We are saved by accepting Christ as our Saviour. We are sanctified by accepting Christ as our Lord. We may do the first without doing the second. The truth is that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred Scriptures. Peter makes it plain that we are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience" (1 Peter 1:2).
_________________________
No Limit To What God Could Do
"And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, 'These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also" (Acts 17:6).
There is no limit to what God could do in our world if we would dare to surrender before Him with a commitment like this:
"Oh God, I hereby give myself to You. I give my family. I give my business. I give all I possess. Take all of it, Lord - and take me! I give myself in such measure that if it is necessary that I lose everything for Your sake, let me lose it. I will not ask what the price is. I will ask only that I may be all that I ought to be as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen"
If even 300 of God's people became that serious, our world would never hear the last of it! They would influence the news. Their message would go everywhere like birds on the wing. They would set off a great revival of New Testament faith and witness.
God wants to deliver us from the easygoing, smooth and silky, fat and comfortable Christianity so fashionable today. I hope we are willing to let the truth get hold of us, even at the cost of rejection or embarrassment.
The faith of the heavenly overcomers cost them everything and gained them everything. What of our faith?
Oh God, I hereby give myself to You "in such measure that if it is necessary that I lose everything for Your sake, let me lose it." Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
_____________________
A Bond of Compassion
"They that sow in fear shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6)
The testimony of the true follower of Christ might well be something like this: 'The world's pleasures and the world's treasures henceforth have no appeal for me. I reckon myself crucified to the world and the world crucified to me. But the multitudes that were so dear to Christ shall not be less dear to me. If I cannot prevent their moral suicide, I shall at least baptize them with my human tears. I want no blessing that I cannot share. I seek no spirituality that I must win at the cost of forgetting that men and women are lost and without hope. If in spite of all I can do they will sin against light and bring upon themselves the displeasure of a holy God, then I must not let them go their sad way un wept. I scorn a happiness that I must purchase with ignorance. I reject a heaven that I must enter by shutting my eyes to the sufferings of my fellowmen. I choose a broken heart rather than any happiness that ignores the tragedy of human life and human death. Though I, through the grace of God in Christ, no longer lie under Adam's sin, I would still feel a bond of compassion for all of Adam's tragic race, and I am determined that I shall go down to the grave or up into God's heaven mourning for the lost and the perishing.
And thus and thus will I do as God enables me. Amen"
Lord Jesus, give me that broken heart as I interact with unsaved people today. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
________________________
Not Asking for Anything
"I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:1-2).
I think that some of the greatest prayer is prayer where you don't say one single word or ask for anything. Now God does answer and He does give us what we ask for. That's plain; nobody can deny that unless he denies the Scriptures. But that's only one aspect of prayer, and it's not even the important aspect. Sometimes I go to God and say, "God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth I will still worship Thee as long as I live and in the ages to come for what Thou hast done already." God's already put me so far in debt that if I were to live one million millenniums I couldn't pay Him for what He's done for me.
We go to God as we send a boy to a grocery store with a long written list. "God, give me this, give me this, and give me this," and our gracious God often does give us what we want. But I think God is disappointed because we make Him to be no more than a source of what we want. Even our Lord Jesus is presented too often much as "Someone who will meet your need." That's the throbbing heart of modern evangelism. You're in need and Jesus will meet your need. He's the Need-meeter. Well, He is that indeed; but, ah, He's infinitely more than that.
Father, forgive me for so often just coming to You with my grocery list. You've been so faithful; You've given me so much; You've blessed so richly. I realize my incredible debt to You, and I simply worship at Your feet. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Monday, August 29, 2016
Songs/Poems/Hymns of Praise and Worship
I'll Live for Him
~Ralph E. Hudson~
My life, my love I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God Who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Saviour and my God!
I now believe Thou dost receive,
For Thou hast died that I might live;
And now henceforth I trust in Thee,
My Saviour and my God!
O Thou Who died on Calvary,
To save my soul and make me free,
I'll consecrate my life to Thee,
My Saviour and my God!
I'll live for Him Who died for me,
How happy then my life shall be!
I'll live for Him Who died for me,
My Saviour and my God!
________________________
Break Thou the Bread of Life
~Mary A. Lathbury~
Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eqat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see;
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
_____________________
I Met God in the Morning
~Ralph Cushman~
I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
______________________
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
~Isaac Watts~
Am I a soldier of the Cross,
A foll'wer of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own
His cause or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow'ry beds of ease
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed thro' bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
_______________________
Yield Not to Temptation
~Horatio Richmend Palmer~
Yield not to temptation,for yielding is sin;
Each vict'ry will help yousome other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
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'll carry you through.
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'll carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
~Ralph E. Hudson~
My life, my love I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God Who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Saviour and my God!
I now believe Thou dost receive,
For Thou hast died that I might live;
And now henceforth I trust in Thee,
My Saviour and my God!
O Thou Who died on Calvary,
To save my soul and make me free,
I'll consecrate my life to Thee,
My Saviour and my God!
I'll live for Him Who died for me,
How happy then my life shall be!
I'll live for Him Who died for me,
My Saviour and my God!
________________________
Break Thou the Bread of Life
~Mary A. Lathbury~
Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eqat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see;
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
_____________________
I Met God in the Morning
~Ralph Cushman~
I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
______________________
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
~Isaac Watts~
Am I a soldier of the Cross,
A foll'wer of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own
His cause or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow'ry beds of ease
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed thro' bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
_______________________
Yield Not to Temptation
~Horatio Richmend Palmer~
Yield not to temptation,for yielding is sin;
Each vict'ry will help yousome other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
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'll carry you through.
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'll carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Songs/hymns/poems of Parise and Worship
The Fear of God
The fear of God is that "astonished reverence" that Faber writes. I would say where from its basic element the terror of the guilty soul before God - to the fascinated rapture of the worshipping saint. There are very few unqualified things in our lives, but I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state of the most purifying emotion the human soul can know.
In my own being I could not exist very long as a Christian without this inner consciousness of the presence and nearness of God.
Men think they know what fear means. But we are talking about an awe and reverence of a loving and holy God. That kind of fear is a spiritual thing and can be brought only by the presence of God
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, there was a great fear upon all the people, yet they were not afraid of anything! A child of God, made perfect in love, has no fear because perfect love casts out fear. Yet he or she is the person of all persons who most fears God.
The Presence of God in our midst - bringing a sense of godly fear and reverence - this is largely missing today.
The true fear of God is a beautiful thing, for it is worship, it is love, it is veneration. A high moral happiness because God "is".
True worship is to be so personally and hopelessly in love with God that we worship continuously, throughout the day. We do this by making everything we do consecrated to God, from the mundane to the extra ordinary. From the office, to the home. From the cleaning of the house, to the meeting of the corporate people, from digging a ditch to grocery shopping. Everything we do we do for the honor and glory that belongs to God.
___________________________
Higher Ground
~Johnson Oatman, Jr.~
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
I want to live above the world,
Though satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray till rest I've found,
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan's tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
________________________
Softly and Tenderly
~Will L. Thompson~
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals,
He's waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Why should we tarry
When Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should be linger
And heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting;
The moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me.
Shadows are gathering;
Death's night is coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh for the wonderful
Love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned,
He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Come home, come home.
Ye who are weary, come home.
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling, "O sinner, come home."
__________________________
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
~Elizabeth C. Clephane~
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.
Upon that Cross of Jesus
mine eyes at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.
I take, O Cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of His face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the Cross.
The fear of God is that "astonished reverence" that Faber writes. I would say where from its basic element the terror of the guilty soul before God - to the fascinated rapture of the worshipping saint. There are very few unqualified things in our lives, but I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state of the most purifying emotion the human soul can know.
In my own being I could not exist very long as a Christian without this inner consciousness of the presence and nearness of God.
Men think they know what fear means. But we are talking about an awe and reverence of a loving and holy God. That kind of fear is a spiritual thing and can be brought only by the presence of God
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, there was a great fear upon all the people, yet they were not afraid of anything! A child of God, made perfect in love, has no fear because perfect love casts out fear. Yet he or she is the person of all persons who most fears God.
The Presence of God in our midst - bringing a sense of godly fear and reverence - this is largely missing today.
The true fear of God is a beautiful thing, for it is worship, it is love, it is veneration. A high moral happiness because God "is".
True worship is to be so personally and hopelessly in love with God that we worship continuously, throughout the day. We do this by making everything we do consecrated to God, from the mundane to the extra ordinary. From the office, to the home. From the cleaning of the house, to the meeting of the corporate people, from digging a ditch to grocery shopping. Everything we do we do for the honor and glory that belongs to God.
___________________________
Higher Ground
~Johnson Oatman, Jr.~
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
I want to live above the world,
Though satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray till rest I've found,
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan's tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
________________________
Softly and Tenderly
~Will L. Thompson~
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals,
He's waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Why should we tarry
When Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should be linger
And heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting;
The moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me.
Shadows are gathering;
Death's night is coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh for the wonderful
Love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned,
He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Come home, come home.
Ye who are weary, come home.
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling, "O sinner, come home."
__________________________
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
~Elizabeth C. Clephane~
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.
Upon that Cross of Jesus
mine eyes at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.
I take, O Cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of His face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the Cross.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Songs/Poems/Hymns of Praise and Worship
Jesus Christ died to change a moral situation. Our great God suffered more than they suffer in hell. He suffered all that they could suffer in hell. He suffered with the agony of God, for everything that God does, He does with all that He is. When God suffered for you, my friends, God suffered to change your moral situation.
_____________________
The deeper Christian life must be understood to mean a life in the Spirit far in advance of the average, and nearer to the New Testament norm. It means indwelling Christ, acute God consciousness, rapturous worship, separation from the world, joyous surrender of everything to God, internal union with the Trinity, the practise of the presence of God, the communion of saints and prayer without ceasing.
To enter upon such a life, seekers must be ready to accept without question the New Testament as the one final authority on spiritual matters. They must be willing to make Christ the One supreme Lord and ruler in their lives.
Those who have known the sweetness of the deeper life will never complain about what they lost. They will be too well- pleased with what they have gained.
__________________________
We must practice living to the glory of God actually and determinedly.
________________________
Faith is not a once done act but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God.
_______________________
Faith looks out - away from "self," instead of in - toward self.
_______________________
As a creation of God we need to focus our gaze on our Creator. Don't be like Lucifer who said, "I will set my throne above the stars of God" (Isaiah 14:13).
___________________________
Here Is Love Vast As the Ocean
~William Rees~
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
loving kindness as the flood,
when the Prince of life, our ransom,
shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten
throughout heaven's eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion
fountains opened deep and wide;
through the floodgates of God's mercy
flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
poured incessant from above,
and heaven's peace and perfect justice
kissed a guilty world in love.
__________________________
I Will Sing of My Redeemer
and His Wondrous Love for me
~Philip P. Bliss~
I will sing of my Redeemer
and His wondrous love to me;
on the cruel Cross He suffered,
from the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With His blood He purchased me;
on the Cross He sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I'll tell:
how the victory He gives me
over sin and death and hell.
___________________________
The Holy Spirit
~Frederick William Faber~
Fountain of Love! Thyself true God!
Who through eternal days
From Father and from Son hast flowed
In uncreated ways!
O Majesty unspeakable!
O Person all divine!
How in the Threefold Majesty
Doth Thy Procession shine!
Fixed in the Godhead's awful light
Thy fiery Breath doth move;
Thou art a wonder by Thyself
To worship and to love!
Proceeding, yet of equal age
With those whose love Thou art:
Proceeding, yet distinct, from those
From whom Thou seem'st to part.
And undivided Nature shared
With Father and with Son;
A Person by Thyself; with Them
Thy simple essence One;
Bond art Thou of the other Twain!
Omnipotent and free!
The consummating Love of God!
The Limit of the Three!
Thou limitest infinity,
Thyself all infinite;
The Godhead lives, and loves, and rests,
In Thine eternal light.
I dread Thee, Unbegotten Love!
True God! sole Fount of Grace!
And now before Thy Blessed throne
My sinful self abase.
Ocean, wide-flowing Ocean, Thou,
Of uncreated Love;
I tremble as within my soul
I feel Thy waters move.
Thou art a sea without a shore;
Awful, immense Thou art;
A sea which can contract itself
Within my narrow heart.
And yet Thou art a heaven too
Out on the shore less sea,
A harbor that can hold full well
Shipwrecked Humanity.
Thou art an unborn Breath outbreathed
On angels and on men,
Subduing all things to Thyself,
We know not how or when.
Thou art a God of fire, that doth
Create while He consumes!
A God of light, whose rays on earth
Darken were He illumes!
All things! dread Spirit! to Thy praise
Thy presence doth transmute;
Evil itself Thy glory bears,
Its one abiding fruit!
O Light! O Love! O very God
I dare no longer gaze
Upon Thy wondrous attributes,
And their mysterious ways.
O Spirit, beautiful and dread!
My heart is fit to break
With love of all Thy tenderness
For us poor sinners' sake.
Thy love of Jesus I adore;
My comfort this shall be,
That, when I serve my dearest Lord,
That service worships Thee!
_____________________
The deeper Christian life must be understood to mean a life in the Spirit far in advance of the average, and nearer to the New Testament norm. It means indwelling Christ, acute God consciousness, rapturous worship, separation from the world, joyous surrender of everything to God, internal union with the Trinity, the practise of the presence of God, the communion of saints and prayer without ceasing.
To enter upon such a life, seekers must be ready to accept without question the New Testament as the one final authority on spiritual matters. They must be willing to make Christ the One supreme Lord and ruler in their lives.
Those who have known the sweetness of the deeper life will never complain about what they lost. They will be too well- pleased with what they have gained.
__________________________
We must practice living to the glory of God actually and determinedly.
________________________
Faith is not a once done act but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God.
_______________________
Faith looks out - away from "self," instead of in - toward self.
_______________________
As a creation of God we need to focus our gaze on our Creator. Don't be like Lucifer who said, "I will set my throne above the stars of God" (Isaiah 14:13).
___________________________
Here Is Love Vast As the Ocean
~William Rees~
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
loving kindness as the flood,
when the Prince of life, our ransom,
shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten
throughout heaven's eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion
fountains opened deep and wide;
through the floodgates of God's mercy
flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
poured incessant from above,
and heaven's peace and perfect justice
kissed a guilty world in love.
__________________________
I Will Sing of My Redeemer
and His Wondrous Love for me
~Philip P. Bliss~
I will sing of my Redeemer
and His wondrous love to me;
on the cruel Cross He suffered,
from the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With His blood He purchased me;
on the Cross He sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I'll tell:
how the victory He gives me
over sin and death and hell.
___________________________
The Holy Spirit
~Frederick William Faber~
Fountain of Love! Thyself true God!
Who through eternal days
From Father and from Son hast flowed
In uncreated ways!
O Majesty unspeakable!
O Person all divine!
How in the Threefold Majesty
Doth Thy Procession shine!
Fixed in the Godhead's awful light
Thy fiery Breath doth move;
Thou art a wonder by Thyself
To worship and to love!
Proceeding, yet of equal age
With those whose love Thou art:
Proceeding, yet distinct, from those
From whom Thou seem'st to part.
And undivided Nature shared
With Father and with Son;
A Person by Thyself; with Them
Thy simple essence One;
Bond art Thou of the other Twain!
Omnipotent and free!
The consummating Love of God!
The Limit of the Three!
Thou limitest infinity,
Thyself all infinite;
The Godhead lives, and loves, and rests,
In Thine eternal light.
I dread Thee, Unbegotten Love!
True God! sole Fount of Grace!
And now before Thy Blessed throne
My sinful self abase.
Ocean, wide-flowing Ocean, Thou,
Of uncreated Love;
I tremble as within my soul
I feel Thy waters move.
Thou art a sea without a shore;
Awful, immense Thou art;
A sea which can contract itself
Within my narrow heart.
And yet Thou art a heaven too
Out on the shore less sea,
A harbor that can hold full well
Shipwrecked Humanity.
Thou art an unborn Breath outbreathed
On angels and on men,
Subduing all things to Thyself,
We know not how or when.
Thou art a God of fire, that doth
Create while He consumes!
A God of light, whose rays on earth
Darken were He illumes!
All things! dread Spirit! to Thy praise
Thy presence doth transmute;
Evil itself Thy glory bears,
Its one abiding fruit!
O Light! O Love! O very God
I dare no longer gaze
Upon Thy wondrous attributes,
And their mysterious ways.
O Spirit, beautiful and dread!
My heart is fit to break
With love of all Thy tenderness
For us poor sinners' sake.
Thy love of Jesus I adore;
My comfort this shall be,
That, when I serve my dearest Lord,
That service worships Thee!
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
A Wall of Prayer (and other songs/hymns)
A Wall of Prayer
There are walls made by man, built by human hands
that an enemy can scale and get to you.
But there is one protecting me from my greatest enemy.
It's a wall that satan can't break through.
Chorus:
Sometimes a wall of grace, sometimes a wall of faith,
Other times it's sweet mercy that I need.
But the one for which I long it makes all the others strong.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
II
Oh my brother when I'm weak would you stand instead for me
and pray a fortress 'round me strong that can't be moved.
And I promise You today when I bow my knees to pray
I'll do my best to build a wall of prayer for you.
Ending:
Ending Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
that calls me from a world of care.
But the one for which I long it makes all the others strong.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
_______________________
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
~Thomas Shepherd~
Must Jesus bear the Cross alone
And all the world go free?
No, there's a cross for everyone
And there's a cross for me.
How happy are the saints above
Who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love
And joy without a tear.
The consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free
And then go home my crown to wear
For there's a crown for me.
Upon the crystal pavement down
At Jesus' pierced feet
Joyful I'll cast my golden crown
And His dear Name repeat.
O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
When Christ the Lord from Heav'n comes down
And bears my soul away.
________________________
Would You Live for Jesus?
~Cyrus S. Nusbaum~
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
'Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
_______________________
Oil and Wine
~Gerhard Tersteegen~
There is a balm for every pain,
A medicine for all sorrow;
The eye turned backward to the Cross,
And forward to the morrow.
The morrow of the glory and the psalm,
When He shall come;
The morrow of the harping and the psalm,
The welcome home.
Meantime in His beloved hands our ways,
And on His Heart the wandering heart at rest;
And comfort for the weary one who lays
His head upon His breast.
There are walls made by man, built by human hands
that an enemy can scale and get to you.
But there is one protecting me from my greatest enemy.
It's a wall that satan can't break through.
Chorus:
Sometimes a wall of grace, sometimes a wall of faith,
Other times it's sweet mercy that I need.
But the one for which I long it makes all the others strong.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
II
Oh my brother when I'm weak would you stand instead for me
and pray a fortress 'round me strong that can't be moved.
And I promise You today when I bow my knees to pray
I'll do my best to build a wall of prayer for you.
Ending:
Ending Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer
that calls me from a world of care.
But the one for which I long it makes all the others strong.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
I need a wall of prayer surrounding me.
_______________________
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
~Thomas Shepherd~
Must Jesus bear the Cross alone
And all the world go free?
No, there's a cross for everyone
And there's a cross for me.
How happy are the saints above
Who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love
And joy without a tear.
The consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free
And then go home my crown to wear
For there's a crown for me.
Upon the crystal pavement down
At Jesus' pierced feet
Joyful I'll cast my golden crown
And His dear Name repeat.
O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
When Christ the Lord from Heav'n comes down
And bears my soul away.
________________________
Would You Live for Jesus?
~Cyrus S. Nusbaum~
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
'Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
_______________________
Oil and Wine
~Gerhard Tersteegen~
There is a balm for every pain,
A medicine for all sorrow;
The eye turned backward to the Cross,
And forward to the morrow.
The morrow of the glory and the psalm,
When He shall come;
The morrow of the harping and the psalm,
The welcome home.
Meantime in His beloved hands our ways,
And on His Heart the wandering heart at rest;
And comfort for the weary one who lays
His head upon His breast.
The Deception In Modern Praise and Worship
The Deception in Modern Praise and Worship
"Praise and Worship" has become extremely popular in most streamlined mega churches. You can expect praise and worship teams and their bands in many outreach ministries and evangelistic services throughout the country. It alone, has been the means of drawing large crowds ... especially young people. What is it about this kind of ministry that is making them so extra-ordinary and attractive? Are young people really hungry for the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, which is included in these services? Are hearts and lives really being changed through praise and worship ... making a difference in the high schools and college campuses? Even the smaller denominational churches are now recognizing what it takes to make a church grow, so they too, are willing to drop the traditional hymns, and follow whatever is popular in drawing the "unchurched."
Praise and worship has become the focal point of the service. But is God ...our Lord and Saviour really being lifted up and worshipped for Who He is?" In some services there is no preaching.
Let's take a look and examine what is actually going on during the praise and worship hour. But first of all, we shall observe the fashions and modes of dress as young people and others come strolling into the sanctuary. It is almost a culture shock to see bermuda shorts, faded blue jeans, knickers, capris, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals and flipflops along with mini skirts and everything you might not have thought of. This seems to be a common acceptable practise in these modern times. Years ago, families with teenagers and small children would come in their Sunday best ... treating the house of God and others with respect and dignity. They wouldn't think of coming to church in their washed out blue jeans and T-shirts, which were worn out to the barn to feed their cattle. Churches are now advertising on their signs, "Come as you are"; so they come ... Sunday after Sunday with no sign of change inside or out.
As the worship hour begins, the lights are expelled all over the sanctuary as colorful strobe lights flash on ... highlighting the stage of "worship leaders". They too, are dressed in their less-than-casual garb of acid blue jeans, T-shirts, or untucked shirts, earrings (some with tattoos), gel-spiked hair, "skin head", or long-haired hippie style. The music begins as onlookers stand and progressively raise their hands and lift their heads proudly in a mode of worship. The drummer performs his act,as screaming guitars sound forth through high-tech sound systems creating an atmosphere of worldly secular rock music. Young people are joyfully taking in the "emotional high" they receive from such an atmosphere of worldliness. They are soon getting very much involved by swinging their arms and bodies from side to side or bouncing up and down. They are even boasting, "God's presence is here and He is pleased! I've come to church to worship Him!"
The hymnbooks with all the wonderful sacred hymns of "Amazing Grace", "There's Power in the Blood", "At the Cross", "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood", etc., have all been removed and tossed out as "boring and old-fashioned". These songs with great messages that minister the power of God unto salvation through the blood and the cross, have been replaced with overhead screen projectors spelling out monotonous repetitious lyrics of so-called "praises to God." Everyone joins in with the worship leaders and their band, whose hearts and minds are filled with the lusts and passions of the world. The same phrase is being sung over and over as if to work up a hypnotic spirit of good feelings "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth,and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me" (Matthew 15:8-9).
The Scripture that is used to justify the worldliness in praise and worship using loud high-tech music of drums and whiney guitars, etc., is found in the Old Testament in Psalms 150. It says, "Praise God in the sanctuary ... with the sound of a trumpet, psaltery and harp, praise Him with the stringed instruments and organ... Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals." Yes, we should and ought to praise the Lord in everything, but yet God knows the motives and the intents of the heart who are we really praising and what are we really worshipping, if we must have this music in order to praise and worship?
satan has subtly made his appearance in the churches under the disguise of praise and worship... unknown to a people who know not God and His Holiness.
A former praise and worship leaders who recognized the truth, and left the contemporary Christian music movement, shares what he knows about it. He states: "Worship leaders get their musical advice from an industry I call "Worship, Inc." Once they tap into any of the myriad internet feeds for modern worship music, their hearts are drawn to the newest and the "coolest!" He also goes on to say: "You should also remember that most worship leaders are pop/rock musicians who love secular music styles and will bring this into your church, whether you agree or not. before you know it, the music at your church is driven by the fads and fashions of the secular industry. The freedom of choice you thought you were getting has turned into a slavish devotion to the new and modern tastes of a wicked world!"
As Shepherds have carelessly fallen asleep, wolves of modern worldly fads and fashions have quietly slipped into the fold and driven off the older sheep while slowly destroying the young lambs!
Where is the watchman ... a praying man who seeks after God, willing to sacrifice his time in prayer and fasting for a people that would honor God, and obey Him? Where is one to discern between that which is Holy and that which is profane? Most shepherds focus on numbers and money rather than purity and "...holiness,without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Let us consider what Jesus taught about worshipping. In John 4:23-24, Jesus said "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth."
The meaning of the word "worship" has been greatly expanded by Christians to include many different things. Such diversity of meaning is the root of many problems. When we do not know what the word "worship" means, or when we change its meaning to suit the fashions or felt needs of our modern times, it can leadus to add worship practises that can offend or even divide the body of Christ. Worse, we risk offending the Holy Name of God! There are certain kinds of worship that God will NOT accept; though they may be directed toward Him and meant to be given to Him. Jesus referred to a certain group of religious people in His own day with the comment: "Ye worship ye know not what..." (John 4:22).
A question was asked to one involved in the modern praise and worship movement: "If your pastor made a decision to do away with the drums, guitars, worship leaders, special lighting and sound effects, and said, 'We're just going to come together from now on, and humble ourselves, get on our faces, kneel, or whatever, and pray and seek God and just wait on Him ... maybe sing some old-fashioned hymns like 'Nothing but the Blood,' 'At the Cross,' 'The Old Rugged Cross', etc., how long would you be attending there?" The reaction??? This person said, "We would leave the church because that wouldn't be a message from God. That totally goes against Scripture."
It is pretty obvious that this person, along with a host of others come blindly deceived, to worship for the fleshly emotional thrill they get from the worldly atmosphere and secular spirit of the music itself. This is no different than the secular rock concerts, which even the words are often difficult to understand ... and this is idolatry!
Many admit they have this music "pumped up" in their cars, their homes, and their I-Pods - like an addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, etc. They must have it to worship. Something is desperately wrong here! Isn't this an ABOMINATION?
The majority of people who come to worship do not have a clue what real worship means, nor do they actually know what it means to "feel the presence of God!" They worship the music!
As we look at Scriptures in the Bible from cover to cover, holy men of God fell down in such awesome fear and reverence of a Holy God, that they couldn't stand. There wasn't any mention of any kind of music going on as they came into His presence. God appeared because He had a message for them. If they were living in sin, they were dramatically changed. They became a new creation. They were cleansed, purified, and made holy so God could use them to warn, or minister to others. Saul is a good example as he traveled on the road to Damascus. A light shone round about him and he fell to the ground because of God's awesome presence. Isaiah 6:1-8 When Isaiah saw the Lord he confessed he was undone;" ... because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the Lord." Immediately an angel came unto him with a live coal in his hand, touched him on his lips, and was cleansed and purged. In Revelation 1:17, John, on the isle of Patmos was in the Spirit on the Lord's day when he heard a voice, turned, and looked and saw one like unto the Son of Man "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet..."
There should be a time of getting quiet before the Lord for heart examination, in all humility, allowing a time for people to repent of sin before even thinking of praising and worshipping. Psalms 66:18 states that "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, worship means: "The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; great admiration or devotion." In the original languages of the Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship, worshipping, worshipper,and worshippers" appear in approximately 110 verses. In 99% of those verses in Hebrew, the word "shachah" which means to "depress" to "prostrate" (especially in homage to royalty or God); to bow oneself down, to crouch, to fall down flat, to humbly beseech." As you read verse after verse, it becomes clear that the worship acts of Old Testament believers were performed with great respect, fear, and reverence towards God, demonstrated by falling down before Him. When the Lord appeared to holy men of God, they bowed down flat on the ground in fear, knowing God was so holy that their lives were threathened. In Revelation 4:10-11, it says, "...The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power..."
God is pleased only when He sees a humble heart in total submission of our minds, our hearts and our flesh to HIM. This is the heart of worship. True worship is that which is not planned, programmed or practiced at church. True worship is an everyday relationship with Jesus Christ, which is demonstrated, in one's pure and holy character.
The Bible clearly predicts a great falling away in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,... heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: for such turn away."
Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 7:13, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it."
~John Blanchard~
"Praise and Worship" has become extremely popular in most streamlined mega churches. You can expect praise and worship teams and their bands in many outreach ministries and evangelistic services throughout the country. It alone, has been the means of drawing large crowds ... especially young people. What is it about this kind of ministry that is making them so extra-ordinary and attractive? Are young people really hungry for the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, which is included in these services? Are hearts and lives really being changed through praise and worship ... making a difference in the high schools and college campuses? Even the smaller denominational churches are now recognizing what it takes to make a church grow, so they too, are willing to drop the traditional hymns, and follow whatever is popular in drawing the "unchurched."
Praise and worship has become the focal point of the service. But is God ...our Lord and Saviour really being lifted up and worshipped for Who He is?" In some services there is no preaching.
Let's take a look and examine what is actually going on during the praise and worship hour. But first of all, we shall observe the fashions and modes of dress as young people and others come strolling into the sanctuary. It is almost a culture shock to see bermuda shorts, faded blue jeans, knickers, capris, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals and flipflops along with mini skirts and everything you might not have thought of. This seems to be a common acceptable practise in these modern times. Years ago, families with teenagers and small children would come in their Sunday best ... treating the house of God and others with respect and dignity. They wouldn't think of coming to church in their washed out blue jeans and T-shirts, which were worn out to the barn to feed their cattle. Churches are now advertising on their signs, "Come as you are"; so they come ... Sunday after Sunday with no sign of change inside or out.
As the worship hour begins, the lights are expelled all over the sanctuary as colorful strobe lights flash on ... highlighting the stage of "worship leaders". They too, are dressed in their less-than-casual garb of acid blue jeans, T-shirts, or untucked shirts, earrings (some with tattoos), gel-spiked hair, "skin head", or long-haired hippie style. The music begins as onlookers stand and progressively raise their hands and lift their heads proudly in a mode of worship. The drummer performs his act,as screaming guitars sound forth through high-tech sound systems creating an atmosphere of worldly secular rock music. Young people are joyfully taking in the "emotional high" they receive from such an atmosphere of worldliness. They are soon getting very much involved by swinging their arms and bodies from side to side or bouncing up and down. They are even boasting, "God's presence is here and He is pleased! I've come to church to worship Him!"
The hymnbooks with all the wonderful sacred hymns of "Amazing Grace", "There's Power in the Blood", "At the Cross", "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood", etc., have all been removed and tossed out as "boring and old-fashioned". These songs with great messages that minister the power of God unto salvation through the blood and the cross, have been replaced with overhead screen projectors spelling out monotonous repetitious lyrics of so-called "praises to God." Everyone joins in with the worship leaders and their band, whose hearts and minds are filled with the lusts and passions of the world. The same phrase is being sung over and over as if to work up a hypnotic spirit of good feelings "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth,and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me" (Matthew 15:8-9).
The Scripture that is used to justify the worldliness in praise and worship using loud high-tech music of drums and whiney guitars, etc., is found in the Old Testament in Psalms 150. It says, "Praise God in the sanctuary ... with the sound of a trumpet, psaltery and harp, praise Him with the stringed instruments and organ... Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals." Yes, we should and ought to praise the Lord in everything, but yet God knows the motives and the intents of the heart who are we really praising and what are we really worshipping, if we must have this music in order to praise and worship?
satan has subtly made his appearance in the churches under the disguise of praise and worship... unknown to a people who know not God and His Holiness.
A former praise and worship leaders who recognized the truth, and left the contemporary Christian music movement, shares what he knows about it. He states: "Worship leaders get their musical advice from an industry I call "Worship, Inc." Once they tap into any of the myriad internet feeds for modern worship music, their hearts are drawn to the newest and the "coolest!" He also goes on to say: "You should also remember that most worship leaders are pop/rock musicians who love secular music styles and will bring this into your church, whether you agree or not. before you know it, the music at your church is driven by the fads and fashions of the secular industry. The freedom of choice you thought you were getting has turned into a slavish devotion to the new and modern tastes of a wicked world!"
As Shepherds have carelessly fallen asleep, wolves of modern worldly fads and fashions have quietly slipped into the fold and driven off the older sheep while slowly destroying the young lambs!
Where is the watchman ... a praying man who seeks after God, willing to sacrifice his time in prayer and fasting for a people that would honor God, and obey Him? Where is one to discern between that which is Holy and that which is profane? Most shepherds focus on numbers and money rather than purity and "...holiness,without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Let us consider what Jesus taught about worshipping. In John 4:23-24, Jesus said "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth."
The meaning of the word "worship" has been greatly expanded by Christians to include many different things. Such diversity of meaning is the root of many problems. When we do not know what the word "worship" means, or when we change its meaning to suit the fashions or felt needs of our modern times, it can leadus to add worship practises that can offend or even divide the body of Christ. Worse, we risk offending the Holy Name of God! There are certain kinds of worship that God will NOT accept; though they may be directed toward Him and meant to be given to Him. Jesus referred to a certain group of religious people in His own day with the comment: "Ye worship ye know not what..." (John 4:22).
A question was asked to one involved in the modern praise and worship movement: "If your pastor made a decision to do away with the drums, guitars, worship leaders, special lighting and sound effects, and said, 'We're just going to come together from now on, and humble ourselves, get on our faces, kneel, or whatever, and pray and seek God and just wait on Him ... maybe sing some old-fashioned hymns like 'Nothing but the Blood,' 'At the Cross,' 'The Old Rugged Cross', etc., how long would you be attending there?" The reaction??? This person said, "We would leave the church because that wouldn't be a message from God. That totally goes against Scripture."
It is pretty obvious that this person, along with a host of others come blindly deceived, to worship for the fleshly emotional thrill they get from the worldly atmosphere and secular spirit of the music itself. This is no different than the secular rock concerts, which even the words are often difficult to understand ... and this is idolatry!
Many admit they have this music "pumped up" in their cars, their homes, and their I-Pods - like an addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, etc. They must have it to worship. Something is desperately wrong here! Isn't this an ABOMINATION?
The majority of people who come to worship do not have a clue what real worship means, nor do they actually know what it means to "feel the presence of God!" They worship the music!
As we look at Scriptures in the Bible from cover to cover, holy men of God fell down in such awesome fear and reverence of a Holy God, that they couldn't stand. There wasn't any mention of any kind of music going on as they came into His presence. God appeared because He had a message for them. If they were living in sin, they were dramatically changed. They became a new creation. They were cleansed, purified, and made holy so God could use them to warn, or minister to others. Saul is a good example as he traveled on the road to Damascus. A light shone round about him and he fell to the ground because of God's awesome presence. Isaiah 6:1-8 When Isaiah saw the Lord he confessed he was undone;" ... because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the Lord." Immediately an angel came unto him with a live coal in his hand, touched him on his lips, and was cleansed and purged. In Revelation 1:17, John, on the isle of Patmos was in the Spirit on the Lord's day when he heard a voice, turned, and looked and saw one like unto the Son of Man "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet..."
There should be a time of getting quiet before the Lord for heart examination, in all humility, allowing a time for people to repent of sin before even thinking of praising and worshipping. Psalms 66:18 states that "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, worship means: "The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; great admiration or devotion." In the original languages of the Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship, worshipping, worshipper,and worshippers" appear in approximately 110 verses. In 99% of those verses in Hebrew, the word "shachah" which means to "depress" to "prostrate" (especially in homage to royalty or God); to bow oneself down, to crouch, to fall down flat, to humbly beseech." As you read verse after verse, it becomes clear that the worship acts of Old Testament believers were performed with great respect, fear, and reverence towards God, demonstrated by falling down before Him. When the Lord appeared to holy men of God, they bowed down flat on the ground in fear, knowing God was so holy that their lives were threathened. In Revelation 4:10-11, it says, "...The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power..."
God is pleased only when He sees a humble heart in total submission of our minds, our hearts and our flesh to HIM. This is the heart of worship. True worship is that which is not planned, programmed or practiced at church. True worship is an everyday relationship with Jesus Christ, which is demonstrated, in one's pure and holy character.
The Bible clearly predicts a great falling away in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,... heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: for such turn away."
Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 7:13, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it."
~John Blanchard~
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Songs/Peoms/Hymns of Praise and Worship
Take the Time
When we can't please God with the little things,
then we can't please God with the big things.
If we have no time for prayer,
God has no time for miracles.
If we have no time for love,
God has no time for blessings.
If we have no time for Bible reading,
God takes no time to teach us.
If we have no time for desiring the Holy Spirit within,
God has no time to call us His blessed, spiritual children.
If we have no time for Jesus,
God takes no time to listen.
If we have no time for praise and worship of God,
God has no time for Us!
When we can't please God with the little things,
then we can't please God with the big things.
Amen.
______________________
The Holy Trinity
~Frederick William Faber~
O blessed Trinity!
Thy children dare to lift their hearts to Thee,
And bless Thy triple Majesty!
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equil Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
Holy, unfathomable, infinite,
Thou art all Life and Love and Light
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
God of a thousand attributes we see
That there is no one good but Thee.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
In our astonished reverencewe confess
Thine uncreatedloveliness,
Holy Trinity!
Blessed and Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
O simplest Majesty! O Three in One!
Thou art for evere God alone.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
The Fountain of the Godhead, in repose,
For ever rests, for ever flows.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
O unbegotten Father! give us tears
To quench our love, to calm our fears.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Bright Son! who art the Father's mind displayed,
Thou art begotten and not made.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Coequal Spirit! wondrous Paraclet!
By Thee the Godhead is complete.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
We praise Thee, bless Thee, worship Thee as one.
Yet Three are on the single Throne.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
In the deep darkness of prayer's stillest night
We worship Thee blinded with light.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Oh would thatwe coulddie of love for Thee,
Incomparable Trinity!
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
_________________________
Majesty Divine!
~Fredrick William Faber~
Full of glory, full of wonders,
Majesty Divine!
Mid Thine everlasting thunders
HowThy lightenings shine!
Shoreless Ocean! whoshall sound Thee?
Thine own eternity is round Thee,
Majesty Divine!
Timeless, spaceless, single, lonely,
Yet sublimely Three,
Thou art grandly, always, only
God in Unity!
Lone in grandeur, lone in glory,
Who shall tell Thy wondrous story,
Awfulled Trinity?
Speechlessly, without beginning,
Sun that never rose!
Vast,adorable, and winning,
Day that hath no close!
Bliss from Thine own glory tasting,
Everliving, everlasting,
Life that never grows!
Thine own Self for ever filling
With self-kindled flame,
In Thyself Thou art distilling
Unctions without name!
Without worshipping of creatures
Without veiling of Thy features,
God always the same!
In Thy praise of Self untiring
Thy perfections shine;
Self-sufficient, self-admiring,
Such lifemust be Thine;
Glorifying Self, yet blameless
With a sanctity all shameless
It is so divine!
'Mid Thine uncreated morning,
Like a trembling star
I behold creation's dawning
Glimmering from afar;
Nothing giving, nothing taking,
Nothing changing, nothing breaking,
Waiting at time's bar!
I with life and love diurnal
See myself in Thee,
All embalmed in love eternal,
Floating in Thy sea:
'Mid Thine uncreated whiteness
I behold Thy glory's brightness
Feed itself on me.
Speldours upon splendours beaming
Change and intertwine;
Glories over glories streaming,
All translucent shine!
Blessings, praises adorations
Greet Thee from the trembling nations
Majesty Divine!
When we can't please God with the little things,
then we can't please God with the big things.
If we have no time for prayer,
God has no time for miracles.
If we have no time for love,
God has no time for blessings.
If we have no time for Bible reading,
God takes no time to teach us.
If we have no time for desiring the Holy Spirit within,
God has no time to call us His blessed, spiritual children.
If we have no time for Jesus,
God takes no time to listen.
If we have no time for praise and worship of God,
God has no time for Us!
When we can't please God with the little things,
then we can't please God with the big things.
Amen.
______________________
The Holy Trinity
~Frederick William Faber~
O blessed Trinity!
Thy children dare to lift their hearts to Thee,
And bless Thy triple Majesty!
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equil Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
Holy, unfathomable, infinite,
Thou art all Life and Love and Light
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
God of a thousand attributes we see
That there is no one good but Thee.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O blessed Trinity!
In our astonished reverencewe confess
Thine uncreatedloveliness,
Holy Trinity!
Blessed and Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
O simplest Majesty! O Three in One!
Thou art for evere God alone.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
The Fountain of the Godhead, in repose,
For ever rests, for ever flows.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
O unbegotten Father! give us tears
To quench our love, to calm our fears.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Bright Son! who art the Father's mind displayed,
Thou art begotten and not made.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Coequal Spirit! wondrous Paraclet!
By Thee the Godhead is complete.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
We praise Thee, bless Thee, worship Thee as one.
Yet Three are on the single Throne.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
In the deep darkness of prayer's stillest night
We worship Thee blinded with light.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
O Blessed Trinity!
Oh would thatwe coulddie of love for Thee,
Incomparable Trinity!
Holy Trinity!
Blessed Equal Three,
One God, we praise Thee.
_________________________
Majesty Divine!
~Fredrick William Faber~
Full of glory, full of wonders,
Majesty Divine!
Mid Thine everlasting thunders
HowThy lightenings shine!
Shoreless Ocean! whoshall sound Thee?
Thine own eternity is round Thee,
Majesty Divine!
Timeless, spaceless, single, lonely,
Yet sublimely Three,
Thou art grandly, always, only
God in Unity!
Lone in grandeur, lone in glory,
Who shall tell Thy wondrous story,
Awfulled Trinity?
Speechlessly, without beginning,
Sun that never rose!
Vast,adorable, and winning,
Day that hath no close!
Bliss from Thine own glory tasting,
Everliving, everlasting,
Life that never grows!
Thine own Self for ever filling
With self-kindled flame,
In Thyself Thou art distilling
Unctions without name!
Without worshipping of creatures
Without veiling of Thy features,
God always the same!
In Thy praise of Self untiring
Thy perfections shine;
Self-sufficient, self-admiring,
Such lifemust be Thine;
Glorifying Self, yet blameless
With a sanctity all shameless
It is so divine!
'Mid Thine uncreated morning,
Like a trembling star
I behold creation's dawning
Glimmering from afar;
Nothing giving, nothing taking,
Nothing changing, nothing breaking,
Waiting at time's bar!
I with life and love diurnal
See myself in Thee,
All embalmed in love eternal,
Floating in Thy sea:
'Mid Thine uncreated whiteness
I behold Thy glory's brightness
Feed itself on me.
Speldours upon splendours beaming
Change and intertwine;
Glories over glories streaming,
All translucent shine!
Blessings, praises adorations
Greet Thee from the trembling nations
Majesty Divine!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
You Are My All In All (and other songs/Poems)
You Are My All in All
~Dennis Jernigan~
You are my strength when I am weak; You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up, I'd be a fool. You are my All in all.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame; Rising again, I bless Your name.
You are my All in all.
When I fall down You pick me up; When I am dry you fill my cup.
You are my All in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your Name.
________________________
Change My Heart, O God
~Eddie Espinosa~
Change my heart, O God,
make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.
You are the Potter,
I am the clay;
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.
___________________
Cry of My Heart
~Terry Butler~
It is the cry of my heart to follow You.
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow all the days of my life.
Teach me You holy ways, O Lord, so I can walk in Your truth.
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord, and make me wholly devoted to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow You.
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow all the days of my life.
Open my eyes so I can see the wonderful things that You do.
Open my heart up more and more, and make it wholly devoted to You.
_____________________
More Precious Than Silver
~Lynn Deshazo~
Lord, You are more precious than silver.
Lord, You are more costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds
and nothing I desire compares with You.
_______________________
Shout to the Lord
~Darlene Zschech~
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
at the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
For ever I'll love You, forever I'll stand;
Nothing compares to the prom I have to You.
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of
Your mighty love.
My comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am,
never cease to worship You.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
______________________
We Fall Down
~Chris Tomlin~
We fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus.
The greatness of mercy and love at the feet of Jesus.
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy."
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy."
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb."
__________________
At the Cross I'll Abide
~Isaiah Baltzell~
O Jesus, Saviour, I long to rest,
Near the Cross where Thou hast died;
For there is hope for the aching breast!
At the Cross I will abide.
At the Cross (At the Cross) I'll abide, (I'll abide,)
At the Cross (At the Cross) I'll abide, (I'll abide,)
There His blood is applied
At the Cross I am satisfied.
My dying Jesus, my Saviour, God,
Who hast borne my guilt and sin,
Now wash me, cleanse me with Thine own blood,
Ever keep me pure and clean.
O Jesus, Saviour, now make me Thine,
Never let me stray from Thee;
Oh, wash me, cleanse me, for Thou art mine,
And Thy love is full and free.
The cleansing pow'r of Thy blood apply,
All my guilt and sin remove;
Oh, help me, while at Thy Cross I lie,
Fill my soul with perfect love.
_______________________
Light At the River
~Unknown author of this, the original hymn~
There is a river we must cross o'ver,
When life's sun goes to sleep in the west;
There'll be a light for me at the crossing,
Guiding me to that home of sweet rest.
When I reach the banks of the river,
Where the chilly
waters murmur their song:
Nothing to harm me, nothing alarms me.
While I am sailing to my new home.
Down by the river soon I'll be standing,
Bidding fare well to friends left below;
Sailing with Jesus.
I know that He will be the Light at the
river for me.
Chorus:
There'll be a Light for me at the river,
Guiding my boat across the dark foam:
Down thru the valley past the dark shadows,
Jesus, my Light, will guide me safe home.
~Dennis Jernigan~
You are my strength when I am weak; You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up, I'd be a fool. You are my All in all.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame; Rising again, I bless Your name.
You are my All in all.
When I fall down You pick me up; When I am dry you fill my cup.
You are my All in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your Name.
________________________
Change My Heart, O God
~Eddie Espinosa~
Change my heart, O God,
make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.
You are the Potter,
I am the clay;
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.
___________________
Cry of My Heart
~Terry Butler~
It is the cry of my heart to follow You.
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow all the days of my life.
Teach me You holy ways, O Lord, so I can walk in Your truth.
Teach me Your holy ways, O Lord, and make me wholly devoted to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow You.
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You.
It is the cry of my heart to follow all the days of my life.
Open my eyes so I can see the wonderful things that You do.
Open my heart up more and more, and make it wholly devoted to You.
_____________________
More Precious Than Silver
~Lynn Deshazo~
Lord, You are more precious than silver.
Lord, You are more costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds
and nothing I desire compares with You.
_______________________
Shout to the Lord
~Darlene Zschech~
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
at the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
For ever I'll love You, forever I'll stand;
Nothing compares to the prom I have to You.
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of
Your mighty love.
My comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am,
never cease to worship You.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
______________________
We Fall Down
~Chris Tomlin~
We fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus.
The greatness of mercy and love at the feet of Jesus.
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy."
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy."
And we cry "Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb."
__________________
At the Cross I'll Abide
~Isaiah Baltzell~
O Jesus, Saviour, I long to rest,
Near the Cross where Thou hast died;
For there is hope for the aching breast!
At the Cross I will abide.
At the Cross (At the Cross) I'll abide, (I'll abide,)
At the Cross (At the Cross) I'll abide, (I'll abide,)
There His blood is applied
At the Cross I am satisfied.
My dying Jesus, my Saviour, God,
Who hast borne my guilt and sin,
Now wash me, cleanse me with Thine own blood,
Ever keep me pure and clean.
O Jesus, Saviour, now make me Thine,
Never let me stray from Thee;
Oh, wash me, cleanse me, for Thou art mine,
And Thy love is full and free.
The cleansing pow'r of Thy blood apply,
All my guilt and sin remove;
Oh, help me, while at Thy Cross I lie,
Fill my soul with perfect love.
_______________________
Light At the River
~Unknown author of this, the original hymn~
There is a river we must cross o'ver,
When life's sun goes to sleep in the west;
There'll be a light for me at the crossing,
Guiding me to that home of sweet rest.
When I reach the banks of the river,
Where the chilly
waters murmur their song:
Nothing to harm me, nothing alarms me.
While I am sailing to my new home.
Down by the river soon I'll be standing,
Bidding fare well to friends left below;
Sailing with Jesus.
I know that He will be the Light at the
river for me.
Chorus:
There'll be a Light for me at the river,
Guiding my boat across the dark foam:
Down thru the valley past the dark shadows,
Jesus, my Light, will guide me safe home.
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