Month: March 2020

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Few believers truly love the cross
of Christ. For though it offers great
deliverance, it also demands great
sacrifice. Isaac Watts was deeply
disappointed with the hymns of his
day, which failed to inspire parishes
to genuine worship and holy living.
So this dissatisfaction led him to
compose more than 600 hymns,
designed to call his congregation
to a deeper knowledge and worship
of God. And this hymn was written in
1707 for use in communion service.

Lord, we dedicate ourselves to You:
(I want to) be found in (Christ), not
having a righteousness of my own
that comes from the law, but that
which is through faith in Christ…
I want to know Christ and the power
of His resurrection & the fellowship
of sharing in His suffering, becoming
like Him in His death, and somehow
to attain to the resurrection from
the dead (Philippians 3:9-11).

Lord Jesus, from the hymn, we
realise the cross is not only a holy
cross, but also a “wondrous” cross.
For this undignified & cruel cross,
was placed between another two
which bore the bodies of criminals.
If anyone deserved to be exalted
it’s this Prince of Glory who chose
to die in such humility. And so we
pour contempt on all our pride.
The blood flowing from Your head,
hands and feet becomes mingled
with sorrow for the pain & suffering.
And also of love because You bore
this for each and everyone of us.
So, we praise Your holy name, Amen.

Father God, the wonder and the
seriousness of Christ’s sacrificial
death cause us to contemplate.
What shall we offer to You God
in grateful appreciation for Your
gracious gift? For all that we are
and have is but a small offering
in return for such a great love!!
Help me Lord to truly choose You;
and open me to whatever You want
to do in my life to fit Your purpose.
For Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride…
See fr His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown…
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

All to Jesus I Surrender

Van De Venter (1855-1939) was
a teacher by profession and artist at
heart. After evangelistic meetings,
friends saw his gift in counselling &
urged him to become an evangelist.
For five years he wavered between
his love for art and God’s calling
to evangelistic ministry. He later
recalled: “I surrendered all. I became
an evangelist and discovered deep
in my soul a talent unknown to me.”
A few years later, Van De Venter
remembering that decisive
moment and wrote this hymn.

Lord, we will Surrender to You:
I once thought these things were
valuable, but now I consider them
worthless because of what Christ
has done. Yes, everything else
is Worthless when compared
with the infinite value of Knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake
I have discarded everything else,
counting it all as garbage, so that
I could gain Christ (Phil 3:7-8).

Dear Jesus, You are Lord of my life
and I purpose to hold nothing back.
I surrender all to You: my health,
family, resources & relationships.
I surrender to You the promises
I have kept and those I have
failed to keep. I surrender my
weaknesses & strengths to You.
I surrender my entire life to You
the past, present and the future.
I surrender my emotions, fears
and insecurities. In sickness
and in health, I belong to You.
Receive my will & all that I have;
for I purpose to Surrender All.
Grant me Your grace, for apart
from You I can do nothing. Amen.

Lord, I want to Know Your heart,
and perhaps the way for that
to happen is to experience
some of what You went through.
Please help me never squander
those opportunities and left to
feel what You have felt. Lord,
I open myself to what You want
to do in my life as long as it fits
Your character and purposes.
Only please make it clear. Amen.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live…
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all…
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me…Amen.

Worship Only the Sovereign Lord

Time is running out for the nation
of Israel. Though God’s patience
with His wayward people is deep,
His hand of judgment is poised
and will not be stayed much longer.
Following the death of Elisha,
Israel’s downward spiral accelerates.
Despite the able rule of Jeroboam ll,
the kings who succeeds him lead
the people ever deeper into idolatry
and immorality. Not a single one
of the last nine monarchs looks to
God for direction. At last Assyria
captures and disperses God’s
disobedient people and brought
the northern kingdom to an end.

Lord, we learnt from 2 Kings 13-17
that whilst You’re patient & merciful,
ever wanting your people to repent;
You are also holy, just & sovereign.
Help us not be concern of outward
radiance; but be watchful of moral
corruption and spiritual bankruptcy.
Help us to Seek Rescue from You;
Help us to Remain Faithful to You;
Help us to Pledge Worship only You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Plea Rescue from You:
Jehoahaz did evil and made Israel
sin. Then the Lord delivered them
into the hand of the kings of Syria.
Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord
and the Lord heard his prayer.
The Lord could see how terribly the
king of Syria was oppressing Israel.
So the Lord raised up a deliverer
to rescue the Israelites from the
tyranny of the Syrians. Then Israel
lived in safety again (2Kgs 13:2-5)
Lord, Grateful that Your ears are
opened to cries of Your children
and that You will act on our behalf.
Grateful we don’t need to hesitate
to cry out to You for help in our lives.
Grateful that You answer prayers
not according to our goodness but
according to Your grace and mercy.
Help me Lord not to be discouraged
from readily coming to You in prayer.
Help me not feel I am undeserving
of Your blessing. In His name, Amen

Lord, we will be Faithful to You:
Jotham son of Uzziah began to
rule over Judah in the second year
of King Pekah’s reign in Israel…
Jotham did what was pleasing in
the Lord’s sight, just as his father
Uzziah had done. But he did not
destroy the pagan shrines, where
the people offered sacrifices and
burned incense. He was the one
who rebuilt the upper gate of the
Temple of the Lord (2Kgs 15:32-35)
Lord, noted that Jotham did what
was pleasing to You God but his
people didn’t. Sometimes it may be
hard to tell where the boundaries
of our responsibilities for others lie.
Help us to carry on being faithful
to You God though we may not be
able to see much positive outcome.
I hand over to You God those whom
I dont seem to be able to reach well.
Touch their lives with Your love and
bring them to respond to You, in
Your time and in Your way. Amen.

Lord, we pledge to Worship You:
In the ninth year of King Hosea’s
reign, Samaria fell and the people
of Israel were exiled to Assyria.
The disaster came upon the nation
of Israel because the people
worshipped other gods, sinning
against the Lord their God… They
feared the Lord, yet they served
their own gods, according to the
rituals of the nations from among
whom they were carried away…
They do not fear the Lord, nor do
they follow the law…which the Lord
had commanded the children of
Jacob (2 Kings 17:6-7, 33-34).
Lord, keep me from having a divided
heart; even as I pledge allegiance to
You & have no other gods before U.
Help me Lord to stay in close touch
with You through constant prayer.
And unite my heart with Yours Lord
so that it won’t stray from You. Amen

Be Wholehearted to God

Jehu, newly anointed king of Israel,
carries out instructions to “smite
the house of Ahab, that I (God) may
avenge the blood of my servants
the prophets” (9:7). In succession,
Jehu dispatches Jehoram (King
of Israel), Ahaziah (king of Judah),
Jezebel (wicked wife of Ahab)…
and finally the false prophets…
and priests of Baal. Meanwhile in
the southern kingdom of Judah,
after Ahaziah’s death, his mother
Athaliah usurps the throne & seeks
to secure her position by killing all
the royal offspring. Only the infant
Joash survives and in time becomes
one the greatest kings of Judah.

Lord, thank You for lessons from
2 Kings 9-12 showing importance
of carrying out Your instructions
in order to fulfil Your assignments.
Help us to Be Wholehearted to You.
Help us to Fulfil Responsibilities.
Help us to Set Godly Example.
Help us to Fully Trust In You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, U are In Control of situations:
The young prophet poured the oil
over Jehu’s head & said: I anoint you
king over the Lord’s people, Israel.
You are to destroy the family of Ahab.
In this way, I will avenge the murder
of my prophets and all the Lord’s
servants who were killed by Jezebel..
Dogs will eat Ahab’s wife Jezebel…
Jehu saw her at the window and
shouted: Throw her down! So
they threw her out of the window…
But when they went out to bury her,
they found only her skull, her feet
& her hands (2Kings 9:6-10, 32-35)
Lord, the dishonourable death
of Jezebel shows You judge
the wicked and the unrepentant.
It also shows You are in control
of situations. And for that we
can put our trust in You. Amen.

Lord, help us to set Godly Example:
Then Jehoiada made a covenant
between the Lord and the king and
the people that they would be the
Lord’s people. He also made a
covenant between the king and
the people. And all the people of
the land went over to the temple
of Baal and tore it down… Joash
was seven years old when he
became king (2 Kings 11:17-21).
Lord, we note Jehoiada the priest
wisely prepared for the king’s future
rule by recommitting the nation
and the king to God; and setting
a good example for the young king.
Help us to fulfil all responsibilities
that You Lord have entrusted to us.
Help us to be trustworthy and be
a good example to others. Amen.

Lord, help us to Fully Trust You:
By 23rd yr of King Joash the priests
still had not repaired the temple.
Therefore King Joash summoned
Jehoiada & other priests and asked:
Why aren’t you repairing the temple?
The money brought into the temple
was then used to repair the temple…
About this time Hazael king of Aram
…attacked Gath and captured it.
Then he turned to attack Jerusalem.
But Joash king of Judah took all
the sacred objects… and all the
gold found in the treasuries of the
temple… and he sent them to Hazael
king of Aram, who then withdraw
from Jerusalem (2Kgs 12:7-11,17-18)
Lord, we note King Joash’s trust in
You was not absolute. He spent a
lot of energy and resources to fix up
the temple & get externals right. But
he took gifts to God to bribe foreign
king not to attack his kingdom. Help
us not to compromise in name of
pragmatism but to trust You. Amen.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

The author of this hymn was
a blind preacher and a curio
shop owner in Coleshill England.
He carved ornaments out of ivory
or wood and sold them in his
small store. He also wrote poetry.
One day, when a local preacher
stopped at the store, William Walford
the blind shop owner, mentioned
that he had composed a poem
in his head. He asked the ministry
to write it down for him. Three
years later, that minister visited
the US and gave the poem to the
editor of New York Observer and
was published on 13 Sep 1845.

Lord, help us Pray at all times:
Above all, taking the shield of Faith
with which u will be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take… the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God;
Pray in the Spirit at all times
and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be consistent
in your Prayers for all believers
everywhere (Eph 6:16-18). Amen.

Lord, thanks for the shield of faith
to deflect Satan’s fiery arrows. May
I use the shield of faith to provide
protection. Pray that the assurance
of salvation will guard my thoughts
and mind even as difficulties come
and doubts attempt to creep in.
Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind to
understand how the Word applies
to my life. May that sword be drawn
and ready when Satan attacks.
Give me the wisdom to use Your
Word correctly & effectively. Amen.

Lord, thank You that I can
have direct access to You for
help when in need and distress
and has often found relief in You.
Teach me to know the presence
of Your Spirit within me and to
walk in continual awareness of it.
May You Lord express Your heart
through me and pray through me.
I can’t do this thro my own efforts
but with U nothing is impossible!
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, 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 & 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!
Amen and amen!!

Stand Up & Stand Firm for Jesus

In 1858, churches in Philadelphia
united in a citywide evangelistic
effort. Dudley Tyng, a 29 year old
preacher spoke to 5,000 men and
1,000 responded to the gospel.
Four days later, however Tyng
was fatally injured in an accident.
As he lay dying, Tyng was still
thinking about the men who had
made decisions for Christ & said:
Tell them to stand up for Jesus.
Presbyterian minister George
Duffield preached next Sunday
on the text: “Stand Therefore”
and in conclusion read a poem
entitled Stand Up for Jesus. A
church member sent the poem to
a newspaper and was published.

Lord, we will Stand Strong In You:
Finally my brethren, Be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might.
Put On the whole Armour of God
that you will be able to Stand Firm
against all strategies of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh
and blood but against principalities
and powers… Therefore take up the
whole armour of God, that you may
Be Able… to Stand (Eph 6:10-13).

Father God, I acknowledge that
there’s spiritual battle being waged
that is beyond the scope of senses.
I claim Your promise that as I wear
the armour You provide I will be
able to resist the enemy in the time
of evil and still Be Standing firm
after the battle. I can’t do anything
through my own efforts, but with
Your Spirit, everything is possible.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, help us to Stand strong in
You and in Your mighty power, for
the enemy wages war against us.
Help us put on the full armor
of God so that we can take our
Stand against the devil’s schemes.
Teach us to fully understand the
depth of truth and faith, a solid walk
with Christ, prayer and Your Word.
Grant us grace to put on the full
armour and use them effectively for
without U we can do nothing. Amen.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift up His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed…
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour;
Each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there. Amen. Amen

O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee

Washington Gladden believed that
Christians should be involved in the
world’s problems. As a clergyman,
he crusaded against injustice. And
he often preached social gospel,
rousing his congregation to social
problems engulfing the country.
When Gladden wrote this hymn
in 1979, he said the poem was an
honest cry of human need and the
need for divine companionship.
If our friendship with Jesus doesn’t
lead to concern for our fellowmen,
then we better check to see how
closely we’re walking with the Master.

Lord, as Yr children we imitate You:
Imitate God, therefore in everything
you do, because you are his dear
children. Live a life filled with love
following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself
as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing
aroma to God. But fornication, and
all uncleanness or covetousness,
let it not even be named among u,
as it is fitting for saints (Eph 5:1-3).

Father God, grateful for Your great
love towards us, especially through
the gift of Your son. We are called
to imitate You as Your children;
and to follow example of Christ
by living a life filled with love.
Gracious Father, help us to seek
You always and above all things.
Help us love You with all our heart,
with all our mind, with all our soul
and with all our strength so that
obeying You, we may glorify You.
And let me walk with Thee! Amen.

Lord Jesus, Praise You for Living
a life filled with love. I know one of
the best ways I can show my love
for You is by loving other people.
Sometimes this is easy; when
I’m with people I like. But please
help me when loving is hard:
when people are just unkind,
when they don’t understand me,
and when I just don’t like them.
Teach me to love as You loved
when You were walking about
in holy land. Teach me to love
as You love everyone. Amen.

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care…
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love
Teach me the wayward feet to stay
& guide them in the homeward way…
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broad’ning way,
In peace that only Thou canst give
With Thee, O Master, let me live.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

John Fawcett was ordained as a
Baptist minister and began ministry
at a poor church in Wingate England.
The small congregation could only
afford to pay him a minimal salary.
After seven years of ministry,
Fawcett received offer from affluent
Carter’s Lane Church in London.
As he was saying his farewells
and saw the tears on the faces
of his people, he decided to stay.
Not long afterward, he wrote
this hymn for the congregation at
Wingate. He recognised the bond
of love he knew there was worth
more than any material wealth.

Lord, Unite & Bind us together:
Make every effort to keep
yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together
with peace. For there is one body
and one Spirit, just as you have
been called to one glorious hope
for the future. There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and
one God & Father (Eph 4:3-6).

Lord, Thank You that I am part
of the universal Church and for
the elements of unity within the
faith that binds us together in Christ.
Help me keep the unity of the Spirit
in lowliness of heart and gentleness
of spirit so that others may see
Christ in me and glorify our Father.
Keep me looking to Jesus the
author and finisher of that faith
and in whose name I pray, Amen.

Lord, bind us together in love:
You made us one body & one spirit.
thro one Lord, one faith, one God.
The difference in our backgrounds,
experiences and personalities,
should enrich us and not divide us.
Help us make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit; to treasure it,
to protect it and even promote it.
Teach me to love and appreciate
all of my brothers and sisters in
Christ and live with them in peace.
Lord blest the tie that binds! Amen.

Lord, Blest be the tie that binds
Our heart in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above…
Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers; Our
fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares…
We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear. Amen.

Amazing Grace

Forgiveness is often appreciated
by those who need it the most.
The Reverend John Newton
experienced this truth firsthand.
After years as a hardened slave
trader, that wretch met Christ
and abruptly turned to defend
the gospel he had long despised.
When it was suggested Newton
retire at age 82 due to poor health,
he responded: My memory is
nearly gone, but I remember
two things: that I’m a great sinner,
and that Christ is a great Savior!
British John Newton wrote this
favourite hymn Amazing Grace
in 1772 possibly inspired by Eph 2.

Lord, Grateful for Amazing Grace:
For By Grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the GIFT of God,
not of works, lest anyone should
boast. For we are His workmanship,
Created In Christ Jesus For Good
Works, which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk
in them (Ephesians 2:8-10). Amen.

Abba Father, Thank You for the
gift of salvation and abundant life,
the gift of peace, joy and love;
the gift of forgiveness & restoration;
the gift of spiritual family & most
of all, Your Gift of Jesus Christ.
The comprehensive gift is truly a
full expression of your generosity
& show how much You care for me.
Isn’t it great to get to be God’s
child and receive His Full Gift !!
I don’t deserve and can never repay
these gifts, but I purpose to say
“Thank You” through my life. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for saving me
from empty existence now
and awful existence in eternity.
Thank You for the wonderful and
undeserved gift. Keep me from
losing sight of what You have done
for me. Even in the midst of busy
day, remind me of the big picture;
that I am Your beloved child;
that I am saved by Your grace &
that good deeds are simply part
of Your plan for my life. Amen.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That save a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see…
T’was grace taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!!!
The Lord had promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures. Amen.

Positioning for God’s Miracles 

Elisha, the great miracle worker
of God, performs no fewer
than eight miracles: providing
an “oil well” for a destitute,
giving new life for a dead boy,
making poisoned stew harmless,
multiplying bread for hungry crowd,
curing a leprous army captain,
making an ax head defy gravity,
reading mind of an enemy king,
enabling servant to see angels of
God & closing eyes of the enemy.
In each case, God’s power at work
shows His readiness to do the same
in the nation He has called His own.

Dear Lord, thank You for the
lessons from 2 Kings 4-8 whereby
Elisha’s mighty miracles showed
that You God in full control and
You care for those who follow You.
Help us Think from Your Angle;
Help us Look with Eyes of Faith;
Help us Share Your Good News.
And even as we listen, follow and
obey Your instructions, please
show us Your Power to transform
any situation for U care for us. Amen

Lord, we’ll Think from Divine Angle:
And Elisha said: Borrow as many
empty jars as you can. Then go
into your house and shut the door.
Pour olive oil from your flask into
the jars. So she Did as she was told.
Her sons brought many jars to her
and she filled one after another.
Soon every container was full to
the brim! And then the olive oil
stopped flowing (2Kings 4:3-6).
Lord, give me a Vision of all
that You want to do in my life.
Help me to think not in terms of
what is humanly achievable but
What is Divinely Achievable. For
I want to be available to whatever
You have installed for me and not
limit Your blessings by being not
prepared to receive them. Amen.

Lord, Grant us Eyes of Faith:
Ah my Lord, what will we do now?
Elisha’s servant cried out to Elisha.
Don’t be afraid ! Elisha told him.
For there are more on our side
than on theirs! Then Elisha prayed:
O Lord, open his eyes and let him
see! The Lord opened his servant’s
eyes and when he looked up,
he saw that the hillside around
Elisha was filled with horses and
chariots of fire (2Kings 6:15-17).
Lord, grant me the light to see
in the unseen realm how Your
strength is greater than any foe.
Remind me of Your awesome
power and unlimited resources.
Open my eyes and let me look
through the eyes of Faith
and show us Your resources.
And let me take courage because
for You are fighting for me. Amen.

Lord, we will Share the Good News:
When the lepers arrived at the
edge of the camp, they went into
one tent after another, eating,
drinking wine and carrying out
silver and gold and clothing and
hiding it. Finally they said to
each other: This is not right.
This is wonderful news and we
aren’t sharing it with everyone!
Come on, let’s go back and tell the
people at the palace (2Kgs 7:8-9).
Lord, we realise the Good News
of Jesus Christ must be shared.
Help us not to be so preoccupied
with our own things that we neglect
to sow seeds of kindness to those
within our influence who have yet
to know You. Help us be watchful to
facilitate or even share the gospel
when the opportunity arises. Amen.