Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter (1855 - 1939)
Van DeVenter was born December 5, 1855 on a farm in Dundee, Michigan. He graduated from Hillsdale College as an Art student, became a teacher and supervisor of Art in one of the public schools. He was an active layman in his church (Methodist Episcopal Church), deeply involved in Evangelical meetings, an accomplished musician, singer and composer. Due to his talent for ministry work, he was encouraged by friends to give up teaching for his Evangelistic meetings. He waited for 5 years before choosing to become either a recognised artist or being devoted to the ministry. He finally surrendered his life to Christian Service during a meeting at Ohio; he travelled round United States, England, France and Scotland to do his Evangelistic work. Towards the end of his life, he moved to Florida and became a professor of Hymnology for 4 years at the Florida Bible Institute. He greatly influenced people like Billy Graham, Oprah Winfrey, Faith Hill, etc. He published over 60 Hymns in his lifetime but "I SURRENDER ALL" stood out. He concentrated on speaking in religious gatherings before he died and he died July 17, 1939.
Winfield S. Weeden's tombstone was inscribed with the title of the hymn - "I Surrender All".
I SURRENDER ALL
Words by: Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter (1855 - 1939)
Music by: Winfield S. Weeden (1847 - 1908)
Published in 1896
Key D
Matthew 19:27 - 30
THE HYMN - "I SURRENDER ALL
Inspiration: "For some time I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of Art and going into Evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing"...Van DeVente
Prayer - Lord, inspire me afresh so I can aspire to the hope of heaven for my life.
1. Surrendering all, is all it takes to express the values of victorious living. It is total surrender to the divine will that enables someone to overcome daily challenges of life. It is all about having power and control over the things of the world through the Holy Spirit of God.
Prayer:
1. Surrendering all, is all it takes to express the values of victorious living. It is total surrender to the divine will that enables someone to overcome daily challenges of life. It is all about having power and control over the things of the world through the Holy Spirit of God.
Prayer:
- Lord, let Your TRUTH break through whatever that is not allowing me to make a definite move in surrendering my all to You. Open my eyes to see that my long awaited victory in my challenges is tied to my decision of laying my all at Your feet. Lord, please help me not to hold back from this truth.
- Lord, dig out anything that is occupying where You want to fill in my life. Displace anything that is sponsoring evil deposits into my life, and replace it with the benefits of Calvary. Lord, touch a chord in me that will release divine chords of victory in every area of my life, in Jesus' name.
Prayer:
- Lord, baptise me afresh with the power of the Holy Spirit. Grant me fresh in-filling and in-dwelling of Your breath of life, and cause me to soar above any form of deadness in all areas. Lord, I empty my life unto You. Please fill me with the treasures of heaven.
- Lord, help me to bear the image of heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let Your holy flame put out all other flames that cannot be traced to You. Lord, make me one of the firebrand armies of Your glory and cause me to be on fire for You at all times.
3. Matthew 19:27
"Peter answered Him, we have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?" - NIV (New International Version).
"Then Peter said to Him, We've given up everything to follow You. What will we get?" - NLT (New Living Translation).
Prayer:
- Lord, help me to live daily in the joy of my full salvation in You. Shift my focus from the GIFT to You, the GIVER; let me not hold on to a particular gift more than necessary. Let me be sensitive and deliberate in opening my hands wide to your divine sustenance. Surround me with those that will support Your purpose for my life.
