Friday, March 15, 2024

Enlivened


You were speaking so clearly but I could not hear-
Until You enlivened my ear

I was deaf to your words -their meaning unclear-
Until you enlivened my ear

Then faith came by hearing with ears you made new

I heard your voice calling and I followed you

Came out from that grave  like you told me to do

When You enlivened my ear


Your light shown around me but I’d not realize-
Until You illumined my eyes

I saw words on a page but I was not wise-
Until You illumined my eyes

Then when you made my blind eyes to see

I could become what I was created to be

You transformed my life when your light fell on me

Yes Lord you illumined my eyes


I was not seeking so I could not find-
Until You awakened my mind

My thoughts were darkened but then your light shined-
When You awakened my mind

I didn’t know what I didn’t know

Tossed like a ship in the wind to and fro

Lost in a fantasy ‘til the Way you would show

For You have awakened my mind


My heart was far from you, tearing apart-
Until you converted my heart

It was hardened and stubborn till grace You’d impart 
When you converted my heart

You gave a heart of flesh for my heart of stone

A heart of deceit- broken and alone

Was devastated by the kindness you’ve shown

When you converted my heart


I had a void inside of me till you filled that hole-
When you regenerated my soul

Thought I was good but I was out of control-
Till you regenerated my soul

I was your enemy far from your way

No hope for the future, no peace for the day

Weary and worn with no prayers to pray

Till you regenerated my soul


Now my ears and eyes, my heart, soul and mind

Are in you  and through you and by you defined

Drawn, called, and quickened, the Truth I could find

With my ears and eyes, heart, soul and mind

With my ears and eyes, heart, soul and mind


Eph 1:18-19; Ps 18:28; Ro 12:1-2; John 9:39, 14:6

1 Peter 1:22-23;2 Cor 3:18; Mt 5:14-16, 18:3;

Jer 5:21; Ex 12:2; Is 42:15-19

March 15, 2024

Anthony Foster

Thursday, March 14, 2024

There is None Like You


You declare the end from the beginning

From ancient times things not yet done

Your will prevails and  Your counsel will stand 

O’er every time and every one


You do whatever You desire

What You appoint You will complete

You show mercy to all who trust.

Flowing down from Your Mercy Seat


Chorus

You will accomplish Your purpose

You’re God and there is none like You

There’s no other sov’reign ruler

You’re righteous in all that You do


No one can say to You “what have You done?”

Lord, no power can turn You back

You are unchangeable, all sufficient

Oh Lord, In You there is no lack


Oh God You are in the heavens

In justice Your council prevails

Lord You are never frustrated

Your design for us never fails


Bridge

Our deepest and highest  and our longest good

Is in knowing You Lord -That You be understood


You will accomplish Your purpose

You’re God and there is none like You

There’s no other sov’reign ruler

You’re righteous in all that You do


Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 8:28; Psalm 84:11

Ephesians 2:7; Psalm 37:3–7; Proverbs 29:25

Daniel 4:35; Job 23:13–14; Psalm 115:3; Jeremiah 9:24


March 12, 2024

Anthony Foster

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Only the Blood


There is only one source of real righteousness

Only one fountain flows with full forgiveness

Only one wellspring to wash the sinner clean

Only one ransom that righteously redeems

There's only one price that can set the slave free

Just one covering for our iniquity

Just one peacemaker provides eternal peace

And one sacrifice that God’s wrath has appeased


Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb

Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb


There's only one balm to make the broken whole

There's only one way to cleanse a sin-sick soul

Only one cure that a shattered life can mend

Only one remedy to cast away sins 

Only one bath removes sin’s awful stain

There's only one expiation that attains

Only one sufficiency will purify

Only one sign causes death to pass us by


Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb

Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb


Only one redeeming fount flows from God’s throne

And one agent that for transgressions atones

There is only one sure propitiation

And only one sure source of our salvation

By the blood of covenant the curse is done

Reconciled by the blood, we shall overcome

One offering, one sufficient sacrifice

Only by the Blood, the Blood of Jesus Christ


Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb

Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb

Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb

Only the blood, only the blood, Only the blood of the lamb


1 Peter 1:19; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 12:11

March 10, 2024

Anthony Foster


Saturday, March 9, 2024

Pilgrim Path


The road before us holds detours deep with danger

And pilgrims must not go without their guide

We’re on the path of the wayfaring stranger

So we must trust and in the light abide

When through wormwoods of sadness we must journey

When earth’s treasures smother us with weight

Walking  the shadows deep within life’s valleys

There is a path as narrow as it’s straight


Our true companion ever goes before us

And on this pilgrim path he shields from harm

For he who dwells within us is now for us

So we must lean on the everlasting arms


Bridge

Our feet of flesh  will surely trip and stumble 

The path ahead’s  more mired than where we’ve trod

But if we fall, our Captain lifts the humble

And we rise to walk in the light of God


Storm the walls of our corrupt hearts and seize us

Though the path of purity is fraught with pain

We follow hard after our shepherd Jesus

And every sacrifice will become gain

So we hold close to our Captain of salvation

Abiding in Him as He abides in us

The pilgrim path of our sanctification

Wlll clear a way of glory through the dust


Our true companion ever goes before us

And on this pilgrim path he shields from harm

For he who dwells within us is now for us

So we must lean on the everlasting arms


After reading Charles Spurgeon

March 9, 2024

Anthony Foster

Light of the Good News

 
There’s a light that shines upon the darkness
There’s a lamp that discloses the  Way
There’s a fire that drives away the shadows
Shedding rays that turn the night to day
 
There’s a Word illuminating blindness
A searing sun that shows a way to see
And that light flies on the wings of healing
And he comes to dwell in you and me
 
Awaken you slumbering Come now and arise
Our light has come to us To shine in our  eyes
With a lustrous shield and a flaming sword
His Word is the Way and the Way is our Lord
 
In the desolate and hopeless abyss
In the shadowlands so dark and bleak
Let that light break forth that shines within us
To a world that knows not how to seek
 
Let the light of the Good News permeate us
With holiness that reigns with righteous force
Lights of the world shine on the  hopeless
Let it radiate from lives that show our source
 
Awaken the slumbering Come now and arise
Our light has come to us To shine in our  eyes
With a lustrous shield and a flaming sword
His Word is the Way and the Way is our Lord
 
March 9, 2024
Anthony Foster
 
 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Sackcloth and Ashes


Rise up, rise up oaks of righteousness

You are the planting of the Lord

Glorify, glorify Him in your distress

You are the planting of the Lord


Sackcloth and ashes won’t make it all right

Penitent lashes won’t turn back the night

Repentance is a gift that is heaven sent

Perhaps God will give us the way to repent


So lay down your guilt again I say lay it down

Instead of ashes bear this beautiful crown

Those who mourn the oil of gladness may wear

Don a garment of praise instead of despair.


Rise up, rise up oaks of righteousness

You are the planting of the Lord

Glorify, glorify Him in your distress

You are the planting of the Lord


Sackcloth and ashes won’t will away pain

The scars and the sorrow and senses remain

Rise up from the ashes frail children of dust

There is no condemnation if you learn to trust


So lay down your guilt again I say lay it down

Instead of ashes bear this beautiful crown

Those who mourn the oil of gladness may wear

Don a garment of praise instead of despair.


Isaiah 61:3

March 6, 2024

Anthony Foster


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Guard Your Heart


Wolves are nipping at my heels

Wolves are nipping at my heels

Well they may not be apparent

But that’s just the way it feels

No they may not be apparent

But that’s just the way it feels


Gnats are swarming round my head

Gnats are swarming round my head

Well they may not be evident

But they fill my mind with dread

No they may not be evident

But they fill my mind with dread


Resist stand firm and be restored

And guard your heart as you go

Cast your burdens on the Lord

That where the living waters flow

That where the living waters flow


Vultures picking at my soul

Vultures picking at my soul

I may not look like road kill

But they may just take their toll

Now, I may not look like road kill

But they may just take their toll


Devils’s seeking to devour

Devils’s seeking to devour

Like a roaring lion he prowls around

But I’m saved by Jesus’ power

Like a roaring lion he prowls around

But I’m saved by Jesus’ power


Resist stand firm and be restored

And guard your heart as you go

Cast your burdens on the Lord

That where the living waters flow

That where the living waters flow


1 Peter 5:8

March 5, 2024

Anthony Foster