O wondrous love, that will not let me go,
I cling to You with all my strength and soul.
Yet if my hold should ever fail,
This wondrous love, will never let me go.
O wondrous love that's come to dwell in me!
Lord, who am I that I should come to know
Your tender voice, assuring me,
Your wondrous love will never let me go?
I'm resting in the everlasting arms,
In the ever-faithful heart,
The Shepherd of my life.
You carry me on Your mighty wings of grace,
Keeping me until the day I look into Your eyes.
O wondrous love, that sings of Calvary,
The sweetest sound this sinner's ever known;
The song of Your redeeming Son,
Whose wondrous love will never let me go.
I'm resting in the everlasting arms,
In the ever-faithful heart,
The Shepherd of my life.
You carry me on Your mighty wings of grace,
Keeping me until the day I look into Your eyes.
O wondrous love that rushes over me,
I can't escape this river's glorious flow.
You overwhelm my days with good.
Your wondrous love will never let me go.
O wondrous love, O wondrous love.
Will never let me go.
-- from "O Wondrous Love" by Steve and Vikki Cook
Some days, I feel like I am just "clinging" to my Wondrous Love. My knuckles turn white with the strain; my broken heart bends under the weight of my burdens. Will I be able to hold on? Will this fragile form crumple under the pressure? "Yet if my hold should ever fail, this Wondrous Love will NEVER let me go."
I find comfort in that thought. This song is rich with comforting thoughts. God's everlasting arms will hold me. When I cannot go on, He will carry me. He will Shepherd me and guide me until the day I look into His eyes. What a beautiful thought -- looking into my Savior's eyes. What love will I see there! What comfort! What forgiveness! Who am I that I should know His "tender voice assuring me"? I am nothing, yet His love rushes over me. "I can't explain this river's glorious flow." I am overwhelmed!
Lord, never let me go! I need you!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
God's Grace
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all my sin.
Sin and despair like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.
-- from "Grace That Is Greater Than All Our Sin" by Julia Johnson
"Look!!! There is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today!" Thank You, thank You, thank You! My Refuge, thank You for the promise that "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thank You for covering me with Your righteousness. Your grace points me to Your redeeming work on the cross, and "I stand, I stand in awe of You. Holy God to Whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You!"
I love the line from this wonderful hymn about God's grace that says "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace -- freely bestowed on all who believe..." I want to meditate on each word.
Marvelous -- can we ever cease to marvel at the wonder of God's grace?
Infinite-- my finite mind can never comprehend the depth of His grace.
Matchless-- nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the promise I have in His grace. It is by grace that I am saved! Praise the Lord for His grace that is greater than all my sin!!!
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all my sin.
Sin and despair like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.
-- from "Grace That Is Greater Than All Our Sin" by Julia Johnson
"Look!!! There is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today!" Thank You, thank You, thank You! My Refuge, thank You for the promise that "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thank You for covering me with Your righteousness. Your grace points me to Your redeeming work on the cross, and "I stand, I stand in awe of You. Holy God to Whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You!"
I love the line from this wonderful hymn about God's grace that says "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace -- freely bestowed on all who believe..." I want to meditate on each word.
Marvelous -- can we ever cease to marvel at the wonder of God's grace?
Infinite-- my finite mind can never comprehend the depth of His grace.
Matchless-- nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the promise I have in His grace. It is by grace that I am saved! Praise the Lord for His grace that is greater than all my sin!!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Oh the deep, deep love!!!!
How deep the Father's love for us ,
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure!
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory .
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer,
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
-- from "How Deep the Father's Love" by Stuart Townend
I cannot begin to fathom the Father's love for me. When I meditate upon His goodness, His mercy, His sacrifice, I flounder for adequate words of gratitude. So often I find myself wanting things and demanding them of God. How ungrateful of me! How depraved!! I deserve nothing, yet He gave His only Son to make this wretch His treasure. His treasure! What a thought!
"Why should I gain?" I am nothing. Yet here is the greatest paradox of all time: the God of all gods loves me and knows the number of hairs on my head. I am precious to Him! "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer." His love for me is beyond my comprehension, beyond human explanation. Praise be to God!
Thank You, Father God, for Your depth of love. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your compassion. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice. Thank Tou for paying my sin's debt. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for working in my heart. Thank you for opening my eyes to my need and desperation. Thank you, Three-in-One, for creating me in Your image! What rich treasures do I have in You!!!
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure!
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory .
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer,
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
-- from "How Deep the Father's Love" by Stuart Townend
I cannot begin to fathom the Father's love for me. When I meditate upon His goodness, His mercy, His sacrifice, I flounder for adequate words of gratitude. So often I find myself wanting things and demanding them of God. How ungrateful of me! How depraved!! I deserve nothing, yet He gave His only Son to make this wretch His treasure. His treasure! What a thought!
"Why should I gain?" I am nothing. Yet here is the greatest paradox of all time: the God of all gods loves me and knows the number of hairs on my head. I am precious to Him! "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer." His love for me is beyond my comprehension, beyond human explanation. Praise be to God!
Thank You, Father God, for Your depth of love. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your compassion. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice. Thank Tou for paying my sin's debt. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for working in my heart. Thank you for opening my eyes to my need and desperation. Thank you, Three-in-One, for creating me in Your image! What rich treasures do I have in You!!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
In CHRIST alone!!!
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
-- from "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty
So, I have returned. Why is it that when we should most be meditating on God's love and His power, we don't? Why do we allow the mundane things of this world to deprive us of the glorious riches of God? The noise of this world clammors for my attention. Why do I stop to listen? Why do I put my wonderful heavenly Father "on hold" while I answer the calls a busy life dials? Oh, how I yearn to commune with my Abba above the din of daily life. Lord, help me to listen to Your still small voice. Help me to be still and know that You are God.
This song resonates with the glory of our God. He is our COMFORTER, our SAVIOUR and REDEEMER; He has CONQUERED death! I rest in the hand of the Almighty. Though each verse tells a wondrous truth, I want to focus on the first verse of this song.
Lately, I have done much "hoping." I want to check my heart; is my hope in Christ alone? I know that it should be. I want it to be. I have been quoting "some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in name of the Lord our God." I don't want to put my trust in man or his abilities, and I don't want to hope in circumstances. My hope is Christ! He is my Light; He is my Strength (and oh, do I need His strength... mine is frail and fleeting). Oh, Lord, be my Song. I want to sing; I want joy, but I want that joy to come from You, not circumstances! Still my fears, my Comforter; bring me peace. Your love transcends human comprehension; help me to stand on the Solid Rock, the Cornerstone.
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
-- from "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty
So, I have returned. Why is it that when we should most be meditating on God's love and His power, we don't? Why do we allow the mundane things of this world to deprive us of the glorious riches of God? The noise of this world clammors for my attention. Why do I stop to listen? Why do I put my wonderful heavenly Father "on hold" while I answer the calls a busy life dials? Oh, how I yearn to commune with my Abba above the din of daily life. Lord, help me to listen to Your still small voice. Help me to be still and know that You are God.
This song resonates with the glory of our God. He is our COMFORTER, our SAVIOUR and REDEEMER; He has CONQUERED death! I rest in the hand of the Almighty. Though each verse tells a wondrous truth, I want to focus on the first verse of this song.
Lately, I have done much "hoping." I want to check my heart; is my hope in Christ alone? I know that it should be. I want it to be. I have been quoting "some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in name of the Lord our God." I don't want to put my trust in man or his abilities, and I don't want to hope in circumstances. My hope is Christ! He is my Light; He is my Strength (and oh, do I need His strength... mine is frail and fleeting). Oh, Lord, be my Song. I want to sing; I want joy, but I want that joy to come from You, not circumstances! Still my fears, my Comforter; bring me peace. Your love transcends human comprehension; help me to stand on the Solid Rock, the Cornerstone.
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