2. Devotional: The Characteristic of the Prophet Is Always Love

The Characteristic of the Prophet Is Always Love

Author: A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

    We were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us (1 Thessalonians 2:8). 

    If evangelical Christianity is to stay alive she must repudiate the weaklings who dare not speak out, and she must seek in prayer and much humility the coming again of men of the stuff prophets and martyrs are made of! 

    God will hear the cries of His people as He heard the cries of Israel in Egypt. And He will send deliverance by sending deliverers. It is His way among men. 

    A characteristic of the true prophet has always been love. The free man who has learned to hear God's voice and dared to obey it has felt the moral burden that broke the hearts of the Old Testament prophets, crushed the soul of our Lord Jesus Christ and wrung streams of tears from the eyes of the apostles. 

    The free man has never been a religious tyrant, nor has he sought to lord it over God's heritage. It is fear and lack of self-assurance that has led men to try to crush others under their feet. These have had some interest to protect, some position to secure, so they have demanded subjection from their followers as a guarantee of their own safety. 

    But the free man—never; he has nothing to protect, no ambition to pursue and no enemy to fear. For that reason he is completely careless of his standing among men. Whether accepted or rejected he will go on loving his people with sincere devotion, and only death can silence his tender intercession for them!

1. Hymn: God Will Take Care of You

Hymn: God Will Take Care of You

Author: Civilla D. Martin (1866-1948)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
    God will take care of you;
    Beneath His wings of love abide,
    God will take care of you.

Refrain:

God will take care of you,

Through every day,

Over all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

2. Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
    God will take care of you;
    When dangers fierce your path assail,
    God will take care of you.

3. All you may need He will provide,
    God will take care of you;
    Nothing you ask will be denied,
    God will take care of you.

4. No matter what may be the test,
    God will take care of you;
    Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
    God will take care of you.

3. Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Author: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Come unto Me and rest;
    Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
    Thy head upon My breast."
    I came to Jesus as I was,
    Weary and worn and sad;
    I found in Him a resting place,
    And He has made me glad.

2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Behold, I freely give
    The living water; thirsty one,
    Stoop down, and drink, and live."
    I came to Jesus, and I drank
    Of that life-giving stream;
    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
    And now I live in Him.

3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "I am this dark world‵s light;
    Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
    And all thy day be bright."
    I looked to Jesus, and I found
    In Him my Star, my Sun;
    And in that light of life I‵ll walk,
    Till traveling days are done.

2. Devotional: Rearing A Godly Generation

Rearing A Godly Generation

Author: W. A. Criswell (1909–2002)

We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation 

to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and 

His wonderful works that He hath done (Psalm 78:4).

    In my reading, I came across the autobiography of Henry C. Mabie, who was for many years the illustrious secretary of the American Board of Foreign Missions for the American Baptist Convention. In his autobiography he said, "When I was four years old, my mother took me to a mission meeting. I could not understand what the missionary was saying. I did not know the language he used. I could not understand what he was talking about. But there was something that the missionary said that moved my mother, and I saw her take the gold ring off her finger and give it to missions. I was only four years old. That was my introduction to God’s purposes for the world."

    What we do in front of our children is indelible. When we teach them in the love, nurture, and admonition of the Lord, God works with us, and the repercussions of it are found in every area of human life. So in the dedication of our homes, our lives, our prayers, and our faithful response, we shape the children and the young people of today. They will be our preachers, deacons, superintendents, and teachers of the next generation. God bless and help us as we consecrate our efforts to that holy and heavenly assignment!

1. Hymn: How Can I Keep From Singing

Hymn: How Can I Keep From Singing

Author: Robert Lowry (1826–1899)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. My life flows on in endless song;
    Above earth‵s lamentation,
    I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn
    That hails a new creation;
    Through all the tumult and the strife
    I hear the music ringing;
    It finds an echo in my soul—
    How can I keep from singing?

2. What though my joys and comforts die?
    The Lord my Saviour liveth;
    What though the darkness gather round?
    Songs in the night he giveth.
    No storm can shake my inmost calm
    While to that refuge clinging;
    Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
    How can I keep from singing?

3. I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
    I see the blue above it;
    And day by day this pathway smooths,
    Since first I learned to love it,
    The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
    A fountain ever springing;
    All things are mine since I am his—
    How can I keep from singing?

4. A Quote from A. W. Tozer (4)

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3. A Quote from C. H. Spurgeon (4)

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2. A Quote from T. Austin-Sparks (3)

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1. Hymn: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

Hymn: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

Author: Georg Neumark (1621-1681)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
    And hope in Him thro‵ all thy ways,
    He‵ll give thee strength whate‵er betide thee,
    And bear thee thro‵ the evil days;
    Who trusts in God‵s unchanging love
    Builds on the Rock that naught can move.

2. Only be still and wait His leisure,
    In cheerful hope, with heart content,
    To take whate‵er thy Father‵s pleasure
    And all-discerning love hath sent;
    Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
    To Him Who chose us for His own.

3. Sing, pray and keep His ways unswerving,
    In ev‵ry labor faithful be,
    And trust His Word, tho‵ undeserving,
    Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
    God never yet forsook in need
    The soul that trusts in Him indeed!

1. Hymn: It Is Well with My Soul

Hymn: It Is Well with My Soul

Author: Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
    When sorrows like sea billows roll;
    Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
    It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blest assurance control,
    That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
    And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
    My sin, not in part but the whole,
    Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
    Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

4. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
    The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
    The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
    Even so, it is well with my soul.