REJOICE YE PURE IN HEART

Thanksgiving should be a time of rejoicing and giving thanks as we consider all that God has done for us.  In Lamentations 3:22-23 we are reminded that His mercies to us are new every morning. So we have so much to be thankful about.  And so this week I've chosen a hymn that reminds us to rejoice and give thanks and sing.  The author, Edward Hayes Plumptre, was born in London in 1821 and was educated at King's College, London, and University College, Oxford.  He served for years as chaplain and professor at King's College, teaching biblical exegesis and theology. Plumptre wrote this week's hymn as a processional hymn for a choir festival at Peterborough Cathedral.  The festival gathered numerous choirs from churches throughout the diocese.  The choirs would process down the long center aisle of the cathedral, one after the other, with the cross and banner held aloft at the beginning of the processional.  When the first verse of the hymn says, "your glorious banner wave on high" and "the cross of Christ your king," it is that processional banner and cross that he had in mind. Such a processional could go on for as long as a half hour.  Plumptre wrote ten verses to this hymn for that reason, but most hymnals today include only four or five.  In the hymn he calls upon the pure in heart to rejoice.  Who are they?  Deitrich Bonhoeffer answered this in "The Cost of Discipleship" by saying, "Only those who have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus that He may reign in them alone. Only those whose hearts are undefiled by their own evil, and by their own virtues too".  This is a joyous hymn from beginning to end, and so it lifts our spirits to sing it.  Our rejoicing brings just a bit of heaven into our lives here on earth.  If you are a child of God, sing along with the words of this hymn of praise and thanksgiving during this special season.

(1)     Rejoice ye pure in heart;

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;

Your glorious banner wave on high,

The cross of Christ your King.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(2)     With all the angel choirs,

With all the saints of earth,

Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,

True rapture, noblest mirth.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(3)     Yes, on through life's long path,

Still chanting as ye go;

From youth to age, by night and day,

In gladness and in woe.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(4)     Still lift your standard high,

Still march in firm array,

As warriors through the darkness toil,

Till dawns the golden day.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(5)     Praise Him Who reigns on high,

The Lord Whom we adore,

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

One God forevermore.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

Listen to it here.     LISTEN

HE TOUCHED ME

Bill Gather has had a profound impact on gospel music during the past 50+ years and many of us have grown up singing songs written by him.  He began writing in 1960 but it wasn't until his 54th song that his music made an impact on the national level.  It turned out that this week's choice is probably the most famous of those which he has written.  According to Gather, he wrote this song during a time when he was accompanying an old preacher friend of his, Dr Dale Oldham, on some evangelistic crusades. He recalled: "He was a very eloquent speaker. One night after one of those meetings, Dr. Oldham said to me, 'Bill, the word "touch" is a very popular word. It comes up so often in the New Testament stories about Jesus touching people's eyes and healing them, or touching people's lives and changing them. It's a special, spiritual word and you ought to write a song that praises His touch.' So I did."  Doug Oldham, Dr. Oldham's son, was the first to record the song in 1964 and later in the year Bill's own group recorded it. Bill recalled: "Doug sang it around in church circles, but I think it really started to get popular as people would take it back to their own congregations and sing it as a chorus. Its funny, you write 53 songs and then you write one little baby, and even though it comes out of the womb the same way they all did, this baby just all of a sudden goes BOOM!"   Many other artists have recorded this song, including most famously, Elvis, who made it the title track of his 1972 Grammy Winning gospel album. The King covered it after hearing an arrangement by his backing group, The Imperials.  While these famous musicians certainly helped make the song popular, I think much of its worldwide acceptance came because the words hit home.  When Christ touches a life he changes it completely and one is no longer the same.  The person is set free from the shackles and burden of their sin and now they are made whole.  If you have experienced this touch and change, then sing along with these words this week and praise God for the joy He has put within your life.

(1)     Shackled by a heavy burden

Neath a load of guilt and shame

Then the hand of jesus touched me

And now I am no longer the same

He touched me, oh he touched me

And oh the joy that floods my soul

Something happened and now I know

He touched me and made me whole

(2)     Since I met this blessed savior

Since he cleansed and made me whole

I will never cease to praise him

Ill shout it while eternity rolls

He touched me oh he touched me

And oh the joy that floods my soul

Something happened and now I know

He touched me and made me whole

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

HALLELUJAH TIS DONE

Over the centuries people have struggled with the belief that their good works would provide salvation for them.  Even today many people have the mistaken belief that being good, taking care of the poor, giving to the church, or even serving in ministry will be enough to earn them a place in heaven.  But the scripture is very clear that securing salvation has nothing to do with our good works, but it is a gift of God, provided to us by His mercy and grace, through the death of Christ at Calvary. There is nothing wrong with doing good deeds, but it won't get you to heaven.   The price for one's salvation has already been paid by the Crucified Son.  This week's old hymn, written by Philip P. Bliss. makes this point very clear, over and over in each verse.  Once again, I have found nothing about the actual writing of the hymn, but its truth has had an impact on many lives over the years.  Ira Sankey, the great hymn writer who accompanied Dwight Moody on his campaigns, shared this story. "A minister from England, in telling of a certain meeting, says: "Among the converts was a man somewhat advanced in years, who was very anxious about the salvation of his wife, and expressed a wish that I should visit her. I did so repeatedly, and explained to her in very simple words the plan of salvation, but she could not comprehend the meaning of my message. Every time I left, however, she would express a strong desire that I return. One day I went in just before dinner, and talked to her about Jesus, but no light seemed to dawn upon her mind. Then the thought struck me to sing something to her, and so I commenced, ''Tis the promise of God, full salvation to give.' When I was through the chorus, she exclaimed 'Sing it over again.' I did so, time after time, and when I asked her to assist me, she joined in very heartily. The light dawned on her dark mind while we were singing, the big burden of sin was removed from her heart, and her face was lighted up with holy joy as she exclaimed 'Hallelujah, 'tis done! I do believe in the Son; I am saved.' Just then her husband walked in for his dinner, and she shouted out to him, 'Ah lad! I've got it! Hallelujah! 'tis done!' Their hearts were full of joy over the wonderful discovery she had made, and I was grateful to God for a sinner brought to Christ by the ministry of holy song."  May your rejoice this week in the knowledge that it isn't by works of righteousness that you may have done, but by His mercy that we are saved.  (Titus 3:5)  Hallelujah, it is done!

(1)     'Tis the promise of God, full salvation to give

Unto him who on Jesus, His Son, will believe.

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

(2)     Though the pathway be lonely, and dangerous, too,

Surely Jesus is able to carry me through.

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

(3)     Many loved ones have I in yon heavenly throng,

They are safe now in glory, and this is their song:

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

(4)     Little children I see standing close by their King,

And He smiles as their song of salvation they sing:

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

(5)     There are prophets and kings in that throng I behold,

And they sing as they march through the streets of pure gold:

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

(6)     There's a part in that chorus for you and for me,

And the theme of our praises forever will be:

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;

Hallelujah, 'tis done! I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

LIVING FOR JESUS

What are you really living for?  What would your calendar indicate?  How about your checkbook?  What about your work schedule?  What would your family say?  Maybe some of these would be better indicators of the truth of our answer to the original question.  After all, it is easy to fool people by what we do and say on Sunday morning.  Today many people claim to be Christians and believers in Jesus.  But too many don't really understand what it means to really live for Jesus.  This week's hymn choice makes it very clear what that commitment really means.  In this modern world, with all of its attractions, or should I say distractions, can we really say, as the composer said, "I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne"?  This week please read all of the words of each verse of this hymn very carefully and determine if these words of consecration are really yours.  Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.  What have we yielded to Him in return for this great sacrifice?  The composer of this consecration hymn, C. Harold Lowden, tells about the origin of the hymn. "In 1915, I wrote a gospel song entitled The Sunshine Song for children's services. It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to me that the music should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words Living for Jesus. The idea came to me that a deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate. After much thought and prayer I decided to ask T.O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn't have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music.  Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today".   Since then the hymn has been translated into at least 15 different languages.

(1)   Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(2)   Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(3)   Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(4)   Living for Jesus through earth's little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Listen to it being sung here by a men's choral group.   LISTEN