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.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
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.
Songs/Poems of Praise and Worship # 3
We Give Thee but Thine Own
~William W. How~
We give thee but Thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as Thou blessest us,
To Thee our firstfruits give.
O hearts are bruised and dead,
And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled
Are straying from the fold.
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
Is angels' work below.
The captive to release,
To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace
It is a Christ-like thing.
And we believe Thy Word,
Though dim our faith may be;
Whate'er for Thine we do, O Lord,
We do it unto Thee.
_______________________
New Year 1945
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945)
With every power for good to stay and guide me,
Comforted and inspired beyond all fear,
I'll live these days with You in thought beside me,
And pass, with You, into the coming year.
The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening:
The long days of our sorrow will endure.
Father, grant to the soul Thou hast been chastening
That Thou hast promised - the healing and the cure.
Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving
Even to the dregs of pain, at Thy command,
We will not falter, thankfully receiving
All that is given by Thy loving hand.
But, should it be Thy will once more to release us
To life's enjoyment and its good sunshine,
That we've learned from sorrow shall increase us
And all our life be dedicate as Thine.
Today, her candles shed their radiant greeting:
Lo, on our darkness are they not Thy light,
Leadintg us haply to our longed-for meeting?
Thou canst illumine e'en our darkest night.
When now the silence deepens for our harken:
Grant we may hear Thy children's voices raise
From all the unseen world around us darkening
Their universal paean, in Thy praise.
While all the powers of Good and and attend us;
Boldly we'll face the future, be it what may.
At even,and at morn, God will befriend us,
And oh, most surely on each new year's day!
_______________________
I Take, He Undertakes
~A. B. Simpson~
I clasp the hand of Love divine,
I claim the gracious promise mine,
And add to His my countersign,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Thee, blessed Lord,
I give myself to Thee,
And Thou, according to Thy word,
Dost undertake for me.
I take salvation full and free,
Through Him who gave His live for me,
He undertakes my all to be,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Him as my holiness,
My spirit's spotless, heavenly dress,
I take the Lord, my righteousness,
"I take"- "He undertakes."
I take the promised Holy Ghost,
I take the power of Pentecost,
To fill me to the uttermost,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Him for this mortal frame,
I take my healing through His Name,
And all His risen life I claim,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I simply take Him at His word,
I praise Him that my prayer is heard,
And claim my answer from the Lord,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
~William W. How~
We give thee but Thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as Thou blessest us,
To Thee our firstfruits give.
O hearts are bruised and dead,
And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled
Are straying from the fold.
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
Is angels' work below.
The captive to release,
To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace
It is a Christ-like thing.
And we believe Thy Word,
Though dim our faith may be;
Whate'er for Thine we do, O Lord,
We do it unto Thee.
_______________________
New Year 1945
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945)
With every power for good to stay and guide me,
Comforted and inspired beyond all fear,
I'll live these days with You in thought beside me,
And pass, with You, into the coming year.
The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening:
The long days of our sorrow will endure.
Father, grant to the soul Thou hast been chastening
That Thou hast promised - the healing and the cure.
Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving
Even to the dregs of pain, at Thy command,
We will not falter, thankfully receiving
All that is given by Thy loving hand.
But, should it be Thy will once more to release us
To life's enjoyment and its good sunshine,
That we've learned from sorrow shall increase us
And all our life be dedicate as Thine.
Today, her candles shed their radiant greeting:
Lo, on our darkness are they not Thy light,
Leadintg us haply to our longed-for meeting?
Thou canst illumine e'en our darkest night.
When now the silence deepens for our harken:
Grant we may hear Thy children's voices raise
From all the unseen world around us darkening
Their universal paean, in Thy praise.
While all the powers of Good and and attend us;
Boldly we'll face the future, be it what may.
At even,and at morn, God will befriend us,
And oh, most surely on each new year's day!
_______________________
I Take, He Undertakes
~A. B. Simpson~
I clasp the hand of Love divine,
I claim the gracious promise mine,
And add to His my countersign,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Thee, blessed Lord,
I give myself to Thee,
And Thou, according to Thy word,
Dost undertake for me.
I take salvation full and free,
Through Him who gave His live for me,
He undertakes my all to be,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Him as my holiness,
My spirit's spotless, heavenly dress,
I take the Lord, my righteousness,
"I take"- "He undertakes."
I take the promised Holy Ghost,
I take the power of Pentecost,
To fill me to the uttermost,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I take Him for this mortal frame,
I take my healing through His Name,
And all His risen life I claim,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
I simply take Him at His word,
I praise Him that my prayer is heard,
And claim my answer from the Lord,
"I take" - "He undertakes."
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Songs/Poems of Praise and Worship # 2
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' Name, Amen
___________________
Father, I want to know Thee, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become every part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' Name, Amen
____________________
Only to sit and think of God
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name;
Earth has no higher bliss.
Father of Jesus, love's reward!
What rapture it will be,
Prostrate before Thy throne to lie,
And gaze and gaze on Thee!
~Fredrick Faber~
_______________________
Lord, how excellent are Thy ways, and how devious
and dark of the ways of man. Show us how to
die, that we may rise again to newness of life.
Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down
as Thou didst rend the veil of the Temple. We
would draw near in full assurance of faith.
We would dwell with Thee in daily experience
here on this earth so that we may be accustomed
to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to
dwell with Thee there. In Jesus' Name, Amen
_________________
O God, quicken to life every power within
me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my
eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual
perception; enable me to taste Thee and know
that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to
me than earthly things have ever been, Amen
____________________
O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation
with visible things. The world has been too much with
me. Thou hast been here and I knew it not. I have
been blind to Thy presence. Open my eyes that I
may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ's
sake, Amen
________________________
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my
ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds
which continually assault them. Give me the spirit
of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak,
for Thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking
in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy
voice, that its tones may be familiar when the
sounds of earth die away and the only sound
will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen
_____________________
Nicholas of Cusa wrote four hundred years ago:
When all my endeavor is turned toward Thee because
all Thy endeavor is turned toward me; when I look
unto Thee alone with all my attention, nor ever turn
aside the eyes of my mind, because Thou dost enfold
me with Thy constant regard; when I direct my love toward Thee alone because Thou, who art Love's self hast turned
Thee toward me alone. And what, Lord, is my life, save
that embrace wherein Thy delightsome sweetness doth
so lovingly enfold me?
_____________________
O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting
me to look away to Thee and be satisfied.
My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded
my vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased
to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and
make me inwardly pure,so that I may with
unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days
of my earthly pilgrimage.
Then shall I be prepared to behold Thee in full
splendor in the day when Thou shalt appear
to be glorified in Thy saints and admired in
all of them that believe. Amen
______________________
O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing
of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only
Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over
my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be
above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in
the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my
comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts
and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my
vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over
my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee
even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my
name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into
Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions,
above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes,
above my family, my health and even my life itself.
Let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth
upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted
upon the humble beast, a colt, the foal of an ass,
and let me hear the children cry to Thee, "Hosanna
in the highest." Amen
_______________________
Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge
to compete with another for place or prestige or
position. I would be simple and artless as a little
child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive
me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself
and find my true peace in beholding Thee. That
Thou may answer this prayer I humble myself before
Thee. Lay upon me Thy easy yoke of self-forgetfulness
that through it I may find rest. Amen
____________________
Lord, I would trust Thee completely; I would be
altogether Thine; I would exalt Thee above all. I
desire that I may feel no sense of possessing
anything outside of Thee. I want constantly to be
aware of Thy overshadowing presence and to hear
Thy speaking voice. I long to live in restful sincerity
of heart. I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all
my thoughts may be as sweet incense ascending
to Thee and every act of my life be an act of worship.
Therefore I pray in the words of Thy great servant
of old, "I beseech Thee so for to cleanse the intent
of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace,
that I may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise
Thee." And all this I confidently believe Thou wilt
grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son.
Amen
___________________
Father, I want to know Thee, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become every part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' Name, Amen
____________________
Only to sit and think of God
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name;
Earth has no higher bliss.
Father of Jesus, love's reward!
What rapture it will be,
Prostrate before Thy throne to lie,
And gaze and gaze on Thee!
~Fredrick Faber~
_______________________
Lord, how excellent are Thy ways, and how devious
and dark of the ways of man. Show us how to
die, that we may rise again to newness of life.
Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down
as Thou didst rend the veil of the Temple. We
would draw near in full assurance of faith.
We would dwell with Thee in daily experience
here on this earth so that we may be accustomed
to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to
dwell with Thee there. In Jesus' Name, Amen
_________________
O God, quicken to life every power within
me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my
eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual
perception; enable me to taste Thee and know
that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to
me than earthly things have ever been, Amen
____________________
O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation
with visible things. The world has been too much with
me. Thou hast been here and I knew it not. I have
been blind to Thy presence. Open my eyes that I
may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ's
sake, Amen
________________________
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my
ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds
which continually assault them. Give me the spirit
of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak,
for Thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking
in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy
voice, that its tones may be familiar when the
sounds of earth die away and the only sound
will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen
_____________________
Nicholas of Cusa wrote four hundred years ago:
When all my endeavor is turned toward Thee because
all Thy endeavor is turned toward me; when I look
unto Thee alone with all my attention, nor ever turn
aside the eyes of my mind, because Thou dost enfold
me with Thy constant regard; when I direct my love toward Thee alone because Thou, who art Love's self hast turned
Thee toward me alone. And what, Lord, is my life, save
that embrace wherein Thy delightsome sweetness doth
so lovingly enfold me?
_____________________
O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting
me to look away to Thee and be satisfied.
My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded
my vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased
to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and
make me inwardly pure,so that I may with
unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days
of my earthly pilgrimage.
Then shall I be prepared to behold Thee in full
splendor in the day when Thou shalt appear
to be glorified in Thy saints and admired in
all of them that believe. Amen
______________________
O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing
of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only
Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over
my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be
above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in
the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my
comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts
and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my
vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over
my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee
even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my
name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into
Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions,
above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes,
above my family, my health and even my life itself.
Let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth
upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted
upon the humble beast, a colt, the foal of an ass,
and let me hear the children cry to Thee, "Hosanna
in the highest." Amen
_______________________
Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge
to compete with another for place or prestige or
position. I would be simple and artless as a little
child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive
me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself
and find my true peace in beholding Thee. That
Thou may answer this prayer I humble myself before
Thee. Lay upon me Thy easy yoke of self-forgetfulness
that through it I may find rest. Amen
____________________
Lord, I would trust Thee completely; I would be
altogether Thine; I would exalt Thee above all. I
desire that I may feel no sense of possessing
anything outside of Thee. I want constantly to be
aware of Thy overshadowing presence and to hear
Thy speaking voice. I long to live in restful sincerity
of heart. I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all
my thoughts may be as sweet incense ascending
to Thee and every act of my life be an act of worship.
Therefore I pray in the words of Thy great servant
of old, "I beseech Thee so for to cleanse the intent
of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace,
that I may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise
Thee." And all this I confidently believe Thou wilt
grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son.
Amen
Songs/Poems of Praise and Worship
Adoration
Almighty One! I bend in dust before Thee;
Even so veiled cherubs bend;
In calm and still devotion I adore Thee,
All-wise, all-present Friend!
Thou to the earth its emerald robes hast given
Or curtained it in snow;
And the bright sun, and the soft moon in heaven,
Before Thy presence bow.
Thou Power sublime! whose throne is firmly seated
On stars and glowing suns;
O, could I praise Thee, could my soul, elated,
Waft Thee seraphic tones,
Had I the lyres of angels, could I bring Thee
An offering worthy Thee,
In what bright notes of glory would I sing Thee,
Blest notes of ecstasy!
Eternity! Eternity! how solemn,
How terrible the sound!
Here, leaning on thy promises, a column
Of strength, may I be found,
O, let my heart be ever Thine, while beating,
As when twill cease to beat!
Be Thou my portion, till that awful meeting
When I my God shall greet!
~Sir John Bowring~
_______________________
The Unity of God
One God! one Majesty!
There is no God but Thee!
Unbounded, unextended Unity!
Awful in unity,
O God! we worship Thee
More simply one, because supremely Three!
Dread, unbeginning One!
Single, yet not alone,
Creation hath not set Thee on a higher throne.
Unfathomable Sea!
All life is out of Thee,
And Thy life is Thy blissful Unity.
All things that from Thee run,
All works that Thou hast done,
Thou didst in honor of Thy being One.
And by Thy being One,
Ever by that alone,
Couldst Thou do, and doest, what Thou hast done.
We from Thy oneness come,
Beyond it cannot roam,
And in Thy goodness find our one eternal home.
Blest be Thy unity!
All joys are one to me,
The joy that there can be no other God than Thee!
~Fredrick William Faber~
_________________________
I've Turned My Back Upon the World
I've turned my back upon the world
With all its idle pleasures,
And set my heart on better things,
On higher, holier treasures;
No more its glitter and its glare,
And vanity shall blind me;
I've crossed the separating line,
And left the world behind me.
~Elisha A. Hoffman~
________________________
We're Marching to Zion
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.
We're marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heavenly King,
But children of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets,
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
We're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.
~Isaac Watts~
______________________
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is Our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And through this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
~Alfred C. Sneed~
Almighty One! I bend in dust before Thee;
Even so veiled cherubs bend;
In calm and still devotion I adore Thee,
All-wise, all-present Friend!
Thou to the earth its emerald robes hast given
Or curtained it in snow;
And the bright sun, and the soft moon in heaven,
Before Thy presence bow.
Thou Power sublime! whose throne is firmly seated
On stars and glowing suns;
O, could I praise Thee, could my soul, elated,
Waft Thee seraphic tones,
Had I the lyres of angels, could I bring Thee
An offering worthy Thee,
In what bright notes of glory would I sing Thee,
Blest notes of ecstasy!
Eternity! Eternity! how solemn,
How terrible the sound!
Here, leaning on thy promises, a column
Of strength, may I be found,
O, let my heart be ever Thine, while beating,
As when twill cease to beat!
Be Thou my portion, till that awful meeting
When I my God shall greet!
~Sir John Bowring~
_______________________
The Unity of God
One God! one Majesty!
There is no God but Thee!
Unbounded, unextended Unity!
Awful in unity,
O God! we worship Thee
More simply one, because supremely Three!
Dread, unbeginning One!
Single, yet not alone,
Creation hath not set Thee on a higher throne.
Unfathomable Sea!
All life is out of Thee,
And Thy life is Thy blissful Unity.
All things that from Thee run,
All works that Thou hast done,
Thou didst in honor of Thy being One.
And by Thy being One,
Ever by that alone,
Couldst Thou do, and doest, what Thou hast done.
We from Thy oneness come,
Beyond it cannot roam,
And in Thy goodness find our one eternal home.
Blest be Thy unity!
All joys are one to me,
The joy that there can be no other God than Thee!
~Fredrick William Faber~
_________________________
I've Turned My Back Upon the World
I've turned my back upon the world
With all its idle pleasures,
And set my heart on better things,
On higher, holier treasures;
No more its glitter and its glare,
And vanity shall blind me;
I've crossed the separating line,
And left the world behind me.
~Elisha A. Hoffman~
________________________
We're Marching to Zion
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.
We're marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heavenly King,
But children of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets,
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
We're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.
~Isaac Watts~
______________________
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is Our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And through this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
~Alfred C. Sneed~
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