Dad
April 24, 2003
5/81 DO 2488
Oh, How I Love Him!
Down from His glory, ever living story
My Lord & Saviour came, & Jesus was His Name.
Born in a manger, to His Own a stranger,
A Man of sorrows, tears & agony!
Oh, how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him.
What condescension, bringing us redemption
That in the dead of night, not one faint hope in sight.
God gracious tender, laid aside His splendour,
Stopping to woo, to win, to save my soul!
Oh, how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine‚ my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him.
Without reluctance‚ flesh & blood His substance‚
He took the form of man, revealed God's hidden plan.
Oh, glorious mystery‚ sacrifice of Calvary,
And now I know He is the great I Am!
Oh, how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him!
I Know That He Loves Even Me!
When I think of my Saviour's great love,
In coming from Heaven above,
How He died on the tree for a sinner like me‚
Then I know that He loves even me.
Yes, I know that He loves even me!
Oh, I know that He loves even me!
And His Love is so sweet, makes my life so complete,
For I know that He loves even me!
When I think how He saves us from sin,
Though often unworthy we've been.
Our vows we re-do to be faithful & true
For I know that He loves even me.
And I know that He loves even you!
Oh yes‚ I know that He loves even you!
And His Love is so sweet,
He'll make your joy so complete,
When you know how He loves even you!
Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus!
Born among cattle in poverty sore
Living in meekness by Galilee's shore;
Dying in shame as those wicked ones swore;
Jesus, wonderful Lord!
Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,
He is my Friend, true to the End!
He gave Himself to redeem us,
Jesus, wonderful Lord!
Weary oft—He is the World's only rest;
Hungry & thirsty—with plenty has blest;
Tempted—He promises grace for each test;
Jesus‚ wonderful Lord!
Friend of the friendless—betrayed & denied,
Help of the weak—in Gethsemane cried;
Light of the World—in gross darkness He died;
Jesus, wonderful Lord!
Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!
He is your Friend, true to the end!
He gave Himself to redeem you,
Jesus, wonderful Lord!
Christ of that Galilee Road!
In far away Galilee‚ long, long ago,
The Son of God came down to Earth,
Revealing the Love of the Father above
And every man's infinite worth.
He comforted man with His life-giving power,
His mercy on all He bestowed;
He gave full Salvation to all who believed,
This Christ of the Galilee road.
He gave full Salvation to all who believed,
This Christ of the Galilee road.
He told of God's care for the flowers of the field,
And how that He cares for the birds.
Concerning His Love for you children of men,
He spoke the most beautiful Words.
And though He had nowhere to lay down His head,
Not even the humblest abode,
At last He found rest on that cross where He died,
The Christ of the Galilee Road.
At last He found rest on that cross where He died,
Our Christ of the Galilee Road.
Today He is walking the highways of life,
The highways & byways of men.
The same loving Saviour, the Saviour of old,
As loving & helpful as then.
So willing to save you & keep you from sin,
And lighten your burdening load.
Oh‚ life will be sweet when you meet Him & know
This Christ of that Galilee road.
Oh, life will be sweet when you meet Him & know
Our Christ of the Galilee road!
Tell Me the Story of Jesus!
Oh, tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious‚
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how His Angels in Glory,
Sang as they welcomed His birth‚
"Glory to God in the Highest!
Peace & good will upon Earth!"
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me that story most precious‚
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell of that cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish & pain.
Tell of that grave where they laid Him,
But tell how He liveth again!
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see:
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.
Tell me the story of Jesus‚
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious‚
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Gethsemane!
For in the darkened shade of those garden trees,
My Master & Lord was on bended knees.
He prayed & He pleads in His hour alone,
Forsaken by all He had called His Own.
Gethsemane! Gethsemane!
That place of my Saviour's agony,
I bow in tears at His Love for me,
Gethsemane! Gethsemane!
But in the darkened shade of that garden slope,
Was born on that night a lost World's hope.
When Jesus‚ the Christ, put Himself aside,
And drank to the dregs of that cup betide.
In the darkened shade of that vale of tears,
A light from His wonderful Love appears.
The Saviour who suffered & prayed alone,
Gives comfort & peace, to a World unknown.
Gethsemane! Gethsemane!
Oh, place of my Saviour's agony,
I bow in tears at His Love for me,
Gethsemane, His Gethsemane!
The Mighty Conqueror!
Once our blessed Christ of beauty,
Was unveiled from human view,
But through suffering, death & sorrow,
He has rent that veil in two.
See, He stands by God the Father,
Interceding there for you.
There He stands, the Mighty Conqueror
Since He rent that veil in two.
O, behold the Man of Sorrow,
O‚ behold Him in plain view,
There He stands, the mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent that veil in two.
There He stands, our Mighty Conqueror,
Since He rent that veil in two!
Bless Thou Jehovah!
O my soul, bless thou Jehovah,
All that is within me bless His name.
Bless Jehovah, & forget not
All His mercies to proclaim.
For as high as is the Heaven,
Far above the Earth below,
So great to them that fear Him
Is the mercy He doth ever, ever show.
He will not forever chide us,
Nor keep anger in His mind.
Hath not dealt as we offended,
Nor rewarded as we sinned.
Far as East from West is distant,
He hath put away our sins.
Like the pity of a father
Hath the Lord's compassion been.
For as high as is the Heaven,
Far above the Earth below,
Ever great to them that fear Him
Is the mercy He doth ever, ever show.
Rose of Sharon!
How it charmed me & filled me with gladness;
In the beauty of Springtime & youth.
When I wakened from sin & from sadness,
And my mind was illumined with Truth!
But when conflict & trial befall me,
When the storms of temptation assail,
When the foes of my soul would enthrall me,
There's a Flower that blooms in the vale.
Rose of Sharon now blooming I see,
Rose of Sharon so precious to me.
With my whole heart I sing, "Hallelujah!
Rose of Sharon so precious to me!"
(—You know Who that is, don't you?—Jesus, the Rose of Sharon!)
Sinner, haste thee to seek this fair Flower,
Ere the garden be shut to the gate.
Ere the fateful & terrible hour,
When the Angel will say to you, "'Tis too late!
For the Rose is transported to Heaven,
And the Spirit thou grievedst away."
While this gift from God's beauty is given,
Seek His blest Rose of Sharon today.
Rose of Sharon‚ how beautiful my Flower.
Rose of Sharon so precious to me!
With my whole heart I sing‚ "Hallelujah!
Rose of Sharon now blooming in me!"
(Hallelujah! TYJ! PTL!)
Let Me Dream On!
The World says I'm dreaming, but I know 'tis Jesus
Who saves me from bondage & sin's guilty stain.
He is my Lover‚ my Saviour‚ my Master,
'Tis He Who has freed me from guilt & its pain.
Oh, let me dream on, if I am dreaming.
Let me dream on, my sins are gone.
Night turns to dawn, Love's Light is beaming,
So if I'm dreaming‚ let me dream on!
Oh, let me fight on for Jesus my Saviour,
And tell of His Love He so wondrously's given.
Preaching or singing, or living or dying,
In life or in death He is mighty to save!
Let me dream on, if I am dreaming!
Let me dream on, my sins are gone.
Night turns to dawn, Love's Light is beaming.
So if I'm dreaming, let me dream on!
(Hallelujah! TYL!)
The Ninety-&-Nine!
There were ninety-&-nine who safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the fields away,
Far off from those gates of gold.
Away on the mountain wild & high,
Away from the Shepherd's tender care,
Away from the Shepherd's tender care.
"Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety-&-nine,
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But the Shepherd made answer:
"This of Mine has wandered away from Me."
And although the road was rough & steep,
He went to the desert to find His sheep‚
He went to the desert to find His sheep.
But few of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were those waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through‚
'Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry,
Sick & helpless & ready to die,
So sick & helpless & ready to die.
"Lord, whence are these blood–drops o'er the way
That sprinkle the mountain's path?"
"They were shed for one, you who'd gone astray
'Ere the Shepherd could bring you back."
"Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent & torn?"
"They're pierced tonight by many a thorn.
They're pierced tonight by many a thorn."
But all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from that rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven,
"Rejoice! For I have found My sheep!"
And the Angels echoed around the throne,
"Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His Own!
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His Own!"
The One Lost Sheep!
Safe were the ninety-&-nine in the fold,
Safe, though the night was stormy & cold.
But said the Shepherd, when counting them o'er,
"One sheep is missing: There should be one more!"
Although His feet were weary & worn,
And though His hands were rent & torn,
And though the road was so rugged & steep,
Still our Good Shepherd sought long for His sheep.
There in the night He heard our faint cry,
From the lost sheep just ready to die.
Then in His arms, to shield from the cold,
He brought that lost one safe back to His fold.
The Shepherd went out to search for His sheep,
And all through the night on that rocky steep,
He sought till He found him,
With love–bands He bound him,
And I was that one lost sheep!
Your Shepherd goes out to search for His sheep,
And all through the night on the rocky steep,
He will search till He finds you‚
With love-bands He'll bind you‚
And you are that one lost sheep!
The Prodigal Son!
Out in the wilderness wild & drear,
Sadly I wandered for many a year,
Driven by hunger & filled with fear‚
I must arise & go;
Backward through sorrow my steps to trace‚
Seeking my Heavenly Father's face,
Willing to take but a servant's place,
I should arise & go,
Back to my Father & home‚ back to my Father & home
I should arise & go, back to my Father & home.
Why should I perish in dark despair,
Here where there's no one to help nor care,
When there is shelter & food to spare?
I will arise & go;
Deeply repenting these wrongs I've done,
Worthy no more to be called His son‚
Hoping my Father His child will own,
I must arise & go.
Sweet are those memories that come to me,
Faces of loved ones again I see,
Visions of home where I used to be,
I will arise & go;
Others have gone who have wandered, too,
They were forgiven, were clothed anew,
Why should I linger, with home in view?
I will arise & go!
Oh, that I never had gone astray!
Life was all radiant with hope that day,
Now all its treasures I've thrown away,
But I can arise & go!
Something is saying, "God loves you still‚
Though you have treated His Love so ill,
You must not linger, the night grows chill,
O, please arise & go!
Back to your Father & home,
Back to your Father & home!
You must arise & go, back to your Father & home!"
1. I wish I had time to sing this old song for you, "The Sinner & the Song". It's a skit we used to do, & sometime maybe we can pass it on to you. My Father & I used to do it together. He would be the voice of the Angel from Heaven while I was the wandering sinner on Earth below. Maybe I can give you a little bit of it. Maybe we can have a little time for it.
2. My Father would begin way up in the choir loft like Heaven in long robes like the Prophet of God—When I was a young boy, my Father was almost like God Himself to me. He was very close to God—& he would start singing while I was down below in the congregation. I would come down the aisle wandering through the World below. I'll never forget one time we put this skit on in a church & my Father started singing & I came wandering down the aisle & an usher rushed up to me & said, "Brother David, what do you want? What can I do for you?"—Ha! He didn't realise we were having a skit! This is a good skit for you to try sometime, try it! Now get it, my Father's singing up in the Heavenlies:
The Sinner & the Song!
A sinner was wandering at eventide‚
His tempter was watching close by his side.
(—And we had a guy impersonating the Devil trying to tempt me.)
In his heart raged a battle of right against wrong,
But hark! From the church he hears a sweet song.
(—You could say here‚ "from our home." And then the choir sings:)
Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll‚
While the tempest still is nigh.
(Then I would sing: )
O Tempter, depart, I have served thee too long;
I fly to the Saviour, He dwells in that song.
O Lord, can it be that a sinner like me
Can find a sweet refuge by coming to Thee?
(And the Family sings: )
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.
I come‚ Lord, I come, Thou'lt forgive my dark past‚
And oh, redeem my soul at last!
But which way shall I take in this darkness of night?
I'm a pilgrim a-weary & spent is my light.
To the right? To the left? Ah me, if I knew!
But the night is so dark, & the passers so few.
(And my Father's voice again from above:)
Near, near thee, my son‚ stands that old wayside cross,
Like a grey Friar cowl'd in lichens & moss;
And its crossbeam doth point to that bright golden span,
That bridges the waters so safely for man;
That bridges those dark waters so safely for man.
(Then I would sing:)
But which way shall I take in this darkness of night?
I'm a pilgrim a-wearied, & spent is my light;
To the right? To the left? Ah me, if I knew!
But the night is so dark & the passers so few.
So which way shall I take to that bright golden span,
That bridges the waters so safely for man?
To the right? To the left? Ah me, if I knew!
But the night is so dark & the helpers so few.
(My Father again:)
Near, near thee, my son, loved one,
Stands the old wayside cross,
On which Jesus died & suffered such loss!
And its crossbeam doth point to that bright golden span
That bridges the waters so safely for man,
That bridges those dark waters so safely for man!
On a hill far away stood that old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering & shame.
And I love that old cross, where the dearest & best
For a World of lost sinners was slain!
(—And by this time I'm kneeling at the foot of a cross that's there, & I'm kneeling at its feet.)
Oh, I'll cherish this old rugged cross,
Till my burdens at last I lay down!
I will cling to this old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown!
3. Hallelujah! TYL! There's a little story skit for you, which you could sing. That brings me back memories not only of my Father, but also my Mother, & we're celebrating her birthday. (Sings:)
My Mother's Hand!
My Mother's hand is on my brow
Her gentle voice is pleading now;
Across the years so marred by sin,
What memories of love steal in!
Once more I see that look of pain,
She gently draws me with those eyes again;
My heart is sad, for well I know,
My sin has caused her bitter woe.
Oh, Mother, when I think of thee‚
'Tis but a step to Calvary;
Thy gentle hand upon my brow
Is leading me to Jesus now.
The memories of bygone years,
My Mother's love, my Mother's tears,
The thought of all her constant care
Doth bring the answer to her prayer.
I'm coming home‚ beset by sin,
For Jesus loves me even yet;
My Mother's love brings home to me
His greater Love of Calvary.
Oh‚ Mother, when I think of thee,
'Tis but a step to Calvary;
Thy gentle hand upon my brow
Is leading me to Jesus now.
Tell Mother I'll Be There!
When I was but a little child‚ how well I recollect,
How I would grieve my Mother with my folly & neglect,
And now that she has gone to Heaven
I miss her tender care,
Oh Angels, tell my Mother I'll be There!
Tell Mother I'll be There‚ in answer to her prayer,
Oh, tell my darling Mother I'll be There.
Tell Mother I'll be There, Oh Angels to her bear;
Oh‚ tell my darling Mother I'll be There!
Though I was often wayward, she was always kind & good,
So patient‚ gentle, loving, when I acted rough & rude.
My childhood griefs & trials
She would gladly with me share,
Oh Angels, tell my Mother I'll be There!
Tell Mother I'll be There, in answer to her prayer,
Yes, tell my darling Mother I'll be There!
Tell Mother I'll be There, Oh Angels to her bear;
Oh, tell my darling Mother I'll be There!
When I became a prodigal & left the old roof–tree,
She almost broke her loving heart in mourning after me.
And day & night she prayed to God to keep me in His care
Oh Angels, tell my Mother I'll be There!
One day a message came to me, it bade me quickly come,
If I would see my Mother, ere the Saviour took her Home.
I promised her, as she died, for Heaven I was prepared,
Oh Angels, tell my Mother I'll be There!
Tell Mother I'll be There, in answer to her prayer,
Oh, tell my darling Mother I'll be There!
Tell Mother you'll be There in answer to her prayer,
Oh, tell your darling Mother you'll be There!
Praise God! How did she get There? (Sings:)
The Hem of His Garment!
She only touched the hem of His garment
As to His side she stole,
Amid the throng that gathered around Him,
And instantly was whole!
She came in fear & trembling before Him,
She knew her Lord had come;
She felt from Him that virtue had healed her,
The mighty deed was done!
Oh, touch the hem of His garment
And thou, too, canst be free;
This day, this hour, this very hour,
And you too shall be free!
He turned with, "Daughter, be of good comfort‚
Thy faith hath made thee whole!"
And peace that passeth all understanding
Had filled her saddened soul.
Oh, touch the hem of His garment
And thou too shalt be free;
His saving power this very hour
Shall give new life to Thee!
Flee As a Bird to His Mountain!
Flee as a bird to his mountain,
Thou who art weary of sin!
Go to the clear–flowing fountain,
Where you may wash & be clean.
Fly‚ for the avenger is near thee;
Call, & the Saviour will hear thee;
He on His bosom will bear thee‚
O thou who art weary of sin.
O thou who art weary of sin!
He will protect thee forever‚
Wipe every falling tear;
He will forsake thee, No, never!
Sheltered so tenderly here.
Haste then, the hours are flying:
Spend not the moments in sighing;
Cease from your sorrow & crying,
The Saviour will wipe every tear.
Our Saviour will wipe every tear!
4. I'm singing my Mother's favourites again. Many's the time she asked me to sing these for her, riding along in the night, in the darkness, alone, far out on the desert, dangerous roads, far far from everything, she would ask me to sing. And this was one of her favourites. We're celebrating my Mother's birthday. TYJ! Thank you‚ Mother! Thank you for all you did for me! Hallelujah! Praise You, Jesus, & thank you, Mother, for leading me to Jesus! PTL! The Lord filled me with His Spirit from my Mother's womb because she dedicated me to Him even before I was born. How could I help but love Him, when He loved me so? (Sings: )
How Could I Help But Love Him?
How could I help but love Him, when He loved me so?
How could I help but love Him, when He loved me so?
And how could I help but love her, when she loved me so?
How could I help but love her, when Mother loved me so?
(Hallelujah! TYJ! She used to love this song & I've heard her sing it:)
Draw Me, Jesus!
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom,
From this World of care & woe.
Let me feel Thy arms around me,
That my soul may know repose.
I am weary with my burden
And I come to Thee for rest.
Precious Saviour, Thou art my refuge,
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy breast!
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom‚
From this World of care & woe.
Let me feel Thy arms around me,
That my soul may know repose.
I am weary with these burdens
And I fly to Him for rest!
Draw me, Jesus, precious Saviour,
Only in Thine arms I'm blessed.
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom,
From this World of care & woe.
May I feel Thy arms around me
That my soul may know repose.
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom,
For my heart is fain to fear,
Then will vanish all those shadows,
When I feel Thy presence near.
Draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom,
Hear my contrite spirit's prayer;
Draw me from this sin around me,
Ere I yield me to despair.
Oh, I'm weary with these burdens,
And I fly to Thee for rest!
Precious Saviour, still my refuge,
Draw me, Jesus‚ to Thy breast!
Oh, draw me, Jesus, to Thy bosom,
From this World of fear & woe!
Let me feel Thy arms around me,
That my soul may know Thy repose!
5. Hallelujah Jesus! Amen! Thank You! (Tongues:) "So shall I comfort thee in My heart for your Father." TYL! Hallelujah! That's both here & now, & forever in Heaven! Thank the Lord! But it'll only be complete when we're with Jesus. Are you ready to go? (Sings: )
Then You'll Need Him!
Someday, in your heart, you're going to need Him,
Though you may not feel that need just now.
All your life may be one ripple of joy,
Laughter glad without alloy.
But some day clouds will gather on your life's horizon,
Sin will take its toll within your soul,
Then you'll meet some dark & tragic hour,
Crying for the Lord to make you whole.
And then you'll need Him, oh, how you'll need Him‚
Need His cleansing power in your life.
Oh, do not wait until that day,
Take the Saviour while you may,
For some day in your heart, you're going to need Him!
(—You do already, you need Him right now! You may not know it‚ but you do!)
Has your life been spent in serving Jesus?
Have you found in Him a resting place?
"No," you answer to these questions I ask,
Quite content without His grace.
But someday you will find yourself so broken–hearted‚
Sun will set & birds will sing no more.
Every day will be a dreary midnight,
Then where'll be that joy you knew of yore?
Oh, then you'll need Him‚ how you'll need Him!
Take His cleansing power in your life! (Do it now!)
Do it now without delay, take our Saviour while you may,
For some day, in your heart, you're going to need Him.
Just remember but a thread doth hold you,
Hanging over dark Eternity.
Should no warning come & this thread break
Where, then, sinner will you be?
And listen, if you gain this World with all its treasure
Paying no attention to your fate,
When you leave the things of Earth behind you,
Only then you'll find 'twill be too late!
Oh, then you'll need Him, how you'll need Him!
Need His cleansing power in that hour.
Do not wait until that day‚
Take our Saviour while you may,
For some day in your heart, you're going to need Him!
Do not wait until that day,
Take the Saviour now without delay
For this day in your heart you surely need Him!
Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet!
For though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
He shall make them white as snow,
He shall make them white as snow.
Though they be red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow,
They shall be as white as snow!
Hear the Voice that entreats you,
Oh, return ye unto God!
He'll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more,
He'll forgive you your transgressions
And remember them no more,
He'll forgive you your transgressions,
And remember them no more!
"Look unto Me, ye people," Saith the Lord, your God.
He'll forgive you your transgressions,
He'll forgive you your transgressions,
And remember them no more, & remember them no more!
Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow,
They shall be as white as snow.
Though they be red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
Oh, though your sins be as scarlet,
They can be as white as snow,
They can be as white as snow!
Hear the Voice that entreats you,
Oh, return ye unto God!
Hear the Voice that entreats you,
Oh‚ return ye unto God!
Though they be red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They can be as white as snow‚
They can be as white as snow!
(—If you'll just wash them in the blood of Jesus! Praise God! But that's a decision that's up to you, & you must be the one who makes the choice.)
What Will You Do with Jesus?
Jesus is standing in Pilate's Hall
—Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all:
Hearken! What meaneth this sudden call?
What will ye do with Jesus?
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will.
You can be faithful through good or ill:
But what will you do with Jesus?
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be!
Some day your soul will be asking,
"What will He do with me?"
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him whate're betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus?
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be.
Some day your heart will be asking,
"Oh, what will He do with me?"
Will you say, "Jesus, I'll give you my heart today!
Jesus‚ I'll follow You all life's way!
Gladly obeying Thee, come what may!"
This will you do with Jesus!
What will you do with Jesus,
Oh, neutral you cannot be!
Some day your heart will be asking‚
"What will He do with me?"
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be!
Some day soon your heart will be asking,
"Oh my God, what will You do with me?"
6. I trust you've already made the right choice. I hope that you've already taken Jesus into your heart as your Saviour, believe that Christ died for you on the cross‚ bore your sins in His Own body on the tree there long ago on the cross of Calvary.
7. What will you do with Jesus? Have you taken Him into your heart?—Or will you take Him into your heart now‚ tonight, or today‚ or whatever it is wherever you are, it doesn't matter. If you're just watching this on television in your own home, or you're watching it on video perhaps, out in some campground or in someone else's home.
8. It doesn't matter where you are. You don't have to be in a church building or a temple or a synagogue or some kind of a mosque. You can receive Jesus wherever you are, you can take Him into your heart right now. All you have to do is just ask Him in, in your heart. You don't even have to do it out loud, you don't even have to pray aloud, you don't even have to lift your hand, although sometimes we like to see it, to know that you're asking Him in.
9. All you have to do is pray in your heart‚ "Jesus, please come into my heart." For He's knocking at your heart's door. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door & knock, if any man hear My voice, I'm calling you, & will open the door, I will come in!" He's promised! All you have to do is open your heart's door & ask Jesus to come in. Just open your heart's door! He didn't even say you have to ask Him, just the very fact you open your heart & want Him, He'll come in!
10. Do you hear His voice tonight in your heart, in your own guilty conscience? In your spirit do you feel the conviction of His Spirit of Love? Do you hear Him knocking at your heart's door? All you have to do now is go to the door & just open it, & He will come in! Have you done that tonight? Did you want Jesus to come in? Then you opened the door.
11. You didn't have to say a word! You didn't have to raise your hand. You didn't have to walk the aisle of some church or kneel at some altar. You didn't have to pray aloud. You didn't have to shake the preacher's or the priest's hand. You didn't have to go through confirmation. You didn't have to go through the whole missal. You didn't have to go through the prayer book. You didn't have to read the whole Bible first. You didn't even have to understand what it's all about, or God's Plan, or understand the Bible or Heaven or Hell or anything!
12. All you had to do tonight is feel that tugging of His precious loving Holy Spirit in your heart & want Him to come into your heart! Just open the door, & He said, "I will come in!" It's a promise! If you opened the door of your heart tonight & you wanted Him to come in, you just opened the door & there He stood smiling in love, & walked straight into your heart! You didn't have to say a word, you didn't have to beckon Him to come in, you didn't have to motion Him, You didn't have to beg Him or plead with Him. All you had to do is turn the lock on that door, unlock it, unlock that hard, resistant door, turn the knob & open your heart's door to Him, & He came in!
13. He said, "I will come in! If any man open the door, I will come in!" Did you open the door? Then He came in, & He's now in your heart‚ in your soul, in your life forever, & forever after. If you opened the door & you wanted Him to come in, He has come in!
14. Now Christ lives in you, your hope of glory! Now Jesus is in your heart! He's going to change your life! He's going to help you to love Him more & love others more. He's going to make you hungry for spiritual food, food for your soul from His Word, the Bible, & our Letters. He's going to make you so hungry, like a little baby at his mother's breast.
15. The Holy Spirit is going to nurse you at Her Motherly breast, the third member of the Trinity. That Motherly Holy Spirit of God is going to nourish you with the pure, sincere Milk of the Word of God if you'll just read it.
16. Please don't try to start in Genesis & Exodus, that's a little difficult Old Testament history. Why don't you start in the Gospel of John? That's such a simple, sweet little Book. It has more of the Words of Jesus than any other Book in the Bible‚ His Words of Love, so simple, mostly one & two syllable words, seldom more than three. —So simple & easy that any little child can understand. And do you know what He says there?
17. "Except ye be as a little child, ye shall in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" For He says, "Ye must be born again of water", the first time‚ "& of the Spirit", the second time, "or ye shall not see the Kingdom of God!" You have to be reborn spiritually. You've been born once already, physically, in the flesh, of water in your mother's bag of waters from which you came. But you must be reborn spiritually‚ a new birth, born again, or you'll never see the Kingdom of God.
18. If you're therefore born twice this way, you'll only die once. But if you're only born once, you will die twice—the first physical death, & then the spiritual second death, a terrible death to contemplate‚ if for no other reason than it's just away from God, separated from Him, out of His fellowship. Even there, nothing can separate you, really‚ from His Love & His mercy. Some day He's going to have mercy on you anyway‚ but it will be a long long time that you'll have to suffer & learn lessons & be punished first.
19. Why not take Him today? Why not open the door now, receive Him right now in your heart.—In Jesus name! Just in your own consciousness, in your own mind, in your own heart, by voluntarily opening the door, wanting Him to come in, & He's promised to come in. He has come in if you did that. He's already living in you, & He'll help you to love Him & love others & love His Word & love to tell others about Him & what great love & joy & peace & happiness He's given you, & wonderful forgiveness for your sins, a clean heart!
20. "For the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin!"—1Jn.1:7.—All sin, A-L–L, all sin!—Past, present & future! You don't have to worry about mortal sins & venial sins, & sins you can be forgiven for, & sins that you're supposedly not forgiven for, sins that you only have to go to Purgatory for, & other sins that you'll have to go to Hellfire for. You don't have to worry about all those different kinds of sins, because you're going to be forgiven for all your sins: Past, present & future! Because He promised, 1st John 1:7: "For the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin!" Praise God!
21. You know you're a sinner, don't you? You know you've done things you shouldn't do. You know you've done things that are wrong, that were unloving, unkind & hurt others, hurt God & His loving Holy Spirit. You know that you're a sinner‚ don't you? There's no use trying to pretend you're not, because His Word says‚ "All have sinned & come short of the glory of God! There's none righteous, no, not one! For all we like sheep have gone astray‚ we have turned every one to our own way. But the Lord has laid upon Jesus the iniquity of us all!" Praise God! Hallelujah! TYJ!
22. Lord, help them right this moment, even as we pray, or perhaps they've already done it, already wished You'd come in, already wanted You to come in‚ already opened their heart's door & invited You in, in their hearts, & You have come in. We hope so‚ Lord! If not, we ask Thee to have a little more mercy until they do, if possible.—Although‚ Lord, they don't really deserve it.
23. This could be their last chance! You don't have to give them more than one chance‚ You've given them lots of chances already. They don't really deserve to have another one, Lord. This is the only chance they deserve right now, right here today or tonight, wherever they are. This is all the opportunity they deserve, just one chance to receive You, Jesus. And if they pass this up, this one lifesaver, it's their own fault if they drown! It's their own fault if they die in their sins. It's their own fault if they're lost. If they pass up this opportunity right now to receive Thee as their Saviour, it won't be Your fault, Lord.
24. You've done everything You could to convince them, convict them, love them, draw them, pull them, trying to persuade them with Thy Voice of Love outside the door. But if they will not open that door, Lord, You're not going to batter Your way in, You're not going to force Your way in, You're not going to insist on coming in. Just the meek & lowly Jesus, meek & mild, will stand there still knocking at their heart's door until their hour's past & their time has come & Your Spirit will no longer strive with them. "And they that being often reproved & have hardened their necks‚ shall suddenly be destroyed, & that without remedy!"—Prov.29:1.
25. But Lord, if they'll just come now, You promised You'd receive anybody, You'd come into anybody's heart! "He that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out!"—John 6:37. If they come to You right now, Lord, in their hearts, invite You in, You won't cast them out, Lord. You'll receive them, forgive them, save them & make them happy forever, in Jesus' name! TYL! PYL! We hope they have, Lord! For we know if they have, they will be happy here & now & forever as they love & serve You & love & serve others & try to make them happy too, in Jesus' name. TYL!—For Jesus' sake.—In Jesus' name. Amen! PTL!
26. God bless you! I love you!—And I hope you have made that choice & received Jesus tonight or today or before, or before too late!—In Jesus' name, amen. God bless you! Goodnight, good-bye‚ good-day‚ good afternoon, good morning!—Whatever it is, wherever you are around the World, we love you‚ Jesus loves you! Remember that: JESUS LOVES YOU!—And He wants to save you & help you save others, in Jesus' name, amen!
27. Thank You Jesus! Praise You, Lord‚ for this little time of songs with them‚ Lord. May it really melt your heart & make you soft & warm in love for Jesus as His Bride. He's the Bridegroom, you're the Bride. You can marry Jesus, you can fall in love with Jesus right now & marry Him forever! If you haven't already done it, do it now, right now! Just ask Him into your heart. Just open the door & He'll come in‚ even without asking! Amen? TYJ! Good-night! God bless you! Bye-bye! Hope to see you again! But if I don't see you here‚ I'll see you Over There, if you have Jesus!—In Jesus' name, amen! Bye-bye! I love you! Jesus loves you!
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family