227. NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone,

Yet in my dreams I’d be

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

4. Then with my waking thoughts, bright with thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

5. Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)