God Is Here!

The family get-togethers and ornaments and presents are all very nice at this time of year, but let's not allow them to obscure the reason why we celebrate Christmas - the reason for the season.

How awesome it must have been to be alive at time Jesus was born, and be able to say, "You're the Saviour we've been praying for". Now 2000+ years later we can still proclaim those same words as they are still very relevant, "You're the Saviour we've been praying for".

God IS with us, Hallelujah!

God Is With Us
The skies don't seem to be as dark as usual
The stars seem brighter then they've been before
Deep within I feel my soul a stirring
As though my hope has been restored
The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
Confirming rumors spread across the land
That a child protected well from Herod's anger
Is our Father's Son, and the son of man

Love is raining down on the world tonight
There's a presence here I can tell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
He's the Saviour we have been praying for
In our humble hearts He will dwell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel

I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on earth is not so out of reach
If we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness
He has come to save, He is all of these

You're the Saviour we have been praying for
In our humble hearts You will dwell
You are in us, You are for us, You are with us, Emmanuel

Checkout the Casting Crowns website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/

Because of Jesus

Christ is alive in me - Is He alive in you?

Everything we do is done because of Jesus.
Everything we are is because of Jesus - because He died on a cross.
Everything around us was made by God.

Do everything for Jesus - He gave everything for you!

All Because Of Jesus
Written by Steve Fee

Giver of every breath I breathe

Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus

Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I'm singing freedom all my days
Now that I'm alive

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

Visit the Casting Crowns website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/

Don't Give Up On Prayer

Following on from my previous post "Praying When It's Difficult", I want to share some of my own experience of how difficult it can be to pray at times.

It's funny how for some people, the only time they turn to prayer is when things aren't going well for them. Then there's those of us who pray regularly and when we find ourselves facing difficult times, we find it hard to pray. I find quite ironic!

Over the last few years when I've faced some difficult times, I have at many times found it impossible to pray - not because I no longer believed God would help me, but simply because I couldn't find the words I wanted to say.

The one thing that kept me going through all this was the knowledge that God was still with me, and knew what was in my heart, He knew my thoughts and my feelings. How amazing is that!

Although I would have preferred not to have faced those times, I truly believe that without them, I would not be the person I am today. God has reinforced to me, just how much he can do for you and for me, if only we trust Him.

So no matter how difficult a time you're having, trust God, and try to pray - he'll hear the prayer in your heart even if you can't find the words.

Checkout the Casting Crowns website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/

In This Storm

Not been a great day for me again today, as I'm still feeling really exhausted, and I'm sore as well, which always gets me down. So today, like many days in the past few years, I turned to the words (and music) of Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns.

I was sure by now God,
You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls I barely hear
You whisper through the rain "I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls I barely hear
You whisper through the rain "I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm