REFOCUS

A 52-WEEK DEVOTIONAL FOR

WORSHIP LEADERS & TEAMS
f rom :
a a r o n b u c y
 R E FO C U S
A 52-WEEK DEVOTIONAL
FOR WORSHIP LEADERS &
WORSHIP TEAMS

aaronbucy.com
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The primary role of leading worship is not musical. It is pastoral. Shepherding the
people you‘re leading moves in ripples from yourself, to your team, and then the
congregation.

As I have wrestled my way through these ripples of leadership, I knew that simply
gathering musicians to pray before a rehearsal and service was insufficient for
shepherding their hearts and skills to the glory of God and the good of others.
One of the things that began to shape my own heart was writing a weekly
devotional for our team to refocus our attention and affection around our true
identity in Christ, growing as servant leaders and being rooted in God’s Word.

This devotional contains 52-weeks of Scripture, reflections, quotes and questions

as you seek to disciple your team. I pray that it serves you and your team well.

‘Let me endeavor to lead you out of yourself: let me invite you to look unto
Jesus.’ – John Newton

With gratitude,
 WEEK 1

'Whenever we assume that art mediates God’s presence or causes Him to be

tangible, we have begun the trek into idol territory.' - Harold Best

Maybe you’ve heard it, or perhaps you’ve said it: ‘the music really ushered me into
the presence of God this morning.’ Yes, music has a unique ability to stir our
spirits and emotions. But good music is no more capable of being the conduit of
God’s presence than bad music is capable of blocking the presence of God.

Scripture tells us there is only One mediator between God and man – the man
Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5). And as believers, we are carriers of God’s presence daily,
so as we gather together God is already in our midst (Ps 139, Matt 18:20). When
we forget that God is already present as we gather, we can turn songs and
synthesizers into swords and cries like the prophets of Baal trying to coerce a
response (1 Kings 18:20-40).

There is no place you can go where He is not already present (Ps 139). This
should free every worship leader to enjoy and trust that the God who is present
will speak and move among His people – even when our art feels inadequate.

How does God’s omnipresence shape your approach to a service? What does it
look like to work hard at your art while trusting that God will be present and speak
to His people?
 WEEK 2

‘The highest form of worship is obedience’ – Elisabeth Elliot

Obedience as worship? The thought is almost offensive.

Because we want our worship to be comfortable, confined to Bible reading, song

singing, church attendance, and nothing more. But true worship is costly because
true worship is the right response of our whole lives (heart, soul, mind, and
strength) to God’s revelation of Himself.

And He has revealed Himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).
The One who…
…did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself
(Phil 2:6-7).
…came not to be served, but to serve (Matt 20:28).
….came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father (Jn 6:38, Matt 26:39).
…became obedient to the point of death (Phil 2:8).

Our worship is in response to that God. The real offense is not the obedience He
requires – deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me (Matt 16:24) – but how
much we desire to withhold.

In what ways has your worshipful obedience been half-hearted?

Confess these things to God, turn to Him, and thank Him for His forgiveness.
 WEEK 3

‘The Church is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe
religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of
God’s kingship.’ – Lesslie Newbigin

I can stun myself with the familiarity with which I attend to this vapor of a life
(Jam 4:14). How quickly I allow my priorities, rhythms, and intentions to be
shaped and formed thoughtlessly.

I can live as one unaware of their calling and mission.

‘Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the
Creator of the ends of the earth…’ Isaiah 40:28

Every Christ follower has been called out of darkness, into His wonderful light, and
sent back out into darkness to be salt and light (1 Pet 2:9, Matt 5:13-16).

As you stand before God’s people remind them of who they are – those who have
been called and sent into their school, work, church, community, relationships,
tasks and responsibilities. They are citizens of heaven living in the world, but not
of the world (Phil 3:20, Jn 17:16). Remind those you lead that they are messengers
of the King – who Himself was sent into this world (Matt 28:19, Jn 3:17).

How does corporate worship remind and reinforce that we are people called and
sent by God?
 WEEK 4

‘…Take time to be in God’s presence before you lead people… Let Him revive
you, then lead others to revival.’ – Christy Nockels

If you desire to become a good leader, you must first become a good listener.

‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than
to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be
quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before
God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.’
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Lead well by cultivating an attuned heart and ear to the God who speaks through
His Son (Heb 1:2), in His Word (2 Tim 3:16), through His Spirit in you
(Jn 14:17), by His people (Eph 5:1-21), and in creation (Rom 1:20).

Listen to His song of delight over you (Zeph 3:17), ask Him to speak the things His
people need to hear in your preparation, and ask Him to lead, guide and prompt
you by His Spirit – the One who leads us into all truth, as you lead others in sung
worship (Jn 16:13).

Are you ‘guarding your steps,’ and ‘drawing near to listen,’ in your preparation and
service? Or are you being ‘quick with your mouth’ and ‘hasty in your heart’?
Find space before your preparation, rehearsal or service this week to quiet your
heart and mind, and ask God to speak to you. Ask Him to speak to His people, by
His Spirit.
 WEEK 5

‘Jesus transforms our hearts by service, not by power.’ – Tim Keller

Jesus came to serve (Matt 20:28).

He could have arrived with a reception befitting His identity, but He did not.
Because He did not come to be served, but to serve. And it is in His serving – His
obedience to the will of the Father – that we are transformed (Phil 2:8).

As we have been served in Christ, we carry on His example by serving others. It is

in our serving, we are continually transformed, and conformed into His image
(Rom 8:29, 2 Cor 3:18). And those we serve will be transformed not through our
‘power,’ (role, authority, position, title, ‘lording it over them’) – but because we
serve them (Matt 20:25-28).

Often those who seek to serve can become discouraged when people do not
respond the way we hope or desire – but serving those people the way Christ has
served us – selflessly, sacrificially – is the doorway to their transformation… or
maybe just the doorway to our own transformation.

‘For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have
shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.’ – Hebrews 6:10

How might the words of this verse encourage or convict your heart?
 WEEK 6

‘The long painful history of the church is the history of people ever and again
tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, and being a leader
over being led.’ – Henri J.M. Nouwen

Joshua 24:15 reminds us that we face a daily choice whom we will serve: ‘And if it
is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods
of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will
serve the LORD.’

As a servant leader you must make the choice daily to die to self (Phil 1:21, Col 3,
Matt 10:38). Make the choice to love at the expense of leveraging your influence.
Choose the cross over control (Lk 9:23). Follow the example of your Savior who,
for the joy set before Him endured the cross, instead of leveraging His divine
identity to call legions of angels to come to His aid (Matt 26:53, Heb 12:2).
Instead of rushing out ahead, choose to follow the Lamb wherever He goes,
because He alone has the words of eternal life (Rev 14:4, Jn 6:66-69)

Choose daily.
Choose with intention.

Reflect on the last weeks and months of your serving – what have you chosen?
Power? Control? Leadership? How can your service reflect a different choice?
WEEK 7

‘Most people plot and plan themselves into mediocrity, while now and again
somebody forgets himself into greatness.’ – E. Stanley Jones

The world is busy trying to make a name for themselves. But at the end of the
day, all of their striving will return to the dust (Ecc 12:7). And there is only one
name that is above every name, so even the most established, the most
well-known, the most famous of us will fall into the realm of mediocrity in
comparison to His name (Phil 2:9).

Jesus said, ‘…whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and
whoever would be first among you must be your slave’ (Matt 20:26-27). The
person bearing the name above every name – is the One who humbles Himself
and serves those who are busy making a name for themselves (Mark 10:45,
Matt 20:28).

Augustine described sin as self curved in on self. But the posture of service is
outward: eyes lifted, open arms, hearts tuned to the Spirit, moving toward
others. Serving is others-focused, and that is true greatness in God’s economy.

‘So the last will be first, and the first last.’ – Matthew 20:16

How might you forget yourself to the greatness of God and in the service of
others?
 WEEK 8

‘The only good we do is what He does in us.’ – John Calvin

Even our righteous deeds [good works] are like polluted garments, filthy,
worthless rags in God’s sight (Is 64:6). Jesus reminds us that ‘none are good but
God alone’ (Lk 18:19) – so truly the only good that we can offer is what His Holy
Spirit is working in and through us.

A good song, good leadership, good vocals, good musicianship, good preparation
are meaningless if they are not done in love by the empowering of the Holy Spirit,
through the Son, to the glory of the Father.

Taste and see that He is good, and declare the reality that He is good and does
good (Ps 34:8, Ps 119:68)

Spend some time thanking God for His goodness. Invite Him to search your heart
and reveal to you the ways you may be seeking to offer good works/filthy rags to
Him. Confess and thank Him that He is indeed good, and does good. Serve,
resting in the reality that He alone is good.
 WEEK 9

‘God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible, what a pity
that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves.’ – A.W. Tozer

God does not need us, but He chooses to use us (Acts 17:24-27). This does not
mean you should resign your God-given gifts in apathy, but instead you can be
freed from striving, earning and insecurity. It is an invitation to bring not your
strength, but to bring your brokenness:

‘For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with
a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite
heart, O God, You will not despise.’ Psalm 51:16-17

Those who serve from brokenness know their lives are hidden with Christ in God
(Col 3:3-4). They know that God sees them through the perfected work of Christ
on the cross (Heb 10:14), and now happily they boast finding God’s sufficient
grace making perfect His power in their weakness (2 Cor 12:9).

True brokenness never leaves you ‘navel-gazing,’ or crying ‘woe is me,’ but crying
‘God, You are great!’

In what ways have you hidden your weakness rather boasting in it?
How would your serving be transformed if you brought your brokenness to God?
 WEEK 10

‘When the pressure of work for Christ is allowed to be the excuse for our not
finding time to seek and secure His own presence and power in it, as our chief
need, it surely proves that there is no right sense of our absolute dependence
upon God; no deep apprehension of the Divine and supernatural work of God in
which we are only His instruments, no true entrance into heavenly altogether
other-worldly, character of our mission and aims no full surrender to and
delight in Christ Jesus Himself.’ – Andrew Murray

When your plate is full, and your tasks and responsibilities continue to mount, it is
easy to substitute working for God over being with God. But spending time with
God is truly the well from which we serve (Ps 87:7). Working for God before
spending time with God is drawing from the well of self – which quickly runs dry,
leaves you burnt out and those you serve thirsty.

Draw from the deep well of communion with God.

It is the well that never runs dry.
It is the well that will always leave you satisfied.
It is the well that will always quench the thirst of those we serve (Jn 4:14).

How can you create space and quiet to be with God before you serve Him and His
people this week?
 WEEK 11

‘He who is armed with the power of God will not tremble at the noise raised by the world.’
– John Calvin

Creation groans –
natural disaster
polarization
war
poverty
technology
refugees
anxiety
mass shootings
power imbalance
oppression
celebrity
…and not only the creation, but we ourselves… groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as
sons, the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8:19-23).

The chaos of sin birthed a noisy world. And a noisy world perpetuates a frenetic people.

When you stand to lead God’s people, you lead those who live in a noisy world. Your
privilege is to remind those you serve they are children of God, not born of flesh, but born of
the Spirit (Jn 3:6). And those born of the Spirit are born again to a living hope (1 Pet 1:3-9).
These children are given hearts of flesh in exchange for stone hearts (Ez 11:19). This life in
the flesh is now a life of faith, loved by the given Son of God (Gal 2:20).

‘If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ
Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in
you.’ – Romans 8:11

How do you hold the tension in your leading of acknowledging the noise of the broken
world, and inviting God’s people to remember their true identity as children?
 WEEK 12

‘Abandonment of ourselves is the kernel of consecration, not presenting our

gifts, but presenting ourselves without reserve.’ – Oswald Chambers

God has given you life and unique gifts to be stewarded for His glory and the
building up of the Church (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4, 1 Pet 4:10, Eph 4:12). But the Giver of
every good and perfect gift is not interested in what little bit you are willing to
return to Him, He is after your whole heart and whole life (Jam 1:17).

‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.’
Romans 12:1

Take your gifts, take your heart, soul, mind and strength, take all you are and all
you have and offer it all to God in response to His mercy.

What is a visual picture that you can use as a reminder that God is after your
whole heart and life?
 WEEK 13

"It is sweet to give or do simply to please Him without respect to the public
eye." – Charles Spurgeon

Whenever you stand to lead corporate sung worship you lead from the overflow
of your life. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for worship leader to
have spent time allowing the ‘Lord Most High,’ to be our ‘Dwelling Place’
throughout our week (Ps 91:1,9). Private offering flows into public declaration and
service.

Being capable of seeking to ‘simply please Him without respect to the public eye’
as you stand in a very public position, is only possible when you first have sought
to honor, rehearse, serve, love, sing, and worship Him in the secret place. Then
you lead from a place of communion with God that enables you to point out the
amazing scenario of His goodness you have already know and experienced.

Like the glowing face of Moses returning from Mount Sinai, it is always noticeable
those who have been before the face of God (Ex 32:29-33). Because: ‘Those who
look to Him are radiant…’ (Ps 34:5).

‘One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and
to inquire in His temple. You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to You
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Psalm 27:4,8

In this moment, where is your face (heart, mind, life, affections) set? What has
captured your gaze?
 WEEK 14

‘The secret of a servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.’
– Oswald Chambers

Every good song begins with an instrument being in tune. Even the most gifted
musician cannot salvage a flawless performance without a properly tuned
instrument. The same is true of servant leadership – you can go through the
motions of what it means to be a servant leader, but if your heart is not first
‘tuned’ to God, then you are not truly leading as a servant. Right behavior with
an out of tune heart only leads to bitterness, resentment, anger, and frustration.

How do we tune our hearts to God? By beholding Him (1 Jn 3:2).

Like Noah, you walk with God (Gen 6:9).
Like Moses, you reflect God’s presence (Ex 34:29-35).
Like David, you seek after God (Ps 27:4).
Like Mary, you respond to God (Lk 1:38).
Like Paul, you live like Christ (Phil 1:21).

We tune our hearts to God by knowing Him as Father and Friend.

What strings of your heart need to be retuned?

 WEEK 15

‘I do not whip up my will into worship; my grateful heart can do nothing else.’
– E. Stanley Jones

A grateful heart is hard-fought, battle-worn, and undeterred by circumstance. Like the

‘sinful woman’ grateful hearts respond with worship because they see clearly all is grace
and gift:

“Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the
one who is forgiven little, loves little.’ Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’’
(Luke 7:47-48, CSB)

Fuel your gratitude with the reality of the Gospel:

We deserve death, but have been given the life of Christ (Rom 6:23, Gal 2:20).
We were enemies, strangers, and orphans, who have been welcomed as heirs (Rom 5:10,
Eph 2:19, Rom 8:15, 8:17).
Nothing can separate us from the love of God our Father (Rom 8:39).
Nothing can snatch us out of the hand of Christ (Jn 10:28).
We are never forsaken (Heb 13:5).
God is conforming us to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29).
God is working all things for our good and His glory (Rom 8:28).
He is faithful even when we are faithless (2 Tim 2:13).
We are loved with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3).

Remind people as you gather that they truly do have the ability to ‘give thanks in all
circumstances…’ (1 Thess 5:18). Because we have been blessed by the ‘…God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places…’ (Eph 1:3). Let gratitude send you in peace to worship God, regardless
of circumstance.

What do you have that you did not receive? Spend some time thanking God for who He is,
and what He has done. Allow every circumstance to lift your eyes to Him.
 WEEK 16

‘No one ever comes very close to God and remains proud.’ – Alan Nelson

‘Draw near,’ is the invitation James says is always met with God, in turn, drawing
near (4:8). As followers of Christ we can draw near with confidence (Heb 4:16).
But make no mistake this confidence is not in our own righteousness, but in the
righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

As we draw near we find grace and mercy, yet still fall down as though dead
(Heb 4:16, Rev 1:17). Because no one ever draws near to God and remains proud.
But do not be afraid – His nearness is your good (Ps 73:28).

‘When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on
me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and
behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’
– Revelation 1:17

When you stand on a platform, step behind a microphone, or hold an instrument

image those tools as an altar to offer your life, rather than a stage at which to
elevate your gifts.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth
– including the gaze of a congregation – will grow strangely dim, in the light of His
glory and grace.

What would it look like for you to view your ‘platform’ as an altar?
 WEEK 17

‘Worship expresses in song what God’s Word is teaching. It is training our

heart to believe and calling others to believe God’s Word is true.’ – Kevin Peck

Do you believe that God is who He says He is? Do you know Him as Emmanuel,
God with us (Matt 1:23)?

For the weight and wonder of the incarnation, God make our hearts believe.
For Your presence with us, among us, indwelling us, God let our hearts grasp.
For the anticipation of Your return, God let our hearts long.
For the truths sung countless times, fill our hearts with fresh wonder and
understanding.

Train your heart, in a world that is unsteady, broken, and distorted by sin – to run
to the Rock who is revealed in His Word (Ps 119:89, Ps 61:2, Jn 5:39). He is the
only firm foundation for your life and the people you lead and serve.

Do you believe that God is who He says He is? How can you invite God’s people
to believe the truth of who God is as you lead them in sung worship?
 Lorem ipsum
WEEK 18

‘Study the Word, be challenged by sermons, pray, pray, pray. Be so saturated

in Truth that when you open your mouth with or without a guitar the Truth is
what pours out.’ – Jon Dunn

Regardless of your role, your job is the same: proclaim the Truth. Like the apostle
Paul your desire - whatever your responsibility - should be to proclaim Christ and
Him crucified (1 Cor 2:1-5).

People do not need your talents, skills and songs as much as they need Jesus. So
in your preparation for leading, do not focus only on learning your part, but focus
on learning God – communing with Him, and being transformed by Him.

Affection is not fueled by emotion but by revelation. Our God does not hide
Himself He has revealed Himself (Is 30:20, Ex 34:6, Rom 1:19).

‘And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this
comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.’ 2 Corinthians 3:18

How have you seen God transform your life, renew your mind, and continue to
conform you to the image of His Son this week?
 Lorem ipsum
WEEK 19

‘…witness is overheard worship.’ – Harold Best

John the Baptist was a worship leader:

A witness to the light… but he was not the source (Jn 1:8).
A voice declaring… but he was not the Christ (Jn 1:23).
Sent of God… but not worthy to untie the sandals of Christ (1:6, 27).

As a worship leader, you are declaring and bearing witness to the Light – that the
True Light, which gives light to everyone has come into the world (Jn 1:9). You are
worshiping all the time. When your worship is aimed at Christ the natural
overflow will be witness in the ‘overheard’ moments of your life.

What in your life are you bearing witness to today?

 WEEK 20

‘…whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He
walked.’ – 1 John 2:6

When you walk in His way, you follow a path of radical obedience. You share in
His sufferings as the One who was despised and rejected (1 Pet 4:13, Is 53:3). This
path is self-giving service to others, and surrender to God. It claims all of your
heart, soul, mind and strength. When you abide in Him, He may slay you, but you
can still say ‘not my will, but Yours be done.’ (Job 13:15, Lk 22:42)

Part of the privilege of leading corporate worship is pointing people back to the
way in which Christ walked.

‘In the path of Your judgments, O LORD, we wait for You; Your name and
remembrance are the desires of our soul.’ – Isaiah 26:8

Look at the set lists you have led the last month, what do these songs and your
leading tell God’s people about what it means to follow Him?
 WEEK 21

‘O, chief musician, tune our lips to the melody of thanksgiving!’

– Charles Spurgeon

What is the melody of thanksgiving? Like the healed leper in Luke 17 who ‘turned
back, praising God with a loud voice,’ and fell ‘…on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving
Him thanks (v15-16),’ gratitude is that natural response to seeing, recognizing and
understanding who God is and what He has done.

If we are to help others tune their hearts and lips to thanksgiving, we must first
tune our own: He has loved you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3), He is rich in
mercy toward you (Eph 2:4), He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7), He has remembered
your sins no more (Heb 8:12), you have been lavished with Grace upon Grace
(Jn 1:16), He rejoices over you (Zep 3:17), you are His child (1 Jn 3:1).

See who He is, recognize what He has done, understand who we are all because
of Him, and respond with lips, hearts, and songs that are tuned to thanksgiving.

‘The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.’ – Psalm 126:3

As you prepare to lead, hold in my mind and heart a specific story of God’s
character that stirs gratitude in your life. Invite those you lead to do the same.
 WEEK 22

‘In the temple and presence and worship of God, everything is worthless that is
not pervaded by a deep, true humility toward God and men.’ – Andrew Murray

Becoming one who leads as a servant does not occur only on a platform, it is the
continual choice of those who seek to serve as Christ Himself served us
(Philippians 2). When you see God for who He is, the natural response is
whole-life-surrendering worship (Ps 8, Is 6:1-8).

You bow low.

You are humbled.
And from that posture of low, surrendered humility you serve the people of God.

Serving others is not the first priority, worshiping Jesus is. When worship comes
first, and service is the response, service is in fact worship to God (Rom 12,
Eph 6:7, Col 3:23). Let your service be from worship, and let your worship fuel
your service.

Is your service only oriented toward people – without springing from worship of
God?
Does your worship of God ever make its way outward toward serving others?
 WEEK 23

‘In today’s hurrying age, I am firmly persuaded that many Christians don’t give
time enough to the private reading of Scriptures.’ – J.C. Ryle

Every time you lead you stand before those whose lives seem stable and steady,
and those who are living in uncertainty and fear and everywhere in between.
Regardless of circumstance everyone is looking for the ‘sure and steadfast anchor
of the soul…’ (Heb 6:19). How do you remind people of this sure and steadfast
anchor? God’s Word and God-songs.

You run to the Rock of refuge in your preparation, songs, prayer and leading. You
hide His Word in your heart, you taste its delight, you teach it diligently, speak it
as you sit, walk, lie down, rise up, in your home and everywhere you go (Ps 119:11,
Ps 119:103, Deut 6:7). And you stand up to lead and serve as one who has ‘Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly,’ so that you may teach and admonish ‘one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with
thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col 3:16).’

Whatever you allow to ‘dwell in your heart richly’ will bear fruit in your words,
actions and leadership. What have you allowed to dwell richly this week? What
are ways that you can continue to allow the ‘Word of Christ’ to dwell richly?
 WEEK 24

‘And He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…”’
- Luke 10:27

What is the greatest commandment? To love God with all that we are.

Too often we find ourselves tossed like children on the waves of doctrine, human
cunning, craftiness and deceitful schemes (Eph 4:14). We are quick to exchange
the truth for a lie, worshiping creature rather than Creator (Rom 1:25).

And because this is the natural proclivity of the human heart, we arrive on Sunday
morning acutely aware of the distance between the greatest commandment and
our personal reality. We arrive with the whispers of flesh and culture telling us to
leave our divided affections at the door: ‘just pretend,’ they say. But denying our
divided hearts only causes further division.

So what do we do with these divided hearts and lives?

We offer them as an act of worship (Rom 12:1). We offer our whole heart, whole
soul, whole strength, whole mind, the good and bad, divisions and fragmentation
– we offer them all on the altar of worship. And we join the psalmist in saying
‘…unite my heart to fear Your name.’ (Ps 86:11)

What does it look like to lead by example, to steward well your authority even
when your ‘all’ feels half-hearted at best?
 WEEK 25

‘Is there nothing to sing about today? Then borrow a song from tomorrow;
sing of what is yet to be’ - Charles Spurgeon

You are always worshiping. Both right worship – placed toward God (Luke 4:8),
and misplaced worship – toward self (Rom 1:25) are choices you make. But far too
many people live as though they have no choice about where their affections are
spent. They allow circumstance to dictate the direction of their worship.

Your circumstance will change, but your God does not (Mal 3:6, Heb 13:8). The
Psalms free us to acknowledge all things in the presence of God (Ps 88), and Job
models that worship is still a choice against the bleakest circumstance:

‘The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the
LORD.’ - Job 1:21

‘Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face.’
- Job 13:15

When you are tempted to believe there is no reason to worship God, behold the
cross. And join the song sung before the foundation of the world, the song being
lifted up by the living creatures and the elders, the saints and the angels, the one
that has no end:

‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’
- Revelation 4:8

How can you remind people to lift their eyes and behold the cross as you lead and
serve?
 WEEK 26

‘Where there is no passion for the Word of God, other passions take over.’
– D.A. Carson

Musicians are excited by melody, dynamics, harmony, musical texture and tone.
But the servant leader is excited by how those musical elements create space for
the Word of God to be on display. It is their primary passion. ‘The grass withers,
and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.’ - 1 Peter 1:24-25

In your preparation and serving have a bigger vision than mere melody and
harmony. Those lesser passions will always lead to distorted and misdirected
worship. Have a vision that carries, prays, displays, speaks, sings and plays His
Word in all you do.

What aspects of your service and leadership are displaying excellence at the
expense of God’s Word?
 WEEK 27

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;

let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him;
righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne.
Fire goes before Him
and burns up His adversaries all around.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth. - Psalm 97:1-5

God’s rule and reign is not subtle. It is earth shaping, and shaking.

The heavens proclaim His righteousness,

and all the peoples see His glory.
All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship Him, all you gods! - Psalm 97:6-7

When God displays His righteousness and glory, every knee will bow and every tongue
confess (Phil 2:10-11). On that day our misguided worship will be set right. Even the objects
of our perverted affection will be found facedown before the true God (1 Sam 5:4).

Zion hears and is glad,

and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of His saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to His holy name! - Psalm 97:8-12

Hear and be glad! Rejoice oh lovers of God! Your world may seem out of control, but you are
persevered and delivered by the Most High over all the earth (v9). Your heart can rest and
rejoice – regardless of circumstance – when you recognize His rule and reign, in the world and
in your life.

Though your mind will never fully comprehend the ‘otherness’ of God, as a worship leader
paint a bigger picture of God. Allow the things that God says of Himself to be the things that
capture your heart, mind, attention and affection.

Are you painting too small a picture of God in your leading? Like the transcendent beauty of
ancient cathedrals, how do you stir peoples imaginations, and fan the flame of affection in
your service?
 WEEK 28

‘The humblest and most unseen activity in the world can be the true worship of
God.’ – William Barclay

It can be easy to confuse public position and activity with real worship. All
throughout Scripture we see how the Pharisees and Scribes love the attention
their roles bring, meanwhile, despite their position and activity their hearts were
far from God (Matthew 23, Luke 20:46). Jesus calls people who serve for the
attention, approval and praise of others ‘hypocrites,’ who receive the reward they
so desperately desire: the attention, approval and praise of others. But the God
who is in secret, sees in secret and will reward those that seek devotion to Him
first in the secret place (Matt 6:5-6).

Leading and serving is not primarily about what happens in the visible, but in the
quiet, and ‘unseen activity.’ Your leading and serving is made up of more than the
twenty or thirty minutes of music during a service. As A.W. Tozer says, ‘If you’re
not worshiping God on Monday the way you did the day before, perhaps you’re
not worshiping Him at all.’

True leadership and service is measured in the unseen. Do not believe the lie that
the investment into the ‘unseen’ aspects of your heart, preparation, service and
life and unnecessary and unimportant. Nothing is unnoticed by God.

‘For God is not unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown
for His name is serving the saints, as you still do’ - Hebrews 6:10

How are you ‘leading yourself’ in the unseen moments? How are you encouraging
those you serve alongside to lead themselves in the unseen moments?
 WEEK 29

‘My heart is like a country but half subdued, where all things are in an unsettled
state, and mutinies and insurrections are a daily happening.’ – John Newton

The topography of our heart is vast, varied, and largely unexplored. There are
corners of unreached people groups, languages, and cultures we do not
understand. Indeed it is true, ‘I’m a mystery to myself…’ (Rom 7:15, TPT).

To ourselves, we are a mystery. To God, nothing is unknown:

‘O LORD, You have searched me and known me! For You formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from
You when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of
them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.’ -
Psalm 139:1, 13, 15-16

As you step into the mystery of your own heart, you follow the God who makes
known to us the path of life (Ps 16:11). He does not ravage, or colonize He invites
you to bring your half subdued, unsettled states of mutinies and insurrection into
submission to Himself (Jam 4:7). Submission to Christ is the exchange of your
death for His life (Matt 10:39).

‘For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again
to a yoke of slavery.’ - Galatians 5:1

What corners of your heart need to be subdued by the Spirit, rather than
conquered by your skill this week?
 WEEK 30

‘When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area
of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There’s no bargaining with Him.’
- CS Lewis

Worship is costly. The quote from Lewis goes on to say that God is not interested
in some of your time and attention, or even all of your time and attention.
He is after you – your whole heart, your whole life.

Worship is costly, and the cost is always your life. The world will tell you that
your life sacrificed to God in worship costs more than your life sacrificed to sin.
That is a lie. The sacrifice of self to sin always leads to death (Prov 14:2, Rom 6:23).
The sacrifice of self to God always and only leads to life (Phil 3:9, Eph 2:5,
Col 2:13)! The life that we find in God is life that flows from dying to sin and self
(Luke 9:23-24).

May your response to the all-consuming cost of worship be the same as King
David who said, ‘I will not offer God a sacrifice that has cost me nothing!’
(1 Chronicles 21, 2 Samuel 24) Spend your worship on the only one worthy of your
worship – God alone.

What sacrifices are you making to worship things other than God?
 WEEK 31

‘Only he who loves can sing.’ - Augustine

It is love – not forced labor that resembles the mark of true service and leadership.
True love changes you, your thoughts, intentions, and actions. This kind of love is
supernatural and only comes from knowing God (1 Jn 4:8).
Hearts that love respond in action. Hearts that love God respond in song and
service. Hearts that love others respond in servant leadership. You could do all
things well, and not be motivated and infused by love and it would be
meaningless:

‘If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy
gong, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but
have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to
be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing… Love never ends. As for prophecies,
they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass
away.’ – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 8

As for style, it will pass away.

As for songs, they will cease.
As for our skill and abilities they will pass away.
But love never ends.

What does a worship service motivated by love of God and neighbor look like?
Is your service motivated by love of God and neighbor?
 WEEK 32

‘Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their
hands…’ - Psalm 149:6

Worship prepares you for battle. Not a physical battle – against flesh and blood –
but a battle against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12).

This is a battle already won: ‘He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them
to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.’ Col 2:15

Although final victory is already secured in Christ, we battle to strengthen our

brothers, we battle against the accuser of our souls, we battle to keep our eyes
fixed on the Author and Finisher of our faith (Lk 22:32, Rev 12:10, Heb 12:2).

We are strengthened for this battle in our inner being by the power of His Spirit,
according to the riches of His glory (Eph 3:16). And in this battle we cling to the
sword of the Spirit – the Word of God (Eph 6:17), living and active, sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of
marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12).

With sword in hand, we sing: ‘Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its
seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from
every tribe and language and people and nation (Rev 5:9).’

As you prepare to lead worship, pray for your brothers and sisters – that they
would be strengthened for the fight. Give them Scripture, songs and prayers that
they can carry into the battle.

What does it look like for worship to prepare you and those you lead for battle?
How can you encourage and equip those you serve to live in response to a victory
already won by Christ in the everyday?
 WEEK 33

‘Only after all the noise has spent itself do we begin to hear in the silence of our
hearts, the voice of God.’ – A.W. Tozer

Silence is uncomfortable especially in a world where noise is normal. But the

wisest man who ever lived declared: ‘To draw near to listen is better than to offer
the sacrifice of fools.’ Silence is both external: ‘Be not rash with your mouth…
let your words be few;’ and internal: ‘nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word
before God (Ecc 5:1-3).’

So much of the Christian life is learning to run counter to the acceptable culture of
the age. So much of leading others in corporate sung worship is creating the
space for people to see, hear and respond to the God who speaks not just in great
strong winds which break to pieces the mountains and the rocks, nor earthquakes
and fires but the ‘low whisper’ (1 Kings 19:11-12). Spend the noise, listen for the
still, small voice of God.

What are some ‘noises’ in your culture? How can you cultivate a heart that is
listening to the still small voice of God in your corporate gathering?
 WEEK 34

‘Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love be quickened.’

– Charles Spurgeon

What are your expectations for a service? Here are a few suggestions from
Charles Spurgeon:

Gratitude awakened…
The opposite of gratitude is discontent. Discontent asks the Molder ‘why have
You made me like this?’ (Rom 9:20). But gratitude recognizes that we have been
blessed with every spiritual blessing, from the Giver of every good and perfect gift
who has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (Eph 1:3,
Jam 1:17, 2 Peter 1:3)

Humility deepened…
No one can see God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20), but when we catch glimpses
of His glory we’ll always find ourselves facedown. Like Job, our ears have heard,
but when our eyes see we ‘repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5-6).’ Be are grateful
and humbled.

Love quickened…
Christians are to be marked by love (Jn 13:35). It is love that motivates the life of
every believer. If your desire is to love people well, it will shape the way you lead
the sung corporate worship. We love because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). We are
grateful, humbled and loved.

What are the ways in which corporate worship is shaping your people? Are the
being awakened to gratitude? Are the deepening in their humility toward God
and others? Are they aware for the love that God has for them, and is it moving
them in love toward others?
 WEEK 35

‘Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.’ – G.K. Chesterton

Why should you be happy? Because, ‘the Lord has done great things for us; we
are glad (Ps 126:3) Why should you be wonder-filled? Because, ‘what is mankind
that He is mindful of us?’ (Ps 8:4)

At the intersection of happiness and wonder we find gratitude. Gratitude should

be the posture of every servant leader. Leading from, and toward gratitude, flows
from walking with Christ Jesus.

True unshakable gratitude can only be found in seeing God for who He is and
responding as the people of Israel in Exodus 4 who ‘believed’ and ‘bowed their
heads and worshiped (v31).’

What are you finding at the intersection of your heart today?

Where are you leading from and toward?
 WEEK 36

‘People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you
are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you
are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness,
people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be
forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it
may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is
between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.’
– Mother Teresa

Praise God the way He served did not depend on our response! And the same
should be true of us – servant leadership is not contingent on the response of
those it seeks to serve. Because true servant leadership is never really about
‘them,’ but it is an active overflow as we respond to who God is, and how He in
Christ has first served us (Matt 20:28, Eph 6:7, Col 3:23).

Much like in Isaiah 29:13, it can be easy to appear as servant leaders by ‘drawing
close,’ ‘honoring with our lips,’ but all the while have hearts that are ‘far from God.’
Fight against behavior modification without heart transformation. It is the work
of the Spirit in you that will allow you to be conformed to the image of the One
who has served you when you were an enemy of God (Rom 8:29, Rom 5:10).

In what ways are you tempted to draw close while still having a heart that is far
from God?
 WEEK 37

‘Let no day slip over without some comfort received of the Word of God.’
– John Knox

In a world addicted and exhausted, belittled and broken we are all looking for
comfort.
We search for it internally.
We search externally only to find temporary relief to an eternal longing.

We meet Comfort through the inspired Word of the Comforter (2 Tim 3:16, Jn
1:1-4, Jn 14:16,26). His Word is true, His Word is stands forever (Matt 24:35).
As a servant leader – in the songs you sing, in the words you speak, in the life you
model – point to true comfort, lasting comfort, eternal comfort – Christ alone.

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt 5:4).’
What needs to be mourned in your life? Where do you need to receive the
comfort of God? How can you now comfort those who are mourning?
 WEEK 38

‘Show me, O God, where to look, that I might see You.’ – Augustine

Where can He not be found?

He is the beginning and end (Rev 22:13).
He is in the height and the depth (Ps 139:8).
In the universe created and sustained (Heb 1:3).
In the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14).

He turns idol worshipers into fathers of faith (Gen 12:1).

He is with the orphan and the widow (Gen 16:13).
He bends evil intentions of men for good (Gen 50:20).
He uses cowardly leaders for His purpose (Ex 4:13).
He is in the wandering (Deut 8:2, Hos 2:14).
He is in the unexpected provision (Ex 16).

He makes all things beautiful in their time (Ecc 3:11).

He is with us while we sleep (1 Sam 3:3-4, Ps 4:8).
He sees us when we are the last, least and forgotten (1 Sam 16:11).

He is with us in captivity (Ps 137).

He is with acquainted with all our grief (Is 53:3).
He has become our sin (2 Cor 5:21).
He remembers our sin no more (Is 43:25, Heb 8:12).

He is in the whisper, and He is in the storm (1 Kings 19:12, Ps 50:3).

He is the voice calling from behind, guiding (Is 30:21).
He keeps company with the unlikely (Mk 2:15).
He calls a people unto Himself (Deut 7:6).

He inhabits the praises of His people (Ps 22:3).

He does not forsake the work of His hands (Ps 138:8).

He pursues His enemies (Lk 19:10, Rom 5:10).

He is in the prison cell (Acts 12, Acts 19).
He is with His persecuted Church (Acts 7:55-56, Jn 15:18).

He is the Word living and active (Heb 4:12).

He is the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8).
He is the sacrifice, perfect and complete (Heb 10:14).
He has died (Jn 19:30).
He has risen (Matt 28:6).
He sits at the right hand of the Father (Eph 1:20).

He has come (Jn 1:9).

And He is coming again (Rev 1:7).

‘And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.’ - Colossians 1:17

Where have you been looking for God?

 WEEK 39

‘All places are places of worship to the Christian. Wherever he is, he ought to
be in a worshiping frame of mind.’ – Charles Spurgeon

Once a physical curtain stood between God and His people in the place of
worship.

As Christ was torn on the cross, so was the curtain (Matt 27:51). Christ was torn
and God’s people are welcomed through Christ into the presence of the Father
(Eph 2:18). Worship no longer reserved to a location – but is done in Spirit and
Truth (Jn 4:24).

Every Christ follower is now a sanctuary of worship, because we are Christ’s and
Christ is God’s (1 Cor 3:23). Every sorrow and joy becomes an altar of sacrifice –
a fragrance of gratitude and awe. And every inch of earth becomes holy ground,
for we are surrounded in song, followed by goodness and mercy, and pursued by
the endless delight of our Father (Zeph 3:17, Ps 23:6).

How does your service prepare people to lead lives of worshipful response
throughout the week?
 WEEK 40

‘If love is true, there must always be a certain extravagance in it. It does not
nicely calculate the less or more. It is not concerned to see how little it can
decently give. If it gave all it had, the gift would still be too little. There is a
recklessness in love which refuses to count the cost.’ – William Barclay

Our God loves extravagantly. He demonstrates ‘His love for us in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).’ This is extravagant love.

We love because He first loved us, even when we were far away, when we had no
desire for Him, when we were dead, He still loved (1 Jn 4:19, Eph 2:1-10). This is a
‘never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love,’ which
demands a response (Jesus Storybook Bible).

Let your service be marked and motivated by the extravagant love of God.

What marks and motivates your service? Spend some time meditating on the
extravagant love of God toward you and the people you serve.
 WEEK 41

‘The reality is that in the throne room of Almighty God, everyone’s bowing as
low as they can. In the 1700s, a Frenchman called François Fenelon wrote down
some great advice for any worship leader: ‘Make yourself little in the depths of
your heart.’ - Matt Redman

The life of every believer runs counter to the culture of the age. The world says:
exalt yourself, build up your name, grow your platform, see to it that you are the
most important person in the room and that everyone knows it, set yourself on
the throne of your heart. In Revelation 4 we see the response to the living
creatures that dwell in the very presence of God – they are falling down in
worship, they are ‘bowing as low as they can’ (vs 9-11).

As believers we seek to get low – not in some false sense of humility (which is in
fact exalting ourselves), not because we are unworthy to stand in the presence of
God – Jesus has made a way for us to approach with boldness and confidence
(Heb 4:14-16). But because getting low, bowing in worship is in fact the only
response to seeing, knowing and experiencing that Jesus is Lord.
We don’t make ourselves ‘little in the depths of our hearts,’ by belittling ourselves
we make ourselves little by seeing a bigger vision of who God is. So when pride,
self-assurance, a desire to be known, a need for praise creep in (because they do,
and will), look and see God.

How can you ‘get low’ in your preparation? How can you ‘get low’ while standing
on a platform?
 WEEK 42

‘We can spare everything except the Word. We profit nothing so much as by
the Word.’ – Martin Luther

Worship is always a response. And in sung corporate worship, you are responding
to God’s Word, with God’s Word, from God’s Word and because of God’s Word.
It should be read, taught, applied, prayed, sung, meditated on and lived out in
your gathered time.

God’s Word is sharper than any sword, cuts to the heart, living and active,
breathed out by God, profitable for us, life-giving, a lamp and light, sweeter than
honey, enduring forever and always proves true (Heb 4:12, 2 Tim 3:16-17, Matt 4:4,
Ps 119:105, Ps 119:103, Matt 24:35, Ps 18:30).

So prepare your hearts for the Word of God with the Word of God.

How do you prepare not only your skills for a service but your heart? Allow the
Word of God to prepare you for leading, serving and responding this week.
 WEEK 43

‘Woe to the reckless soul who departs from God hoping to find something
better than Him in the very things He has created.’ - Augustine

There is a rich young ruler in us all. Walking away sorrowful when God does not
answer how we expect (Lk 18:18-30).
We walk away from the Creator, hoping to find the answers we seek in creation.
We scour the earth only to realize we have exchanged the glory of the immortal
God for images of created things (Rom 1:23).

But nothing created can bear the weight of our worship.

And there can only be two responses to this reality: we turn back and no longer
walk with Him, or we say ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?’ (Jn 6:66-68)

Every Sunday there are hearts who are returning and hearts who are wandering –
yours is one of them. How do you welcome the returning, and call back the
wandering with the beauty of the Gospel in your leadership?
 WEEK 44

‘Mystery is not the absence of meaning, but the presence of more meaning than
we can comprehend.’ – Eugene Peterson

As you gather together for corporate worship, physical eyes only see the surface.
Spiritual eyes see the mystery. The mystery of who God is, what He’s done, who
we are, and what is happening as we gather. And a glimpse is all it takes to see
that the mystery is greater than we can know, understand or ever fully grasp
(Rom 11:33).

The mystery that…

God inhabits our praises (Ps 22:3).
That our feeble and broken offering is perfected in Christ (Heb 10:14).
That God has made us a people (1 Pet 2:10).
That Jesus leads us into the presence of the Father (Eph 2:18).
That we join in an eternal song (Neh 9:6)
That God delights in us (Zeph 3:17).
That the same God who dwells in the high and holy place also dwells in the heart
of the humble and contrite (Is 57:15)

Lean into this mystery because ‘deep calls to deep (Ps 42:7).’

How can you cultivate a space for holy wonder in your corporate gathering?
 WEEK 45

‘God is so boundlessly pleased with Jesus that in Him He is altogether well

pleased with us.’ – Charles Spurgeon

The pleasure of God is fixed immovable on Christ. For every Christ follower, your
life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3). And everything true of Christ is now
true of His saints.

God delights over us with singing (Zeph 3:17).

He has raised us from death to life, and seated us with Christ (Eph 2:6).
We are His children, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs of
Christ (Rom 8:17).

As Christ followers we never grovel our way into God’s presence – we live ever in
His presence (Ps 91, Ps 139). And we carry His presence in our going out and
coming in (Ps 121:8).

Do you lead from the boundless delight of God? Or does your leadership more
closely resemble someone striving to be acceptable? How might leading from the
boundless delight of God shape the way you lead others?
 WEEK 46

‘Oh God please give me three wounds; the wound of contrition, the wound of
compassion, and the wound of longing after God.’ – Lady Julian

Wounds kill the self-sufficiency delusion. They are reminders of need. The
wounds flowing from the prayer of Lady Julian are not wounds to be ‘healed,’ but
to remain:

The wound of contrition…

Contrition is a complete hatred of your sin; which arises from a love for God. The
Psalmist says that it’s not merely a sacrifice that God is after – but a broken,
humble, contrite heart and spirit (51:16-17). When you see God for who He is, the
first response is always a recognition of His beauty, and your own sin (Isaiah 6:5,
Rev 1:17). In your wounding, recognize and respond.

The wound of compassion…

What is the reaction of Jesus when feeding the five thousand? He sees them and
‘has compassion on them’ (Mark 6:34, Matt 14:14). You see again in Matthew 9,
Jesus having compassion for the people who are like ‘lost sheep without a
shepherd’ and turns to the disciples telling them to ‘pray earnestly for more
laborers,’ because ‘the harvest is plentiful and the laborers few’ (v 35-37). In your
wounding, be moved with love for and toward the people.

The wound of longing after God…

The Psalms are full of cries of longing after God: 119:20, 73:25, 119:81, 42:2, 143:6.
When we glimpse God, we are transformed and we want others to catch glimpses
of Him as well. In your wounding, hold the door open for others to catch a
glimpse.

Some wounds are infected and need to be healed. Some wounds are inflicted and
must remain for our healing and the healing of others.

What wounds are you carrying that are harming you and those you lead? What
wounds do you need to ask God to heal? What wounds do you need to ask God
to inflict?
 WEEK 47

‘Hesed loves regardless of the response. It does not demand recognition or

equality. It is uneven.’ – Paul E Miller

You cannot serve if you first do not love. Service is an act of worship in response
to the love of God towards the people of God – ‘do you love Me?’ then ‘feed My
sheep’ (Rom 12:1, 1 Jn 4:19, Jn 21:17).
God’s love for you is ‘hesed’ love – covenant-keeping, loyal, faithful to His
promises, merciful love. By His very nature God’s hesed love for His people is
uneven because the Author of hesed love is Himself love (1 Jn 4:8)!

Whether the response to your leadership is resounding praise, ignored and

unnoticed, or hostile and combative, you serve the same. Because you are safe
and secure in the hesed love of God, you can love and serve from this safety
regardless of response.

Your service is not just for today but building into eternity, so do not grow weary
when the response is not what you had hoped. Serve as unto the Lord, who came
to serve (Eph 6:7, Col 3:23, Matt 20:28).

What does resting in the hesed love of God look like for you today?
 WEEK 48

‘I preach as though Christ was crucified yesterday, rose from the dead today,
and is coming back tomorrow.’ – Martin Luther

Jesus is coming back, and we are called to stay ‘dressed for action’ as we live in
light of His imminent return (Lk 12:35).

Crucified yesterday…
The cross is as beautiful as it is vulgar. Vulgar because sin is so serious it requires
punishment by death (Rom 6:23). The cross is vulgar because a sinful race killed
the sinless Son of God (Is 53:5, 1 Pet 1:18-18, 1 Pet 2:22, 1 Jn 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21). It is
vulgar because even ‘small’ sin entertained in the quiet of your heart and mind is
significant enough to require the sacrifice of God (Ps 103:10). But it is also
beautiful, because before the foundation of the world, it was the will of the LORD
to crush Him (Rev 13:8, Is 53:10). Beautiful because the sinful race who killed the
sinless Son of God can now be made right with God, adopted into His family
(Rom 5, Eph 1:5). And it is beautiful because the cross and the grave are not the
end of the story (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:19, Luke 12:40, John 14:3).

Rose today…
For the Christian, every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday! We read, sing, pray,
fellowship, and hear God’s Word to be reminded that once we were far off, but
now we have been brought near by the life, death, resurrection and ascension of
Christ (Eph 2:13).

Coming tomorrow…
Stay dressed for action as you await the return of Christ the King. Stand up to
lead the people of God by pushing back the darkness of fear, doubt, unbelief and
forgetfulness with the Word of God, by the Spirit of God, singing the prayers of
the people of God.

Be a Romans 12 worship leader – poured out in view of the mercies of God (v1).
And lead from surrender and with zeal (v8) as though Jesus died yesterday, rose
today and is coming tomorrow.

What does it look like to lead with urgency in a world of apathy?

 WEEK 49

‘So shall I fulfill the great end of my being – to glorify Thee and be a blessing to
men.’ – Puritan Prayer

No one’s motives are ever completely pure. But when you endeavor to lead
worship to honor, lift up and glorify God, your service will naturally become a
blessing to His people.

In John 13 we see Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. In obedience to His
Father, He steps out of heaven, makes Himself nothing, and wraps Himself in
human flesh (Jn 5:19, Jn 6:38, Phil 2:7-8). He stoops to wash the dirty feet of men
who fought over position, were unsure of Jesus’ identity and purpose, and
ultimately would desert Him (Jn 13:5, Lk 18:31-34, Lk 9:46, Lk 22:24, Mk 14:50).

In obedience there is a greater blessing. And being obedient to our Father is true
leadership. Not holding a position, or leveraging authority, but stooping to wash
feet. We follow the example of the Son, who followed the example of the Father.

‘And He is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the
fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all
things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.’
– Colossians 1:18-20

Glorifying God will always become a blessing to the world.

How can you ‘de-center’ yourself in preparation to lead worship?

 WEEK 50

‘Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the
prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son whom He
appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.’
– Hebrews 1:1-2

He is the God who speaks, who has always been speaking. With His Word He
spoke the world into being, and by its power the universe is upheld (Gen 1:3,
Heb 1:3). Jesus is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14).

He tore the veil of time.

He tore the temple veil.
He does not dwell behind temple veils,
or in houses made by human hands,
because His dwelling place is with man.
He is Emmanuel, God with us.
(Matt 27:51, Acts 17:24-25, Rev 21:3, Is 7:14)

God with us is the Word who took on flesh and blood, and His blood speaks a
better word (Heb 12:24). This Word is good news to the poor, binds up the
brokenhearted, and proclaims liberty to the captives (Is 61:1).

As A.W. Tozer reminds us, ‘The Bible is not only a book which was once spoken,
but a book which is now speaking.’ Do you want people to hear God when you
lead worship? Open your Bible and let Him speak.

Where are the spaces of your service that you could utilize Scripture to be read
(corporately or by an individual), prayed or sung?
 WEEK 51

‘Circle me Lord, keep protection near and danger afar. Circle me Lord, keep
light near and darkness afar. Circle me Lord, keep peace within, keep evil out.
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.’
- Celtic Prayer

Whatever is behind, whatever is ahead you can be assured in all things:

’The LORD is your keeper, the LORD is your shade on your right hand.’
- Psalm 121:5

The One who has defeated Satan, sin and death will ‘keep you from all evil; He will
keep your life.’ This does not mean you will never experience sorrow or suffering.
Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome
the world.’ And when you are led through the valley of the shadow of death, you
are strengthened, helped, upheld with the righteous right hand of God (Ps 121:7,
Jn 16:33, Ps 23:4, Is 41:10).

Those you lead in corporate sung worship are fearful their lives may be
overlooked, forgotten or smitten by God. But the truth for every Christ follower is
your life rests firmly in the reality: ‘The LORD will keep your going out and your
coming in from this time forth and forevermore.’ Ps 121:8

When your life feels chaotic and out of control, how do you remember that the
LORD is your Keeper? How might you remind the people you lead that they are
not forgotten, but kept?
 WEEK 52

‘I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus.’ - Jim Elliot

What is the measure of a full life? Accomplishments? Accolades? Legacy?

‘What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then
vanishes.’ - James 4:14

You are a breath, a mist, here for a moment and gone. And yet, every one of
those days was known and formed long before you were born (Ps 139:16).
Because this is true, the measure of a full life is not necessarily a long life or an
accomplished one, but a faithful life. A life that has stewarded all things entrusted
and allotted for the glory of God and the good of others is a full life
(Matt 25:14-30, 1 Cor 10:31, Eph 4:12).

‘What do you have that you did not receive?’ (1 Cor 4:7) Your time, talent and
treasure - regardless of quantity or quality - have all been entrusted to your care.
Even your pain, sorrow and suffering can be stewarded well (Job 2:10, Ps 119:71,
2 Cor 12:10).

So seek not a long life, but seek to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of
your life (Ps 27:4).

‘I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!’
(Ps 27:13)

What does faithful stewardship of your life look like right now?
Are you stewarding well all things which have been entrusted to you by God?
 ABOUT:
Aaron Bucy is a worship leader, writer, and worship consultant.
He is married to Kelly, and they have three children.

For more resources for worship leaders, pastors and teams visit:
aaronbucy.com.

CONNECT ONLINE:
facebook.com/aaronbucymusic
instagram: @aaronbucy
twitter: @bucyaaron