Featured on Worship Center Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:24:25 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/ways-to-throw-satan-off-his-game-with-worship.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/ways-to-throw-satan-off-his-game-with-worship.html Alicia Purdy https://www.crosswalk.com/author/alicia-purdy/ Here is a secret that Satan doesn’t want you to know about worship: It has the power to defeat him.Of course, you have many spiritual weapons to use in every fight of faith you’ll ever encounter in your life—the most powerful one being the Word of God. However, while prayer and the Word were given exclusively to the people of the Kingdom, worship was Satan’s before it was ours.Satan understands the power of worship. He understands its purpose more than many Christians do. Satan understands that worshipping God draws you closer to Him—and above anything he ever tries to do, He wants to keep you apart from God!Of course, nothing can separate you from God’s love, but plenty of things can separate you from connecting with the Spirit of God in worship. Well, it would be more accurate to say this: Plenty of things can make you feel separated from God in worship.The truth is that you have as much access to God’s holy presence in worship as you ever did. But sometimes we feel like we can’t because we aren’t “worthy.” Satan expects that your natural inclination will be to avoid worship altogether or to just go through the motions when life gets hard, or when you’ve messed up, or when your emotions don’t “feel” like it...so he will throw everything he can at you to keep you trapped and disconnected. If you want to throw Satan off his game in worship, here is your 5-part winning strategy:Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/FatmirBajrovic Thu, 01 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/classic-christmas-hymns-to-renew-your-holiday-spirit.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/classic-christmas-hymns-to-renew-your-holiday-spirit.html Christianity.com Editorial Staff https://www.crosswalk.com/author/christianitycom-editorial-staff/ We hope you enjoy these wonderful performances of the best Christmas hymns of all time. Be inspired by the power of music to rejoice and give thanks for our Savior, Jesus Christ! Thu, 25 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/music/popular-christmas-songs-with-bad-theology.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/music/popular-christmas-songs-with-bad-theology.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ When we sing beloved Christmas carols that are familiar to us, we may not think much about the lyrics. We learned the songs years ago and simply take their messages for granted. But sometimes, the lyrics may strike the wrong chord theologically. It can be shocking to realize that some of our favorite Christmas songs aren’t biblically accurate. Here are five popular Christmas songs with bad theology:Photo Credit: Unsplash/David Beale Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/how-to-discern-if-a-song-is-appropriate-for-worship-at-church.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/how-to-discern-if-a-song-is-appropriate-for-worship-at-church.html Alicia Purdy https://www.crosswalk.com/author/alicia-purdy/ The songs chosen for praise and worship services have a unique flavor and flair that is deeply reflective of how each church is comprised. Older congregations have a style. Younger congregations have a style. Traditional churches have a style. Contemporary churches have a style. Pentecostal churches have a style. Baptist churches have a style.But when it comes to the songs used in a praise and worship service at church, are there guidelines for what is and is not appropriate? Is it just a matter of personal preference, or does the Bible provide any insight? How can you discern if a song is appropriate for worship at church?Think about this:There are plenty of songs that are musically or emotionally attractive but are not theologically sound.There are plenty of songs that have solid theology, but are long and wordy, or hard to sing.There are plenty of songs sung in churches that were written by unbelievers or people whose lives are being lived in disobedience to God’s Word.There are plenty of songs sung in church that aren’t even about God!The truth is, both natural wisdom and spiritual discernment are necessary in choosing which songs are appropriate for worship at church. Remember, praise and worship are holy to the Lord. That’s why it is important that—above all else—His plan for praise and worship is put first.Photo Credit: Unsplash/John Price  Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:55:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/guest-commentary/private-or-public-worship-better-for-spiritual-growth.html https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/guest-commentary/private-or-public-worship-better-for-spiritual-growth.html Alicia Purdy https://www.crosswalk.com/author/alicia-purdy/ Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church? There are plenty of scriptures about meeting together, so, maybe it’s out of obedience. Or maybe it’s tradition, or maybe it’s the fear of being accused of not being a good Christian. Maybe you go to church because it’s something to do or it feels like a good thing to have some sort of faith-based support. Maybe you’ve formed good friendships, or you enjoy the programs churches have to offer. Maybe you like being part of a community of like-minded people. Maybe you’ve just always gone and so you continue to go out of habit or routine. Everyone has their opinions about church, but does God have an opinion?Today, when churches almost everywhere are broadcasting online, does it really matter if you actually get dressed and head out on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night? What about a Bible study, does that count? You can read the Bible alone and grow in your faith and you can pray alone and grow in your faith, and you can worship alone and grow in your faith. Yet each one of these faith actions has two sides: personal and inter-personal. Most people are comfortable with reading the Bible and praying together, but worship is different. Why is that? People are sometimes less comfortable expressing themselves in worship when others are around than they are worshipping alone. But is one “better” or more spiritually beneficial than the other? Photo Credit:©GettyImages/CreativaImages Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:20:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/our-favorite-hymns-for-thanksgiving.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/our-favorite-hymns-for-thanksgiving.html Jennifer Slattery https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jennifer-slattery/ For many, their favorite Thanksgiving hymns usher them back to that Sunday morning when they sat on a cool wooden pew, sandwiched between their cousins, perhaps for the first and last time all year. The songs remind them of their grandmother’s vibrato voice and floral perfume, and perhaps our grandfather’s snore. The lyrics trigger feelings of comfort and nostalgia, reminding us of when life felt simpler, and that extra slice of mother’s pumpkin pie was practically guaranteed.But these long-loved Thanksgiving hymns, sung from one generation to the next, do much more than remind us of a simpler time. They help us reflect on all the reasons, in Christ, we have to give thanks. Whether this holiday season truly feels celebratory or evokes feelings of sorrow and grief, the truths we sing can bolster our hearts with treasured memories and God’s promise of the good that’s yet to come.Sign up for PLUS and get these great resources to share this Thanksgiving:Bible Verses to Help with Challenging Family This Thanksgiving“I am Thankful for…” One-Sheet PrintablesThanksgiving Word Search GameHere are 10 of the most beloved Thanksgiving hymns numerous families will enjoy this season:Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AlexRaths Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/popular-worship-songs-and-the-inspiring-stories-behind-them.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/popular-worship-songs-and-the-inspiring-stories-behind-them.html Dolores Smyth https://www.crosswalk.com/author/dolores-smyth/ “Sing to the Lord, praise His name, proclaim His salvation day after day” (Psalm 96:2). So declared King David, the author of most of the songs in the Old Testament hymnbook—the Psalms.From King David on, writers and composers have continued to string together words and musical notes to proclaim the truth of God through song, and some of them have amazing stories that led to their creation!Here are the inspiring stories behind 5 of the most well-known hymns and worship songs.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jantanee Rungpranomkorn Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:15:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/what-makes-a-christ-honoring-worship-song.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/what-makes-a-christ-honoring-worship-song.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Most church services include times of singing and music, and there are hundreds of options for worship leaders to choose from. But while some songs magnify the name of Jesus and thank Him for all He is and has done, others focus more on us and our emotional response. Together, we'll look at what makes a good worship song, as well as some examples from Scripture. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:10:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-hymns-celebrate-gratitude.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-hymns-celebrate-gratitude.html Lori Stanley Roeleveld https://www.crosswalk.com/author/lori-stanley-roeleveld/ Thanksgiving is not just a time for some great food and family time. It's also a time to remember our blessings and have fellowship with other believers. These Thanksgiving hymns remind us how to give thanks to our heavenly father during this season.  Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/troubling-things-worship-leaders-can-avoid.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/troubling-things-worship-leaders-can-avoid.html Dr. Audrey Davidheiser https://www.crosswalk.com/author/dr-audrey-davidheiser/ God cares about the welfare of the entire congregation. It’s obvious He wants everyone in the church to be edified. But I’ve noticed how hard it is to accomplish this aim when the worship team performs a certain way. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:15:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:24:25-05:00