How Many Kings

One of my favorite songs right now is “How Many Kings” by Down Here.  I love the message and perspective it is written from.  In a world where so many gods are worshipped, this song just brings to home the fact that Jesus died for us.  God gave the ultimate sacrifice to save the world.  No other gods have done this.  No other gods have given up their “heaven” to save sinners like me.  There is only one God, and He has given us a picture and act of love that none other can compare with.  As the song asks, Do you believe?  I do.  Thank you Jesus for the ultimate gift of salvation and the hope and peace that one day, through your shed blood, I can spend eternity with You.

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -
Just a child -
Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.
Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

There is Power in His Name

I have had sort of a revival in my heart this week.  It’s been one of those weeks that you are just thankful to see end.  Anybody ever have weeks like that?  My little man was sick AGAIN.  He seems to just get sick one time after another lately.  Add that to him not sleeping well at all for the past few weeks and it just gets kind of crazy in this mommy’s head!  I am also extremely hormonal lately due to this little one growing in my tummy.  I literally cry at the drop of a hat right now.  And Hallmark Christmas movies are just doing me in.  I am like a raging waterfall!  I am pretty sure I had a nervous breakdown (maybe not my first or my last!) late one night as I laid on the floor in little man’s room.  I just remember praying for God to just help me.  I remember actually telling him there is no way I can handle another baby because I am a total nutcase and unfit to raise children.  Seriously.  This is what I am telling to the One who never gives anything more than we can handle.  The Master Plan Maker.  The One who created the universe in 7 days.  The One who sent His child to die for me.  Really?  The One who sent a second child to me after I prayed for more children.  And I think he somehow got it wrong.  Boy did He show me otherwise.  He came over me that night and just put a warm, peaceful blanket on my soul.  It was as if He was right there with me telling me to trust Him.

 

That’s when I came to the full realization in my life that I absolutely, 100% need HIM.  I’ve always known that, and if you asked me, I would tell you that in a heartbeat.  However, I KNOW that now.  I was trying to trust in me, and that failed me.  How many times do we do that?  Only by trusting God completely and confessing my daily need for Him will I survive this crazy thing called life.  I can’t be the wife or mother my family needs without daily confessing my need for Him and submitting myself to that.  Malissa can’t do this.  Malissa fails at it.  God can do this through me.  God’s love never fails.  And if that’s what I show my family, then I never fail.  How beautiful a picture of grace and mercy He showed me this week.  He loves us without compromise.  He wants to see us succeed.  He wants us to shower our family with love.  He wants us to be patient, forgiving, and loving.  He wants us to know that we can’t do it alone though.  And that’s what I learned in my trials this week.  I need you Jesus and there is power in calling out your name and trusting in You in all circumstances.

 

I will leave you with this awesome paragraph from my devotional, Jesus Lives.  It was one of mine from this week.  So timely, as always.

 

“There is great Power in My Name: Simply whispering ‘Jesus’ can turn a hard day into a good one.  By calling on My Name frequently, you acknowledge your continual need of Me.  And when you pray My Name, you are actually calling upon My very Being.  I joyfully respond to your invitation by coming nearer to you.”