Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 9:11 a.m. – This song is in my head:
Amazing Grace / John Newton
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
I went for a walk this morning with one of my D-I-Ls and one of my grandsons, then they came back with me to the house and we ate breakfast together. After they left, I sat down to have my time with the Lord. That is when the song “Amazing Grace” came into my mind.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read I John 2:15-27:
My Thoughts: This reminds me of the beginning of Romans 12 where it says,
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
My husband says that whenever we see the word “therefore” in scripture that we need to look back and see what it is “there for.” In the case of Romans 12, we have to look back through the first 11 chapters to see what the “therefore” is all about. And, we learn that it is about the condition of man as well as it is about God’s merciful plan for the redemption of man. And, because of what Jesus did for us in saving us from that sinful condition – with that in view – we ought to offer our bodies… we ought to not conform to the pattern of the world… we ought to be transformed and renewed in our minds… then we can know God’s perfect will.
In the case of this writing, the “therefore” refers back to the song “Amazing Grace.” Because of God’s amazing grace to us that saved a wretch like me; that helped me to find my way in life; that delivered me from my fears; that brought me safely through dangers and toils and snares; and that has given me great and precious promises and hope for the future, I ought to not love the world or anything in the world. I ought to be discerning about false teaching and to not be swayed here and there by every wind of doctrine. And, I ought to make sure that what I have heard from the Lord remains in me. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life!
Amazing Grace / John Newton
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
I went for a walk this morning with one of my D-I-Ls and one of my grandsons, then they came back with me to the house and we ate breakfast together. After they left, I sat down to have my time with the Lord. That is when the song “Amazing Grace” came into my mind.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read I John 2:15-27:
My Thoughts: This reminds me of the beginning of Romans 12 where it says,
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
My husband says that whenever we see the word “therefore” in scripture that we need to look back and see what it is “there for.” In the case of Romans 12, we have to look back through the first 11 chapters to see what the “therefore” is all about. And, we learn that it is about the condition of man as well as it is about God’s merciful plan for the redemption of man. And, because of what Jesus did for us in saving us from that sinful condition – with that in view – we ought to offer our bodies… we ought to not conform to the pattern of the world… we ought to be transformed and renewed in our minds… then we can know God’s perfect will.
In the case of this writing, the “therefore” refers back to the song “Amazing Grace.” Because of God’s amazing grace to us that saved a wretch like me; that helped me to find my way in life; that delivered me from my fears; that brought me safely through dangers and toils and snares; and that has given me great and precious promises and hope for the future, I ought to not love the world or anything in the world. I ought to be discerning about false teaching and to not be swayed here and there by every wind of doctrine. And, I ought to make sure that what I have heard from the Lord remains in me. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life!