Make His Praise Glorious

Angels descending a pitch black sky
Illumined the darkness with radiant light
A world unsuspecting that hope had drawn nigh
Trembled in fear at the glorious sight,
Yet peace fell upon their souls in their dark night.

The heavens declared the weight of good news
That prisoners could find their release
A birth of a savior that most would refuse
And for that, their turmoil shan`t cease
His own would receive not His peace.

Oh, make His praise glorious-our sins he forgave
Over all victorious- over death and the grave
Make His praise glorious-His own life He gave
So rejoice in the servant who saves!

Now men seek to do what is right in their eyes
But there`s only One treasure that saves
Belief`s never born from from some sign in the skies
Discounting the salvation they crave,
They rejected the gift that God gave!

The Savior still comes to the blindest of eyes
He comes to be faithful and true
He comes in an inconspicuous disguise
To do what we could not do
He still comes the wretch to rescue.

Oh, make His praise glorious-our sins he forgave
Over all victorious- over death and the grave
Make His praise glorious-His own life He gave
So rejoice in the servant who saves!

So he is no fool who will answer His call
Christ delivers their souls from the grave
And we would do well if we give Him our all
He delights to transform the depraved
There is One that is Mighty to Save!

Oh, make His praise glorious-our sins he forgave
Over all victorious- over death and the grave
Make His praise glorious-His own life He gave
So rejoice in the servant who saves!

November 30, 2018
Anthony Foster

Joy To All Who Love the Lord

In this advent of the Savior

We shall find our perfect peace

Joy to all who have found favor

All those with whom God is pleased

Joy eternal, Joy abundant

Lifts our hearts to Christ in praise

In our Joy we find contentment

Blessed to boldly stand amazed!

Chorus

Joy to all who Love the Lord

Exult in Glory at His throne

Sing in One triumphant chord

We find Joy in You alone!

You have come to earth to save us

You have come our sin to bear

You arose and life you gave us

We receive your tender care

So we sing in jubilation

So we sing in one accord

Yea, we sing in exultation

Joy to all who Love the Lord!

Chorus

Joy to all who Love the Lord

Exult in Glory at His throne

Sing in One triumphant chord

We find Joy in You alone!

November 30, 2018

Anthony Foster

I Will Sing

Open the eyes of my heart that I might see your greatness

Open my eyes that I might see Your goodness as I should

Help me to preach to my soul that I might remember

All Your benefits and all I have understood.

You do all things for Your glory and for our good.

And I will praise the name of God with a song

I will sing His glories and sing out strong

And I will pray that others might sing along

I will sing, I will sing In Your presence

When you take me from this world ere long

Open the ears of my soul that I might hear You singing

Open my ears that I might hear Your heartbeat loud and clear

Help me rehearse Your Truth that I might remember

All the words of life that fall upon my listening ear

As I abandon myself to obey the song I hear.

Bridge

Lord I would magnify you But You are already magnificent

Lord I would glorify You But Your Glory is evident

But I can magnify You with thanksgiving And proclaim your excellencies

You have called us out of darkness Out into Your marvelous light,

So the deaf man hears, the blind man sees.

And I will praise the name of God with a song

I will sing His glories and sing out strong

And I will pray that others might sing along

I will sing, I will sing In Your presence

And forever and ever my praise will be prolonged
And forever and ever my praise
And forever and ever my praise will be prolonged

Psalm 69:30

Ephesians 1:18

Psalm 103:2

1 Peter 2:9

Anthony Foster

November 28, 2018

Salvation Song

Lord sing your salvation song to us
The hymnbook of the ages
The psalms of faith and amazing grace
Written on its pages

We lean in and lean quickly
Minds set on things above
We focus our attentions
On the splendor of your love

Pleading that we might know you
Filling our minds with your Word
We sing that we might show you
A joyful noise, undeterred

Lord sing your salvation song to us
The hymnbook of the ages
The psalms of faith and amazing grace
Written on its pages

This holy high privilege
What we were created for
Joined  as a singing congregation,
Oh come let us all adore
Created to sing, commanded to sing
In melodic celebration
The fruit of our lips is our best offering!

Lord in our hearts we rejoice
Listening as you sing over us
As we lift up a higher voice
Unify us in a deeper trust!

Lord sing your salvation song to us
The hymnbook of the ages
The psalms of faith and amazing grace
Written on its pages

Anthony Foster
November 28, 2018

Enter Now the Sanctuary

Enter now the sanctuary

Christ indwells those who in Him abide

For we are now the house of the Lord

Meet with Him where He resides

His Word dwells richly in us

Vessels into whom the Spirit is poured

We are now His tabernacle

We are the temple of the Lord

We have this treasure in vessels of clay

So that his glory can be on display

Our souls sanctified and set apart

His word is written on our very heart

His hands, His feet, His Body

Are in us manifest

Agents of reconciliation

Jesus in the new creation dressed

And so he comes to dine with us

His abode in us to make

He inhabits all His people's praise

For our good and for His sake.

We have this treasure in vessels of clay

So that his glory can be on display

Our souls sanctified and set apart

His word is written on our very heart

On our very heart.

John 14:21-23

November 27, 2018

Anthony Foster

Turn the Page

In the book of life every phrase

Every season`s a chapter, a new episode

Is another story of glory and praise

Each milepost a memory on a long winding road

The story goes on when its written

By the best story teller of all

But the plots open the imagination

To the strange new world of Gods call.

Let him make of your life a message

That is good news to all who will hear

Let him perfect every passage

And a glorious faith will appear

Turn the page of your life- where does the story end?

How does the plot resolve itself What message will you send?

There's no one to appeal to There's no one left to blame

There's no way out and no way in Except through Jesus' name.

The story resolves in God's presence

As all eternity before you unfurls

We are promised a most blessed ending

To days strung together like precious pearls

An adventure story , a thriller or see

Your life become a happy mystery

A romance with righteousness written

An epic saga of your life's history

Memoirs of the mystery revealed in man

A book of life filled to the praise of His glory

Each chapter an episode in Jesus's plan

Each set of the journey another God story

Turn the page of your life- where does the story end?

How does the plot resolve itself What message will you send?

There's no one to appeal to There's no one left to blame

There's no way out and no way in Except through Jesus' name.

November 26, 2018

Anthony Foster

The Wordsmith

What is written in the volume of your lifestory?

Are the lines crooked and the letters blurred?

Do the lines leap off the pages

Or are they so crooked that you cant read a word?

Let God erase the lines that you've bungled

Rewrite the chapters that were a waste

With a new storyline altogether

All those lines of enmity He will erase

Is your name written in the book of the Lamb?

Or are you writing verses To suit your desires?

Is your story being told by the great I Am?

Gods will is not a secret, He declares what He requires

Our God is a wordsmith but he will not write

A single word until you come to the light.

Then He'll inscribe you upon the palm of His hand 

And no one will ever erase you from His plan.

He will write His words on your heart`s tablet

And He'll write for you a special new name

Let your life now be written by the finger of God

With His stories all the endings are the same

So will your story end in God's presence

Or in darkness and torment and strife?

For nothing impure enters His heaven

Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life!

But God will write righteousness on your heart

It comes through faith to all who believe

Won' t you give him the pen of your life

And in exchange this gift now receive?

Our God is a wordsmith but he will not write

A single word until you come to the light.

Then He'll inscribe you upon the palm of His hand 

And no one will ever erase you from His plan.

Isaiah 49:16
November 27, 2018

Anthony Foster

Able to Save

We have an indestructible priest
So our salvation is secure
This very day I am being saved
by an intercession that endures
Jesus is praying for us in heaven.
Through His prayers He continues His Love
This very day I am being saved
By my Great High Priest up above

Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He is the only Savior we''ll ever need
Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He lives forever to ever intercede

His indestructible priesthood
By Christ’s resurrection from the dead
The God Man is greater than a human priest
He is the perfect  priest  of the Godhead

Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He is the only Savior we''ll ever need
Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He lives forever to ever intercede

We are held fast forever by eternal prayers
Saved by everlasting advocacy
On the basis of his perfect sacrifice,
Jesus is praying  perfectly!

Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He is the only Savior we''ll ever need
Christ is able to save to the uttermost
He lives forever to ever intercede!

Hebrews 7:25
1 John 2:1
Romans 8:34

Anthony Foster
November 26, 2018

The Shadows

Just as the loved one is more than a photo
So is the real thing  much better than shadows
Yet through the shadows we can learn
And the very mind of God  we  can discern.

Not curtains and bowls and tables
Not candles and robes and tassels
Nor  goats and pigeons and sheep.
This is deep calling unto deep

These are a shadow of what will be done
The temple, the law and the sacrifice
These are but a shadow of the things to come,
But the substance belongs to Christ.

Bridge
Every shadow and symbol and sign
Are of God's righteous revelation
They work together to  define
Our hope of eternal salvation.
So here in the shadowlands, reckon what's real
Through them ultimate reality is revealed...

This is far beyond what we can see
This is not shadow-reality
Tho the shadows do communicate
This is the  True Truth to which they relate

These are a shadow of what will be done
The temple, the law and the sacrifice
These are but a shadow of the things to come,
But the substance belongs to Christ.

Colossians 2:17
Hebrews 7:26-8:5, chapters 10-13
Anthony Foster
November 25, 2018

Perfect Gifts

There's a gift of repentance- Its a gift to confess

A gift of forgiveness-And a robe of righteousness

Theres a good gift of cleansing-From iniquity's stain

And a gift to be conformed-To the name above all names

Hold it fast and hold it tight

By the power of His might.

His blood-bought gift

Of your obedience will lift

You to unseen heights

His rod will make you right.
Hold on to what will last

To Hope hold fast.

Theres a gift of assurance And of hope that's secure

A gift to the heirs Of the promise that endures

A gift of deliverance And a gift that denies

A gift of His presence That will not compromise

Hold it fast and hold it tight

By the power of His might.

His blood-bought gift

Of your obedience will lift

You to unseen heights

His rod will make you right.

Hold on to what will last

To Hope hold fast.

I exhort you to be bold

Reach out and take hold

Of that for which you have been

Taken hold of by Christ`s hand.

Our Father rejoices Over us in the night

The giver of good gifts To give is His delight

He will not forsake His own to their way

For the gift of obedience He gives freely each day.

Hold it fast and hold it tight

By the power of His might.

His blood-bought gift

Of your obedience will lift

You to unseen heights

His chastening rod will make you right.

Hold on to what will last

To Hope hold fast.

Philippians 3:12

Hebrews 6:17–18

1 John 1:9-10

Anthony Foster

November 24, 2018

Home Forever

There will be a banquet one day,

a table for the saints will be set

Not a one will be left out

No hunger left unmet

Not a one there will be nameless

No one will be unknown

No one with no place to sit

We will finally be home

We are home home forever

We are finally off the road

We have set all our affections

On our heavenly abode

There in the Father's table

In the Kingdom of our King

We will revel in His presence

And His praise forever sing!

One day the feast will be laid out

Full of satisfying fare

And everyone will eat their fill

With plenty left to spare

There at the banquet table

All the redeemed will belong

We'll feast on God's provision

And then we'll sing a song

There's a candle in the window
And it's called amazing grace
It will guide our way to Glory
Where we'll see Christ face to face
Where all hungering is fulfilled
Where He quenches every thirst
And we'll eat and drink in delight
But we'll worship Jesus first

We are home, home forever

We are finally off the road

We have set all our affections

On our heavenly abode

There in the Father's table

In the Kingdom of our King

We will revel in His  presence

And His praise forever sing!

Anthony Foster

November 23, 2018

Anchor of Joy

Jesus freed us from the tyranny
Of worldly pain and pleasure —
And worldly suffering and  success,
To pursue a greater  treasure.

Jesus anchored all the happiness
Of suffering saints in heaven`s reward
And the blessedness of righteousness
Is anchored in the Lord

Hope of Heaven my Joy`s mainstay
Anchor of my soul, help me stand I pray.
With my heart tethered to your promises, Lord
I will obey and will wait for heaven`s reward.

Our Joy is safe- we need not fear
Our anchor will hold firm
And heaven holds our future there
Through every coming term

If your name is in the Book of Life
Your destiny is secure
An inheritance kept safe through strife-
Infinite, eternal, sure.

Hope of Heaven my Joy`s mainstay
Anchor of my soul help me stand I pray.
With my heart tethered to your promises Lord
I will obey and will wait for heaven`s reward.

Bridge
God`s promises protect our joy
Not suffering nor our  success
Neither can our anchor destroy
This  hope and surety we confess.

Hope of Heaven my Joy`s mainstay
Anchor of my soul help me stand I pray
With my heart tethered to your promises, Lord
I will obey and will wait for heaven`s reward.

Anthony Foster
November 22, 2018

Hope is Born

In darkness languishing in rhythms black as night

The world in mourning waits and waits and waits upon the light

But no lights avails

Prayers seem to fail

And all that remains are some sad refrains

For those who sit in darkness with no hope of change in sight

But there was a prophecy foretold long before

That one would crush the skull of Satan and the light restore

But as they sat there pondering

The advent of Messiah-KIng

All hope had died- Then a baby cried

A cry that would one day turn into a ferocious roar

Hope is born- to us this day

Hope is born- to bear the dark away

The promise is this little child

Now God and man can be reconciled

For in the darkest night God made a way

Now the prophecy`s fulfilled so it begins

The one who would come to bear away our darkest sins

Has come to us to live and dwell

The promise of Emmanuel

All hope had died- Then a baby cried

And now the enemies can become forever friends.

Bridge

The story of the Christ is not a fable

It is a living word that is more than able

He rose up from His grave

A dying world to save

This is the very babe there in that stable.

A hope that eternally springs

A hope that the new life brings

To a world forelorn

To men who mourn

Hope is born in us again and so we sing!

Hope is born- to us this day

Hope is born- to bear the dark away

The promise is this little child

Now God and man can be reconciled

For in the darkest night God made a way

November 22, 2018

Anthony Foster

Thank You, Thank You Lord

In humble gratitude we come to say
Thank you, thank you Lord today
Lord hear us as we bow and pray
Thank you, thank you Lord today

Thank you for creation,
That you  alone maintain
Thank you for provision
And the hope that you sustain
With a flowing spring of gratitude
As debtors we declare
That all we have and hope to be
Is held fast in your care

In humble gratitude we come to say
Thank you, thank you Lord today
Lord hear us as we bow and pray
Thank you, thank you Lord today

With glad hearted satisfaction
We lift our thanks to You
With deep appreciation
And delight for all You do
Awaken gladsome hearts and minds
Who need Your generous ways
We are the fortunate sons
That express our deepest praise!

Bridge
Thank You for what You give this day
Thank You for what You take away
Whether we die -Or if death we defy
You are our life and hope - You are the Way
What You save us from -or save us through
Thank You for what You save us to
Whether we`re spared -Or if we must forebear
Our life is of You and To You and Through You!

In humble gratitude we come to say
Thank you, thank you Lord today
Lord hear us as we bow and pray
Thank you, thank you Lord today
Thank you, thank you Lord today
Thank you, thank you Lord today

November 21, 2018
Anthony Foster

To Live Is Christ, To Die is Gain

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

Given an inheritance forever to retain

And it will be all glory when His presence is made plain

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Our spirits will be made perfect, relieved of this world`s pain

Given a profound rest and Ill labor not in vain

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Bridge

There will be no more sin in us. We`ll be done with the inner war

and the heartrending disappointments of offending the Lord

Beneath the watchful Eye of God I`ll be deeply satisfied

The overflowing love we`ll know when he takes us to His side

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

I will be at home secure, where peace shall forever reign

But best of all I`ll be with Christ there ever to remain

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

(Philippians 1:21)
Anthony Foster

November 20, 2018

Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16)

Every one of us needs help.

We are not God- we all have needs.

We have weaknesses and confusion.

Our limits grow, our strength recedes

We have sins and need forgiveness

And in our hearts we know

that we don`t deserve the help we need-

And so we feel trapped, nowhere to go.

I need help to live my life,

I need help to handle death,

Help to cope with eternity

When I take my first and final breath

Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find help in these times of need we face.

Jesus Christ became a High Priest

to shatter our hopeless despair

And to humble every man

To the drowning wretch our God declares

Because we have a Great High Priest,

The throne of God is a throne of grace.

So draw near through Him and be released

From guilt for He will plead our case.

I need help to live my life,

I need help to handle death,

I need help to cope with eternity

When I take my first and final breath

Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find help in the time of need we face.

Because we have a Great High Priest,

An advocate who`ll intercede

The help we get is mercy

And grace to help in time of need.

And grace to help in time of need.

And grace to help in time of need.

After hearing a Piper devotional on Hebrews 4:16

Anthony Foster

November 19, 2018

The Word of God Will Rescue Me

The Word of God is our hope and stay- The good news of God’s love

And the warnings of His judgment day are sharp, living and active enough

To interpose their power within, to penetrate down to my soul

And show me that the lies of sin are really lures that seek control.

The Word of God will rescue me

And make the devil turn and flee

The Word of God will rescue me

And give me eyes that I might see.

The Word of God’s promise is like op`ning a great window bright

Casting out the darkest night with overwhelming morning light

With the deceits revealed I see Through sin`s deceptive masquerade

It drives the truth straight through to me, The heart`s deep chasms to invade

The Word of God will rescue me

And make the devil turn and flee

The Word of God will rescue me

And give me eyes that I might see.

His promises, His Word protects us from the accuser`s potent lies

God gives his good news to unmask deceptive sins in their disguise

To harden your heart they will try from God to lure you far away

And lead to where destruction lies, but the more sure Word will save the day

The Word of God will rescue me

And make the devil turn and flee

The Word of God will rescue me

And give me eyes that I might see.

So in your battle to believe,  Be of good courage and good cheer

The worthy Word of Life receive Because the Word of God is clear

Its living, active, sharper blade- more than a two-edged sword,

Will penetrate sins dark charade -The piercing power of the Word

The word of God will rescue me

With words precious and trustworthy

They give me eyes that I might see.

And reckon their reality.

The Word of God will rescue me

And make the devil turn and flee

The Word of God will rescue me

And give me eyes that I might see.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

November 19, 2018
Anthony Foster

The Broken Bread of Heaven

You despised the shame, 

and looked unto the glory set before you

You took our blame 

and took us to Your side, so we adore you

And now you are lifted high

All for the Father’s praise

Conqueror overcomer

Forever to glory raised

Because you condescended

You are with glory crowned

Our treasure and our greatest good

Both  in You to be found

Bread of heaven  that we bless

Let us taste your brokenness

You come to us from heaven

To be bread without leaven

You come to us from heaven

And draw us to your side

Come to us from heaven 

And in our hearts abide

The sinfulness of many hidden in the One

The Sin bearer who was an obedient Son

Was made to be sin for us

Forsaken so we could trust

That  work you came to do was done

So will the work in us that you`ve begun

Because you condescended

You are with glory crowned

Our treasure and our greatest good

Both  in You to be found

Bread of heaven  that we bless

Let us taste your brokenness

You come to us from heaven

To be bread without leaven

You come to us from heaven

And draw us to your side

Come to us from heaven 

And in our hearts abide.

November 18, 2018

Anthony Foster