Come Ye Sinners!

I have known this song all my life and never really liked it. Then I heard Todd Agnew sing his version of it and for the first time, I really heard the words.

I was blown away that this was the same song.

(For once the new arrangement is better than the original.)

This arrangement has a quieter, more sincere feel.

The words paint such a wonderful picture of salvation.

It is that of a broken and seeking heart and that of a Saviour,

waiting with outstretched arms,

calling to us and ready to welcome us home.

I love the response the writer gives to Christ's call,

"I will arise and go to Jesus!"

What a picture of a soul, bound and beaten down, realizing that he no longer has to stay in the horrible pit of sin. I can imagine, from out of the rubble around him, hearing a voice and seeing someone beckoning; knowing that the One calling is there to rescue. I can picture that soul leaping up and joyfully shouting "I will arise and go!", and when he does, he finds hope, peace and freedom.

We are that soul. Think of it!

We, being sick and wounded, ruined with sin, can arise and go (running!) to Jesus, pleading the merit of His blood and know He will embrace us, forgive our sins and hold us in His arms, forever.

We so easily forget what an amazing thing it is, this miracle of salvation. But may we never get over the awe of a God who loved us so much that He died for us while we were still sinners. And knowing our sin, our guilt, our pain, He called us to Himself to cleanse us, heal us and carry us Home.

~

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty,
come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him,
venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

-Joseph Hart, 1759

The truth of all of us

We recently watching "Amazing Grace", the story of William Wilberforce.
It is a pretty good movie all around but one quote stuck out at me that I can't help but remember. The scence set-up was that William was talking with his old pastor who happened to be John Newton. Newton, in talking about his fading memory, said though he had forgotten most things, one thing he did remember,
"...I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Savior."
I don't know if the actual John Newton said that or not but it sure is a great quote.

Ps. 116:1-9

1 I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death encompassed me
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!"
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.
9 I shall walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.

~

This passage has become the voice of my soul.

I have found such a comfort from the truth in these words.

I especially love verse 7. Return to your rest, O my soul!

These verses are just what I have needed.

My pastor is the one who sent them to me via email knowing the

struggles I am facing.

The words have struck a cord deep within me that

resonates them over and over in a contining prayer and

shout of praise to our Lord.

Moments from "Mocha With Max" (Part 2)

More quotes by Max Lucado

~

John says that someday God will wipe away your tears. The same hands that stretched the heavens will someday touch your cheeks. The same hands that formed the mountains will caress your face. The same hands that curled in agony as the Roman spike cut through will someday cup your face and brush away your tears. Forever.

~

The path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back.

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Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into His presence. If nothing else whisper, "Thank you for a night's rest. I belong to you today."

~

When no one is watching, live as if Someone is.

Moments from "Mocha With Max" (Part 1)

Here are some of my favorite random quotes taken from the book "Mocha With Max" by Max Lucado.

~

God views your life the way you view a movie after you've read the book. When something bad happens, you feel the air sucked out of the theater. Everyone else gasps at the crisis on the screen. Not you. Why? You've read the book. You know how the good guy gets out of the tight spot. God views your life with the same confidence. He's not only read your story....He wrote it. His perspective is different, and His purpose is clear.

~

Your place in heaven was more important to Christ than His place in heaven, so He gave up His so you could have yours.

~

It is the normality, not the uniqueness of God's miracles that causes them to be so staggering. Rather than shocking the globe with an occasional demonstration of deity, God has opted to display His power daily. Proverbially. Pounding waves. Prism-cast colors. Birth, death, life. We are surrounded by miracles. God is throwing testimonies at us like fireworks, each one exploding, "God is! God is!

~

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day.

If I succeed, I will give thanks.

If I fail, I will seek His grace.

And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

~

You don't add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying....Not only is worry irrelevant, doing nothing; worry is irreverent, distrusting God.

Worry is an option, not an assignment. God can lead you into a worry-free world. Be quick to pray. Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind. Do your part, and God will do His. He will guard your heart with His peace...a peace that passes understanding. (Phil. 4:6-7)

~

God isn't going to let you see the distant scene so you might as well quit looking for it. He promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future. We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow. We only need to know He leads.

~

In need of contentment? Remember:

You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. if you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.

(Ps. 23)

~

Read Psalms 23:6, What a huge statement! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day. Thank of the day and the ones that lie ahead.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me- not some, not most, not nearly all-but all the days of my life.

Think...

Of stepping on the shore and finding it Heaven;
Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God's hand;
Of breathing a new air and finding it celestial air;
Of feeling invigorated and finding it immortality;
Of passing from storm and tempest to an unknown calm;
Of waking and finding you're Home!

The Closet

This one hits a little closer to home for me (and I know a few of you as well) than I would like.

If you go into the closet to pray- don't clean the closet while you're in there....just pray. If you must clean something, take the time to clean out your heart.

It's so easy to see all the things that need to be done, getting distracted from what is really important. May we find a way to focus more fully on Him, leaving distraction (and clutter )behind.

Luke 10:38-42
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

It's Time

It's time to get on our faces before God!
When the world falls in- it's time
When we get scared- it's time
When we've fallen away- it's time
When we need a friend- it's time
When we hurt- it's time
When there's pain in our body- it's time
When we face doubt- it's time
When we lose it all- it's time
When we face an uncertain future- it's time
When we don't know what to do- it's time
When things are good- it's time
When we are safe, loved and full of joy- it's time
Every second of every day- it's time

The Storm

Don't tell God how big your storm is.
Look at the storm and tell it
How big GOD is!

Purpose

If there is nothing else for us to do in this world it is to love the unlovable, laugh at the unlaughable, live with the unlivable.

God Is With You

This is from the children's book "God Is With You" by Larry Libby.
It may be a children's book but the message behind it is a good one and we can always use the reminder that no matter what God is with us.

When you're facing a scary time, Remember God is with you.
When you feel He is far away, Remember God is with you.
When everything seems to go wrong, Remember God is with you.
When you have hurts that won't go away, Remember God is with you.
When people tell lies about you, Rember God is with you.
When you don't know what's ahead, Remember God is with you.
When it seems like nobody understands, Remember God is with you.
When you're feeling sad or all alone, Remember God is with you.
When you think about this world ending, Remember God is with you.
When the path before you is dark and dangerous, Remember God is with you.
When you say good-bye to someone you love, Remember God is with you.
When you have to do something you think is very hard, Remember God is with you.
When your best friend moves away, Remember God is with you.
No matter what, Remember God is with you.

Hypocritical Singing

I found this artical in an old newsletter and it's sadly true.

We sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and content ourselves with ten or fifteen minutes a day (if that much).
We sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and wait to be drafted into service.
We sing "Oh For A Thousand Tongues" and don't use the one we have (or not in the right way).
We sing "Blest Be The Ties That Bind" and let the least little offense sever it.
We sing "Serve the Lord with Gladness" and gripe about everything we have to do.
We sing "We're Marching to Zion" and fail to march to Sunday School.
We sing "I Love to Tell the Story" and never mention it all year.
We sing "Cast Thy Burden On The Lord" and worry ourselves into nervous breakdowns.
We sing "The Whole Wide World for Jesus" and never invite our next door neighbor to church.
We sing "Throw out the Lifeline" and content ourselves by throwing out a fishing line.
- Canadian Trumpeteer

Advice For Life

Happy moments -
Praise God
Difficult moments -
Seek God
Quiet moments -
Worship God
Painful moments -
Trust God
Every moment -
Thank God

Seen By God

There was a couple who had spent 40 years on the mission field. Upon retiring, they returned to the states by ship. President Wilson was on the same boat. As they arrived in port, there were crowds of people with banners and music, greeting the President after his time abroad.
There was not one soul there to welcome the missionaries home or to thank them for their years of service.
As is human nature, this hit the man very hard. He had dedicated his life to his calling and no one seemed to care enough to greet them at their homecoming.
On the train ride to their home, He was speaking to God about the matter.
It was then that God whispered to him, “You’re not home yet”.

There are so many people who spend their lives doing things behind the scenes.
Others may never know what they have done and no words of gratitude may ever be spoken.
But nothing done for God is ever lost.
What you do on earth for the kingdom of God will gain for you a heavenly reward far surpassing even the greatest earthly prize or recognition.
And it will never be taken away.

Peace

Stayed upon Jehovah,Hearts are fully blest—
Finding, as He promised,Perfect peace and rest.
—Havergal

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
—Hoffman

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3

When there is a storm without, He will make peace within.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:17

Great Things

Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.
~William Carey

Faith

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace. It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.
~Martin Luther

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.
~Oswald Chambers

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
~Corrie ten Boom

Galations 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Deut. 3:24

O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The Love of God

The Love of God, how rich and strong,
Forever faithful-eternity long.
It will not falter, it will not fail,
Sent Son to die and save from hell.
What a loving Father, what a friend,
That loves a man in darkness of sin.
~?

Trust His Heart

I remember singing this song in high school choir. I had forgotten about it until I heard it the other day on the radio. The words hold a truth we should plant deep in our hearts and remember when trials and pain hit our lives.

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds the future in His hand
Don't live as those who have no hope
While our hope is found in Him.
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry, He's weaving you and me,
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

Solid Hope

I love the song "The Solid Rock".
It's a stand-by in most churches and in the new contempory churches, it's not even sung. But it is still one of my favorites. I think it is because during the times when life feels uncertain and shaky I can always stand firm when I cling to Jesus, my Rock. This song reminds me of that.
The first words of the song are probably my favorite and I don't know how many times I have heard them repeated in my head. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness" He alone is our hope.
-----------
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

-Edward Mote 1836

Love So Undeserved

On such love, my soul still ponder,
Love so rich, so great, so free;
Say, while lost in holy wonder,
“Why, O Lord, such love to me?”~ Kent

Fear

Beth Moore -
Trusting God is not believing that He will take away that which you are most fearful of;
But believing that even if He allows that fear to materialize in your life, He will be with you every step of the way. Trust is believing that this His a part of His plan and that He will bring you through it. Trusting God is believing that with Him beside you, you can survive anything- even that which you feared the most.

Charles Stanley-
When you are standing in the middle of something that creates pain or fear, remember that the God that brought you to it already has a plan to get you through it, knowing when and how to do it.
He knows the minute the storm starts, why its needed, how strong it will be, how long it will last and how to make it stop.