Matthew 2:2 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Like the wise men seeking the Messiah, Christians must seek wisdom and guidance from above in their decision making. Just as the wise men followed the star to find Jesus, we too, should rely on God’s leading and seek His wisdom when faced with difficult choices. Trusting in God’s guidance can lead us to make sound decisions that align with His divine plan for us. In the pursuit of success, we may be tempted to lean on our own understanding, but the wisemen’s journey teaches usthe value of seekingthe Lord’s direction first and foremost.
Prayer
Gracious God, we tank yo for the example of the wise men, who sought your guidance and followed the leading of the star to find the newborn King. Help us to seek your wisdom above all else. May we surrender our plans and decisions to you, trusting that you will lead us on the right path. Grant us discernment and clarity as we navigate the complexities of life. Amen
During the period of Advent I itend to post a daily thought and prayer leading up to Christmas day.
Luke 2: 11 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
As Christians let us remember that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of th ultimate servant, Jesus Christ. His willingness to humbly enter the world and serve humanity sets a profound example for us to follow in our Christian roles. In a world that often glorifies power & authority, Christ’s leadership shows us the true greatness lies in serving others selflessly. As we reflect on the manger scene, may it serve as a powerful reminder that our lives should be charecterised by love, humility & compassion, just as Christ demonstrated through his life and ministry.
Prayer
Heavenly Father we come before you in humility, acknowledging that true leadership is found in serving others just as your Son, Jesus Christ, examplified. Grant us the wisdom & strength to lead with love & compassion, prioritising the needs of those we serve. May our leadership be a reflection of your servant – hearted nature, bringing Glory to your name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.2 They were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a]8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2 Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]
3 To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]
A song of Testimony, and what a testimony we have in verse three. Tis true when we overcome sin we are rewarded by God and it is by faith we conquer that sin. Yes we as humans get knocked back from time to time, but it is through our strength and belief in God that as long as we look to Jesus he will carry us through
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
What is the love of Jesus to thee? Art thou its claims denying? Dost thou e’er think how he on the tree Gained thy salvation by dying?
Refrain: O remember, O remember All a loving Saviour bore for thee! O remember, O remember Jesus dying on the tree!
What is the call of Jesus to thee? Say, is thy heart replying? Henceforth is he thy Master to be? Wilt thou as rebel defy him?
What is his grace, O sinner, to thee? O ’tis of thanks deserving, Waiting so long thy soul to set free, Love in its purpose ne’er swerving.
What is the name of Jesus to thee? Art thou his fame extending? Dost thou obey? He says: Follow me, Life in my service be spending.
Like to a lamb who from the fold has strayed
Far on the mountain, of the dark afraid,
Seeking a shelter from the night’s alarm,
Longing for comfort of the shepherd’s arm,
So Jesus found me on sin’s mountain drear,
Gathered me close and banished all my fear.
In the love of Jesus there is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By His grace forgiven, in His presence blest,
In the love of Jesus,
In the love of Jesus is perfect rest.
Like to a pilgrim in an unknown land,
Seeking the comfort of a guiding hand,
Fearing the perils of the winding way,
Pleading for strength sufficient every day,
I met my Lord; and though the path be dim,
He knows the way and I will walk with Him.
Like to a child who, when the night may fall,
Out of the darkness hears his father call,
Far and a weary though his feet may roam,
Sees in the distance shining lights of home,
So at the last the music of His voice
Will calm my fears and make my heart rejoice.
This is one of many beautiful, heart-touching songs whose lyrics were written by Colonel Mrs. Ivy Mawby. Ivy was born in 1903 and entered the Salvation Army Training College for Officers in London at the age of eighteen. In 1929 she married then Major Arthur Mawby. Ivy spent much of her lifetime speaking and writing, with particular interest in the needs of women. She travelled extensively and was known for being able to see the Divine in life’s ordinary things. She served in France and Great Britain. At International Headquarters, Ivy worked in the Editorial Department, using her admirable writing skills. She retired as a Colonel in 1963. Mrs. Mawby was Promoted to Glory in 1983, having enriched the Salvation Army with her writing of poetry, prose and song.
Romans 12:1-2 New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
A living sacrifice
12 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In this Christian version of the Ed Sheeran song ‘Perfect’ we hear how Christ died for us on the cross so that things can be perfect for us today if we accept him. the song also mentions how Jesus is there to support and guide us all the time
1 It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, 2 proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, 3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. 5 How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! 6 Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, 7 that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.
The Story Behind How Great Thou Art
Stuart K. Hine was a Bristish Methodist missionary on a mission trip in Ukraine in 2931 when he heard the Russian translation of a German song inspired by Carl Boberg’s poem “O Store Gud” (O Great God). Hine began to translation the song to English and added several verses. The third verse was inspired by the conversion of villagers in Russia who cried out to God loudly as the repented and realized God’s love and mercy – “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.”
Stuart Hine and his family left Ukraine as famine and World War Two began, and settled in Somerset, Britain where he continued to serve as a missionary to Polish refugees. The forth verse of “How Great Thou Art” was inspired by displaced Russians who experienced great loss and looked forward to seeing their loved ones again in heaven – “When Christ shall come with shoult of acclamation to take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.”
The final English version of “How Great Thou Art” was published in 1949 and quickly spread among Britian, Africa, India and America.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven
1. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child, Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to thee.
2. Fain I would to thee be brought, Gracious Lord, forbid it not; In the Kingdom of thy grace Give a little child a place.
3. Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb, In thy gracious hands I am; Make me, Saviour, what thou art, Live thyself within my heart.
4. Lamb of God, I look to thee, Thou shalt my example be; Thou art gentle, meek and mild; Thou wast once a little child.
5. Now I would be as thou art; Give me an obedient heart; Thou art pitiful and kind, Let me have thy loving mind.
6. I shall then show forth thy praise, Serve thee all my happy days; Then the world shall always see Christ, the holy child, in me.
Matthew 6:19-20 19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Unfortunately I cannot find he words for this wonderful old piece.

We can search as much as we want for earthly pleasures but we will never find them on earth. As the song tells us it is not until we have Jesus in our hearts that is when we find the ‘real’ treasure. I hope i picked the words of Chorus up correctly
Resting so sweetly in my Saviours head
He’s always near me, joys and griefs to share
He lifts me gently , gives me grace and power
Who in my victory , in my darkest hour
Isaiah 35:8 (NIV)
8
And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)
3
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord[a];
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Chorus
Travel along in the sunshine
On the King’s highway;
Travel along, singing a song,
Follow Jesus day by day.
Never mind what lies before you,
Never mind what others do;
So travel along in the sunshine
On the King’s highway.
With the weather being the way it has been over the last week or so in the UK I thought I’d share this with you.
Unfortunately I was unable to find the verses of the song but did find the chorus, a testimony that we should have a smile on our faces (though it can be hard at times) and Travel along in the Sunshine.
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