SONGS FROM
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
of DANVILLE

Written by Pastor Don Fortner

INDEX FOR PAGE FIVE

PAGE FIVE

(102) BLEST IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF SAINTS Don Fortner (Tune: Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone? #342 CM) Blest is the fellowship of saints, The family of God! Oh, let us keep the bond of peace And honor our great God. We are one holy brotherhood, Children of one Father, One in the Spirit, one in Christ - Let us love each other! We have one holy purpose here - The glory of our God! So let our hearts united be To serve our sov'reign Lord!

(103) "I AM THE RESURRECTION" Don Fortner (Tune: Stand Up For Jesus #378 76.76D) "I am the resurrection And the life," Jesus said; All who by grace believe Him Have been raised from the dead! Christ satisfied God's justice; The law's demands He met; By His great blood atonement He paid our awful debt. He sent His Holy Spirit To bring us back to God; He gives us life eternal By virtue of His blood! Though these vile bodies perish, God's elect never die; Our spirits, upward soaring, Shall dwell with Christ on high! And at the day appointed Our Lord will come again; These bodies sown in weakness, He'll raise to life again! "I am the resurrection And the life," Jesus said; And on that glorious morning, He'll raise us from the dead!

(104) MY GOD, YOUR WAYS OF GRACE TO ME Don Fortner (TUNE: O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES CM) My God, Your ways of grace to me Have overwhelmed my heart; When I was full of enmity, All grace was in Your heart! Preserved in Christ, You kept me safe, Though I ran fast to hell; And to the pit I should have gone, But You do all things well! In love so great and mercy free, By blood You ransomed me; You sacrificed Your darling Son From sin to set me free! Your purposed grace, You never changed, (My God, I thank You now!) You sent Your Spirit, and to Christ You made this sinner bow. Lord, who am I, a worthless dog, Before Your holiness, That You should love and bless me so, To save me by Your grace? A monument of sovereign grace, A sinner saved by blood, Astounded by Your grace to me, I praise You, O my God!

(105) "THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING!" Don Fortner (Tune: This is My Father's World #39 SMD) "Thine eyes shall see the King," The King in His beauty; Though weeping now, with sorrows great, The King your eyes shall see! Christ Jesus is the King! The God-man reigns above! He sits upon His throne by right, In justice, grace and love. Once in humility Our Savior bled and died; But now He is the sov'reign King, In heaven glorified! Believer, dry your eyes, Rejoice, the Lord is King! Soon, you His beauty shall behold, "Thine eyes shall see the King!"

(106) OUR GOD IS ALWAYS NEAR Don Fortner (Tune: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed? #110 CM) God's omnipresence we adore, Our Lord is everywhere; A God at hand to guard His own, Our God is always near. Through the deep waters we must pass And heavy burdens bear, Through fiery trials we must go, But God is always near! Though satan tempts and torments us With every subtle snare And wicked men oppose our faith, Our God is always near! Our foes cannot escape His arm, Nor we escape His care, And troubles cannot do us harm, Since God is always near. God's omnipresence gives us peace And fills our hearts with cheer; He will sustain our souls with grace; Our God is always near!

(107) HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR SOV'REIGN GRACE Don Fortner (Tune: Lord God, Our Thanks To Thee We Raise #180 LM) Had it not been for sov'reign grace, I never could have come to God I never would have sued for peace Through Jesus' sin-atoning blood. As black as hell my heart was dead And filled with unbelief and sin; I chose to live as satan led, And hell my portion must have been! But grace, amazing grace, I see Arrested and awakened me! Grace taught my trembling heart to pray; Grace gave me faith and set me free! A miracle of grace I am, Sought out by God's almighty hand, I now believe on Christ, the Lamb, Complete in Him, by grace, I stand. Grace will complete what grace began, Grace will preserve me to the end Forever I must praise God's Son For free and sov'reign grace in Him!

(108) A MIRACLE OF GRACE I AM Don Fortner (TUNE: The Doxology LM) But for His free and sovereign grace, I never would have come to God; Madly, I ran my sinful race, Without regard for man or God. Then God stretched forth His mighty hand And snatched me from the jaws of hell! Saved by His grace in Christ I stand, I must my Father's goodness tell! Let others boast of what they've done And sing of their supposed free-will, I'll sing my praise to God alone Who saved me by His sovereign will! Redeemed by Christ's own precious blood, Made righteous and secure in Him, Forever reconciled to God, A miracle of grace I am!

(109) "ARISE, ARISE, AND SHINE" Don Fortner (Tune: Stand Up and Bless The Lord #33 SM) "Arise, arise, and shine," I hear my Savior call. I sleep, my heart wakes within. I hear, I hear His call! But I cannot arise. My soul I cannot lift. Savior, if I arise and shine, It must be by your gift. Draw, my Beloved, draw And I will run to you. Put now Your hand into my heart. Cause me to come to You. Arisen, now I come. Embrace my soul anew. Your banner of love spread o'er me. And bind my heart to You!

(110) I BOAST NOT OF MY OWN FREE WILL Don Fortner (Tune: The Doxology LM) I boast not of my own free will, Nor of good works that I have done, But in God's mighty, sov'reign will, And in the work of Christ, His Son. A sinner lost and dead was I. I could not, and I would not come. 'Til God the Spirit, from on high, Was sent in love to fetch me home. By grace that I could not resist, He drew me and caused me to come He gave me life and faith in Christ, And, yes, made me willing to come.

(111) "HE HATETH PUTTING AWAY!" (Mal. 3:16) Don Fortner (Tune: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus #84 87.87) Lift your heart, downcast believer, Christ will keep you in His way. Though you've strayed, He's still your Savior! "He hateth putting away!" Graven on His hands in mercy, He who did your ransom pay, Will not now withdraw His mercy - "He hateth putting away!" God will not your soul now reject, Or despise you when you pray. He hears the groans of His elect, And "hateth putting away!" Endless is our God's compassion. Grace, more boundless than the sea! He will lose none of His chosen. "He hateth putting away!"

(112) GATHERED IN JESUS' NAME Don Fortner (Tune: This is My Father's World #39 SMD) Gathered in Jesus' name, We've come into this place, To hear the Word of God, and sing, And offer prayer and praise. Here, God with sinners meets In mercy, love, and grace. By His command, the gospel feast Is always in this place. Christ Jesus crucified Is always lifted up. His name and works are magnified To give poor sinners hope. How blest we are to be With friend and family Assembled in God's house today In peace and harmony! How thankful now I am That someone once brought me To hear about the saving Lamb Whose blood has made me free! Lord, let me ne'er forsake The meetings of Your church. Keep me from the fatal mistake Of despising her worth.

(113) LORD JESUS, RULE WITHIN MY HEART Don Fortner (Tune: Majestic Sweetness #52 CM) Lord Jesus, rule within my heart, Without a rival reign. My every passion, every thought, Bring under Your domain. If any idol rivals You For my heart's love and care, Uproot it, Lord, and cast it out, Make Yourself only dear. Christ Jesus, let me hear Your voice Declare, "I am your Love!" Oh, let me taste Your love for me And give You all my love.

(114) SECURE IN CHRIST'S UNFAILING LOVE Don Fortner (Tune: My Faith Has Found A Resting Place #228 CMD) I dare not trust myself I know My feelings, or my faith: But Christ I cannot doubt I know, Who saved me by His death. Refrain: I am forgiven of all sin, Since Christ for me has died, And God will not charge me with sin; In Christ I'm justified! Firm as God's throne His gospel stands, Christ is my only trust! If I'm in His almighty hands, I never can be lost. The good Shepherd promised to save All of His chosen sheep; For them His life He freely gave, And lives again to keep. Called by His grace, none can remove Me from my Savior's breast; Secure in His unfailing love, I rest forever blessed.

(115) O BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS Don Fortner (Tune: From Every Stormy Wind That Blows #355 LM) O blessed are the peacemakers! They shall be called the sons of God! Saved by His grace they are the heirs Of everlasting life in God. Strife and division satan brings, Seeking to ruin Your church, O God; Protect us from his vile designs; Teach us to serve each other's good. Your blessed gospel we'll defend, And from its truth must never stray, And if it costs us every friend, For Christ, the price we'll gladly pay. But keep us, Lord, from petty zeal, That seeks its own and not Your praise; Let us be servants of good will, Promoting unity and peace. Lord, search our hearts, find and destroy The passions of our foolish pride; Our thoughts, and words, and deeds employ For good, that You be glorified.

(116) BLEST ARE THE DEAD THAT DIE IN CHRIST Don Fortner (Tune: When I Can Read My Title Clear #497 CM) Blest are the dead that die in Christ, For they are with Him now! The glories they now have in heav'n No mortal here can know. Soon as the ransomed soul is freed From this poor, mortal frame, Before we know it's gone, it is With Christ, praising His name! Faith tries, but here cannot quite see The things God has prepared For those He chose, redeemed and called, Who now in heav'n appear. We'll now rejoice this much to know - They are completely blest! Freed from all sorrow, pain and sin, With Jesus Christ they rest! Our friends their Savior fully see And all His glory share! Let us be foll'wers of the Lamb; And we will join them there!

(117) GOD HAS MADE WITH ME A COVENANT Don Fortner (Tune: `Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus #257 87.87.D) Sov'reign grace and love eternal Moved the Lord to save His own, And to make for us a cov'nant With our Surety, God the Son. Refrain: God has made with me a cov'nant Ordered in all things and sure. By it my complete salvation In Christ Jesus is secure. God the Father put His chosen Into Christ's almighty hands. In His hands no foe can reach us. Thus th' eternal counsel stands! Heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus, We'll possess all glory soon! O such love and grace forever Let all grateful souls make known! One with Jesus, one with Jesus, By eternal union one! Praise the Lord for cov'nant mercy! O what wonders He has done!

(118) NOT BY MY WORKS, NOR BY MY WILL Don Fortner (Tune: My Faith Has Found A Resting Place #228 CMD) Lost and condemned in sin I ran The path of my freewill. With enmity toward my God, My heart loved to rebel. Refrain: Chosen, redeemed, and called by grace, I am a child of God, Not by my works, nor by my will, But by the grace of God! Yes, sov'reign mercy intervened; Stopped my mad rush to hell! Thank God for grace that saved me from The bondage of my will! Blessed are the souls chosen by grace, And caused by grace to come To God through Christ in saving faith, Accepted at His throne.

(119) "IT SHALL BE WELL WITH THE RIGHTEOUS" Don Fortner (Tune: Stand Up and Bless The Lord #33 SM) What happy words are those; Who can their sweetness tell? "It shall be well with the righteous." God says, "It shall be well." Through flood and flame they pass, But God is with them still. "Fear not," the Lord their Savior says, "`Tis with the righteous well." Kept by God's arm secure, Beneath His watchful eye, It shall be well while life endures, And when the righteous die. Oh yes, when Jesus calls The righteous home to dwell, In heav'n we'll sing with virgin souls, "`Tis with the righteous well!"

(120) FIXED ON THIS GROUND I WILL REMAIN Don Fortner (Tune: Faith Of Our Fathers #183 88.88.88) Now I have found the ground, wherein Sure my soul's anchor may remain: The wounds of Jesus for my sin Before the world's foundation slain; Whose mercy shall unshaken stay When heav'n and earth have fled away. O love, amazing love is this: My sins my Lord has put away! Robed in Christ's perfect righteousness No charge of sin on me can lay, While Jesus' blood, through earth and skies, Mercy, free, boundless mercy cries! By faith I look to Christ Jesus, My Lord, in whom my soul finds rest. To Him I flee when hell assails, And lean upon my Savior's breast. Away, sad doubt and anxious fear! Mercy abundant I find here! Though waves and storms go o'er my head, Though strength, and health, and friends be gone, Though joys be withered all, and dead, Though every comfort be withdrawn, Steadfast on this my soul relies, Father, Your mercy never dies! Fixed on this ground I will remain, Though my heart fail and flesh decay; This anchor shall my soul sustain, When earth's foundations melt away. God's sov'reign mercy I'll then prove, Loved with an everlasting love!

(121) TEACH ME TO LOVE Don Fortner (Tune: This Is My Father's World #39 SMD) Teach me to imitate, Savior, Your grace and love; A kind and gentle person make Of me - Teach me to love. Enable me to be, As is my God above, Forbearing, and to patiently Excuse offense in love. With all that I possess, My Father, by Your love, Teach me to be free, generous, And use my goods in love. As I am forgiven By grace and freely loved, Help me to be forgiving and Show others they are loved. Bridle my thoughts and words, Spirit of God, with love; Let every thought and word towards Your saints express true love. And when I leave this life For heav'n's bright world of love, May I leave in this world of strife A trail of Christian love.

(122) SINNERS, NOW SAVED BY SOVEREIGN GRACE Don Fortner (Tune: The Doxology LM) Sinners, now saved by sov'reign grace, Come sing your great Redeemer's praise, Who bought you with His precious blood And reconciled your souls to God. Praise Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who as our cov'nant Surety stood; Before all time His face was set To save the world of His elect. Praise Him Who never, never could Forsake those He forever loved; Though fallen rebels, full of sin, He died with joy to make us clean! Praise Christ the Lord, with glory crowned, Our Advocate upon the throne, Who intercedes for us with God And rules all things to do us good!

(123) THE RICHES OF THE WORD Don Fortner (Tune: O For A Thousand Tongues #46 CM) When God the Holy Ghost reveals The riches of the Word, And to the quickened conscience seals The saving truth of God... When sinners have the mind of Christ Imparted unto them, On every line they see that Christ Reveals Himself to them! The counsels of redeeming grace These sacred leaves unfold, Here in our Savior's lovely face God's glory we behold. O Holy Spirit, shine upon The Word we open now, And let us once more see the crown Upon our Savior's brow.

(124) WITH PLEASURE WE PROFESS Don Fortner (Tune: Blest Be The Tie #187 SM) With pleasure we profess Our faith in Jesus Christ; Buried in baptism we were Identified with Christ. The path our Savior walked We choose to walk with Him; Constrained by love we consecrate Our hearts and lives to Him. Into the watery grave With Jesus we have gone, And thus declared ourselves to be With Christ and His saints one. In the newness of life We walk the narrow way In hope of everlasting life And resurrection day!

(125) THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS SALVATION! Don Fortner (Tune: Brethren, We Have Met To Worship #15 87.87D) Thanks to God for His salvation, Sprung from free, electing love! Hope is built on this foundation - God chose us in sov'reign love. He predestinated sinners To be conformed to His Son; Lift your voices, chosen sinners, Give all praise to God alone! Thanks to Christ for full redemption! God the Son, the Lamb of God, By His blood purchased salvation, Paying all our debt to God. Jesus satisfied God's justice, And He purged away our sins. Now before our God we're righteous, Freed from sin and all its stains! Thanks to God the Holy Spirit, (Irresistible His call!) We were dead, but did not know it, Lost and ruined by Adam's fall, When the Spirit came in power, Gave us life in Christ and faith! In that blessed, saving hour He delivered us from death!

(126) SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Don Fortner (Tune: I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say #225 CMD) O blessed Sun of Righteousness, Arise, spread forth Thy wings, Dispel the darkness of my soul, The death I feel within! I try, but cannot lift myself, Or cheer my troubled heart. Spirit of God, Jesus reveal, Fresh grace to me impart! The bones that You have broken, Lord, The wounds that You have made, No hand but Yours can heal again; Father, behold my need! This darkness, that o'erwhelms my soul, Is caused by my own sin; The fault is mine! Purge me with blood, Restore and make me clean! Helpless, I wait for grace, my God, In pity look on me; Your covenant remember, Lord, Revive and set me free! O blessed Sun of Righteousness, Send forth the healing ray, Arise within my gloomy soul, Bathe me in light today!

(127) ALL IS WELL IF CHRIST IS MINE Don Fortner (Tune: Depth of Mercy #33 77.77) Great, the promise Jesus made, Promise faithful, sure, and true - "Whatsoever ye shall ask In my name, that will I do!" I would seize the promise, Lord; Grant my inmost heart's desire - Save me from my sin and guilt, Keep me from the tempter's pow'r! Savior, come, possess my heart, Be my daily joy and strength; All Your boundless love reveal, In its height, depth, breadth, and length. Let me more Your presence know, Let me more Your image bear, Set Your throne within my heart, Reign without a rival there! Father, grant me these requests; All else to Your care resigned, In Your providence I rest - All is well if Christ is mine!

(128) HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME! Don Fortner (Tune: Soldiers of Christ, Arise #403 SMD) Christ gave Himself for me, From sin to set me free, Dying upon the cursed tree, He gave Himself for me! Refrain: He gave Himself for me! Unspeakable, the gift! His praise, with heart and voice, I lift; Christ gave Himself for me! Christ gave Himself for me, A willing Sacrifice; With God for me that will suffice! He gave Himself for me! Christ gave Himself for me (The Son of God, the Lamb); I consecrate myself to Him; He gave Himself for me!

(129) GREAT GOD OF FREE AND SOVEREIGN GRACE Don Fortner (Tune: I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day #98 LM) Great God of free and sov'reign grace Attend our gath'ring in this place; Our gifts receive, our praise attend, As to Your throne our prayers ascend. Make our pastor Your messenger, Give him the Word we need to hear; As he proclaims in Christ Your grace, Pour out Your Spirit in this place. Refresh our souls, correct our sin, Our fainting hearts revive again. To those lost sinners here today Grant life and faith in Christ we pray.

(130) IN YOUR HANDS MY LIFE I TRUST Don Fortner (Tune: Take My Life And Let It Be #393 77.77) God, my Father, ever wise, Sov'reign o'er the earth and skies, All things obey Your command; All my times are in Your hand. Your hand formed me in the womb And shall guide me to my tomb; You ordained the time and place You would save me by Your grace. You have ruled and overruled Everything to do me good, Gracious God, almighty, just, In Your hands my life I trust. Thank You for Your saving grace, And Your all-wise providence! Thank You for the gift of faith, And for saving me from death!

(131) MY GOD, TO YOU I COME Don Fortner (Tune: This Is My Father's World #39 SMD) My God, to You I come And solemnly confess, My sinful heart is prone to roam From paths of righteousness When I review the past And all You've done for me, I thank You for Your matchless grace, So infinite and free! Your sov'reign love and care Thus far have brought me on; Through sins and sorrows, woes and fear, Your goodness is made known. Maintain Your work within, Make me to watch and pray, Subdue my flesh and every sin, And guide me in Your way. Fill me with Your Spirit And let me live and rest On Jesus' power and merit, Leaning upon His breast. Teach me to live by faith, Dependent on Your grace, Triumphant over sin and death, And keep my heart in peace!

(132) MERCY, LOVE, AND GRACE IN CHRIST ALONE Don Fortner (Tune: Soldiers of Christ, Arise #403 SMD) Trust not men's dreams and lies; Apart from Christ, God's holy power All sinners must devour! All think that God is good; That's true, but hear your God, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die!" On that you may rely. Yet, Christ was crucified, Now God is justified To pardon sin through His shed blood And still be the just God. God's love is in His Son; He's love, but there alone! You must not think he will, or may Pardon another way. God's mercy must be sought The way that He has taught: `Tis Jesus' sin-atoning blood Gives access unto God. In mercy He delights, But mercy is in Christ! In Him there's grace and mercy such That none can trust too much!

(133) BEHOLD, HOW GOOD A THING IT IS Don Fortner (Tune: Majestic Sweetness #52 CM) Behold, how good a thing it is For God's dear saints to dwell Together in sweet unity, And love each other well! How sweet it is to be forgiv'n When I by sin offend; But sweeter far it is to be Forgiving to a friend! The gentle, kind, forgiving hearts The thoughtful, caring hands, That help me through this troubled life, Belong to you my friends. The love and unity we have (Sweet bonds of holy peace!) Are gifts of God upon His church, The bounty of His grace! Our Father, we rejoice that You Have given us this peace; Let each of us cherish this gift And each the other please. Give us the mind of Christ our Lord, Who bought us with His blood. Let each of us his neighbor serve And seek his neighbor's good.

(134) I WILL ADORE THE FIRM DECREE Don Fortner (Tune: From Every Stormy Wind That Blows #335 LM) I will adore the firm decree Of the sov'reign, eternal Three, The cov'nant fixed in heav'n above By God's predestinating love! Electing grace, redeeming blood, And the almighty call of God (Salvation wrought by God alone!) Rescued me from eternal doom! In this I must and will rejoice, My God will not revoke His choice! Nothing can ever, ever move God from the object of His love!

(135) "HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE" Don Fortner (Tune: Stand Up and Bless the Lord #33 SM) "Himself he cannot save." The scorner's words are true; To save His people Jesus had To give the law its due. "Himself he cannot save." The Substitute must die! Else God could not be just and still This sinner justify. "Himself he cannot save." Bearing our sin and guilt, Christ died the Just for the unjust; For us His blood was spilt! "Himself he cannot save," For He the Surety stood For all who now by faith rely Upon His precious blood. "Himself he cannot save." This is His highest praise; Christ gave Himself to die for us, Amazing love and grace!