LIVING FOR JESUS (TH)

          What are you really living for?  What would your calendar indicate?  How about your checkbook?  What about your work schedule?  What would your family say?  Maybe some of these would be better indicators of the truth of our answer to the original question.  After all, it is easy to fool people by what we do and say on Sunday morning.  
          Today many people claim to be Christians and believers in Jesus.  But too many don't really understand what it means to really live for Jesus.  This week's hymn choice makes it very clear what that commitment really means.  In this modern world, with all of its attractions, or should I say distractions, can we really say, as the composer said, "I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne"?  
          This week please read all of the words of each verse of this hymn very carefully and determine if these words of consecration are really yours.  Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.  What have we yielded to Him in return for this great sacrifice?  
          The composer of this consecration hymn, C. Harold Lowden, tells about the origin of the hymn. "In 1915, I wrote a gospel song entitled The Sunshine Song for children's services. It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to me that the music should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words Living for Jesus. The idea came to me that a deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate. After much thought and prayer, I decided to ask T.O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn't have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music.  Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks, he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today".   Since then, the hymn has been translated into at least 15 different languages.
          May your daily prayer be, "O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me. I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne. My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone"

(1)   Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

 

(2)   Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

 

(3)   Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

 

(4)   Living for Jesus through earth's little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

 

Listen to it being sung here.   LIVING

 

THE ANCHOR HOLDS

 

 O.       One of the most terrifying situations a person can face is to be in a boat in the midst of a storm without an anchor.  The winds may blow and the waves may pound but a good anchor can help the boat and its passengers survive.
          Boats and storms have provided the themes for many hymns.  This one, written by Lawrence Mendel Chewning Jr. in 1992, is one of my favorites.  There is so much truth and confidence when one can say "the anchor holds" in the midst of the storms of life.
          Chewning was a Christian recording artist, songwriter, and speaker who grew up in rural South Carolina as the son of a cotton farmer and merchant.   At the age of eight he accepted Christ at a country church. 
          He travelled full time with a group of his friends that formed a group band known as the Fishermen. They were together from 1970 to 1977.  In 1978 he formed Lawrence Chewning's Eastland Band.  They moved to New England where they did a number of concerts.
          But 1992 became the year of sorrows for his family, but the Lord turned it into the birth of a great song.  Here is what he had to say about these events.
          "My father died that year, we were facing health problems, I had come to a point of burnout from being in pastoral ministry for 19 years, and the church that I had helped plant was entering the first phases of what became a devastating split. I was also re-evaluating the focus of my calling. I was weary and discouraged. "
          "Then, in the summer of '92, my wife experienced her third miscarriage. We wept as we held the tiny 14-week fetus of our son in our hands. It truly felt as if our visions and dreams had "slipped right through like they were only grains of sand". It seemed as if the best years were over."
          "I was given a sabbatical from pastoring for six months. During that time, my wife and I grieved and prayed. I also began to play the piano again for hours at a time, alone with God. During this time of sadness and uncertainty, the Holy Spirit gave me a song which I entitled "The Anchor Holds". As I would sing it, I began to experience God's comfort and encouragement and hope. Eventually, fresh vision came and I entered a new phase of the calling on my life." 
          In the spring of 1993, an old friend heard about the song during a time of sharing together … A few months later, he called me and expressed interest in possibly recording it. I sent the song to him "in the rough" and told him that he was free to adapt it for his purposes. He did and it was released for national airplay in November 1994."
         "The response to this song has truly been overwhelming. I am so grateful that God can take our broken pieces and make something of value out of them."
          May these words be a source of encouragement to you this week in the midst of your storms.

I have journeyed through the long dark night

Out on the open sea, by faith alone,

Sight unknown; 

and yet His eyes were watching me.

Refrain:

The anchor holds,

Though the ship is battered.

The anchor holds,

Though the sails are torn.

I have fallen on my knees 

as I face the raging seas;

The anchor holds in spite of the storm.

I've had visions, I've had dreams,

I've even held them in my hand;

But I never knew they 

would slip right through,

Like they were only grains of sand.

I have been young but I'm older now,

And there has been beauty these eyes have seen;

But it was in the night, through the storms of my life;

Oh, that's where God proved His love for me,

The anchor holds.

I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas;

The anchor holds in spite of the storm.

Listen to it here.   ANCHOR

 

ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID. (CHORUS)

 Another classic chorus:

         If you grew up going to Sunday School you must remember having sung "Only A Boy Named David".  You certainly also enjoyed doing the motions, "and the sling went round and round, and round and round … and the giant came tumbling down!" 

          The song was written by Australian Salvation Army Officer Arthur Arnott (1870-1941) and first published in 1931.  Arnott's father built one of the largest cookie companies in the world.  Arnott biscuits (cookies) fill stores and pastries across Australia.
          When he was only 21, Arthur managed a thriving factory for his father in Sydney.  One day while walking through a nearby park, he heard a group of evangelists holding an open-air meeting.  One of the organizers invited him to dinner and there explained the Gospel.  Arthur received Christ as his Savior and immediately joined the Salvation Army which had sponsored the rally.  He spent the remainder of his life winning others to Christ
          Arthur specialized in children's work and his 'happy' songs that he wrote were sung all around the world. He told the children, 'It is impossible to sing and grumble at the same time. But it is quite natural to sing and pray and rejoice all at once."  His visits to children's homes and his fundraising activities to build and support such establishments were to mark him out as an officer who clearly comprehended the eternal value of a child. Arnott and his wife retired to the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury where they supported the local corps. Even in retirement, Arthur was active in seeking souls for God's kingdom, often visiting local dance halls to give a brief message and an invitation.
          Over the years many of us have been introduced to the life of David, a man after God's own heart, through this classic chorus. None of us are too old to sing it again this week … with the motions. 

 

Only a boy named David, 

only a little sling,

only a boy named David, 

but he could pray and sing.

Only a boy named David, 

only a rippling brook,

only a boy named David, 

but five little stones he took.

And one little stone 

went in the sling, 

and the sling went 

round and round.

And one little stone 

went in the sling,

and the sling went 

round and round,

and round and round 

and round and round,

and round and round and round.

And one little stone 

went up in the air,

and the giant came 

tumbling down.

 

Listen to it here.   GIANT

 

CLEANSE ME

          How easy it is for us to find and criticize the faults of others.  We can criticize what they say, what they do, the decisions that they make, and even their commitment.  Often they just don't live up to our standards and we can dwell upon their faults and apparent sins.  
          Knowing that this would be a problem for mankind, Jesus reminded us to first examine our own lives before ever judging others.  Matthew 7:3 (ESV), "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
         This week's hymn is a prayer for the Lord to examine us and our sins and cleanse us from all sin.  Some versions title this song "Search Me" while others say" Cleanse Me."
           At the age of 24, a Baptist evangelist, James Edwin Orr (1912-1987) wrote this hymn following an Easter campaign in New Zealand.  During that campaign in 1936, revival fell on the people of New Zealand. Midnight services had to be added to accommodate the crowds. Many people were converted. 
            Revival fire spread across the island nation. The key to this revival was the public confession and reconciliation of believers.  A theme verse for that revival was Psalm 139:1, which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart today." As hearts were cleansed, the Holy Spirit moved in power.
          As Dr. Orr. was set to leave New Zealand, four Aborigine girls came to him and sang him their native song of farewell. Impressed by the song, especially the tune, and still stirred by the revival he had witnessed there, he quickly scribbled some verses on the back of an envelope while he was waiting. The song went on to be a challenge and a help to many over the decades.  Further campaigns by Dr. Orr throughout Australia in the 1930s and later in nearly all of the English-speaking world, soon popularized this prayer hymn everywhere.
          David also had to deal with sin in his life when he prayed, as recorded in Psalm 139: 23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."  What a powerful but dangerous prayer.  When we ask the Lord to search our lives, He may indeed point out sin that we need to deal with.  And if we don't deal with what he reveals, we will not experience the victory and joy He desires for His children. 
          The words have expressed my own longing for God to search me and know me, to cleanse me and fill me with His Spirit, and to use my life in His service.  Read through the song and make it your own prayer to God the Father.  Be willing to be known by God and confess all of your sins to Him.  Choose to follow Him in Christ Jesus, whatever the cost. 

 1.    Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

2.   I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.

3.     Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

4.     O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.

 

You can listen to it here.  CLEANSE

 

 

SINCE I HAVE BEEN REDEEMED

              Christians should be joyful individuals and all of their life, including their music, should radiate that joy.  This hymn is one of my favorites because it does just that. It begins sharing the truth that I have a song that I love to sing, a song about my Savior King who has redeemed me. 

           In five verses it then shares that we have a Christ who satisfies, a witness bright and clear, and a home prepared for us.  It concludes with the thought that this joy is even more than we can express. And because He has redeemed us, we glory in the Savior's Name.  And this is my testimony and that is why this hymn is one of my favorites.
          The hymn's writer, Edwin Othello Excell (1851-1921), commonly known as E. O. Excell, was a prominent American publisher, composer, song leader, and singer of music for church, Sunday school, and evangelistic meetings during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Excell was born in Uniontown, Ohio and attended public schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
          He was marryied in 1871 near Brady's Bend, Pennsylvania. He supported his family for several years as a plasterer, bricklayer, and singing instructor. His focus turned to sacred music through his experience leading songs at revivals and worship services of Methodist Episcopal churches. He did this first in East Brady and then, starting in 1881, Oil City, Pennsylvania. Excell compiled or contributed to about ninety secular and sacred song books and is estimated to have written, composed, or arranged more than two thousand of the songs he published. The music publishing business he started in 1881 and that eventually bore his name, was the highest volume producer of hymnbooks in America at the time of his death.  Excell was described as "a big, robust six-footer, with a six-in caliber voice" and extraordinary range that enabled him to solo as baritone or tenor.  
          His song "Since I Have Been Redeemed" is a marvelous testimony of what happens when a sinner accepts the free gift of salvation and is redeemed.  We have a new song to sing, a Christ who satisfies, a witness within, a new home and a new joy.  And that is worth singing about!  

          Incidentally, as a sidelight for those who are often critical of the number of repeated phrases in today's praise music, count the number of repeated phrases in this old hymn.  Sometimes things don't change as much as we think.  
          Rejoice as you sing along this week.  May you show the joy that you have because He redeemed you.

(1)   I have a song I love to sing,

Since I have been redeemed,

Of my Redeemer, Savior King,

Since I have been redeemed.

Since I have been redeemed,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in His Name,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in the Savior's Name.

 

(2)   I have a Christ Who satisfies

Since I have been redeemed,

To do His will my highest prize,

Since I have been redeemed.

Since I have been redeemed,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in His Name,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in the Savior's Name.

 

(3)   I have a witness bright and clear,

Since I have been redeemed,

Dispelling every doubt and fear,

Since I have been redeemed.

Since I have been redeemed,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in His Name,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in the Savior's Name.

 

(4)   I have a home prepared for me,

Since I have been redeemed,

Where I shall dwell eternally,

Since I have been redeemed.

Since I have been redeemed,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in His Name,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in the Savior's Name.

 

(5)   I have a joy I can't express,

Since I have been redeemed,

All through His blood and righteousness,

Since I have been redeemed.

Since I have been redeemed,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in His Name,

Since I have been redeemed,

I will glory in the Savior's Name.

 

Listen to it being sung here.  LISTEN