THE BIBLE STANDS

 

          When our family ministry provided us with opportunities to minister to children we always tried to teach them a hymn, usually using materials from Bible Visuals Inc.  One of the hymns that we used quite often was this week's choice.  We enjoyed teaching it because of its message and also because the kids used to love to sing it, especially the powerful upbeat chorus.  The truth is that over the centuries many have unsuccessfully tried to destroy God's Word, the Bible.  Copies have been prohibited, confiscated and destroyed.  People have been persecuted, imprisoned and even murdered for having a copy.  But God's Word has survived.  Sometimes copies have been smuggled to people.  Some have even shared just a page or two from a precious copy of a Bible.  And yet today missionaries work hard to translate it into more and more languages.  New versions continue to be developed to make it more readable for folks around the world.  Yes, despite the desperate attempts of so many over the years, the Bible still stands and continues to be published in record numbers, far above the works of other authors.  And not only does it stand, but the truth it proclaims has not passed away and remains as relevant today as it has for centuries.  It has passed every test and it should because its Author is divine.  And the scripture itself tells us that this has happened and will continue to happen. "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Mark 13:31.  And we are reminded of its power.  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrew 4:12. Unfortunately, we in most civilized countries often take the Bible for granted.  We have so many copies of it, in different versions, and they often gather dust on our shelves.  May we be challenged this week to pick up the command of II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show  thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  Will you take that challenge and plant your feet on its firm foundation?  For the Bible stands!

1.     The Bible stands like a rock undaunted

'Mid the raging storms of time;

Its pages burn with the truth eternal,

And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,

For the Bible stands.

2.     The Bible stands like a mountain towering

Far above the works of men;

Its truth by none ever was refuted,

And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,

For the Bible stands.

3.     The Bible stands and it will forever,

When the world has passed away;

By inspiration it has been given,

All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,

For the Bible stands.

4.     The Bible stands every test we give it,

For its Author is divine;

By grace alone I expect to live it,

And to prove and to make it mine.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,

For the Bible stands.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

LOVEST THOU ME

        During the month of February with Valentines Day many minds turn to thoughts of love.  Children make and share Valentines with each other.  Adult couples do special things like go out for a special dinner, buy expensive candy for a date or spouse or purchase extravagant jewelry.   These gestures are to demonstrate one's love for another person.  But there is a more important action concerning love which needs to be examined.  It is the question that Jesus once asked Simon Peter, "Lovest thou these more than me?"  I am referring to verses 15-17 in John 21.  "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep"."  Now I don't think the question that was posed by Jesus was really for His own information. It was for Peter's self-examination.  Maybe that is a question that we need to answer ourselves by our own self-examination.  As Bill Gather's song says, do we love the Lord more than fame, wealth, and the world? That is a penetrating question in today's society with all its attractions and temptations. I also think it is interesting how Peter answered Jesus.  He didn't say things like certainly, just ask my pastor or the elders, or look at all the work I do for you, or remember how much money I give to your work.  He knew that the Lord knew everything.  He knew the thoughts and intents of Peter's heart, just as He knows the same about us.  Have you ever thought what you would say if somehow Jesus would confront you with this question just as He did Peter?  I don't know the details behind the writing of this week's song choice, but I am sure that Bill Gather wrote this song after being challenged by this passage.  May we use these words this week to force us to examine our lives and actions and answer this vital question, "Lovest thou me, more than these?"

(1)     Modern times have brought us many blessings

People live in wealth and luxury

But the Master asks this question

Lovest thou me, lovest thou me, more than these?

Lovest thou me, more than these my child?

What will, will your answer be?

Oh precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

(2)     I love Thee more than this old world could offer

All sinful follies I deny for Thee

My love, my life, my all, I pledge Thee

I love thee Lord, I love thee Lord, more than these

More than these

Lovest thou me, more than these my child?

What will, will your answer be?

Oh precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

I especially love the version of this song done by Ernie Haase and his group.  I appreciate the fine, close harmony and hope that you will as well.  I apologize that you need to watch the commercial for 5 seconds, but when that time is up click to go right to the song.    LISTEN

FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS

        Fortunate is the person who has a good friend here on earth.  It is very special to have somebody who really cares about you and what is happening in your life. It is unusual to have somebody who sticks with you in the good times as well as the bad times.  You are blessed if you have someone with whom you can share your joys and sorrows, your fears and worries, your concerns for tomorrow.  Such friends are hard to find.  And sadly sometimes the unexpected events of life, such as major moves or especially death, will end these important and valued relationships. That I have personally experienced in recent years.  But we are reminded in the Scriptures (Proverbs 18:24) that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  And that Friend is Jesus.  And for those who have been born into His family, He is the perfect Friend.  He loves us, He cares for us, He has a plan for us, He guides us, He comforts us and He is always there and will never leave us or forsake us. For that we have His promises. What a Friend we have in Jesus!   And this is the truth that Joseph Ludgate (1864-1947) conveyed in this week's hymn choice.  We know very little about the author or the events behind his writing of these words in1898.  He was raised as a Roman Catholic but later joined the Salvation Army where he served for many years.  He also served as a chaplain in World War I and as spiritual advisor to the Wheaton Military College.  It is interesting to note that the music for this hymn was arranged by Stephen C. Foster who is best known as a composer of popular music such as "Suwanee River" and "My Old Kentucky Home".  Foster's work has been adapted to numerous hymns and gospel songs.  As you study the words of this song you will be reminded of God's grace and mercy that would allow us to be a friend of Jesus.  You will be reminded of His faithfulness to us when even those closest to us would disappoint us.  You will be reminded of how He is with us in the good times as well as in the challenging times of life and how He will be there to meet us someday on heaven's shore.   What a friendship, what a sweet communion, and what a thrill to know that Jesus is your Friend.   Rejoice in that knowledge this week.

(1)     A friend of Jesus! O what bliss

That one so vile as I

Should ever have a Friend like this

To lead me to the sky!

Friendship with Jesus!

Fellowship divine!

O what blessed, sweet communion!

Jesus is a Friend of mine.

(2)     A Friend when other friendships cease,

A Friend when others fail,

A Friend Who gives me joy and peace,

A Friend when foes assail!

Friendship with Jesus!

Fellowship divine!

O what blessed, sweet communion!

Jesus is a Friend of mine.

(3)     A Friend when sickness lays me low,

A Friend when death draws near,

A Friend as through the vale I go,

A Friend to help and cheer!

Friendship with Jesus!

Fellowship divine!

O what blessed, sweet communion!

Jesus is a Friend of mine.

(4)     A Friend when life's short race is o'er

A Friend when earth is past,

A Friend to meet on Heaven's shore,

A Friend when home at last!

Friendship with Jesus!

Fellowship divine!

O what blessed, sweet communion!

Jesus is a Friend of mine.

Now videos of Ludgate's hymn are extremely rare and difficult to find.  I only found one that was acceptable enough to share in my blog and even that one is not very good.  But here it is to view.

LISTEN

Because of the poor quality of that I am also including a link to the background music and the words that you might want to listen to and possibly sing along with.

LISTEN2

I AM NOT WORTHY

          I believe that today we live in a society where entitlement is becoming a serious problem.  More and more people believe that they are entitled to whatever they want, free, often at the expense of government.  Probably government programs and handouts have created much of this.  As an example of this, I recently read an article about the parents of the players of a major college football team which was in the national play-offs.  They demanded that the league pay their travel, ticket and hotel costs to attend the bowl play-off games.  It didn't matter that their sons had received four to five years of college free, they felt that they were entitled to much more. Give me, give me, give me, for I deserve it.  Such attitudes are polar opposites of how believers should feel about their salvation and spiritual benefits.  No matter how good we may appear to be, we are just unworthy of what Christ has done for us.  And we should never forget this.  In Luke 3:16 we read, "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose."  We should be amazed that Christ left all the glories and riches of heaven to come to this earth and suffer a painful death just to pay the penalty for our sins.   We don't begin to deserve to be an heir or have Him prepare a place for us.  But that is our legacy, our inheritance, when we humbly accept His undeserved free gift of salvation.  And these are the thoughts that are expressed in our hymn choice this week, written by Beatrice Bush Bixler (1916-2013).  Most of the hymns that we have featured in this blog over the years have been written by authors who lived a century or more ago.  Not in this case, however.  I have actually heard Bixler sing and play at Pinebrook Bible Conference.  Born in New York state, she grew up with physical problems.  The congregation of a neighbor's church prayed for her healing and she recovered and grew to be healthy and strong, living until 2013 when she was 97.   As a child she learned to play the piano and organ and a a teen was playing for various churches and youth organizations, such as Youth For Christ.  After graduating from Houghton College and majoring in music, Bea married the Rev. Clair Bixler, an ordained pastor in The Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. Together they would be pastor and wife in C & M A Churches and in The Missionary Church in Indiana, Illinois, and New York. They raised four children. Bea's incredible output of Christian hymns, Gospel songs, and choruses is noteworthy. No less than 450 pieces were written, but unfortunately the majority have never been either recorded or reduced to the written page. A significant number were published in two books of her music exclusively, by Singspiration Music in the 1960s and 1970s. But this hymn of confession, I Am Not Worthy, was a perennial favorite of many, and was her unswerving testimony. Her incredible musical vocation spanned more than eighty years.  And while she knew that we believers are so unworthy, she realized that there is only One who is entitled to be worthy.   Revelation 4:11   "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."  This week thank God for His great mercy in not giving you what you deserve and for His grace in giving you spiritual riches at His expense.

(1)     I am not worthy the least of His favor, 

But Jesus left heaven for me; 

The Word became flesh and He died as my Savior, 

Forsaken on dark Calvary. 

I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!  

I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it? 

Jesus left heaven to die in my place 

What mercy, what love and what grace! 

(2)     I am not worthy the least of His favor, 

But "In the beloved" I stand; 

Now I'm an heir with my wonderful Savior, 

And all things are mine at His hand. 

I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!  

I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it? 

Jesus left heaven to die in my place 

What mercy, what love and what grace! 

(3)     I am not wortly the least of His favor, 

But He is preparing a place 

Where I shall dwell with my glorified Savior, 

Forever to look on His face.

I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!  

I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it? 

Jesus left heaven to die in my place 

What mercy, what love and what grace! 

Like many of her compositions, there are not many recording of it available.  However, here is one very unique because it is actually the author singing her song.   LISTEN