Kept for the Master's Use

by Frances Ridley Havergal

HardPress Classic Books Series

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Devotional, Faith, Christianity, Religion

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Frances Ridley Havergal was an English religious poet and hymnwriter. "Take My Life and Let it Be" and "Thy Life for Me" (also known as "I Gave My Life for Thee") are two of her best known hymns. She also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children. She did not occupy, and did not claim for herself, a prominent place as a poet, but by her distinct individuality, she carved out a niche which she alone could fill.

Reviews

[Dee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible Plus 3 hours 50 min. Narrated by Anita Wright (A)

This book is based on Frances Ridley Havergal's (1836-1879) famous hymn TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, CONSECRATED, LORD TO THEE. This devotional consists of separate chapters on each couplet of the hymn. It is thought-provoking and heart-convicting.

"...when He has crafted into our hearts the desire 'Take my life,' let us go on our way rejoicing, believing that He has taken our lives, our hands, our feet, our voices, our intellects, our wills, our whole selves, to be ever, only, all for Him. Let us consider that a blessedly settled thing: not because of anything we have felt or said, or done, but because we know that He hears us, and we know that He is true to His Word."

This gem was a surprise for me. I thought it was a brief biography about the hymn writer. Instead, she shares her great love for God and her vast understanding of the Scriptures. Much of the New Testament and Jeremiah she committed to memory. She had also studied Greek so that she could be a better student of the New Testment.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A commentary on Ms Havergal’s hymn Take My Life. I love the idea of the book, that we should give thought to how we can give ourselves completely and joyfully to God. Sadly the age of the book keeps many of her examples from being relevant. (A whole chapter on choosing Christian songs for the evening’s drawing room entertainment.) Also I’m not sure she would agree with me that God wants us to delight in beauty and people’s stories even if they aren’t Christ-centered. The book might make people overly strict and judgmental, but it could also give food for thought on how we can be more Christ centered and less self centered.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Now ye have consecrated yourself unto the Lord, come near” (2 Chron. xxiv. 31)

“‘FOR THEE!’ That is the beginning and the end of the whole matter of consecration...Out of the realized ‘for me’ grows the practical ‘for Thee’! If the former is a living root, the latter will be its living fruit...Consecration is not so much a step as a course; not so much an act as a position to which a course of action inseparably belongs.” The paradox of consecration is that is in one sense “an act of the moment, and in another the work of a lifetime...a point of rest, and yet a perpetual progression.” Salvation is “analogous to the great washing by which we have part in Christ; consecration to “the repeated washing of the feet for which we need to be continually coming to him.”

Frances Ridley Havergal defined consecration as “the action of her will in surrendering herself completely to God.” Offering our silver and gold is “the stepping stone to full consecration of what He has given us.” “There is no consecration without separation...What has a consecrated life to do with being afraid...There is no bondage in consecration...We should suspect our consecration, and come afresh to our great Counselor about it, directly we have any sense of bondage.” Consecration transfigures self denial into self delight. “God’s will is delicious. He makes no mistakes.”

Frances Ridley Havergal was the Marie Kondo of the nineteenth century, “I wish my lady reader would just leave this book, now, and go straight upstairs and have a good rummage at once, and see what can be thus cleared out.” So let us do our shopping as seeing Him who is invisible. “Next time any temptation of this sort approaches you, just look at your hand!...Which do you really care most about—a diamond on your finger or a star in the Redeemer’s kingdom, shining forever and ever?” God calls us not to try but to trust. “Cease the effort and drop the burden, and now intrust your trust to Him!...Every ‘kept from’ should have its corresponding and still more blessed ‘kept for'...All that is not ‘kept for Jesus’ is left for...Satan...Every trial of our faith is a trial of His faithfulness”—and He never fails! “Thank God, there is no ‘if’ on His side, rather ‘as’ He is able.”

God’s weapons of war consist of trumpets, lamps, and empty pitchers. Our gifts may be limited, but His grace is not. “The Lord makes the most of whatever is unreservedly surrendered to Him.” When we credit our gifts, God is defrauded of His glory. “Only in proportion as our will is surrendered are we able to discern the splendor of God’s will.”Justice and mercy appear divided by “the strange distortions of the dark, false glass of sin...but both are but emanations of God’s holy love.”

“It is the great magnet of His love which alone can draw any heart to Him...And this is the way the Master keeps the lips of His servants, by so filling their hearts with His love that the outflow cannot be unloving, by so filling their thoughts that the utterances cannot be un-Christlike...Lord, take my lips, and speak through them; take my mind, and think through it; take my heart, and set it on fire.”

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reflection on how every part of our lives and bodies can be surrendered to Christ for his use. Not recommended for Church folk who want to go halfsies with Christ.

[Thea Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Kept for the Masters Use’ by Frances Ridley Havergal gets 3 Stars 🌟 printed the autumn after she died in 1879 its based on the hymn she wrote a few years earlier “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee”
The heart and concept of this book I loved, taking each line of the hymn and looking at how we consecrate and live ‘fully’ for God with our hands, feet, voice, money, heart, will, intellect, lips, time and love drew me to the book in the first place. However sadly some of her examples are very dated and therefore lack the punch they would have delivered in her culture and society. If you can push those to one side and dig a little deeper you can glean some little gems.
Its uncomfortable to be reminded that God wants “our all” which leads us to a path of sacrifice, surrender and obedience in all areas of our lives - however it’s worth it when we know how loved we are by him and that he has a plan and purpose for our lives❤️📚

[Sonia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. This always will be one of the most wonderful books I’ve ever read.

[Maria Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially, I thought if sold itself as a self-help/self-improvement book in the first several chapters until it threw in the last chapter, and it made me realize that this wasn't just about me. In fact, it really wasn't about me, or how my committment could be a better and more pleasing sacrifice, but it is about who the Lord is: abounding in love and faithfulness. It isn't a book about a one-sided commitment, but a covenant between me and He who created me.

I also just recently found out this was made back in the 19th Century and I definitely could say these words and poems would echo to thousands of years and generations

[Leanah Rei Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her writing style is poetic yet straightforward; bold yet sweet! It’s like I’m reading a book in King James Version, but somehow I can easily understand it like New International Version. Kidding aside, I highly recommend this book! If you love hymns like me, you will definitely love this book! She talks about Jesus in such a depth that you will realize how lacking you are with your relationship with Him. Praise God for books like this, challenging and rebuking, but filled with love and hope for Jesus.

[sacrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Havergal's practicality is explicit and highly thought-provoking in a needfully good and precise way. One who thinks that he / she is as close as he/she can get to God should read this; Let Havergal tenderly bring to light the oft overlooked areas of weakness that will henceforth call for prayerful correction.

Some areas of allegory, otherwise highly recommended. This is a book I'll have to reread.

[Ann Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understand God More

I like this book because it focuses on our relationship with God our Father as He relates to us. Books that take the focus off of us and put it where it belongs - on God, bless my heart every time. There were so many gems in this book that I am sure to read it again and again. And it is the kind of book that you can never outgrow. No matter how much you grow in Christ, the truths are everlasting 😊

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple in such a perfect way of encouragement.

The language and the examples are of her time, but the truth remains timeless and the beauty of her cry for surrender rings true through the ages. Frances Ridley Havergal takes her timeless hymn “Take My Life” and expands on every line until my heart responds, “Yes, please, take my life, Lord, and let it be holy consecrated unto Thee.”

[Sarah Bodaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Frances Havergall goes through the lines of her famous hymn, “Take My Life, and Let it Be,” and applies the lines to one’s Christian life and service for the Lord. Very insightful, and even convicting at times, but still not too theologically deep to be a hard read.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

She takes you line by line through the hymn "Take my life and let it be." While I didn't agree with everything in this book, most of it is so very good. I am still thinking on many things in it. I really liked it overall, especially because this is one of my favorite hymns, and now I like it even more!

[Katherynne Boham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title can be a bit misleading: this isn't a book on service for God so much as it is an indepth essay on our covenant relationship with God. The emphasis is on His ability to keep us rather than His using us. There are beautiful passages on this book. It's one I'll meditate on for a while and then read again.

[Elysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A convicting little book that goes line by line of the author’s hymn, Take My Life. Havergal is straightforward and no-nonsense and I’d occasionally think I was following her into legalism but for the peppering of scripture and constant calls to accept grace and live by faith. It’s given me plenty to think about and I think the ideas will stick with me.

[Jack Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very old Christian book written for women. This was loaned to me by a woman from my church. It was a call to reflect on what we do when we commit our lives to Christ. Do we give our all to Him?
This was a very thought provoking read.

[Sarah Frantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend. Some of the tone is perhaps legalistic, but I truly enjoyed thinking about the time and context within which it was written. Her love and challenge to be surrendered to our Great Friend as Master overrode any misgivings I had toward some of the chapters.

[Chris Seewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convicting. One of the most useful books of the year for me.

[Hope Wiseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic

One of the Christian classic. Rather hard to read because of the language, but the content was good and insightful.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short encouraging book that discusses the lyrics in the author's famous song. Encouraging us to trust in God for He is faithful.

[Mathew Tipton · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars probably not fair. It’s quite dry. I listened to it on audiobook - found myself dosing. Only read because Willard quoted it a few times.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Blessed Call to Believers

So excellent was this book that breaks down each line of the hymn, "Take My Life, and Let it Be."

[Natalie Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book! A friend recommended it to me multiple times, so I was finally able to track one down and order it. Author of the familiar hymn, “Take My Life and Let it Be,” Havergal discusses the importance of letting God not only take, but also keep, every aspect of our lives for His purpose. There are so many wonderfully inspiring and convicting insights in this heartfelt collection, but here are a few that were especially so:
“The life that fears to come to the light lest any deed should be reproved, can never know the blessedness and the privileges of walking in that light.”
“When we are aiming at generalities, we do not hit the practicalities. We forget that faithfulness to principle is only proved by faithfulness in detail.”
“If the hands are indeed moving at the impulse of His love, the simplest little duties and acts are transfigured into holy service to the Lord.”
“The more we sit at His feet and watch to see what He has to say to ourselves, the more we shall have to tell to others.”
I absolutely loved the chapter on “Our Intellects Kept for Jesus,” but of course I can’t relay it all here. But it is rich! The whole book cannot help but draw the reader’s heart closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Cheryl Zelenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

How wonderful to read the thoughts of a Christ minded woman! Her description of consecration and how it is an ongoing process is insightful and true.

"As the seasons pass on, it will see there is always more and more to be done. He is constantly showing us something more to be done, proving that it is really His ground. Only let Him have the ground, no matter how poor or overgrown the soil may be, and then He will make its wilderness like Eden and its desert like the garden of the Lord."

If you are looking for a book full of biblical truths and ideas worth chewing on I highly recommend this book.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from a dear spiritual leader in my life a few years ago in college. It is one of my all time favorites because it is practical, straight-forward, gospel based book filled with truths on how to live each area of our lives for Jesus Christ. Author also wrote one of my favorite hymns: “Take My Life and Let it Be,” and this book is a more in depth look on how to do just what that hymn mentions to keep every aspect of our lives for His purpose.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little devotional book about living a consecrated life. It was first published in 1880s after the author's death. It is based on her hymn "Take my Soul and Let it Be" (check out youtube to listen to the hymn if you've never heard it).

She takes the idea a step further by advocating that eventually you have to stop telling the Lord to "take your life" and ask him to "keep your life".

I found it an inspirational, thought-provoking read.

[Macy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend, and thoroughly enjoyed it! It may not be the easiest read, but it is 100% worth it. Kept for the Master's Use goes through Havergal's song "Take My Life and Let It Be" one section at a time, explaining and expounding upon it. Reading the book has not only encouraged me in my walk with God, but it also has made "Take My Life and Let It Be" my favorite song because of the new meaning the book gave it for me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting. A book I will read over and over again. It was hard at first to get into it because of the old English, but once I did, I could not put it down. I plan to read it again slowly, prayerfully, examining myself whether I truly am Kept for the Master’s Use. One of the most convicting books I have ever read.

[Andy]

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