April 28, 2026

Go Tell It On The Mountain

December 22, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

Written by: John W Work Jr./ Fredrick Jerome Work 1907

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God,
and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.
Luke 1:19 HCSB

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,
for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people:
Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord,
was born for you in the city of David.
Luke 2:9-11 HCSB

Today, I’m taking it old school. I grew up listening to this song sung by gospel choirs and country artists.  It is meant to be belted out in joy and adoration!

To me, this song conveys the joy and the hope, along with the excitement and the message of Christmas.  I love the simplicity of the words and the depth of their meaning.  This is what Christmas was intended to be—a time of great joy and sharing.

Too often we get caught up in the trappings of Christmas and forget it’s purpose.  Many people do not fully understand the importance of Christmas.  They get lost in the hustle and bustle.  Sometimes, we ourselves get lost in all the Christmas preparations and forget the real reason we celebrate.  Luke 2:11 reminds us of the “good news…for all people.”  The birth of our Savior is news we need to celebrate and share, especially at this time of year.

Mark 16:15 (NLT) instructs us to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”  To ‘preach’ simply means to share.  Psalm 96:3 (AMP) says we are to “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.”  We are to go and tell so others can share our great joy.  Such joy should be too great to contain.  When we share His glory with other, Christ’s light shines through us, creating a beauty within us.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!
Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings!
[How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!]
Romans 10:15b AMP

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Lord, as we celebrate the wonders of Your birth, may we keep our focus on the Good News Christmas represents and not be hesitant to share our joy with others. In Your Holy name we pray, Amen – it is so!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oh, Come To My Heart, Lord Jesus (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne)

December 21, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room
For Thy Holy Nativity:

Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for Thee;
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth,
And in great humility:

The foxes found rest, and the birds had their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee

You came, Oh Lord, with the Living Word
That should set Your people free!
But with mocking scorn, and a crown of thorns,
They sent You to Calvary.

Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
Thy cross is my only plea;
Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come,
Thy cross is my only plea.

When heaven’s arches shall ring, and her choirs shall sing
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me up, saying, “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee!”

And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me;
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me.

Lyrics by Emily Eliott; Score by Timothy Matthews

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Oh the memories this song brings to mind;  really, all my childhood Christmases are wrapped up into it. Every Christmas, our church put on a Christmas musical called “Carols by Candlelight” and my sweet precious daddy sang this song and my sweet little sister sang in the children’s chorus behind him. My sweet precious mom and I sat side-by-side in the pew, along with my dad’s parents.  We were all dressed up in our Christmas best and I remember how much I loved sitting right beside my mom. I remember how I loved holding her hand and how safe I felt. How she knew my every need before I asked, and how she knew I would want that piece of gum she had in her purse. Oh, how she loved me and how she took such good care of me.

Isn’t that a picture of how our Father in Heaven loves us?
And takes care of our every need before we even realize we need it?

The hymn was sung a little differently than the lyrics above. It started like this:

“Welcome, we’ve gathered today to praise the Christ of Christmas.  Let’s invite Him in today!” And then these beautiful words: “Lord, You left Your throne and Your kingly crown, when You came to this earth that day.  But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room for your Holy Nativity.  Oh! Come to my heart, Lord Jesus!  There is room in my heart for You.”

Our God, our Creator sent His only Son to this earth as a baby. He entrusted Him to a carpenter and his wife, Mary. He came into this world in a filthy stable where He was and is still most comfortable—among the dirty. He was laid in a manger, made of wood, and He was to be the Savior. He would later die on a cross, made of wood, so that we, the dirty, could be clean. Do you realize what a miracle this was?

“You came, Oh Lord, with the Living Word that should set Your people free! But with mocking scorn, and a crown of thorns, they sent You to Calvary. Oh come to my heart, Lord Jesus, Your Cross is my only plea. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus. “ And the final verse, that’s full of hope, sends chills and brings a smile I can’t contain. “Let Thy voice call me up saying ‘Yes there is room,there is room at My side for you!’” Isn’t that what we long to hear one day? I know I’m living for that day!

So today, if you haven’t given your life to Him or made room in your heart for your Savior, He is waiting. All you have to do is ask. I can’t imagine a better birthday gift for Jesus than to have another of His children ask Him to be in their heart. Can you? Doesn’t matter how dirty you are or how you live or where you live, He meets you where you are and He can’t wait to walk with you through this life. Once He comes into your heart, you will never be the same and He will never leave you or forsake you!

Where are you this Christmas? He knows and He cares and He wants to sit beside you and hold your hand and make you feel safe. Will you ask Him to come into your heart today?

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for the gift of Your Son! He came to earth and paid the ultimate price so that we don’t have to. You know where we are right now and You meet us and You love us! Help us to remember and to celebrate You this season and to not get tangled up in the material aspect of it. Help us to keep You in the center of Christmas and the center of our lives. We love You and praise You. Give those who don’t know You the courage to try life with You. Give us Your Holy Spirit to guide and direct us until that awesome day when face-to-face we will see You!  In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Shout For Joy

December 20, 2014 by

gchSHadventjoygraphic

Pour out your fervent praise
There’s a song to raise
Like a banner high

Lift up your grateful heart
To the Morning Star
He’s alive and here with us

Shout for joy
For the Son of God
Is the Saving One
He’s the Saving One

Shout for joy
See what love has done
He has come for us
He’s the Saving One

All night in Bethlehem
Heaven came to man
Born the Son of God

Sing out the LORD has come
Oh Emmanuel
Now our God is here with us

There is no other God like You
We’ll sing the praises that You’re due
Jesus, You have saved us

There is no other God who reigns
You are the name above all names
Jesus, You have saved us

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Rose of Bethlehem

December 20, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
With a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin
On this silent holy night

There’s a fragrance much like hope
That it sends upon the wind
Reaching out to every soul
From a lowly manger’s crib

Oh, Rose of Bethlehem
How lovely, pure, and sweet
Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
Colored red like mercy’s blood
‘Tis the flower of our faith
‘Tis the blossom of God’s love

Though it’s bloom is fresh with youth
Surely what will be He knows
For a tear of morning dew
Is rolling down the Rose

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
With a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin
On this silent holy night

 Songwriter: Lowell Alexander ~ Performed by Selah

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

One of the favorite flowers of most women, and many men, is the rose—especially the red rose.  There’s a special perfect beauty to it and usually a wonderful sweet fragrance.  At Christmastime over 2000 years ago, a “rose” of great beauty and sweet fragrance was given to us in the form of a baby boy.

And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21

He was born in Bethlehem just as the prophecies of old had said.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village
among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on My behalf.
Micah 5:2

I’m sure you have heard people refer to Jesus as the rose of Sharon, however, there is no such reference in the Bible.  But when speaking of the hope of restoration Isaiah says,

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus.
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the excellency of [Mount] Carmel and [the plain] of Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God.
Isaiah 35:1-2 AMP

Our hope of restoration (returning to God) is found only in Jesus.  “And His Name will be the hope of all the world” (Matthew 12:21).  Jesus reaches out like a sweet fragrance to every soul.  This hope came at a great price.  Jesus wore the thorns on His head (Matthew 27:29).  In God’s great mercy toward us, Jesus’ blood was poured out for each of us (Matthew 26:28).

Jesus said, “For I have come down from Heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will” (John 6:38).  How lovely, pure, and sweet is that!

Jesus was born, lived, and died so that He might glorify His Father in Heaven.

Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say,
‘Father, save Me from this hour’?
But for this purpose I came to this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’
Then a voice came out of heaven:
‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’
John 12:27-28

In Christ Jesus we now see His majestic splendor just as Peter wrote in one of his letters.

We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes
when He received honor and glory from God the Father.
The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him,
“This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.”
2 Peter 1:16

In this special season, let’s take in the beauty and sweet fragrance of hope that the “Rose of Bethlehem” so willingly sacrificed Himself to give us.

Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Dear Jesus, You are truly like a rose to us in all Your lovely beauty and sweet fragrance.  Thank You for being willing to come as a babe in a lowly manger, and then to walk the road to Golgotha with thorns piercing Your brow.  You did it all to glorify Your Father, and to give each of us eternal hope.  Thank You, Father God, for loving us so much that You willingly “gave Your one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Tis the flower of our faith, ‘Tis the blossom of God’s love.”  In Jesus’ lovely Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cornbread Stuffing with Sage and Sausage

December 19, 2014 by

 

Cornbread Stuffing with Sage and Sausage

How much of a recipe purist are you?   When you make a recipe for the first time, do you follow the directions to the letter, or do you start right in with the alterations?   When I make something for the first time, I like to be faithful to the source.  When I eat the finished product is when I start making changes in my mind for next time—Needs more salt.  Add cilantro and green onions.  Use more yogurt and less mayo….  So the first time I made Tyler Florence’s recipe for Cornbread Stuffing, I really liked it…but I knew I wanted to change some things and make it my own.  So here it is, just in time for your holiday parties: Cornbread Stuffing with Sage and Sausage!

This is a simple recipe that I make in two steps.  First is the cornbread, and second are the rest of the ingredients.  I even make the cornbread a day or two ahead—don’t worry if it’s a little stale, because you’ll be rehydrating it and baking it again.  Use any kind of sausage you like.   I make this with a one-pound log of plain old breakfast sausage, but you can try something spicier, smokier, or even get crazy and use chorizo!   The other thing you will want is fresh sage.  Use as much as you like – I use at least 3 tablespoons of minced fresh sage, but I think you could get crazy and use up to a quarter cup of it, if you really wanted it herb-y.  If you buy a bunch of sage, use the rest in roast turkey or chicken recipes – they’re a natural match.  (And I just saw this recipe that uses sage that looks amazing!  Replace the dried sage in the recipe for double the amount of fresh sage.)  For the cornbread, I always use Jiffy cornbread mix, because that’s what I grew up eating.  If you have a brand of mix you like better, or you make cornbread from scratch, try that.  The measurements might be a little different, but this recipe is really forgiving.  Just adjust your wet ingredients to make sure you get the right finished consistency.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sage and Sausage

Ingredients:

  • 4 boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix (or make your own cornbread)
  • 1 pound sausage, any kind
  • 3 onions, sliced into fine strings
  • 3 tablespoons (or more!) of minced fresh sage
  • 2 cups chicken or turkey stock
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • salt and pepper
  • butter to grease the pans (or use a non-stick spray of your choice)

Directions:

  1. Bake the 4 boxes of cornbread mix according to the directions on the box.  I didn’t bother with muffin tins and just made the whole batch in a 9″x13″ cake pan.  Let cool.  You can make the cornbread a day or two in advance.
  2.  In a large pot, cook the sausage.  If you are using links, slice into small half-moons.  If you are using bulk sausage, cook and break it up with a spoon so you have little chunks.  When cooked, remove from the pan to the largest mixing bowl you have.  Do not drain the pan!
  3. While the sausage is cooking, cut the onions into skinny strings.  Cook the onions in the fat rendered from the sausage (or add more butter or olive oil if there isn’t a lot in the pan.)  Cook for about 15 minutes on medium, stirring so they don’t burn, until they are soft and caramel-colored.  Remove the onions to the big mixing bowl.
  4. Using your hands, crumble the cornbread into the bowl with the onions and sausage.  Add the minced sage and mix.
  5.  In a smaller bowl, mix together the stock, milk, and eggs.  Pour it over the cornbread mixture and fold to combine.  Season the whole thing with salt and pepper.
  6. Turn the cornbread out into a large greased casserole dish and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes at 375*F.  You’ll want to let it get a little crusty and brown on top.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

What Would You Have Given Him?

December 19, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary,
and they bowed down and worshipped Him.
Then they opened their treasure chests
and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

In manger scenes, either on coffeetables or mantles, there is Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, a few animals, the shepherds, and the wise men.  As we know, though, Jesus was around one or two when the wise men found Him.  Herod was king then and he had called a meeting with his religious leaders.  He wanted to know where Jesus was to be born.  “In Bethlehem of Judea” they told him.  “For it is written by the prophet: for from you shall come a Ruler…Who will shepherd My people.”  Herod was threatened.  He told them to go and search for the child, and come back and tell him so he could worship Him.

And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
Matthew 2:6

The wise men went on their way, guided by a star in the east, and they were filled with joy.  The wise men brought gifts and worshipped Jesus for Who He was.  These gifts were extremely valuable and each one stood for something:

  • Gold – a gift of royalty
  • Frankincense – a gift for deity
  • Myrrh – a spice used to anoint a body for burial

The wise men were so excited to meet the Christ-child that they were willing to part with these gifts, out of love and respect and just joy.   They were honoring Jesus for Who He is and they worshipped Him because He was and is perfect.

There is much more to this story and I encourage you to finish reading the whole story of Herod and the wise men. (Read the whole account here.)  But for now, let’s search our own hearts.

What would you have been willing to give Him?

What is most precious to you and would you have  been willing to lay it at the foot of the manger on that cold night in Bethlehem? I would like to think that I would. And what about today?

Sometimes the things that we hold onto aren’t really so precious yet we have a hard time giving them to Jesus.  Sometimes our own ideas of how our life should go are hard to give over to God, and to wholly trust Him with it.  Even though we know in our heart of hearts it is the best thing for us and that God is our Sustainer and He does know what is best for us.  Yet we hold onto it.  Some days we lay them at His feet, only to pick them up not too long after.  We may not have a star to follow like they did, but we have the Spirit of God guiding us and directing us.  We owe Him so much…we can never ever repay the debt.  But on that night, so long ago, the wise men didn’t have a debt to pay. They just wanted to give all they had to the Baby Jesus.

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Oh, friends, we too have so much to give Him!  It may not be gold, frankincense, and myrrh but we have our praise and we can honor Him with our lives every day.  Do you know this Jesus?  I really want you to.  He is so in love with you already, even if you aren’t yet.  But you will be once you get to know Him.  Why not start today?

Pray this simple prayer with me:

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I need forgiveness for my sins. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, Who was born and lived here on earth and died to save me from my sin. He rose again and is preparing a place for me.  I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life.  Guide and direct me.  In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Filed Under: encouragement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Christmas This Year

December 19, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

As fall rides off in the sunset
I sweep the snow from my doorstep
I just can’t help but stop and grin
It’s like I’m ten years old again
And everywhere I go I can feel it
Some say it moves like a spirit

It falls on us once a year
Like it came on a midnight clear
It’s all love
The season is a gift
When love came down to let us live
Let’s open up and let our hearts embrace this moment

For Christmas this year
Gonna make a sound
Gonna make it loud
For Christmas this year
We’re gonna make some noise
Let the world rejoice
For Christmas this year
For Christmas
For Christmas this year

The laughter starts before the sunrise
I sneak downstairs to sparklin’ lights
And oh what joy it brings to me
Our family around our Christmas tree
And I thank the Lord for His favor
As we sing the songs of the Savior
Our Savior

Holy…Holy… Holy, God is coming near
Unto us a Savior born on a midnight clear

 Toby McKeehan, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure (and Leigh Nash)

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

‘The season is a gift when love came down to let us live’

Really ponder and think about that sentence!  It is so POWERFUL!!

I am the living bread which came down out of heaven…
John 6:51 ASV

Love came down from Heaven in the form of a little Baby so that we may live.  There are no words when you truly think about what Jesus went through to give us life.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10

Let us all sing and rejoice with grateful, thankful hearts for the BEST gift of all—the gift of eternal life!

And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son.
1 John 5:11

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son.  A Savior born unto us on a midnight clear.  May we never take for granted the gift given to us….  In Jesus’ name. AMEN!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

What IS Joy?

December 18, 2014 by

gchSHadventjoygraphic

As I began to study JOY, one question kept coming to mind – what is joy?  The more I researched…the more frustrated I became.  Oh, there is LOTS of information out there about joy.  Most of the information is very vague and I wanted concrete.

Then I stumbled across Rick Warren’s definition of joy:

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life,
the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright,
and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”

I love that!  Joy is a ‘settled assurance…a quiet confidence’ in God.  Lexham’s Bible Dictionary defines joy as “a natural result of having received salvation.  Joy comes on account of what Christ has done, irrelevant of whatever circumstances are happening in one’s life”.

Psalm 92: 4 (NLT) puts it like this,

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.

When I recall all He has done for me, I can look forward to what He will do with assurance and confidence. I trust Him.  That is true joy.  According to Matthew Henry, “From a joyful remembrance of what God has done for us, we may raise a joyful prospect of what He will do.”

As I continued to think about what Christ has done for me, two things came to mind:

  1. He has given me a future
  2. He has given me hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB) states “I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope….”

And Psalm 16:11 (HCSB) says “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

Happiness is often associated with joy.  Joy is so much more than being happy. Happiness is a temporary emotion while joy is an attitude, a state of being. Happiness often comes from external situations or material things. The joy of the Lord is found within and gives us strength no matter what we are experiencing.  Joy is the result of our choice to trust Him.

That’s where I find my joy – in Him alone.

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Father, thank You for being the source of my joy. You are my Strength and my Portion forever. Remind me when I struggle that joy and happiness are not the same thing. May I always look to You and recall all You have done, and will do, in my life. That is my true joy. In Jesus’ name I ask this – Amen, so be it!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Many Kings

December 18, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we’ve projected, a Child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in His mother’s shawl – just a child –
Is this who we’ve waited for

How many kings stepped down from their thrones
How many lords have abandoned their homes
How many greats have become the least for me
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for His honor, and frankincense for His pleasure
And myrrh for the Cross He will suffer
Do you believe is this who we’ve waited for

Only One did that for me
All, all for me…
All for you…

Written by Marc Martel, Jason Germain along with DownHere
   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

only ONE Lord…only ONE Great…only ONE God…
only ONE Father…only ONE Son
only ONE King

How many do you know of?  How many would have such a depth of love?  How many would sacrifice?  How many would choose to be sacrificed?  How many would give their most precious?  How many would leave the most perfect place…for such a broken place?  How many would do all this for sinful humanity?  Only one God…only one Lord.

The love…

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

The sacrifice…

[Here is] the High Priest [perfectly adapted] to our needs, as was fitting—holy, blameless, unstained by sin, separated from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
He has no day by day necessity, as [do each of these other] high priests, to offer sacrifice first of all for his own [personal] sins and then for those of the people, because He [met all the requirements] once for all when He brought Himself [as a sacrifice] which He offered up.
For the Law sets up men in their weakness [frail, sinful, dying human beings] as high priests, but the word of [God’s] oath, which [was spoken later] after the institution of the Law, [chooses and appoints as priest One Whose appointment is complete and permanent], a Son Who has been made perfect forever.
Now the main point of what we have to say is this: We have such a High Priest, One Who is seated at the right hand of the majestic [God] in heaven,

Hebrews 7:26-8:1

The humility…

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

The greatness…

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:26-28

The  majesty…

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens,
so that He might fill all things.

Ephesians 4:10

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich,
yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

And the ONLY response…

By this the love of God was manifested in us,
that God has sent His only begotten Son
into the world so that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us
and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:9-11

By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God and obey His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:2 and 3

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:10

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

{Here is a link to read what Marc Martel of Downhere shared about writing this song.}

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

JOY

December 17, 2014 by

gchSHadventjoygraphic

You know when you have a lack of joy in your life.  I would say right now is such a time for me.  I am desperately in need of some joy.  Joy gives you true motivation to sanely make it through each day.  It’s what makes it easier to get out of bed. It is closely related to hope and peace.  If you are not at peace then it is hard maintain joy and hope.

My pastor says you choose joy. I believe this is true. Which means that the lack of joy I am experiencing right now is my own doing.  However, I’m lacking the motivation to do anything about my current situation.  You could say that I am weary—I’m tired and I just want a break from life.

Romans 15:13 is my prayer.

“Maythe God of hope fill {me} with all joy and peace as {I} trust in Him,
so that {I} may overflow with hope by the power of His Holy Spirit.”

See how closely related joy, peace, and hope are?  Joy, hope and peace are all things that are only possible when we keep our eyes firmly focused on God.  And even though sometimes we may get weary of doing right and good, pushing forward through our feelings is the way to go.  The Bible clearly tells us…

“Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

My pastor says, do what you do know to do when you don’t know what to do.  And above all honesty helps…honesty and friends.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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