with all thy heart...

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

When we really care about something, we usually give it all we've got! We are commanded by God in his word to love him wholeheartedly, meaning, leaving nothing back. Why is it, that many times we are so willing to put out all effort in somethings, but hold back in other important areas of our lives?

God loved us so much that he gave himself for us, holding nothing back, he surrendered ALL. 

I've heard people say, talking about Jesus, that they took his life, but that is NOT true at all. He gave his life for us that will allow what he did to benefit us when it comes to Salvation.

Salvation doesn't simply come to everyone, but only to those that will receive it. 

This is one of the very reason he instructed us to love him in return, holding nothing back.

I'm reminded of the old song, "I surrender all" 

Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) was raised in a Christian home. At age 17, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He graduated university with a degree in art and was employed successfully as a teacher and administrator of high school art. He traveled extensively, visiting the various art galleries throughout Europe.

Van DeVenter also studied and taught music. He mastered 13 different instruments, sang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his Methodist Episcopal church and eventually found himself torn between his successful teaching career and his desire to be a part of an evangelistic team. This struggle within himself lasted for almost five years.

In 1896, Van DeVenter was conducting the music of a church event. It was during these meetings that he finally surrendered his desires completely to God -- He made the decision to become a full-time evangelist. As he submitted completely to the will of his Lord, a song was born in his heart.

I Surrender All was put to music by Winfield S. Weeden (1847-1908 ), who published this and many other hymns in several volumes. Weeden so loved this song that the words I Surrender All were put on his tombstone.

The words and melody of I Surrender All have appeared in many hymn books around the world. 

I Surrender All

All to Jesus, I surrender;

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him

, In His presence daily live.

Refrain:

I surrender all, I surrender all,

All to Thee, my bless'd Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power;

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender;

Now I feel the sacred flame.

O the joy of full salvation!

Refrain

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 

Praying with you in mind,

Ev. Frank Mc Gee ~