How can I tell the difference between the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and the accusing attacks of Satan? Some thoughts: 1. The Holy Spirit puts His finger on a specific sin I have committed, something concrete I can own and confess, but the accusations of Satan are vague and simply demoralizing. 2. The Holy Spirit shows me Christ, the mighty Friend of sinners, but the devil wants me spiraling down into negative self-focus. 3. The Holy Spirit leads me to a threshold of new life, but the devil wants to paralyze me where I am. 4. The Holy Spirit brings peace of heart along with a new hatred of sin, so that I bow before Jesus in reconsecration, but the devil offers peace of mind with smug relief, so that I fold my arms and say, “There, that’s over with.” 5. The Holy Spirit helps me to be so open to God that I allow Him to control the conversation, but the devil tempts me to take off the table certain questions I just don’t want God to talk to me about. We are thankful for our dear Friend, the Holy Spirit.
Ray Ortlund

The least I can do to prove my love is true

The least I can do to prove my love is true

The least I can do to prove my love is true

I became a PK (preacher’s kid) at the age of 11. That was VERY hard. I playedpiano, which I hated, well enough to play for my father’s churches. He wasa rotating pastor in the AME church and we had to leave home at 8 am in themorning to get to the churches for 11 am service. After I played piano Isat in the car pouting.

My life was the usual rebellious life of kids of the late 1960s and early1970s – imagine it. When I left my father’s house, after a big fight, I felta need to go to church. I went to mass because it only lasted 30 minutes…andI only went every now and then.

When I turned 25 I found a gray hair and was devastated. I bought a pianoand my life changed. I took piano and voice lessons. My voice teacher wasso excited about my voice that she picked up the telephone book and startedcalling churches to get me in a choir. I received a call from Mrs. Ruby Jones,music director at Baldwin Hills Baptist Church. Reluctantly I went to a rehearsaland ended up directing the choir for a short time. When the invitation wasgiven, I kept asking the Lord to tell me when he wanted me to go up and “joinchurch”. I left the church and returned about a year later. I even startedattending new memership classes. During this time, I was continuing a badrelationship for the late 60s and early 70s.

On November 5, 1978, Dr. Roberts was preaching a sermon, “God Wants Us ToLive By Faith”, from Hebrews 11:1. The Lord spoke to me making it clear thathe had done all he was going to do and that the rest was up to me. I hadto admit that I was a sinner and repent of my sins. I needed to invite Jesusinto my heart because He was willing to accept me where I was and take mewhere He wanted me to be. I was overwhelmed but could not get up for theinvitation. I ended the old bad relationship before accepting Christ. Afterchurch one day, I told Dr. Roberts that I had accepted Christ and wantedto be baptized. I finished the new members class and was baptized on March28, 1979.

After accepting Christ, I was able to write real songs about the Lord. Priorto being born again, I wrote junk because I didn’t understand what I wastrying to communicate.

My first song after accepting Christ :

I come to the altar this day.

I dedicate my whole life to Thee.

Now that’s the least I can do to prove my love is true.

He died on the cross for me.

He died on the cross for me.

He died on the cross for me.

He died on Calvary to prove His love for me.

He died on the cross for me.

When I pass on to glory, I’ll have no cares or fears.

He sacrificed His life for me that I could live and be free.

I come to the altar this day.

I dedicate my whole life to Thee.

Now that’s the least I can do to prove my love is true.

He died on the cross for me.

Diane

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