A plan He had before the foundations of the world to reconcile us to Himself. The very God of very God in the Man called Jesus Christ. A wondrous mystery indeed. 

“to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:19‬)

Thank you, Lord!

COME BEHOLD THE WONDROUS MYSTERY
Writers: Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleeker (2013)

Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us

Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes

*”Lyrics That Speaking ” highlighted in bold.

The hymn, a classic of our faith. God is great indeed. We see His greatness in the skies, the stars, the seas, the mountains… oh there is beauty in This Present World and it is all wrought by the Hand of God. I see nature and I am so proud of God. I’m a camera away (hint! hint!) from becoming a professional nature photographer. 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭19:1‬)

*The whole of Psalm 19 is the Nature Lover’s hymn. 

We cannot look at nature and doubt the existence and living breath of God. I see God on some Sundays doing some unique art in the sky and I marvel. Some of these moments are captured as evidence on my phone. 

“…because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE!” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:19-20‬)

HOW GREAT THOU ART
Writer: Carl Gustav Boberg (1885)

Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

“Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold

BONUS: A Short Story about the hymn:

In 1885, Carl Boberg, a Swedish editor and future politician, was walking home in the bayside town of Mönsterås, located on Sweden’s south-eastern coast.

A thunderhead appeared on the horizon. Lightning flashed. Thunderclaps shook the air, sending Boberg running for shelter.

When the storm began to relent, he rushed home. He opened his windows to let in the fresh bay air, and the vision of tranquility that greeted him stirred something deep in his soul.

The sky had cleared. Thrushes sang, and in the distance, the resonant knell of church bells sounded. With the juxtaposition between the roaring thunderstorm and such bucolic calm as background, Boberg sat down and wrote “O Store Gud”—the poem that, through a winding series of events would become “How Great Thou Art.”

Source: American Songwriter

This is ultimately the eternal Home for every one who has been saved by grace and continues to live by faith as pilgrims in this passing world while we look forward to a better country – a heavenly country – a country with eternal foundations whose Builder and Maker is God. That is the new Jerusalem we all groan for. Free from sin and physically forever with Christ. 

“His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭87:1-3‬) ‭‬‬

GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
Writer: John Newton (1779)

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters,
and all fear of want remove;
who can faint while such a river
ever flows their thirst t’assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hov’ring,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov’ring,
showing that the Lord is near;
thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which he gives them when they pray.

Savior, if of Zion’s city
I, through grace, a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name;
fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure
none but Zion’s children know.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

“Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani?” 

Let that statement never be so far from us. Let us never forget Gethsemane to Calvary. The lament and dejection not just from man but of God which Jesus Christ, our Saviour experienced. 

This was the one thing Paul sort after in life: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:10‬

Jesus suffered and bled and died for us but Victory ultimately came when the Divine Synergy at its finest conquered death and the power of the resurrection being the Holy Spirit brought  Jesus back to everlasting life! Because He lives, we also live. 

Thank You, Lord. 

ALAS! AND DID MY SAVIOUR BLEED
Writer: Isaac Watts (1707). Lyrics mildly modified & music provided by Bob Kauflin (1997)

Alas, and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown
And love beyond degree

CHORUS
My God, why would You shed Your blood
So pure and undefiled
To make a sinful one like me
Your chosen, precious child?

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man, the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes to tears.

You see, Jesus died for us – this we know. How often do we remember the manner of death which was apportioned to Him by God? 

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). 

This was no ordinary means of death because, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”. Christ became a curse on our behalves to redeem us from the curse of the law which we could never keep. 

Oswald Chambers says, “It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. Once we have been convicted of sin, we will never say this again. The love of God means Calvary— nothing less! The love of God is spelled out on the Cross and nowhere else. The only basis for which God can forgive me is the Cross of Christ. It is there that His conscience is satisfied.”

The least He asks us as His disciples is to take up our crosses and follow Him. Ours is no physical cross. He has taken the burden of a literal cross from us and gives us a light one. 

Grace for us to always remember that Old Rugged Cross. 

JESUS KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS
Writer: Fanny Crosby (1869)

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

BONUS:
The words of this hymn were penned by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), who became blind six weeks after birth.

She excelled in her studies at the New York Institute for the blind where she became a teacher of English Grammar, Rhetoric & American History.

Although she excelled poetically and met and ministered to various presidents and noblemen throughout her life, they have little to do with her world-wide fame. It is as a writer of Sunday-school songs and gospel hymns that she is known wherever the English language is spoken, and, in fact, wherever any other language is heard.

“Safe in the arms of Jesus”, probably one of her best known hymns, was her own favorite. Fanny loved her work, and was happy in it. She was always ready either to sympathize or join in a mirthful conversation, as the case may be.

The secret of this contentment dates from her first composition at the age of eight years. “It has been the motto of my life,” she says. It is:

“O what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.”

Fanny was content in her affliction and did not despise authority as she authored poetry and other writings under more than 200 pseudonyms.

Read more about Fanny here.

The blood of Jesus speaks better things for us than the sacrifice of our offerings or the blood of the best animals before God. We were afar off from God. The wall of sin which separated  us from God has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. 

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world….

BUT NOW in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.” (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:11-13)‬ 

This makes me jump. This releases joy unspeakable in my heart. 

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You! 

THE BLOOD OF JESUS SPEAKS FOR ME
Writer: Travis Cottrell & David Moffitt (2016)

The blood of Jesus speaks for me
Be still my soul, redeeming love
out of the dust of Calvary
is rising to the throne above
There is no vengeance in His cry
while ‘it is finished, fills the sky
Forgiveness is the final plea
The blood of Jesus speaks for me

My heart can barely take it in
He pardons all my guilty stains
Surrender all my shame to Him
He breaks the curse of every chain
My sin is great, but greater still
the boundless grace His heart reveals
A mercy deeper than the sea
the blood of Jesus speaks for me

When my accuser makes the claim
that I should die for my offense
I point him to that rugged frame
where I found life at Christ’s expense
See from His hands, His feet, His side
the fountain flowing deep and wide
Oh hear it shout the victory
the blood of Jesus speaks for me

Bridge
Worthy is the Lamb, Lamb for sinners’ slain
Jesus, Lord of all glory to His name
Heaven crying out, let the earth proclaim
power in the blood, glory to His name
Worthy is the Lamb, Lamb for sinners’ slain
Jesus, Lord of all glory to His name
Heaven crying out, let the earth proclaim
power in the blood, glory to His name
Je-sus!

Oh let my soul arise and sing
My confidence is not in vain
The One who fights for me is King
His oath, His covenant remain
No condemnation now I dread
eternal hope is mine instead
His Word will stand, I stand redeemed
The blood of Jesus speaks for me
Amazing love, how can it be?
The blood of Jesus speaks for me
For me!
For me!

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

A Note About This Song:
Though classified more as a worship song than a hymn, this song is the happiest song I ever listened to. I always jump when I listen to it. I always lift my hands when I listen to it. I came across it on a blog which rates Christian songs for its theological soundness and this got a good rating and as hunting for the best Gospel songs is a pastime of mine, I decided to listen to it. I was unprepared for the effect this song was about to release on me. I wept there, replayed, replayed, thanked God for His love, the Cross, the Blood and AMAZING grace!

IT IS FINISHED!
Thank You, Lord.

It’s the same old message. It’s the simple Gospel that began saving people 2000+ years ago and will save until it becomes expired to save – when Christ returns. This Gospel was delivered once and for all time and will remain valid as long as we are bound by time but when Christ returns, time’s relevance seizes. For the Christian, time is simply a countdown to the return of Christ. 

We always want to outdo the last thing, outdo the next person and always thrill which is why we tend to look for ways to spice up the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be spiced up. It’s the same gist – Christ, Him crucified, Him risen.

Yet its effect are still as fresh and mind-blowing as ever. Like Paul, this should be the declaration of every truly saved Christian, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”
(Romans‬ ‭1:16‬) 

The Gospel firstly is the power of God through which He saves. 

Secondly, the Gospel is Good News. It is amazing, great news. That night I comprehended the beauty of the Gospel would never be forgotten as long as I live. The burden was lifted. I stepped into freedom and have been free indeed. 

Friend, if you’ve experienced the satisfaction of this Gospel, share it as it is. If you have not, plead with the Lord to reveal the depths of its mysterious yet simple beauty to your heart and when He does, guard it so jealously. Contend for it with your life. 

As for me, Eunice, “if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭9:16‬)

Thank You, Lord. 

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
Writer: Kate Hankey (1866)

I love to tell the story of unseen things above:
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

Chorus:
I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story. ’Tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Sickness isn’t limited to physical infirmity and healing isn’t limited to restoration to strength. 

We have parts in our lives that could do with healing. Our characters may be sick, our relationships may be sick, our emotions may be sick, our finances may be sick, our minds may be sick and in the basic sense of the word, our bodies may be sick – we may be in ill health.

The Good News is that there is healing for any kind of sickness but there is permanent healing of the sickest of all sicknesses, the sickness of the soul, the sickness of sin, the sickness of death. 

We quote the verse often when praying for bodily illnesses but in full context, it goes:

“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24 

For the believer, we are eternally healed despite what physical circumstances decry. Our many sins have been forgiven. When we point to that area of our lives where we desire healing, let us examine the condition of our souls – if we are dead to sin and alive in Christ, we are healed. We are well. We are whole. 

We may look boldly at that situation and call that sweet Name that heals. 

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

‭Psalm‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN NOW IS NEAR
Writer: William Hunter

The great Physician now is near,
the sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus.

Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
sweetest name on mortal tongue;
sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.

Your many sins are all forgiven,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus;
go on your way in peace to heaven,
and wear a crown with Jesus. [Refrain]

All glory to the risen Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
I love the name of Jesus. [Refrain]

His name dispels my guilt and fear,
no other name but Jesus;
oh! how my soul delights to hear
the charming name of Jesus. [Refrain]

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold (even when it’s the whole hymn)

Do you remember the moment the truth of the Gospel actually came alive in your soul? Do you remember the very first time you realised you are free and free indeed? Do you remember the time you laughed at all your efforts to be good and the religious activities you thought made you righteous? Do you remember when you realised that you of all people have been chosen and called by God Himself and nothing, absolutely nothing could change this fact? Do you remember when you understood what, “it is finished!” meant and that it means just what it says? Do you remember when you heard that it is by grace you’ve been saved through faith and that not of yourself but it is the gift of God so you cannot boast? 

I called it awkward grace. An old writer called it AMAZING GRACE! 

AND CAN IT BE
Writer: Charles Wesley (1738)

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

What is a Christian without His Bible? How are you a Christian with no relationship with the Holy Bible? 

Some call it an ancient book with no relevance to this generation. You wouldn’t find a more living and a more futuristic book in all the earth. 

If it is so irrelevant, why has it not gone extinct? Why is it still the most sold Book in the world every year with no close second behind it? 

The Word of God is quick, living, active, powerful and God Himself. 

The Holy Bible has been my greatest physical joy and comfort. Reading the Bible is simply my favourite thing to do. I love this Book. 

The Bible has gone through a very rough journey but it has triumphed valiantly. Once upon a time in history, only a select few of the popery could read the Bible in an exclusive language and interpret to their hearers whatever they wanted them to hear. 

Once upon a time in history, women could never read the Bible. It was an abomination punishable by murder. 

From the Apostle to the early Christians to men like William Tyndale and women like Anne Askew who were martyred for this Bible, we have people to be forever grateful to for their sacrifice that today we all have the Bible roaming around streets in electronic devices and gathering dust on shelves with a buffet of translations to choose from. 

We must not allow the ubiquity of the Bible ruin its value. We do ourselves nothing but a great disservice when we ignore the only Book authored by the almighty God Himself, albeit written by men like us. 

Do not approach the Bible with a closed heart or with a stance of defence. Whatever your worldview is, throw it away if it conflicts with that the Bible says. You are wrong and the Bible is correct. You will pass away from this earth with your fallacious worldview and the Bible will remain forever and continue transforming lives until Christ returns. 

Stop reading isolated verses that end up giving distorted views of God or the contextual meaning of what the verse was trying to be said. The person who picks a verse and claims it and it doesn’t work for the person  because they have ‘discontextualised’ it is the problem. Not the effective Word of God. 

When you say all things will work together for your good and leave out the fact that all things will work together for the good of only those who love God and are the called according to His purpose (while you hate God by hating His commandments and word),  and you see that things are working together for your destruction, you are the problem. Not the Word of God. 

When you say there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ but leave out the fact that there is no condemnation for only those in Christ who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (while you live to please your flesh and its every desire) and you see that you are always condemned by even your own heart and conscience, you are the problem. Not the Word of God. 

Let us approach the Word with open hearts and watch the transmogrifying effects upon our lives. It has worked, it is working and it will always work. 

The Bible is God’s precious gift to us, “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope” (Romans 15:4) 

ANCIENT WORDS
Writer: Barbara Lynn DeShazo (not Michael Smith) (2001)

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Martyrs’ blood stains each page;
They have died for this faith.
Hear them cry through the years;
Heed these words and hold them dear.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Fun Fact: I first heard this hymn at The RCCG Redemption Camp on day 4 (Thursday) of the August 2019 Convention during the customary Service of Songs. I stood up from my seat, lifted up my hands and as tears flowed down my face, told God, “please let Your Word change me.” I see this prayer being answered.

Thank You, Lord.

One of the wrongest notions we have as Christians is that satan is weak or below us as we sing in some songs. 

satan is by no means weak, neither is he below us as ordinary humans. The Bible tells us that we battle with, “spiritual wickedness in HIGH places.” 

Our battle in life firstly, is spiritual which means we cannot see it; secondly, it is wickedness which means it is evil, thirdly it is in high places which sounds like something that cannot be caught. 

Regardless, we are not without hope of fighting satan and his hosts with victory. We have our weapon which is The Word of God and as our hymn says, ‘one little word shall fell him.’ This is why we must know the Word of God. When satan comes with his wiles, lies and schemes how do we react if we are wordless? 

satan is not below us but genuine believers are eternally secure in Someone who is above Him whose Name is Jesus Christ. Through Him, we are victorious over the devil but never by ourselves. 

The Armageddon will happen. Christ is not coming back to fight a weak man that we could have fought on His behalf. Make no mistake, friend, satan is no weak man but we have a Lord who is “the King of glory, The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8) 

Jehovah Sabaoth is His Name. He is our Father so come what may, we are more than conquerors in this battle called life. 

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
Writer: Originally in German by Martin Luther (1529); translated by Frederick H. Hedge (1853)

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
does 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.
You 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 though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has 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!

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

BONUS: 

The English Translation of this hymn which was originally written in German  by Marin Luther, a Trinitarian and translated by Frederick Hedge, a Unitarian, was not a literal translation and has some differences were it to be translated literally to English. 

Here is a 2017 “Woodenly Literal” Translation of A Mighty Fortress is Our God by John Piper, with German Pastor, Matthias Lohmann: 

A strong castle is our God,
A good defense and weapon.
He helps us become free from every misery
That has now affected us.
The old evil enemy
Is now in earnestness with his intents.
Great Power and much deception
Is his cruel armor.
On earth is not its likeness.

With our power nothing is accomplished.
We are very soon lost.
The right man fights for us
Whom God himself has chosen.
Do you ask who that is?
His name is Jesus Christ,
The Lord of hosts,
And there is no other God.
The battlefield he must hold.

Even if the world were full of Devils
And would want to swallow us up,
We would not thus fear so very much.
We will nevertheless succeed.
The prince of this world,
How bitterly he might pretend to be,
Nevertheless will not do anything to us
Because he is judged.
A little word can fell him.

That word they shall let stand
And will have no thanks for it.
He is with us according to plan
With his Spirit and gifts.
If they take the body,
Goods, honor, child, and wife,
Let them go away.
They will have no profit.
The kingdom must remain for us.

Source and for further reading

Marriage can be a bed of roses and indeed should be the only bed of roses in this life as this is the model of the relationship between Christ and the Church. 

The reason is we take a godly concept and invention then distort it so much that many marriages continue to be a taste of the  eternal sufferings in hell. 

God is not a liar who would tell us that marriage is a good thing if it were not a good thing. Marriage is a good thing but unchristian homes are a bad thing. Unbiblical models of marriage are a bad thing. 

What we need is faithful Christian homes and I pray that marriages especially amongst Christians will truly become Christian homes, from the courtship to the wedding to the marriage to the raising of children to the biblical roles of man and wife, all to the glory of God and the enjoyment of the couple and their seed. 

Marriage is good, honourable and the closest representation of heaven in this life. 

GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES
Writer: B.B. McKinney

God, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God, give us Christian homes;
God, give us Christian homes!

God, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us Christian homes;
God, give us Christian homes!

God, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God, give us Christian homes;
God, give us Christian homes!

God, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us Christian homes;
God, give us Christian homes!

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Fun fact: I first heard this hymn at Ikoyi Baptist Church some time in 2015 when I went with a friend for a family Thanksgiving. I was still very much in the world and out of the body of Christ but the hymn did something to my heart which stuck and  and it has become very much alive in my soul. 

I love history. I particularly love Christian history and reading the faithfulness of God in the lives of old Christians who have gone on to glory. Their conversion stories, their simple faith in Him, The Reformation period, great Revivals… it almost seems like we serve a different God but we  know better. 

If we are not experiencing such radical revivals and such distinguishable Christianity from the world, the problem has to be with us and not with an unchanging God. 

O God of Bethel, by Whose Hand
Writer: Philip Doddridge (1736)

O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led;

Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before thy throne of grace;
God of our fathers, be the God
of their succeeding race.

Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.

O spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father’s loved abode
our souls arrive in peace.

If there’s one practical thing I know is of utmost benefit in this Christian walk, it has to be prayer.

I have experienced what fervent prayer does instantaneously and over time. It might just be 5 minutes of effectual prayer or an hour of weeping with no words before the throne of grace but the sweetness that comes from the exercise of prayer can only be understood by those who have experienced it. 

If there’s one thing I personally need to do more of is praying. If spotless Jesus could pray so fervently, why should I compromise on this? Why should I pray half-hearted prayers? 

Choosing a hymn for this category was a very difficult one between one which embodies the power and glaring solution of prayer and another which captures the sweetness of that period of prayer. 

I have chosen the latter hymn but I will still highlight a verse from the hymn which I didn’t choose, “What a friend we have in Jesus”:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

What peace we often forfeit, what needless pain we bear all because we would rather worry or phone a friend and do all but pray. 

God knows our need even before we ask. Imagine calling a friend and having to explain the details of a problem to. How burdensome. How insufficient. Then imagine going to God who already knows everything and just crying at His feet because He already knows. 

As John Bunyan said, ‘In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.’

I pray for grace for us all to truly take advantage of this earthly gift of prayer. We wouldn’t be praying in heaven. Why waste the only opportunity we have to pray which is this life?  And if tomorrow or the next hour is not guaranteed, why don’t we pray now?

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
Writer: W.W. Walford (1845)

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Saviour shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

1 Corinthians 13, the love Chapter of the Holy Bible. The wedding favourite, though marriages where that chapter was read might not be standing today. 

This thing called love by God’s standard, is not something we can do by ourselves – by good intentions, resolve or resolution. Neither is it limited or even spoken of in the context of marriage relationship. This is something we must have to all people especially fellow Christians. 

Love can only be taught by God Himself as Paul said to the Thessalonians:

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭

We are selfish by nature and for us to truly love can only be an act and working of God Himself. 

When we speak of the Pentecost, most times we speak about the power of the Holy Ghost that came upon the believers  as evidenced by their speaking in tongues but rarely ever attribute this verse to the Holy Spirit’s presence in and amongst the believers:

“Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:43-45‬ ‭

The power of the Holy Ghost upon them was not just for signs and wonders but for the ability to selflessly love. Love is no weak emotion that is workable by an act of the will. Love is a gift from God. 

The first fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5 is Love. It is an expression of the Holy Spirit. We can pretend to love, we can reduce love to a romanticised version but true love can only be done by God expressing His nature in us. 

GRACIOUS SPIRIT, HOLY GHOST
Writer: Christopher Wordsworth (1862)

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost,
taught by thee, we covet most
of thy gifts at Pentecost,
holy, heavenly love

Love is kind, and suffers long,
love is meek, and thinks no wrong,
love than death itself more strong;
therefore give us love.

Prophecy will fade away,
melting in the light of day;
love will ever with us stay;
therefore give us love.

Faith will vanish into sight;
hope be emptied in delight;
love in heaven will shine more bright;
therefore give us love.

Faith and hope and love we see
joining hand in hand agree;
but the greatest of the three,
and the best, is love.

From the overshadowing
of thy gold and silver wing
shed on us, who to thee sing,
holy, heavenly love.

The best advise for any Christian is captured in one word: ABIDE. 

Your journey with God is a personal one. When it seems like people who were fervent and devout are waxing cold, abide. When it seems like views that are unbiblical are upheld and cherished amongst Christians, abide in the true God and His Word alone. 

Regardless, there will be seasons when we stray. There are time our love for God grows cold. We get comfortable in sin, we despise the gathering of believers, we become ‘enlightened’ and wonder why we punish ourselves in the bondage that is Christianity. 

By God’s mercies, after a quick romp  with the world and we see its vanities and utter uselessness, we desire to come back to our true Love. 

This is a hymn for such times like those when like the prodigal, the veil is torn, we see ourselves wallowing with pigs and run back to the arms of our Heavenly Father. When He does restore the joys of salvation during times like this, we must desire to grow into hire grounds than we were before we strayed. We must pursue a closer walk with God than we ever knew. 

The one advise and surest advice still remains: ABIDE. There is nothing to return to in a world you’ve bid adieu to. 

O! for a closer walk with God
Writer: William Cowper (1772)

O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
and drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

*** The whole of this hymn is highlighted because every word speaks to my soul. William Cowper is easily my favourite hymn writer. I resonate intimately with his life story and internal struggles as a Christian. 

Identity is such a big thing in our generation and in a quest to sound more ‘identified’ than the next person, there’s a plethora of ludicrousness on display. 

The affirmative statements of ‘I am…’ without any attribute to God will always be a warfare against God Himself, the only I AM that there is. 

Believers need to be content in these words, ‘It is finished!’ All that  is needed for this life ended at the Cross and when we rest in that finish work, draw our identity and worth from there, these 21st Century notions of ‘inadequate’, ‘imposter syndrome’, ‘felt worthless’, ‘not good enough’ which are all ‘I want to feel better than the next person’ in disguise will not exist. 

When we say we are free, are we free indeed? 

As the words of a hymn put it:

I need no other argument
I need no other plea
It is enough that Jesus died
And that He died for me

Is it enough for us that we’ve been predestined, called, justified and will be glorified by and by?

MY WORTH IS NOT IN WHAT I OWN
Writers: Keith & Kristyn Getty, Graham A. Kendrick

My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
And I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed, my ransom paid
At the cross

And I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

My soul is satisfied in him alone

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Our entire walk as Christians, our beliefs, our claims, our lives is all faith. Creating this website to God’s glory and not doing something more “exciting” is an act of faith. Kneeling daily to pray is faith. When we say, ‘till we meet again’ when loved ones die, it is faith. When we say we know that we will rise when we die, it is faith. To even claim that we are saved is an act of faith. 

What is our faith based on? Is it in the hope of the occurrence of something? Is it believing God that we will fulfil our ‘purpose’ on earth? Is it that we will get that thing we desire by doing the right things? 

If our faith is based on anything at all other than a Person, we have misplaced faith. All that we do is faith because we know a Man who came and died and rose and this we know by faith. 

In all this, we are certain of one thing: all the faith we have shall be one day turned into sight. One day, we will see Him face to face in glory and with joy that we believed in Him, no matter how little, and with simultaneous trembling fear at those who refused to believe, we will declare, “I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT WAS TRUE! I KNOW YOU ARE TRUE.” 

One day, sooner than we can calculate, our eyes will see Jess Christ face to face. 

I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace
Writer: D. W. Whittle (1883)

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
to me He hath made known,
nor why, with mercy, Christ in love
redeemed me for His own.

Refrain:
But “I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
to me He did impart,
nor how believing in His word
wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing us of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noon-day fair,
nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,
or meet Him in the air.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

“Again! Again! I have done it again!”; “When will you really change?”; “Are you sure you’re not deceiving yourself that you’re a Christian?”; “No soul will be won to Christ with you as a model for Christianity” 

These are some of the thoughts that nag my mind when I have done something I thought had passed with my old self. It might be an angry response, a selfish act, impatience, refusal to forgive, a proud look, laziness… They happen and  I wonder if I truly I’m a Christian or just self-deceived. 

I wonder why I can’t just be filled with love, tenderness, gentleness and an example of a true believer. I wonder why I still do those things that have always associated me with a bad character  and wonder if God can will change me. 

One day, we are full of Christian graces, enjoying communion with God and carrying out acts of love to people. The next, we are crying ‘Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani?’

The slowest process for a Christian is sanctification. Ongoing sanctification. The process by which we are changed from our natural selves and conformed to the image of Christ (Galatians 4:19).

Despite the length of time it takes for us to become perfect, which doesn’t happen in this life, we can look back and see that we might not be where we groan to be but we certainly aren’t where we used to. I look at some of my old chats and wonder how I easily and freely used  curse words. Reading some of those chats do not sound like the me I know today. Not just in conversation but in various parts of my life, I see that God is working and if good things take time, His slow work in me is a good thing. 

This comment from an online devotional gives a succinct example of this ongoing process: “It was a colloquialism In Jesus’s day that 7×7 meant a whole lot. Jesus bumped it up with 70×7 which meant forgive whomever every time needed. He has done this with me. The Spirit started many years ago with, ‘That was a lousy thing to do.’ Eventually I stopped with the lousy actions. Then He started in with, ‘That was a crumby thing to say.’ And eventually I halted the unkind words. Nowadays He’s on me about ‘What kind of stinking thinking is that?’ So I’m into the definition of renewing my mind, never understood how that worked exactly.
It’s a very exciting path to follow, with many stumbles. Each stumble I held up my hand, asking for help. He was always there, at the ready, asking me if I really wanted to get up. ‘Yes, Lord, please help me’ I would say. ‘Of course,’ He always replied, “I will tell you how to remove the stone you tripped on, then we will go on.’ Pretty sure I’m well past the 490 time.”

These struggles will work together for good in growing us, building our faith, realising more and more our wretchedness, seeing clearly our need for a Saviour and giving us a deeper love for Christ and fresh appreciation for His finished world on the Cross.

I ASKED THE LORD THAT I MIGHT GROW
Writer: John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow
in faith and love and ev’ry grace;
might more of his salvation know,
and seek more earnestly his face.

’Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
and he, I trust, has answered pray’r,
but it has been in such a way
as almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
at once he’d answer my request,
and by his love’s constraining pow’r
subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this he made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart,
and let the angry pow’rs of hell
assault my soul in ev’ry part.

Yea more, with his own hand he seemed
intent to aggravate my woe,
crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
humbled my heart, and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this?” I, trembling, cried;
“Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?”
“Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.

“These inward trials I employ
from self and pride to set thee free,
and break thy schemes of earthly joy
that thou may’st find thy all in me.”

*” Lyrics That Speak highlighted in bold.”

I bless God for the gift of the Psalms. Psalm 42 is one precious Psalm which expresses despair and offers hope. It has been a comfort many times and listening to this song has led tears to flow freely when depression was so dark that tears couldn’t come. 

When tears can flow through depression, that is a sign of hope. The sorrow lasts for a night but joy comes in the morning. On the other hand, when the tears refuse to flow and the heart remains heavy, that should sound alarms. 

Glory to God for the gift of tears. 

LORD FROM SORROWS DEEP I CALL
Writers: Matt Boswell & Matt Papa

Lord, from sorrows deep I call
When my hope is shaken
Torn and ruined from the fall
Hear my desperation

For so long I’ve pled and prayed
God, come to my rescue
Even so the thorn remains
Still my heart will praise You

Storms within my troubled soul
Questions without answers
On my faith these billows roll
God, be now my shelter

Why are you cast down, my soul?
Hope in Him who saves you
When the fires have all grown cold
Cause this heart to praise You

And oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation

Should my life be torn from me
Every worldly pleasure
When all I possess is grief
God, be then my treasure

Be my vision in the night
Be my hope and refuge
‘Til my faith is turned to sight
Lord, my heart will praise You

And oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Depression can come from afflictions but afflictions might not necessarily lead to depression. In ‘The God of My Life’ section on this website, I gave an example of one of my spiritual mentors who has gone through no small afflictions in life – including losing a teenage child with academic excellence and very promising prospects of a good future – yet has never been depressed in the sense of despairing of life and wishing for death. 

Jesus tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John‬ ‭16:33‬)

The Apostles didn’t waste time in telling the new converts, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts‬ ‭14:22‬). 

Christians today will say God’s purpose is for us to be happy and we are in this life to be happy and enjoy. As Vodie Baucham said, ‘the only way you are living your best life now is if you’re going to hell’. 

If enjoyment,  happiness  and perpetual thrills are God’s purposes for us on earth, He wouldn’t tell us in His word: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬). 

Earth is the Christian’s time for tears, pain, agony, distress and the vicissitudes of the tragedy called life. If happiness is all we knew now, heaven would be unattractive to us. If enjoyment and relaxation were the goals of this life, we wouldn’t need an eternal weight of glory to look forward to not an eternal rest. Christ will be unattractive and we will need no Saviour. 

It is not abnormal to go through various trials in life. It is abnormal not to and frankly, an alarming sign because we all must go through pain, whether in this temporary life or in the permanent next. 

Hug a believer  today who is going through any form of trial and share this encouraging song with them. Also encourage yourself when your trials (which are not strange) come. 

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬)

Are you persuaded? ‭

AFFLICTED SAINT TO CHRIST DRAW NEAR
Writer: Connie Dever & John Fawcett.

Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near,
Your Savior’s gracious promise hear;
His faithful Word you can believe:
That as your days your strength shall be.

Your faith is weak, your foes are strong,
And if the conflict should be long,
The Lord will make the tempter flee
That as your days your strength shall be.

Refrain:
So, sing with joy, afflicted one;
The battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won!
God shall supply all that you need;
Yes, as your days your strength shall be.

Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in your Redeemer’s name.
In fiery trials you shall see
That as your days your strength shall be.

When called to bear your weighty cross
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress or poverty,
Still as your days your strength shall be.

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

We doubt. We doubt whether we are truly saved. We doubt if things will work together for our good. We doubt whether we will have enough. We doubt if our plans will go well. We doubt when we pray. We doubt when we say amen. We doubt God’s words – we doubt when He says He loves us; we doubt when He says the wicked will perish in hell. 

Doubt is the highest form of insult to God because it says simply says, ‘You don’t exist’. 

The Israelites didn’t just fall into idolatry because they wanted to offend God. They couldn’t  see The Lord who called Himself their God. Their lack of meat in the wilderness caused them to wish for the bondage they had known all their life. 

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. We begin to sink when we begin to doubt God. Doubt is an enemy we must abolish fiercely. We must build our faith by hearing the Word of God. There’s no other way to build faith in a God we cannot see but by studying The Word which He has revealed Himself in with the sincere desire to know Him. 

When we know Him, when we truly know Him, doubt will be alien to us. When it rears its ugly head, we do not stare at it but cut it off with the Sword of The Word. 

EGONE UNBELIEF, MY SAVIOUR IS NEAR
Writer: John Newton

Begone unbelief,
My Savior is near,
And for my relief
Will surely appear:
By prayer let me wrestle,
An d he will perform,
With Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm.

Tho’ dark be my way,
Since he is my guide,
‘Tis mine to obey,
‘Tis his to provide:
To’ cisterns be broken,
And creatures all fail,
The word he has spoken
Shall surely prevail.

His love in time past
Forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last
In trouble to sink’
Each sweet Ebenezer
I have in review
confirms his good pleasure
To help me quite through.

Determined to save,
He watched o’er my path
When Satan’s blind slave,
I sported with death;
And can he have taught me
To trust in his name,
And thus far have brought me
To put me to shame?

Why should I complain
Of want or distress
Temptation or pain?
He told me no less;
The heirs of salvation,
I knew from his word,
Through much tribulation,
Must follow their Lord.

How bitter the cup,
No heart can conceive,
Which he drunk quite up,
That sinners might live!
His way was much rougher,
And darker than mine;
Did Jesus thus suffer,
And shall I repine?

Since all that I meet
Shall work for my good,
The bitter is sweet,
The medicine is food;
Though painful at present,
‘Twill cease before long,
And then, oh how pleasant,
The conqueror’s song!

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

It’s a blessing to have people around us to encourage us when our faith is shaky and we’re discouraged but a time comes when we must, like David, be able to encourage our own selves in The Lord. This is assurance. 

When we know beyond all things who we are in Christ. When we understand and fully accept that nothing that cut us off from the Hand of Christ not because we have a firm grip but because His Hand, His right Hand, is what upholds us, then nothing can snatch us from His grip. 

 “For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living?”Psalm‬ ‭56:13‬ ‭ 

Spurgeon prays what we may call a prayer of Assurance for readers of his Morning & Evening Devotional on the Morning of 11th December: 

“May our God bring home to you a sense of your safety in Christ Jesus! May he assure you that your name is graven on his hand; and whisper in your ear the promise, “Fear not, I am with thee.” Look upon him, the great Surety of the covenant, as faithful and true, and, therefore, bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race, before the throne of God; and in such a sweet contemplation you will drink the juice of the spiced wine of the Lord’s pomegranate, and taste the dainty fruits of Paradise. You will have an antepast of the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that ‘faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it’.”

BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE
Writer: Charitie Lees Bancroft

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea;
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heav’n he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
NO TONGUE CAN BID ME THENCE DEPART.

When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
TO LOOK ON HIM AND PARDON ME.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace.
At one with him, I cannot die;
my soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Savior and my God,
WITH CHRIST MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

The way to live alive of gratitude which ultimately brings peace and sweetness to those around us is by remembering. By looking back on the things God has done, not to be ‘stuck’ in the past but to see that God has been faithful even when present circumstances attempt to suggest otherwise. 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Writer: Johnson Oatman (1897)

When upon life’s billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the lord has done

Refrain:
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

Are you ever burdened
With a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear?
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will keep singing
As the days go by

So, amid the conflict
Whether great or small
Do not be disheartened
God is over all
Count your many blessings
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey’s end

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold. 

Tears well you in my eyes as I begin to write this. 

God, my Lord, I want to thank You. 

You are the only One who knows the depths of the gratitude I owe You. Even I, do not know. 

Lord, I want to thank You for creating me in the way that You did. Marvellous are the works of Your Hand and I am marvellous not because of anything that I can do but because I was your idea and Your workmanship. 

I want to thank You for being responsible. Thank You for not shying away from owning me and for taking responsibility as my Creator. 

Thank You for always being with me. Thank You for being my friend and opening Your Word to me. Thank You for the jokes we share and the wisdom You give me. 

Thank You for delivering me from multiple car accidents. Thank You that I have never failed an exam despite neglecting to study my books. Thank You that I have a Degree. 

Thank You for the names you have given me through my parents, Eunice (Happy Victory), Ebunoluwa (Gift of God), Tamunobelema (God’s love) Olufunke (God has cared for, given by God to be loved) and the special name You gave me Yourself, Hephzibah (My delight is in her). 

Thank You for always wiping my tears. Thank You for looking at my heart. Thank You for the energy You have given to me. Thank You for the mind You have given me. Thank You for the personality You have given me. 

Thank You for healing me completely from painful heartbreaks. Thank You for vindicating me. Thank You for fighting for me. 

Thank You for letting me find You in my youth. Thank You for the afflictions that threw me to Your Word. 

The world knows I do not deserve any of this, Lord. I recall someone telling me in 2012, “Eunice you are very popular and it is not for good things.” I can’t refute it. I’ve been wicked and ignorant. I’ve been selfish and broken trust. I have hurt people and told many lies. I have stolen and manipulated. I have rejected and insulted. 

But there’s a God who looked at me with nothing but pity and said, “I created this girl and will be responsible for her.” You didn’t regret creating me. You didn’t let me kill myself. No, You said even if my mother and father forsake me, You will have me. 

I struggle with being consistent at things but Lord, the disinterested, discriminatory and embarrassing love You have lavishly poured out abundantly on me has made You the only consistent Thing and Person in my life. If you had not loved me first, I never would have loved You. 

Thank You for choosing me as a vessel. I really can’t believe it. Thank You for the gift of writing. Writing not just anything but things of God. 

Who really am I that You are mindful of me? 

Thank You that I am not married. Thank You that You are the only One that can claim me as Your own. Both my sisters  got married aged 29 and turned 30 in their husband’s home and I’m turning 30 with my Husband in my heart. Thank You that I can take time off to be with You. 

Thank You for the Star. Nobody else would ever believe this but you and I know. I’m speechless at it. 

Lord, my heart truly rejoices. I am filled with genuine thankfulness for the gift and privilege of knowing You. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. You have given me the greatest gift on earth and in heaven: You. 

I love You, Lord. You know I do. 

Father, my Lord and my God, my Rock, my Life, my Compass, my Friend, my Love, my Friend, my Fighter, my Provider, my Planner, my Boss, my Disciplinarian, my Conscience, my Restraint, my Comfort, my Standard, my Mercy. 

I love you. 

Thank You for life. Thank You for everything. Thank You for mercy. 

It can only be You. It could only have been You. 

Just help me never fail You and to never forget You. 

Still Lord, above all and on my knees, I want to thank You for AMAZING Grace. I want to thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ and the realisation that He bore the weight of my sin and that “IT IS FINISHED!” The favourite sentence in the entire world. Thank You that eternal life is guaranteed. Thank You that my soul will never know death. Thank You for life eternal. 

Thank You for 30 Years. Wow! 

MY HEART IS FILLED WITH THANKFULNESS
Writer: Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.

*” Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

Every one who has been saved by grace has a mandate to fulfil: to go and make Christ known. 

This is not a job for preachers. Neither is it work for the pulpit. We are light for a dark world. We must share the Gospel. We must not be silent. We must go out and proclaim Christ crucified and Him raised. 

We are saved because someone faithfully carried out the mandate. Whether it was the disciples who preached and died for the Gospel, Paul who diligently wrote letters, the Churches who faithfully preserved them, Timothy and Titus who didn’t keep their personal  letters from Paul to themselves, those who wrote the Bible, those who printed it, those who translated it, the reformers who defied the popes, the millions of people that have been killed for the faith, the creators of the Bible apps – we are all beneficiaries of the faithfulness of humans like us. 

Would we enjoy these benefits as not contribute to the Kingdom by winning souls for Christ?  

Would you meet Your Redeemer and Saviour empty handed? It is not by showing ‘love’. It is by telling people who we really are as humans, what death really is as our common fate and who Jesus really is as God. 

Even the world tells us to ‘give back’ to society when we’ve achieved something. How would we not then give back to the One who gifted us eternal life? 

There has never been an easier time to do this with the rise of human rights and technology yet there has never been such a scarcity of faithful disciples of Christ who understand their eternal indebtedness to His sacrifice. 

If we choose not to speak, God will use stones to speak and win souls. Whatever we do for God is for our benefit and never ever for His. 

How do you say you love someone who is clearly headlong to hell by an indifference or outright rejection and keep silent? How do we not pray for them? We know nothing about love. When they die in sin, we say, ‘rest in peace’. No, they cannot rest in peace. Their bloods are fully on our hands. Have mercy, Lord. 

We ask when Jesus is coming back, Jesus will not come back until the Gospel is preached throughout earth. 

May we receive understanding and grace to repent. May He have mercy and wake us up from the rampant lethargy amongst the Body of Christ. 

FACING A TASK UNFINISHED
Writer: Frank Houghton

Facing a task unfinished
that drives us to our knees,
a need that, undiminished,
rebukes our slothful ease,
we who rejoice to know you
renew before your throne
the solemn pledge we owe you
to go and make you known.

Chorus:
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

Where other lords beside you
hold their unhindered sway,
where forces that defied you
defy you still today,
with none to heed their crying
for life and love and light,
unnumbered souls are dying
and pass into the night.

We bear the torch that flaming
fell from the hands of those
who gave their lives proclaiming
that Jesus died and rose;
ours is the same commission,
the same glad message ours;
fired by the same ambition,
to you we yield our pow’rs.

O Father, who sustained them,
O Spirit, who inspired,
Savior, whose love constrained them
to toil with zeal untired,
from cowardice defend us,
from lethargy awake!
Forth on your errands send us
to labor for your sake.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

INVITATION: 

Jesus  invites you in Matthew 11:28-30 to come. You who are weary, heavy laden, burdened with sin, confused with life, purposeless, directionless, lonely, insecure, fearful, anxious, hateful, depressed, empty, sick, hungry and thirsty to come to Him.

He offers you a deal to trade by barter with Him.  He will take all of those weights and give you His, which is light and easy in comparison: The yoke of kindness. 

He teaches us how to be meek and lowly in heart to find rest for our souls. 

Spurgeon says in his Morning & Evening devotional on the morning of 7th December: 

“Reader, by that love looking out of Jesus’ tearful eyes, by that love streaming from those bleeding wounds, by that faithful love, that strong love, that pure, disinterested, and abiding love; by the heart and by the bowels of the Saviour’s compassion, we conjure you turn not away as though it were nothing to you; but believe on him and you shall be saved. Trust your soul with him and he will bring you to his Father’s right hand in glory everlasting.”

SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING
Writer: Will L. Thompson (1880)

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.

I for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

RESPONSE: 

How do you respond to this great invitation by God Himself? Do you look back at all the atrocities and debauchery you’ve committed and say you are beyond repair? 

Do you look inward and say you are no good, you can’t believe, you’re unstable and can’t respond? 

Do you look at your many friends and possessions and say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—but do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked? 

Do you look forward and say you have so many goals to achieve and can’t be involved in these ‘useless’ spiritual things which have no ‘value’ but forget that as your looking forward at your dreams and goals, death gives you a tight hug from behind and never releases its grip? 

Do you in wisdom by the mercy of God look up with tears in your eyes and hands lifted up plead, ‘I believe, Lord help my unbelief?’

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭ 

JUST AS I AM
Writer: Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.

When God blesses you  with a sweet Psalmist as a father, you are given a customised hymn for any and every event of your life. 

My biological father, Pastor S.O Olatunji, has composed this hymn in to the glory of God for this monumental event.  

MERCIFUL, LOVING GOD
(Tune: Now, thank we all our God)

Merciful, Loving God
To Thee, be all our praises
Thou Living , Faithful God
Abounding in all goodness
Who sustains the whole world
With countless, rich blessings
Most reliable God
Worthy of our deep thanks.

For December thirteenth, Lord
For Your dear daughter, Eunice
Your great name be adored
For favours upon favours
For wonders of her life
For grace without measure
Thirty years of sound health
All in Your great pleasure

Talent, passion, purpose
Thou heavenly architect
Embedded in Eunice
Unfolding by the Spirit
Treasures by Your great grace
For a unique mission
Ordained in Your wisdom
And Your great compassion

Father, in Your vast world
Do unique things with Eunice
By Your perfecting hand
Glory to greater glories
Her destiny preserve
Her life mission fulfil
Father and God of Love
All glory unto Thee. Amen

Mon. 13 Dec 2021

Full of loyalty and fidelity; true and constant in affection or allegiance to a person to whom one is bound, or in the performance of duties or services; exact in attending to commands. 

Trust worthy; true; exact; conforming to the letter and spirit; conformable to truth or to a prototype

Observant of compacts, treaties, contracts, vows, or other engagements; true to one’s word. 

True; worthy of belief; truthful. 

Synonyms: Truthful, careful, trusty, trustworthy, stanch, incorruptible, reliable.

GOD, You are FAITHFUL! 

Thank You. 

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Writer: Thomas O. Chisholm

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

*”Lyrics That Speak” highlighted in bold.