Brothers and Sisters...
Hello all! I hope you are doing fabulously well today. Just wanted to send this little note out to you to remind you that Your Kingdom Come releases nationwide into stores in ONE WEEK!!! Next Tuesday, August 25th, it will be put onto the shelves, so I wanted to send this email to ask you to PRAY....NOT that this album would sell big or be the greatest thing to ever hit the Christian music world. Please don't pray that. But pray with me that God would use this album to fuel the great commission....to make His Son and His glory known among all nations. His name, His renown, all over town, all over this world.....
It's was PRAYER that started this journey.
In the fall of 2007 the LORD began laying new songs, dreams, and purpose on my heart....it was heavy and it was different. As I prayed for His heart, God began breaking my heart for the lost and the last more then ever before. So I spent some time writing and decided to head to the studio. Inspired by the late Keith Green, I made it my goal for this album that for EVERY HOUR we were recording in the studio, I wanted SOMEONE to be PRAYING. Why? Jesus said "Apart from Me, you can do NOTHING!" That's life changing for me. That means no matter how great the songs, the music, or the playing is, without Jesus it's ALL worthless! So, desiring this record to be doused with prayer, I began emailing many of you, making my FEEBLE attempts to ORGANIZE (not my strong point) and schedule a team of prayer warriors for "Your Kingdom Come". I made an excel spreadsheet and plugged in hundreds of names and times. It took a lot of work. So many of you were faithful, willing, and ready to pray for this CD and you had not the faintest clue of how it would sound. But you prayed. Every hour you prayed. Many of you prayed for hours. And you know we hit some bumps in the road, but by God's grace and the power of prayer, we got a record out of it.
It's been PRAYER that started this journey, PRAYER that got us through, and I want it to be PRAYER that sends this thing out to be used for the LORD and for His Kingdom.
I believe that prayer is a weapon more powerful than any force in this world. Here's what else I believe: I believe that no matter how good the "marketing" for this album is, no matter what the music on this album is like, and no matter even how many copies of this album get sold....that GOD DETERMINES THE COURSE, THE EFFECT, AND THE FRUIT THAT THIS ALBUM WILL HAVE. So let's pray!!! I invite you to fast and pray with me on this tuesday the 25th of August that the LORD WOULD USE THIS ALBUM FOR HIS KINGDOM AND GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS. Believe with me that God can take this piece of plastic and make it into a weapon that strikes down the enemy and makes him fall from heaven like lightning.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him."
1 John 5:14-15
May GOD get ALL the glory-
Matt
8.19.2009
8.18.2009
FRONT PAGE OF iTUNES CHRISTIAN!
Your Kingdom Come is FEATURED on the front page of iTunes Christian music page!!! Praise GOD!!!
8.14.2009
CONTEST!!!!
Want to win a FREE concert/party with Matt???? http://jesusfreakhideout.com/contests/contest2.aspx
8.10.2009
Wednesday night...
Hey GA friends....
We're playing in Villa Rica on Wednesday night at Midway Baptist Church. Come hang with us!!!
matt
We're playing in Villa Rica on Wednesday night at Midway Baptist Church. Come hang with us!!!
matt
8.07.2009
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to the new site. I heart Centricity Music! Enjoy and stay tuned for lyrics, chords, media, and goodies. blessings-
matt
matt
8.04.2009
The Mission
Every tribe, tongue, and nation. Gathered before His throne…singing His praise.
Rev 5:9-14
Whoever calls His name will be there. But how will they call His name if they never hear it?
Rom 10:13-14
God’s heart is breaking for those who don’t know The Way.
1 Tim 2:4
He has placed that heart in ever true believer, and out of that heart our mouths must speak.
2 Cor 5:20
The gospel will be preached in every nation, and then the end will come.
Matt 24:14
But how will they preach unless they are sent?
Rom 10:15
It is up to us. We must go.
Matt 28:19
Rev 5:9-14
Whoever calls His name will be there. But how will they call His name if they never hear it?
Rom 10:13-14
God’s heart is breaking for those who don’t know The Way.
1 Tim 2:4
He has placed that heart in ever true believer, and out of that heart our mouths must speak.
2 Cor 5:20
The gospel will be preached in every nation, and then the end will come.
Matt 24:14
But how will they preach unless they are sent?
Rom 10:15
It is up to us. We must go.
Matt 28:19
7.31.2009
End of Summer news...
Hi friends!
Hope you are doin swell. Just wanted to give you a BRIEF update (I think I REALLY will be brief this time).
The summer was really incredible. Thank you SO MUCH for all your prayers. The older I get the more I'm realizing that I am far more a product of prayer than of my own petty efforts or abilities. God just does too many things in spite of me. Some really genuine ministry took place this summer: Hundreds began a relationship with Christ, MANY called to missions and ministry, and tons of students that I personally spoke with were set free from hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, and addictions. Go God!!!
The first single from YKC called "Open Hands" was by far our biggest song of the summer...the song that people continue to say ministers to them. Well I've got news for ya....you can buy the song NOW on iTunes!!! Go get it and be blessed!!!
Classes begin very soon. Very excited about the challenge to my mind and heart. More updates soon.
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Eph 6:23-24)
Matt
Hope you are doin swell. Just wanted to give you a BRIEF update (I think I REALLY will be brief this time).
The summer was really incredible. Thank you SO MUCH for all your prayers. The older I get the more I'm realizing that I am far more a product of prayer than of my own petty efforts or abilities. God just does too many things in spite of me. Some really genuine ministry took place this summer: Hundreds began a relationship with Christ, MANY called to missions and ministry, and tons of students that I personally spoke with were set free from hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, and addictions. Go God!!!
The first single from YKC called "Open Hands" was by far our biggest song of the summer...the song that people continue to say ministers to them. Well I've got news for ya....you can buy the song NOW on iTunes!!! Go get it and be blessed!!!
Classes begin very soon. Very excited about the challenge to my mind and heart. More updates soon.
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Eph 6:23-24)
Matt
7.17.2009
"Open Hands" Lyrics and Chord Chart
"Open Hands" lyrics and chord chart can be found at www.mattpapa.com/openhands
6.13.2009
June 2009 UPDATE
Hi friends!!!
It's been a while since I've written update...LOTS of changes happening 'round here, and yet God is NEVER-changing and always faithful! There are so many things to praise HIM for, but I will try to be BRIEF (and yet most of you know I am terrible at that :)
1. I am a DAD! How crazy is that!!! Her name is Paisley and she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. We are so blessed...she is healthy and Lauren is healthy. You can check out my facebook if you want to see pictures. Please pray that she will come to know JESUS and that we would be Godly parents to her!!!
2. My wife and I (and little Paisley) now live in North Carolina where I will be starting school this fall at Southeastern Seminary. I am REALLY stoked and ready for the mental and spiritual challenge. My desire is that my music, more than ever before, would be filled with God's Word and that He would prepare us for whatever He has in store for the future. We will still be ministering on the weekends, during the summer, and wherever the LORD opens doors. So please pray for that.
3. For those of you who have followed our ministry for a while, you will remember Phil Smith and Jon Huff who used to travel with us and play drums and bass. Well, I am excited to say that they are back! They will be attending school with me at Southeastern and also traveling. Totally a God-thing how it all worked out.
4. I have just recently begun a relationship with Centricity Music, a Christ-centered label who I am proud to work with. They will be releasing the NEW "Your Kingdom Come" into stores on August 18th. The new version of the album will have 3 BRAND SPANKIN NEW songs on it that I promise you will love! You can check out the first single on our mypace.....it's called "Open Hands". The LORD has already been using the song powerfully this summer at camps. So if you can please call your local radio station and request the song! Also pray that God would take this album....this 5 loaves and 2 fish....and touch it and bless it to feed people for the sake of His Kingdom and His mission on the earth!
5. In about 2 weeks, we will release a BRAND NEW CD called "Scripture Songs and Hymns". I am really excited about it.....it's SIMPLE, yet profound - b/c the songs are HEAVY on Scripture. The hymns on it are original, and I think you will find the whole CD to be refreshing as you let the scriptures soak into your heart and mind. Great for students and adults alike....check it out!!!!!
6. Many of you know about our partnership with Compassion, well we have begun a similar relationship with a company called ONE VERSE. They are gnarly. The purpose of their organization is to get the Scripture into EVERY language in THIS GENERATION! There are over 2,000 languages that don't have the BIBLE in there heart language!!! That is a PROBLEM. Check out their site at oneverse.org and be a part of getting God's word to the world.
7. ok, I think I'm done. Stay in touch with us please....and keep us in your prayers. God is doing cool stuff here....and all over this world! Let's partner with HIM in His mission......give our lives away for the sake of the gospel....stop living for status or wealth, but for the glory of Christ and the redemption of this broken world. He's called you to speak. He's called you to go....to love. Will you today?
huge blessings...
Matt Papa
It's been a while since I've written update...LOTS of changes happening 'round here, and yet God is NEVER-changing and always faithful! There are so many things to praise HIM for, but I will try to be BRIEF (and yet most of you know I am terrible at that :)
1. I am a DAD! How crazy is that!!! Her name is Paisley and she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. We are so blessed...she is healthy and Lauren is healthy. You can check out my facebook if you want to see pictures. Please pray that she will come to know JESUS and that we would be Godly parents to her!!!
2. My wife and I (and little Paisley) now live in North Carolina where I will be starting school this fall at Southeastern Seminary. I am REALLY stoked and ready for the mental and spiritual challenge. My desire is that my music, more than ever before, would be filled with God's Word and that He would prepare us for whatever He has in store for the future. We will still be ministering on the weekends, during the summer, and wherever the LORD opens doors. So please pray for that.
3. For those of you who have followed our ministry for a while, you will remember Phil Smith and Jon Huff who used to travel with us and play drums and bass. Well, I am excited to say that they are back! They will be attending school with me at Southeastern and also traveling. Totally a God-thing how it all worked out.
4. I have just recently begun a relationship with Centricity Music, a Christ-centered label who I am proud to work with. They will be releasing the NEW "Your Kingdom Come" into stores on August 18th. The new version of the album will have 3 BRAND SPANKIN NEW songs on it that I promise you will love! You can check out the first single on our mypace.....it's called "Open Hands". The LORD has already been using the song powerfully this summer at camps. So if you can please call your local radio station and request the song! Also pray that God would take this album....this 5 loaves and 2 fish....and touch it and bless it to feed people for the sake of His Kingdom and His mission on the earth!
5. In about 2 weeks, we will release a BRAND NEW CD called "Scripture Songs and Hymns". I am really excited about it.....it's SIMPLE, yet profound - b/c the songs are HEAVY on Scripture. The hymns on it are original, and I think you will find the whole CD to be refreshing as you let the scriptures soak into your heart and mind. Great for students and adults alike....check it out!!!!!
6. Many of you know about our partnership with Compassion, well we have begun a similar relationship with a company called ONE VERSE. They are gnarly. The purpose of their organization is to get the Scripture into EVERY language in THIS GENERATION! There are over 2,000 languages that don't have the BIBLE in there heart language!!! That is a PROBLEM. Check out their site at oneverse.org and be a part of getting God's word to the world.
7. ok, I think I'm done. Stay in touch with us please....and keep us in your prayers. God is doing cool stuff here....and all over this world! Let's partner with HIM in His mission......give our lives away for the sake of the gospel....stop living for status or wealth, but for the glory of Christ and the redemption of this broken world. He's called you to speak. He's called you to go....to love. Will you today?
huge blessings...
Matt Papa
1.12.2009
"Pray without ceasing"
I love my wife. She is an amazing woman, and we spend a whole lot of time together...especially since she is able to travel with us most of the time. We laugh a lot, talk about Jesus, talk about life, talk about the Georgia Bulldogs, argue a little, talk about ministry, music, food, etc...and all of that interaction generally takes place within the normal course of a day. However there are some times...during the day or during the week...where we need to have a special conversation...a meeting where one of us may say, "Honey (or some other term of endearment), can we talk for a minute?" Then we'll step into a room, have focused conversation for however long it takes...then once we are both satisfied and at a point of peace, we'll continue on with the day.
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thes 5:17) is a difficult pill to swallow, but if seen through the lens of the above metaphor, it unlocks a powerful truth about RELATIONSHIP with God. A lot of us pray, especially when we need something, but few people "pray without ceasing". Imagine if during my day I never said anything to Lauren, even when she was standing right next to me, or riding with me in the car...that would be pretty awkward!!! Then imagine if out of the blue I said, "hey lauren, we need to talk..." I'm sure she would think, "finally i'm gonna figure out what's going on with him!"
Here is a powerful truth: Prayer is communion with God. Communion with God can take place at any or every moment throughout a day. Focused Prayer, or prayer as we typically perceive it, is like a special conversation. It's like coming to your Father and saying, "Abba, can we talk for a minute?" Then you go to a quiet place, get on your knees, and have focused conversation with Him. But here's the key: that focused time of prayer falls within the context of you talking to God throughout the day...about the weather, about people you love, about decisions, laughing with Him, wrestling with Him, crying with Him, just being His friend. That's what it means to pray without ceasing.
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thes 5:17) is a difficult pill to swallow, but if seen through the lens of the above metaphor, it unlocks a powerful truth about RELATIONSHIP with God. A lot of us pray, especially when we need something, but few people "pray without ceasing". Imagine if during my day I never said anything to Lauren, even when she was standing right next to me, or riding with me in the car...that would be pretty awkward!!! Then imagine if out of the blue I said, "hey lauren, we need to talk..." I'm sure she would think, "finally i'm gonna figure out what's going on with him!"
Here is a powerful truth: Prayer is communion with God. Communion with God can take place at any or every moment throughout a day. Focused Prayer, or prayer as we typically perceive it, is like a special conversation. It's like coming to your Father and saying, "Abba, can we talk for a minute?" Then you go to a quiet place, get on your knees, and have focused conversation with Him. But here's the key: that focused time of prayer falls within the context of you talking to God throughout the day...about the weather, about people you love, about decisions, laughing with Him, wrestling with Him, crying with Him, just being His friend. That's what it means to pray without ceasing.
12.08.2008
New Site!
Hi everyone....i know....it's been a LONG TIME COMIN....but here's the new site. hope you enjoy and have a blessed holiday season!
matt
matt
10.27.2008
AMMAN!!!
Hi friends. i'm coming to you from amman, jordan today. woke up at 4:30. my sleeping schedule is WACk.
at 5:00 this morning i was startled by the sound of the call to prayer...the islamic city-wide, audibly projected call to prayer. if you have ever heard it, it is a terrible sound....the sound of the praises of a god who is dead....and who brings death....the sound of death it is.
we're going to see PETRA today (not the 90's christian rock band)....the gorgeous place here in JORDAN with TONS of history. google it and learn about it.
well i'm off. grace and peace-
mp
at 5:00 this morning i was startled by the sound of the call to prayer...the islamic city-wide, audibly projected call to prayer. if you have ever heard it, it is a terrible sound....the sound of the praises of a god who is dead....and who brings death....the sound of death it is.
we're going to see PETRA today (not the 90's christian rock band)....the gorgeous place here in JORDAN with TONS of history. google it and learn about it.
well i'm off. grace and peace-
mp
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