MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST

          "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus", Philippians 2:5.  Most likely it was this very familiar verse that inspired Kate B. Wilkinson (1859-1928) to write this hymn in 1925.  Not much is known about the author's life except that she was born in England and was a member of the Church of England.  It is also believed that she was involved in a ministry for girls and young women in West London.  There is some speculation that because the hymn was written three years before her death, that it may have been written to convey to the young women with whom she worked what it means to lead a godly life. If this is the case, what a beautiful legacy to leave. The tune was written by Arthur C. Barham-Gould specifically for this hymn. The simple but profound words remind us that to have the mind of Christ is to have His love "controlling all I do and say".  And, people seeing me, will realize that I "triumph only through His power" and not in my own works.  Mrs. Wilkinson also used some inspiration from Hebrews 12:1-2 in her hymn with the words "May I run the race before me ... looking unto Jesus".  The hymn is usually sung as a prayer expressing our desire to be more like Christ.  In the first four stanzas we ask that the "mind of Christ", the "word of God", the "peace of God" and the "love of Jesus" may live in our hearts throughout each day.  The final verse is a beautiful summary of this prayer. "May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win. And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him."  What a tremendous desire and goal for each believer.   This hymn has always been a challenge to me and my Christian walk.  With the pressures of daily living it is often easy to stray from the principles shared by Mrs. Wilkinson.  And her words often have helped me refocus on the goal of Godly living.  May the Lord give each of us the desire and wisdom to be submissive to Christ's lordship in "all we do and say," just as He was submissive to God the Father.  Make this your prayer this week.

1.     May the mind of Christ, my Savior,

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say.

2.     May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His power.

3.     May the peace of God my Father

Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

4.     May the love of Jesus fill me

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing,

This is victory.

5.      May I run the race before me,

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go.

6.      May His beauty rest upon me,

As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel,

Seeing only Him.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

TIS THE BLESSED HOUR OF PRAYER

         In 1984 I had the special honor of meeting President Reagan on the White House Lawn.  I had a chance to talk to him briefly and even take his picture.  It was an exciting moment talking to probably the most powerful man in the world at that time.  It was a once in a lifetime experience that I shall never forget.  But each of us has an even more awesome opportunity.  We can talk to the God of the universe at any time. We are always able to come into His presence without any appointments. He is always there.  And our conversations don't need to be brief.  And yet we so often fail to do this.  Many changes have been made in church programs during the past decades.  In my opinion, some have been good, some not so good.   In the latter category  would be an apparent de-emplasis on corporate prayer.  Many churches have dropped prayer meetings.  Others have continued them, but attendances are generally very small and usually are made up of mostly seniors.  Today believers are just to busy to gather together to pray.  Many have gone to processes like prayer chains and small groups and these can be very important and powerful, if the participants take them seriously.  I have had the privilege of having some relatives who were great prayer warriors. They knew how to spend time with God and were faithful in doing that.  But as they have passed on to glory I have the feeling that few have replaced them.  It is a special privilege and responsibility to be an intercessor. There are so many needs to be shared with the Lord.  Prayer is an expression of our faith. It should also be a special time of fellowship with the Lord and a time of worship of Him, as well as a time of confession, thanksgiving and prayer.  What an amazing truth that we can freely commune with the Creator of the universe, God almighty.  I am sure that Fanny Crosby experienced the power of prayer that led her to pen these words in 1880. Her song shares several aspects of prayer and its importance to us.  Stanza one reminds us that prayer is an expression of faith.  Stanza two shares that prayer is a communion with the Savior.  Stanza three emphasizes that prayer is a haven in the time of temptation and trial.  And verse four explains that prayer is a result of our complete confidence in God.  Regarding prayer, Alexander MacLaren has said,"What Christ needed, we cannot afford to neglect."  Indeed, Christ spent much time during his earthly ministry talking to God, His Father.  Why then should we not do likewise?   Hopefully this hymn will remind you this week of the importance and power of prayer in your life.  Plan to spend more time in His presence in this secret service of prayer.  What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

1. 'Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when our hearts lowly bend,

And we gather to Jesus, our Savior and friend;

If we come to Him in faith, His protection to share,

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

Blessed hour of prayer, blessed hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

2. 'Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when the Savior draws near,

With a tender compassion His children to hear;

When He tells us we may cast at His feet every care,

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

Blessed hour of prayer, blessed hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

3. 'Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when the tempted and tried

To the Savior who loves them their sorrow confide;

With a sympathizing heart He removes every care;

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

Blessed hour of prayer, blessed hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

4. At the blessed hour of prayer, trusting Him, we believe

That the blessing we're needing we'll surely receive;

In the fullness of the trust we shall lose every care;

What a balm for the weary, oh, how sweet to be there!

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

NOT NOW BUT IN A BETTER LAND/ SOMETIME WE'LL UNDERSTAND

          While Jesus was washing the feet of His disciples, Simon Peter questioned if Jesus was also going to wash his feet?  Jesus answered and said "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."  (John 13:7)  And over the centuries scores of believers have asked similar questions concerning things that the Lord has allowed in their lives.  Why, we ponder or ask?  We wonder what His purpose may be.  And we learn that we must depend upon Romans 8:28 knowing that He is working all things together for our good and that someday we will understand.  Maxwell Cornelius (1842 - 1893) was brought up on a farm in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania.  As a young man he left his family's home to become a brick mason In Pittsburgh.  But while working there, a wall of a house collapsed on him and he had to have his leg amputated. He decided to go to college and, after completing his studies with honors, he became minister of a church in Altoona.  But because of his wife's poor health he was forced to leave that church and move to California for the climate.  There he built a large Presbyterian church.  But the economy failed, people lost their jobs, and the church had problems paying off the debt.  He was finally able to raise enough to pay off the debt, but then his wife died.  He preached her funeral service and at the end of the sermon he quoted the words of a hymn which he had just written, "Sometime We'll understand".  The words of his sermon and hymn were published in a newspaper and a Major Whittle saw them, tore them out, and placed the clipping in his Bible. Three months later Whittle added the words of the chorus and handed them to his friend, James McGranahan, who added the tune.  The hymn provides a wonderful statement of faith in God which allows us to look beyond the trials and tests of today and rest in God's wisdom.  What may be a mystery to us today will someday be revealed to us when we will understand God's purpose in these tests and trials.  Maybe today you are questioning why God is allowing you to go through some of these trials in your life. Meditate on the words of this hymn this week, penned by a man who, despite all of his hardships and setbacks, maintained a positive attitude and faith in God's ways for his life. "Not now, but in the coming years, it may be in the better land, we'll read the meaning of our tears, and there, sometime, we'll understand." And claim the words of the chorus, "Then trust in God through all thy days, fear not for He doth hold thy hand!"

1     Not now, but in the coming years,

It may be when in a better land,

We'll read the meaning of our tears,

And there, sometime, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

 Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

2     We'll catch the broken thread again,

And finish what we here began;

God will the mysteries explain,

And then, ah, then, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

  Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

3     We'll know why clouds instead of sun

Were over many a cherished plan;

Why song has ceased when scarce begun;

'Tis then, sometime, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

4     Why what we long for most of all,

Eludes so oft our eager hand;

Why hopes are crushed and castles fall,

Till then, sometime, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

 Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

5     God knows the way, He holds the key,

He guides us with unerring hand;

Sometime with tearless eyes we'll see;

Yes, then, 'tis then, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

Listen to it here.  LISTEN

GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE

        We live in a world that is in turmoil.  Terrorism, radical Islam and increasing crime threaten all of us.  Attacks on Christianity are becoming more common in today's culture.  The economy threatens jobs and savings.  Earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and tornados spread destruction.  And politics in the USA are just crazy. And at times even believers find themselves wondering where God is in all of this turmoil.  Is He in control?   But that isn't a new question.  David's enemies mocked him with that very question: "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:3, 10).   But the truth is that God is still on the throne.  We know the Lord reigns, and reigns forever, because it is clearly taught in the Word of God.  It's something we also know by faith.  "The LORD is King forever and ever" (Psalm 10:16; 29:10). "The LORD shall reign forever" (Psalm 146:10). "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" (Psalm 103:19). "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom" (Psalm 145:13). "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" (I Timothy 1:17). God is indeed still enthroned in glory, and nothing happens to us that is beyond His knowledge, sovereign control and ability to turn to a good purpose. Further, we know that one day He'll return, and make all things right (Acts 1:10 -11).  I will be leading worship this week for a retreat for senior citizens at Pinebrook Bible Conference and I was looking for a theme chorus when I came upon this week's hymn choice.  I remember often hearing it sung in prayer meetings when I was growing up.  It is an important reminder to believers that, even in these difficult times, God is still on the throne and He cares for His own.  And someday we will reign with Him in a perfect time and place.  In the meantime He remembers us and will not forget us.  He gives us the strength and wisdom that we need for our daily living.  The words and music to this hymn were written in 1929 by Kittie L. Suffield (1884 - 1972). Before her conversion, at the age of nineteen, Mrs. Suffield had hopes of becoming a concert artist, either as a coloratura soprano or a pianist. But when she came to Christ, she dedicated all of her gifts to His service. How she and her husband met is an interesting story. Fred Suffield, a Canadian, was awakened one night by an urgent pounding on his door. The caller reported that a train had been stalled nearby in the blizzard conditions that winter night. The caller feared the passengers were in danger of freezing to death. Suffield went to the train and invited them all back to his house. One of them, Kitty Jennett, wrote a note to thank him for his kindness, and out of that, and some exchanged correspondence, a relationship developed.  The two were later brought to Christ at a church in Ottawa by the pastor, A. J. Shea.  Kitty Suffield was instrumental in encouraging the pastor's teen-aged son to use his voice to sing God's praises. His name was George Beverly Shea. Kitty and her preacher husband eventually formed a much traveled evangelistic team, sometimes with Shea.  In addition to this hymn, she also wrote "Little Is Much When God Is in It."   Maybe this week's hymn choice is a reminder that you need this week.  Are you worried, anxious, distressed?  Then be reminded that God has a plan for this world and for believers and He is in complete control.  Theologian A.W. Pink states, "Divine sovereignty means that God is God in fact, as well as in name, that He is on the Throne of the universe directing all things."  This hymn reminds us of the Sovereignty of God. God is still on the throne no matter what happens in this world - even the November election in the United States. Give your burdens to Him and trust in Him knowing that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, always present and that He promises and gives peace beyond all understanding.  Trust Him for God is still on the throne.

1.     Have you started for glory and Heaven?

Have you left this old world far behind?

In your heart is the Comforter dwelling?

Can you say, "Praise the Lord, He is mine"?

Have the ones that once walked on the highway

Gone back, and you seem all alone?

Keep your eyes on the prize, for the home in the skies;

God is still on the throne.

God is still on the throne,

And He will remember His own;

Tho' trials may press us and burdens distress us,

He never will leave us alone;

God is still on the throne,

He never forsaketh His own;

His promise is true, He will not forget you,

God is still on the throne.

2.     Burdened soul, is your heart growing weary

With the toil and the heat of the day?

Does it seem that your path is more thorny

As you journey along on life's way?

Go away and in secret before Him

Tell your grief to the Savior alone;

He will lighten your care, for He still answers prayer;

God is still on the throne.

God is still on the throne,

And He will remember His own;

Tho' trials may press us and burdens distress us,

He never will leave us alone;

God is still on the throne,

He never forsaketh His own;

His promise is true, He will not forget you,

God is still on the throne.

3.     You may live in a tent or a cottage,

Unnoticed by those who pass by;

But a mansion for you He is building

In that beautiful city on high;

It will outshine the wealth and the splendor

Of the richest on earth we have known;

He's the Architect true, and He's building for you;

God is still on the throne.

God is still on the throne,

And He will remember His own;

Tho' trials may press us and burdens distress us,

He never will leave us alone;

God is still on the throne,

He never forsaketh His own;

His promise is true, He will not forget you,

God is still on the throne.

4.     He is coming again, is the promise

To disciples when He went away;

In like manner as He has gone from you,

You will see Him returning some day;

Does His tarrying cause you to wonder,

Does it seem He's forgotten His own?

His promise is true, He is coming for you;

God is still on the throne.

God is still on the throne,

And He will remember His own;

Tho' trials may press us and burdens distress us,

He never will leave us alone;

God is still on the throne,

He never forsaketh His own;

His promise is true, He will not forget you,

God is still on the throne.

I had a very difficult time finding a good video of this hymn.  I finally settled on one which is adequate but not outstanding.       LISTEN

JUST OVER IN THE GLORYLAND

          I love to hear and sing songs which speak of heaven.  They serve as special reminders of what is ahead for each believer and this hope is something we all need in these troubled times in which we are living on this earth.  Even though James Acuff (1864 - 1937) wrote the words of this week's hymn choice over a century ago, he too must have been looking for that time when we would join our Savior in heaven, the glory land which Jesus is preparing for His family.  Acuff was the sixth of seven children born to a minister and his wife in Texas.   He became a beloved song-leader and hymn writer among the Churches of Christ in the southwest and is credited with writing several gospel songs.  His career spanned nearly fifty years.  No details are available concerning the circumstances behind the writing of this week's hymn.  However, it isn't hard to imagine that Acuff looked forward to the special home where saints abide and to be with the Lord in gloryland.  He knew it will be a joyous land where the blood washed throng would sing and shout glad hosannas to Christ, the Lord and King.  The tune (Dean or Gloryland) was composed by Emmet Sidney Dean (1876-1951), a Methodist musician who provided melodies for a number of gospel songs.  The upbeat tune for this song adds to the excitement and expectation that we should have for our future experience in gloryland.  Are you looking with expectation to that glorious time?  Do you have the assurance that someday you will join the saints by the side of their precious Savior?  That hope and assurance can be yours if you but put your trust in Jesus and what He has done to provide you with forgiveness of sins.  Then you too can sing with us today, "What a joyful thought that my Lord I'll see, just over in the glory land; And with kindred saved, there forever be, just over in the glory land."  Will I see you there?

1. I've a home prepared where the saints abide,

Just over in the glory land;

And I long to be by my Savior's side,

Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,

I'll join the happy angel band,

Just over in the glory land;

Just over in the glory land,

There with the mighty host I'll stand,

Just over in the glory land.

2. I am on my way to those mansions fair,

Just over in the glory land;

There to sing God's praise and His glory share,

Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,

I'll join the happy angel band,

Just over in the glory land;

Just over in the glory land,

There with the mighty host I'll stand,

Just over in the glory land.

3. What a joyful thought that my Lord I'll see,

Just over in the glory land;

And with kindred saved, there forever be,

Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,

I'll join the happy angel band,

Just over in the glory land;

Just over in the glory land,

There with the mighty host I'll stand,

Just over in the glory land.

4. With the blood-washed throng I will shout and sing,

Just over in the glory land;

Glad hosannas to Christ, the Lord and King,

Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land,

I'll join the happy angel band,

Just over in the glory land;

Just over in the glory land,

There with the mighty host I'll stand,

Just over in the glory land.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN