JESUS PAID IT ALL

Next Sunday many of us may participate in Communion in our church.  This is a beautiful celebration when we remember the death of Christ for us - his broken body and the blood that was shed for our forgiveness and redemption.  Hopefully this is a very meaningful time for you as you thank Him for that matchless gift.  And during the celebration you just might sing or hear this week's beautiful hymn which reminds us that Jesus Paid It All!  There is nothing that we can do to earn this gift or pay for it.  Our debt is paid - in full!  Praise the Lord!  The words to the song were written by Elvina Hall (1822-1889) in 1865. Elvina was a member of the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The Choir Director of the same church was John Thomas Grape (1835-1915). Unaware of Elvina's composition, Grape composed a tune he called All To Christ I Owe.  The pastor of Monument Street Methodist Church, Rev.George W. Schreck heard the music written by Grape and immediately thought of the verse written by another of his parishioners, Elvina Hall. At the pastor's suggestion, Hall's lyrics and Grape's music were combined, and then sent to Professor Theodore Perkins, publisher of the periodical Sabbath Carols. The hymn quickly became a favorite and has been published in and sung from hymnals across America ever since.  The hymn vividly reminds us that we, children of weakness, have nothing good to bring to Him.  We are complete in Him - His power and His alone can cleanse us.  And like many of the old hymns, this one concludes by reminding us of that day when we will stand before His throne - complete - and we will lay our trophies down at His feet.  May we never forget the price that He paid for us to make this future day possible!

1. I hear the Savior say,

"Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray,

Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

2. For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim;

I'll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

3. And now complete in Him,

My robe, His righteousness,

Close sheltered 'neath His side,

I am divinely blest.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

4. Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power, and Thine alone,

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

5. When from my dying bed

My ransomed soul shall rise,

"Jesus died my soul to save,"

Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

6. And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete,

I'll lay my trophies down,

All down at Jesus' feet.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

This week I'll give you three choices to listen to.

(1)  Gaither Homecoming    LISTEN 1

(2)  An acapella rendition    LISTEN 2

(3)  A piano medley            LISTEN 3

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

This week the world became a more dangerous place in which to live.  The terrorist attack in Boston has made us realize how vulnerable we have all become to terrorists.  That came amidst threats of nuclear war from North Korea where a young leader's actions has alarmed the world.  And of course you have the growing nuclear presence of Iran and the rise and impact of Islam around the world.  Locally, shootings and home break ins have become almost daily events One doesn't know what to expect next.  Then, domestically, we see more and more attacks by various government agencies on Biblical principles.  Religious freedoms are being threatened even in our country.  As I viewed the pictures from the Boston area a thought and song kept going through my mind - "This World Is Not My Home".  The reality of this truth has captivated my thinking this week and I decided to change my hymn choice for this week to this song which in the past was often sung by gospel quartets. There are many different opinions about the author of this song, but many attribute it to Albert Brumley (1905-1977), a popular songwriter from Arkansas.  I have been reminded of the great faith chapter, Hebrews 11.  After giving many examples of faith from Old Testament characters, the writer says this in verses 11 - 13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."  And while we now live in a world which has become very dangerous and even hostile to believers, we, too, have the hope of a better country that has been promised to believers.  And we need to remember that we are really just pilgrims who are tenting here.  Be reminded of that truth this week.

(1)   This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord you know I have no friend like you

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

(2)   They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know.

My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go.

I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and poor.

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord you know I have no friend like you

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

(3)   I have a loving Savior up in glory-land,

I don't expect to stop until I with Him stand,

He's waiting now for me in heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord you know I have no friend like you

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

(4)   Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally.

The Saints on every hand are shouting victory.

Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord you know I have no friend like you

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

UNTIL THEN

This song was composed by Stuart Hamblem in 1958.  You may recall that I shared the story of his conversion, through the ministry of Billy Graham, in a blog on August 28, 2012.  That blog had to do with his song "It Is No Secret".  I have not been able to find out any details concerning the motivation for or the events around the writing of the lyrics of this week's choice.  Perhaps it was the Old Testament story of when the Israelites were taken into captivity in Babylon.  In Jeremiah 29 the Lord gave them some instructions on how to live while they are in exile.  He told them to marry, have children, build houses, plant crops, etc. He gave them instructions to live normal lives and do normal things.  God also told them the captivity was going to last 70 years.  Although they probably didn't like to hear it, they weren't going to go back "until" the 70 years were over.  But He gave them commands to live a certain way "until" He would return them to the Promised Land.  In this same passage of Scripture, while the people are living in exile, the Lord says to them "I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."  And so today we Christians live in this "foreign land" called earth, waiting for the Lord to return and take us to our "Promised Land" in heaven.  And so the question for us is "What are we doing while we wait?"  The song reminds us that life here can be hard and even cause our heart to tremble.  Here we are faced with toils and struggles. But we are to keep going on and sharing the good news to those around us.  We are called to be his ministers in this foreign land.  We are to carry on with singing and joy in our hearts until that day when He calls us home.  So how are you doing today in this "foreign land"?  Remember, this is not your final home. You are just "tenting" here, until then. Someday, hopefully soon, our eyes will behold that beautiful city which will be our permanent home for all eternity.  What an unspeakable joy that will be.

(1)   My heart can sing when I pause to remember

A heartache here is but a stepping stone

Along a trail that's winding always upward,

This troubled world is not my final home.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I'll carry on

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home

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(2)  The things of earth will dim and lose their value

If we recall they're borrowed for a while;

And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,

Remembered there will only bring a smile.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I'll carry on

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home

(3)  This weary world with all its toil and struggle 

May take its toll of misery and strife;

The soul of man is like a waiting falcon; 

When it's released, it's destined for the skies.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I'll carry on

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

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BECAUSE HE LIVES

We have just completed another Easter season and I hope that you have again been stirred by the story of Christ's death and resurrection and the impact it should have upon our lives.  This week's choice of a more recent hymn should remind us again of that impact.  As you are no doubt aware, Bill and Gloria Gather have had a major impact upon Gospel music during the past century.  Our lives have been touched in many ways by their ministry and music.  But they have experienced some rough times throughout their lives.  During the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, they went through a rather difficult time. While Bill was recovering from mononucleosis, he and Gloria and other members in their church family were the objects of false accusations and belittlement. It was a time of torment, especially for Gloria.  With all the challenges facing her family, the thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll on her. She recalls sitting in their living room in agony and fear on New Year's Eve. Across the nation the "God is dead" movement was increasing and drug abuse and racial tension were growing. But suddenly, and unexpectedly, she was filled with a sweet, calming peace. Like an attentive mother bending over her baby, it was as if her heavenly Father saw her and came to her rescue. Her panic gave way to a calmness and assurance and the realization that the future would be just fine, left in God's hands.  The power of Christ's resurrection was reaffirmed. To Gloria, it was "life conquering death" as joy once again permeated the fearful circumstances of their lives.  And this was how the Southern Gospel song, "Because He Lives."  came to be written.  The first verse reminds us of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.  In the second verse we see the life of a new baby and sense the assurance that Christ alone can give. The third verse reminds us of the final victory when we are taken to glory.  So as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living for all who trust in Him, we can face tomorrow with all the uncertainty it brings.  And that is the power and truth of the Easter message. This message is even more powerful to me today as for the past two months I have followed the story of a close friend's 17 year old son who suddenly went from a healthy track star to an invalid, attacked by a deadly, unexpected disease. And on March 26 the Lord saw fit to take him home - a complete body transplant.  Channing's faith was in the Lord and because Christ rose and lives today, Channing now lives with Him in glory.  What a joy and peace that this truth gives to us today.  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!

(1)    God sent His son, they called Him Jesus

He came to love, heal, and forgive.

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(2)   How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives.

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(3)   And then one day I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain.

And then as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone!

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Listen to it here.  LISTEN