Ancient Words, Robin Mark

Several Sundays ago, we had a gentleman speak to our church body about the Voice Of The Martyrs, an organization devoted to serving the persecuted church worldwide. He played a video clip of what was happening around the world in restricted countries where there is persecution and death for the sake of the name of Christ Jesus. It was difficult stuff to hear. He told us that in the 20th century more Christians died for Jesus than in all of history! And persecution is building.

An African elder receives his first Bible

The riveting part, though, was when the film he was showing recorded a room full of expectant Chinese underground believers opening boxes. There was incredible anticipation, and these precious believers received their own Bible, holding it to their lips and hearts, giving thanks. Many wept in gratitude! You could have heard a pin drop as we watched - we were stunned to realize how much we took the Word of God for granted . I felt grieved...and ashamed. I think we all did.

A talking radio

I have a renewed love and reverence concerning the Gift of Life, Jesus, and the Word He left us for our instruction, correction, growth, and sanctification. I pray I will never take it for granted again!

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.."
2 Timothy 3: 14-17

Ancient Words music and words were written by Lynn DeShazo. This version is performed by Robin Mark. From the CD, "Ancient Words: Words Inspired by the Dead Sea Scrolls" (various artists).

Robin Mark

This song portrays the validity and relevancy of God's Word for today. May we ever praise Almighty God for His 'love letters' and hold them close to our hearts!

Lyrics:
Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world they resound with God's own heart let the ancient words impart

Words of life words of hope give us strength help us cope in this world where'er we roam ancient words will guide us home

Ancient words ever true changing me changing you we have come with open hearts the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world they resound with God's own heart oh let the ancient words impart

We have come with open hearts oh let the ancient words impart oh let the ancient words impart

Supporting Scriptures:

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 14-17

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1- 2

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1: 14

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1: 17

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13: 8

Lost and Found, Robin Mark

What do you call a man who was a trader and 'user' of slaves, threw a baby off the side of a ship when it wouldn't stop crying, and was ruthless from the age of the age of 11 when he left school and went to sea? By his own testimony, he was "an infidel and a libertine", finally owning his own slave ship.
Photo, 1868, off E. Africa.........>

During a particularly stormy voyage, when it seemed all would be lost, he began reading Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas a Kempis, a Dutch monk. This experience at sea was used by the Holy Spirit to change this hardened, cruel man's heart, and he eventually accepted Christ as his Savior.

Here was a man Lost in a sea of anger and rebellion against all that was decent! But once he tasted the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus as Savior, he was Found. His life would never be the same again, and he began serving the Lord he had once laughed at and mocked.

In later years, John Newton became a minister of the gospel and served for many years in Olney, England; he was especially effective when he told the story of his life and conversion. He worked diligently to crusade against slavery with William Wilberforce, and the year he died, 1807, the British Parliament abolished slavery throughout its domain. He wrote Amazing Grace with the words he so loved. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see." He never ceased to be amazed at the mercy of God.

On one occasion late in his life, he loudly proclaimed, "My memory is almost gone, but I remember two things. 'That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.' "

Robin Mark, a Northern Irish singer, songwriter, and worship leader based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, performs this particularly sweet song which reflects John Newton's life perfectly! May it reflect our joy in Christ's mercy when we sing it and share it with other Lost and Founds!

Lyrics:
When the rain falls, and it some days will,
and the pavement under my feet,
sparkles silver and gold, in reflected light
that I otherwise wouldn't have seen.

And when the storm comes and the strong wind blows
I will bow my head to push through;
And every step that I take, I will watch and pray
and be sure my foothold is true.

Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

And in the dry place, in the wilderness
when Your word seems so far away,
Oh I will think of my life, and I will bless Your name;
For Your promises never have failed.

And when the night falls, at the end of days,
I will lift my eyes to the heavens,
and we will shine like the stars, for eternal days;
In Your presence forever and e'er.

So, Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
For can there be a sweeter sound,
than singing with the lost and found?

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all And I am but a lost and found.

Supporting Scriptures:

"So he [Jesus] told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15: 3-7

"Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19: 9-10

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1: 15

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." Luke 8: 24

"And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." Matthew: 25 Luke 8: 24

Glory To The Lord Our God, by Robin Mark

The change in Northern Ireland over the last two decades has been incredible; the churches in Ireland played a major role in reconciliation, becoming involved in meeting with political and terrorist leaders to try to find a way forward. The bad old days of bombs and bullets and retaliations and retribution between factions and terrorist groups from the two political and religious sides have diminished to a state where they are rare or non-existent. It was by God's grace that we found our way out of what were very dark and divisive days. Robin Mark's music encouraged heart change and a searching of souls.

"...I write only when I feel I have something to say. I cannot sit down and write automatically or prolifically, God hasn't given me that gift, unfortunately! But whether it’s in music, song, business, family or other area of service, so long as I am praising Him, that's all that matters." -Robin Mark

“I remember being told by an old Pastor to “hold everything loosely”. Everything that I have ever had or will ever achieve is simply God’s grace and pleasure.” -Robin Mark



Lyrics:
Lift up your heads oh, ye gates, let the King
of Glory come in--Be lifted up, oh ancient
doors, let the King of Glory come in

The altars we've built and the works we
have done, can never compare to the
Savior's love-- the hearts of the humble are
temples of praise, as we worship the Ancient
of Days, as we worship the Ancient of Days

Glory to the Lord our God, Glory to the
Lamb on the throne-- we open wide the
gates of our hearts, with our lips we rise up
and pause, as we worship the Ancient of
Days

Who can ascend to the hill of the Lord
People of clean hearts and hands-- you who
are righteous and seeking His face, come
and worship the Ancient of Days, come and
worship the Ancient of Days

Supporting Scriptures:
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit,and trembles at my word. "
Isaiah 66:2

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false." Psalm 24:3-4

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelations 7:17

"Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory." Psalm 24:7-10

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." Daniel 7:13

Here Is Love, Vast As the Ocean, by Robin Mark (Old Welch Hymn)

Do you feel loved? Dr.Gary Chapman, a respected Christian marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages says, "Many couples find that their "love tanks" are empty. They may have been trying to express love for their spouse, but in reality they may have been speaking a different love language. The best way to fill your spouse's 'love tank' is to express love in their love language." However, the love language that Christ spoke while on the cross of crucifixion is an eternal word of love. Our spouse or children will never be able to give us this kind of love even though they learn to speak our love language! We can never find true satisfaction in anything the world has to offer, but there is one thing that will last forever...and ever...the deep, vast love of God!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
~ from 1 Corinthians 13

Below is a reworking of the wonderful old Welsh hymn.

Words: William Rees, (1802-1883). Music: Robert Lowry, (1876).
You can hear a rendition of the original four verse hymn at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/e/herelove.htm


Lyrics:

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Supporting Scriptures:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3: 16-17

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1: 18-19

“I will ransom them (mankind) from the power of the grave;

I will redeem them from death." Hosea 13:14

“When the lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us.” Titus 3:4-5

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

When It's All Been Said and Done, Robin Mark

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4: 14

I've let my family know that this is one of the songs I wish to be played at my funeral someday when the Lord decides to take me home. Hope that isn't morbid to you; I hope to live my life in such a way as to live for truth and to live for Him. What a wake-up call to know we leave a legacy in life, a pathway of love and grace or one of destruction.

Lyrics:
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?


When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I have done
For love's rewards
Will stand the test of time


Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
That you found purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints


I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and in heaven after
For you've joined me at my true home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone.

Supporting Scriptures:
"His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ " Matthew 25:23

"I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul." Psalms 138: 1-3

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal " Matthew 6:19-20