Only an outcast, Lord, am I

Only an outcast, Lord, am I - M. Robbins

Only an outcast, Lord, am I;
Only a sinner judged to die;
Only a mourner o’er my sins;
Yet, there’s a Voice I hear within;
Yet, there’s a Voice I hear within.

Only a Voice, but it is Christ’s;
Only a Voice, but His brings Light;
Only a Voice, but His can heal;
Now can my soul unto Him kneel?
Now can my soul unto Him kneel?

“Yes,” He speaks, “you may seek My face;”
“Yes,” He speaks, “now receive My grace;
Yes, you’re a sinner; that’s your name;
But, I’m the Saviour; that’s My name.
But, I’m the Saviour, that’s My name.”

Salvation is Christ’s gift to me;
Salvation now has set me free;
Salvation is the Saviour’s fame;
And He’s my Saviour, bless His name!
And He’s my Saviour, bless His name!

Chorus
He’s the Saviour; He took my blame!
He’s the Saviour; yes, that’s His Name!
He saved my soul then changed my name!
He calls me “child!”  Oh, praise His Name!
He calls me “child!”  Oh, praise His Name!
                                          M. Robbins


     In order to help heal and save people,
it takes many years of study to become
a medical doctor and then additional years
of training to become a “specialist.”
     But Christ didn’t have to “study” in order
to achieve His earthly objective -
becoming “the Saviour.”  Rather, He “made
himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men.”
     What Christ went through we’ll never
know.  However, we do know that   
He left Heaven and all its glories to live in a
conquered land with little possessions
so that we might live in Heaven’s
glory as heirs of God and joint-heirs
with Christ.
     We also know that as Christ
was dying on the cross, He was ridiculed
by the rulers, the chief priests, and the
soldiers.  And their words were shameful. 
     While they, themselves were clothed
in unseen wickedness, the rulers
reminded Christ that He saved others.
While they, themselves, were robed
in their own righteousnesses which
were as filthy rags, the chief priests
mocked Him and said He should save
Himself and then they'd believe He was
the King of Israel.  And while they,
themselves, were under orders of a mere
common ruler, the soldiers also mocked
Christ’s divinity and likewise urged Him
to save Himself.
     But Christ could not save both Himself and us.
     So, because He was the sacrificial lamb slain
as it were before the foundation of the world
(1 Peter 1:19-20), Christ chose to save us rather
than to save Himself.  And it is because Christ
carried the sins and bore the penalty of death
for each individual, He alone forever will be
known as “the Saviour.”
     But Christ can only save an individual who
who acknowledges bearing the identity of a
“sinner” and in dire need of the Saviour.
Paul, himself, personally stated in
1 Tim 1:15:  “This is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of
whom I am chief.”
     Enough now with the pronouns:  “we,”
“they,” and “us.”  Christ saves “sinners” as
individuals.  So, I, myself, must be saved
before I call Him mine!
     And so to Christ alone I’ve come.....
in all my sinfulness.....bearing the name of
“sinner”.....yet, believing He died for me.
And because He is the Saviour, by His
mercy I’ve been saved!
                                   M. Robbins

                  

Anybody born into a family of distinction

 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Psalms 73:24

     Anybody born into a family of distinction needs plenty of guiding counsel.
     “But I’m not a part of this world’s ‘social elite,’” you might say.  “Surely, I don’t need a lot of counsel.”
     But, child of God, if you think that, remember what you’re forgetting.
     You’re forgetting to remember.....you’ve been washed in the blood of the Lamb.
     You’re forgetting to remember.....you’re a child of God.
     You’re forgetting to remember.....you’re His heir.
     And then remember what you’re forgetting.....you’re a joint-heir with Christ.
     And then on occasion, dear child of God, when the prosperity and lifestyle of others cause you to despair about your own humble earthly life, you’re forgetting to remember about heaven.....the glories ahead.....and the heavenly city which is to come.   
     Dear child of God, that is who you are:  you’re a child of God destined for God’s heaven and God’s glory.
     But here on earth you have crucial spiritual decisions to make.
     You also face moral, ethical and righteous situations which require spiritual action.      
     Then there are the daily situations which confront you requiring a Christian response.
     Oh sure, there will be times you may need the counsel of a lawyer, a medical doctor, a building expert, an interior decorator, an investment expert, etc.    
     But child of God, can’t you see that as a child of God you have need of counsel infinitely more than any of this world’s non-Christian rich and famous people?     
     And you cannot look within yourself for the type of counsel a Christian needs in order to live as a Christian.  You must look to God.....for only God can counsel your mind and spirit in the ways of His Spirit.  
     So, feed deeply upon His precious word, the Bible. 
     Let His word be sweet unto your spirit, your mind, and your heart. 
     And may you, with a prayerful spirit, always lean on, seek for and wait for His never failing counsel.   
     And be at peace.  For He, whose counsel standeth forever, will surely guide you with His counsel and afterward.....oh, glorious afterward.....He will receive you into glory!                                        
                                                                                           by M. Robbins

He saw you there

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.               John 14:2-3

     When Jesus spoke of coming again “for you,” He wasn’t casually speaking.  He was deeply, passionately, earnestly, and with an everlasting love speaking of your future with Him.
     And though He was speaking from the upper room where the disciples were gathered for the passover, Christ was looking past His death on the cross and was looking into eternity.
     And you were there.
     Yes, even from that furnished room in Jerusalem, Christ saw you free at last from the things of earth:  tears, sorrow, pain, sin, and the fear of death.  
     And He rejoiced in your garment of salvation, your robe of righteousness, your Heavenly glory and your having “put on immortality.” 
     And Christ, the omnipotent one, knowing that neither your eye nor ear nor heart had any knowledge of the things that had been prepared for you, knew you would be forever satisfied with His goodness.
     Yes, dear one of Christ, Jesus spoke concerning His coming again before He left the upper room for the cross.
     But you were in His heart.....in His very soul.....and you were beholding His glory.
     So, dear loved one of Christ, as you journey through this barren earth, do not distrust His love.    
     For it was because of His great love for you that He suffered all for you.
     And it will be because of His great love for you that He’ll not leave you behind....
away from glory.....away from Him.                                 by M. Robbins

“It’s Time to be Remembering”

 (first version)

“It’s Time to be Remembering” - M. Robbins

When times of trouble come my way,
When darkness never turns to day,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

When times of stress besiege
     my way,
When pain and strife both come
     to stay,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

When trials storm upon my way,
When living right seems not to pay,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

Chorus
Remembering Your love is best,
Remembering Your love brings rest,
Remembering Your cross of shame,
Shall cause my lips to praise Your name!
                         M. Robbins



 (second version)

“It’s Time to be Remembering” - M. Robbins

When times of trouble come my way,
When darkness never turns to day,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

When times of stress besiege
     my way,
When pain and strife both come
     to stay,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

When trials storm upon my way,
When living right seems not to pay,
God’s love will guide my soul to say,
“It’s time to be remembering.”

Chorus
Remembering Your love is best,
Remembering Your love brings rest,
Remembering that I am Thine,
How great the blessings, Lord,
     are mine!
                         M. Robbins

Hear Us, Lord, We Plead - by M. Robbins

Hear us, Lord, we plead,
Our souls do really need
Moments that we’ll treasure
Forever and forever -
Moments from You fully
Holy, holy, holy!

Hear us, Lord, we plead,
Our minds do really need
Moments of deep wonder
Of glories without number -
Moments from You fully
Holy, holy, holy!

Hear us, Lord, we plead,
Our hearts do really need
Moments of awe to kneel
With joyful tears and feel
Moments from You fully
Holy, holy, holy!

Chorus
Send us, God of love,
From Your heart of love
Moments which are fully
Holy, holy, holy!
Send us moments which are fully
Holy, holy, holy!
                          M. Robbins

---------------------------------

     The following prose on the is about a very special time
between a Christian and his God.  There are no specific
details because God’s special dealings are very personal
and I wanted the reader to perhaps reflect upon his own
dealings with God.
     But for the record, God’s special dealing with me
occurred after I had opened up a Bible dictionary. 
(The book had originally been in my father’s hallway
bookcase and then in 2006 the book had been packed
away and moved approximately 55 miles.  In its new home
the book had been moved around a bit and only had been
opened a few times.)  
     And then on June 3, 2013, it happened.  I opened
the Bible dictionary and found a sealed envelope from
my father dating back to 2/23/96 and then I experienced
one of those holy moments with God.  Now enough about me.
     Let’s go on to the prose which can be applied to any Christian! 

------------------------------------------
(first version)

Dear Christian.......

     It might be about to happen! 
     You know.....one of those special holy moments from God.....
a moment which will be treasured forever in your soul.
     And if it is about to happen.....
     It will be a moment in which the Almighty God will reveal
His great faithfulness in a gentle way. 
     It will be a moment when God will show He knows how
to work behind the scenes.
     It also will be a moment when God will show He knows
when to make plain something which had been unseen.
     Yes, it might be about to happen!
     And if it does, it will be a moment of treasured joy,
wonder and tears!
     So, go ahead and get ready, dear Christian.
     Get ready to sing forth God’s faithfulness.
     Get ready to be in awe of God’s provision.
     Get ready to worship the One who is the great I AM.
     And if God so chooses, this moment will become so holy,
we will have to leave you alone for a while.....
          as you commune with God.....
                                                                   by M. Robbins 

(second version)

     It is about to happen! 
     You know.....one of those special holy moments.....
a moment which will be treasured forever in soul of a
Christian is about to happen.     
     It will be a moment in which the Almighty God will reveal
His great faithfulness in a gentle way. 
     It will be a moment when God will show He knows how
to work behind the scenes and also will show He knows when
to make plain what had been unseen.
     Yes, it is about to happen!
     And it will be a moment of treasured joy, wonder and tears!
     So, go ahead and get ready, dear Christian.
     Get ready to sing forth God’s faithfulness.
     Get ready to be in awe of God’s provision.
     Get ready to worship the One who is the great I AM.
     Yet, so holy is this moment about to become, let us
leave you alone for a while.    
     There will come a time in public when you will shout aloud praises to God.
     But now?
     Let God reveal to you this special, holy moment and then........
     Go.....close your door and commune alone with God.
     Go.....close your door and hear His words of love.
                                                                             by M. Robbins

We are not Told to Share - M. Robbins

We are not told to share
with Christ our every care;
we are not told to bear
our total daily care;
but we are told our cares
must be cast on Him.

We are not told to weep
through nights without real peace;
we are not told to keep
our souls in perfect peace;
but we are told our peace
only comes from Him.

We are not told to leap
o’er nights and have no sleep;
we are not told to keep
our minds from restful sleep;
but we are told our sleep
sweetly comes from Him.
  
Chorus
And He, our Prince of Peace,
will give us restful sleep;
and He, our Prince of Peace,
will bid our tears to cease;  
and through eternity
He’ll care for you and me.
                    M. Robbins
                           

To a Servant of the Lord - by M. Robbins

With our souls filled with love
unto our God above,
we pledge our hearts to you;
we promise to be true,
dear servant of the Lord,
our glory and our joy.

With faith in Christ our Lord
in whom our hearts adore,
we pledge our souls to pray;
may Jesus be your stay,
dear servant of the Lord,
our glory and our joy.

With total trust in Him
whose guidance never dims,
we pledge our hands to give              
our funds to help you live,
dear servant of the Lord,
our glory and our joy.

Chorus
With glory and with joy
we pledge our hearts to you;
with glory and with joy,
dear servant of the Lord,
we pledge our love to you -
our glory and our joy.

a prose writing

Paul was a man sent by God to preach where the Gospel
had not been preached and by the Holy Spirit to write many
of the New Testament books.   Wouldn’t it have been wonderful
to have lived in those times and had been able to send Paul a
monthly financial gift?

Now, let us use our imagination for just a few seconds. 

Let’s imagine that next Sunday a missionary will make an
entrance to your church and will present an appeal for help in
going to the field.  Of course you know that he is no Paul, but
he is going to a country you have been interested in for months
and he is going to be involved in an area of ministry you also
have been drawn to.  What will you do?  What are your options?

You can and should make a needful commitment to pray for
him and his family.

And you can also make a commitment to give a monthly
financial gift.

But before you make a financial commitment, let me warn you....
you are facing a commitment which should never be taken lightly....
you are taking on a responsibility which may very well continue
until the missionary and his wife dies.   

And through the 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years of your monthly
support you probably will have to deny yourself many things
in order to maintain that pledge.

Tears of frustration also may come when you are forced
to tighten your budget in order to give. 

The re-evaluation of priorities.....the constant determination
of holding onto your commitment of support.....the weariness
of juggling living expenses and the occasional feeling of “I’ve
done enough - time now for an easing of giving” will enter
your very soul. 

Like I said, your missionary will never be a Paul, but he,
as a servant of God, will go through times of hardships and
times of exaltations.  And you, with your prayers and your gifts,
will follow him through all his trials and joys.

The apostle Paul knew very well what he, himself, had gone
through and came to a conclusion which he expressed in
I Thes 2:19-20:  “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown
of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our
Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory
and joy.”

Of course this was written to people who had been saved
under Paul’s ministry. 

But you will find out that when you consistently pray and give
to a missionary, somehow that missionary will be more than
just a person. 

You will have found that he has truly become your glory and
your joy!     
     
                                                                                           written by M. Robbins