COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING

As a teenager, Robert Robinson (1735 – 1790) went to a George Whitefield meeting with the purpose of ridiculing him. Instead, Robinson was converted and later entered the ministry. The text of this great hymn was written when he was only twenty-three years of age while he ministered at the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Norfolk, England. In the USA, the hymn is usually set to an American folk tune known as Nettleton, by attribution to the evangelist Asahel Nettleton who composed it early in the nineteenth century. It is one of those rare hymns that has survived the centuries and is still sung today, by many, as a song of praise and testimony. As I grew up I often heard song leaders and minisfers talk negatively about the words "prone to wander" in the third verse. I would agree that our salvation is secure and that nothing can take it away from us. But I also believe that all of us at times begin to wander and need to be brought back to the victorious life the Lord desires for us. I remember how my grandfather often talked about sheep who tend to wander away from the shepherd by nibbling a patch of grass here and then going to nibble another patch a little farther away and then another, and then another until they had wandered a distance from the shepherd. But the shepherd always brought them back. And isn't that the same with us? Aren't there things that cause us to wander away from the close fellowship that we can and should have with the Lord? But in His great mercy and grace, the Lord brings us back to Him and to close fellowship with Him. As the song says, daily we are debtors, but in His goodness He binds our wandering heart to Him. He truely is the fount of every true blessing.

(1) Come Thou fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

And teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

(2) Here I raise my Ebenezer

Hither by Thy help I come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood.

(3) Oh, to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK

The return of Christ and heaven has always been a major topic of hymns. If you look at many hymns you will find that the final verse often takes up this theme and the hymn ends with a message of hope for the future. And many hymns, like this week's choice, expand the theme and hope that Christians have in the midst of the turmoil of daily life here on earth. I admit that I really miss that message in most of today's music – maybe it is my age or maybe it is my recent experiences, but thinking about and singing about the second coming comforts my heart as it has done for many over the years. While preaching on the radio on the subject of the second coming of Christ, the Rev. C.A. Blackmore was outlining some of the marvelous things that would happen to Christians at the rapture. A lady who had been bedridden for twenty-three years heard the message and wrote, "Will I really be well? Will all pain and sorrow actually be gone?" Blackmore replied: "Yes, my friend, some glorious day, when Jesus comes, you will leap from that bed with all the vigor of youth and never know pain again." Blackmore's son, Carl, was greatly impressed with the reality of this coming event. As he pondered the glorious prospects, the words and melody of a chorus took form in his mind, and he said to his father: "Dad, you should write some verses for this chorus." After much prayer, early one morning, unable to sleep as he anticipated the thrill of the rapture, the elder Blackmore rose from his bed and wrote the verses of "Some Golden Daybreak." As the song became known, it grew in popularity. But, unfortunately I haven't heard it sung in public for many years. Think about the hope in the words of this week's choice.

(1) Some glorious morning sorrow will cease

Some glorious morning all will be peace

Heartaches all ended, school days all done

Heaven will open--Jesus will come

Some golden daybreak Jesus will come

Some golden daybreak, battles all won

He'll shout the vict'ry, break thro' the blue

Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

(2) Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright

Goodbye forever to earth's dark night

Changed in a moment, like Him to be

Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I'll see

Some golden daybreak Jesus will come

Some golden daybreak, battles all won

He'll shout the vict'ry, break thro' the blue

Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

(3) Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies

No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes

Loved ones united eternally

Oh, what a daybreak that morn will be

Some golden daybreak Jesus will come

Some golden daybreak, battles all won

He'll shout the vict'ry, break thro' the blue

Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

You can listen to it here. LISTEN

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

It seems that sometimes problems come in waves. And recently it seems like there have been many waves of problems for many of our friends. Some have been family related, some health related, some job related and some others just unusual situations. But in this life, problems are to be expected. And sometimes out of problems come times of great encouragement. Annie Johnson Flint lost bother of her parents before she was six years old. She was adopted by a childless couple and then became afflicted with arthritis as a teen. Later she became unable to walk. She had wanted to be a composer and concert pianist but her illness deprived her of the ability to play the piano. So she began to write poetry. Later in life, being unable to open her hands she wrote many of her poems on the typewriter, using her knuckles. And out of these trials and problems came this great hymn which has helped so many folks throughout the ages It was probably based on 2Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me". When we were still doing family programs in churches this was one of our favorite hymns to sing as a trio. The first two verses are very familiar to me but I must admit that I've never heard the third verse. Maybe this reminder of God's grace in hard times is something that you need today. Meditate and sing the following words.

(1) He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(2) When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(3) Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

I SHALL KNOW HIM

Most of us have appreciated many of the over 8,000 hymns that were written by the blind author Fanny Crosby. Near the end of the nineteenth century, Fanny was visiting the Lake Chautauqua Institute, in Western New York State. In those days this was a place for Christian fellowship, great preaching, and singing of wonderful hymns. It was here that she met John R. Sweney. After a busy day at the camp meeting, both were taking a rest on the front porch of the grand hotel when John asked an interesting question of Fanny. "Fanny," he asked, "do you think we'll recognize our friends in heaven?" Initially her response was positive. She then added, "John, that's not what you really want to know. You wonder how an old lady who has been blind all her life could even recognize one person, let alone her Lord and Savior. Well I've given it a lot of thought and I don't think I'll have a problem. But if I do, when I get to heaven, I'm going to look around and when I see the one who I think is my Savior, I'm going to walk up to Him and say, 'May I see your hands?' When I see the nail prints in the hands of my Savior, then I'll know I've found my Jesus." "Oh Fanny," John said, "that would make a great song." "No thank you," she replied. "I'm tired, I'm going to bed". Well the next morning, bright and early, Fanny met John for breakfast and before they went their separate ways, she dictated the words of this great hymn. It has always been one of my favorite hymns because it is about heaven and the hope of each Christian should be to see our Lord, face to face. What a wonderful day that will be!

(1) When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,

When the bright and glorious morning I shall see

I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

Chorus:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him

And redeemed by His side, I shall stand.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

(2) Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love, and grace

That prepared for me a mansion in the sky.

Chorus"

I shall know Him, I shall know Him

And redeemed by His side, I shall stand.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

(3) Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,

And our parting at the river I recall;

To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home,

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

Chorus:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him

And redeemed by His side, I shall stand.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

(4) Thro' the gates of the city in a robe of spotless white,

He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;

In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight,

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

Chorus:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him

And redeemed by His side, I shall stand.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

NO ROOM

The carols are gone, the Christmas trees are coming down, the decorations are disconnected, the cards are being discarded, the presents are being returned and only a few cookies and fruitcakes remain. The stores are already displaying Valentine's Day products. Christmas is now forgotten. Unfortunately it is one of the few times in the year when many people take a little time to think of Jesus. Did you notice how folks flocked to the Christmas services, especially on Christmas Eve? For a little while there was a little room for Jesus, at least in some people's minds. But now things go back to normal and most folks, like the inn keeper, have no room for the Lord. But what about each of us? Do we have room for Him in our schedules? Do we have time for Him in ministry? Do we have room for Him in our worship? Now here's a tough question, do we have room for Him in our finances? Ouch! What do our date books and check books tell us about room for Jesus in our lives? The late John W. Peterson wrote a musical, "Night of Miracles", that at one time was sung by most church choirs. In it was this week's hymn choice, "No Room". Despite the fact that Christmas is over, I feel that this hymn is a real challenge to each of us as we begin a new year. Think about this as you meditate on these words.

(1) No room, only a manager of hay

No room, He is a stranger today

No room, here in His world turned way

No room, no room

Angels, in heaven up yonder

Watch with amazement and wonder

To see the Son of the Highest treated so

No room, no room, no room

(2) No room, here in the hearts of mankind

No room, no cheery welcome could find

No room, surely the world is blind

No room, no room

Angels, in heaven up yonder

Watch with amazement and wonder

To see the Son of the Highest treated so

No room, no room, no room

(3) No room, only a manger of hay

No room, He is a stranger today

No room, here in His world turned away

No room, No room

Angels, in heaven up yonder

Watch with amazement and wonder

To see the Son of the Highest treated so

No room, no room, no room

Listen to it here. LISTEN