Unchanging God (Everlasting)

The inspiration for this song is the word "Elohim" and "El Olam".

Bible.org describes that in the Hebrew language, the plural form of EL means the "strong one." It is used to name false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God's sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7).

One of the compunds of El is El Olam, meaning "The Everlasting God." It emphasizes God's unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).

This song is simply and plainly about who God is: His greatness. His Rule.

Watch-out for the full-band version coming this 2013, along with other original Youth L.I.V.E. songs! For updates, check-out: www.facebook.com/gcfyouthlive

UNCHANGING GOD (EVERLASTING)

Words and Music by Dags Miguel

Verse 1:

Lord, You are Creator

You are the Mighty One

Lord, You are Forever

You are the "El Olam"

Verse 2:

Lord, you are the Master

You are the Holy One

Lord, You are Sustainer

You are the "El Olam"

Chorus:

Unchanging God

Everlasting, Everlasting You are

Unchanging God

Everlasting, Everlasting You are

Unchanging God

Bridge:

In Your name we dance

In Your name we shout

In Your name we praise

In Your name we sing

All

Inspired by the smiles and laughter I saw in the photo album of GCF's recent church-wide Pastors and Wives Retreat, I was prompted to post this song I wrote back in 2007 for GCF Youth LIVE's "Agent of Change 007" Camp to remind us church leaders, workers and volunteers, about who we serve and the reason why we serve. 

^{Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV):}

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

David Miguel
Set Free Concert 2007
GCF Youth LIVE

Fall to my knees and pray, my sins you wash away

You speak to me Lord

I hear the beating of my heart it’s where You live

I hear You calling me

Now all I desire is to be worthy of your call

Bring me where I should be

I’ll be with You my Lord

With You my Lord

All, to live for You

To lead with You

I surrender

All, my life for You

To lead with You

I surrender All

Search me oh God

And know my heart

Lead me to the way of everlasting

I’m so full of you

I’m so full of you I surrender

I’m so full of you

I’m so full of you I surrender All

Holding Grudges

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” – Genesis 27:41

Lord, I feel angry, bitter and have much hate in my heart. Will you heal my heart, give me peace, and give me the strength to finally forgive. AMEN.

Trust

Psalm 20: 7

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

In the NBA, success is measured by consistent per-game production, by total wins, and ultimately by championships. Michael Jordan was able to meet and achieve these parameters exceedingly. But it was not always smooth sailing for Michael. He had to go through years of disappointment against the “Bad Boys” of the Detroit Pistons, or the “Big Three” of the Boston Celtics. Individually he was an immovable force, but his flaw as a leader always got in the way. Michael learned this the hard way. He learned by losing. So in 1991 against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, he wowed the basketball world not by his off-balance shots and board-shattering dunks, but by his maturity as a leader. He finally passed the ball to John Paxson who made open shots in crucial situations, and allowed Scottie Pippen to share in playmaking and scoring responsibilities. He finally trusted, and had faith and confidence in his teammates. In his first finals appearance, he led the Chicago Bulls to their first franchise championship.

In the same way, David and his army did not rely on their protective equipment and weaponry to succeed in battle. They relied and trusted on God. They put their faith and confidence on the Lord who had always delivered them time and again against their enemies. David always had this confidence, faith and trust in the Lord during times of great adversity, even at an early age when he faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17: 45-47).

Application

We should always have confidence, faith and trust in the Lord in all things. We should remember how the Lord will always be faithful in our time of need.

Atonement

Leviticus 16: 30

“Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from your sins.”

One of the things I learned working for a Japanese company is the value of discipline. To promote this kind of environment, unique programs are created by the company, supported by all levels of the organization, from janitors up to the President. One activity exemplifying this is “Yoshi Yoshi”. Before crossing a street inside the plant, employees must follow these procedures: Look, point to right and shout “Yoshi”. Look, point to the left and shout “Yoshi”. If the street is clear, then the employee can cross. Anyone caught not complying can be verbally reprimanded on the spot. It’s so simple to do, right?

The problem is, there will always be employees who just can’t seem to follow even the simplest of procedures. Employees who continuously make mistakes will never be tolerated. If an employee repeatedly fails to comply, there is a chance that employee will eventually be fired and let go.

In the same way, God gave us the bible as our employee handbook. It contains rules and procedures we must follow. But unlike the corporate world, despite repeated mistakes, God through his love will not lay us off and will not fire us. There is always a second chance, just as Moses time and again doubted himself (Exodus 3-4), God never gave up on him. Just as the Israelites through the atonement they received, can always come before the Lord, we too have Jesus Christ, the atonement for our sins.

Application

Remember that just as the Israelites offered up sacrifices for their sins, we too have Jesus, the perfect sacrifice. Through him, we are made clean. Through him, there is no shame.

Elijah

1 Kings 18:21

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 

During King Ahab’s rule, Israel was under a state of calamity not because of natural environmental disasters like the recent earthquake in Japan, but they were rather under a more devastating and destructive force: a spiritual calamity. Israel was not worshipping God anymore. Temples were being built for Baal not because of a foreign rule that forced its construction and erection, it was because of King Ahab himself, who constantly disobeyed prophetic warnings, murdered Naboth, married Jezebel and worshipped Baal. No wonder the Bible records and remembers Ahab as being "more evil than all the kings before him" (1 Kings 16:30). Elijah saw this happening and confronted his people, and challenged his people to finally realize that there shouldn’t even be a comparison that needs to be decided or be reflected upon. God is the only God, the same God who brought them out of Egypt. The true, real, living God of Israel (1 Kings 18:16-45).

In the same way, we today have found other gods that have taken the Lord’s place in our lives. Whether its money, success, fame, career, even relationships, our worship of the Lord has shifted to the worship of everything and anything that is of this world. We have allowed ourselves to forget God’s faithfulness and have instead focused and put our efforts in everything and anything temporal. Nothing spiritual, nothing worth eternal.

Application

Is God still the center of your life? Pray to Him and ask for forgiveness. Let Him know by word and by deed that you worship Him alone.

Inconvenient

Isaiah 55: 8-9 (NIV):
⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Following Christ means being an inconvenient friend, means being ready to let go of people who would rather hear what they want you to tell them, rather than hear the truth.

Passion

Worship for the one and only God.