Struggling At Christmas

I make no apology for share the above song with you today, as it although Christmas should be a time a great joy for Christians around the world, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is also a time when traditionally we spend time with our families. So please don't get so caught up in Christmas that you forget those struggling to pull themselves though each day of this Christmas period when all can seem so very bleak for some.

So today I'd ask that you take some time out from the build up to Christmas to think about and pray for those who might be finding Christmas difficult this year for family reasons:

• Those with no family;
• Those whose family are hundreds or thousands of miles away;
• Those who have loved ones in hospital;
• Those who have loved ones for whom this may be their last Christmas due to serious illness or age;
• Those who themselves are ill and unable to share with their family on Christmas.

For those in any of these situations, Christmas can be a very depressing time, a very lonely time, when it seems you are forgotten and alone. But these are times when we need to remember God is with us at all times and can make the darkest of times bright again.

Please pray for those struggling this Christmas and if you are one of those struggling, turn to God, He can give you the strength to face Christmas as without Him there wouldn't be any Christmas.

Can't Live Without You
You found me here
I'm barely breathing
You picked me up
But I'm still wanting more

You're the ocean deep
I'm in up to my knees
Wanting desperately to drown
You're the one bright part
Of my languid heart
You're the love I cannot live without
I cannot live without

Please hold me close
I can't stop shaking
It's not for fear
My walls are breaking down

You're the ocean deep
I'm in up to my knees
Wanting desperately to drown
You're the one bright part
Of my languid heart
You're the love I cannot live without
I can't live without

I can't live without you
I can't live without you
And I cannot live without you
Can you hold on, can you hold on
Can you hold on, because you hold everything

You're the ocean deep
I'm in up to my knees
Wanting desperately to drown
You're the one bright part
Of my languid heart
You're the love I cannot live without
I can't live without you
I can't live without you

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Hectic Lives

Do you find yourself running about here there and everywhere on a daily basis? Do you always have a hundred and one tasks to do and not enough time to do them? Do you feel you get little opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends?

Even in the middle of our hectic lives, we must make sure that we let God help us to make the best use of our time. Our first task is to make sure we make time for God regularly. Once we do that God will then begin to manage us as we manage everything else. We mustn't be too hectic to be helped or too scheduled to stop and talk awhile with our heavenly Father about the many priorities we face in our life.

Make a habit of going into your "place of solitude" so you spend quality time in prayer, away from the muddle that can be our daily life. Take time out for fifteen blissful minutes alone with the Lord to get your priorities right. You'll be a whole lot better for it!

Reassurance

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

I find great reassurance in these words, do you?

God has promised us that He will be there for us whenever and wherever we need Him - all we have to do is ask Him!

How many people do you know who would do that!? Anytime and anywhere! Wow!
I think we'd all be struggling to find someone so amazing and so dependable. And that's exactly why I find those words so reassuring, because I know God will never let me down...I am never alone!

Sit back and enjoy Sydney Staff Songsters singing We Are Not Alone :

Checkout Sydney Staff Songsters website: http://www.sydneystaffsongsters.com/

Never Walk Alone

All I want to say today is, no matter what you're going through or what you might be facing, don't forget you are never alone because Jesus is always walking right beside you and will hold you close when you need Him most.

Put your faith in Him!

God Knows You

Have you found yourself doubting God recently?
Have you found yourself in difficult situations and found that the last person you turn to is God?

You're not alone in these feelings. I think we all have those thoughts and feelings at times. We often find that when we struggle we completely forget about God because we wonder why he can let these things happen to us. But he hasn't forgot you, he knows everything about you because he made you in his own image.

One song in our Salvation Army songbook which I've always turned to when I feel I'm not giving everything to God, or not turning to Him in times of need:

Knowing my failings, knowing my fears,
Seeing my sorrow, drying my tears,
Jesus recall me, me re-ordain;
You know I love you, use me again.

I have no secrets unknown to you,
No special graces, talents are few;
Yet your intention I would fulfil;
You know I love you, ask what you will.

For the far future I cannot see,
Promise your presence, travel with me;
Sunshine or shadows? I cannot tell;
You know I love you, all will be well.

Love God and put your trust in Him, he will be with you every step of the way.

Alone in a Crowd

Have you ever felt alone?
Have you ever felt alone when in a crowd of people?

If you've been in both the above situations, you've felt the way I have the last few days. It's not a nice feeling is it?

But hold onto the fact that even when it feels like we're alone, we are not, God is always by our side. Talk to God. God will help.

You Will Be There (by Jeremy Camp)

I begin the day

with the faith you fashion my ways,

And I cannot escape

for your hand it leads.

Your right hand holds me.

[Chorus]

When I wake, you will be there.

When the sun goes down in the night,

You will be there.

My life has been ordained.

You have formed this very frame

And I am fearfully made.

For I was made in that secret place

[Repeat Chorus]

How precious are your

thoughts, all over me.

They're more than the

sands of the sea.

[Repeat Chorus]

For more info about Jeremy Camp please checkout his website: http://www.jeremycamp.com/