THE WONDER OF YOU

Baker Knight

1959

Recorded by Elvis Presley and released in 1970

This version remastered and released Oct. 2016

You may be wondering ‘why is he putting a secular song on a Christian blog?  Years ago I would’ve wondered the same.

Correlation between ‘secular’ and ‘Christian’ or gospel music has always been strained at best.  Christians aren’t supposed to listen to secular music because it’s all evil.  Yet with the rise of the ‘Jesus Freaks’ (those converts who sprang from the Jesus (charismatic) movement of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, it became evident that the Pentecostals weren’t the only ones who could have music with a little rhythm.  That era gave opportunity for innovation to come into the gospel/Christian music scene as people came to realize that the ‘standard’ hymns weren’t the only music God appreciated. That era spawned musicians like Honeytree, Don Francisco and Carmen, to name just a few.

So, with the doors being opened up, when we listen to music we have to ask “what does it generate within in me, in my soul, my spirit?”  Whatever God created is good (Gen. 1:24-25) and then He created man to have dominion over what He had just created (Gen.1:28).  Everything created was good, but when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, He put enmity (conflict) between the serpent and man (Gen. 3:13-15).  Man was separated from eternal life at that time and his disobedience generated a lifetime of hardships (Gen.3:16-24) leading to the first murder (Gen. 4:1-16) and so forth.  Because Adam disobeyed God by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that rebellion resulted in Satan’s dominion in the earth.  We have confirmation of the transfer of this power When Jesus says “Now, the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John12:31).  Prince means ruler.  Paul says that the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the eyes of unbelievers (2 Corinth. 4:4).  And we know that God keeps His children from the wicked one (Satan) but the whole (rest of) world lies in wickedness (1 John 5:18-19).  So man is responsible for how things have warped out of the shape and from which God originally put them.

So, even though everything was good in the beginning, it isn’t necessarily so, anymore.  (Thank you Adam) 

Consider that music generates feelings and emotions within us.  That is what is designed to do.  Think not? Consider the movies you’ve watched over the years or even the TV shows.  When Dwayne Johnson gets into a battle scene with his enemy, what kind of music is playing?  Braham’s Lullabye?   I think not. The background music is intense, exciting, exhilarating.  It’s designed to get the blood pumping so we can feel the action.  And in that tender love scene, are they playing the sound track from the chase scene in ‘Bullit or a ZZ Top soundtrack’?  Hardly.  The music is intended to help set the tone for that tender moment, the mood soft, maybe even enticing a cuddly feeling.  And that’s what the music is intended to do.  Consider ‘church music’.   Tunes used to praise the Lord are alive and vibrant (or at least they should be) and when we settle down to a more worshipful attitude, the temp slows and helps us to focus more on our Lord and Savior (as well as it should).       

Now, even though, Rock and Roll spawned from blues, country with a tinge of jazz tossed in for good measure, it also has a solid foundation in (primarily black) gospel music.  So it shouldn’t be too surprising that many of those early love songs could easily be converted into gospel tracts with little or no adjustments to the lyrics to adoring God.  A song which exemplifies this idea is “I Will Follow Him” originally recoded and released becoming a top hit for Little Peggy Marsh in 1963 and was effectively incorporated into the movie “Sister Act” with Whoopi Goldberg in 1992.  Little was changed in the lyrics from 1963 to 1992, but the direction changed from Peggy’s following her man to the nuns following Jesus and the extent to which they are willing to do so.

Father has helped me convert some of those old songs (lyrics) into a Christian theme and much to my surprise I’ve checked around and have seen examples where He has done the same with other people.  It’s a pretty cool idea if you like to revive some of those old R&R tunes, but revive them to glorify Jesus.

With the “Wonder of You”, other than the songs he wrote and those who recorded them, I couldn’t get much background on writer Baker Knight.  The song, apparently about a guy who just can’t imagine why his girlfriend or wife loves him so much, but if we look at the lyrics, I had to wonder why God loves me so much.  I’m just thankful that He does.  Hmmmm, I have to wonder if Baker Knight really knew what he had?

Here are the lyrics to the original song, “The Wonder of You”, and then with scriptural support how the lyrics may be used can glorify God.  Just as they stand, no changes.

When no-one else can understand me
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation
You give me strength to carry on
And you're always there to lend a hand
In everything I do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you

And when you smile the world is brighter
You touch my hand and I'm a king
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune
Your love for me is everything
I'll guess I'll never know the reason why
You love me like you do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you

When no-one else can understand me

When no one else truly understand us, who does? Shall not God search this, for He knows the secrets of the heart (Psalms22:21) and it is He (the Holy Ghost) that searches the hearts for He knows the mind of the Spirit and intercedes for us with groaning which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:27)

When everything I do is wrong 

Behold, I was shaped in iniquity and my mother conceived me in sin (Psalms 51:5) and I am the vine and you (us) are the branches, he who abides in Me brings forth much fruit for without me you can do nothing (John 15:5)

You give me hope and consolation

My soul waits only upon God for my expectations are in Him (Psalms 61:5) and I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:13-14)

You give me strength to carry on

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped therefore my heart greatly rejoices and I will praise Him with my song (Psalms 28:7) and I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).

And you're always there to lend a hand

Be strong and of good courage, don’t fear, for the Lord, your God, goes with you  and He will neither fail you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6) and Don’t speak of things coveting them and be content with what you have for He has said I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

In everything I do

Don’t be afraid, for I (God) am with you … (Isaiah 41:10) and … I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:20).

That's the wonder
The wonder of you

The Lord said to me “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you and I will build you, O virgin of Israel,  and you shall be adorned with tabarets (fine silk garments) and dance and make merry (Jer. 31:3).  And for God so loved he world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever should believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

And when you smile the world is brighter

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart (Prov. 15:30) and the light of the body is the eye, therefore if the eye is single, the whole body shall be full of light (Matt. 6:22).

You touch my hand and I'm a king

And Jesus touched him with His hand and said “I will.  Be clean.” (Matt. 8:3) and Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness … has made us kings and priests unto God … (Rev. 1:5-6).

Your kiss to me is worth a fortune

Greet the brothers with a holy kiss (1 Thess. 5:26) and God is able to make all grace abound towards you that you should be sufficient in all things so you can abound to every good work (2 Corinth. 9:8).

Your love for me is everything

You shall have no other gods before Me … for the I, the Lord, am a jealous God (Exod. 20:3-5) and you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30).

I'll guess I'll never know the reason why

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9) and The natural man doesn’t receive the things of the Spirit of God … for who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?  But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinth. 214-16)

You love me like you do

No man can express a greater love than to lay his life down for his friends (John 15:13) and Grace and peace to you from God, the Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present, evil world, according to the will of God, our Father (Gal. 1:3-4).  

That's the wonder
The wonder of you (Jesus)

When no one seems to understand me and everything I do is wrong (been there, done that). Jesus gives me hope and is my strength to carry on.  He’s always there in all that I do.  When I see Him working in my life, He makes me feel like a am somebody.  And, remember God orders our steps and delights as we follow Him and though we may fall, we will not be utterly cast down for He holds us up with His hand (Psalms 37:23-24).  And for the love of me, I don’t understand why He loves me so much.  I’m just thankful that He does.

Amen?

3-4-2017  Intercessory Prayer

 Basically, what does the bible say intercessory prayer is?

The Hebrew word used for intercessor or intercession is paga (Strong's 6293) which includes the connotation of entreat, pray or meet together,

The Greek uses two words: huperentugchano (Strongs' 5241) and enteuxis (Strongs' 1783).  huperentugchano is the verb (the act) to intercede or pray for and  enteuxis is the noun - prayer or supplication.

 Webster’s defines intercession as:  Act of interceding, prayer, petition, entreat in favor for another

So what is intercessory prayer?  Coming before God on someone else’s behalf or a situation to effect a resolution from God for that individual or particular situation.

Reasons/Importance of intercession

Jesus intercedes for Himself and us

John 17:1-8                  Jesus spoke these words as He lifted His eyes up to heaven and said “Father, the hour is come, glorify Your Son that Your Son may also glorify you.”  (Jesus goes on to expound the task Father has given Him and how He has succeeded and all that He testified of the Father.)

Luke 22:31-32             (Jesus had just set His disciples straight on who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God, then He turned to Peter)  “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired you that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that you don’t fail and when you are converted, strengthen the brothers.”

John 17:20                   Neither do I pray for these alone (His disciples) but for all those who would believe on Me through their word.

Paul ask for intercession

Ephesians 6:19-20       ‘Pray’ for me that I may speak the mystery of the gospel boldly because I am an ambassador in bonds (to Jesus) and that I speak boldly those things I need to speak.

We see that intercession can be made for ourselves as well as others. We intercede for others 
so that God might act on their behalf, that it would be well with them. 

That He might give them strength to get through a situation, for healing, for encouragement 

and so forth.  And yes, even for ourselves. 

 

Fruit (results) of intercession

Daniel 2:1-49              King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which his court ministers could not interpret.  The king then ordered all his court magicians, astrologers, etc. executed and when they came to get Daniel and his companions, Daniel sought the presence of the king and said that he (Daniel) could bring the king the interpretation.  Daniel went back to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah and sought God for the answer (v17-19).  God responded and Daniel praised God saying “Blessed be the name of God for wisdom and might are His.  He changes the times and the seasons, sets up kings and removes them, wisdom to the wise and knowledge for understanding.  He reveals the deep and secret things and knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him.  I thank you and praise you O God of my fathers, for you have given me wisdom and might for You have shown me what was desired of you, making known, the king’s matter.”  
                                    He then returned to Nebuchadnezzar with the interpretation and as a result the king appointed Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chief governors.

The fruit of that intercession is when we see the answer to that prayer and whatever rewards 
that may bring.  And we always give God the thanksgiving, praise and glory for bringing the 
request to pass, not only once we see the results, but even upon making that request.  (read 
the entire account in Daniel)

   

Examples of intercession

            Scripture

            Daniel 2:1-49              Again

            Personal - some things that I do

I pray continually for my pastor that Father give her wisdom and discernment for her personal life and the life of our fellowship.  I also pray for boldness, courage and strength to apply what Father shows her into her personal life and that of our fellowship and for her continuing obedience in His word and will.  Father has shown me her growth over the few years that I've known, both as a person and as a pastor.  And I DO give Him the praise and glory for He has shown me (as well as with others).

A number of times I have lifted my son and his family up before the Lord dealing with his situations.  Father has kept him afloat through many avenues: loans, gifts, providing things at the ‘right price’, at the right time.  I could go on, but those are his testimonies.  Father has just allowed me to see the fruit of the intercession.  However, I will mention how Father has continually shown me answer to prayers in changed lives – my son’s spiritual growth, my daughter-in-law’s spiritual growth, where my three grandsons have unknowingly enjoyed God’s protection in their lives.  I will mention one here:  two years ago (I lose track of time very easily anymore) my middle grandson was in the play yard at school.  He was not yet siting down at the top of the slide and was accidentally  bumped over the side, six or seven feet to the ground landing squarely on his head.  As soon as I was notified what had happened I asked the Lord for protection over my grandson.  Later I received the news that there was no concussion or any other result from the fall.  He was (double) A-OK!  (PTL).   

I learned another thing from that incident.  I had gotten busy doing other things that morning so I was negligent with my normal morning prayer time where I always pray for family – first, but not that morning.  Even though most mornings my only prayer for family (and for many others) is simply “Thank you Lord for your love, grace and mercy abiding in the lives of my family that it is well with them today.".  Up until that morning, I felt that this simple, insignificant prayer wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.  But Father showed me that even though He healed my grandson, that simple prayer would have prevented the fall to begin with.  ‘Insignificant’ prayer keeps angels around about my grandchildren (and others).

Testimonies

Can we think of any examples in our personal lives where God has answered our prayers for others?  

(put on your thinking caps and give God the glory for those answered prayers)

Qualities of an intercessor

 John Charles Ryle aspired to be a politician but when family finances took a tumble he pursued the clergy becoming a bishop in the church, pastor, writer and evangelist.  He supported evangelical efforts while being a critic of ritualism.  He died in 1900 after more than sixty years service in the church.  Among those things accredited to him is the following list for a "Right Heart Before God":

              

1 A right heart is a NEW heart Ezek. 36:26, 2 Cor. 5:17

2 A right heart is a BROKEN and CONTRITE heart Psalm 51:17. 2 Kings 22:19

3 A right heart is a heart which BELIEVES ON CHRIST ALONE for salvation, and in which Christ      dwells by faith Rom. 10:10; Eph. 3:17, Heb. 10:22

4 A right heart is a PURIFIED heart Acts 15:9; Matt. 5:8, 2 Cor. 7:1, Psalm 119:11

5 A right heart is a PRAYING heart Rom. 8:15, Psalm 27:8

6 A right heart is a heart that FEELS CONFLICT within it Gal. 5:17, Rom. 7:23

7 A right heart is HONEST, UNDIVIDED and TRUE Luke 8:15; 1 Chron. 12:33; Heb. 10:22


From this list, we can draw that an intercessor must clear the air and have a right spiritual attitude (I have to be right with God – praise & worship before petition)

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes but the Lord ponders the heart
No distractions (am I serious about this prayer?)

Matt. 6:6 But when you pray, enter your closet and shut the door and pray to your Father in secret and your Father who sees you in secret shall reward you openly.
To the point (know exactly what I’m praying for/about – be specific)

Matt. 6:7-8 When you pray, don’t use vain repetitions, as the heathen do, for they think they will be heard for the much saying so don’t be like them for your Father knows what you need, even before you ask Him.

Take authority (as warranted) (not every intercessory prayer is casting out devils, rebuking spirits, etc. It could be for wisdom, direction, strength, etc.)

John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done to you.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, when you pray for those things which you desire, believe that you receive them and you shall have them.

Again, what is intercessory prayer? Coming before God on someone else’s behalf or a situation to effect a resolution from God for that individual or a particular situation. Approaching the heavenly throne (of God) in truth, honesty and sincerity, having effectively cleansed our own hearts (as we pray) so as not to hinder God's work and so Father can effectively work on the heart of the individual or situation bringing it to His resolution. When we pray, get to the point.  So as we live in Christ Jesus we can believe God will grant us our desire – and he will. (Luke 5:12-13 – You can heal me if you will and Jesus says “I will”)

I’ve watched Doug Addison’s March 2017 prophetic video and he speaks of the “Wind of Change Angel” (check it out www.dougaddison,com).   He also mentions the ‘billion soul revival’ Bob Jones prophesied years ago.

 Intercessory prayer becomes very necessary for this to occur whether on a global level or a local level (that little sphere around our individual existence). Father has shared with me that there is a revival coming that will make any and all other revivals pale in comparison, not to belittle what has already happened (everything has its time, place and purpose), but this will be awesome. Father is preparing hearts within His children so that not only the world may be evangelized, but the church as well.  So, what do you think?  Will intercessory prayer play a role in this event?   I suspect so!
Amen