I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Psalm 17:6-7 NLT
Love eternal,
Love unfailing,
Love comes down in wondrous ways.
Love poured out,
Love surrounds us,
Love a refuge for all our days.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!” Luke 2:10-11 NIV
Joy is the Lord’s Christmas gift.
created by His amazing grace.
Clothed in righteousness
we enter heaven’s holiest place—
the joy of our redeemer.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— Jude 1:24 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 BSB
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; Psalm 16:11 ESV
Sometimes I awaken in the morning,
still groggy from troubling dream,
I remember my joy is in Jesus.
God’s love sent to redeem.
I quiet my soul with Your mercy,
Innocence renewed by Your grace.
I silence the accuser with Your promise,
You’re with me in all the trials I face.
You will never leave nor forsake.
Hell’s claim on my soul You destroy.
Your goodness and kindness surround me,
In Your presence is fullness of joy.
I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 NLT
On Thanksgiving three things I am thankful for:
First, because of unending grace God doesn’t keep score.
Second, God sent the Spirit to empower my life for Him;
and last, my family can enjoy singing this most amazing hymn.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Oh, how wonderful the thought,
Jesus cares for me.
I can cast all my troubles on Him,
because He cares for me.
He wants me to humbly bring my worries to Him.
For Jesus truly cares.
No matter what happens
I hold onto this marvelous certainty—
Jesus loves and cares for me.
Oh! How good is that?
When I am anxious—
And every moment brings new worries.
I remember my hope is in the Lord.
I wait for Him as watchmen wait for morning.
Longing for the Lord to come and hold me.
I quiet myself remembering the Lord’s great love.
Still I must wait.
His love will never leave me.
In stillness I wait
His mercy has shattered death and removes my shame.
In gratitude I wait
His love is better than life.
In thanksgiving I wait
His peace which surpasses all understanding guards my heart and mind,
And in His love I wait.
I rejoice in waiting,
for when He draws near, I forget about the waiting.
When I thought, “My foot is slipping,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19 ESV
In elder years I begin to fret.
Forgetting things makes me upset.
Is this normal, a mind that’s blurry,
or do I have cause for greater worry?
I forget the date and peoples names.
I forget instructions to children’s games.
In my angst I lose my sight,
that Jesus is with me through the night.
I’m tempted to fear what may be.
Angry at God for the hardship I see.
Feelings takeover and hide the truth—
I must rely on His strength as I lose my youth.
Thankfully He’s numbered the days that groan,
and holds my hand to guide me home.
Amazing grace from above,
Embraced forever in unfailing love.
Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. Psalm 32:10 NLT
Overwhelming goodness
reserved for us in Jesus.
Unfailing love,
surrounding us in Jesus.
Unending mercy,
Given to us through Jesus.
Unspeakable joy,
songs to sing with Jesus.
Wonderful grace,
lavished upon us in Jesus.
unbelievable kindness,
showered upon us in Jesus.
Glorious grace upon grace,
poured out on us in Jesus.
all this God wanted to do for us
for it gave Him great pleasure.
If you find it hard to believe this. Pinch yourself by reading— Ephesians 1:3-14
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:2 NIV
Warm sunshine
The gentle wind
Scent of pines
Crickets calling out
The first leaves of fall come tumbling down
A day shouting to God’s glory.
Will I hear and join in the praise?
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 NIV
How can I love and praise the Lord if I am asleep with worry or guilt?
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:8 NIV
Wake up heart!
Sing to the Lord a new song
Give thanks for the Lord is good,
and His love unfailing forever.
Wake up soul!
Sing with thanksgiving and praise.
for Jesus has conquered death
You are free to live in Him forever.
Wake up mind!
sing and rejoice.
God has given me His Spirit—
as a guarantee of His everlasting goodness and mercy.
Wake up!
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
He will never leave me nor forsake me.
For He takes joy in me.
Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
Stephen L Hufman 