restored to grace

“Beautiful the Blood” by Steve Fee

I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I’ve never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I’ll sing freedom for all my days
It’s only by the power of the cross I’m raised
The King of Glory rescued me

How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love shown
The King of Glory poured out
Victorious are we now

I never knew through these nails would love unfold
I never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I’ve never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I’ll sing freedom for all my days
It’s only by the power of the cross I’m raised
The King of Glory rescued me

How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love shown
The King of Glory poured out
Victorious are we now

How beautiful You are
How merciful You are
How glorious You are
Christ our Savior

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“Jesus Is Lord” by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

“Jesus is Lord!”—the cry that echoes through creation:
Resplendent pow’r, eternal Word, our rock.
The Son of God, the King whose glory fills the heavens,
Yet bids us come to taste this living bread.

Jesus is Lord—Whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
Yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown.
Jesus the Man, who washed our feet, who bore our suffering,
Became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.

Jesus is Lord—the tomb is gloriously empty!
Not even death could crush this King of love!
The price is paid, the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
And we can run into the arms of God.

“Jesus is Lord!”—a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
As He returns, and ev’ry knee bows low.
Then ev’ry eye and ev’ry heart will see His glory,
The Judge of all will take His children home.

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“The Stand” by Joel Houston

You stood before creation
Eternity in Your hands
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what could I say
What could I do
But offer this heart, O God
Completely to You

So I’ll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what could I say
What could I do
But offer this heart, O God
Completely to You

So I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

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“Nothing but the blood” by Matt Redman

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims
I’ve heard upon this earth,
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense,
Jesus, it’s Your blood

What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can wash us pure as snow,
Welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood,
Nothing but Your blood, King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace,
Tells of the Father’s heart
To make a way for us
Now boldly we approach,
Not by earthly confidence
It’s only by Your blood

What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can wash us pure as snow,
Welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood,
Nothing but Your blood, King Jesus

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“Devotion” by Marty Sampson

I’ve been running, trying to be one who sees
I’ve been working salvation out on my knees
There is nothing better than knowing
That we are redeemed
I’m believing, trusting in creative hands
I am praying for our world to bow to Your plan
And this one thought is unmistakable:
I take up my cross and follow You, Lord

When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees

I’m forgiven by a Saviour who did not deserve death
He was blameless, and I was lost in shamefulness
I’m delivered, but it doesn’t seem right
Unless I keep my eyes focused on the Saviour who gave His life
In the middle of a world that denies it believes,
It is breaking apart at the very seams
There is one thing to be alive for,
And it’s to take up my cross and follow You, Lord

When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees

I will take up my cross and follow, Lord, where You lead me
I will take up my cross and follow wherever You go

When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees

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Well, my break is over.

To kick things off, I thought I’d start with another lyric. I was hoping to avoid posting two songs by the same writer back-to-back, but I couldn’t resist. This modern hymn is such a powerful message about our response to Christ’s sacrifice and describes the believer’s yearning to take part in it.

“Lead Me to the Cross” by Brooke Fraser

Saviour, I come
Quiet my soul
Remember
Redemption’s hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom

Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh lead me
Lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The Word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now You’re risen

Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh lead me
Lead me to the cross

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I thought I’d start a new weekly tradition of posting some lyrics to a favorite hymn (much like Anne Jackson’s Friday Lyrics, except that for now, I’m gonna stick with hymns). Feel free to comment with lyrics to one of your favorite hymns or praises. In fact, I encourage it!

This song struck hard because these last few weeks I’ve wandered far from my Savior. I’ve fled from my Shepherd’s pasture and wandered off to places I’m not welcome. Yet when I cry out for Him to find me, He is faithful to come searching.

“Hymn” by Brooke Fraser

If to distant lands I scatter,
If I sail to farthest seas,
Would You find and firm and gather
‘Til I only dwell in Thee?

If I flee from greenest pastures,
Would You leave to look for me,
Forfeit glory to come after
‘Til I only dwell in Thee?

If my heart has one ambition,
If my soul one goal to seek,
This my solitary vision
‘Til I only dwell in Thee,
That I only dwell in Thee

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