TRUSTING JESUS

Sometimes a thought can jog a memory.  And when that memory is a hymn, sometimes it is hard to get it out of your mind.  That is the case with this week's hymn.  This is a hymn that we frequently sang in worship services as I was growing up.  I can picture great saints that I have known singing this with gusto because they had experienced the reality of the message.  "Trusting Jesus" is a hymn that is completely American in background.  Edgar Stites, author of the words, was a direct descendant of John Howland, one of the Mayflower's passengers.  Active in the Civil War, he was later a riverboat pilot and then a missionary to the frontier churches in South Dakota.  The hymn poem first appeared in a newspaper and was handed to the American evangelist D. L. Moody.  In turn, Moody gave it to his soloist and song leader, Ira D. Sankey, asking him to set it to music. In his book, Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns, the singer says, "I assented, on condition that he should vouch for the doctrine taught in the verses, and he said he would".  And with that a great hymn was written that has encouraged believers for many decades.  Hopefully this is your testimony

1.     Simply trusting every day,

Trusting through a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

   

Refrain:

Trusting as the moments fly,

Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

    

 2.     Brightly doth His Spirit shine

Into this poor heart of mine;

While He leads I cannot fall;

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

  3.     Singing if my way is clear,

Praying if the path be drear;

If in danger for Him call;

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

   

  4.     Trusting Him while life shall last,

Trusting Him till earth be past;

Till within the jasper wall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

AND CAN IT BE?

Valentine's Day is a time when thoughts turn to love.  Fortunate is the one who has a friend here on earth to love.  But the source of love is God himself who sent His only Son Jesus to this earth to die for us.  Such amazing love - how can it be!  There are so many great hymns written about love that it is hard to choose just one for this week.  But how could there be one more powerful than the one written by Charles Wesley. Wesley, founder of the movement known as Methodism with his brother, John, was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1735. However, three years later, the evening of May 21, 1738, reportedly after prolonged Bible reading he wrote: "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think." Another writer states that he recorded in his journal: "I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by faith I stood." Two days later, his journal reported that he had begun writing a hymn. This hymn was likely "And Can It Be" because of the vivid testimony of stanza four. This hymn and "Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin" were the first of the 6000 plus hymns that he wrote. Also, it is reported that his brother John sang a hymn on his own conversion to "vital religion" three days later. Although it was not stated what hymn it was, many think it might have been "And Can It Be".  Worship with me as we sing and thank God for His amazing love expressed in this great hymn.

(1.)     And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me who caused His pain!

For me who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be That

Thou, my God, should die for me?

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(2.)    He left His Father's throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam's helpless race.

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(3.)    Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(4.)    No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Listen to a great presentation of this hymn.    LISTEN

ALL YOUR ANXIETY

When I was in college we were shocked to hear that our pastor had died of a sudden heart attack.  Although that was  almost 50 years ago, I still remember the funeral service.  One of the things that has remained in my mind is one of the hymns that the Pastor's Quartet sang - "All Your Anxiety".  I had never heard this before and I have never forgotten it.  Years later it was in our hymnbook, but I don't recall that we sang it too often.  However, over the years the words have often come back to me and have been a comfort to me.  A few days ago we were listening to some of our old 33rpm records (do you remember these?).  One of the albums was by my favorite trombone player, Bill Pierce, and one of the numbers that he played and sang was this hymn.  I immediately thought that I should list this as one of my hymns of the week.  Hopefully the words will be a help to some of my readers.  The hymn was written by Edward H. Joy (1871 - 1949) who was inspired by the words from Philippians 4, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  Now if only we could claim and apply both the words and the hymn and leave all of our anxiety with the Lord. That's a lesson that I must learn. For there is never a burden that He can't bear and there is never a friend like Jesus. 

(1)   Is there a heart o'erbound by sorrow?

Is there a life weighed down by care?

Come to the cross, each burden bearing—

All your anxiety, leave it there.

Refrain:

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

(2)   No other friend so keen to help you,

No other friend so quick to hear;

No other place to leave your burden,

No other one to hear your prayer.    Refrain

(3)    Come then at once, delay no longer!

Heed His entreaty kind and sweet;

You need not fear a disappointment,

You shall find peace at the mercy seat.   Refrain

You can listen to the music here.      LISTEN

THY WORD IS LIKE A GARDEN, LORD!

During 2009, my pastor is doing a series of sermons on doctrine.  This series promises to be interesting since he will focus on applications of Bible doctrine.  When they finally get posted, you may listen to his sermons at this site. FBF  He has begun the series with sermons about the Bible itself.  This morning's sermon was "The Bible – Inspired By God".  Now that finally brings me to this week's hymn.  When Dianne was asked to play the offertory for the early service, we looked for some music that might be appropriate for his sermon.  My mind went back to a song which we sang many years ago.  In fact, if I think about it, I can almost hear my grandfather leading this song in his church in the 1960's.  My grandfather emphasized the need to get into the Word on a regular basis.  He annually presented bookmarks to those who had read their Bible through that year.  My wife and I have many of these. Even to this day my dad and my aunt read their Bible through each year – they never fail to do this.  So this morning Dianne played on the piano this song which was written by Edwin Hodder in 1873.  Music was added by Gottfried Fink in 1842.  We knew few in the congregation would recognize the music so we projected the words while she played.  The song uses numerous pictures to show how the Word of God can affect our lives.  There is so much help in it for us in all situations of our lives. And there is always something new to be found.  All we need to do is faithfully spend time in it – plucking the beautiful flowers, digging for the jewels, preparing ourselves for the battles of life, and finding the guidance that we need.  Have you spent time in the Word today?  Have you found a jewel today?

(1)   -  Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;

And every one who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.

Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; and jewels rich and rare

Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

(2)  - Thy Word is like a starry host: a thousand rays of light

Are seen to guide the traveler and make his pathway bright.

Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair;

And find, for life's long battle day, all needful weapons there.

(3)  - O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,

May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine!

O may I find my armor there! Thy Word my trusty sword,

I'll learn to fight with every foe the battle of the Lord.