Tamara – Page 38 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to victory. ~ Step Two to Victory

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. ~ Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

This Step emphasizes the importance of believing as the foundation of spiritual victory. Without faith in God’s power, we will miss the opportunity to experience His full restoration in our lives. We have to know deep in our heart that God is with us and for us. And because His Spirit lives in us, He will guide us if we let Him.

It’s vital that we remember the Holy Spirit is very sensitive and can be easily offended by our sinful behavior. If we want the benefits of God’s power working in our lives, it’s important that we guard our hearts and actions so that the Holy Spirit will stay with us. (See Ephesians 4 for a deeper study on this.)

A great quote from one of my favorite ministers says:

“The glory of God resting on an unsanctified life will crush it. The glory of the Lord resting on a sanctified life establishes it.” ~ Bill Johnson

In other words, if our life isn’t purposely set apart for God’s use with a deep belief in Him, His glory will crush us because our faith isn’t mature and strong enough to handle His power working in our lives. But on the other hand, if we give ourselves totally over to the Lord, in obedience to His Word, the Holy Spirit’s power will strengthen and mature us.

Think about a young child, maybe 10 years old. She wants to drive your car. She might have the ability to do it, but it could be harmful to her if you let her. She wouldn’t have the emotional and physical maturity to handle that responsibility.

God is always testing us to see if we are strong enough for His glory and power to be made real in our lives. He won’t ever give us more than we can handle.

Question: How does believing in God’s power to restore your life change the way you approach the challenges you currently face?

We may not know what the day will bring. But we know Who will bring the day! ~ We the Kingdom

Take a few minutes to watch/listen to this song by We the Kingdom. It’s so inspiring, and the lyrics are powerfully relevant. Be blessed! ~ Tamara

In 2025, the months of January, May, August, and October have five Fridays. I use those Fridays to publish media reviews: books, music, movies, blogs, podcasts, etc. These will be primarily, but not limited to, Christian media sources. Today we are highlighting one of my all-time favorite Christian artists: David Crowder’s album, The Exile.

If you’re not familiar with David Crowder’s music, you’re in for a treat! I want to introduce you to one of the most creative, power packed Christian artists of today!

Crowder doesn’t fit in any traditional music category, especially for a Christian artist. His music is a unique blend of Christian worship with elements of folk, bluegrass, electronic and rock, sometimes considered hillbilly rock. The sound he creates is modern and fresh yet rooted in a southern gospel tradition. In The Exile you will hear themes that reflect Biblical narratives of exile and restoration, redemption and hope.

Crowder’s songs share vulnerable stories that seem to come directly from his own faith walk. His lyrics have touching poetic imagery with familiar scriptures weaved in making his songs relatable and inspirational. They speak so clearly to our own heart pain, struggles and uncertainties.

Musically, this album, like all of Crowder’s music is exceptional. There is heartfelt, raw worship paired with energetic, dynamic and creative instrumentation that brings the listener a unique entertaining and inspiring experience.

Trying to choose my favorite Crowder song is difficult. But here is a list of my top 5 songs on The Exile album and a brief description.

1. Lord of All: The heartfelt lyrics and a beautiful melody bring us this reverent worship ballad celebrating Christ’s supremacy of all creation. A powerful song perfect for corporate or personal worship.
2. Unstoppable: A super high-energy anthem celebrating a theme of God’s unchanging power. I hear verses that resonate with Psalm 91 when I listen to it. We are inspired to trust in God’s strength through all circumstances.
3. Dash: Creatively explores the brevity of life, and the importance of living each day with an eternal purpose. The “Dash” reminds us to focus on what really matters in the liminal space of time between birth and death.
4. Grave Robber: A gritty instrumentation with bold lyrics, this triumphant salvation declaration captures the resurrection power of Jesus. His victory over sin and death, reminds us of the hope found in Christ’s empty tomb.
5. Somebody Prayed: A deeply personal and reflective song, highlighting the power of intercessory prayer. With its heartfelt storytelling and soul-stirring arrangement, it offers gratitude for the unseen prayers that have shaped our lives.

Few Christian artists today touch my soul the way all of Crowder’s music does and The Exile album is no different. This is reflected in his recently released 2024 Spotify numbers: 6.8 million Listeners; 103M Streams; 5.84 million Hours; with 183 Countries represented! Wow!

Crowder’s music is definitely a fav in our home! And not only the music, but he also has a way of producing such wonderful videos. Whether lighthearted or serious, Crowder’s music videos touch your heart and soul and always leave an impression.

All glory to the King / Always, eternally / God of everything / Lord of all

Your praise be deafening / A million centuries / God of everything

Lord of all! ~ The Exile

I hope you’ll take a few minutes and listen to this powerful worship anthem below and the other beautifully uplifting songs on The Exile album. It will stir your soul and inspire your spirit. Be blessed… Tamara