salvation

40 Days 0f Praise — Day 40 Easter

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CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY by Charles Wesley

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia; Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia; Fought the fight, the battle’s won, Alleluia

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia; Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia; Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia; Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia; Following our exalted Head, Alleluia

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia; Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia; Hail the Resurrection Thou, Alleluia

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia; Everlasting life is this, Alleluia

Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia; Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia

            What greater day is there for a Christian to celebrate than Resurrection Sunday?  Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we would have no spiritual birthday to celebrate. We would have no Christian faith. We would be of all people the most miserable.

            Our enemy, Satan, could not foresee the return of Christ from death’s domain anymore than he could grasp the reality of mankind’s redeemable soul. He, as an angelic creature, does not have one and neither he nor they fully understand how it works.

            Because of the finished work of Christ, our soul can be born again, born from above, made new. We become righteous, justified, free from sin’s curse. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord.

            If a Christian cannot be excited on Easter, if they cannot sing and praise and shout in celebration for Christ’s return from the grave, then I would posit that they are not a Christian at all. Oh, the glorious truth of the gospel writers, showing us the account of that first Easter morning. Sad, dejected, confused disciples go to the tomb. Emboldened, resolute, joyful disciples go forth into the world on Monday, having seen the Risen Christ. May we always celebrate our Lord of Life.

            May we know and prove His resurrection power in our lives.

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son to purchase our salvation. We rejoice this day, honoring His resurrection from the dead and celebrating His reign at Your powerful right hand.

40 Days of Praise — Day 38

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I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE by Francis Havergal

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed

That thou might ransomed be, And quickened from the dead

I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me?

I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne

I left for earthly night, For wanderings sad and lone

I left, I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for Me?

I left, I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee, More than thy tongue can tell

Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell,

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for Me?,

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee, Down from My home above

Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought to Me?

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought to Me?

There is no shame in remembering those who were are brothers and sisters who are now at home in heaven. The Bible continually speaks of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Hebrews 11 gives us an honor role of faithful saints. Those who blazed trails in bringing the gospel to the nations are to be respected and honored for their work.

As important as this is, there is a danger. The danger is that we will honor men and women more than the God they served. No matter how great their service, it paled in comparison to what God has done for us. That is why I have picked this song for today. It is a good reminder of why they served, why we serve. 

Christ gave His precious blood for us, can we do any less for Him? If He calls us to suffer for Him, to become a martyr in bringing His gospel to the nations, who are we to shrink for it? Our forefathers did not. Christ left all the splendor of heaven to serve us in the squalor of earth. Can we not leave the comforts of home to go to where people are? Christ gave us Himself, the richest gift of all. Can we not share that gift with the nations?

If we would really honor the saints, we would do well to imitate their example. We would strive to be William Careys, Amy Carmichaels, Gladys Alworths. We would strive to be John Bunyans, William Tyndales, Martin Luthers. Even better, we would emulate Jesus Christ, our greatest hero.

Lord, help us to serve You boldly, willingly, supremely. Let us work diligently until You come again and take us home to where You are.

40 Days of Praise — Day 37

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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!

            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.

Day of Praise — Day 36

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JUST AS I AM  by Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidst 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 poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind

Yea all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, Thou wily receive; Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve

Because Thy promise I believe; O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, Thy love unknown; Hath broken every barrier down

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone; O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, of that free love; The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove

Here for a season, then above; O Lamb of God, I come, I come

            What a wonderful joy to know that we can come to Jesus just as we are. Indeed, we have to come as we are because only He can cleanse us. We cannot clean ourselves up. We cannot make ourselves righteous. We don’t wait until we have “made things right.” We go to Him to be made right.

            Not only do we come to Him just as we are, but we are assured that He doesn’t leave us as we are. We come to Him and leave changed. He does indeed rid our souls of the dark stain of sin. He makes us spiritually alive, opens our eyes to spiritual truth, puts us into the correct frame of mind as He heals us.

            It is amazing that He is willing to pardon us. Even greater still is His willingness to cleanse us, transform us, call us one of His own. He has promised and His promises never fail. “Come to Me,” Jesus invites and we run to Him, knowing He alone has the answers we need.

            I love the very first verse. We come to Christ with no excuses, only an admission of our guilt. We throw ourselves on the mercy of God’s court, and find His grace operative there. Our admission of guilt, our contrition and repentance, is all we need. He bids us to come to Him to find forgiveness and healing. Why should we linger, and heed not His mercies? He is tenderly calling to us, urging us to come to Him. “Let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they will be white as snow.”[1] O Lamb of God, I come, seeking Your forgiveness and grace.

Thank You Lord for being willing to take me as I am. Thank You for not leaving me that way, but cleansing me and making me holy. You are a great and wonderful God.

[1] Isaiah 1:18

40 Days of Praise — Day 35

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PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY by Joachim Neander

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, Join me in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea so gently sustaineth

Hast thou not seen, how thy desires e’er have been, Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord who hath fearfully wondrously made thee, Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?, Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

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.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging, Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace, Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding, Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,

Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night, Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.

            This hymn is packed with doctrinal truth. One could use it to teach a class on the doctrine of God to new believers, taking a stanza at a time. God is King. He is the Creator. It is in Him that we find salvation and abundant life. He is worthy to be praised and adored.

            I love the second verse. Can you not see, the writer asks, how God works in our life, gently changing our hearts and minds to desire, to want what is His desire for us? He doesn’t force us to His will, He changes our will to His own. We look and see and wonder, when did I change? When did I stop wanting that? When did I start desiring this? O how smoothly the Spirit of God works His transforming power!

            God’s grace and mercy are given to us daily. He doesn’t leave us on our own to stumble about, He doesn’t leave us at the mercy of the storms of life, He shields and defends us, calming the storms and providing victory over them.

            When it seems as if evil is winning. When it looks like the ungodly are prospering, God reminds us that He is in charge. Good will triumph, evil will be judged. We are assured of everlasting rewards, evil of everlasting punishment. The light always overcomes the darkness. It chases away shadows and reveals what is hidden. Nothing can withstand the light of His presence. What fantastic reasons to sing praise to the Lord, the Almighty, our Rock and Captain of our Salvation.

Praise be to You, O Lord. You are almighty. You are all-powerful. You and You alone are worthy to be praised. Thank You, for surrounding me with Your presence each day.

40 Days of Praise — Day 34

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MUST I GO, AND EMPTY-HANDED by Charles Luther

Must I go and empty-handed, Thus my dear Redeemer meet

Not one day of service give Him, Lay no trophy at His feet?

Not at death I shrink nor falter, For my Savior saves me now

But to meet Him empty-handed, Thought of that now clouds my brow

O the years in sinning wasted, Could I but recall them now

I would give them to my Savior, To His will I’d gladly bow

O ye saints, arouse, be earnest, Up and work while yet ’tis day

Ere the night of death o’er-take thee, Strive for souls while you still may

REFRAIN:

Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so?

Not one soul with which to greet Him: Must I empty-handed go?

               What a haunting thought, to meet Jesus in heaven and have nothing to show Him. To waste the talents He has given us, to squander the time allotted to us, to waste the opportunities to reach others for His kingdom, what a tragedy. We must work now, before He returns, to reach as many people as we can with the gospel, for when He comes again it will be in judgment and not mercy.

               Jesus will not lie to us. He will not say, “Well done my good and faithful servant” if we have not done well nor been good. If we have hidden our talent, as the man in the parable did, if we have refused to live our life for His glory, it will be in shame that we stand before Him.

               To live a life with no regrets, to make the most of every opportunity given, to use every minute of every day seeking His will, that should be our goal. Oh if we could have time back. Time to witness once more to friends that have passed away. Time to speak, once again, to family members that have died without Christ. But there is no turning back the clock, we must make the most of every opportunity, redeeming the time we have.

               This is a good resolution to make: to seize the time, to earnestly seek after souls and ferret out opportunities to share the gospel. Will we have people in heaven come up to us, thanking us for sharing the gospel with them or will we have people in hell shrieking, asking us why we cared so little for us that we kept our gospel to ourselves? Will we meet Jesus empty-handed?

Lord Jesus, help me redeem the time You have allotted to me to work for the kingdom. Give me souls to witness to, give me opportunities to share. Let me lead others to You so You can save them by Your grace.

40 Days of Praise — Day 32

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MASTER, THE TEMPEST IS RAGING by 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!

               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.

40 Days of Praise — Day 27

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I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BLIEVED by Daniel Whittle

I know not why God’s wondrous grace, To me He hath made known

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love, Redeemed me for His own

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 what of good or ill, May be reserved for me

Of weary ways or golden days, Before His face I’ll see

I know not when my Lord may come, At night or noonday fair

Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him, Or meet Him in the air

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

This hymn has always resonated with me, from my childhood until now. I do not pretend to know why God loves me. I do not pretend to know how He could ever forgive me nor why He would. He, in His mercy, showered me with His grace. That act of kindness overwhelms me now even more than it did when I first experienced it.

               I truly do understand that His Spirit gave me faith to believe the truth of His words. That His Spirit brought understanding to my mind, conviction to my soul, repentance to my heart but how that occurred – it just did. One moment I was living for me, the next I was bowed under the Spirit’s leadership, crying out to God for mercy and forgiveness. What a miracle.

               It is also a miracle that as we read His Word the Spirit makes it come alive, imparting its wisdom and truth to us. God’s Spirit does create faith in us, just as He creates new life and transforms our minds. I don’t know when Jesus will return. He may return for me today. I may die and return with Him years from now but I do know He will return with His saints to judge the ungodly.

               I don’t know many things about the God I have served for 50 + years now. But I do know this: He hides my soul in the palm of His hand and is faithful to keep it forever. I love how the refrain of the hymn is a direct quote from 2 Timothy 1:12. God is faithful and He is able to keep us from falling. He never fails to keep a promise and His Spirit has sealed me in His love forever, praise His holy name.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping my soul safe forever. Thank you for redeeming it. Thank you for sanctifying it. You are a great God and worthy to be praised.

40 Days of Praise — Day 26

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THANK  YOU, LORD by Seth and Bessie Sykes

Some thank the Lord, For friends and home, For mercies sure and sweet

But I would praise Him, For His grace , prayer I would repeat

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord, for making me whole

Thank you Lord, for giving to me,Thy great salvation so rich and free

Some thank Him for the flowers that grow, Some for the stars that shine

My heart is filled with joy and praise, Because I know He’s mine

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord, for making me whole

Thank you Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free

I trust in Him from day to day, I prove His saving grace

I’ll sing this song of praise to Him, Until I see His face

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord, for making me whole

Thank you Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free

I like the simplicity of this hymn very much. I first learned this as a chorus in children’s Sunday School, and only recently became acquainted with the verses.

               While it is both right and appropriate to thank the Lord for the things He has done for us, greater still is thanking Him for just being who He is. He is a God of grace and while that is just one aspect of His character, it is definitely worthy to be praised.  Now, flowing from His grace, comes our salvation, as the chorus proclaims. That, too, is worthy of praise.

               It is this wonderful salvation that makes us whole. It brings us to life spiritually. It allows us to commune once again with our God. It allows us to learn of Him and brings joy and excitement to a life that was once dull and listless.

               I especially love the verse that says, “I prove His saving grace.” Yes, I do. If He can save me, He can save anyone. So often I run into people who think they are so bad, have done so much wrong, messed up their life so much, that they cannot be saved. They have lost hope. I simply open the Bible and show them people much worse than they, murderers, blasphemers, those demonically possessed, harlots, thieves and many more whom God called as His own.

               Until He returns for me, or calls me home to Him, I will continue to thank Him for His great salvation.

Thank you, Lord, for being who You are. Thank you for deciding to reach down and change my life through Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for Your Son, who paid my penalty and purchased salvation for me. What else have I to say, Lord, than “Thank you?”

40 Days of Praise — Day 25

/ taethne

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES by 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.

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.