I'm eternally grateful to the music of Jars of Clay for helping bring me to Christ. From the opening notes of "Flood" and then my continual listening of "Liquid" and "Love Song for a Savior" from their self-titled debut, they quickly became my favorite band.

A few years later, I became immersed in Christian music and gave my life to Christ in 1999 thanks to Christian music leading me to the truth of the Gospel, which is that I'll never be good enough to earn eternal life. Jesus paid that price on our behalf in dying for our sins, and He wants us to call on Him as our Lord and Savior.

A constant companion for me on my faith journey has been the annual WOW Hits Collections, which started in 1996. This year's compilation of 30 of the biggest songs in Christian music over the past 20 years celebrates WOW's 20th Anniversary. As I started writing my behind the song devotional articles in 2008, I have featured the stories of 8 of these songs over the past 8 years.

"God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" by Newsboys
 
What's so cool about "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" is that I first heard Daniel Bashta's recording of the song at the Creation Northeast Festival, and the bold message of the song really struck me. The version by the Newsboys has become a song for the Church with its bold Gospel message, and the reuniting of former dc Talk members Michael Tait and Kevin Max made the song even bigger. The song has an Easter-themed message, because as we celebrate Resurrection Day we can all boldly proclaim that "He's surely Alive, He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion!"

"Free to Be Me" by Francesca Battistelli 
 
For me, the most encouraging part of "Free To Be Me" is the message that I don't have to be perfect or rely on my plans, but that God knows me and loves me just as I am. That is cause for celebration, as we all have freedom to be ourselves. He has great plans for us. God loves us just the way we are, dents in our fenders and all, and He extends His grace to stand on His shoulders and be free!

"Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave 
 
"Redeemed" is a personal testimony to the power of redemption. The song has quickly become one of my daily devotional prayers of thankfulness to God for showing me grace and forgiveness in spite of my failures. We serve a loving and merciful God who accepts us as we are, not who we pretend to be.

"Fix My Eyes" by For KING & COUNTRY
 
I love when artists are inspired by God's Word from the Bible and hymns of the faith. I sing this song to God with all of my heart and am inspired to "love like I'm not scared, give when it's not fair, live life for another, take time for a brother, fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom, find faith in the battle, stand tall but above it all fix my eyes on You!" Know with certainty that "It takes a soldier, who knows his orders, to walk the walk I'm supposed to walk."
"There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp
 
I can't help but breakdown every time I listen to this song. If you've ever felt alone and pressured by the worries and stress of this world, this song brings great comfort with the extremely wonderful news that "there will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more and we'll see Jesus face to face." This song encourages me and is one of the most inspirational songs I've ever heard. What an exciting thought that all suffering and hurt will be left behind and one day "glory will be revealed in us through Christ."

"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North
 
What if we lived as though we believe the sincere words of this song? Jesus loves us so much He came down and took our punishment so that we can be with Him forever. Please don't fight His hands that are holding you. He wants to give us life and never let us go. What a reason to have comfort in our Savior and know that He's by our side.

"How He Loves" by David Crowder*Band
 
I can't get enough of this song and the beautiful melody with the gorgeous piano intro and David's passionate and emotional recording of this amazing song. John Mark McMillan's response amid the sadness of losing his friend Steven truly embodies what it means to praise God in all moments in our lives, whether happy or sad. Similar to Job's response, "You give and take away but blessed be Your Name," and to the hymn "It Is Well" written in response to tragedy, you can lift your voice an octave and "make a joyful noise" to God when you sing "How He Loves."

"Blessings" by Laura Story
 
This song has some of the best lyrics I've ever heard in any song. I'm moved by Laura's transparency and confessional challenges to believers in this incredible song. I am wrecked by the lyrics, "What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?" As believers we need to remember that this world is not our home. We have a much bigger agenda, and the security of everlasting life as promised by our Savior Jesus. As this song so beautifully depicts, we weren't made for this world.