IT IS JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY

      Having grown up in an era when we had Sunday night services filled with good congregational singing, there are a number of hymns which I remember always looking forward to singing.  And I miss them.  This week's hymn choice is one which I always loved to sing and I wish we'd still sing it today.  It is based on I Peter 1:8 (KJV), where the apostle speaks of the Lord Jesus, "whom having not seen, you love;  in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." An old chorus reminds us of how we can gain this unspeakable joy.

If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy 

let Jesus come into your heart. 

If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, 

let Jesus come into your heart. 

Your sins He'll wash away 

Your night He'll turn today 

Your life He'll make it over anew. 

If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, 

let Jesus come into your heart.

So real joy is one of our birthrights as a Christian.  Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  Unfortunately, so often we believers don't seem to live as though we have these birthrights. If you haven't been experiencing that unspeakable joy in your life, then maybe you need to claim the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalm 51:10-12 (NASB), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit."  The words of this week's hymn were penned by Barney E. Warren (1867 - 1951) in 1900.  Warren was converted in 1884.  Two years later he joined Daniel Sidney Warner and his evangelistic singing company as a bass singer.  He is credited with writing over 7,000 songs, though few have been used in our lifetime.  He was also a Church of God minister and pastored several congregations.    Though the blessings of God are often beyond description, it's in praising Him for what we are able to comprehend that our souls are strengthened and encouraged. That seems to be the meaning of Nehemiah's words, when he told the people of Israel, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah. 8:10).  Is this song your testimony today?  Are you finding His grace is all complete?  Is His presence near to you?  Is your joy like a great overflowing well?  The joy which He provides is unspeakable and full of glory, and the half has never yet been told!  Psalm 16:11 (NASB),  "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."  If I think hard, I can hear the saints from past years joyfully singing these words.  Join with me in doing this during the coming week.

1.     I have found His grace is all complete,

He supplieth every need;

While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet,

I am free, yes, free indeed.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Full of glory, full of glory;

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

2.     I have found the pleasure I once craved,

It is joy and peace within;

What a wondrous blessing, I am saved

From the awful gulf of sin.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Full of glory, full of glory;

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

3.     I have found that hope so bright and clear,

Living in the realm of grace;

Oh, the Savior's presence is so near,

I can see His smiling face.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Full of glory, full of glory;

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

4.     I have found the joy no tongue can tell,

How its waves of glory roll;

It is like a great o'erflowing well,

Springing up within my soul.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Full of glory, full of glory;

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

MAJESTIC SWEETNESS

          There are some hymns which I feel are both worship and testimony hymns.  That is they praise and remind us of who our heavenly Father is and His majesty and might.  And, at the same time, they also share the salvation which we have experienced through His provision.  This week's hymn choice does both of these things.  The first two verses speak of His majestic sweetness and His grace.  Nothing can compare with them.  And the last two verses speak of how He found us in our deep distress in sin.  And through the death of Christ He has made us to triumph over death and the grave.  What a great Savior!  The words of this hymn were penned by Dr. Samuel Stennett (1727 - 1795).  Stennet, a Baptist minister, came from a line of famous ministers. In face, in 1748, he became assistant to his father in the ministry, and in 1758 succeeded him in the pastoral office at Little Wild Street in London. From that time until his death, he held a very prominent position among the dissenting ministers of London. He was much respected by some of the statesmen of the time, and used his influence with them in support of the principles of religious freedom.  King George III was said to be among his friends.  Besides several volumes of sermons, Dr. Stennet is said to have written thirty-eight hymns. These included "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand". This hymn, however, was his greatest and was first published in 1787, as a hymn of nine stanzas.  It was published with the title "Chiefest Among Ten Thousand or, the Excellencies of Christ," and with the Scripture reference Solomon's Song 5:10-16.  Over the years some verses were eliminated and the order of others was changed, so that today most hymnals list just four.   Let me encourage you this week to meditate and sing the words of this hymn while you worship the Father and Son and give thanks for the relief and hope that has been provided for you through the Cross.

1.    Majestic sweetness sits enthroned

Upon the Savior's brow;

His head with radiant glories crowned,

His lips with grace o'erflow,

His lips with grace o'erflow.

2.    No mortal can with Him compare

Among the sons of men;

Fairer is He than all the fair

Who fill the heav'nly train,

Who fill the heav'nly train.

3.    He saw me plunged in deep distress

And flew to my relief;

For me He bore the shameful cross

And carried all my grief,

And carried all my grief.

4.     To Him I owe my life and breath

And all the joys I have;

He makes me triumph over death

And saves me from the grave,

And saves me from the grave.

For your interest, here are the other five verses which were originally included in this hymn.

To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue

Its noblest tribute bring

When He's the subject of the song,

Who can refuse to sing?

Who can refuse to sing?

Survey the beauties of His face,

And on His glories dwell;

Think of the wonders of His grace,

And all His triumphs tell,

And all His triumphs tell.

His hand a thousand blessings pours

Upon my guilty head:

His presence gilds my darkest hours,

And guards my sleeping bed,

And guards my sleeping bed.

To Heav'n, the place of His abode,

He brings my weary feet;

Shows me the glories of my God,

And makes my joys complete,

And makes my joys complete.

*Since from His bounty I receive

Such proofs of love divine,

Had I a thousand hearts to give,

Lord, they should all be Thine,

Lord, they should all be Thine.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

DWELLING IN BEULAH LAND

          I have enjoyed watching the Olympics during the past two weeks.  There have been some very interesting and exciting results, but one of my favorites was the win by Fuji in the rugby competition.  The Fuji players became national heroes when they won the gold medal, the first medal ever won in the Olympics by their country. The fiji government declared a national holiday to celebrate.  Then during the medal ceremony they played the country's anthem, "God Bless Fiji".  As I listened I knew that I had heard that tune before and soon I was able to recall what is was as words from many years ago came back to my mind.  The music was the same as "Dwelling in Beulah Land", a hymn which we loved to sing many years ago.  I guess in those years I thought that Beulah Land referred to heaven and while doing some research I found that many believe that to be the case.  In fact there are a variety of opinions as to what it stands for. Beulah is actually only mentioned once in the Bible, in Isaiah 62:4. "You will be called Hepzipah, and your land Beulah". I am not a theologian, but apparently Beulah means "to be married". The verse is a message of hope to the nation of Israel. God promises to change its name from Deserted and Desolate to Hephzibah and Beulah. When God changes a name in the Bible, it conveys transformation, a second chance, and a new beginning. This passage promises the restoration of Israel to a place of favor and protection in God's sight. Through this passage, the whole world knows that God finds delight in Israel and is married to her. He will no longer forsake His people. That deliverance from bondage into freedom and blessing is similar to the salvation of sinners today. Our "Canaan" , or "Beulah" is the abundant Christian life, a life of peace and victory, that Christ came to provide for us. This hymn was written by Charles Austin Miles (1868-1946) in 1911, a pharmacist turned publisher. Miles was also an amateur photographer who wrote many of his hymns in a darkroom while waiting for the photographs to develop. He served as editor and manager at the Hall-Mack publishers for 37 years. In his own words, "It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire."  His hymn uses an upbeat tune to share many of the things that believers experience in the abundant Christian life that Christ provides to his family. In it we are reminded that despite the noise of strife, and the sins and temptations of earth all around us, none of them can take away the peace that Christ alone gives.  We can be safe from the battle around us as we retreat to God's Word and the safety which He provides.  We can see the way He planned as we are sheltered and protected by God's hand, safe forever in Beulah Land.  Rest in these truths this week.

1      Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling,

Then I know the sins of earth beset on every hand:

Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling,

None of these shall move me from Beulah Land. 

Chorus:

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,

I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;

O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,

For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

2      Far below the storm of doubt upon the world is beating,

Sons of men in battle long the enemy withstand:

Safe am I within the castle of God's Word retreating,

Nothing then can reach me--'tis Beulah Land. 

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,

I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;

O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,

For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

3      Let the stormy breezes blow, their cry cannot alarm me;

I am safely sheltered here, protected by God's hand:

Here the sun is always shining, here there's naught can harm me,

I am safe forever in Beulah Land. 

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,

I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;

O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,

For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

4      Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation,

Hearing now His blessed voice, I see the way He planned:

Dwelling in the Spirit, here I learn of full salvation,

Gladly I will tarry in Beulah Land. 

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,

I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;

O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,

For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

You have several choices if you want to listen to it.  First, a video of it being sung by a congregation.   CONGREGATION

Second, you can listen to the Gathers sing it.   GATHERS

Now, just for fun, here is a copy of the Fiji anthem   FIJI

BRING ALL YOUR NEEDS

          The biggest need that mankind has is to be forgiven and set free from the burden of sin which each person carries.  And there is only one solution.  Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me."  And Jesus is that answer, the only answer.  His blood which He shed on Calvary will cleanse every sin of man and Jesus alone can provide real forgiveness and new life.  We just need to come into His presence, confess to Him our sin, and accept His free gift of salvation.  But that is just the beginning.  The Savior who cares for the little sparrow and the lilies, cares even more for His children.  And we are urged to bring to Him our daily cares and burdens.  And He is always willing and able to help us.  We are urged to cast all of our care on Him for He cares for us.  These invitations to come into His presence are the theme of the words of this Gospel song written by Dottie Rambo (1934 - 2008).  As a child Mrs. Rambo fell in love with country music while listening to the Grand Ole Opry.  It is said that she started to write songs at the age of 8 and by age 10 she was singing on a local radio station,  At the age of 12 she became a born-again Christian.  Her father hated her decision and eventually kicked her out of the house.  She was signed to a writing contract in her teens.  At the age of 16 she married Buck Rambo.  Her daughter, Reba, was born when Dottie was 18 and the three of them eventually formed a trio that would sing Gospel music for many decades.  As the years passed by, Dottie Rambo endured more than her share of pain and heartache. She suffered with chronic back trouble and underwent several surgeries. At various times, her health problems left her in comas. She knew what it meant to bring her needs to the Lord.  In 1994, the Christian Country Music Association named her "Songwriter Of The Century".  In addition to performing, Dottie Rambo wrote more than 2500 songs. Concerning the writing of this song, she claims that the Holy Spirit gave her both the words and the melody while she was performing in a concert. They just came to her as she sat at the piano and played and sang. On May 11, 2008, Dottie Rambo died when her motor coach struck an embankment in Missouri. She was traveling from Illinois where she had just performed a concert. It is said that her final concert began with "I'm Gonna Leave Here Shoutin'" and ended with "We Shall Behold Him."   So what is your need today?  Have you experienced forgiveness of sins?  If not, come to the Savior today.  Do not delay!  Or are you wrestling with the many problems that we face in life?  Bring them to the Savior as well.  As the song says, "Bring all your needs to the Lord, He is so willing and able to help you, Bring all your needs to the Lord"

1.     Walk boldly to stand in His presence

Lay claim on the promise He made

Your soul can be cleansed

Beneath the flow of His fountain

His Blood washes guilt all away

Chorus

Just bring all your needs to the altar

Bring all your needs to the Lord

He is so willing and able to help you

Bring all your needs to the Lord

2.    He watches the fall of the sparrow

Concerned with the lilies so fair

How much more He cares

For the sheep of his pasture

So bring Him the burdens you bear

Chorus

Bring all your needs to the altar

Bring all your needs to the Lord

He is so willing and able to help you

Bring all your needs to the Lord

Bring all your needs to the Lord

Listen to it here.     LISTEN