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Archive for August 2015

Yours or His?

with 10 comments

“They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used Too!”

My Daddy would say that to me with a big grin on his face when as a boy, I was unable to open a jar lid that was too tight for me or when I tried to lift something too heavy and couldn’t. We would both chuckle.

Maybe Grandpa said that to my Daddy when he was a boy too. I said it to my sons and maybe they’ve said to their sons as well.

I was blessed to have lived and enjoyed church worship in simpler and more basic times. The worship in church was directly affected, no doubt, by the tough times we all experienced.

Many songs and choruses were written about heaven and sung by those who lived during the depression and hard times. But what strikes my heart today is the lack of certain types of songs being written and sung in our churches today.

 

Old saints can remember songs like:

 

“Is Your All on the Altar?”

By Elisha A. Hoffman – 1900

  1. You have longed for sweet peace,
    And for faith to increase,
    And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
    But you cannot have rest,
    Or be perfectly blest,
    Until all on the altar is laid.

    • Refrain:
      Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
      Your heart does the Spirit control?
      You can only be blest,
      And have peace and sweet rest,
      As you yield Him your body and soul.
  2. Would you walk with the Lord,
    In the light of His word,
    And have peace and contentment alway?
    You must do His sweet will,
    To be free from all ill,
    On the altar your all you must lay.
  3. Oh, we never can know
    What the Lord will bestow
    Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
    Till our body and soul
    He doth fully control,
    And our all on the altar is laid.
  4. Who can tell all the love
    He will send from above,
    And how happy our hearts will be made;
    Of the fellowship sweet
    We shall share at His feet,
    When our all on the altar is laid.

 

 

Remember this one too?

 

“I Surrender All”

By Judson W. Van DeVenter – 1896

 

  1. All to Jesus I surrender;
    All to Him I freely give;
    I will ever love and trust Him,
    In His presence daily live.

    • Refrain:
      I surrender all,
      I surrender all;
      All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
      I surrender all.
  2. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Humbly at His feet I bow,
    Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
    Take me, Jesus, take me now.
  3. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
    Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
    Truly know that Thou art mine.
  4. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Lord, I give myself to Thee;
    Fill me with Thy love and power;
    Let Thy blessing fall on me.
  5. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Now I feel the sacred flame.
    Oh, the joy of full salvation!
    Glory, glory, to His Name!

 

Both of these precious old songs were written many years before my parents were even born.

  • Why is there a shortage and scarcity of heart searching and consecration type songs?
  • Why does it seem like everyone has stopped writing and singing songs of surrender and submission?
  • It simply bothers me.

Yes, we are to sing a new song. I agree. I will sing and worship along with you. But at the same time, I ask, why throw all the consecration songs like those of yesterday away? Is there no longer a need? Have we arrived? Is there not a cause or a concern? Am I alone on this?

I looked online and found this site that shows about 49 songs of heart examination (most of which I’ve never heard sung.) What is very noticeable and glaring to me is the fact that almost every song was written more than a hundred years ago.

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/_/Examination/?sortby=subject

 

Then it seems like every gospel song writer up and quit. Is there no longer a need for consecration in our singing or in surrendering to His Will? About a good as most of us get to hear lately is something like:

 

“Yes, Lord, Yes”

I’ll say yes, Lord, yes
To your will and to your way
I’ll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust you and obey
When your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I’ll agree
And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes

 

But truly we don’t have much to show in the last one hundred years that expresses to God our heart’s surrender. I know that to a younger generation that I am an old man blowing off steam. I will not even defend myself on that point.

I just happen to like and appreciate what those old songs did to my heart and how that in singing them they shaped my thinking and my mindset. I want my grandchildren to have the same experience in God.

They Really Don’t Make Them Like They Use To.

Come on songwriters and singers. Write us some songs that make us want to consecrate. Songs that make our hearts cry. Songs that are what God wants to hear not just what we like to shout to.

 

Today while looking through some old papers, I found a tattered sheet of old paper with a poem written in my Father’s handwriting. Tears came to my eyes as I read the words and felt the meaning and the understanding of why my Father felt that this poem was important enough to him to hand copy it.

Written on the backside were some notes to a sermon he preached called Aids To Navigation. I researched online and found the title of this poem written by Joseph Addison Richards. As for me, I need not say anymore.

 FullSizeRender

Yours or His?

I owned a little boat a while ago
And sailed a Morning Sea without a fear,
And whither any breeze might fairly blow
I’d steer the little craft afar or near

Mine was the boat, and mine the air,
And mine the sea; not mine, a care.

My boat became my place of nightly toil.
I sailed at sunset to the fishing ground.
At morn the boat was freighted with the spoil
that my all-conquering work and skill had found.

Mine was the boat, and mine the net,
And mine the sill, and power to get.

One day there passed along the silent shore,
While I my net was casting in the sea,
A man, who spoke as never man before;
I followed Him–new life begun in me.

Mine was the boat, but His the voice,
And His the call; yet mine, the choice.

Ah, ’twas a fearful night out on the lake,
And all my skill availed not a the helm,
Till Him asleep I waken, crying “Take,
take Thou command, lest waters overwhelm!”

His was the boat, and His the Sea,
And His the Peace o’er all and me.

Once from His boat He taught the curious throng,
then bade me let down nets out in the sea;
I murmured, but obeyed, nor was it long
Before the catch amazed and humbled me.

His was the boat, and His the skill,
And His the catch–and His, my will.

Joseph Addison Richards

 

 

 

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 5, 2015 at 5:35 pm

No Matter What You Say Now, You Will Bow Too!

with 9 comments

At The Name Of Jesus Every Knee Will Bow

 

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

When we bow before an earthly Monarch, like a King or a Queen, we do it because we are showing submission and honor to their authority and position. The one we bow before may not truly know if we are bowing out of politeness, or out of submission. They may never know if they are actually loved or respected by the one bowing before them. No words are actually required from the mouth of the one bending the knee.

But upon a prophesied date, not only will we all bow before Him, but also with our mouth every one of us will confess and acknowledge that He, Jesus, is the Almighty God.

  • Whether those of us who bow before Him go to heaven or hell afterwards or not, we all will most assuredly bow before him!
  • It would be horrible to bow in submission before him, confess and understand who He really is, and then still be lost forever.

 

Why Not Bow Your Knee Before Him Today?

Every One Of Us Will Bow Our Knees Before Him Sooner Or Later.

It Might As Well Be Today!

 

Isaiah Prophesied That We Would All Bow.

Isaiah 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

 

Recapping What Isaiah Said… “There Is No God But Me”

  1. “Man made idols and gods cannot save anyone.”
  2. “There is no God beside Me.”
  3. “I’m a just God”
  4. “I am a Savior”
  5. “There is no other God but Me.”
  6. “Every knee shall bow before Me.”
  7. “Every tongue shall confess to Me.”
  8. “All that have fought against Me shall be ashamed.”

 

Yet, Jesus Proclaimed That He Was God.

  1. John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
  2. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
  3. Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
  4. John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

 

The Bible Says God Is The Only Savior

  • Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

The Bible Says Jesus Is The Savior (They are both one and the same.)

  • Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
  • Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Matt 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

The Bible Says God Is The Creator

  • Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The Bible Says Jesus Is The Creator

  • John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
  • Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  • Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
  • Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

The Question Was Asked Of Jesus:

Where Is Thy Father?

  • John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father?

 

His Answer

  • John 8:19 …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
  • John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

 

Every Knee Shall Bow On That Day

  • Every believer shall bow.
  • Every unbeliever shall bow.
  • Every Trinitarian shall bow.
  • Every atheist shall bow.

 

  • People of every Nation shall bow.
  • People of every Culture shall bow.
  • People of every Religion shall bow.
  • People of every Tribe shall bow.

 

  • Every Holy Ghost filled believer shall bow.
  • Every one without the Holy Ghost shall bow.
  • Every one baptized in Jesus name shall bow.
  • Everyone who refused to be baptized in His name shall bow.

 

  • Every liar shall bow.
  • Every thief shall bow.
  • Every Adulterer shall bow.
  • Every fornicator shall bow.

 

  • Every drunk shall bow.
  • Every drug addict shall bow.
  • Every murderer shall bow.
  • Every pervert shall bow.

 

  • Every lesbian shall bow.
  • Every homosexual shall bow.
  • Every transsexual shall bow.
  • Every bi-sexual shall bow.

 

  • Every Dictator shall bow.
  • Every King shall bow.
  • Every Queen shall bow.
  • Every President shall bow.

 

  • Every General shall bow.
  • Every Officer shall bow.
  • Every Soldier shall bow.
  • Every Sailor shall bow.

 

  • Every palm reader shall bow.
  • Every medium shall bow.
  • Every witch doctor shall bow.
  • Every demon-possessed person shall bow.

 

  • Every cult leader shall bow.
  • Every church leader shall bow.
  • Every Sunday School teacher shall bow.
  • Every prophet shall bow.

 

  • Every Amish person shall bow.
  • Every Mennonite shall bow.
  • Every Lutheran shall bow.
  • Every Scientologist shall bow.
  • Every Muslim shall bow.
  • Every Buddhist shall bow.
  • Every Hindu shall bow.
  • Every Jew shall bow.

 

  • Every Catholic shall bow.
  • Every Baptist shall bow.
  • Every Methodist shall bow.
  • Every Church of Christ shall bow.

 

  • Every Jehovah’s Witness shall bow.
  • Every Mormon shall bow.
  • Every Seventh Day Adventist shall bow.
  • Every Pentecostal shall bow.

 

  • Every professor shall bow.
  • Every teacher of evolution shall bow.
  • Every agnostic shall bow.
  • Every heretic shall bow.

 

  • Every proud person shall bow.
  • Every disrespectful person shall bow.
  • Every God hater shall bow.
  • Every hater of the name of Jesus shall bow.

 

  • You will bow!
  • I will bow!

 

The Whole World Will Realize Too Late That He Truly Is:

  • The Almighty God.
  • The Everlasting Father.
  • The Great I Am.
  • Alpha And Omega.
  • The First And The Last.
  • The Beginning And The Ending.
  • The Savior Of The World.
  • The Jehovah of The Old Testament Wrapped In Flesh.

 

All Pride Will Disappear On That Day.

  • Great reverence and awe will prevail.
  • Remorse for sin and unbelief will overwhelm every sinner.
  • Shame because of their sins will make men and women fall to their knees.

 

But, For Most Of Them Will Be Too Little Too Late.

  • Actually, today is the day of Salvation.
  • Now is the accepted time to become humble and repent.

 

The Lost Will Realize Too Late That He Is:

  • More Than A Prophet, He Is The WORD Made Flesh.
  • More Than A King, He Is The King Of Kings.
  • More Than A Priest, He Is The Great High Priest.

 

They Will Realize Then, That He Is Not:

  • Just A Good Prophet
  • Just A Teacher
  • Just A Carpenter’s Son

 

There Are Multitudes Who Will Not Confess, Admit Or Declare Today That Jesus Is The Almighty God.

But They Will Bow Their Knees On That Appointed Day And Confess It Then.

  • They will understand for the first time that he is not the blessed second person of a holy trinity.
  • They will awaken to the truth that they have been lied to through the centuries by proclaimers of false doctrines.
  • They will know that the word they used for cursing was the name of the one they must now bow before.

 

Jesus Asked Peter Whom People Thought He Was.

Matt 16:13 … Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Matt 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Matt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Matt 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 

The Apostle John Described Jesus Like This:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

The Apostle Paul Quoted Isaiah

Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

  • Everyone will be required to repent, confess his or her sins and failures.

 

The Four And Twenty Elders Will Bow Down And Cast Their Crowns Before Him.

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

We Will All Confess On That Day That He Is God.

Those who are willing to confess that Jesus is in fact God and His Name is the only name that will take away all sin, and are baptized in Jesus name just like Jesus told His disciples.

 

Those Who Are Baptized In Jesus Name Are The Only Ones Who Truly Believe That Jesus Is The Lord God!

 

This Is What Jesus Said To His Disciples Before He Departed:

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 

Peter Repeated The Words of Jesus To Those Who Wanted To Be Saved.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

Here Is The Crux Of The Matter

They who have been baptized in Jesus name (It’s the only way the disciples ever baptized) are acknowledging and confessing that Jesus Christ is God.

When they are baptized in Jesus name, the gift of the Holy Ghost will be given to them and they will speak in tongues just like everyone in the upper room did on the day of Pentecost.

 

Every Knee Will Bow.

  • Take My Advice And Join Me In Bowing Down To Him Now.
  • You Will Never Be Sorry. Not Now, Not Then.

 

How Utterly Foolish To Know Such A Day Is Coming And Not Do Now What You Know You Need To Do!

It Will Be Too Late If You Wait Until That Day To Bow Before Him Without Repenting And Believing That Jesus Is The Mighty God!