“I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back. Though I may wonder, I still will follow; though I may wonder, I still will follow; though I may wonder, I still will follow; no turning back, no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me; the world behind me, the cross before me; the world behind me, the cross before me; no turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow; though none go with me, still I will follow; though none go with me, still I will follow; to turning back, no turning back. Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.”

“O for a closer walk with God, a calm and heavenly frame, a light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb! Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I sought the Lord? Where is the soul-refreshing view, of Jesus and his Word? What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void, the world can never fill. The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be, help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee. So shall my walk be close with God, calm and serene my frame; so purer light shall mark the road, that leads me to the Lamb.”

There is nothing that we can do in our own strength, and as we continue on this pilgrim journey, we will be tempted and tried, but, let us continually plead with Jesus to walk with us. “In my trials, Lord, walk with me, in my trials, Lord, walk with me, when the shades of life are falling, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me, in my sorrows, Lord, walk with me, when my heart is aching, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. In my troubles, Lord, walk with me, in my troubles, Lord, walk with me, when my life becomes a burden, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.” Hand in hand we’ll walk with Jesus, all the way to Calvary.

“When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Thank you, Lord!

“I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. Lord, lift me up, and let me stand, by faith on Canaan’s tableland; a higher plane, than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. My heart has no desire to stay, where doubts arise and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound. My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. I want to live above the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled, for faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground. I want to scale the utmost height and catch a gleam of glory bright, but still I’ll pray, till rest I’ve found, Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

“O Master, let me walk with Thee, in lowly paths of service free; tell me Thy secret, help me bear, the strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to move, by some clear, winning word of love; teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way. Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee, in closer, dearer company, in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong. In hope that sends a shining ray, far down the future’s broadening way, in peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master, let me live.”

If you aspire to walk in God’s ways, “Let your heart be broken for a world in need: feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed, give the cup of water and the loaf of bread. Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead, here on earth applying, principles of love, visible expression, God still rules above; living illustration of the Living Word, to the minds of all, who’ve ever seen or heard. Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care, challenged by the need, apparent everywhere, where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place, be the means through which, the Lord reveals His grace. Let your heart be tender, and your vision clear; see mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near. Let your heart be broken, by a brother’s pain; share your rich resources, give and give again. This is God’s way.

“Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way; Thy gracious aid afford, teach me Thy way. Help me to walk aright; more by faith, less by sight; lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way. When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way; when storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way; shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain; make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way. Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way; where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way. Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won, teach me Thy way.” Thank you, Lord!

“Take time to be holy, speak often with thy Lord; abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God’s children; help those who are weak, forgetting in nothing, His blessing to seek. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shall be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide; and run not before Him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, each thought and each motive beneath His control, thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, thou soon shall be fitted for service above.” Praise the Lord!

Dear God, we come before your throne of grace each day, asking for forgiveness for our presumptuous sins which we commit from time to time. We justify the reasons for walking out of your will, we blame the temptations that we face, instead of admitting our weakness of heart, a heart which is deceptive, and ask you for strength in the face of all temptations. Help us to remember O Lord, that you were tempted, yet, you did not sin, your heart was clean and your spirit was right, bring us to that understanding Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us, so that we may be tempted, yet, not sin. Let us therefore commit to use this period of Lent as a time of new beginnings, to wipe the slate clean and begin afresh, for though our sins be scarlet, you, O lord, can make them white as snow. Thank you, Lord!