"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
"Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:3-5
May we all faithfully follow the Light of the world and reflect His light so that the world may see their need for a Savior and be led to the Way! May we never become so familiar with the CHRISTmas account that we stop appreciating the "good news of great joy!" Have a CHRIST-centered & joy-filled CHRISTmas and a bright New Year (because we have the light of life :))!
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
Asleep In The Light (words, music, and performed by Keith Green)
Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down?
Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown?
How can you be so numb not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
"Oh, bless me, Lord, bless me, Lord," you know it's all I ever hear.
No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear.
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs.
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in.
Oh, can't you see it's such sin.
'Cause He brings people to your door and you turn them away
as you smile and say, "God bless you, be at peace,"
and all heaven just weeps...
'Cause Jesus came to your door.
You've left Him out on the streets.
Open up open up and give yourself away.
You see the need, you hear the cries, so how can you delay?
God's calling, you're the one, but like Jonah you run.
He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in.
Oh, can't you see it's such sin.
The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can't fight,
'Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead when you've been so well-fed?
Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can't even get out of bed.
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed.
How can you be so numb not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done.
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, SINS." (James 4:17)
"Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 1:6)
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
God is indeed good all the time! He never changes. We can always trust Him.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"...Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews`3:5b-6, 8
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22
"There is a big difference between nice people and good people. Nice people are loved by everyone whereas good people get nailed to crosses! Jesus was not always 'nice' to people but He was always good to them; there is a big difference. God's actions in your lives may not always be pleasant or nice; however, they are always loving and good." (~Sean Nolan, p. 26, To Those Who Suffer)
"Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8b-10) We named our homeschool, "Children of Light Christian Academy." We want our children to live their lives as children of light, bearing the fruit of the light and aiming to please God in all areas, including their learning.
"Day by day, dear Lord, of Thee three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, to love Thee more dearly, to follow Thee more nearly day by day. Amen." ~ St. Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253
Isn't that a wonderful prayer? That's my desire for each day, too.
"I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ." "All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book." "Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere!" ~ David Livingstone (Scottish physician, missionary, & explorer)
I love these 3 quotes from David Livingstone. The first one is a challenge for us to examine how we view our possessions. They should hold no value or significance to us if they do not help contribute to the kingdom of Christ. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." (Philippians 3:8-9a)
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." ~Johann Sebastian Bach (He signed "SDG" at the bottom of his works (musical manuscripts); SDG = Soli Deo Gloria = Glory to God alone.)
I wish all musicians would share the same attitude/view as Bach. I believe the aim of all that we do and say should be for the glory of God...to please and honor Him. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
"Be thou content to leave thy prayer in His hands, Who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold." ~Charles H. Spurgeon (from Morning and Evening, page164)
This quote reminds me to be content to leave my prayer in God's hands. I need to let go of my burdens/concerns and rest in knowing that God is in control and that He wants what's best for me.
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. In Christ alone, I am who I am today...born again and blessed!
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Do you seek hope, security, fulfillment, comfort in people, wealth, things, career, achievement, fame, or religions? If so, you are seeking in the wrong place. Jesus Christ is the answer you need. You will never be truly content until you realize that you are complete in Christ alone.
In Christ we have... a love that can never be fathomed, a life that can never die, a peace that can never be understood, a rest that can never be disturbed, a joy that can never be diminished, a hope that can never be disappointed, a glory that can never be clouded, a light that can never be darkened, and a spiritual resource that can never be exhausted.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John8:12
Have you ever tried walking in darkness? You may stumble, bump into things, and/or (more often than not) head in the wrong direction; your life could very well be in danger. In Thailand when I was little, my aunts took me to see a movie on an outdoor screen which was set up on a public lawn. It was a dark night and while we walked, we relied only on the moon's light to guide us. My aunts were busy chatting and for a moment, they forgot to watch me. I fell into a manhole (obviously without a cover). I don't remember all the details. Thank God, somehow...someone...pulled me out. It is a scary thing to walk in darkness. I am so thankful that I follow Jesus, the Light of the World. Since we, Christ's followers, have the light of life, we also are light to the world.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
I'm so excited that I found this video! It's the first time I've ever heard this live version of "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" (words and music by Keith Green, performed by Keith Green). Keith Green was my all-time favorite singer/musician. I said "was" because he died in a plane crash in 1982 (he was only 28). He was one of a kind who was totally sold out for Christ. He lived what he wrote in this song and all his other songs.
"I'm in my 83rd year, but it doesn't necessarily mean I'm wiser or stronger. It doesn't mean I've done more. It's not the stretch of life that matters. It's the depth of life. It's not how long we live. It's how we live. Keith was a man who seemed to live on the edge of eternity. And he was ready to step into it." Leonard Ravenhill spoke of Keith Green after his death (quote taken from "No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green" by Melody Green & David Hazard)
Oh Lord, You're beautiful. Your face is all I seek; For when Your eyes are on this child, Your love abounds to me.
Oh Lord, my body's tired, but You keep reminding me Of many holy tireless men who spilled their blood for Thee.
Chorus: I want to take Your Word and shine it all around, But first help me just to live it Lord. And if I'm doing well, help me to never make a sound, Except to give all the glory to You.
Oh Lord, my faith is small, and I need a touch from You. Your Book of books lies undisturbed, and the prayers from me..too few.
Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear. Replace the lamp of my first love that's fueled with holy fear.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful. Your face is all I seek;
For when Your eyes are on this child, Your grace abounds to me.
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"When You said, "Seek My Face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."" Psalm 27:8
"Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord." Psalm 4:6
"Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love." Psalm 31:16
"For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face." Psalm 11:7
"You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." Psalm 119:57-58
Lord, please help me to live by Your Book and be a light that shines brightly for You. To You alone be the glory! Your grace and love abound to me. Thank You, Lord!
Today in the afternoon, we will have a party celebrating our sons' birthdays (Josiah turning 11 today and Isaiah turning 8 tomorrow). I asked them what song they would like me to put it on my blog for TSMSS. They picked "Mighty To Save." They love this song; I do, too :)!
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given for men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" ~M.E.Howard
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
Jesus Be The Centre (Words and Music by Michael Frye)
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Jesus, please always be the center of my life! I want none of me and all of You. I need You, Lord!
