The Light and Glory of the Word...

The Spirit breathes upon the word,

And brings the truth to sight;

Precepts and promises afford

A sanctifying light.

A glory gilds the sacred page,

Majestic like the sun;

It gives a light to every age,

It gives, but borrows none.

The hand that gave it still supplies

The gracious light and heat;

His truths upon the nations rise,

They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine,

For such a bright display,

As makes a world of darkness shine

With beams of heavenly day.

My soul rejoices to pursue

The steps of Him I love,

Till glory break upon my view

In brighter worlds above.

-William Cowper

O Lord our God, Who has called us to serve You...

O Lord our God,

Who has called us to serve You,

In the midst of the world’s affairs,

When we stumble, hold us;

When we fall, lift us up;

When we are hard pressed with evil, deliver us;

When we turn from what is good, turn us back;

And bring us at last to Your glory.

-St. Alcuin 

True Christianity brings with it a daily cross in this life...

We must not conceal from ourselves that true Christianity brings with it a daily cross in this life, while it offers us a crown of glory in the life to come. The flesh must be daily crucified. The devil must be daily resisted. The world must be daily overcome. There is a warfare to be waged, and a battle to be fought. All this is the inseparable accompaniment of true religion. Heaven is not to be won without it. Never was there a truer word than the old saying, “No cross, no crown!” If we never found this out by experience, our souls are in a poor condition.  -J.C. Ryle

My God, how endless is Thy love!

My God, how endless is Thy love!

Thy gifts are ev’ry ev’ning new;

And morning mercies from above

Gently distill like early dew.

 

Thou spread’st the curtains of the night,

Great guardian of my sleeping hours;

Thy sov’reign word restores the light,

And quickens all my drowsy pow’rs.

 

I yield my pow’rs to Thy command,

To Thee I consecrate my days;

Perpetual blessings from Thine hand

Demand perpetual songs of praise.

-Isaac Watts

I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God...

I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God,

To wash me in Thy cleansing blood,

To dwell within Thy wounds; then pain

Is sweet, and life or death is gain.

 

Take my poor heart, and let it be

For ever closed to all but Thee!

Seal Thou my breast, and let me wear

That pledge of love for ever there.

 

How blest are they who still abide

Close shelter’d in Thy bleeding side;

Who life and strength from thence derive,

And by Thee move, and in Thee live!

 

What are our works but sin and death,

Till Thou Thy quick’ning Spirit breathe?

Thou giv’st the power Thy grace to move—

O wondrous grace! O boundless love!

 

Hence our hearts melt, our eyes o’erflow,

Our words are lost: nor will we know,

Nor will we think of aught, beside

“My Lord, my Love is crucified.”

-Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf

We Too Have Overcome...

 

We Too Have Overcome 

CityAlight

V1

Take heart where there is trouble

This world belongs to Him

Rely upon the words of Christ the King

He said there would be trials

But He has overcome

The battle is the Lord’s and He has won

V2

Take heart where there is failure

Where sin fights for a hold

Rely upon the power of His blood

There is no condemnation

For Jesus paid it all

So praise the God of mercy, oh my soul

CHORUS

On the cross He stormed the prison

By His death He broke the bars

When He rose He freed

His children from the dark

And He bound the great deceiver

And He leads me in His love

Praise God,

in Christ we too have overcome

V3

Take heart where there is sorrow

In sickness and in death

Rely upon the peace that He has sent

He promises a future

Where joy will never cease

And there I know a home awaits for me

CHORUS

On the cross He stormed the prison

By His death He broke the bars

When He rose He freed

His children from the dark

And He bound the great deceiver

And He leads me in His love

Praise God,

in Christ we too have overcome

BRIDGE

He is risen and He reigns

It is finished it is done

So take heart

He has overcome

Yes the victory we need

Is the victory He won

So take heart

He has overcome

In Christ

We have overcome

CHORUS

Jesus! Where’er Thy people meet...

Jesus! where’er Thy people meet,

There they behold Thy mercy-seat;

Where’er they seek Thee, Thou art found,

And every place is hallow’d ground.

 

Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few!

Thy former mercies here renew;

Here to our waiting hearts proclaim

The sweetness of Thy saving name.

-William Cowper

Holiness comes not of blood...

Holiness comes not of blood—parents cannot give it to their children: nor yet of the will of the flesh—man cannot produce it in himself: nor yet of the will of man—ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch of the True Vine.  -J.C. Ryle Image

He who finds Jesus finds a rare treasure...

He who finds Jesus finds a rare treasure, indeed, a good above every good, whereas he who loses Him loses more than the whole world. The man who lives without Jesus is the poorest of the poor, whereas no one is so rich as the man who lives in His grace.  ...Thomas à Kempis 

Prayer and a holy life are one...

Prayer and a holy life are one. They mutually act and react. Neither can survive alone... We are in danger of substituting churchly work and a ceaseless round of showy activities for prayer and holy living. A holy life does not live in the closet, but it cannot live without the closet. If, by any chance, a prayer chamber should be established without a holy life, it would be a chamber without the presence of God in it. ...E.M. Bounds 

Prayer and the Word are inseparably linked...

“Prayer and the Word are inseparably linked; power in the use of either depends upon the presence of the other. The Word gives you a subject for prayer. It shows you the path of prayer, telling you how God would have you come. It gives you the power for prayer—courage in the assurance that you will be heard. And it brings you the answer to prayer as it teaches what God will do for you. On the other hand, prayer prepares your heart to receive the Word from God himself, to receive spiritual understanding from the Spirit, and to build faith that participates in its mighty working.” -Andrew Murray

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God...

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.   ...Brother Lawrence

All to Honour Jesus...

 

All to Honour Jesus 

CityAlight

V1

Father, may I serve like my Saviour

Give me eyes to see what you see

Teach my sinful heart to be humble

Help me be your hands and feet

V2

Father, may I love like my Saviour

As He had compassion on me

May I work for justice and mercy

For the ones in greatest need

CHORUS

God of love would you lead me

Take this heart, make it holy

Help me serve

through the strength of Christ

All to honour Jesus with my life

All to honour Jesus with my life

V3

Father, may I tell of my Saviour

How He offers hope for the lost

Help me share the grace and forgiveness

That he showed me at the cross

CHORUS

God of love would you lead me

Take this heart, make it holy

Help me serve

through the strength of Christ

All to honour Jesus with my life

All to honour Jesus with my life

BRIDGE

Praise my Saviour for His mercy

Praise the Servant King

All to Jesus be the glory

All to honour Him

Praise my Saviour for His mercy

Praise the Servant King

All to Jesus be the glory

All to honour Him

All to honour Him

CHORUS

God of love would you lead me

Take this heart, make it holy

Help me serve

through the strength of Christ

All to honour Jesus with my life

All to honour Jesus with my life

Heavenly Father, may You grant us to comprehend Your holy Word...

Heavenly Father, may You grant us to comprehend Your holy Word according to Your divine will, that we may learn from it to put all our confidence in You alone, and withdraw it from all other creatures; moreover, that also our old man with all his lusts may be crucified more and more each day, and that we may offer ourselves to You as a living sacrifice, to the glory of Your holy name and to the edification of our neighbor, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. -Zacharias Ursinus

My Father, gird me still with Your presence...

My Father, gird me still with Your presence, 

both by day and by night. 

By day, teach me to remember my weakness,

and by night tell me where lies my strength.

By day, point me down to Gethsemane,

and by night lead me up into the mount of transfigured glory.

By day show me the burden,

and by night reveal to me the crown,

so shall my days and nights be girded about with You.

-George Matheson

Little did they dream...

Little did they dream, as they bound the fatal wood upon His shoulder, by whose power that tree was made to grow, and from whom the beings who bore Him to the death, drew their existence. So completely was Jesus bent upon saving sinners by the sacrifice of Himself, He created the tree upon which He was to die, and nurtured from infancy the men who were to nail Him to the accursed wood!

Oh the depth of Jesus' love to sinners! 

-Octavius Winslow

Sinners, are you poor?

Sinners, are you poor? Christ has gold to enrich you.

Are you naked? Christ has royal robes, 

and white clothing to clothe you.

Are you blind? Christ has eye-salve to enlighten you.

Are you hungry? Christ will be manna to feed you.

Are you thirsty? He will be a well of living water to refresh you.

Are you wounded? He has a balm under his wings to heal you.

Are you sick? He is a physician to cure you.

Are you prisoners? He has laid down a ransom for you.

Ah, sinners! 

Tell me, tell me, is there anything in Christ 

to keep you from believing? No.

Is there not everything in Christ 

that may encourage you to believe in Him? Yes. 

-Thomas Brooks  Image 

O Love of God, descend into my heart...

O Love of God, descend into my heart;

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,

And scatter there Your cheerful beams.

Dwell in the soul that longs to be Your temple;

Water that barren soil overrun with weeds and briars

And lost for lack of cultivating.

Make it fruitful with Your dew.

Come, dear Refreshment of those who languish;

Come, Star and Guide of those who sail amidst tempests.

You are the Haven of the tossed and shipwrecked.

Come now, Glory and Crown of the living,

As well as the Safeguard of the dying.

Come, Sacred Spirit;

Come, and make me fit to receive You.

-Augustine

Lord, you know what distracted hearts we have...

Lord, you know what distracted hearts we have, O give us self-recollection; you know what hard, dead hearts we have, O touch and awaken us! You know how we yet resist your Word and our lower nature is reluctant to bow to your scepter; therefore, O Lord, show forth your power; send your Spirit on high to work among us, to make our hearts submissive, and ourselves capable of living in true union with you, our salvation, and of yielding totally to your grace. Amen.  

-Gerhard Tersteegen

As for Me and My House...

 

As for Me and My House 

 Keith and Kristyn Getty, Cochren & Co.

Vs 1

Oh, choose you this day whom you will serve

The kingdom of heaven or the powers of earth

Has He not spoken? Have you not heard?

There is but one true God

Vs 2

The God of our fathers set us free

His Son paid the price for our covenant peace

Through generations His mercy speaks

We trust in one true God

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

Vs 3

This house is the Lord’s and all within

May we be pleasing and holy to Him

Joined by His Spirit His people sing

Great is the one true God

Oh, great Is the living God

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

Bridge

Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit now in us

Let every heart and every tongue

Praise the one true God

(repeat)

Chorus

As for me and my house, we will serve, serve the Lord

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord our God

(repeat)

We think that Paradise and Calvary...

We think that Paradise and Calvary,

         Christ's cross, and Adam's tree, stood in one place;

Look, Lord, and find both Adams met in me;

         As the first Adam's sweat surrounds my face,

         May the last Adam's blood my soul embrace.

   -John Donne

Prayer is the most important thing you do...

Begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do; and that you can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have an opportunity to do so, either alone or with others, while at work, while at rest, or while walking down the street. Anywhere!   ...O. Hallesby

Take Up Your Cross, The Saviour Said...

 

 Take Up Your Cross, The Saviour Said

1 Take up your cross, the Saviour said,

if you would my disciple be;

Deny yourself, the world forsake,

and humbly follow after me.

2 Take up your cross; be not ashamed!

Let not disgrace your spirit fill; 

For God himself endured to die

upon a cross on Calvary's hill.

3 Take up your cross, which gives you strength,

which makes your trembling spirit brave:

'Twill guide you to a better home

and lead to vict'ry o'er the grave.

4 Take up your cross, and follow Christ,

nor think till death to lay it down;

For only they who bear the cross

may hope to wear the glorious crown.

Hear the Hallelujahs Roar

 

 Hear the Hallelujahs Roar 

CityAlight

V1

The whole earth it is longing

And waiting for the dawn

When we will see Christ come again

And worship Him as Lord

V2

The night will fade behind us

We’ll walk in endless days

Beside our God who dwells with us

As glory fills our gaze

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

V3

No guilt shall hold us fearful

Our tears will be no more

We’ll run and not grow weary then

Our strength will be restored

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

V4

But still, we will remember

The cross that He embraced

His blood that made us worthy heirs

Our great redeemers grace

V5

No captive held in slavery

No hunger no more strife

And death has lost its fatal sting

For all we’ll know is life

CHORUS

A song of praise is rising

From every tribe and tongue

O hear the hallelujahs roar

To Christ the worthy one

The need for solitude and quietness...

The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today. What the world will do about it is their problem. Apparently the masses want it the way it is, and the majority of Christians are so completely conformed to this present age that they, too, want things the way they are. They may be annoyed a bit by the clamor and by the goldfish-bowl existence they live, but apparently they are not annoyed enough to do anything about it.  -A.W. Tozer

But for the Cross of Christ

 

 But for the Cross of Christ 

 Bryan Fowler

Vs 1

What is the truth

That ever anchors me

Amidst the waves of all my guilt

That Christ has shed

His blood and pardoned me

At the cross, at the cross

Vs 2

He bore my sin

I bear His righteousness

Oh what a glorious exchange

The wrath of God

Laid on the spotless Lamb

Oh what grace, oh what grace

Chorus

Behold the cross

There is no greater love

Heaven’s Son

Laid down His life for us

Oh my soul would be lost

With no hope to find

But for the cross of Christ

Vs 3

How do I walk

With humble confidence

I look to Christ Who is my peace

He sealed my hope

And my inheritance

At the cross, at the cross

Vs 4

When I am weak

And stumble into sin

There is an ever-flowing stream

His cleansing blood revives my soul again

Oh what grace, oh what grace

Vs 5

One day I’ll stand

Before the King of Kings

One day I’ll see him face to face

For Jesus rose

Death lost its bitter sting

Christ has won! Christ has won!

Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean

 

Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean 

 The Gettys, Sandra McCracken

Vs 1

Here is love vast as the ocean

Lovingkindness 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 heav’n’s eternal days

Vs 2

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

Heav'n's peace and perfect justice

Kissed a guilty world in love

Vs 3

On the morn of resurrection

Mercy filled the thirsty grave

Where the stone of death burst open

Springs of life flowed unrestrained

Love no heart could ever measure

Joy no sorrows will outrun

Rush upon the soul believing

In the risen, reigning Son

Vs 4

Oh this love, vast love of Jesus

Bids us come and drink and live

To this weary world of longing

What more could our Savior give

Now to Christ who fully loved us

And who freed us from our sin

Be all glory and dominion 

Everlasting praise to Him 

As I Go Your Way...

 

 As I Go Your Way (Aleph)

 StillCreek

Vs 1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless

Who walk in the law of the Lord

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies

Who seek Him with their whole heart

They do no wrong

But follow His ways

As they obey

Chorus:

I will praise You, Lord

I will praise You, Lord

With an upright heart teach me to obey

I will keep Your word

I will keep Your word

O forsake me not as I go Your way

Vs 2

Oh that my ways would be established

Help me to learn and obey

Fixing my eyes on all Your commandments

So I will not be ashamed

You've laid them down

For my heart to keep 

So carefully

Psalm 27-The Lord Is My Light

 

Psalm 27-The Lord Is My Light

 Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story

Vs 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Chorus

Lord, You are my shelter

God of my salvation, I am not forsaken

Lord, my shield and protector

Waiting on Your promise

 I will see Your goodness O Lord

Vs 2

When troubles arise no foe can harm me

You are my peace, You are my peace

You lift me above the raging storm

You conquer my enemies Chorus

Vs 3

One thing I have asked, to see Your beauty

This I will seek, this I will seek

To dwell in Your house, to walk in Your ways

Your presence is all I need

Bridge

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

I wait, wait for the Lord

In faith, trusting Your Word

2x

Chorus

Before The Throne Of God Above

 

 Before The Throne Of God Above 

 Kristyn Getty

The Battle and the Blessing

 

 The Battle and the Blessing 

 CityAlight

V1

We did not bear the wounds that freed us   

Or walk the road to Calvary

We did not share Your cup of suffering 

And yet we share Your victory 

 

V2

We did not wear that heavy burden

Nor face the shame and agony 

A crown of thorns was placed upon You

Now we are crowned with love and peace  

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

V3

You chose to be a man of sorrows

That I can be a child of God

You stood and faced this world’s rejection

I stand, accepted by Your love

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

V4

My sin was buried with the Saviour

Now there is hope beyond the tomb 

For You were raised again in glory

And I am raised to life in You

Forevermore to live with You!

CHORUS

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Praise the Lord, my God, now I am free

At the cross Your grace took hold of me

There You paid my debt, there You fought my fight

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Yes, the battle was Yours and the blessing is mine

Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory)

 

Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory) 

 Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell 

Chorus

Oh victory in Jesus

My Savior forever

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood

He loved me ere I knew Him

And all my love is due Him

He plunged me to victory

Beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 1

I heard an old, old story

How a Savior came from glory

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me

I heard about His groaning

Of His precious blood's atoning

Then I repented of my sin,

Christ won the victory!

Verse 2

I heard about His healing

All His miracles revealing 

That He alone can save a soul

And set the captive free

I’m happy in His promise 

How soon He’s coming for us 

And home with Him I’ll sing again: 

Christ won the victory!

Verse 3

I’ll tell the old, old story

Till my Savior comes from glory

I’ll tell of all the Lord has done

To set this sinner free

That all who will believe Him 

By Faith can still receive Him

And share in that redemption song:

Christ won the victory!

Behold Our God

Behold Our God 

Sovereign Grace Music

Verse 1

Who has held the oceans in His hands

Who has numbered every grain of sand

Kings and nations tremble at His voice

All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come let us adore Him

Behold our King nothing can compare

Come let us adore Him

Verse 2

Who has given counsel to the Lord

Who can question any of His words

Who can teach the One who knows all things

Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds

Verse 3

Who has felt the nails upon His hand

Bearing all the guilt of sinful man

God eternal humbled to the grave

Jesus Saviour risen now to reign

Bridge

You will reign forever

(Let Your glory fill the earth)

(REPEAT)

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Verse 1

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of ev’ry nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Verse 2

Joy to those who long to see Thee

Day-spring from on high, appear.

Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,

Of Thy birth, we long to hear!

O’er the hills the angels singing

News, glad tidings of a birth;

“Go to Him your praises bringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

Verse 3

Come to earth to taste our sadness,

He whose glories knew no end.

By His life He brings us gladness,

Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number,

Born within a cattle stall;

This the everlasting wonder,

Christ was born the Lord of all.

Verse 4

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child, and yet a King,

Born to reign in us for ever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all-sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

---------------------------------

Christmas, a Day for the Suffering 

He is with us. May we embrace Him no matter how we feel. Don’t let the insects in your light, dim your radiance for Him in how you suffer your suffering. We are one with the Crucified. His suffering bounds us to Him. May we, too bring glory to God in our darkest, lowest places this season. He is with you. His love has saved you. You may be unfaithful, but He is faithful. Worship Him today! May God meet you where you are this coming week. A holiday wrought with both joy and suffering. Merry Christmas!

---------------------------------

The Face-to-Face Nature of Christmas 

God is born among us, and He has a name. This name highlights His individuality, and this name is an offer of relationship to every single person. God became one of us not to save humanity in general but to save you, personally. We can view this truth in the way that the God-child interacts with people during His public ministry: He calls His disciples by name; He spends time with the sick; and He eats with sinners. In all circumstances, Jesus looks at the other person to reveal that He has come for them in a personal and life altering manner.

---------------------------------

Exult In The Savior's Birth

 

 Exult In The Savior's Birth 

Matt Boswell

Verse 1

Shepherds watched their flocks at night,

attending lowly sheep;

Now within a cattle shed,

a much stranger watch they keep.

Today, a Savior has been born

and He is Christ, the Lord;

Placed within a humble trough,

this baby must be adored.

Verse 2

Pagan wise men from the East

seek out the infant King;

Trackless miles behind them lie

and now all their rev’rence bring.

They have come to worship Him

with spices and with gold;

Countless millions seek Him still,

who’s advent was long foretold.

Verse 3

For to us a child is born,

to us a Son is giv’n;

He shall reign in righteousness,

this Counselor King from heav’n.

The government will rest on Him,

He is the mighty God;

Prince of Peace, this gentle King

yet rules with a mighty rod.

Verse 4

Scriptures say that Mary’s boy

was born that he might die;

Angel voices burst in praise,

their harmony fills the sky.

Sing, “Glory in the highest heav’n!”

Sing, “Gracious peace on earth!”

Those on whom His favor rests,

exult in the Saviour’s birth.

For unto us a child is born, 

for unto us a Son is given

A Savior given

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne...

 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

1) Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

2) Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

3) The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,

In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

4) Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,

They bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

5) When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,

There is room at My side for thee."

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

When Thou comest and callest for me.