I saw that title on a scrapbook page. It seemed fitting. Today Jack, this post is for you. Please print it out to read for your encouragement and as a verbal hug, when we are separated by distance. We love you!
Today I did not go to church because I am at the stage of migraine where being near people is difficult, so I wondered what I would write for Songs On Sunday. While my thoughts are focused on praying for Jack and as he will be receiving prayer and anointing for healing of his cancer by the Elders and Pastor Cameron at church, I was encouraged by these things.
The first is a devotional that my friend Margaret at Heritage Yarns, called The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotionals, compiled by Arthur Bennett and published by The Banner of Truth. The following is from page 102, but I am not sure if Blogger will allow the phrasing correctly (Sorry Blogger is not playing nicely, so I can't get it to quit squishing everything together!)
Need of Jesus
Lord Jesus,
I am blind, be thou my light.
ignorant, be though my wisdom,
self-willed, be thou my mind.
Open my ear to grasp quickly thy Spirit's voice,
and delightfully run after his beckoning hand;
Melt my conscience that no hardness remain,
make it alive to evil's slightest touch;
When Satan approaches may I flee to thy wounds,
and there cease to tremble at all alarms.
Be my good shepherd to lead me into the green pastures of thy Word,
and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts.
Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales
may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.
Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge,
Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean.
Thy death occurred to give me a surety,
Thy name is my property to save me,
By thee all heaven is poured into my heart,
but it is too narrow to comprehend thy love.
I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel,
but thy cross has brought me near,
has softened my heart,
has made me thy Father's child,
has admitted me to thy family,
has made me joint heir with thyself,
O that I may love thee as thou lovest me,
that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord,
that I may reflect the image of Heaven's first born.
May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith,
and feel the power of thy Spirit in my heart,
for unless he move mightily in me,
no inward fire will be kindled.
Keep on, Keeping on Brother! :o) No matter the outcome, nor the challenges, keep pressing on toward your upward calling in Christ Jesus!
Jame Owens Collins, a praise, prayer and song warrior, wrote this song, hold on to the Truth!
In heavenly armour we'll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord
(repeat)
The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord
Cancer is NOT God's good and perfect will. Cancer is a result of the fall, sin, death, a tool of the enemy. We are reminded not to fear the enemy that hurts or kills our bodies, but to beware of the enemy who steals the soul. We know One who is victorious. Be encouraged by the BRAVE journeys of your sisters, Elaine and Nancy, who have traveled this path before you. Do everything HE calls you to humanly do and leave the rest in His hands. Do not survive - LIVE! Remember Elaine's purple hair! Remember Nancy's "fleas"! Remembered that by His stripes you ARE healed. Live in reality but listen to the TRUTH and His peace, which is beyond measure and comprehension will flood over you and sustain you. Live each moment for Him. We're here to be your cheerleaders, your soggy shoulders, your prayer warriors, your family and your friends. No one has a bigger heart for helping others than you. It's our turn to thank you. We love you!!!! We robustly sing to you:
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
No matter the outcome of your earthly battle (which I hope is also won!), I know the war is already WON. I commit you into His Will with HOPE. I love you Jack.
1 comment:
Maybe it's something in the air - I stayed home from church with a migraine as well. Thanks for the reminder of Victory in Jesus. I truly love that hymn!
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