Not long ago I was at my oldest son’s football game on a beautiful Georgia Saturday morning. The game was a normal 10-year old football game when the cheerleaders started an old chant aimed at getting the crowd to respond. The cheer went something like “we got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how ’bout you”?  Opposing sides would shout towards each other as the volume  would grow with each chant, building the momentum in the stadium and players.

As all the parents, including Jennette and I, were responding, I had one of “those” moments.

I suddenly realized there are times that I allow the enemy or circumstances of life to SHOUT louder at me that I am actually shouting at the enemy.  The enemy is always trying to convince us that there’s no hope and no future in life when God has already declared that there is a hope and a future for us in Him (Jeremiah 29:11).

I’ve recognized that there are moments in life where I need to SHOUT OUT what God is saying over me as opposed to what the enemy is trying to say over me or what thoughts I am battling.

Psalm 29:1-2 says, “Bravo, God, bravo! God and all angels shout, Encore! In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power…” (msg).  When we SHOUT OUT God’s goodness and power we fill our thoughts with His life-giving power and don’t have time to dwell on falsehoods that hold us back from our destiny.  Shout Out God’s goodness today!

Shout Out Song Story

We recently ran a email survey where we asked you listeners to choose your (3) favorite Ricardo songs.  We were overwhelmed by the response and humbled by the gracious comments.  JoAnna from Florida won the iPod.  Click to watch as she receives the phone call from Ricardo about winning.

Ricardo Calls iPod Winner: QuickTime

As mentioned, we were overwhelmed by the testimonies and kind comments that flowed in as a result of  our iPod Give-Away Contest.  Thank you to all of you who participated.  The response was so amazing, I’m sure we’ll be giving away more fun stuff in the future.  Read below at a few of the great comments that came it.  For privacy reasons, all names were left anonymous.  We were blessed and hope you are also.

• “I will never forget what Ricardo said about a true worship leader, “It’s how that person worships when someone else is leading.” I apply the same principle to Pastors, teachers, ushers, greeters Etc… Thx for the wisdom.”

• “Ricardo, I had the privilege of seeing you live at my church, Solid Rock Church. I must admit that prior to that I didn’t know much about you, but it was very evident that you have a heart for worship; I believer that you are a ‘true worshiper. Your song, Moving Forward became an anthem not just for me but for everyone who heard that night. Moving Forward is simply one of my favorite songs; I am not going back [into the world system]; I am moving forward.”

• “I have been taken from a mighty long way from Drug Addiction escalating into mental illness culminating in the healing of my Mind and Body (Healed from Hep C miraculously by God ) the doctors were amazed. the power of the cross allowed me to move forward by calling His name. I was able to be involved with Ricardo at Teen Challenge’s 50th aniversary and after that we played quite a few songs from Ricardo’s songs and these are my favorite from this list.”

• “I was so excited to come across the song “Moving Forward’ in 2007. I was going through chemo at the time and I kept the song on repeat, declaring “You make all things new, and I will follow you forward”…forward through the disappointing news that I’d likely never be able to have kids, forward through losing my hair, forward through sickness and I’m on the other side of it now, giving all glory to God. He can be trusted! Thank you for Moving Forward.”

• “These three songs are the ones that move me the most, to lift my hands and give all of me back to God in thanks for sacrificing His Son, Jesus, to save me!!!”

• “Moving Foward is my favorite song by you, God spoke to me one night threw that song in a very mighty way that changed me forever!”

• “Our praise team was moved to a hold new level when these songs first came out! We are looking forward to your new album with much anticipation!
  My husband, and pastor of our church, just passed away and I live on some of the praise and worship songs you have done. Thank you and God Bless.”

• “What a hard decision! Only three choices? I want them all. Such powerful music. Makes days like we are currently living in easier to manage. There is much needed strength in all your songs.”

• “These 3 songs have ministered my life in a very profound way, especially during those testing times that we all go through daily and it doesn’t matter how many times I listen to them, but every time I can still feel the anointing God is pouring to me through these songs.”

• “All the songs are great. I love the story and the personal challenge in the songs i chose though. They remind me of the redemption that we live under, and challenge me to live in that. God doesn’t remind us of our past, so it’s time to move and worship Him will all we have! …Ricardo, your music blesses me!”

• “I”m not Ashamed to worship the name of Jesus, isn’t that the most powerful song you have ever sung. I will never be ashamed to worship my Lord and Savior.We are so blessed to live in a country where we can worship him freely,I can ride sown the road and shout out the name of the Lord and no one will say anything to me I want to be crazy for Jesus.”

• “Just did 2 of these for a biker service. It was awesome!”

Just found this online.

We tend to have it backwards. We pray to God and it usually sounds something like this, “God, provide for me, so I can trust You.” But God says, “Trust Me. I will provide for you.” Dependency can be a scary place. We want things so we can be in charge of our own life. We want to be able to provide for ourselves and our family. Transferring our trust from God himself to our own abilities or our own bank accounts can be easily done if we’re not careful. If you have a boat in the midst of the flood, then you rely on the boat to save you. No need for someone to rescue you.

A rich young ruler comes to Jesus. He asks if Jesus has any more “rules”
for him to follow (Matt 19:16-25). Jesus simple demands: “Go sell all
you have, and give it to the poor”. Jesus’ request shakes the man. He can’t do it. He loves money too much. He loves the power money gives him. He loves not having to depend on anyone else. That is why he likes the rules. All he has to do is follow the rules. He is in control. Jesus’ command isn’t a rule. It is personal. It directly addresses his individual
addiction.

I know that many of us are excited that 2008 is over because
financially, or otherwise, it was difficult for many people. I want to challenge you to think forward and allow the Lord to be who He is. May 2009 be your time and may God Almighty show himself strong in your life!