GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

          My favorite verse during my working days was Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."  I believe that it should be the desire  of each believer to do everything for the Lord heartily, giving Him the best that we have.  Now let me clarify that.  In Isaiah 64:6 we are told that "all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags", so in our own strength we have nothing good to give Him.  It is only by His grace that we are saved, a gift of God. "Not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8).  But in Ephesians 2:10 we are told, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  And in Romans 12:1 we are told to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."   So as those who were chosen and saved by grace, it is our duty and privilege to daily give of our best to the Master.  Now if you are like me, some days I come up short in doing this.  The cares and obligations of daily living often distract us.  I think we need to stop at times and examine our lives.  We might start by looking at our daily planners.  Do we take time to spend with the Lord?  Do our actions throughout all of our daily chores bring glory to Him?  How about our monthly calendars?  Are we faithful in taking time to worship and minister, or does He get our leftover minutes.  And if that isn't enough, maybe we should examine our budgets and checkbooks.  Does our spending and giving demonstrate that all that we have is His?  Giving of our best to the Master should be shown in all that we do and have. Pastor Howard Grose (1851-1939) apparently wrote these words as a result of an incident in his church.  According to his son, "My father was the organist and choir director of our church. One evening at choir practice a young man wandered in late, interrupting what was going on as he slid past other singers into his place. When my father asked why he was late, he simply shrugged and had no answer. At which my father stung him - and set the bar for all of us - by saying to the latecomer, "The Lord doesn't want your spare time." Pastor Grose actually wrote this hymn to be included in The Endeavor Hymnal, a compilation of songs used in meetings of the Christian Endeavor Society. Charlotte Barnard (1830-1869), who wrote the music, actually never heard this hymn. In fact, it was written more than 30 years after her death. She had written the tune for a secular song, "Take Back the Heart That Thou Gavest". When Howard's words were written, they fit the tune and timing of that old secular song and they found a new, better life by becoming a hymn published in 1902.  Now many of us no longer have "the strength of your youth" to give Him, but our desire should still be to give Him our all, moment by moment, serving Him heartily. When we consider all that Jesus has done for us and all that we can be for Him - His workmanship - we should be motivated to "Give Of Your Best To The Master." May this be our prayer and desire.

1.     Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardor

Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example,

Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion;

Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Clad in salvation's full armor,

Join in the battle for truth.

2.     Give of your best to the Master;

Give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service;

Consecrate every part.

Give, and to you will be given;

God His beloved Son gave;

Gratefully seeking to serve Him,

Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Clad in salvation's full armor,

Join in the battle for truth.

3.     Give of your best to the Master;

Naught else is worthy His love;

He gave Himself for your ransom,

Gave up His glory above.

Laid down His life without murmur,

You from sin's ruin to save;

Give Him your heart's adoration;

Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Clad in salvation's full armor,

Join in the battle for truth.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN1 (music)

                            LISTEN 2 (piano and words)

SPECIAL NOTE

If you are interested in some background on the history and reach of this blog, check out my posting for February 18 on my other blog,  http://barrysbasicblog.blogspot.com/.

TEACH ME TO PRAY LORD

          I think one of the most misused phrases in the Christian vocabulary is "I'll pray for you".  We often tell folks who are in need that we will do this and we might a few times, but often our promise is soon forgotten.  Few of us have the discipline to be real prayer warriors.  I have been blest in my life to have several relatives who were real prayer warriors.  For 25 years our family had a ministry which often involved very early Sunday morning long trips to churches in various locations in several different states.  In all those years we only ever had one problem finding our way to the church.  It was the Sunday after my grandfather had passed away and I later realized that for the first time my faithful prayer warrior wasn't praying for us that morning.  What a lesson about the power of prayer that touched my life following that experience.  Now I must admit that I haven't always been a faithful prayer warrior.  There are many times that I have cried out to the Lord, as did the disciples in Luke 11:1, "Lord teach me to pray".   And he has been teaching me, even though at times I am a slow learner.  However, as a result of several recent surgeries he has provided me much more time to pray eliminating my excuse of the lack of time to do so.  Now I don't know much about Albert S. Reitz (1879-1966) and I know nothing about his prayer life.  However I recently came upon a song which he penned in 1925.  I can remember singing it in church services when I was a youngster but I haven't heard it for years.  Quite possibly you may never have heard it.  But in it Reitz shares several practical issues about prayer. Prayer is for the one who wants to please God, who says, "I long to know Thy will and Thy way" (Stanza 1). God's will and way is made clear in His Word, but we need wisdom in applying the principles of God's Word. God's promise is, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James1:5).  Prayer is for the one who sees and is touched by the great needs of humanity - "men lost and dying, souls in despair" (Stanza 2). A prayer for God's enablement, and for spiritual power, is called for, if we are to serve Him effectively.  Prayer is for the one who understands that our sin nature can still raise its ugly head, and we can still stumble into sin (Stanza 3). "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:11-12).   The words of this stanza are a powerful prayer for all of us, as are the words of the chorus.  Prayer is as important to our spiritual life as is breathing to our human life.  May this song be a reminder to us this week of our need to spend time alone with the Lord.   May we have the discipline and desire to be prayer warriors for our own spiritual growth and for the many needs of those all around us.  And may we never be guilty of saying "I'll pray for you" and then not faithfully doing it.  And as stanza 4 repeats, Lord, teach us to pray.

1.     Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;

This is my heart-cry day unto day;

I long to know Thy will and Thy way;

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me,

Constant abiding, this is my plea;

Grant me Thy power, boundless and free,

Power with men and power with Thee.

2.     Power in prayer, Lord, power in prayer!

Here 'mid earth's sin and sorrow and care,

Men lost and dying, souls in despair;

O give me power, power in prayer!

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me,

Constant abiding, this is my plea;

Grant me Thy power, boundless and free,

Power with men and power with Thee.

3.     My weakened will, Lord, Thou canst renew;

My sinful nature Thou canst subdue;

Fill me just now with power anew;

Power to pray and power to do!

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me,

Constant abiding, this is my plea;

Grant me Thy power, boundless and free,

Power with men and power with Thee.

4.     Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;

Thou art my pattern day unto day;

Thou art my surety, now and for aye;

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me,

Constant abiding, this is my plea;

Grant me Thy power, boundless and free,

Power with men and power with Thee.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

I'LL NEVER BE LONELY AGAIN

          Two Christmas cards that we received this year brought us unexpected sad messages sharing with us the death of spouses.  One came from a new widow in Minnesota whose husband had a massive heart attack while shoveling snow and he couldn't be revived.  The other was from a friend in his nineties telling us that his wife had passed away a few months ago.  And in both messages you could sense the deep feelings of loneliness which they were now facing.  We have numerous friends who are going through the same battle.  The death of a spouse can be devastating.  And the lonely days and nights must be horrendous to endure.  But loneliness is not limited just to those who have lost spouses.  One can be lonely in a crowd.  It has been estimated that approximately 60 million people in the United States, or 20% of the total population, feel lonely. Another study found that 12% of Americans have no one with whom to spend free time or to discuss important matters.  Other research suggests that this rate has been increasing over time.  Loneliness is a serious, wide spread problem.  And maybe that is why Audrey Mieir (1916-1966) chose this theme to write today's song choice.  Mieir was born in Leechburg, Pennsylvania but moved to Los Angeles.  She had been a church pianist before leaving elementary school and later she began writing songs and conducting choirs. She formed the inspirational Harmony Chorus in the early 1950's and ministered with composer and evangelist Phil Kerr in the popular Southern California Monday Musicals. Mieir wrote more than 1,000 songs, most of them gospel music.  One of Audrey's compositions that has led many a congregation and radio-TV audience to the very throne of God is "His Name is Wonderful."  Along with her musical ministry, Audrey helped found two orphanages in Korea, bringing many Korean children to the United States for adoption. Two of these, Liane and Mark, were adopted by Audrey and her husband, Charles, as siblings for their son Mike.  Now her song that we feature this week is based upon the promise of Jesus that he will never leave us or forsake us.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He tells us to cast all of our care upon Him for He cares for us.  I especially love the message of Isaiah 41:13, " I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you."   And there is also Isaiah 41:10 which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."  And He always keep His promises.  Now I must admit that I do have a slight problem with her words that  say I'll never be lonely again, never again.  And I don't think these fears are foolish.  I think there are times, especially after the loss of a loved one, that we will still battle with loneliness. Those who tell you otherwise have probably never themselves been there.   But the truth is that when we are a child of God, we do have His presence and comfort and promises to care and to be with us.  And we need to claim that truth and hope.   So if you are dealing with loneliness recognize that He is there and that He will never fail or leave you.  Let this song be a reminder of this when you are lonely and discouraged.  Claim His promises and rest in Him.  

1.     Lonely days and lonely nights,

Filled with despair,

Caused me to long for

Someone to care;

Then I heard Christ say to me;

"This promise I've made:

Lo! I am with you

Now and forever,

Be not afraid."

Chorus

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again,

For I have opened

My heart's door to Him.

So I'll brush away the tears

And forget my

Foolish fears

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again.

2.     If you're longing for a friend,

Loving and true,

Turn to the Savior

He waits for you;

He will do the same for you

As He did for me;

He'll never leave you,

Never forsake you,

Trust Him and see.

Chorus

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again,

For I have opened

My heart's door to Him.

So I'll brush away the tears

And forget my

Foolish fears

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO (TH2)

TIMELESS HYMNS #2 - A new special feature where every few weeks I choose a hymn that I have written about before, revise and update it, and share it once more because I think it has a powerful message that we need.  This one was shared previously on October 6, 2011.

As we come to February, thoughts often turn to Valentines Day and love. I searched for hymns which talk about God's love and I chose this one because of its powerful words and the interesting story behind its writing. It was written by George Matteson (1842-1906) on the evening of his sister's marriage. His whole family had gone to the wedding and had left him alone. Years before, he had been engaged until his fiancee learned that he was going blind, and there was nothing the doctors could do to prevent it. She told him that she could not go through life with a blind man and she left him. He did go blind when he was twenty and while studying for the ministry.  His sister had been the one who had taken care of him all of these twenty years.  But now she was married and gone. He had been a brilliant student.  Some say that if he hadn't gone blind he could have been the leader of the church of Scotland in his day. Before her marriage he turned to the pastoral ministry, and the Lord richly blessed him, finally bringing him to a church where he regularly preached to over 1500 people each week. But he had only been able to do this because of the care of his sister, and now she was married and gone. Who would care for him, a blind man? Not only that, but his sister's marriage brought a fresh reminder of his own heartbreak over his fiancee's refusal to "go through life with a blind man." It was in the midst of this circumstance and intense sadness that the Lord gave him this hymn – written he says in just five minutes! He was 40 when he penned these words. You can almost feel his pain at his human loss, but you can also sense his hope as he realizes that rest for his weary soul will only come from His Lord and that love will never let him go. Are you dealing with the loss a loved one?  Do you feel all alone and discouraged?  Has a friend or even a family member left you down?  Just remember that even when your closest friends disappoint you or even leave you, Jesus is always there.  He has promised never to leave or forsake His children.  And He never has, and He never will!  Meditate on the truth of this hymn this week.  Feel the pain but also the hope that Matteson expressed.  And be thankful for God's love that never lets us go.

1.  O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

    2.  O light that foll'west all my way,

I yield my flick'ring torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine's blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

    3.  O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

    4.  O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life's glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

You can listen to a beautiful and moving performance of this great hymn here. LISTEN