HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD

          As I was growing up, public invitations to accept Christ as Savior were a regular part of most services. And part of those invitations was the singing of hymns that would call people to come to Christ or to yield themselves completely to Him.  One of those songs that I remember singing regularly is this week's choice, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord". We sang that frequently.  However, the older I become, the more I have come to realize that this hymn of consecration represents a continuing need in the life of each believer.  Daily we need to yield to the hands and will of the Potter.  "We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hand."  Isaiah 64:6.  We are His workmanship.  The step of salvation is just the beginning.  We need to be yielded and molded daily in all that we do.  Are we really willing to yield to Him with our attitudes, our conversations, our thoughts, our relationships, our jobs, our activities, our finances, and even our health?  Can we say "have thine own way" in all areas of our life?  Are we really waiting before Him, "yielded and still"?  Do we really want Him to "search us and try us"?  Is it really our desire to be filled with His Spirit until all shall see Christ only always living in us?  We should.  Lord, may that be my desire.  The words to this hymn were penned by Adelaide A. Pollard (1862-1934) in 1907.  She believed that God wanted her in Africa as a missionary but she was unable to raise the funds to go.  In a confused state of mind she attended a prayer meeting.  There she heard an elderly woman pray, "It's all right, Lord.  It doesn't matter what You bring into our lives, just have Your own way with us."  That night at home, after being encouraged by this prayer, she wrote the words of this hymn.  Five years later, George Stebbins (1846-1945) wrote a tune titled "Adelaide" to accompany the text.  I hope that the words penned by Pollard will challenge you this week. Let this be our daily prayer. May we each be willing to daily ask the Lord to have His own way in every area of our lives and then willingly yield our all to the hands of our Potter.

1     Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 

Mold me and make me after thy will, 

while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

2     Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Search me and try me, Savior today! 

Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, 

as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

3     Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 

Power, all power, surely is thine! 

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

4     Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 

Christ only, always, living in me! 

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME

          I recently went through unexpected major open heart surgery with five by-passes.  It was a long ten day hospital stay with many periods of boredom in bed with nothing to do.  I did have plenty of time to pray and I felt as though the Lord was right there with me.  But one of the greatest blessings were the many hymns that came to my mind during those long hours.  Some of them were familiar ones, but a few were ones that I hadn't thought about in years.  One of those that filled my mind was  "I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;  I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me."  I wasn't happy with being in the hospital but I was encouraged by the truth of this chorus, Jesus loves me!.  I might have been filled at times with fear and discouragement but I knew that Jesus really loved and cared for me.  The song, which was really for children, was written in 1870 by Philip Bliss.  One morning Mrs. Bliss came down to breakfast and shared the following with others who were there: "Last evening Mr. Bliss had a tune given him that I think is going to live and be one of the most used that he has written. I have been singing it all the morning to myself, and cannot get it out of my mind." She then sang the notes of "Jesus Loves [even] Me." Mr. Bliss later said that this song was suggested to him by hearing the chorus of the hymn "Oh, how I love Jesus," repeated very frequently in a meeting which he attended. After joining in the chorus a number of times the thought came to him, "Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus, and shall I not rather sing of his great love for me?"  The idea of Bliss in writing it was that the peace and comfort of a Christian were not founded by his loving Christ, but upon Christ's love to him, and that to occupy the mind with Christ's love would produce love and consecration.  The hymn became one of the all-time favorite children's hymns, gaining popularity in both Great Britain and the United States.  Now while it was the chorus that spoke to me while in the hospital, the simple verses are also powerful.  We have His Word, the Bible, given to us by the Father and it tells us of His love.  He is there to welcome us whenever we happen to stray.  And then there is the beauty of knowing that we will be with Him one day in eternity.  "Oh what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

(1)    I am so glad that our Father in heav'n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
Iam so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

(2)    Though I forget Him and wander away,

Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

(3)    Oh, if there's only one song I can sing,

When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
"Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me."
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

O COULD I SPEAK THE MATCHLESS WORTH

        Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was educated in a school that his father ran but he did not like the business to which he was apprenticed.  So in 1755 he entered the Navy during the Seven Years' War.  However in 1759 he was severely wounded in a battle with the French. He had been brought up with religious teaching but at that time did not have a personal relationship with the Lord.  As he lay wounded he was expecting the amputation of a limb and he spent the entire night in prayer.  But in the morning the surgeons were surprised at his improved condition and told him that the limb could be saved.  However, he had to retire from active service as a result of his injury.  About that time somebody read to him a sermon by a Dr. Watts and this led to his conversion.  Shortly afterwards he opened a school which for several years he conducted very successfully. But he also began to preach and in 1767 he accepted a call to become pastor of a Baptist church. Then  in 1772 he moved to a large church in Liverpool where he served for twenty-seven years. He was especially successful in reaching sailors, since he never forgot that he had been a sailor himself.  He filled his sermons with expressions that reached the men of the sea.  Medley wrote many hymns, most of which were printed on broadsides, or loose sheets of paper, as well as several volumes.  Among the most famous is this week's hymn.  After a long and painful illness he died July 17, 1799.  Now I don't know what led him to write this hymn, but the words are powerful and most likely his testimony.  He wants to share His Savior's matchless worth. He wants to rejoice in the wondrous grace which made salvation his.  He sings of the precious blood of Jesus and His glorious righteousness.  He wants to sing of the character of Jesus and vows to sing His praise and make His glories known now and throughout eternity.  And he concludes with the exciting hope and assurance of that delightful day when the Lord will call him home and there he will spend eternity triumphant in the Savior's grace.  What an exciting testimony.  Is this your testimony?  Do your actions and your life share the matchless worth of the Savior?  May each of us search our hearts and ask ourselves that question daily.

(1)     O could I speak the matchless worth,

O could I sound the glories forth 

which in my Savior shine!

I'd sing His glorious righteousness, 

and magnify the wondrous grace

Which made salvation mine, 

which made salvation mine.

(2)     I'd sing the precious blood He spilt,

My ransom from the dreadful guilt of sin, 

and wrath divine;

I'd sing His glorious righteousness, 

in which all perfect, heavenly dress

My soul shall ever shine, 

my soul shall ever shine.

(3)     I'd sing the characters He bears,

And all the forms of love He wears, 

exalted on His throne;

In loftiest songs of sweetest praise, 

I would to everlasting days

Make all His glories known,

make all His glories known.

(4)     Soon, the delightful day will come

When my dear Lord will bring me home, 

and I shall see His face;

Then with my Savior, Brother, Friend, 

a blessed eternity I'll spend,

Triumphant in His grace,

triumphant in His grace.

Because the hymn is so old and hardly sung anymore today, it was hard to find a good version to share with you.  So I am providing three different choices for you this week. 
          Organ, piano and words     ORGAN
          Recording by Melody 4       MELODY4
          Two verses by choir           CHOIR

HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT

          The long days and nights of winter can sometimes be very tough to bear, especially the dreary dark days without sunlight.  Cabin fever can set in and such days without sunlight  can actually bring on seasonal depression and other health problems.  But then imagine living in a place like Tromso, Norway where the sun never even rises there between November and January.  This town sits on an island about the size of Manhattan and every fall irs 70,000 residents face the prospect of spending winter in perpetual polar night.  I would find it very hard to live there and, yet, in a spiritual sense, that's where we are living now.  This world is spiritually dark and folks are blinded to the truth.  And yet God pours His heavenly sunlight into the lives of believers every day. James said in James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow of turning." And 1 John 1:5 reminds us that "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all."  This gospel song on this theme of sunlight was written in 1899 by Henry Jeffreys Zelley (1859-1942), a Methodist minister.  Noted for his evangelistic fervor, Zelley produced over 1500 poems, hymns, and gospel songs. On one occasion in 1899 a man named George Harrison Cook brought the pastor a tune, asking if Pastor Zelley could write some appropriate words for it. The result of his work was this hymn that has been sung now for over a century.  It was first published in 1903.  In 1942 Charles E. Fuller, who founded the Old Fashioned Revival Hour radio broadcast in 1925, adapted the song's refrain for use on its own.  As a child growing up I can clearly remember many nights of listening to this radio program and hearing this special chorus. Rudy Atwood's beautiful piano rendition of this each week was something special and helped make this chorus so popular all across the country.  I'm sure that was the experience of many believers in my generation.  "Heavenly Sunshine" became a widely popular little chorus decades after the hymn was written. The simple truth of Henry Zelley's hymn is within the grasp of all.  We have what the world needs today - the light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Our thankful heart should rejoice in God's gifts, including the blessing of eternal life which comes down from above.  This week be sure to thank God for the sunlight of His blessings. Let's sing His praises as we walk daily all of our journey  in sunlight, sunlight of His love.

(1)    Walking in sunlight all of my journey;

Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, "I'll never forsake thee,"

Promise divine that never can fail.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

Flooding my soul with glory divine:

Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

(2)    Shadows around me, shadows above me,

Never conceal my Savior and Guide;

He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;

Ever I'm walking close to His side.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

Flooding my soul with glory divine:

Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

(3)    In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,

Pressing my way to mansions above;

Singing His praises gladly I'm walking,

Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

Flooding my soul with glory divine:

Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Listen to it here after a brief ad.     LISTEN

SAVED BY GRACE

          "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,  Not of works, lest any man should boast."  (Ephesians 2:8,9).  These powerful verses were the inspiration for Fanny Crosby, the author of this week's hymn choice.   L. H. Biglow, after attending a prayer-meeting conducted by Dr. Howard Crosby, asked Fanny Crosby to write a hymn on the subject of grace. She immediately retired to an adjoining room, and in the course of an hour returned with the words, "Some day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing."  Mr. Biglow secured the words from her, and put them in the safe among other hymns which she had written.  But the song was evidently forgotten.  It eventually came to public notice by accident, during a conference Fanny attended at Northfield, Massachusetts. During the meeting, the great evangelist, Dwight Moody, asked if Fanny would give a personal testimony to the audience. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she almost declined, but finally got up to speak, and said, "There is one hymn I have written which has never been published. I call it my soul's poem. Sometimes when I am troubled, I repeat it to myself, for it brings comfort to my heart."  And she then closed her remarks by reciting the hymn which had never been heard before in public, "Saved By Grace".  A reporter of a London paper who was present at Northfield took her address, and also the hymn, and carried them back to England where he published the words in his paper. Four or five weeks later the words were handed to George C. Stebbins who set Fanny's words to music. During the following years the song became one of Mr. Moody's favorites, and since then has been sung by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. Some hymnals show the author as Ida Scott Taylor, one of Fanny's pseudonyms.  The hymn expresses the hope that all believers have because of God's great grace shown to us.  One day, hopefully soon, we will see our Lord, face to face.  I can't help but imagine that this was a special desire of Fanny, the blind hymn writer, to finally see, with her own eyes, the One who provided her salvation.  Someday that will be our joy and honor.

1      Some day the silver cord will break,

And I no more as now shall sing;

But oh, the joy when I shall wake

Within the palace of the King! 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace; 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace. 

2      Some day my earthly house will fall,

I cannot tell how soon 'twill be;

But this I know, my All in All

Has now a place in heav'n for me. 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace; 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace. 

3      Some day, when fades the golden sun

Beneath the rosy tinted west,

My blessed Lord will say, "Well done!"

And I shall enter into rest. 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace; 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace. 

4      Some day: till then I'll watch and wait,

My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,

That when my Savior opes the gate,

My soul to Him may take its flight. 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace; 

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story, Saved by grace. 

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

VICTORY THROUGH GRACE

          Today many Christians are living as though they are on the losing side.  In recent years many events, often promoted by the liberal media, make it appear that the end of Christianity is approaching.  Believers are often pictured as intolerant, bigoted, ignorant and old fashioned.  But as somebody has said, I know this isn't true because I've read the end of the book (Bible) and I know how it all ends.  Yes, God is still on the throne and His promises are secure.  Even though the battle may be getting tougher, we are on the victory side.  "'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:36-37). "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 15:57). "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ" (II Cor. 2:14).  The reality of being more than conquerors was part of what stirred Fanny Crosby to pen the words of this hymn in 1890.  According to her own words, "Mr. Sweney (John R. Sweney) sent me the title and asked me to write a sort of battle piece. A day or two later he came to see me.  I told him that I had already begun the hymn and repeated as much as I had finished.  "Go on" he said, "that is right; we'll have our battle song."  The remainder of the hymn was written while he was at my house."  Some hymnals show the author as Sallie Martin, one of Fanny's pseudonyms.  I think there are various parts to the conquest which Crosby wrote about.  The "still to come" probably refers to the final victory over Satan and his forces (Rev. 19:11).  Then there is the triumph of Christ at the cross and the spiritual victories because of it.  And the "conquering now" may describe what happens daily as believers serve the Lord.  It is also important to note that spiritual victories are not to the swift or the strong.  Victories are promised to the true and the faithful, through grace.  So be encouraged, the battle is not lost and we can't fight it in our own strength.  But victory is promised to those who are true and faithful to the conquering King.

1. Conquering now and still to conquer,

rideth a King in His might;

Leading the host of all the faithful 
into the midst of the fight;

See them with courage advancing, 
clad in their brilliant array,

Shouting the Name of their Leader, 
hear them exultingly say:

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful 
vict'ry is promised through grace.

2. Conquering now and still to conquer, 
who is this wonderful King?

Whence are the armies which He leadeth, 
while of His glory they sing?

He is our Lord and Redeemer, 

Savior and Monarch divine;

They are the stars that forever bright 

in His kingdom shall shine.

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful vict'ry 
is promised through grace.

3. Conquering now and still to conquer, 
Jesus, Thou Ruler of all,

Thrones and their scepters all shall perish, crowns 
and their splendor shall fall,

Yet shall the armies Thou leadest, 
faithful and true to the last,

Find in Thy mansions eternal rest, 
when their warfare is past.

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful vict'ry 
is promised through grace.

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN

JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY

          For many folks the new year is a time to make goals or resolutions for the coming year.  And many times these are quickly forgotten and not met.  I've never been one to do that, but I often do take the time to reflect upon the past year and recall how the Lord has directed my paths, often in so many unexpected ways.  In this week's hymn choice, the hymn writer, John Peterson, talks about these as "the winding paths of earth".  In my life I think about the winding paths that took me to college, that led me to my wonderful wife, that brought me into contact with so many godly friends, that took me to excellent jobs, that provided so many ministry opportunities, that led me to doctors that solved perplexing physical problems and even saved my son's life, and provided me with a special family and heritage.  As I recall my life, I can join John Peterson by testifying that Jesus did lead me all the way. Psalm 73:24 "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."  And taking time to remember God's leading in the past, gives me the courage and confidence to face the unknown challenges of tomorrow that always come with advancing age and living in a world that appears to be falling apart.  Is this your testimony as well?  Has Jesus led you all the way?  Or are you struggling on your own?  Honestly, I don't know how people without the Lord face tomorrow with all that is happening in the world today.  It seems to me that one must be fearful and without hope if one doesn't know the Lord and have His leading in life. As you begin a new year, why not let the Lord lead you daily as you depend upon Him?  What a day it will be when I can tell the saints and angels, as I lay my burden down, that Jesus led me all the way.  Think about these words during the coming week and year.

Some day life's journey will be o'er

And I shall reach that distant shore,

I'll sing while ent'ring Heaven's door

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

If God should let me there review

The winding paths of earth I knew,

It would be proven clear and true

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

And hitherto my Lord has led,

Today He guides each step I tread,

And soon in Heav'n it will be said

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

You can listen to it here.  LISTEN1

Here is a choir singing this song.   LISTEN2

LORD YOU'RE HOLY

         I guess that when you are the sole writer and publisher of a blog you can choose to do something different once in awhile.  And, for my first hymn blog of 2016 I have chosen to do just that.  I have decided not to feature a hymn this week as I have done now since 2008.  And rather than share a hymn written many decades or centuries ago, my blog this week will share a praise chorus that is relatively new.  I first heard this chorus in a concert by a group called Calling Levi at a concert at Pinebrook Bible Conference.  It quickly became one of my two favorite praise and worship songs, even though I seldom hear it sung.  Now even though it must be relatively new, I have been unable to find any reliable information about its author or the story behind its writing.  I think it was probably written by Eddie James who accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of eight.  And, just a year later, he began to minister to others through music.  It is said that God placed a burden inside of Eddie James to minister to those who are hurting and lost, with an extraordinary emphasis on youth and young adults.  Now this week's song is a tremendous song of worship featuring the many names given to our Lord.  Now I grew up in a very conservative church where the only signs of emotion might be an occasional "Amen". Nobody would think of raising their hands in worship. And as a result I still find it difficult to raise my hands in public worship. I often play this song, sometimes over and over, while I am doing my morning walk. It is a time of worship for me. And often, when I am alone, I do raise my hands and often even tears of joy flow from my eyes when I consider the holiness and grace of the Lord.  What a wonderful, holy God that we serve and "mere words cannot express what I feel inside". Hopefully this is also your testimony - "As I look around and I see all the works, your hands have made, the awesomeness of you and how your love will never fade".  May this song be your daily testimony as you begin a new year.

          

As I look around and I see 

all the works, your hands have made, 

the awesomeness of you

and how your love will never fade. 

Mere words cannot express what I feel inside,

I can't even describe Your glory divine;

but as a token of my love, this is what I'll do,

I'll lift my hands and cry.

Lord, you're holy, Lord, you're holy

and we lift you up and magnify your name.

There's not enough words that I can say

to tell you how much I appreciate,

all of the wonderful things You've given me,

Your love, Your kindness, Your tender mercies

It's my desire to praise you

And tell you how much I love you

Your worthy of all the honor

And your worthy of all the praise

I don't know how you can love me

Why you give me so much mercy and 

How you would suffer and die for me 

way back on Calvary

But I thank you 

Your worthy of all the praise

Your Wonderful, glorious, holy and righteous,

victorious conqueror, triumphant and mighty,

healer, deliverer, shield and defense,

my strong tower and my best friend,

Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King,

Your Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything;

holy, holy, holy is Your name.

Your Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King,

Your Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything;

holy, holy, holy is Your name.

Holy is your name

We cry holy

You are Holy 

Holy is your name

Wonderful, glorious, holy and righteous,

victorious conqueror, triumphant and mighty,

healer, deliverer, shield and defense,

strong tower and my best friend,

Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King,

Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything;

holy, holy, holy is Your name.

Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King, 

You're Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything; 

holy, holy, holy is Your name.

Holy, You are holy 

Holy is your name

You are holy 

We cry holy

Holy is your name

This is one time that you should listen to the video that is attached.  Be patient, the ad only lasts a few seconds and you will be blest to wait and listen to this rendition to this meaningful song.     LISTEN