Month: January 2020

Praise to the Lord the Almighty

The author of the original German
text is Joachim Neander (1650-80),
who studied theology in Bremen.
Neander’s life was tragic, a life
of great potential cut short by
tuberculosis.But he wrote 60 hymns.
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
      is based on Psa 103. It was also
inspired by the beauty of the hills
and rivers that Neander experienced
on his walks through the German
countryside. We also owe a debt of
gratitude to Catherine Winkworth,
who translated this & other German
hymns during the 19th century.

Lord, we Praise Your lovingkindness:
Let all that I am Praise the Lord,
with my whole heart,
I will Praise His holy name.
Let all that I am Praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good
things He does for me.
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from
destruction, Who crowns you
with lovingkindness and
Who satisfies your mouth
with good things (Psa 103:1-5).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us for
the times we fail to acknowledge
Your blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love, mercy – You fill our lives
with undeserved blessings.
Teach us the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. And
thanks for being Merciful and
Gracious, full of unfailing love. Amen.

Lord, we praise You for Your
lovingkindness, and thankful
for providing all that we need.
In times of difficulty, we will Ponder
anew What the Almighty can do. 
For our mighty God is not limited &
He sustains us with wings of eagle.
And he is our friend and defender.
Praise the Lord – The ALMIGHTY!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty, the king of creation!
O my soul, Praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, Who doth
prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness
And mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew 
What the Almighty can do, If with
His love He befriend thee. Amen.

God Will Take Care of You

Rev Stillman Martin had been invited
in 1904 to preach at a New York City
church a few hours away from home.
But his wife became ill that Sunday
morning, and he was about to
cancel his speaking engagement.
Then his young son spoke up:
Father, don’t you think that if God
wants you to preach today, He will
take care of mother while you are
away? Martin made the trip, and
when he returned home later that
day he found that his wife Civilla
had written this hymn in his absence
inspired by Psalm 91:1-2. That
evening he composed the music.

Lord, we will put Trust In You:
Those who live in the shelter
of the Most High will find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my
place of safety; he is my God,
and I trust him (Psa 91:1-2).
If you make the Lord your refuge,
         if you make the Most High your
 Shelter, no evil will conquer you…
      He will Order His Angels to protect
 you wherever you go (v9-11) Amen.

Lord, thank you that in the midst of
life’s storms, I have Your Protection
when I come and dwell with You.   
Send Your Angels to protect me
so that I’ll live in freedom and not
in fear, no matter what I may face.
As a mother bird shelters her young, You will cover me with Your wings    and Shelter me.
 Keep me safe and     be a Shield 
and Shelter for me, for    my life
 is in Your very hands. Amen.

Lord, thanks that You will take care
of us when we put our trust in You.
We will come & live in the shelter
of the Most High and find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
We will give all your worries to
you God, for You Care about us.
Thank You Lord for inspiring
Be Not Dismayed for it is a real
great hymn of encouragement.
It assures us in times of need; God
will take care of His people. Amen.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you.
Thro every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you. Amen.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Just A Closer Walk With Thee was
one of the favourite American gospel
hymns of the 20th century but the
origin remains a mystery. The widely
held belief is the song predates the
Civil War. Some African American
histories recall slaves singing as
they worked in the fields a song
about walking by the Lord’s side.
The song gained popularity in 1930s
when African American churches
sang it at musical conventions.
And by the 1940s, the hymn was
featured at most gospel rallies.

Lord, we will Walk With You:
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord;
I will WALK In Your Truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, and I will
glorify Your name forevermore…
You O Lord, are a God full of
compassion and gracious,
longsuffering and abundant
in mercy and truth (Ps 86:11-15).

Lord, grant me an undivided heart
for its tendency is to slip from You.
Warm my heart with affection to You.
for it can be cold and indifferent.
Guide my mind away from what
makes me to be double-minded.
Grant me strength to choose good
when my affections are divided.
And lead me to Walk with You
and to stay close to You. Amen.

Lord, teach us Your way and we
will Walk With You & in Your truth.
Teach us what it really means
to walk by faith and not by sight.
Grateful to have a loving Heavenly
Father as in parable of prodigal
son who longs to Be with us:
to Keep us from all wrong,
to Bless & keep us satisfied,
to Share our cares and burdens,
to Guide us to kingdom shore. Amen

Lord, I’m weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily, walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord,
none but Thee. Amen.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Just A Closer Walk With Thee was
one of the favourite American gospel
hymns of the 20th century but the
origin remains a mystery. The widely
held belief is the song predates the
Civil War. Some African American
histories recall slaves singing as
they worked in the fields a song
about walking by the Lord’s side.
The song gained popularity in 1930s
when African American churches
sang it at musical conventions.
And by the 1940s, the hymn was
featured at most gospel rallies.

Lord, we will Walk With You:
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord;
I will WALK In Your Truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, and I will
glorify Your name forevermore…
You O Lord, are a God full of
compassion and gracious,
longsuffering and abundant
in mercy and truth (Ps 86:11-15).

Lord, grant me an undivided heart
for its tendency is to slip from You.
Warm my heart with affection to You.
for it can be cold and indifferent.
Guide my mind away from what
makes me to be double-minded.
Grant me strength to choose good
when my affections are divided.
And lead me to Walk with You
and to stay close to You. Amen.

Lord, teach us Your way and we
will Walk With You & in Your truth.
Teach us what it really means
to walk by faith and not by sight.
Grateful to have a loving Heavenly
Father as in parable of prodigal
son who longs to Be with us:
to Keep us from all wrong,
to Bless & keep us satisfied,
to Share our cares and burdens,
to Guide us to kingdom shore. Amen

Lord, I’m weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily, walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord,
none but Thee. Amen.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Annie Hawks, a homemaker from
Brooklyn, was busy with household
chores when the words came to her.
She later wrote: I was so filled with
a sense of nearness to my Master
that, wondering how one could live
without Him in either joy or pain,
these words, ‘I need Thee ever
hour’ were flashed into my mind.
Seating by the open window in
April 1872 and inspired by Ps 86,
the words were penned to paper.

Lord, hear me for I Need Your Help:
Bend down O Lord & hear my prayer:
Answer me, for I Need Your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to You.
Save me, for I serve You & trust You.
You are my God. Be merciful to me,
O Lord for I’m calling on U constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord, for my
life depends on You. O Lord, You
are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who
ask for Your aid. Listen closely
to my prayer, O Lord; hear my
urgent cry. I will call to You
whenever trouble strikes, and You
will answer me (Ps 86:1-7) Amen.

O Yahweh, holy & sovereign God,
I humbly come before You again
and not claiming any innocence
having fallen from time to time.
Be merciful to me Lord for You
are so good and ready to forgive.
I also ask You to hear my urgent
cry because of Your unfailing love.
I come as a servant calling on my
Master to address my need. Amen.

Lord, we humbly come before Thee
thanking You for Your peace & joy,
for our soul is in need of Your grace.
I need Your strength to overcome
temptations and face challenges.
I need You to save and deliver me
for I serve You and trust in You.
I need Your blessings so that I can
be source of blessings to others.
I need Thee Lord in every way,
so bless me now my Saviour,
even as I come to Thee! Amen.

Lord, I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry Hour I need Thee! Amen.
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee. Amen.

Precious Lord Take My Hand

This modern hymn written by
black American Thomas Dorsey,
started the Gospel genré and is his
greatest composition of 400 songs.
Thomas Dorsey had religion and
music in his blood; born 1899, the
son of a minister & a piano teacher.
He became a professional musician
and in 1925 married his first wife
Nettie. The following year he took up
the post of Musical Director at the
Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago.
In August 1932, his wife died during
childbirth and his newborn son died
the following day. Dorsey’s faith took
a severe blow: “I felt God had done
me injustice. I dont want to serve
him or write gospel songs. I just
want to go back to the jazz world.”
In the midst of despair, a friend
visited him and left him alone with
a piano. “I found myself playing a
melody & words just fall into place.”

Precious Lord, Take My Hand:
My heart was grieved and I was
vexed in mind. Nevertheless I am
continually with You; You Hold me
by my Right Hand. You will guide
me with Your counsel & afterward
receive me to glory… There is none
upon earth that I desire besides
You God is the Strength of my
heart and my portion forever…
It is good for me to draw near
to God; I have put my trust in
the Lord God, that I may declare
all Your works (Ps 73:21-28) Amen.

Father, You are with me and are
Holding my hand. I don’t always feel
it but I depend on Your presence.
Remind me Your eyes are on me and
that You are working on my behalf.
You are the strength of my heart
and I can rely on You in any situation.
And though I can face threats to
health & safety in this world, by
faith I make You my shelter. I also
accept Your presence and receive
all other blessing You offer. Amen.

Lord, I want to know & experience
You in fresh ways; for truly You
are the Strength of my heart.
I am thankful that You are mine
forever when I accepted You as
Lord and Saviour. And Nothing
can separate me from Your love:
not good things, not bad things,
nor any circumstances. Open my
eyes to see Your love & care for me.
Be with me & hold my hand. Amen.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, thro the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone.
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RaF16IlysQcL

Be Obedient to the Lord

Solomon’s great wealth mainly came
from soaring taxes. After his death,
his son Rehoboam must decide
if he will continue or cancel the
harsh taxation policies of his father.
Following foolish advice, Rohoboam
increases the tax burden – and
thus spawns a national tax revolt.
When the dust settled, the united
kingdom is no more, and in its place
stands a divided kingdom of two
distinct nations (Israel and Judah)
ruled by two decadent kings,
namely Jeroboam and Rehoboam.

Lord, thanks for the lessons from
1Kgs 12-16 on the divided kingdom
following taking on foolish advice.
We learnt that Israel had taken
her relationship with God for granted
and neglected her responsibility
to reveal God to the world around.
Help us to Seek Wise Counsel.
Help us to Cling to Your Word.
Help us to Submit to Obedience.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Lord, we will Seek Wise Counsel:
Jeroboam & the whole assembly of
Israel went to speak with Rohoboam.
Your father was a hard master,
they said: Lighten the heavy taxes
that your father imposed on us…
The older counsellors replied: If you
are willing to be a servant to these
people and give them a favourable
answer, they will always be your loyal
subjects. But Rehoboam rejected
the advice of the older men and
asked the opinion of young men who
had grown with him (1Kgs 12:3-8)
Lord, grant us the humility to seek
counsel from those who are wiser &
more experienced; rather than think
they don’t understand us. Help us
evaluate advice carefully, whether
it’s realistic, workable & consistent
with biblical principles. Amen.

Lord, we will Cling to Your Word:
The Lord gave (the man of God)
this command: You must not eat
or drink anything while you are
there and do not return to Judah
by the same way you came. But
the old (man) answered: I am a
prophet too just as you are. And
an angel gave me this command
from the Lord: Bring him home
with you so he can have something
to eat and drink (1Kings 13:17-18).
Lord, we tend to compromise much
too often, probably because we are
uncertain about what You God said.
Give me confidence to anchor my
faith and obedience in Your words
and never to deviate from them.
Cultivate in me the tenacity to
cling to promises and assignments
that You have given to me. Amen.

Lord, we Submit to Obedience:
In the 20th year of Jeroboam king of
Israel, Asa became king over Judah..
Asa did what was right in the eyes
of the Lord… & removed all the idols
that his fathers made (1Kgs 15:9-12)
In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah,
Ahab son of Omri became king of
Israel… Ahab did more evil in the
eyes of the Lord than any of those
before him… He also married
Jezebel and began to serve Baal
and worship him (1Kgs 16:29-31).
Lord, as Christians we have invited
You to reign in our hearts & minds.
Even so, there are always thoughts,
desires & old habits trying to regain
control of our minds. Help us ignore
temptation and take captive every
thot to make it obedient to Christ.
Help us to do what is right in the
eyes of the Lord. In His name, Amen

Persevere to Finish Well

Under Solomon’s able leadership,
the nation’s boundaries expand to
five times the area ruled by David.
And Solomon enjoys unparalleled
prosperity as tribute from nations
in the region flows into the treasury.
But even as the nation prospers,
the seeds of spiritual decay are
being sown. Solomon’s passion
for pagan women, of whom he
takes hundreds to be his wives and
concubines, turn his heart from the
God of heaven to the gods of men.
Result: God tears most of the
kingdom away from Solomon’s son.

Lord, Thanks that You want to bless
us and has good plan for each of us.
Thanks for the lessons from the life
of King Solomon: Despite his good
start, he did not feature among the
hall of fame in Hebrews 11 because
he did not persevere to the end.
Lord, we’ll Walk Faithfully before You.
Lord, we will Seek to Glorify You.
Lord, we will Turn our Heart to You.
We will have no other god before U.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll walk Faithfully before You:
When Solomon had finished building
the temple of the Lord… and had
achieved all he had desired to do,
the Lord appeared to him a second
time… The Lord said: I have heard
the prayer & plea you have made…
I have consecrated this temple,
which you have built… My heart
will always be there. As for you, if
you walk before me faithfully with
integrity of heart… as David your
father did, & do all I command and
observe…my laws, I will establish
your royal throne over Israel forever,
as I promised David (1Kgs 9:1-5).
Lord, guard me against spending
time with U only when I’ve problems.
Guard me against tendency to be
less committed when things are well.
Guard me from being distracted
by the things of the world but be
focussed our eyes upon You God
and to walk faithfully before You.
Help us to seek first Your kingdom
and Your righteousness. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek to Glorify You:
The Lord, your God is great indeed!
He delights in you and has placed
you on the throne of Israel.
Because the Lord loves Israel
with an eternal love, He has made
you king so you can rule with justice
and righteousness… People from
every nation came to visit (Solomon)
and to bear the wisdom God
had given him (1Kings 10:8, 24).
Lord, glorify Yourself in my life
so that others might see You and
be drawn to You. I have no palace
nor the wisdom of Solomon, but I
have You Lord dwelling in my heart.
Enable me by Your Spirit to live each
day in a way that will cause others
to marvel at Your greatness. Amen.

Lord, we Turn our Heart to You:
As Solomon grew old, his wives
turned his heart after other gods,
and his heart was not fully devoted
to the Lord his God, as the heart
of David his father had been…
Thus Solomon did what was evil
in the Lord’s sight; he refused
to follow the Lord completely…
The Lord was very angry with
Solomon for his heart had turned
away…(and) appeared to him twice.
He had warned Solomon specifically
about worshipping other gods but
Solomon did not listen (1K11:4-10)
Lord, we turn freshly to You today.
I want to stay close to You and not
turn my heart away as Solomon did.
Help me to never make an idol
out of anything or anyone, or put
them before You Lord in any way.
Keep me to follow You all the days
of my life. Thank You for all the
good things You have given me.
Lord,You are my greatest desire,
and I put You above all else. Amen.

Jesus Shall Reign !!

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) once said
his aim was to see “David converted
into a Christian.” He meant singing
the psalms was good but it would
be better if they were infused with
the gospel. The great missionary
hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” is based
on Psalm 72. There was no great
mission effort when Watts wrote
these words. Not until sixty years
later did William Carey – the father
of modern missionary movement
sail for India. Today we see Christ’s
kingdom has “spread from shore
to shore” and “people and realms
of every tongue dwell on His love
with sweetest song.”

Lord Jesus, You Shall Reign:
May the king’s rule be refreshing
like spring rain on freshly cut grass,
like the showers that water the earth.
May all the godly flourish during
His reign. May there be abundant
prosperity until the moon is no more.
May he reign from sea to sea,
and from the Euphrates River
to the ends of the earth (Ps 72:6-8)
God will Deliver the needy who Cry
out, the afflicted who have no one
to help. He will spare the poor
and needy, and will save the souls
of the needy (Psa 72:12-13). Amen.

Lord, You Shall Reign in glory
Crowned with grace and might.
Bless Your name and
Praise the sovereign King.
You shall reign forever
With Your chosen bride.
And all the earth shall sing
that Jesus is the King. Amen.

Lord, You are my Deliverer and
helper; and I am in need of Your aid.
Please help me before my troubles
overwhelm and swallow me up.
And I depend on You and not
on my own wisdom or strength.
For it’s when one depends fully on
the Lord that one truly experience
His help. So help me to make prayer
my first response rather than
making U God of last resort. Amen.

Jesus Shall Reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom spread fr shore to shore
Till moons shall wax & wane no more.
People & realms of ev’ry tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song
The weary find eternal rest,
And the sons of want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
His grateful honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen!

Rock of Ages We Rely On

Converted while attending at
University of Dublin, Augustus
Toplady decided to prepare for the
ministry and became a preacher.
While travelling along the gorge of
Barrington Combe in Mendip Hills
Toplady was caught in a storm.
Finding shelter in a gap in the
gorge, he was struck by the title
and scribbled the initial lyrics.
Toplady then wrote Rock of Ages
in 1775 to conclude a magazine
article in which he emphasised man
thro their own efforts could never
satisfy the eternal justice of God.

Lord, we trust You our Solid Rock:
Let all that I am wait quietly
before God, for my hope is in Him:
He alone is my Rock and my
salvation, my fortress where
I will not be shaken. My victory
and honour come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where
no enemy can reach me. Trust in
Him at all times, you people; Pour
Out Your Heart before him; God
is a refuge for us (Ps 62:5-8) Amen.

Lord, I lift my eyes to You, my Rock,
my salvation and my fortress.
Quiet my heart to wait on You, for
my hope is in You. Help me to wait
for You Lord in the storm of life.
Let my confidence not be shaken
by what circumstances may
say or what my mind may think.
Thank You that my confidence rests
on the One who is the Rock & that
You will never be shaken. Amen.

Lord, grateful for the confidence
and security that You long to hear
from me & comfort me of my pain.
You understand all the thoughts
of my heart better than I do myself.
And You Lord invite me to Pour
Out My Heart to You. And so I will…
Show me where I am carrying
burdens U did not intend me to bear.
And I trade my heavy burden for
the lighter load that You offer. Amen.

Lord, Rock of Ages cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood
Fr Thy wounded side which flowed.
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath & make me pure.
While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in rest.
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne.
Rock of Ages cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee. Amen.