JUST A LITTLE WHILE

          Without a doubt, life here can be very difficult and at times very discouraging  All around we see floods, fires, storms, earthquakes and threats to property and life.  Then we also see diseases, covid, cancer and accidents that threaten our health and our lives.  But now we also live with fear of terrorism, wars, political unrest, protests and changes in morality.  Life is hard.

          But in times like these we have hope.  Jesus has promised to come and take His children to a new and perfect home which is being prepared for us. He told us that He is preparing this home for us and that He would come again.  And that is the hope that enables believers to face each day and each new challenge.

          For centuries believers have anticipated the rapture and the return of Christ.  And as we look at events today we have to believe that this life will be over - soon - maybe even today.  Then we will take our heavenly journey and be home with the Lord and friends once again.

          And while we wait we can rest upon His promises for our future.  We can spend time in reading the Word and prayer.  And we can sing of this great day using the many hymns which encourage us and remind us of what is ahead.

         Eugene Monroe Bartlett (1885-1941) looked forward to his new life when he penned this week's hymn choice.  Bartlett first worked for the Central Music Company, a shape note music publisher in Hartford, Arkansas. In 1918, with David Moore and John A. McClung, he co-founded the Hartford Music Company in Hartford.[  He was the founder of the Hartford Music Institute in 1921 and he wrote many hymns.  In 1939 he suffered a stroke and afterwards wrote "Victory in Jesus."  Then in 1941 he realized the truth of this week's hymn when he experienced the "blessed morning" of which he wrote.

          Life here can be very difficult at times but know that a better day will soon be here for all believers.  Be encouraged as you sing this song this week.

1      Soon this life will all be over

And our pilgrimage will end,

Soon we'll take our heav'nly journey,

Be at home again with friends;

Heaven's gates are standing open,

Waiting for our entrance there,

Some sweet day we're going over,

All the beauties there to share.

Refrain:

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

2      Soon we'll see the light of morning

Then the new day will begin,

Soon we'll hear the Father calling,

"Come my children enter in;"

Then we'll hear a choir of angels,

Singing out the vict'ry song,

All our troubles will be ended

And we'll live with heaven's throng. 

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

3      Soon we'll meet again our loved ones

And we'll take them by the hand,

Soon we'll press them to our bosom

Over in the promised land;

Then we'll be at home forever,

Throughout all eternity,

What a blessed, blessed morning

That eternal morn will be! 

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

Listen to it here.      SOON

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

           Over many years choruses have been an integral part of Christian worship.  While today churches tend to favor new praise and worship choruses, many classic ones have been a blessing to believers for many decades.  This week's choice is such an example of one that many generations have sung.

           The words of this chorus were penned by Audrey Mieir (1916 - 1956),  one of the prolific writers of the last century. Her musical gift showed at an early age when she began singing and leading choral performances. In the 1950's she established the Harmony Chorus, and worked with musician-evangelist Phil Kerr. 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.

            I would never have chosen this one as one related to Christmas but its origins were with Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  In fact, it was "a gift from heaven" said Mieir. It has become a treasured gift to millions of Christians worldwide. It was born in 1955 at Christmas while Mieir was at Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California, where her husband's brother, Dr. Luther Mieir was the pastor.

          The congregation was focused on the reenactment of the Nativity scene. The powerful prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 went down deep into Mieir's soul as she cherished those words: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."  When that familiar scripture was concluded, the pastor lifted his hands, closed his eyes and said, "His name is wonderful."

          According to Mrs. Mieir's, "I felt as if I heard the rustle of angel wings and a musical chorus came to my mind," she exclaimed. On the flyleaf of her Bible she quickly wrote the words that her brother in-law had just proclaimed, "His name is wonderful." After she wrote it three times, she added the sacred name of her Lord.

"HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL, 

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

Jesus, my Lord.

In a few days she completed all of the music and a fuller description of who Jesus is:

He is the mighty King, 

Master of everything,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

Jesus, my Lord.

He's the Great Shepherd,

The Rock of all Ages,

Almighty God is He.

The last line is a personal reflection on the One whose name is wonderful. We want to bow down, love and adore this wonderful Jesus.       

Bow down before Him, 

Love and adore Him,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL, 

Jesus, my Lord.

          Before Audrey Mieir died in 1996 at 80 years of age, some of her last words were: "His Name is Wonderful will outlive the chubby human hands chosen to write a few black notes on five lines and four spaces. But it will never outlive the Father who glories in His Son's name and who glories in our praise." 

         

His Name is Wonderful

His Name is Wonderful

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord 

He is the Mighty King

Master of everything

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord 

He's the Great shepherd

The Rock of All Ages

Almighty God is He 

Bow down before Him

Love and adore Him

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord

You can listen to it here.   WONDERFUL

His Name is Wonderful" Copyright 1959. Renewed 1987 by Manna Music, INC., 35255 Brooten Rd. Pacific City, Or. 97135

THE PEARLY WHITE CITY

          Jesus promised that He would prepare a new and perfect home for His children and He always keeps His promises. For ages believers have realized that this world is not our home  and we have longed to be with our Lord in this new home.

          What will this new home be like? Well the Lord revealed some of the answers to that question to John while he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.  "…I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God…" (Rev. 21:2).  Then John shared with us what he had seen in the book of Revelation.

          Many years later in 1902, Arthur Forrest Ingler (1873-1935) used John's writings and penned the words of the song "The Pearly White  City".  The hymn paints a wonderful picture of heaven from the book of Revelation – a "holy and beautiful" place for which God's people long.

          According to some sources, this song was first introduced at the Metropolitan Church Association in Chicago, Illinois. The Metropolitan Church Association was a Holiness reaction within the Methodist Church against the move toward the Social Gospel.  The hymn looks to heaven, the holy city that John saw - the city of God, rather than the cities of the earth.  The rich and satisfied may find their delights in the cities of this earth, but the poor and afflicted saints of God find their joy in "watching, waiting, and longing, for the white city that's soon coming down."

           In the first verse the writer describes the beauty of the city whose builder and maker is God.  Then he goes on to share what is absent rom this city - sin, pain, sickness and sorrow.  In the third verse he describes the inhabitants - saints living in sweet harmony. In the fourth our friends who are safe in Jesus. 

          The chorus emphasizes that each child of God has a home there as well as many blessings. We should be "watching, waiting, and longing, for the white city".   And we should be reminded that Jesus and that pearly white city will soon be coming.  Rejoice in that truth.

          

1.     There's a holy and beautiful city

Whose builder and ruler is God;

John saw it descending from heaven,

When Patmos, in exile, he trod;

Its high, massive wall is of jasper,

The city itself is pure gold;

And when my frail tent here is folded,

Mine eyes shall its glory behold.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

2.     No sin is allowed in that city

And nothing defiling nor mean;

No pain and no sickness can enter,

No crepe on the doorknob is seen;

Earth's sorrows and cares are forgotten,

No tempter is there to annoy;

No parting words ever are spoken,

There's nothing to hurt or destroy.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

3.     No heartaches are known in that city,

No tears ever moisten the eye;

There's no disappointment in heaven,

No envy and strife in the sky;

The saints are all sanctified wholly,

They live in sweet harmony there;

My heart is now set on that city,

And some day its blessings I'll share.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

4.     My loved ones are gathering yonder,

My friends too are passing away,

And soon I shall join their bright number,

And dwell in eternity's day;

They're safe now in glory with Jesus,

Their trials and battles are past.

They overcame sin and the devil,[ii]

They've reached that fair city at last.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

Listen to it here.   CITY

MAJESTY

             Over many years choruses have been an integral part of Christian worship.  While today churches tend to favor new praise and worship choruses, many classic ones have been a blessing to believers for many decades.  This week's choice is such an example of one that many generations have sung.       Many Americans have a fascination with the royalty in England.  We follow their majestic weddings, their coronations, their funerals, their families, their hosting of dignitaries, and of course all the royal gossip.  But the majesty of all of this pales when we consider the majesty of God, our Father.

          "The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved."  Psalm 93:1

          Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. "   Psalm 104:1"

          The chorus "Majesty" was penned by Jack Hayford while he and his wife were on vacation in Great Britain  According to Hayford, "In 1977 my wife Anna and I spent our vacation in Great Britain, traveling throughout the land from the south country and Wales to the northern parts of Scotland. It was the same year as the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, and symbols of royalty were abundantly in evidence."

          "For years I have been convinced that the provisions of Christ for the believer not only include our forgiveness for sin; but provide restoration to a royal relationship with God as sons and daughters born into the family through His Majesty, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Within that relationship, as people of The Kingdom, I felt the Bible disclosed a new dimension of dominion over "all the works of the devil" bequeathed to us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ."

          "One day, as Anna and I drove along together, the opening lyrics and melody of "Majesty" simply came to my heart. I continued driving, asking Anna to jot the words and melody line in the notebook she had beside her.  The song was completed and edited in 1978 when they returned home and copyrighted in 1981 by Rocksmith Music

          Rev. Hayford is said to have composed over 400 songs, hymns and musical works.  "Majesty" is rated as one of the top 100 contemporary hymns and performed and sung in churches worldwide.

          "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."   Jude 1:25.

          It is so amazing that we can worship our King in His majesty.  Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings!

Majesty, worship his majesty;

Unto Jesus be all glory, 

honor, and praise.

Majesty, kingdom authority,

Flow from his throne unto his own, 

his anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship his majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, 

King of all kings.

Majesty, worship his majesty;

Unto Jesus be all glory, 

honor, and praise.

Majesty, kingdom authority,

Flow from his throne unto his own, 

his anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship his majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, 

King of all kings.

© 1981, 1992, 2011 Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hayford Ministries

Listen to it here.   MAJESTY