you've won again

You've Won Again

Words and Music by Taylor Reavely (c) 2011

If I would tell the story

Of Your great love for me

I'd have to start before I'd

Ever come to be

Before the world the founded

You'd written down my name

You'd made a plan to save me

Defeat death and the grave

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be still

Be still, my soul

Be quiet and wait

In silence rest

For God shall save

You troubled heart

Why do you weep

Do you know God

Do you know peace

Be still

And know that I am God

Be silent

For hope is not lost

Be quiet

And still I hear your cry

Be still

For I am on your side

Amid the waves

Amid the flood

Your hand is stretched

And Your promise good

Oh I believe

But help my unbelief

And let me hear You

Hear You speak

So why do I worry

And why do I fear

‘Cause I am so noisy

I cannot hear

Your voice in the whisper

“Do not be afraid

For I am still faithful

And mighty to save”

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shaken

Fighting to see the light

With a mask over my eyes

My world seems oh so frail

Behind this shallow veil

There is something still

At odds against my will

Warring to do right

On a battlefield of night

Quietly a thorn is growing in the recess of my heart

Jesus, please remove it and remind me who You are

That I may see Your beauty and the wonder of Your grace

And remember why I’m fighting for the One who took my place

You are my Salvation

I am not forsaken

You are my Foundation

I will not be shaken.

Fighting for the King

I give my everything

But all I am is Yours’

To You I look for more

Grace in every station

I place my expectation

Trusting You to conquer

My feeble heart grows stronger

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my seared conscience

1 Timothy 4:2 ... "Whose consciences are seared."

"Get and keep a tender conscience. Be sensible of the least sin. Some men's consciences are like the stomach of the ostrich that can digest iron: they can swallow the most notorious sins without regret. A good conscience is very delicate. It feels the least touch of known sin, and is grieved at the thought of grieving God's Spirit. It will choose the greatest of suffering before the least of sinning. However, the jeering Ishmaels of the world are ready to reproach and laugh it to scorn for its precise scruples. Daily train all your graces for battle. Live in a military posture, both defensive and offensive. Stand constantly by your weapons. Admit no peace with sin. The soldier of Christ must never lay down his arms. Satan never ceases his wiles and stratagems. He will tell you that sin is pleasant. Ask yourself if the gripping of conscience is also pleasant? Ask yourself if it is pleasant to be in hell, and be under the wrath of God? Ask yourself if the pleasures of sin for a season compare with the rivers of God's pleasures? How do they compare to a weight of glory, an incorruptible crown, and a heavenly kingdom? God alone is enough, but without him, nothing is enough for your happiness. His love, grace, and the comforts of his Spirit will certainly sweeten your way to heaven. Sometimes you will experience joy unutterable and full of glory. God is a good master and in his service is a perfect freedom. Your work is its own reward. With these thoughts, put to flight the armies of the enemy. Shield yourself with these against the fiery darts the tempter shall pour upon you. Do not even take a moment to parley with the tempter. As soon as your lusts begin to grow inordinate, do not stay a moment; delay is unutterably dangerous. A house on fire needs immediate attention."

John Gibbon, Puritan Sermons 1659-1689, 1:96-100

Taken from:
Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings
Edited by Richard Rushing
Published by Banner of Truth
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people-influencers not debate-winners

Newton cared more about influencing people with truth for their good than winning debates. William Jay recounts how Newton described the place of his Calvinism. He was having tea one day with Newton. Newton said, "'I am more of a Calvinist than anything else; but I use my Calvinism in my writings and my preaching as I use this sugar'—taking a lump, and putting it into his tea-cup, and stirring it, adding, 'I do not give it alone, and whole; but mixed and diluted.'" In other words, his Calvinism permeates all that he writes and teaches and serves to sweeten everything. Few people like to eat sugar cubes, but they like the effect of sugar when it permeates it right proportion.

- John Piper of John Newton

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