Hillsong Kids: Can You Believe It? - Songs of Truth ~ Product Review

When you open the cover of this fantastic DVD you will find the heart of this project! Not only has Hillsong, along with Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow put together an amazing compilation of songs; they did it with a mission in mind. Down at the bottom of the inside cover you will find a section entitled "Our Prayer." The beginning of it reads: Our prayer is that you would discover the author of love...the Lord Jesus Christ. His life and death represent the greatest gift of love the world will ever see...

It is so important for churches and parents to team up and lay a spiritual foundation for our children. That is the goal of Hillsong. They understand the need for outstanding tools that both parents and churches can use to help us lay the foundational stones. Here is a brief bio statement for Hillsong: "Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors andd leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate. Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget."

"Can You Believe It? - Songs of Truth" is both a question and a challenge...a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of your faith. This beautifully produced DVD contains classic worship songs like "My Best Friend", "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" and "What a Beautiful Name" as well as brand new songs such as "As The World Shakes" & "Heaven Is Our Home." 

I think what I enjoyed the most about the DVD is that it can be used for multiple applications. It would be entertaining to use the music videos at home or for use in a Kid's church situation as well. Definitely, the song lyric videos would be so great for a Kid's worship service! So whether you are a mom or dad, or a Pastor or Kid's Pastor this DVD will be a great addition to your collection.

The best part is you have the opportunity to win a copy for yourself!  Enter below for an opportunity to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

I’m Lost

Have you ever had moments where you feel that there can be no way That God is with you? A moment where you feel so alone? Maybe you feel that somehow you have stepped into a place that even God can’t reach you?

Whatever situation has brought you to this place, you can be encouraged by this verse from Psalms. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

There is no place we could find ourselves in that would be out of reach of God!!  That is such a relief for me! We have to remember that our feelings are probably the most deceitful thing about us. Our feelings can lead us astray and make us believe all sorts of things. We are able to take those thoughts captive and put our hope and trust in the God of the universe! — feeling loved.

Forgiveness

I have spent quite a few years struggling with this particular concept. Not that I don’t understand forgiveness. I understand the importance of forgiveness, and have tried to live my life without bitterness or malice....but sometimes there are things that we deal with that almost seem like there should be an exception. We try to justify the wrong that was thrown upon us as a reason to hold a grudge. 

Every time I believed that I had truly forgiven, the resentment would sneak back into my heart. ❤️ I hope I’m not the only one that has had this struggle. 

I know that God’s Word is clear that to be forgiven we must forgive. Just like in the story of Joseph with his coat of many colors; he was sold into slavery and later was made second in command to Pharoah. We have to set aside our small minded thinking and realize that the things that were meant to harm us, God can use for good. 

Prayer: 

God help me to always choose forgiveness over resentment. Help me to trust you, even when the road I am on is confusing and uncomfortable. I thank you for your Word that guides and directs me every step of the way. Please forgive me for holding grudges, and continue to purify my heart. 

Amen

Mature and Complete

I have been spending some time reading the book of James over and over again the past few weeks. I have found it both interesting and challenging in my daily walk with Christ. 

James 1:2-4 is a well known portion of scripture. 
"Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 


Usually, I find that we stop right there......but take a look at verse 5 as James continues his thought in this letter.......he says, 
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

I really love that! 

We are not in this world all alone! Does anyone else start to feel all alone when you are facing something that is tough or even just unexpected? If you do, don't beat yourself up. Stop and spend some time in God's Word. It is far too easy to find yourself relying on your own wisdom and plan. We want to come up with the plan that seems like it will just get us out of the situation as quickly as possible so we are back to feeling comfortable and in control. 

God's Word tells us that when we face trials we need to persevere, and to not stop, so that we can find ourselves mature and complete lacking nothing!! Let me say that again....so that we can find ourselves mature and complete lacking NOTHING!!!  

We can't do that on our own, we need to make sure that we ask for the wisdom that can only come from our heavenly Father. He gives it freely, without finding fault!! 

YES!!!

Do the Opposite

Let's face it, we live in challenging times. The moral absolutes we grew up believing have flip flopped and what was once called "good" is now called "bad."

Tolerance has been taken to a new level, and we as Christians are being pressured to be permissive in regards to what God calls sin. Instead of lashing out at the unbelievers around us, it is up to us to share the Love of God in real and tangible ways....so that all may believe!

I was reading my devotion this morning on an app called "First5" and thought you might enjoy it as well!

Enjoy!

By:Wendy Pope

Today’s Reading: Philippians 2

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Let’s face it, relationships are challenging. And Paul’s relationship-building tips are out of the box and counter to the world in which we live. The message we receive from social media, mainstream media and secular print sources is: Think of yourself first, and do whatever it takes to be successful. Paul challenges believers to survey the way the world builds relationships and treats others, then do the opposite.

Paul is passionate about message of humility and unity. Unity welcomes our differences as we develop our likeness around one Person. We accept and love our diversity because of our love for Jesus and our common desire to be like Him.

Paul teaches that since we have unity with Christ we should also imitate Christ’s humility in our relationships with others. This lifestyle is completely counterculture and is often misunderstood by the world.

Jesus offers the perfect example of what humility looks like. It begins, He says, with having the mind of Christ. Oh, the loftiness and responsibility! The magnitude of the statement is made clearer as Paul unpacks the details.

We demonstrate biblical humility that promotes unity when we:

• Focus on the greatness of God, not our own. Jesus was God and had all the privileges of deity, yet He did not hold onto those rights or His rightness. His actions always put others first and deflected any glory He received to God. (Philippians 2:6)
  
• Serve without seeking attention and gratitude. Jesus took on the nature of a servant. Even though He had power as a leader, He served. He served across cultural, economic and relational boundaries. (Philippians 2:7)
  
• Obey God even when the task seems extreme. Jesus gave His physical life in obedience to God. While, in most cases our obedience will not require the giving of our physical life, humility says, God, I’ll obey even if Your call to action seems risky. (Philippians 2:8)

Living a lifestyle opposite of the world isn’t popular but it presents Christ to the world. When we lower ourselves and lift up Christ,others are drawn to Him and we are aligned with Him. There is no better place for the believer to dwell than in agreement with the Father.

Prayer: Father, living the opposite is hard. My culture directs me to live in a way that is contrary to Your instructions. Your Word is truth and good for me. Living by it, I am shaped into Your likeness. I boldly pray for the courage to live counterculture, in full alignment with Your heart and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.