“What gift of love could I offer to a King? What weight or worth could be held within my offering? When He alone is worthy. A glory song is inscribed upon my heart. This treasure held –in an alabaster jar, I break to bring Him all the glory. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. What sacrifice could be equal to His own? The cross of Christ has declared that there is naught I owe. Yet I know I owe Him all.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow…Our Father God the infinite. The matchless King, magnificent. The living Christ, the servant Son. The prophesied, the saving One.  The Holy Ghost gift from above. The faithful Friend, the seal of love. This life, this heart, this song to Him.  My all in all, my everything.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” Written by Thomas Ken 1667

“Into the heart of Jesus”
Deeper and deeper I go,
Seeking to know the reason
Why He should love me so –
Why He should stoop to lift me. Up from the miry clay,
Saving my soul, making me whole, Tho I had wandered away. Into the will of Jesus,
Deeper and deeper I go,
Praying for grace to follow,
Seeking His way to know;
Bowing in full surrender
Low at His blessed feet,
Bidding Him take, break me
and make me till I am molded and we meet. Into the cross of Jesus, deeper and deeper I go, Following thru the garden, facing the dreaded foe; drinking the cup of sorrow -Sobbing with broken heart, “O Savior, help! Grace for my weakness impart. Into the joy of Jesus deeper I go. Rising, with soul enraptured, far from the world below; Joy in the place of sorrow, peace in the midst of pain, Jesus will give, Jesus will give – He will uphold and sustain. Into the love of Jesus, deeper and deeper I go, praising the One who bought me. O how He loved! O how He loved me! Jesus, my Lord and my King!” Written by Oswald J Smith

A sample of hymn history. The hymn “What Gift of Love” was written in 1667. Thomas was 9 years old, and he became an orphan. He was raised by his step-sister, and later, Thomas Ken attended Oxford University and was ordained as a chaplain in 1662. Ken was outspoken against corruption in government, but King Charles the 2nd appreciated Ken’s salt and light.. Just 12 days after being elevated to Bishop, the King died. His strong stand on morality did not please the new Monarch, James the 2nd, and Ken spent time in prison. Ken wrote this hymn and sang it each morning as part of his devotion. He died at age 77 in obscurity.  “Awake my soul, and with the Son, thy daily course of duty run. Shake off dull sloth to rise to pay thy early sacrifice. Direct, control, suggest this day – all I design, or do, or say. That all my powers, with all my might, may unite to bring God glory.”

“Take my life and let it be –
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move. At the impulse of Thy love. ❤️ Frances R. Havergal ( Dec 14, 1836 – June 3, 1879) an English poet and hymnwriter. “Writing is praying with Him: for I never seem to write even a verse by myself’. This is perhaps unsurprising given her devotion to Jesus. She wrote poetry, but only to express the spiritual lessons she had learned. She sang hymns simply for the purpose of winning souls. She mastered many languages but studied Greek and Hebrew primarily to better understand the Bible. Her artistic talents and religious conviction combined to produce an immense creative output; leading her to publish books, letters and leaflets as well as teach. “Take My Life and Let it Be.” and “Thy Life for Me” 🎵 are two of her best known hymns. She also wrote religious tracts, and works for children. At the age of 6 she began memorizing the Bible. Drawing near death she packed up and bequeathed all posessions gladly. Rejoicing, Frances joined Jesus at age 42.

Music lovers rejoice! While walking the beach, I was stirred to sing while  hearing the history behind 101 hymns. This awesome audiobook includes a refrain from 101 🎵 hymns written from 1200 – 1800s. “Majestic Sweetness sits Enthroned” Written by Dr Samuel Stennet. ❤️ “This is my Father’s World” written by Dr. Babcock.  A blind woman wrote over 30 hymns. “Jesus is Tenderly Calling” and “Draw me Nearer” “Saved by Grace” and “Redeemed”. Fanny Crosby was in her 60’s, and living in a dingy apartment in New York City in the early 1880’s. Just a few steps away was the slums, but homes to alcoholics, prostitutes, and the desperately lost. One of the most dynamic rescue missions in the area was the Water Street Mission, a favorite place for Fanny to minister, as well inside the Door of Hope Mission a rehab for “fallen women”. For 16 years, she spoke at the Bowery Mission. Blind Fanny considered rescue mission work as her principal occupation. The songs she wrote were meant to be used in the missions, urging people to make a decision for Christ. She had an affinity for broken men, and she called them “my boys.” Rejoice in their shared passion to sing praise.

All churches UNITED for their lyrical contributions. The old English expression Worth Shipe —a word that denotes a memorable utterance etched monumentally and forever upon a redeemed creature, by His Creator, and his uncontrolled response towards the object of superaltive worth or great value. A more theological definition of worship is a willing act, whereby a person’s will, intellect, and emotions gratefully respond to the height of God’s person expressed in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit illumines the worth of a human heart to God the Father, singing praise naturally emerges.

Worship is more than a song, it is an overflow of a grateful heart. Our Father fills every part of our body, mind and soul, and our spirit engages with His. “And the Angels cried Holy, God is lifted high, Holy – Holy Forever! The Son Jesus glorified, Holy – Holy Forever! 🔥 Above ALL powers and dominions, ALL legions and religions, ALL positions and opinions, His Name “Jesus” stands above them ALL, Holy Forever! And as the angels cry Holy, every saint bows down, Holy. We will lift Him high, Holy, Holy Forever! ❤️ Isaiah 6 “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seraphim, each with 6 wings: With 2 wings they covered their faces, with 2 they covered their feet, and with 2 they were flying. They were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Isaiah the prophet cried “Woe to me, I am ruined, for I have unclean lips.” The Seraphim used tongs to anoint Isaiah’s lips. In chapters 1-5 Isaiah spoke 6 woes over all. The 7th woe was his.

Today folks attend churches that perform, but our Father abides and transforms those fully engaged in worship. He performs in us supernaturally as we participate in the song. He moves our spirit and perhaps tears flow, our hands raise and our body sways. Worship is an interactive faith with “He” who is within us. Singing words and allowing them to sink from our mind into our heart is a part of surrender to His presence. Our body, mind and soul 🎶 rejoices in agreement with His “Blessed Assurance.” Some lyrics were born out of pain, some out of victory and some out of the purity of His holiness manifesting in words. Each Psalmist was chosen by God to pen words that reach deep. How wonderful to learn of the circumstances surrounding the writer of each hymn. Praise 👏 His holy name, Jesus. ❤️ Stolling along singing a song 🎵 day by day.

“The room grew still as she made her way to Jesus. She stumbles through the tears that made her blind.  She felt such pain, some spoke in anger. Heard folks whisper, there’s no place here for her kind. Still on she came through the shame that flushed her face. Until at last, she knelt before His feet. And though she spoke no words, everything she said was heard. As she poured her love for the Master, from her box of alabaster. So I’ve come to pour my praise on Him. Like oil from Mary’s alabaster box.  So don’t be angry if I wash His feet with my tears — and I dry them with my hair. ‘Cause you weren’t there –the night He found me. You did not feel what I felt. When He wrapped His love all around me — and you don’t know the cost, not of this oil —in my alabaster box ❤️ I can’t forget the way life used to be. Cause I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound until the day when Jesus came to me, and healed my soul with the wonder of His touch. So now I’m giving back to Him all the praise He’s worthy of. Jesus forgave me and that’s why I love Him so.” Written by Janice Sjostran and sang by Cece Winans

Speak truth, speak life into others.
I learned this from all who spoke truth into me. “I am convinced that drawing out the gold in others not only activates destiny but deactivates strongholds. Speak in truth, and the lies have no ground to stand on. It’s the most forgotten form of deliverance, yet the most effective.” Nate Johnston –

Song 🎵 by CeCe FUEGO! 🔥
Fire fire, Fall on us. start a new revival, fire fall on us! Fire fire -fall on us! Start a new revival! My prayer for all is that God would be glorified by all that is said, sang, or done! Lord send us out with fire that the world will come to know who Jesus is. Overwhelmed by Your glory and Your grace, You consume us with your love. Give us more and more of who You are, We can’t get enough!  AMEN

Allister Begg on March 1, 2024 “Though Troubles Assail” was one of over 280 hymns written by John Newton. He was the one-time slave-trading captain whom God converted and who later became an Anglican minister. His conversion is a tremendous encouragement to everyone.  God guided Newton through many storms and dangers, enabling him to testify to the Lord’s amazing grace.

A few lines from the hymn:

Though troubles assail,
And dangers affright;
Though friends should all fail,
And foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us,
Whatever betide:
The Scripture assures us,
“The Lord will provide.”

The events of recent weeks have caused me to rest on the providence of God. We are all in need of the reminder to “bear one another’s burdens” and, in doing so, to reflect the love of Christ. Isaiah 40:28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and HIS understanding no one can fathom. HE gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” We are redeemed and we overcome evil with good.

Whatever circumstances we are facing,  let’s remind one another that we are in His hands. “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” It doesn’t always seem so, but it is so. Again, I am reminded of these comforting words: God’s providence is a soft pillow. May our souls find rest in Him alone.”

CH SPURGEON has more words of great encouragement. 👍