 8, 2015
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Noraima Crespo
Noraima Crespo Amen !
April 8, 2015
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Cybil Smith
Cybil Smith This message like many before is truly encouraging to someone such as myself who in this day is struggling to hold on to faith in the midst of health & financial troubles. 
April 8, 2015
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Margie Miller
Margie Miller I was told that The Lord loves hear someone who sing as worship to God' not worry about voice sound perfect. I said my voice is not perfect like hearing. I am deaf , I do sing to God with my voice.  My friend said God loves hear any one who worship. I was like feel honor what God said. 
April 8, 2015
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Tonya Jones
Tonya Jones Amen
April 8, 2015
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Annette Mowery
Annette Mowery Amen!
April 8, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt So Good, God loves to here us praise Him from our heart. I love it that God sees and hears us.
April 8, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Singing praises to the Lord has always lifted my spirits. 
April 8, 2015
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Sunnie McPhetres
Sunnie McPhetres I even sing praises in the car on my way home from work - it really helps me to change my focus!
April 8, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd Church drama is common, and for some reason I have a long list of horror stories from praise teams. In the end, they are just broken people who are on a stage. I hate that your daughter had to start out like that, but there are places where she will be accepted. I hope that she continues her music. 
April 8, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd There is nothing quite like Sunday morning desperation.  :)
April 8, 2015
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Ruth Martin
Ruth Martin One of the things that often got me through nightmares and bouts of major depression before I found worldly help was a few Psalms that I know by heart and singing the different songs I remember that Praise the Lord. At 56, my voice is not nearly what it used to be, but I still love to sing to the Lord. Sometimes when I can't fall asleep. Sometimes to calm my inner demons. Sometimes to keep my spirit from faltering like on long drives. My Grandma Holloway used to always tell me, "You think you sound that way, but God hears you with ears of love."
April 8, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you for the message!
April 8, 2015
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Theresa Bright
Theresa Bright Thank you!
April 8, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio It's funny I should read this because I'm not the best singer and my daughter and I have had a laugh about how I sound singing but we know that when I loose myself in praising God,  to him I sound beautiful...this message today has put a smile on my face...thank you!☆
April 8, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio There's just something that happens to my spirit when I loose myself in praising God and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!..Amen
April 8, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell To OUR GOD I give ALL HONOR AND GLORY... PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS  Have a fantabulous day.
April 8, 2015
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Patti Grove
Patti Grove Amen! He listens to your heart.
April 8, 2015
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Steve  Card
Steve Card Thanks for that message Brother Dion.   I never heard the Gospel till I was saved 1-25-1980. The next day I bought 2 bibles.  My first memory verse was Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.  Psalm 33.3. I took that verse literally and wrote 3 songs for Jesus that first year.  Trust In The Lord, We are The Christians Of The World and Lord Jesus Saves.      I love taking my guitar and get lost Singing praises to Jesus.  He loves His children singing to Him. 
April 8, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G I so love praising and worshipping out loud with others. It lifts me up every time!
April 8, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams EVERY THING THAT HAS BREATH SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD FOR HE IS MORE THAN WORTHY FOR HE IS GREATLY TO BE PRAISED.....
April 8, 2015
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Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy) It was the fishy hook He caught me on :) With a breath of praise <3
April 8, 2015
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kylie dempsey
kylie dempsey My daughter loves to sing....she makes up her own little ditties...my son's can't stand it. Lol. But I love it. She will be no Beyoncé....but her singing is from the heart. Thank God, He sees my singing in the same light!!
April 8, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy Amen, i  remembered woking up this morning with a song, so sweet singing it all day. thankYou Jesus Christ.
April 8, 2015
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Rosemary  Sambrano
Rosemary Sambrano AMEN! Great message!
April 8, 2015
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Nancy Cavataio
Nancy Cavataio Nothing like doing housework while listening and singing to worship music! Sometimes you gotta put down the rag and lift up your arms!
April 8, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery I like the song "Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is Lord."  I miss my trips from the past to the Ozark Mountains.  If I could go today, I would shout to Him in praise and worship.  Thank you for these words!
April 8, 2015
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Jackie Henson
Jackie Henson > had not thought about Jesus singing but of course He did? > love singing hy~ns an# m| favorite is AMAZING GRACE! How sweet ^he sound? 
April 8, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
Melissa-Peter Busse I am surprised. I had to look the scripture up, and there it is. Huh! Love you Jesus.
April 8, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Praise gains us an audience with Him.
April 9, 2015
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Renee Tait
Renee Tait Amen! Great message. I work with a group of 12 mentally, physically and verbally challenged men and women. Singing worship music on the way to work prepares my heart for the day. 
April 9, 2015
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Carletheia Linnen
Carletheia Linnen I love to sing for God and to God, it just feels me up with so much joy that I burst out laughing. Good message my brother!!!
April 16, 2015