“Faithful Commitment” Romans 12:1

“Faithful Commitment”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
Frances Havergal (1836-79) wrote many of the hymns we sing today. She recalled the circumstances surrounding the hymn, “Take My Life, And Let It Be.” She said she went to the home of a friend to visit for several days. There were ten people living in the home. Some were unconverted. Others were saved, but were not living in the joy of the Lord. Frances asked God to give her the whole household for the Lord. When she left at the end of her visit, all of the occupants of that place were saved and rejoicing in the Lord. She was so happy that she could not sleep, so she spent the night rejoicing and renewing her consecration to the Lord. She told of how the lines of the poem just kept coming and how the hymn we know as “Take My Life…” was born. Frances Havergal was often referred to as the “Consecration Poet.” She accomplished much and influenced many in her short life. She was told at age forty-two, by her physician that she would not live long. She is said to have replied, “If 1 am really going, it is too good to be true!” None of us have a guarantee to live into the coming year. Why don’t we consecrate ourselves anew to the Lord? Ask God to give you a house full of conversions. You can be happy and blessed too! — C.S.

Prepared by Roger Fulk, from the “Baptist Bread” December 29th, 2019 devotional by author CHRIS STAUB, Pastor, Silvery Lane Baptist Church, Dearborn Hts. MI. With permission from Tim Green, editor Baptist Bread.