Visitation

I looked into the book of God and found Him there

Encountering the mystery He loves to share

A simple visitation but he stays and he abides

He came to make a dwellingplace inside…

He comes as he has promised now to sup with me

A guest who never needs to ask what’s up with me

A peaceful easy essence here within a burning flame

For with His presence there’s that raging fire that came

Father come with your Son to dine with me

Spirit enter into the deepest part of me

In my heart there dwells a blessed Trinity

Now in my wilderness there grows a living Tree

A tree that bears much fruit to feed my soul

Where bread of life satisfies and living waters flow

And it the midst there is a table and a feast

Where all who come can freely take and eat

Where He once fed the thousands he now feeds us all

With his blood and his body  He reverses the fall

And so the wild wild wilderness is granted peace

Now the fruit of righteousness will ever increase

Father come with your Son to dine with me

Spirit enter into the deepest part of me

In my heart dwells mysteries I finally understand

For my wilderness becomes a promised land.

John 14:21,23

February 19, 2023

Anthony Foster

Shine like the Stars

Hold fast and hold firm to the word you have heard, holy nation

Blameless and pure  in a warped and crooked generation

As we hold firmly to the Word of life bye and bye

We will shine among them like the stars in the sky.

Like stars in the sky

Reflecting the glorious light

To light this world of darkness

To be lamps shining bright 

Like stars in the sky

In a starfield of grace

We shine before men

Til we see Christ face to face

They will shine like the brightness of the heavens,  those who are wise

Those who lead many to righteousness are like stars  to our eyes

Hold fast to the word of life for in You the dawning of light has begun

Then in the kingdom the children of God will shine like the sun

Like stars in the sky

Reflecting the glorious light

To light this world of darkness

To be lamps shining bright 

Like stars in the sky

In a starfield of grace

We shine before men

Til we see Christ face to face

Daniel 12:3;Philippians 2:14-16a;Matt 5:16;Phil 2:14-16; Prov 4:18;Matt 13:43

February 20, 2023

Anthony Foster

Word of the Lord

How firm a foundation is laid in God’s Word

It transforms the hearer when truly heard

The final word dwells in us  the Gift of God’s Son

His two edged sword will see God’s will done

So we will preach and teach the Word 

For it is  God’s Word alone

That stands forever this holy lever

That moves the heart of stone

Oh praise the Lord that His will He has revealed

He spoke His final Word in Christ and by His spirit sealed

The hearts on which God write His word shall ever persevere

His word will last forever Lord give us ears to hear

Word of God Word of Truth Word of Life, Living Word

Breath of God, lamp and light to all who have truly heard

Rebuke and correct us, Oh Word of the Lord

Train us in righteousness with your mighty sword

With Godbreathed teaching, equip all your own

Divide now our soul and spirit, marrow and bone

So we will preach and teach the Word

For it is  God’s Word alone

That stands forever this holy lever

That moves the heart of stone!

Oh praise the Lord that His will He has revealed

He spoke His final Word in Christ and by His spirit sealed

The hearts on which God write His word shall ever persevere

His word will last forever Lord give us ears to hear

Word of God Word of Truth Word of Life, Living Word

Breath of God, lamp and light to all who have truly heard

February 20, 2023

Anthony Foster

 

But God

It seems such a simple simple saying

But they can mean ashes aren’t the end

When you cannot find the words to keep on praying

They bring hope when in darkness you descend

But God… But God….

To your tangled grief 

God brings relief

He is the redeemer 

Of the wretched schemer

My heart and strength may fail

Yet my God will prevail

But God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heat

And my portion forever.

We were dead in trespasses, dead in our sins

We were by nature children of wrath

But God being rich in mercy

Delivered to us a brighter path

To make us alive together with Christ

His only Son He gave

Provided the final sacrifice

And by grace we have been saved

To your tangled grief 

God brings relief

He is the redeemer 

Of the wretched schemer

My heart and strength may fail

Yet my God will prevail

But God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heart

God is the strength of my heat

And my portion forever. 

Ephesians 2:1,3;4-5; Psalm 73:26

February 19, 2023

Anthony Foster

God is With You

When sadness fills your heart 

From your eyes the tears may flow

You feel you'll fall apart, 

Remember God is with you, 

Still with you, 

Always with you as you go

When doubts and fears assail

When troubles seize the day

His power will not fail

Remember God is with you

Still with you

Always with you all the way

Jesus said, 

“If anyone loves the Lord

Then he will keep His Word, 

My Father will love him,

and to him we will come 

and make with him our home” 

When you’re lost and all alone

Jesus draws you to His side

Gives the peace you’ve never known

He will never leave nor forsake you

There together you’ll forever abide

Forever you’ll abide…

John 14:21

February 18, 2023

Anthony Foster

Holiness to the Lord

Without holiness no one will see 

The Lord for He will veil His face

Without holiness we are not free

To stand before the throne of Grace

Oh Jesus be my holiness

You are the holy key

Jesus be my holiness

Till we become your righteousness

You’re the one who cleanses me

Strive for peace with everyone-

The grace of God obtain

For Jesus washes sinners clean

And purifies each stain

When we long for holiness

Repentance is your gift

When we yield and we confess

Our souls Satan cannot sift

Bridge

Purified and satisfied

To Sin's dominion we have died

In the One crucified

As in You we abide

Till we are glorified

Oh Jesus be my holiness

You are the holy key

Jesus be my holiness

Till we become your righteousness

You’re the one who cleanses me

Hebrews 12:14-15; 2 Cor 5:21; Romans 6

February 18, 2023

Anthony Foster

Wherefores and Wonderings

There is no pit so deep

There is no valley so low

There is no chasm too wide

Where the Lord cannot go

There is no night so dark

There is no wall too high

There is no storm too strong

For my Lord will hear my cry

These wherefores and wonderings

Will mystify our minds

We must give up on our ponderings

Fall on our knees to find

That the answers that we seek

Come to the bold and meek

In Jesus they are found

And on our knees we stand on holy ground

The thirsting and the longing

The hunger in our souls

All find their satisfaction

In the One who makes us whole

So wherever you are, friend

Cast on the Lord your cares

He will meet you where you are

But He will not leave you there

He’ll take you on a journey

That’s a wondrous trust and task

And all that He requires of us

He provides us when we ask

These wherefores and wonderings

Will mystify our minds

We must give up on our ponderings

Fall on our knees to find

That the answers that we seek

Come to the bold and meek

In Jesus they are found

And on our knees we stand on holy ground

The thirsting and the longing

The hunger in our souls

All find their satisfaction

In the One who makes us whole

February 18, 2023

Anthony Foster

Citizen

I want to live like a foreigner

Citizen of a holy nation

Live here in reverent fear

Lord secure my sanctification

Set me apart and separated

You give the gift of self control

Conformed to Christ and consecrated

Now dedicate my soul.

I am a citizen of a holy nation

A sojourner here below

Abiding here in alienation

From the world through which I go

I have been taken hold of

By the Christ that loves me so

No stranger to this bold love

But a member of God’s household

Bridge

Lord purify my heart

Set my soul apart

Dedicated to You alone

Help me stand boldly before your throne

I am a citizen of a holy nation

A sojourner here below

Abiding here in alienation

From the world through which I go

All my hope is in your great salvation

All my hope is in your great salvation

All my hope is in your great salvation

1 Peter 1:13; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Peter 1:16

February 18, 2023

Anthony Foster

Conquerors

We shall be the ones who conquer

Who press on in faith to the end

In His rule We shall share what is

To much , too good, to comprehend

Every pleasure  and every pain

Are given as an offering

And we shall rule and reign

Because of our glorious King.

For His is the kingdom and the power

His glory is placed in us 

We overcome by the minute and hour

As by moment by moment we trust

Till all of His enemies see defeat

Even as death has lost its sting

And are put under Christ’s feet

For He is the head over all things

And we shall overcome  by His blood

In what the risen Lamb has done

We are more than conquerors

Because Christ has overcome

1 John 5:4; 1 Cor 15:25; Eph 1:22-23

February 15, 2023

Anthony Foster

Helpless I Am (Lament)

Change my heart, change my mind

Devastate these lies that bind

Beyond remorse beyond regret

Redirect my  whole mindset

Lord I cannot do this thing

To become a living offering

But I cry out that you might 

Empower me to win this fight.

Helpless I am

Oh risen lamb

All things are possible for You

In you I trust

Now make me just

Transform me and make me new

Wholeheartedly I would turn

Worldly deceits I would spurn

Bring me to this agony

Dying to self I am set free 

Help me judge my sinful past

My future life on You I cast

Over my Sin to mourn  and weep 

Remove and cast it to the deep

Helpless I am

Oh risen lamb

All things are possible for You

In you I trust

Now make me just

Transform me and make me new

Transform me and make me new

Transform me and make me new

February 13, 2023

Anthony Foster

Thus Shall it Be!

In the One who cannot be seen

We see all Mystery revealed

His purpose for all that’s ever been

Here in His death our wounds are healed

Thus shall it be!

Thus shall it be!

Deep is the sleep of death

But depths of darkness cannot chain

The power of His dying breath

The Fountain of life shall ever reign

Thus shall it be!

Thus shall it be!

So darkness flees As deep calls unto deep

And the sea of darkness drains away

In an ocean of grace His own who sleep

Will waken to an eternal day.

Thus shall it be!

Thus shall it be!

February 7, 2023

Anthony Foster

Pure Heart

Lord give me clean hands and a pure heart

Don’t want to be a double-minded man (James 4:8)

Give me companions with pure hearts

So together with them I may stand (2 Timothy  2:21–22)

And I will walk within my house

With a perfect Heart I will walk (Psalm 101:2)

I will behave wisely in a perfect way

I will not just talk the talk

Chorus

Create in me a pure heart Oh Lord

And a steadfast spirit renew (Psalm 51:10).

For the blood of Jesus purifies 

From all sin, Now draw me  to you (1 John 1:7)

Lord help me purify myself

As on Christ’s purity I depend (1 John 3:3).

Grant me a heart that’s sprinkled clean (Hebrews 10:19–22)

So your mountain I may ascend (Psalm 24:3–4).

Bridge

Sanctify me Spirit (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2)

Purify and cleanse me 

Ready for my Master’s use

As from Youthful lusts I flee (2 Timothy  2:21–22)

Wash me Your Fuller’s soap

In You alone I place my hope

Lord, prove all  of my desires 

Reified in Your Refiner’s fire  (Malachi 3:2)

Create in me a pure heart Oh Lord

And a steadfast spirit renew (Psalm 51:10).

For the blood of Jesus purifies 

From all sin, Now draw me  to you (1 John 1:7)

February 6, 2023

Anthony Foster

Under the Banner of Jesus

Yahweh Nissi is my liege

Under his flag we unite

Our captain secures the victory

He leads us forth in the fight

His service is love His service is peace

His service is joy that shall ere increase

This is the service that frees us

When we serve under the banner of Jesus

He will protect His people

With Angel armies we go to war

We lift our banners in His Name

For the battle it is the Lord’s

His service is love His service is peace

His service is joy that shall ere increase

This is the service that frees us

When we serve under the banner of Jesus

We shall rise up and stand firm

All weapons raised against us fail

He gives victory to his anointed

It is in His power we prevail

His service is love His service is peace

His service is joy that shall ere increase

This is the service that frees us

When we serve under the banner of Jesus

February 2, 2023

Ps 20:5. Ps 60:4-5, Ex 17:15-16

Anthony Foster