SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

"…If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. 5.17). One of my favorite older hymns talks about the new creature we become when Christ becomes our Savior. I love the testimony of the words and enjoy the upbeat melody. The text was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel (1850 - 1940), who was born in Ohio. He started preaching at age nineteen and then became a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1873. He had three children. One son, Clarence also became a minister. Another son, Herschel, died in 1913, and in 1914, following the untimely death of his son, Rufus penned these words to remind himself and others of the importance of faith, hope, and joy even in times of trial. The tune (McDaniel) was composed by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1856-1932) and the song was introduced in pamphlet form at Billy Sunday campaigns at Philadelphia, in 1915. It was first published later that year in Songs for Service edited by Homer A. Rodeheaver. After serving various local churches in southern Ohio, McDaniel retired in Dayton, OH. During his life, he produced more than one hundred songs, many of which were found in the collections published by the Rodeheaver Co. While contemorary music has replaced upbeat songs like this one in churches, hopefully this hymn is still your testimony and you have experienced the transformation that comes when Jesus came into your heart.

1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

Since Jesus came into my heart;

I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

2. I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And my sins which were many are all washed away,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

3. I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,

Since Jesus came into my heart; And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

4. There's a light in the valley of death now for me,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And the gates of the City beyond I can see,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

5. I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And I'm happy, so happy as onward I go,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Listen to this week's song here. LISTEN