God Sanctifies Us Completely; Inspiring “Take Time to Be Holy”
British William Longstaff heard
a sermon on the text: Be ye holy,
for I am holy, and wrote down
what holiness meant to him,
inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5.
A businessman at heart, William
wrote no pious sounding verses
but down-to-earth thoughts, which
appeared in Christian newspaper in
- Years later gospel composer
George Stebbins remembered the
poem when he was asked if there’s
a good hymn on living a holy life.
Retrieving the newspaper clipping
he saved, he set the poem to music;
and ‘Take Time to be Holy’ was born.
Lord, we’ll seek to Do Your Will:
Therefore confort each other
and edify one another….
Be at Peace among yourselves…
Comfort the fainthearted, uphold
the weak, be patient with all…
Pursue what is good both for
yourselves & for all (1Ths 5:11-15)
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God (v16-18).
Now may the God of Peace Himself
Sanctify You completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul and body
be preserved blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus.
He who calls you Is Faithful,
who also Will Do it (v23-24) Amen
Lord, in this season of uncertainties,
many are searching for direction.
The Holy Spirit knows all needs,
know all things and inspires us
to build each other up with words
of comfort and words of edification.
O Spirit, use our imagination to write
Your will, impress Your thoughts
and speak into the hearts of Your
people through us. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, prompt us to rejoice always,
pray & give thanks without ceasing.
Lord God of peace, do Your holy
work of Sanctification within us
for we want to honour You with
our lives and to resist sin each day.
Preserve us Lord to be blameless.
Give us a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass any impure passion. Amen.
Lord, I believe the convictions and
longings in my heart are placed
there by You & I raise them to You.
Use them Lord to accomplish
Your purposes; and I believe that
You will get me where I need to go.
I am prepared and available to work
out the calling You have for me.
For I know Lord that You are faithful
and that You will surely do it. Amen.
Take time to Be Holy, Speak off with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word. Make friends of God’s children; Help those who are weak; Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek… Take time to Be Holy, Let Him be thy guide, And run not before Him Whatever betide; In joy or in sorrow Still follow the Lord, And looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word. Amen.