Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer. It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body. Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’! We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past. We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve. God bless you, ladies!
Just as I am – without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – though toss’d about with many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings and fears within, without – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone – O Lamb of God, I come
Just as I am – of that free love; the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove
Here for a season, then above – O Lamb of God, I come
Michael Neale
written by Charlotte Elliott
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May 15, 1975, in Jackson, Mississippi, at a Billy Graham Crusade, I took my Daddy’s hand and walked down flights and flights of stairs to the stage where Mr. Graham was preaching and made my public profession of faith. The Holy spirit moved in me during this hymn—and my life was forever changed. As I sit here, with my sweet daddy’s brown Bible open to where he wrote all about that day, I am so grateful. I have Jesus as my Savior and I will never be the same. Never underestimate the power of music, sweet friends!
“Just As I Am” was written by Charlotte Elliot. Her life was a testimony of patience and endurance in suffering—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She was ill in her 40’s with pain that was often debilitating. She felt useless to God until, one night before a bazaar to benefit a school, she began to question everything. She started thinking that maybe God was just an illusion of emotions… that maybe that’s what spirituality is. The next day, she felt her life questions must be met and conquered in the grace of God. So there, she took a pen and paper and wrote for her own comfort, “the formula of her faith.” She then had it published in “The Invalid’s Hymn Book.”
For years now, “Just As I Am” has been sung as a hymn of invitation in church gatherings all over the U.S. and beyond. But to me it is personal—it’s my salvation—and it is where my relationship with my Lord began. And so I wrote my own words of commitment:
~Just as I am – not having to say or do anything, You died and shed Your blood for me, and that You would have us come to You, – O Lamb of God, yes, we come!
~Just as I am – right now, rid my soul of this darkness and sin, even one. Your blood can cleanse it all – O Lamb of God, yes, we come!
~Just as I am – though I am trudging through mud and trials. I have so many conflicts and sometimes I doubt You. I choose fear over faith sometimes – but You call and I come!
~Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind. Yet You give sight, riches, blessings, and healing, both physically and spiritually and emotionally. Yet, all I need is You, in You I find complete healing, when I seek You, I find You – O Jesus, I come!
~Just as I am – right where I am, You accept me, You receive me with open arms. I am welcomed, pardoned, cleansed and relieved!!! Because all Your promises are true and You always come through – O Lamb of God, I come!
~Just as I am – Your love unknown has broken down every barrier, every one! Now to be Yours, yes Yours alone – O God, I come!
~Just as I am – Your love is free. It stretches to the Heavens and there is no end to it, here for a season, then above – O Lamb of God, I come!!!
We come, on our knees, to Him and He receive us with open arms, always! Where are you today? God knows and He cares; and He loves you so much! Run to Him and rest. He is waiting.
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Let us pray: Dear God, this hymn in itself is our prayer. Just as we are, without one plea, we thank You for shedding Your blood for us, so that we are free to live with You forever. Thank You for breaking down the barriers for us. Thank You for Your endless love that is freely given. You forgive and forgive again; and You accept each of just as we are. Lamb of God, we come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
