WHEREVER HE LEADS I'LL GO!

        Mark 8:34 - "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  Opportunities to follow and serve the Lord come to us in many ways.  Sometimes the Lord calls us to actually pick up and move, maybe to a foreign country, to serve him.  Sometimes He provides us with a new job opportunity that will allow us to share our testimony and faith in our community.  .  Sometimes He may call us to go visit and befriend a neighbor.  Sometimes the opportunity might be to visit one who is homebound and needs encouragement.  And sometimes we may be led to join a ministry in our church or in our community where we can serve him and others.  Unfortunately, often we are too busy or too tied to our present schedule to hear and/or respond to His leading.  And then we miss the blessing that He has in store for those who follow up.  It is one thing to say wherever you lead Lord, I will follow.  It is another thing to actually obey and follow Him and serve Him wherever He is leading.  Often it is our lack of faith that keeps us from responding when we see the obstacles and the changes that obeying would require us to make.  We are just not ready to surrender our all. In January of 1936, the Southern Baptist songwriter B. B. McKinney was leading the music at the Alabama Sunday School Convention. The featured speaker was the Reverend R. S. Jones, McKinney’s friend of many years, who because of ill health had recently returned from missionary service in Brazil.  The two men were visiting over dinner one evening when Mr. Jones revealed to Dr. McKinney that his physicians would not allow him to return to South America.  When asked about his future plans, the missionary said, “I don’t know, but wherever He leads I’ll go.”  The words stuck in Dr. McKinney’s mind, and before the convention’s evening session began, he had written both the words and music of this song.  At the close of Mr. Jones’ message, Dr. McKinney related this story and sang “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go” to the congregation.  Consider the words of this hymn of consecration this week and see if there are things standing in your way of responding to the Master who gave His life for you.  Maybe it is time to obey and follow Him, no matter what it may cost you, as you see the needs and opportunities that He reveals to you.

(1)    "Take up thy cross and follow Me,"

I heard my Master say;

"I gave My life to ransom thee,

Surrender your all today."

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

(2)    He drew me closer to His side,

I sought His will to know;

And in that will I now abide,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

(3)    It may be through the shadows dim

Or o'er the stormy sea:

I take my cross and follow Him,

Wherever He leadeth me.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

(4)    My heart, my life, my all I bring 

To Christ who loves me so;

He is my Master, Lord, and King,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

You may listen to it here.    LISTEN

THERE'S A WIDENESS IN GOD'S MERCY

          "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"  1 Peter 1:3.  Mercy - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.  God's mercy - not giving us what we really deserve.  "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ . Ephesians 2: 4,5.  We recently spent several days at the ocean just relaxing and watching the tides roll in and then out again.  We speculated as to how much of the ocean we could really see until the curvature of the earth ended our view.  It was fascinating to realize that even on a clear day we could only see so very little of the immense ocean.  As we watched the words of this week's hymn choice came to my mind ...  "There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea."  What undeserved riches we have because of God's mercy.  Psalm 103:11, "For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him."  Frederick Faber (1814-1863)  was born an Anglican and reared a strict Calvinist. After attending Oxford, he took orders as an Anglican priest and began his ministry as a rector. Faber converted to Catholicism and by the time he died, he had written 150 hymns. Knowing the power of hymns in the Protestant tradition, Faber wanted to make hymn-singing more important in the Catholic tradition.  This hymn originally had eight verses but later five additional verses were added.  Most modern hymnbooks only carry four verses and in some cases some of these verses are combinations of parts of other verses.  It has also been sung to several different melodies.  I've chosen to list the four verses that appear in most recent hymnals as well as the melody that is used in most protestant hymnals.  As you meditate upon these words this week, I pray that you, too, might be reminded of God's great mercy that we certainly do not deserve.  Romans 5:8 reminds us that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  He bore the penalty that we deserved.  Psalm 86:5 "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."  Psalm 23:6, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

(1)   There's a wideness in God's mercy,

Like the wideness of the sea;

There's a kindness in His justice,

Which is more than liberty.

(2)   There is welcome for the sinner,

And more graces for the good;

There is mercy with the Savior;

There is healing in His blood.

(3)   For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man'a mind;

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderfully kind.

(4)   If our love were but more simple,

We should take Him at His word;

And our lives would be all sunshine

In the sweetness of our Lord.

You can listen to it here.  LISTEN

MAKE ME A BLESSING

Recently I saw a handicapped man from our church who was going through more health tests.  I had been praying for him.  So I stopped to spend a few minutes with him, asking about his tests and how he was doing.  Unfortunately, the results still weren't back so he really could not give me any update.  I reminded him that I was praying for him and then I moved on to meet some responsibilities that I had.  I really didn't think anymore about our brief conversation.  But then, a few days later, I was surprised to receive an e-mail from this gentleman.  He wrote just to thank me for taking time to talk to him.  He said that I had been a blessing to him.  I was really taken back because I didn't think that I had done anything special.  But apparently I had been an encouragement and blessing to him.  A day later, on the radio, I heard this week's hymn choice.  I hadn't heard it or sung it for many years.  But its message hit home. "Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad; Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad."  I was reminded of how easy and important it can be to be a blessing to those who are weary and sad just by just doing something as simple as taking a little time listening to them. Many years ago the Lord promised Abraham, "I will bless you … and you shall be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). We are called, as believers, to be a blessing to others. But we can only give to them out of the resources the Lord has provided for us. He blesses us, and by that means we are equipped to be a blessing to others. George Shuler and Ira Wilson were roommates at Moody Bible Institute in 1924.  At the Institute, they combined their talents and gave the world this beautiful song of consecration. Wilson wrote the lyrics and Shuler the music.  At first the song was rejected by music publishers, so Shuler had one thousand copies printed to distribute on his own. One fell into the hands of George Dibble, an outstanding singer who was at that time music director for the International Sunday School Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Dibble asked for permission to use the song and it was granted. Soon people everywhere were singing the song, and publishers were wanting to distribute copies.  Between the time Ira Wilson wrote the lyrics and the time the song began to be so well known, Wilson apparently forgot that he was the author!  Until he died, he never remembered that he had written these famous words.  The words are powerful and should remind us daily of our need to encourage others and to be a blessing to them.  What a wonderful ministry.  This hymn would be a great prayer for us to begin every day.  "Make me a blessing to someone today."

1      Out in the highways and byways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

2      Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His pow'r to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True, every moment you live. 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

3      Give as 'twas given to you in you need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true. 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

JESUS SAVES

Today many folks feel that it is politically incorrect to proclaim to others that Jesus saves because more and more people feel that there are many ways to salvation.  And they say that it is intolerant to say that folks are sinful and need salvation. And so much of our civilization is heading to eternal separation from God by depending upon their own viewpoints and opinions.  They don't feel that they need the Gospel.  Their wisdom is more relevant that the Bible.  But the Bible is God's Word.  It is inspired by God and it is truth!  Jesus himself said in John 14:6  "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes unto the Father but through me."   There is only one way to eternal life in heaven and that is through Jesus. Acts 4:12 reminds us  "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."  Psalm 3:8, "Salvation belongs to the Lord."  We as believers are told to take this message to those all around us.  Acts 13:47, "This is what the Lord told us to do: I have made you a light for the other nations, to show people all over the world the way to be saved.'"  We will often meet resistance and ridicule as we share the message that Jesus saves.  But we are reminded in Romans 1:16,  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  Priscilla Jane Owens was a public school teacher in the city of Baltimore for 49 years. She was also much involved in the work of the Sunday School, and wrote most of her hymns for use there.  Jesus Saves was written for a missionary service of the Union Square Methodist Church which she attended in 1882.  Her hymn reminds us of our responsibility to share the message of salvation ... spread the tidings all around ... bear the news to every land  ... tell to sinners ar and wide ... give the winds a mighty voice.  The message is that Jesus alone saves.  And what will be the eventual result of this vital message?  Revelation 7:10, "Behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb ... and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"  Let us share the message of salvation and look forward to that glorious day when the saved gather around the throne and praise the Lamb!

1.     We have heard the joyful sound: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Spread the tidings all around: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Bear the news to every land, 

climb the mountains, cross the waves;

Onward! 'tis our Lord's command; 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

2.    Waft it on the rolling tide: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Tell to sinners far and wide: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing, you islands of the sea; 

echo back, you ocean caves;

Earth shall keep her jubilee: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

3.    Sing above the battle strife: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

By His death and endless life 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Shout it brightly through the gloom, 

when the heart for mercy craves;

Sing in triumph o'er the tomb: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

4.    Give the winds a mighty voice: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Let the nations now rejoice: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Shout salvation full and free; 

highest hills and deepest caves;

This our song of victory: 

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

You have two choices to hear it here.  First it is sung by a congregation.    CONGREGATION

Second it is sung by a quartet.  QUARTET

WE'LL WORK TILL JESUS COMES

          I clearly remember a few years ago sitting with some couples who were several years older than I was.  They were talking about retirement and how they had also retired from all their responsibilities at church.  They said that it was time to step aside and let somebody else do it.  I was really taken back by this discussion and while I just listened I thought how can one retire from serving the Lord, especially when there are so many opportunities and needs all around us.  Now I realize that as one gets older there are some things that become more difficult to do, especially with physical changes.  But one can adjust and find ways to use the gifts that God has given.  And retirement does provide more time to serve the Lord.  Retirement in the Lord's work should not be an option.  Readjustment may be a better choice.  Unfortunately, while I have been talking about older folks, the very same problem exists with others who are much younger.  All sorts of things attract us and take us away from serving the Lord.   Boats, cabins, races, sports, vacations, family, hobbies take us away from serving and worshipping on Sunday.  Jobs, activities, recreation, hobbies limit our availability to serve during the week.  More and more we have to hire professionals to cover areas of service and outreach once done by volunteers.  Maybe we need to memorize and daily quote John 9:4, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work."  But do we really believe that.  Is the night coming soon?  I think so.  It may have been that verse that was behind the writing of this week's hymn, "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes". Sometimes dated 1829, the the text was written by an unknown author. In many books the song appears as "Anonymous." Some authorities believe that it is from the American folk tradition. In other books, it is attributed to Mrs. Elizabeth King Mills (1805-1829). The daughter of Philip King, she married Thomas Mills, who was a Member of Parliament. No other information about her is available, except that she was a poet who produced what was once a well known hymn, "We Speak of the Realms of the Blest."  But no matter who wrote it, this hymn reminds us of the urgency of serving, while we still can. The stanzas share the story of the Christian's pilgrimage from earth to heaven. In stanza 1 we are told that heaven is a land of rest for which we sigh. In stanza 2 we are told that in contrast this earth is not our home.  In stanza 3 we are told that, therefore, we must flee to Jesus Christ for our rest.  In stanza 4 we are told that Christ will help us through death.  In stanza 5 we are told that finally our tears shall be wiped away.  But the refrain sounds out the commitment, We'll work till Jesus comes ... and we'll be gathered home!  Have you "retired" from serving the Lord faithfully?  Maybe this week we need to renew our commitment to serve and share the Gospel with the many that need the good news.  The night is rapidly approaching when we can work no more.

(1)    O land of rest, for thee I sigh!

When will the moment come

When I shall lay my armor by

And dwell in peace at home?

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

(2)"No tranquil joys on earth I know, 

No peaceful, sheltering dome.

This world's a wilderness I know; 

This world is not my home."

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

(3)   To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;

He bade me cease to roam,

And lean for comfort on His breast

Till He conduct me home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

(4)    I sought at once my Savior's side;

No more my steps shall roam.

With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide

And reach my heav'nly home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

(5)    Our tears shall all be wiped away, 

When we have ceased to roam;

And we shall hear our Father say, 

'Come, dwell with Me at home.'"

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

PRECIOUS HIDING PLACE

          When we accept the free gift of salvation, not only do we receive eternal life and the assurance of heaven, but we receive so much more as well.  One of the blessings that is ours is the assurance of the Lord's presence in our daily lives.  He gives us divine guidance and He becomes our rock, our hiding place when the storms of life surround us.  He shelters us no matter how dark the night may be around us - He is our precious hiding place.  And we are reminded of that truth in this week's hymn choice which was written by Avis M. Christiansen in 1918.  Encouraged by her grandmother, a godly woman who "loved the music of the soul expressed in verse", Avis wrote her first poem at the age of ten.  Then one morning in Moody Church, as she listened to a song by Harry Loes, the Lord reminded her that the talent entrusted to her belonged to Him.  Her immediate longing to express His love and blessing was the start of her writing poems that were turned into hymns.  This one was set to music by Wendell Loveless who himself wrote many Gospel hymns and choruses and also provided the music for many written by others.  In 1917, Avis married Ernest C. Christiansen, who later became vice president in charge of investments for the Moody Bible Institute. In spite of fulfilling the many duties of a busy homemaker, she continued to write with unfailing zeal.  Author and Bible teacher Harry A. Ironside wrote:  "Avis B. Christiansen is the gifted author of many of our sweetest gospel songs. By means of these her name is known around the world, for many of these delightful lyrics have been translated into various languages. She is a modest, retiring person whom few get to know beyond the circle of her immediate family and friends. With a very keen apprehension of spiritual realities, and a clear understanding of the great truths revealed in the Word of God, her hymns and poems are eminently Scriptural and soul-uplifting."  Now I don't know what you may be facing today, but meditate upon the words of this hymn knowing that He will protect you in the shelter of His love.  Precious hiding place - not a doubt or fear, since my Lord is near, and I'm sheltered in His love.  May you claim that truth this week as you encounter the challenges of life that will come your way.

(1)    I was straying when Christ found me

In the night so dark and cold;

Tenderly His arm went round me,

And He bore me to His fold.

Precious hiding place,

Precious hiding place,

In the shelter of His love;

Not a doubt or fear,

Since my Lord is near,

And I'm sheltered in His love.

(2)    With His nail-scarred hand He bro't me

To the shelter of His love;

Of His grace and will He taught me,

And of heav'nly rest above.

Precious hiding place,

Precious hiding place,

In the shelter of His love;

Not a doubt or fear,

Since my Lord is near,

And I'm sheltered in His love.

(3)    Tho' the night be dark around me,

I am safe, for He is near;

Never shall my foes confound me,

While the Savior's voice I hear.

Precious hiding place,

Precious hiding place,

In the shelter of His love;

Not a doubt or fear,

Since my Lord is near,

And I'm sheltered in His love.

You can listen to it here.    LISTEN

GOD BE WITH YOU

        Goodbyes can be difficult.  Leaving good friends and Christian brothers and sisters can sometimes be very hard emotionally, especially if you may not see them again for a long time.  I have an aunt and uncle who I love dearly but they live over 1,000 miles away.  They are both in their mid 90's and when we recently left them it was so hard knowing that it might be the last time we would be with them here on earth.  We just never know what a day may bring and whether or not we will meet again on this earth.  And as we separate from our friends, we do so with the desire that God will go with us and with our friends.  And He does.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake His children and He never has.  This week's hymn, a benediction hymn, was written and published in 1882, by the Reverend Jeremiah Eames Rankin, who was, at the time, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Washington D.C. The poem that Rankin originally wrote had eight stanzas, but today the first, second, fourth and seventh stanzas are all that are commonly sung. Mr. Rankin wrote the following account regarding his writing of  "God Be With You": "Written as a Christian good-bye, it was called forth by no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a Christian hymn on the basis of the etymology of "good-bye," which is "God be with you." I consulted the dictionary for the definition of the word 'good-bye', and found it to be a contraction of 'God be with ye'. Very soon the first verse was completed. The first stanza was written and sent to two composers, one of unusual note, the other wholly unknown and not thoroughly educated in music. I selected the composition of the latter, submitted it to J. W. Bischoff, the musical director of a little book we were preparing, who approved of it, but made some criticisms, which were adopted. It was sung for the first time one evening in the First Congregational Church in Washington, of which I was then the pastor and Mr. Bischoff the organist. I attributed its popularity in no little part to music to which it was set. It was a wedding of words and music, at which it was my function to preside; but Mr. Tomer should have his full share of the family honor."  William Gould Tomer severed in the Union Army during the Civil War and then became a public school teacher in New Jersey where he composed the music for this text upon Dr. Rankin's request.  "God Be With You" was widely used in the Moody and Sankey meetings throughout North America and England.  A few years before his death, when the late President Theodore Roosevelt was making a farewell visit in Memphis, Tenn., a great audience of three thousand people sang in his honor the well-loved strain, "God be with you till we meet again."  It is a wonderful prayer that has helped and encouraged multitudes over the years. In fact it is a great prayer and testimony for your friends anytime, not just when you are parting.  Maybe this week you could consider "praying" this for those whom you love. The chorus includes that powerful truth that those in God's family will be reunited again, if not here on earth, then definitely in heaven.  "Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus' feet. God be with you till we meet again."

  

1. God be with you till we meet again,

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

2. God be with you till we meet again,

'Neath His wings securely hide you,

Daily manna still provide you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

3. God be with you till we meet again,

When life's perils thick confound you,

Put His arms unfailing round you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

4. God be with you till we meet again,

Keep love's banner floating o'er you,

Smite death's threat'ning wave before you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN