Song: Peace Has Come by Hillsong
As we enter into this Holiday season let’s be a joy and blessing to those around us. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up on the Holiday celebrations and we forget the true meaning of Christmas. I am thankful for my Savior and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with those around me.
Behold the star of Bethlehem
The word of God has become flesh
Unto us a child is born
The Savior of this broken worldHear the angel voices,
Sing come let us adore Him,
Peace has come, for our King is with us.Fully God and fully man
He comes for all with open hands
He rules with love on David’s throne
All praise belongs to Christ alone.Hear the angel voices,
Sing come let us adore Him,
Peace has come, for our King is with us.Song: Thank You Lord by Don Moen
There are so many reasons to be thankful today. The blessings in my life are numerous. God has richly blessed my life beyond what I deserve. I am grateful for the multitude of ways His demonstrates His love and care in my life each day.
I come before You today
And there’s just one thing that I want to say
Thank You LordFor all You’ve given to me
For all the blessings I can not see
Thank You LordWith a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless Your nameThank You Lord
I just wanna thank You LordFor all You’ve done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me Your light
Thank You LordYou took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank You LordSong: Dwell by Aaron Keyes
Ultimately God is in control. He shelters us from the enemy. He is good, merciful, and faithful to us. I can rest in His presence.
Though a thousand may fall at my side
Though the enemy war against me
I will not fear the terror by night
I will hide in the shadow of your wingsI will dwell in the shelter of the Most High God
I will rest in the beauty of your presence
Your faithfulness is a shield and my great reward
I will not be afraid, I will trust in the LordYou have set me securely on high, Youʼve delivered me out of darkness
And when evil surrounds my life, Youʼve commanded your angels to guard meNo weapon formed against me will prosper
Song: You Are Faithful by Hillsong
God is always and forever faithful to his children. In the good times and in the bad He is always there to lean into. We will go through times of celebration as well as trials in our own lives. We will also walk through fun and hard times with family as well as friends. We can be encouraged that He is in each situation. He loves us, cares about us, and continues to always be faithful no matter what life throws our way.
You are faithful
Your joy is my strength
Lord you are my God
I rely on You
I put my hope in things not seen
Your promises all true
Always you’re with me
Your hand will lift me
My trust is in your hands
Always you’re with me
Your hand will lift me
My trust is in your handsSong: Beautiful Things by Gungor
A few weeks ago as I was driving back from an event with my family when I heard this song for the first time (or at least really paid attention to it) and it hit home. It is God alone who transforms us into something beautiful. We all enjoy beautiful things around us from flowers, people, art, music, and so much more.
He can take my brokenness, failures, struggles, and transform them into something beautiful. He can use those pieces of my life and allow me to make an impact on the lives of others. With His help we CAN change and become something that is truly beautiful from the inside out.
God can take something as simple as dirt and turn it into something wonderfully beautiful. Isn’t it encouraging to know that he can make us beautiful! I really enjoy this song and especially love the simple reminder of the transformation that takes place in our hearts and lives when Christ is in the center.
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at allAll this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at allYou make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of usAll around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in YouYou make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of usYou make me new, You are making me new
Song: Waiting for Tomorrow by Mandisa
Have you ever procrastinated? Sometimes we can put off things we need to do for days, weeks, months, and even years. Take time to evaluate what you need to do and start making steps towards getting that done today. God wants us to live our lives with purpose. Are we making a positive impact on the people around us? Let’s not waste any more time!
Maybe tomorrow I’ll start over
Maybe tomorrow I will finally change my ways
Said the same thing yesterday
Don’t know why I’m so afraid
To let you in
To let you win
To let you have all of meI can’t live my whole life wastin’
All the grace that I know you’ve given
‘Cause you’ve made me for so much more than
Sittin’ on the side lines
I don’t wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could’ve been betterEvery day’s a day that’s borrowed
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow?
Why am I waiting for tomorrow?Song: Thank You by Hillsong
There is so much to be thankful for in our lives. God is good, kind, and patient with us every day. Many of us have more than we could every ask for or image. Take a look around you today and thank God for all He has provided to you.
Thank you for your kindness
Thank you for your mercy
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the price you paidThank you for salvation
Thank you for unending grace
Thank you for your hope
Thank you for this life you gaveThere is no one like you
There is no one like you god
All my hope
Is in you
Jesus JesusTo your name
We give all the glory
To your name
We give all the praise
You’re alive
Our god everlasting
Let your face
Shine on usThank you for your promise
Thank you for your favour
Thank you for your love
Everything you’ve done for meSong: What Scars Are For by Mandisa
It is never easy going through a tough time. God can use those times to remind, encourage, and show His goodness. He paid the ultimately price for our sin and has the scars on his hands to prove it. Thankful for a God who cares and loves us.
These scars aren’t pretty
But they’re a part of me
And will not ever fade away
These marks tell a story
Of me down in the valley
And how You reached in with Your grace
And healed meThey remind me of Your faithfulness
And all You brought me through
They teach me that my brokenness
Is something You can use
They show me where I’ve been and
That I’m not there any more
That’s what scars, that’s what scars are for
what scars are forErase, rewind
Wish I could every time
The hurt, the pain cuts so deep
But when I’m weak You’re strong
And in Your power I can carry on
And my scars say that You won’t ever leaveI see it on the cross
The nails You took for me
Scars can change the world
Scars can set me freeSong: You Are My Strength by Hillsong
Grateful that we can find strength in a living, loving, and gracious Savior. He brings hope and light into our life as well as into the lives around us. Look to Jesus for comfort and strength each day.
You are my strength
Strength like no other
Strength like no other
Reaches to me
You are my hope
Hope like no other
Reaches to meIn the fullness of Your grace
In the power of Your name
You lift me up
Unfailing love
Stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans
Reaches to meYour love oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Reaches to the skiesSong: Let It Be Jesus by Passion
Who do I run to when I am overjoyed or facing a trial? Is it my husband or another family member or friend or is it Jesus? Sometimes I feel like I unload on the people around me instead of taking my cares, wants, worries, joys, and everything else first to Jesus. May this song be a good reminder the priorities in our lives.
Let it be Jesus
The first name that I call
Let it be Jesus
My song inside the storm
I’ll never need anotherFor me, to live is Christ
God I breathe Your name above everything
Let it be, Let it be JesusLet it be Jesus
From the rising of the sun
Let it be Jesus
When all is said and done
I’ll never need another, Jesus there’s no otherShould I ever be abandoned
Should I ever be acclaimed
Should I ever be surrounded by the fire and the flame There’s a name I will remember
There’s a name I will proclaim
Let it be, Let it be Jesus