Oh Morning Prayer it reaches you
the quiet moment comes
When suddenly no more the fear
and battles they are done
We see your Power in everything
from tree to singing birds
declaring all your Majesty,
We open up your Word.
Category: Fear
Lovest thou Me?
“Lovest thou Me?” is the poignant question Jesus asked Peter soon after His Resurrection. Ruth Tracy, this song’s author, seems to have felt the Lord was asking the same of her, and she was compelled to surrender everything in her life to Him. Note that she surrendered not only good “treasures”, but also her fear and weakness. Sometimes we hold onto our fear and other negative feelings because we are afraid, paradoxically, of letting go of something so familiar!
Ruth Tracy lived from 1870 to 1960 in England. She grew up in the Plymouth Brethren Church, but at the age of eighteen attended a Salvation Army meeting while visiting her cousin, and continued to do so after returning home. She soon began working at the Army’s International Headquarters and subsequently became an officer. She served in several corps appointments, followed by many years in the Editorial Department. Commissioner James Hay had encouraged her to write her first song for The War Cry and she eventually wrote over 100 songs for The Musical Salvationist and other publications.
Lord, Thou art questioning, “Lovest thou Me?”
Yea, Lord, Thou knowest, my answer must be;
But since love’s value is proved by love’s test,
Jesus, I’ll give Thee the dearest and best.
CHORUS:
All in my heart, Lord, Thou canst read;
Master, Thou knowest I love Thee indeed.
Ask what Thou wilt my devotion to test:
I will surrender the dearest and best.
How couldst Thou smile on me if, in my heart,
I were unwilling from treasures to part?
Since my redemption cost Thee such a price,
Utmost surrender alone will suffice.
Down at Thy feet all my fears I let go;
Back on Thy strength all my weakness I throw;
Lord, in my life Thou shalt have Thine own way;
Speak but the word, and Thy child will obey.
Teach Me to Love You More.
Teach Me to Love You More.
Oh the webs we weave,
From darkest caves within our minds
Where Love should be, we hold our grudge until one day when light does shine.
And the earth around our feet,
Pulls us down to dangerous lows
Where Love should be on solid ground. We weep of earthly fears and woes.
Teach me to Love You more.
Oh the fears we have,
Of cars and pets, siblings and kin
Where Love should be upon our lives We surrender not to let You in.
Teach me to Love You More.
Joseph McTaggart.
Loving God
Today’s Scripture & Insight: 1 John 4:10–21
The professor ended his online class in one of two ways each time. He’d say, “See you next time” or “Have a good weekend.” Some students would respond with “Thank you. You too!” But one day a student responded, “I love you.” Surprised, he replied, “I love you too!” That evening the classmates agreed to create an “I love you chain” for the next class time in appreciation for their professor who had to teach to a screen on his computer, not in-person teaching as he preferred. A few days later when he finished teaching, the professor said, “See you next time,” and one by one the students replied, “I love you.” They continued this practice for months. The teacher said this created a strong bond with his students, and he now feels they’re “family.”
In 1 John 4:10–21, we, as part of God’s family, find several reasons to say “I love you” to Him: He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sin (v. 10). He gave us His Spirit to live in us (vv. 13, 15). His love is always reliable (v. 16), and we never need to fear judgment (v. 17). He enables us to love Him and others “because he first loved us” (v. 19).
The next time you gather with God’s people, take time to share your reasons for loving Him. Making an “I love you” chain for God will bring Him praise and bring you closer together.
A Testimony
In God no feud is found
Past are my Brother’s fears
The Saviour’s Love and gratitude
Now the paths of tribes reflect
Right, Truth, Peace and Love
Abiding in our Master’s Light
With Angels from above
And oh the years of sadness
Of darkness and disdain
When we fought and killed each man
By the river´s grassy plains
And as for my forefathers
With covenants passed to keep
I testify of visions true
Sent to feed His Sheep
This lowly servant, that I am
Proclaims the Saviour’s Love
and weaves together unity
A mantle from above.
Joseph McTaggart
Grace, Mercy & Love
It is without fear (not dep respect or reverence, but fear) of the Lord, we shall never have the wisdom to understand His grace, mercy and love.
The Stoning of Stephen (Book of Acts)
Oh the years without a creed
With stone in hand to hurt and bleed
I thought no Saviour did I need
Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen
Each day began with crowds and fears
Conditioned hatred, screams and tears
With stones in hand I marched up near
Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen
And with fear, in thought and mind,
Other people did I bind
With rage and anger to mankind
Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen
I threw my stones with strength I found
And watched them tumbling to the ground
No power can hurt what God has crowned
Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen
And as I learnt to leave my woes
And trust in God oh sweet repose
Through the Saviour’s blood we know
The example of St Stephen
Joseph McTaggart
Precious Jewels
Malachi 3 New International Version
Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God
13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evil doers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
The Faithful Remnant
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
A favourite children’s hymn to a tune some of you may not recognise played by David Daws on Euphonium and accompanied by Regent Hall Band of The Salvation Army.
- When He cometh, when He cometh,
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.- Refrain:
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
- Refrain:
- He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom,
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own. - Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
The Penitent’s Plea
One of my favourite hymns is The Penitent’s Plea written by Herbert Booth and goes to the tune Savior, hear me, while before Thy feet.
If you are unfamiliar with the hymn or tune it’s a hymn of repentance and a hymn used to forgive sins
1 Saviour, hear me while before thy feet
I the record of my sins repeat.
Stained with guilt, myself abhorring,
Filled with grief, my soul outpouring;
Canst thou still in mercy think of me,
Stoop to set my shackled spirit free,
Raise my sinking heart and bid me be
Thy child once more?
Refrain:
Grace there is my every debt to pay,
Blood to wash my every sin away,
Power to keep me spotless day by day,
For me, for me!
2 All the memories of deeds gone by
Rise within me and thy power defy;
With a deathly chill ensnaring,
They would leave my soul despairing.
Saviour, take my hand, I cannot tell
How to stem the tides that round me swell,
How to ease my conscience, or to quell
My flaming heart.
3 Yet why should I fear? Hast thou not died
That no seeking soul should be denied?
To that heart, its sins confessing,
Canst thou fail to give a blessing?
By the love and pity thou hast shown,
By the blood that did for me atone,
Boldly will I kneel before thy throne,
A pleading soul.
4 All the rivers of thy grace I claim,
Over every promise write my name.
As I am I come, believing,
As thou art thou dost, receiving,
Bid me rise a free and pardoned slave,
Master o’er my sin, the world, the grave,
Charging me to preach thy power to save
To sin bound souls.
The Man of Galilee
Matthew 14 New International Version
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
