HIS LOVING KINDNESS

          Psalm 117:2,  "For His loving kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!"   Psalm 63:3, "Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips will praise You."

          In the midst of a time which has been filled with the unknown, anxiety, fear and danger, Christians need to pause and, as the scripture says, thank the Lord for His great loving kindness to us.  It's so free, so great, so strong, and so good!

          At the age of 14, Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was apprenticed to an oilman in London.  But he didn't like the business so he entered the Royal Navy. Then he was severely wounded in a battle with the French fleet off Port Lagos, so in 1759, he was obliged to retire from active service.  About that time he heard a  sermon by Isaac Watts, and that led to his conversion. He joined a Baptist Church in London and under the care of a Dr. Gifford, opened a school which he conducted for several years  Having begun to preach, he received, in 1767, a call to become pastor of the Baptist church at Watford. Then in 1772, he moved to Liverpool, where he gathered a large congregation, and for 27 years ministered there. After a long and painful illness he died in 1799.

          It is said that Samuel Medley wrote 230 hymns. His hymns are marked by the spirit of praise and worship. Among the best-known of his hymns are this one known also as "Awake, My Soul, to Joyful Lays," and "I Know that My Redeemer Lives". This week's hymn was first printed on what was then called "broad sheets" for distribution. A writer noted that "The popularity it has in America is owing much to the refrain which closes every stanza, and the old, old melody to which it has been sung in a thousand camp meetings, East, West and South".

          May you be challenged this week as you mediate upon His loving kindness to you.  Take time to thank Him and praise Him.  God is so good! 

         

1.     Awake, my soul, to joyful lays,

And sing thy great Redeemer's praise;

He justly claims a song for me,

His loving-kindness, oh, how free!

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness, oh, how free!

2.     He saw me ruined in the fall,

Yet loved me notwithstanding all;

He saved me from my lost estate,

His loving-kindness, oh, how great!

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness, oh, how great!

3.     Though num'rous hosts of mighty foes,

Though earth and hell my way oppose,

He safely leads my soul along,

His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!

4.     When trouble like a gloomy cloud,

Has gathered thick and thundered loud,

He near my soul has always stood,

His loving-kindness, oh, how good!

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness, oh, how good!

5.     Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,

Soon all my mortal pow'rs must fail;

Oh, may my last expiring breath

His loving-kindness sing in death.

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness sing in death.

6.     Then let me mount and soar away

To the bright world of endless day;

And sing with raptures and surprise,

His loving-kindness in the skies.

Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,

His loving-kindness in the skies

Listen to it here.   LOVINGKINDNESS

BREATH OF HEAVEN

          Most of the traditional Christmas songs that we have been singing  this season were written many years ago.  Silent Night goes back 204 years,  Away In A Manger was written in 1862,   Go Tell It On The Mountain in 1865, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear in 1849, O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1867, We Three Kings in 1863, and Angel From The Realms of Glory in 1862, just to name a few.  However there have been a few written a few decades ago which may also pass the test of time.

          One of those is the one chosen this week. It tells the nativity story from Mary's perspective portraying the mother of Jesus as a frightened young girl, attempting to deal with the circumstances of giving birth to the Holy Father's Son. Despite her human doubts, Mary's faith in the goodness and mercy of God remain and help her deal with the unique situation she finds herself in.

          English songwriter Chris Eaton originally penned this song, with the title "Breath of Heaven." When Amy Grant first heard it, she decided she wanted to record the tune for her holiday album, but with the verses rewritten to personalize them. She explained "That song is so profound, but the chorus is so simple. It's authentic and perfectly written, because it uses an incredibly moving economy of words". 

          Finally Chris said, 'Well, OK, just for this one version, we'll let you put a different lyric on there.' I said, 'Well, you couldn't possibly have written the lyric I'm thinking of, because I'm going to write it from a woman's perspective.' I was very pregnant at the time, and I felt that was part of the inspiration for song as I tried to imagine Mary's experience. "  Amy  considers the intimate nature of this tune has transformed it into a prayer. She explained: "It is a prayer that fits a lot of people'' circumstances, because it is a cry of mercy. Some nights on stage I can hardly get through the song for knowing all of the collective, unspoken pain of the lives in front of me. And so the words become my prayer for the listener and the reader, as well as the singer."

           The story of Mary is a remarkable story in that God chose this teenager to be the mother of His Son.  Then He guided her and protected her through difficult times as she was obedient to God's call.  So at this Christmas season my we be reminded of God's call on our lives and His protection and guidance as we obey Him.  May we ask the Lord to "pour over me Your holiness for You are holy."     

1.   I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done

Holy Father, You have come

And chosen me now to carry Your Son

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven

2.     I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven

[3.     Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven

Listen to it here.   BREATH

BLESSED QUIETNESS

        We live in a very noisy age.  Phones ringing.  Television and radios blaring.  Constant  "dings" from cell phones and social media.  News outlets delivering doom every hour of the day.  Kids screaming, neighbors arguing.  Appliances running.  Everywhere you go there is noise.

          Do you ever find a time of quietness?   A time when you have some peaceful moments alone with the Lord.  With your body relaxed and comfortable, and looking only to Jesus, your heart will be turned to Him in adoration. From this experience, you are likely to have a greater desire to obey Him. People who devote time to be alone with the Lord find a renewed reservoir of personal strength and quiet confidence.

          Such times of blessed quietness can be rare today.  I admit that these times for me where very rare until the pandemic forced me to "shelter in" with little to do over the months of being isolated at home.  Such moments of quietness are necessary for our Christian growth and we must make them a priority in our daily lives.

          In 1911 Maine Payne Ferguson (1850-1932) wrote of this quietness in this week's featured hymn.   She was a pioneer leader in the American Holiness Movement, a Christian evangelist and social worker who co-founded the Peniel Mission, and the author of several hymns, most notably "Blessed Quietness".

         Ferguson, along with her husband, Theodore, founded the Los Angeles Mission in 1886. This was eventually renamed the Peniel Mission.  Under Manie's direction, the Peniel Missions sought to provide a ministry for single women.  The women usually lived in rented rooms near the rented hall where they conducted evangelistic services. They boldly testified on street corners and in bars and houses of prostitution.   The Peniel Mission used some of the same methods as the Salvation Army, including street-corner meetings followed by parades back to the mission hall.

          Now I don't know the circumstances that inspired her to write these words but I am guessing it came through personal experience.  I understand that she was a very active person but she must have learned the value of those quiet times alone with the Lord.  The challenge this week is for each of us to find those necessary quiet times.  Then you can experience the joy and peace and rest that will result from that blessed quietness.

1.     Joys are flowing like a river,

Since the Comforter has come;

He abides with us forever,

Makes the trusting heart His home.

Refrain:

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,

Blest assurance in my soul!

On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to

And the billows cease to roll.

2.     Everything is turned to gladness,

All around this glorious Guest;

Banished unbelief and sadness,

All is perfect peace and rest.

Refrain:

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,

Blest assurance in my soul!

On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me,

And the billows cease to roll.

3.     Like the rain that falls from heaven,

Like the sunlight from the sky,

So the Holy Spirit given,

Falls upon us from on high.

Refrain:

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,

Blest assurance in my soul!

On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me,

And the billows cease to roll.

4.     What a wonderful salvation,

Where we always see His face!

What a peaceful habitation!

What a quiet resting place!

Refrain:

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,

Blest assurance in my soul!

On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me,

And the billows cease to roll.

Listen to it here   QUIETNESS

MOMENT BY MOMENT (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - Another revised and repeated blog of one of the great hymns of the faith originally shared on July 31, 2011.

         The older I become, the more I feel the need to walk moment by moment in the presence of the Lord. As the burdens grow greater and our strength decreases, it is vital to recognize that He is with us always and everywhere, each moment of the day.  He is our strength and guide. There are no events in our lives that He is not aware of and in control of.  The words of this hymn are so true and probably should be sung daily as a reminder of His presence, love and concern, each moment of our lives. 

          Ira Sankey shared an interesting story about this hymn. "While Major Daniel W. Whittle was attending the World's Fair in Chicago, Henry Varley, a lay preacher from London, said to Major Whittle: "I do not like the hymn 'I Need Thee Every Hour' very well, because I need Him every moment of the day."  Soon afterwards Major Whittle wrote this sweet hymn…[He] brought the hymn to me in manuscript a little later, saying that he would give me the copyright of both the words and music if I would print for him five hundred copies on fine paper, for distributing among his friends. His daughter, May Whittle, who later became the wife of Will R. Moody, composed the music. 

          I did as Mr. Whittle wished; and I sent the hymn to England, where it was copyrighted on the same day as at Washington. In England the hymn became very popular. Falling into the hands of the well-known Rev. Andrew Murray, of South Africa, then visiting London, he adopted it as his favorite hymn. A year later Mr. Murray visited Northfield, Massachusetts, and, while holding a meeting for men in the church he remarked, "If Sankey only knew a hymn which I found in London, and would sing it, he would find that it embraces my entire creed." I was very anxious to know what hymn it was, and when he had recited it I said to him: "Doctor, that hymn was written within five hundred yards of where we are standing." 

          For years Dr. Murray had his wife sing this hymn in nearly all his meetings. It also became a great favorite in South Africa during the war."  And over the years it has been a challenge and inspiration to many.

1.     Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;

Living with Jesus, a new life divine;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

2.     Never a trial that He is not there,

Never a burden that He doth not bear,

Never a sorrow that He doth not share,

Moment by moment, I'm under His care.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

3.     Never a heartache, and never a groan,

Never a teardrop and never a moan;

Never a danger but there on the throne,

Moment by moment He thinks of His own.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

4.     Never a weakness that He doth not feel,

Never a sickness that He cannot heal;

Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,

Jesus my Savior, abides with me still.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Listen to the words here.    MOMENT

IT MATTERS TO HIM ABOUT YOU

 

     George Muller  built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England. Without a personal salary, he relied only on God to supply the money and food needed to support the hundreds of homeless children he befriended in the name of Christ. If you haven't heard of him, you should read his biography to see how the Lord continually answered his prayers.  A man of radiant faith, he kept a motto on his desk for many years that brought comfort, strength, and uplifting confidence to his heart. It read, "It matters to Him about you." Muller believed that those words captured the meaning of 1 Peter 5:7, and he rested his claim for divine help on that truth. He testified at the end of his life that the Lord had never failed to supply all his needs.

          Now that motto was the same theme as the topic and name of  this week's hymn choice, written by Audrey Mieir (1916 - 1996).  She was the author of over 1000 hymns and songs.  She is especially known for her hymn "His Name Is Wonderful".  Many of these songs were most popular in my younger days and my wife and I often sang many of them as duets.

            As a young woman, Audrey left her Leechburg, Pennsylvania, home for Los Angeles, where she came under the ministry and influence of Aimee Semple McPherson.  Audrey had been a church pianist before leaving elementary school, but under McPherson she began writing songs and conducting choirs. She formed the inspirational Harmony Chorus in the early 1950s and ministered with composer and evangelist Phil Kerr in the popular Southern California Monday Musicals.  These efforts were followed by concerts throughout America in the 1960's. Mieir is also remembered as music director for Rex Humbard's television show Cathedral of Tomorrow, and for helping found orphanages in Korea. Of the many other gospel songs she composed, the best remembered are: "I'll Never Be Lonely Again," "All He Wants Is You," "He Belongs to Me," "To Be Used of God" and "When You Pray."

            Matthew 6:32 reminds us  "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."  So what are you worried or concerned with today? Do you ever feel like no one cares for you?.  Probably these questions often cross our minds.   But remember that God does care, He cares for you. "Your heartaches and sorrow He shares.    Believe it because it is true."

         May our God's great provision and love cover you today and may you know "it matters to him about you."

It matters to him about you 

Your heartaches your sorrow he shares 

Regardless of what you may do 

He wants you He loves you, he cares 

Oh yes, it matters to him about you 

Believe it because it is true 

Cling to his hand, He'll understand 

For it matters to Him about you. 

Although God has millions of souls to see about 

Although the sun, the moon, the stars are in his care 

How wonderful to know wherever you may go 

He can be reached just by a whispered prayer. 

It matters to him about you 

Your heartaches your sorrow he shares 

Regardless of what you may do 

He wants you He loves you, he cares 

Oh yes, it matters to him about you 

Believe it because it is true 

Cling to his hand, He'll understand 

For it matters to Him about you.

Listen to it here.   HE CARES

IS THY HEART RIGHT WITH GOD?

         Medical checkups should be a normal part of our lives, especially as we grow older - blood pressure checks, various blood tests, PSA's, mammograms, stress tests, colonoscopies, and others should be part of our routine.  But  many fail to do these because they don't think they need them or are afraid of what they night show.  

          But sometimes these tests do reveal serious problems that we didn't know that we had.  I was shocked when a routine stress test sent me to the hospital for five heart by-passes.  

          And such is the case with our spiritual condition.  How often do we take the time to examine our relationship with the Lord and then make needed changes?  How often do we ask if our heart is right with the Lord?   While I was growing up it was common to sing hymns of consecration and invitation in most church services. Seldom does that happen in most churches today.  In fact many believers don't even know many of these hymns anymore.   But many of them, such as this week's choice, asked profound, key questions.  

          In today's society it often is too easy for people to say they are Christians or even think they are.  They can use the  right vocabulary, they can follow the traditions, they can attend services, they can give their offerings and they can often fill church positions. They could even be teachers, worship leaders or pastors. And yet their hearts might not be right with God.  They can fool many, including themselves, but they can't fool God.  

          Although he was never trained in music, Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929) contributed more than 2000 gospel songs to various publications.  Many of these were songs of consecration and invitation such as  "I Must Tell Jesus." , "Are You Washed in the Blood," "What a Wonderful Savior" , "Is Your All on the Altar", and "Down at the Cross".  Many of these, like this week's choice, challenged us to examine our life and walk with the Lord.  They asked some very challenging questions for us to consider.  Have your affections been nailed to the cross?  Does Jesus rule in the temple within?  Is all thy power under Jesus' control?  Does he each moment abide in your soul?  Is thy heart right with God?  Such words should be a convicting challenge for every child of God. 

          Have you had a spiritual checkup lately?  It is really more important than your regular medical checkup. As Hoffman asked many years ago, "Is thy heart right with God?"

1    Have thy affections been nailed to the cross?

Is thy heart right with God?

Dost thou count all things for Jesus but loss?

Is thy heart right with God? 

Is thy heart right with God,

Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God? 

2    Hast thou dominion o'er self and o'er sin?

Is thy heart right with God?

Over all evil without and within?

Is thy heart right with God?

Is thy heart right with God,

Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God? 

3    Is there no more condemnation for sin?

Is thy heart right with God?

Does Jesus rule in the temple within?

Is thy heart right with God? 

Is thy heart right with God,

Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God? 

4    Are all thy pow'rs under Jesus' control?

Is thy heart right with God?

Does He each moment abide in thy soul?

Is thy heart right with God? 

Is thy heart right with God,

Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God? 

Listen to it here.  HEART

ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL IS JESUS (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special feature where I repeat and highlight some of my favorite hymns that have been featured previously in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for our encouragement and challenge.  This hymn was first shared here on June 20, 2010.

          Many of us have experienced the thrill of a walk-off home run, a game winning touchdown, a stirring musical performance, a no-hitter, the winning of an award, becoming engaged or married, the birth of a child, getting a raise or a new job, the completion of a challenging task or something similar. These events can be so thrilling and memorable.  

          One of my greatest thrills in life was meeting President Ronald Reagan on the White House lawn. But, hopefully all of these events and experiences pale in the light of the thrill of meeting Jesus Christ, having Him change your life, and then experiencing His daily presence and leading in your life. For the awards which we win, the achievements we earn, the possessions we gather, the momentary highs we experience, will all pass away and become meaningless. As scripture tells us things which we treasure here will rust and be stolen. Fame, fortune and thrills are fading and quickly forgotten. So we are to lay up our treasures in heaven.  A relationship with Jesus is permanent and eternal.  

          Thoro Harris (1874-1955), a hymn writer and organist, must have known this truth when in 1931 he penned this great hymn of testimony. In it he shares the Lord's presence, love, grace, mercy, redemption, provision and strength and how these really thrill his soul.  And he concludes by sharing the hope that we have for the future when together we will praise and glorify our King.  What a thrill that will be. 

          I hope that this hymn is your testimony . While many exciting things can happen to us here on this earth, all that really thrills our soul should be Jesus, the reality of His daily presence and our hope through Him for tomorrow  Nothing else is close to being a genuine thrill to our hearts.

(1)    Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,

By His presence all divine?

True and tender, pure and precious,

O how blest to call Him mine!

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand

in my blessed Lord I see.

(2)    Love of Christ so freely given,

Grace of God beyond degree,

Mercy higher than the heaven,

Deeper than the deepest sea!

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand

in my blessed Lord I see.

(3)    What a wonderful redemption!

Never can a mortal know

How my sin, tho red like crimson,

Can be whiter than the snow.

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand

in my blessed Lord I see.

(4)    Every need His hand supplying,

Every good in Him I see;

On His strength divine relying,

He is all in all to me.

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand

in my blessed Lord I see.

(5)    By the crystal flowing river,

With the ransomed I will sing,

And forever and forever,

Praise and glorify the King.

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand

in my blessed Lord I see.

Listen to this hymn here.    THRILL

LOOKING UP!

        My grandfather, N. H. Wolf, was a pastor for over 60 years.  When he was serving at a church in Bethlehem, PA, he once came out of his home the morning after Halloween and found that his gate was missing.  Frustrated he looked all around but without any success.  Then he saw a young lad playing and asked him if he knew where the gate had gone.  He offered the lad a nickel for information - remember a nickel meant much more in those days than it does today.  The lad replied, "look up".  He did and there was his gate - hanging in the tree.  From that day on "keep looking up" became one of my grandfather's favorite expressions.  

          And that really was sound advice.  Psalm 121:1, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."  Indeed our only hope comes from the Lord and we need to learn to look to Him for His guidance and strength.  In times like these we have the tendency to look elsewhere for help - the internet, books, friends, coworkers, etc.  But maybe in the days we are living in with Covid, election results, protests, racial problems and all sorts of pressures, maybe we need to take the advice to "look up",

          I'm reminded of one of my favorite  hymns, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus".  What good advice!   And we should also look up because our redemption draweth nigh.  Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh".  One day, hopefully soon, we will be drawn up to be with our Savior eternally.  And there will not be any coronavirus there. 

          Members of my family remember well how my grandfather would greet people by saying "Keep looking up!"  I  too often use that comment in conversations.  A few weeks ago a cousin found a song written by Robert Lowry with the title "Looking Up!"  She sent me a copy of the music but I have not been able to find any information about it nor can I find any recording or video of it being sung.  So, unlike my other blogs, I am just posting the words here for your encouragement.

1.     Keep looking up. keep looking up,

The mists will clear away;

In God's own time His loving hand

Will brighten up the day.

Keep looking up, keep looking up,

The mists will clear away;

In God's own time His loving hand

Will brighten all the day.

2.     Keep looking up, keep looking up, 

The eternal hills are there;

Far, far beyond these gloomy clouds

Are treasures rich and rare,

Keep looking up, keep looking up,

The mists will clear away;

In God's own time His loving hand

Will brighten all the day.

3.    Keep looking up, keep looking up

With Faith's aspiring eye,

The promise is that help will come

From Him who dwells on high.

Keep looking up, keep looking up,

The mists will clear away;

In God's own time His loving hand

Will brighten all the day.

4.     Lift up thine eyes, lift up thine eyes

And take the outstretched hand;

'Tis Jesus bids thee struggle on,

And victor thou shalt stand

Keep looking up, keep looking up,

The mists will clear away;

In God's own time His loving hand

Will brighten all the day.

.

The days we are now experiencing are difficult, challenging, and even dangerous.   But God is good and He is in control.  Trust Him and keeping looking up!

A MIGHTY FORTRESS

The censors are at work.  Facebook would not allow me to post a link to this blog.  It doesn't meet their standards!

          As I've watched recent events and as we approach what could be a pivotal week in the history of the United States, I have been led, at the last minute, to change this week's hymn choice to one which I think many of us may need.  I have shared this one twice before in this blog, once on November 3, 2008 and again on October 29, 2017.  I have decided to share once again the blog from 2008.

          Many of us are very alarmed about what could be a radically different direction for our country following this election.  We are concerned about a possible ultraliberal future which will increase abortion, promote nontraditional marriages, form a liberal justice system, and establish new limits on our freedom to worship and express Biblical morality.  And as we face this uncertain future, I am reminded of the scripture that spoke so clearly to Martin Luther when he faced uncertain times and attempts to limit his freedom to speak the truth many centuries ago. "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble." Psalm 46:1.  

          In 1529 he published his famous hymn which has since encouraged saints throughout the centuries.  So if you too are concerned today, meditate on these words.  Hopefully you will be reminded and encouraged that God is still in control and is our Refuge and Strength.

1.     A mighty fortress is our God, 

a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood 

of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe 

doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, 

armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

2.     Did we in our own strength confide, 

our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, 

The Man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? 

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, 

from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3.     And though this world, with devils filled, 

would threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, 

for God hath willed His truth 

to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, 

we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, 

his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

4.     That word above all earthly powers, 

no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts 

are ours through Him 

Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, 

this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: 

God's truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

          So friends, as believers we do face difficult times, but we know how it all will end.  Take heart my friend, with God we are on the victory side.   Join me in praying for our country and for the salvation of its leaders.  And join me in claiming the Scripture that Luther claimed when he faced uncertain times many years ago.   "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble." Psalm 46:1.  May He be your vision, your guide, your strength, your confidence and your peace in the days ahead.

 Listen to it here.   FORTRESS

OH HOW THE GRACE OF GOD AMAZES ME

        Does God's grace still amaze you or have you reached a place in your life where you just accept it without much thought?  If you've been a believer for some time the thrill of what He has done and what he does daily for you may have faded.  If that is the case then you should carefully meditate on the words and truth of this week's hymn choice.  

          The hymn was written by Emmanuel T. Sibomana (1915-1975),  a pastor in the African nation of Burundi.  He lived near Musema, a Baptist mission in central Burundi. He became a Christian in his late teens or his early twenties, and later became a Baptist pastor. Then, in 1946, he published a hymn titled "Umbuntu Bg Imana." Pastor Sibomana's hymn was translated by Rosemary Guillebaud, an English missionary in Rwanda, as "O How the Grace of God Amazes Me."  

          At  the time of writing the hymn he was just a young Christian and a farm laborer working in the heat of the day. The whole seven verses came flooding into his soul. At the end of the day, he ran home and attempted to write down what had inspired him. He then ran to his Pastor's house where his Pastor set the whole hymn to music.  While not well known or in many hymnals today, it is a hymn that UK evangelical Christians often sing with heartfelt meaning.  Little more can be said about the powerful words that speak for themselves.  

          What more can be said about the grace of God - God's Riches At Christ's Expense?  What should our reaction be?  Well the final verse tells us.  "Come now, the whole of me, eyes, ears, and voice. Join me, creation all, with joyful noise. Praise Him who broke the chain holding me in sin's domain and set me free again! Sing and rejoice!" 

           Does God's grace for you amaze you?  It should amaze us more every day.

O how the grace of God amazes me!

It loosed me from my bonds and set me free!

What made it happen so?

His own will, this much I know,

set me, as now I show, at liberty.

My God has chosen me, Though one of nought,

to sit beside my King in heaven's court.

Hear what my Lord has done,

O, the love that made Him run

to meet His erring son! This has God wrought.

Not for my righteousness, for I have none,

but for His mercy's sake, Jesus, God's Son,

suffered on Calvary's tree;

Crucified with thieves was He;

Great was His grace to me, His wayward one.

And when I think of how, at Calvary,

He bore sin's penalty instead of me,

Amazed, I wonder why He,

the sinless One, should die

for one so vile as I; My Savior He!

Now all my heart's desire is to abide

in Him, my Savior dear, In Him to hide,

my shield and buckler He,

cov'ring and protecting me;

from Satan's darts I'll be safe at His side.

Lord Jesus, hear my prayer, Your grace impart;

When evil thoughts arise through Satan's art,

O, drive them all away

and do You, from day to day,

keep me beneath Your sway, King of my heart.

Come now, the whole of me, eyes, ears, and voice.

Join me, creation all, with joyful noise:

Praise Him who broke the chain

holding me in sin's domain

and set me free again! Sing and rejoice

Listen to it here.    GRACE