Sometimes in the midst of holiday pageantry, we lose sight of the Christmas story and forget how grueling the journey must have been for Mary and Joseph, traveling on foot through rugged terrain, brutal weather, and dangerous conditions, simply to comply with a government mandate.
Read MoreI heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play. And mild and sweet their songs repeat, of peace on Earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head. “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.
Read MoreYour will be done, my God and Father as in heaven, so on earth. My heart is drawn to self-exalting, help me seek Your kingdom first. As Jesus walked, so I shall walk held by Your same unchanging love. Be still my soul, O lift your voice and pray: ‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’
Read MoreOh Lord, I have so many enemies, so many against me. Oh Lord, so many are saying that You'll never rescue me. You, Oh Lord, are a shield around me. You're my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried to the Lord and He heard me from His Holy mountain. I won't be afraid. I am not afraid.
Read MorePeople come together, strange as neighbors, our blood is one—children of generations, of every nation, of kingdom come. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Hold your head up high. Don’t fear no evil. Fix your eyes upon this one truth: God is madly in love with you. Take courage. Hold on. Be strong. Remember where our help comes from.
Read MoreThere’s a grace when the heart is under fire; another way when the walls are closing in. And when I look at the space between where I used to be and this reckoning, I know I will never be alone. There was another in the fire standing next to me. There was another in the waters holding back the seas. And should I ever need reminding of how I’ve been set free, there is a cross that bears the burden where another died for me. There is another in the fire.
Read MoreWhat gift of grace is Jesus, my redeemer. There is no more for heaven now to give. He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom, my steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace. To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus, for my life is wholly bound to His. Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, "All is mine," yet not I, but through Christ in me.
Read MoreCome, O sinner, come and see Christ the Lord upon a tree. See the crown of thorns adorn the King who labors to breathe in agony. Come, O sinner, come and see what our God became to set us free. Come, O sinner, come and mourn For He calls your sin His own. Do you feel the weight of justice served? He suffers the wrath that you deserve. Come, O sinner, come and mourn for He bears the curse for all you've done.
Read MoreI find space for what I treasure. I make time for what I want. I choose my priorities and Jesus, You're my number one. I will make room for You. I will prepare for two so You don't feel that You can't live here. Please live in me. My will, my way, my ego, my plans, my schedule, my itinerary—I will make room for You. My habits, my attitude, whatever it is that's not like you. Whatever it is, You can move it over. I will make room. Whatever it is that's in Your way, whatever it is if it takes Your space, whatever it is I don't want it there. I will make room.
Read MoreI’ve been strong and I’ve been broken within a moment. I’ve been faithful and I’ve been reckless at every bend. I’ve held everything together and watched it shatter. I’ve stood tall and I have crumbled in the same breath. I have wrestled and I have trembled toward surrender. Chased my heart adrift and drifted home again. Plundered blessing till I’ve been desperate to find redemption, and every time I turn around, Lord, You’re still there.
Read MorePrecious blood has left me forgiven, pure like the whitest of snow, powerful to make sin and shame retreat. This covenant is making me whole. So I will rise and lift my head, for by His mercy my life was spared. The highest Name has set me free, because of Jesus my heart is clean. Purify my heart in Your presence. Teach me to discover the joy of holiness that forms as You draw me close. In You, what was lost is restored.
Read MoreI take the bread of life broken for all my sin. Your body crucified to make me whole again. I will recall the cup poured out in sacrifice, to trade this sinner's end for Your new covenant. Hallelujah! I'll live my life in remembrance. Hallelujah! Your promise I won't forget. I'll walk salvation's road with fear and trembling. Your way borne as my own as Christ is formed in me.
Read MoreLord, let me live to see revival. The dark retreating from the dawn. Throwback the curtains, let the light come pouring in. Flood our desperate hearts, flood our desperate hearts. Lord, rend the heavens and come down till all the earth is holy ground. Let it rain, let it rain. Send revival. And as we pray and seek Your face, abandon all our wicked ways. Let it rain, let it rain. Send revival now.
Read MoreTeach me how to love You. Show me how to trust You, more than with my words or with a song. No, it's not been easy to live life down on my knees, but with faith I know I'll carry on. There is more to see than with my eyes, but fear sometimes can leave me paralyzed. I realize that I'm not in control yet it is well with my soul.
Read MoreIt feels so good to make it this far, and I didn't think I could take it so long. There were days I wanted to quit. I said, "Surely this is it," but I held on. And I watched as so called friends turned and walked away, and it hurt so much I didn't have words to say. But even when my day turns to night and nothing seems just right, Lord, I thank You for my life.
Read MoreCome and rest here. Come and lay your burdens down. Come and rest here. There is refuge for you now. You'll find His peace and know you're not alone anymore. He is near. You'll find His healing, your heart isn't shattered anymore. He is here. Breathe in, breathe out. You will, you will find Him here. I will rest in You. You will find Him, you will find Him here.
Read MoreI've been a wanderer, I've been thief. I've been a liar, a dirty cheat. I've hurt my brother, let down my friends. Gave into weakness time and again. Grace came down, turned everything around. No more shackles weighing on me. Hallelu, I'm finally free. All my burdens cast upon thee. Thank you Jesus, You are the one who redeems.
Read MoreI don't wanna miss the beauty of Heaven all around me. Your power and Your mercy, the greatness of Your love. I don't wanna lose the wonder of being in Your presence, of knowing such a friendship, to be with You, my God. Everything I am, I throw into Your hands. I just want my life to ever be entwined with You, tethered to Your heart. I just want my soul to ever stand in awe of You, tethered to Your heart.
Read MoreHear my cries, Lord, hear my plea. All around me all I see are canyons of heartache, rivers of mistakes. They're calling out longing for me. So hide me under Your wings of grace. Let your love be my hiding place. Wash me clean. Come make me holy. For I deserve all the worst, yet You offer mercy. When I'm parched, Lord, give me drink. Pull me up from on the brink. Dangers abounding, my head is pounding. It’s clouding up my clarity. So hide me under Your wings of grace. Let your love be my hiding place. Wash me clean. Come make me holy. For I deserve all the worst, yet You offer mercy.
Read MoreCalling all the followers of the living God. It's time we rise up, rise up! Our God is calling after all of His sons and daughters. He's calling us to follow although the road is narrow. We trust in His great freedom. We long to see His kingdom. It's time to rise up church, shine your light. Rise up death, time to come alive. Rise up love, lead us in the fight. Children of God, let's rise up!
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