We’re super excited to get to share brand new music with you today from MercyMe! Their new album, “The Hurt & The Healer” doesn’t release until next Tuesday 5/22, but for TODAY ONLY, you can stream the entire thing right here. Take a listen below, and let us know what you think!
((Stream Expired))
Want to win a copy of the new album? Post a comment telling us what your favorite track is, and you’ll be entered to win!
Pre-buy the record now at your favorite store below for unique bonus opportunities on each!
The winner has been chosen! Thanks always for entering!
If you have been keeping up with our weekly Laura Story devotions, you know that Laura has written a book called What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? and she has shared devotions from the book with us. This week, Laura Story covers chapter 29 and shares lessons learned from David.
According to Laura, we learn three important lessons from David:
The incorporation of David’s story
The declaration of God’s glory
The expectation of the extraordinary
“Will I be willing to, in light of my story, in light of the hard things in my life, will I be willing to sing praises to God and will I expect God to do magnificent things through me?” – Laura Story
Laura talks about how David used song to sing praises to God, and she writes songs to give praise to God, so we want to know What is one song that God has used in your life when you have been going through a hard time? It can be any song from any artist. Music can have a powerful impact. How has it impacted you?
Post your answer in the comments section & be entered to win a copy of Laura’s new book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” and a signed copy of her album “Blessings!”
Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
Laura Story shares another devotional with us in this week’s episode of “Wednesdays In The Word.” Watch the video below as she talks about turning our questions of “Why?” with God into “How? inspired by John 9.
I think the point of the story isn’t so much the ending, as much as it is that so often we turn to that question of “why?” and for me it’s something that I can become bitter over. But what I’m learning is that as God softens my heart he’s turning my “Why?” into “How?” And rather than saying “Why are you doing this?” I’m learning just to open my hand and say “God, how might you use this situation in order to glorify yourself all the more?” -Laura Story
What is a challenge that you have faced in your life where God used it for his glory? Post your answer in the comments section & be entered to win a copy of Laura’s new book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” and a signed copy of her album “Blessings!”
Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
If you have been following, we have been posting weekly video devotionals from Laura Story. Today she is sharing about chapter 19 of her devotional book, what if your blessings come through raindrops. You can win a copy of the book and an autographed CD by answering the question, What is the most comforting thing a friend did for you when you were going through a trial?
“We see the apostle paul in 2 corinthians chapter 1 talking about the comfort that He shows His children in affliction… Sometimes it takes walking through a hard chapter yourself to know how to comfort others…Sometimes there are blessings when we walk through hard trials so that we can comfort others who come after us…”
The winner has been chosen. Thanks to everyone for the great comments.
Last week, we brought you the first installment of Wednesdays in the Word with Laura Story! Laura has shared from her heart on several chapters from her devotional book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?
This week, Laura shares about Chapter 13 and the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”
Sometimes I have a tendency of thinking that God has left these pains as punishment. Or maybe God just doesn’t care. But God says…”My grace is sufficient for you for strength is made perfect in weakness.”
So, I know for my own life, it’s so hard to understand why God allows us to go through hard things. Even though I don’t have the answers…I do believe that God longs to use our weakness in order for his holiness…to shine all the brighter through our lives.
What is a time in your life when God used your weakness for His glory? Share your story with us for a chance to win an autographed copy of “Blessings” and a copy of the Laura Story’s devotional book!
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
We have chosen the winner. Thanks everyone for your comments!
Not only is Laura Story a wonderful musician, but she is now an author. We have featured her new book “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” several times here on FreeCCM.
Laura has recorded several devotions that can be paired with her book. She offers some great insights into God’s blessings! Watch this video and keep reading for a chance to win a copy of the book and an autographed Laura Story CD.
“This was a king that had everything in the world he could have possibly asked for…and you see even as God has blessed him so richly, his response to having all these things is that eventually these very things turned his heart away from the Lord.
Sometimes I am tempted to buy into that American dream. The big house, the picket fence, the 2.5 kids—whatever that looks like for you! And I buy into this lie that if I just had a little bit more, I would be satisfied. A lot of that I just have to lay before the Lord and realize that God is not going to give me things that I prize over Him. That is not the best thing for my soul!
Truly seek first the kingdom, and all those things will be added to us as we need them.”
What is one of the “things” that turns your heart of away from the Lord like Laura talked about with Solomon? Comment with an answer for your chance to win!
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
We have chosen a winner! Congratulations to Mary Ross!
Pinterest is quickly becoming one of the most popular social media sites on the internet! It was developed in 2011, and it has already grown to over 10.4 million users! If you haven’t joined this fun bulletin board-style site yet, and you are interested in discovering new ideas on crafts, gifts, decorating, weddings, or any of the other dozens of categories, you should join.
Most Pinterest users are females, but some guys have found a use for it too!
I don’t know if you know, but FreeCCM is on Pinterest, and we would love to connect with other Christian music fans!
So, here’s the deal. We are giving away a $15Michael’s Gift Card for one Pinterest/FreeCCM user to use to buy some supplies to make a Pinterest recipe (or anything else you may need!) along with a copy of Laura Story’s Blessings CD. All you have to do is repin the image below onto YOUR Pinterest and follow OUR Pinterest HERE.
Comment on this page and let us know that you repinned the image, and you will be entered to win!
It’s hard to believe Easter is already upon us! If you gave up anything for lent, you may be counting down the days! I love Easter. It is such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time with family, celebrate the spring, and most importantly to celebrate the resurrection of our savior!
Last year, Jonny Diaz shared a devotional with us about the importance of the cross. We thought it was good enough to share again! We are also giving away a copy of his devotional book entitled “More Beautiful You” and both of his CDs!
The “BEAUTY OF THE CROSS” Is Found In The Resurrection
By: Jonny Diaz
Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven. . . 1 Peter 1:3b-4 (The Message)
There is a song on my new record called, “Beauty Of The Cross.” This title may not sound very strange or contradictory to you. After all, we’ve been singing songs such as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “How Beautiful the Cross” for decades. However, if you step back and check this out from a non-churched perspective, you have to admit that it seems a little, well . . . weird!
That’s because to this day the cross is known as one of the most torturous killing devices ever conceived. No one would ever sing a song called “The Beauty Of The Electric Chair,” or “The Wondrous Lethal Injection.” Songs like these would not only get puzzled looks, but they would enrage many listeners. And yet, we sing songs proclaiming the wondrous beauty of the cross, and no one bats an eye. How do we explain this?
Well, it was on that ugly, barbaric cross that God’s amazing love for us was demonstrated. It was on that cross that Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us was made. It was on that cross where the forces of evil and the grace of God battled for supremacy.
At first glance, it would appear that evil was victorious . . . but three days later, when Jesus’ tomb was found empty, everything changed! You see, it was the resurrection that brought beauty to that blood-stained cross. It was the resurrection that turned tragedy into triumph and sacrifice into salvation. It was the resurrection that transformed condemnation into redemption.
Without the resurrection the cross would remain just a horrific symbol of suffering and shame. Instead it is a symbol of love and life and beauty. And, when we believe that Jesus died on that cross for our sins and that he rose from the grave on the third day, our lives become beautiful too.
Jonny also recently released a new single called “Scars” that talks about the Scars that Jesus endured for our salvation! Check out the story behind the song video and keep reading for your chance to win a contest.
We are giving away Jonny Diaz’s devotional book, More Beautiful You, along with copies of both of his CDs. Tell us your favorite Easter candy for a chance to win!
Jenny Simmons from Addison Road has a great blog where she shares poignant and funny stories from her life. Last week, she shared a video of her cute almost 3-year-old daughter Annie recounting a trip to the museum! You can see the full post here.
Kids say the funniest things! We want to hear a story of the funniest thing you have ever heard your kids (or someone else’s kids) say! Tell us your funny story for a chance to win both of Addison Road’s albums!
Winners have been selected! Thank you for entering!
A winner has been selected. Thanks for your entries!
This week Shane & Shane have released a special deluxe edition of their latest album “The One You Need” that features 4 additional acoustic songs plus a download of their music video “The One You Need!” Since we love this album so much, we’re celebrating by giving away a signed copy plus a “The One You Need” collector’s vinyl! Leave a comment below with your favorite Shane & Shane song of all time, and you’ll be entered to win!
The guys also have a brand new single hitting radio airwaves now called “Without You,” and they sat down to tell us all about the meaning and story behind it below!
We hope in your life that this is a prayer for you that the Presence of God would lead you. The Bible says in Psalm 16:11 that the fullness of joy is found in His Presence, and so we hope that He pours out His Presence on your life and that you would follow that.–Shane Bernard
Did you miss our “Lessons With B” series? Click here to go learn how to play Shane & Shane’s entire album as Shane B. walks you through each song.
