Our newest resource, a 40 day devotional, is available for the Kindle. Print version will be out in 1-2 weeks.
devotions
40 Days of Praise in Editing
For those who followed along with our devotional postings lately, they are being compiled into a paperback version and a Kindle version. After they finish the editing process we will make them available for your use. We were hoping for a Christmas release, but now are shooting for New Years. We believe that this will be a great resource to start the year off with. Keep us in prayer as we continue to develop resources that will be of benefit to believers worldwide.
Hymn Devotions Day 40 – More About Jesus
DAY 40 – MORE ABOUT JESUS
What a great way to end forty days of devotions. To learn more about Jesus everyday should be the desire of each of us. No matter how much I study and how much I learn, I have only scratched the surface of knowing Him. I desire to know more about Him. I am glad that eternity means forever, because that is how long I anticipate it taking to even begin knowing Him.
In learning more about Him, I will come to understand what He means when I am given direction by Him. I will be able to discern His will more clearly and obey Him more completely. I will come to understand His Words revealed in the Scriptures, written for our guidance.
One of the greatest ways to learn more of Him is to talk to Him, through prayer, each day. It is in conversing with Him that we learn to hear His voice. We also read of Him in the Bible, so that we can compare what it says to what we hear, to make sure we are hearing His voice and not an imposters.
Another reason I desire to learn more about Him is to be able to show others I know, whom I care about, what He is like. I long to show His grace and transforming power to those around me who need Him most. If I am going to be greedy and shout more, more, I want it to be a holy greediness to understand my Lord better.
My prayer for you, is that you will desire to know more about Him also.
Lord, help us desire to know more of You. Reveal Yourself to us as we come to You in prayer, as we read of You in the Bible. Speak to us in an unmistakable voice, one that cuts through the clutter and noise of the world. Help us to know You so that we may live a life pleasing to You and bring others to You for salvation.
MORE ABOUT JESUS by Eliza Hewitt
More about Jesus would I know
More of His grace to others show
More of His saving fullness see
More of His love Who died for me
More about Jesus let me learn
More of His holy will discern
Spirit of God, my teacher be
Showing the things of Christ to me
More about Jesus in His Word
Holding communion with my Lord
Hearing His voice in every line
Making each faithful saying mine
More about Jesus on His throne
Riches in glory all His own
More of His kingdom’s sure increase
More of His coming, Prince of Peace
REFRAIN:
More, more about Jesus
More, more about Jesus
More of His saving fullness see
More of His love who died for me
Hymn Devotions Day 37 – Almost Persuaded
DAY 37 – ALMOST PERSUADED
Based on the KJV’s translation of Acts 26:28 and a sermon by the Reverend Brundage, Philip Bliss gives us this hymn with a sobering theme. It seems that as he was listening to a sermon, a line was uttered that went, “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.” As he reflected on this, he was moved to pen the words to this hymn.
What a sad situation it is, when a person receives a witness of the gospel truth, accepts it as the truth, and still refuses to submit to Christ’s Lordship. How sad to hear from people, “some more convenient day”, not right now, later, perhaps. It is so frustrating to hear people acknowledge the truth but refuse to let it change their lives.
Some are afraid they will have to give up a lifestyle they enjoy, some are afraid of the demands God may make of them. This fear keeps many from following, making the mistake that they can repent right before death and find peace. They forget that death can come unexpectedly and it is too late once they appear before the judgment seat.
It is for this reason the Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation. We are not to harden our hearts to the gospel, not to delay in repenting of our sins and asking God for mercy. Now the invitation is given, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Whether tomorrow brings death to us or the return of Christ, either way it spells doom for the unbeliever. To delay may be eternally fateful. Sad, sad, their bitter wails as they realize, too late, they missed the invitation. Let us bear down in prayers for those we love before it is too late for them.
Lord, there are those I love who are foolishly waiting. They know the truth but have yet to bend their knee to You. Let Your Spirit strive with them still, melt their hard heart and lead them to You I pray.
ALMOST PERSUADED by Philip Bliss
Almost persuaded now to believe;
Almost persuaded Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
Go, Spirit, go Thy way
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call
Almost persuaded, come, come today;
Almost persuaded, turn not away;
Jesus invites you here
Angels are lingering near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come!
Almost persuaded, harvest is past!
Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!
Almost cannot avail;
Almost is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail
Almost, but lost!
Hymn Devotions Day 33 – All Hail The Power of Jesus Name
DAY 33 – ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME
What a magnificent tribute to our great King Jesus! Everything should praise His incomparable majesty, from angelic beings to repentant sinners. I love how we are swept away to the throne of God to see Jesus receive the honor and glory due Him.
Edward Perronet leaves out no one in this great hymn. From the seraphim to human martyrs, to the chosen nation of Israel and the redeemed of every nationality, all have reason to praise and glorify Jesus Christ.
As I reflect on this song, I must ask myself – do I praise Him as He deserves to be praised? Do I truly follow Him as a servant should his Master, his Lord? Do I truly magnify His name with my life, my witness?
Oh, that we would always lift up high the name of Jesus. Our wonderful Savior, Redeemer and Friend. The Lord of all lords. The King of all kings. The One who left His throne in heaven to save a wretch like me. What a wonderful day it will be to stand before Him, and watch as He sits enthroned, ruling over the universe. May we never forget the suffering our Lord endured for us, the wormwood and the gall, as the hymn reads. Let us spread out before Him our lives, the good works we have done in His name so that others could see His saving and transforming power. Let us shout to all with ears that Jesus is Lord of all.
What a scene in heaven, as those from Earth join those in Heaven and together we lift up the name of Jesus in praise and adulation. Let us start now and keep the song rolling through eternity.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain. Thank You, Lord Jesus – may all who draw breath seek to praise Your name. Draw us to Yourself so that we may praise You forever.
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME – Edward Perronet
All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all
Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre and as they tune it, fall
Before His face who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all
Before His face who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all
Crown Him, ye morning stars of light who fixed this floating ball
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all
Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all
Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, Ye ransomed from the fall
Hail Him who saves you by His grace and crown Him Lord of all
Hail Him who saves you by His grace and crown Him Lord of all
Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, whom David Lord did call
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all
Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crowned Lord of all
And shout in universal song the crowned Lord of all
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng, We at His feet may fall
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all
(John Rippon added final verse in 1787)
Hymn Devotions Day 32 – Master, The Tempest Is Raging
DAY 32 – MASTER, THE TEMPEST IS RAGING
Straight out of the gospels comes this stirring hymn. One can feel the terror of the disciples on their boat at night, being swamped by a massive storm that threatened their lives. They are incredulous that Jesus is sleeping through it all and in fright accuse Him of not caring. How they quaked with fear when He commanded the storm to cease. They were far more afraid of Him than the storm at the conclusion of the story.
The writer then moves us from physical storms to emotional storms in verse two. There are times when grief threatens to overwhelm our life like waves over a boat. We feel helpless to stop the pain. We have no answers. We spiral downward, into despair, disillusionment and depression. How we even accuse God of not caring for us in those moments. Like Job’s wife, we sometimes want to curse God and die to escape the pain. How wonderful that Jesus can still those storms too. How marvelous that He can bring peace even in the middle of horrible circumstances.
Then, when the storm passes, as they always do, we see just how awesome He is. We realize what we have learned of Him, that He does care. We learn that we need Him always, that He is mighty to save. It doesn’t matter whether the threat is natural or supernatural. It doesn’t matter if we are battling the elements or ourselves, God is in control and powerful to save. All we need to do is cry out in faith to Him, trusting in His inherent goodness.
Lord, thank You for being a good God. A God who cares. A God who can and does save. Help us to trust in You no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. You alone are powerful and mighty to save.
MASTER, THE TEMPEST IS RAGING – Mary Baker
Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high
The sky is overshadowed with blackness
No shelter of haven is nigh
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?
Master, with anguish of spirit, I bow in my grief today
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
O waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul
And I perish! I perish dear Master
O hasten and take control
Master, the terror is over, the elements sweetly rest
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored
And heaven’s within my breast
Linger, O blessed Redeemer
Leave me alone no more
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore
REFRAIN:
The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will
Peace be still! Peace be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will
Peace, peace be still!
Hymn Devotions Day 25 – O For A Thousands Tongues
DAY 25 – O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES
For this day, I have chosen to include all the verses that Charles Wesley wrote. This song was his celebration of the one year anniversary of his salvation, and what a great tribute to the Lord it is.
I know that not all of us remember the date of our salvation, but why not make it a practice to designate one day a year (if you do remember the date, use it) to write a poem of thanks to the Lord for His great salvation?
If you cannot write a poem, maybe a prayer or a song or draw a picture of thanks would be possible. Take some time studying Wesley’s poem for inspiration.
Since we don’t have a thousand tongues to sing with, why not use the one we have in a thousand ways? Join with brothers and sisters and together we can raise hundreds of thousands of tongues in harmony to praise the King of Kings.
I particularly love the verse that talks about how Jesus’ blood makes even the foulest sinner clean, even me. When I reflect on my numerous sins, I am amazed that God would want to save me. I am so grateful that His mercy and grace was given to me, the most undeserving person I know. Wesley puts it so well toward the end of his poem – harlots, publicans, thieves – saved is the sinner that believes from crimes as great as mine. Their sins are no worse than mine, their punishment is the same, eternal damnation unless they, just like I, repent and throw ourselves on the mercy of Jesus. How wonderful to know He forgives sins and pardons the sinner.
Lord, help me to use the tongue I have to always praise Your name. Help me use it to witness for You, witness of You, and testify of Your great mercy and forgiveness. Help me to proclaim Your salvation to all.
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES – Charles Wesley
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice, New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come, And leap, ye lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above, The church in earth and heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife, ’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed, Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lord’s atoning blood Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God, For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true, Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid: The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature’s sleep, And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep, And wash the Æthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you; For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, ye then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Hymn Devotions Day 17 – Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated
DAY 17 – TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
This hymn is a great daily prayer. What a way to start off each morning – asking God to help us consecrate our life to Him. Let us praise Him each day for He is worthy.
It is a great privilege, a noble request for us, to ask Him to use all of our being in His service. From my hands and feet, my speech, my financial resources, my mind, love and will; all that I am and have. Nothing less will do for my King of Glory than my all.
I need the Holy Spirit’s power to constantly, consistently yield myself to God. I need His power to submit my unruly will to His. I need His might to break my stubborn, selfish heart. With all that is within me, I desire to praise His holy name. I long for Him to fully transform me into His image.
One of the phrases I appreciate from this song is found in verse one. The prayer is for God to take both our moments and our days and have them become a seamless flow of praise. Another phrase really jumps out too, probably because I am a minister – Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee. Oh, yes, let us all bring to a lost and dying world a message from God. To use our mouth in this method is a great way of praising and honoring our God. Right now seems a good moment to start.
Lord, take all that I am and let me praise You. Take every part of my life because You alone are worthy to be praised. You gave me life and breath – let me use that breath and life to glorify Your name. Accept my offer of praise for Your greatness, majesty and power.
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE – Francis Ridley Havergal
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose
Every power as Thou shalt choose
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee
Ever, only, all for Thee
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thy own
It shall be Thy royal throne
It shall be Thy royal throne
Hymn Devotions Day 9 – Jesus Paid It All
DAY 9 – Jesus paid it all
Regrettably, I usually hear this hymn only during the response or invitation time at church. The words are so true, so biblical, it should be sung much more often. I especially love the words of verse 5. I want to shout those words as I ascend to heaven, “Jesus died my soul to save.”
Jesus accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. No more sacrifice to pay the penalty for sin is needed. There are no works we can do to pay for our salvation as it is already paid for. Only His power can replace a heart of stone, cold and indifferent to spiritual realities, with a heart open and responsive to the Holy Spirit.
Only Jesus can bring new life to one who is spiritually dead. Only Jesus can bring sight to one who is spiritually blind. Only He can cleanse our sin-stained soul and make it holy and bright.
In Jesus and Jesus alone is salvation found. There is no other name, no other system, no other achievement, no other religious teaching than His atoning death that can bring about salvation. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.
Lord, thank you for purchasing my salvation. Thank you for caring enough to redeem my sin-stained and sickened soul. I praise you for cleansing with and making me whole. Thank you for shedding Your holy blood for the remission of my sins.
JESUS PAID IT ALL by Elvina Hall
I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”
For nothing good have I, Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white, In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
When from my dying bed, My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,” Shall rend the vaulted skies.
And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Hymn Devotions Day 5 – Dare To Be A Daniel
DAY 5 – DARE TO BE A DANIEL
Written by Phillip Bliss for his Sunday School class, this hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Both inspiring and challenging, Bliss throws down a gauntlet in urging believers to stand firm for the truth and to be active in conquering evil. In a day when a false definition of tolerance is making its way though society, the words of this song encourage us to act like one of the heroes of the faith.
Like Daniel, we are encouraged to live faithful lives by standing firm in obedience to God’s commands, even when the rest of society is compromising. We are urged to be brave and not to shirk from our duty. Though others may fall away, though we alone may seem to be remaining faithful, we must stand firm for our beliefs as Daniel did.
I often wonder, as I read the book of Daniel, how many other captive Jews just blended into Babylonian society. Apparently he was the only one who took praying to God seriously. The rest, well, it wasn’t politically correct to be seen worshipping God. How many of us fall into the trap of being politically correct instead of obedient?
We can accomplish great things for God when we walk in the might of His power and share the gospel message. May we go before the Lord today and pray that we will have the courage to stand for our convictions as Daniel did.
Lord, grant me conviction of heart like Daniel. Help me to stay the course, to be true and faithful. May it start today, let me not shirk from sharing the gospel with one who needs to hear Your message.
DARE TO BE A DANIEL by Phillip Bliss
Standing by a purpose true
Heeding God’s command
Honor them the faithful few
All hail to Daniel’s band
Mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band
Many giants great and tall
Stalking through the land
Heedlong to the earth would fall
If met by Daniel’s band
Held the Gospel banner high
On to victory grand
Satan and his hosts defy
And shout for Daniel’s band
REFRAIN
Dare to be a Daniel
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm
Dare to make it known.
