JESUS CALLS US

        So often as I read and study about people in the Bible I forget that they too were human, just like me.  They had decisions to make that often, as humans, must have really been hard to make.  But since we know the outcome of their decisions, sometimes it is really hard for us to understand what they were going through and we don't even consider what might have happened if they had made a different choice.  I recently was reading about the calls of the disciples.  Take Peter and Andrew for instance.  They were involved in their livelihood of fishing, probably the only job that they knew, and this Jesus comes along and says to them "follow me".  Now following Jesus meant leaving all of what they knew - their nets, their business, their income, their family and friends. This was their life. They could have said no.  But we read that they promptly left all and followed Him.  Nothing held them back in responding to the call of Jesus. Now just think what would have happened if the security of their lifestyle would have kept them from saying yes.  Their lives and influence probably would not have been remembered in history.  And more importantly they would have missed the amazing opportunity to live and walk with Jesus.  It was this story from Mark 1:16-18 that led Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) to write the words to this week's hymn choice.  One day her husband, who was a pastor, came to her and said, "I wonder if you could write a poem for next Sunday morning before you hear the sermon." "I'll do what I can," she told him.  He took a Bible and read the account of the calling of Andrew by Jesus.  They discussed the coming sermon during supper, and she promised to do her best with the poem he had requested.  That night, before retiring, she read the familiar Scripture verses again, and soon wrote down the stanzas which he was to read at the close of his sermon the following Sunday morning.  And that is how this week's hymn was written.  The hymn is short, but its words are challenging.  Do we miss the call of Jesus due to the tumult or distraction of everyday responsibilities in our lives? Do things such as my plans, or my opinions, or my desires, or my habits become our idols? If they begin to dominate our schedule and mold our conduct, they could be.  To put anything ahead of loving Christ, and serving Christ, is to allow a false god to crowd Him out of His rightful place. God the Father's design is "that in all things He [Christ] may have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18). If that is not so in our lives, there could well be some idol in the way. May the Lord deliver us from each idol that would keep us from Him. May you be challenged with these words this week.

1. Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult

Of our life's wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,

Saying, "Christian, follow Me."

2. Jesus calls us from the worship

Of the vain world's golden store.

From each idol that would keep us,

Saying, "Christian, love Me more."

3. In our joys and in our sorrows,

Days of toll and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,

"Christian, love Me more than these."

4. Jesus calls us; by Thy mercy,

Savior, make us hear Thy call,

Give our hearts to Thine obedience,

Serve and love Thee best of all. 

You can listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

HE THE PEARLY GATES WILL OPEN

        A few months ago we flew to Wisconsin to visit relatives and we had a wonderful time.  But our trip home was frustrating and tiring.  We had to drive through driving wind and rain to Milwaukee to the airport. We were held up by an accident which closed the highway.  We finally arrived at the airport and after all the check-in and security procedures were completed, we found our gate.  Then we were told that our flight would be delayed several hours.  It finally came and we flew to Baltimore where we still had 1.5 hours of driving to get home.  Early in the morning, after many tiring hours of travel, we stumbled through our front door.  What a relief to go through the door and finally be home.  Someone has said that there is no place like home.  I've often thought of that trip as a reminder of our real life journey home.  At times it can be frustrating, tiring and filled with disappointments.  The journey can be hard, but someday we will finally be home.  Now I have no idea what our final arrival will actually be like, except that Jesus will be there.  Will we, as many suggest, enter through the pearly gates?  I really don't know and I guess I really don't care.  As spectacular as those gates will be, the fact that we will be home with our Savior is the real exciting expectation.  The biblical reference to the "pearly gates" of heaven is found in Revelation 21:21, a passage which gives many details concerning the beautiful heavenly city (vs. 10-23).  "The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass" (Rev. 21:21).  Hymn writers over the centuries have written about heaven and this week's hymn choice talks about Jesus opening the pearly gates for us to enter.  I don't know if that will actually happen, but this hymn does remind us of Jesus, the One who will meet us, and His love and sacrifice for us that will make all of this possible.  There are conflicting stories about the hymn's writing, but here is one shared by several sources.  It was written by Frederick Arvid Blom (1867-1926) who was born in Sweden and immigrated to America in the 1890's. He served as an officer in the Salvation Army and as a pastor of a church.  But his life took a radical downward turn. Blom became spiritually backslidden and resigned from the ministry. He says, "I became embittered with myself, [and] the world." He drifted into a life of drunkenness and sin, and eventually was involved in illegal activities. When he was caught, he was convicted and sent to prison. But the Lord kept His hand on him there. Surrounded by locked gates and iron bars, he cried to God, and sought forgiveness for his sins. With his sentence fully served, Blom was released.  It is said that when the prison gates clanged shut behind him, it brought to his mind that he was assured of a welcome one day at the pearly gates of the heavenly city. With that thought in mind, Blom wrote a hymn he called Because of the Blood.  This 1917 Swedish hymn was translated into English by Nathaniel Carlson around 1935 and today is known by the first phrase of the chorus.  George Beverly Shea did a great deal to popularize this song in Billy Graham's meetings, and in his recordings.  As you study the hymn you can see that verses two and three are really Blom's personal testimony.  He was like a wounded fawn and brokenhearted.  Yet that love, so great and wondrous, found him in prison and through the blood of Jesus he was saved and forgiven.  And He testifies that it was that wondrous love that purchased his redemption and forgave him all his sin.  Is this your testimony today? Have you experienced his redemption and forgiveness?   Are you on your journey to that spectacular home that is being prepared for you?  Soon our weary journey as pilgrims on this earth will come to an end and we will finally be home.

1      Love divine, so great and wondrous, 

Deep and mighty, pure, sublime, 

Coming from the heart of Jesus. 

Just the same through tests of time!

He the pearly gates will open, 

So that I may enter in; 

For He purchased my redemption 

And forgave me all my sin.

2      Like a dove when hunted, frightened. 

As a wounded fawn was I; 

Brokenhearted, yet He healed me. 

He will heed the sinner's cry.

He the pearly gates will open, 

So that I may enter in; 

For He purchased my redemption 

And forgave me all my sin.

3      Love divine, so great and wondrous, 

All my sins He then forgave; 

I will sing His praise forever, 

For His blood, His power to save. 

He the pearly gates will open, 

So that I may enter in; 

For He purchased my redemption 

And forgave me all my sin.

4      In life's eventide at twilight, 

At His door I'll knock and wait; 

By the precious love of Jesus, 

I shall enter heaven's gate.

He the pearly gates will open, 

So that I may enter in; 

For He purchased my redemption 

And forgave me all my sin.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

THE FIGHT IS ON

          It seems to me that in recent decades churches have made an effort to remove references in church to wars and battles.  Hymns with these themes have been removed from hymnals or just not sung anymore and related vocabulary is often absent from many pulpits.  But that trend doesn't mean that Christians aren't involved in a great spiritual war where the enemy appears to be attacking like never before.  We are reminded in Ephesians 6: 12, " For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Satan is alive and in attack mode. And if we are honest, we don't need to look too hard to see evidences of this battle.  We can see it around the world where Christians are being persecuted, imprisoned and killed for their faith, more than at any time in history.  Many groups openly proclaim their hate of Christians and their desire to wipe them out.  And here in America we have seen increasing attacks on the family unit, on our children, on marriage and even more recently on the Bible and on the church itself.  Who would have ever thought that we would see these attacks on our Biblical values in our lifetime here in America?  But the attacks are real and increasing.  So what must we do as believers?  The answer to that question is also found in Ephesians 6.   " Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;   And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;   Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"  I have often featured here the hymns of Lelia N. Morris (1862-1929) who is said to have written over 1,000 texts including familiar ones such as Nearer Still Nearer, Sweeter As The Years Go By, Sweet Will of God, What If It Were Today, and Stranger of Galilee.  After she became blind she used a 28-foot long blackboard that her family had built for her to write her texts.  I don't know why she chose to write this week's hymn but I must assume that she felt the spiritual battle which we are part of.  She felt the need to remind others that the fight is actually on and that we need to wake up and put on our armor to face the foe.  And I especially like the fact that she shares that no matter how fierce the battle becomes, the Lord is leading us to certain victory.  So as you view the news events of the times that we live in and as you see our Christian beliefs and values challenged, know that the battle is fierce but our victory is sure.  Be encouraged!

1. The fight is on, the trumpet sound is ringing out,

The cry "To arms!" is heard afar and near;

The Lord of hosts is marching on to victory,

The triumph of the Christ will soon appear.

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,

And face to face in stern array,

With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,

The right and wrong engage today!

The fight is on, but be not weary;

Be strong, and in His might hold fast;

If God be for us, His banner o'er us,

We'll sing the victor's song at last!

2. The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!

Jehovah leads, and vict'ry will assure;

Go buckle on the armor God has given you,

And in His strength unto the end endure.

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,

And face to face in stern array,

With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,

The right and wrong engage today!

The fight is on, but be not weary;

Be strong, and in His might hold fast;

If God be for us, His banner o'er us,

We'll sing the victor's song at last!

3. The Lord is leading on to certain victory;

The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;

His glorious Name in every land shall honored be;

The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh.

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,

And face to face in stern array,

With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,

The right and wrong engage today!

The fight is on, but be not weary;

Be strong, and in His might hold fast;

If God be for us, His banner o'er us,

We'll sing the victor's song at last!

You can listen to this song here.   LISTEN

WE'LL WORK TILL JESUS COMES

          Labor Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.  While there are many special celebrations, I believe that for most Americans it is just a day that marks the end of summer, a day of picnics and family gatherings, a final day to swim, and maybe, most importantly, a day off work.  Now I believe that for the Christian, every day should be a "labor day" - a day of laboring for and serving the Lord.  Now let me be perfectly clear, we can't earn our salvation with works.  Ephesians 2: 8, 9 remind us that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Works won't get us to heaven.  But, let's not forget the following verse, verse 10. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  It is our responsibility to serve and work for the Lord.  I remember, years ago, being part of a conversation, where a couple who had reached retirement age in their occupations shared how they had also "retired" from all their positions of service in their church.  They said that it was time for the younger generation to take over serving.  Jesus himself said, as recorded in John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." There are no vacations or retirements in the ministry of serving.  There is always more to do and God has trusted us with special gifts to be used for Him until He returns and takes us home.  A song which encourages us to be doers of the work is "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes".  Sometimes dated 1829, the the text was written by an unknown author. Some authorities believe that it is from the American folk tradition. In other books it is attributed to Mrs. Elizabeth King Mills (1805-1829), the daughter of Philip King, who married Thomas Mills, a member of Parliament. No other information about her appears to be available, except that she was a poet.  In this song we are told that heaven is a land of rest for which we sigh and look forward to.  In stanza two we are told that in contrast this earth is not our home.  In stanza three we are reminded that, therefore, we must flee to Jesus Christ for our rest.  In stanza four the author tells us that Christ will help us through death and to our heavenly home.  But until that happens, we need to be about the work of our Father.  So as you celebrate this Labor Day, be reminded that our labor for the Lord is not done.  Nor is it in vain.  We need to continue to work for Him until Jesus comes and gathers us home.

1. O land of rest, for thee I sigh!

When will the moment come

When I shall lay my armor by

And dwell in peace at home?

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

2. No tranquil joys on earth I know,

No peaceful, shelt'ring dome;

This world's a wilderness of woe,

This world is not my home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

3. To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;

He bade me cease to roam,

And lean for comfort on His breast

Till He conduct me home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

4. I sought at once my Savior's side;

No more my steps shall roam;

With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide

And reach my heav'nly home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

You can hear the Gathers sing this song, once you get by the five second commercial.   LISTEN 1

Here is another rendition.  LISTEN 2

THE STRANGER OF GALILEE

          What a thrill and privilege it must have been to have lived when Jesus lived and to have followed Him as He taught, performed amazing miracles, and ministered to so many.  I imagine many followed because they felt He was a "great show" and a wonderful teacher.  But others must have realized that they were with the Son of God.  We can only imagine what it would have been like and how we would have responded.  When I was growing up, my contacts to Christian music were generally limited to hearing musicians in church.  We didn't have television or Christian radio or all the recordings and internet music which we enjoy today.  The first talented vocalist that I can remember was Ruth Hartman, the wife of one of my early pastors.  She had a beautiful soprano voice that I still haven't forgotten.  And the song that I most enjoyed hearing her sing was this week's choice, written by Lelia N. Morris, "The Stranger of Galilee".  And as Mrs. Hartman sang the verses I could picture being with Jesus ... by the Sea of Galilee ...healing the blind ... making the lame whole ... calming the angry sea ... teaching and ministering to the great crowds. And as I would have viewed the nail prints in His hands I could imagine him saying "It was for thee!".  Hearing this beautiful song was almost like being there.  And I can still echo the words of the chorus, "And I felt I could love Him forever,so gracious and tender was He!"  And one day, as the chorus states, I did claim Him as my Savior.  As mentioned earlier, these words were penned by Lelia Morris in 1893.  I have featured many of her 1000+ texts in this blog before.  She wrote hymns as she did housework.  And if you remember, after she became blind at the age of 52, she continued to write hymns on a 28-foot blackboard that her family built for her.  Maybe this hymn is new to you.  If so, read the words carefully and think about Jesus, the Stranger of Galilee, who "went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." (Matthew 4:23).  And thank Him for going to the Cross for you.  Hopefully you have also experienced your burden of sin falling off at His pierced feet.  If you haven't, then listen to the words of the last chorus, "Oh, my friend, won't you love Him forever, so gracious and tender is He! Accept Him today as your Savior,this Stranger of Galilee."  And when you do that, He will no longer be a stranger to you, He will be your Savior and Friend.  What more could you want or need?

1. In fancy I stood by the shore, one day,

Of the beautiful murm'ring sea;

I saw the great crowds as they thronged the way

Of the Stranger of Galilee;

I saw how the man who was blind from birth,

In a moment was made to see;

The lame was made whole by the matchless skill

Of the Stranger of Galilee.

And I felt I could love Him forever,

So gracious and tender was He!

I claimed Him that day as my Savior,

This Stranger of Galilee.

2. His look of compassion, His words of love,

They shall never forgotten be;

When sin-sick and helpless He saw me there,

This Stranger of Galilee;

He showed me His hand and His riven side,

And He whispered, "It was for thee!"

My burden fell off at the pierced feet

Of the Stranger from Galilee.

And I felt I could love Him forever,

So gracious and tender was He!

I claimed Him that day as my Savior,

This Stranger of Galilee.

3. I heard Him speak peace to the angry waves,

Of that turbulent, raging sea;

And lo! at His word are the waters stilled,

This Stranger of Galilee;

A peaceful, a quiet, and holy calm,

Now and ever abides with me;

He holdeth my life in His mighty hands,

This Stranger of Galilee.

And I felt I could love Him forever,

So gracious and tender was He!

I claimed Him that day as my Savior,

This Stranger of Galilee.

4. Come, ye who are driven and tempest-tossed,

And His gracious salvation see;

He'll quiet life's storms with His "Peace, be still!"

This Stranger of Galilee;

He bids me to go and the story tell—

What He ever to you will be,

If only you let Him with you abide,

This Stranger of Galilee.

Oh, my friend, won't you love Him forever?

So gracious and tender is He!

Accept Him today as your Savior,

This Stranger of Galilee.

You can listen to part of this hymn sung by one of my favorite groups, Greater Vision.  LISTEN 1

Here is a more complete version of this beautiful song.   LISTEN 2

REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING

          "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!"  Phillipians 4:4.  Now you might think that this is easy to say, but you don't know what I am going through.  How can I rejoice when things in my life right now are so very challenging?   But, we need to remind you that when Paul wrote this admonition, he was in prison.  And I would guess it would be a real challenge to actually rejoice in those circumstances.  But if you want an interesting study, check out all the references in the Bible about rejoicing.  For example, 1 Chronicles 16:31, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth."  Psalm 5:11, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."  Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."  Matthew 5:12, "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Rejoice evermore."  And there are dozens more of these.  It is obvious that we are to rejoice in both the good and bad times. It's not an option to take just when things are going well.  And there is a reason for this if we understand that our loving and all powerful God is really in control of all that happens.  The great hymn writer Charles Wesley must have realized this when he penned the words of this week's hymn in 1744.  It was one of over at least five thousand that he is said to have penned.  And in this hymn Wesley has reminded us of so many reasons that we have to rejoice.  The Lord is King.  Jesus, the Savior reigns.  His kingdom cannot fail for He rules over earth and Heaven.  Jesus sits at God's right hand till all His foes submit.  He all His foes shall quell. And if that isn't enough, he concludes by reminding us that Jesus, the Judge, will come and take His servants to their eternal home.  And that alone should encourage us to rejoice.  Despite what we might see and feel in our present circumstances, He is alive.  He is in control.  He will protect us.  And in the end, He wins!  Lift up your heart, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say rejoice!

(1)     Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;

Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

(2)     Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;

When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

(3)    His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o'er earth and Heav'n,

The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv'n;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

(4)     He sits at God's right hand till all His foes submit,

And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

(5)     He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,

And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

(6)     Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,

And take His servants up to their eternal home.

We soon shall hear th'archangel's voice;

The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

Here is one version of the hymn that you can listen to.  LISTEN 1

Now if you prefer a more contemporary version of this old hymn, you might like this.  LISTEN 2