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

HE LEADETH ME (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that I have previously featured in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge. This hymn was originally shared here on October 16, 2011.

         It is unusual when you have the words of the author of a hymn that gives the account of how he was led to write the words. Such is the case this week. Listen to story told by Joseph H. Gilmore (1834 - 1918).
         "As a young man who recently had been graduated from Brown University and Newton Theological Institution, I was supplying for a couple of Sundays the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. At the midweek service, on the 26th of March, 1862, I set out to give the people an exposition of the Twenty-third Psalm, which I had given before on three or four occasions, but this time I did not get further than the words "He Leadeth Me." Those words took hold of me as they had never done before, and I saw them in a significance and wondrous beauty of which I had never dreamed. It was the darkest hour of the Civil War. I did not refer to that fact — that is, I don't think I did — but it may subconsciously have led me to realize that God's leadership is the one significant fact in human experience, that it makes no difference how we are led, or whither we are led, so long as we are sure God is leading us.
         At the close of the meeting a few of us in the parlor of my host, good Deacon Wattson, kept on talking about the thought which I had emphasized; and then and there, on a blank page of the brief from which I had intended to speak, I penciled the hymn, talking and writing at the same time.  Then I handed it to my wife and thought no more about it. She sent it to The Watchman and Reflector, a paper published in Boston, where it was first printed. I did not know until 1865 that my hymn had been set to music by William B. Bradbury.
         I went to Rochester [New York] to preach as a candidate before the Second Baptist Church. Going into their chapel on arrival in the city, I picked up a hymnal to see what they were singing, and opened it at my own hymn, "He Leadeth Me.""
           What an interesting way to find that your writing had been published and was being used to encourage believers. I hope that you can relate to these words this week and testify that indeed He leads you.

(1)     He leadeth me, O blessed thought!

O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!

Whate'er I do, where'er I be

Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

(2)     Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,

By waters still, over troubled sea,

Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

(3)     Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,

Nor ever murmur nor repine;

Content, whatever lot I see,

Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

(4)     And when my task on earth is done,

When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won,

E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,

Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

I'VE FOUND A FRIEND

       Many inspiring hymns have been written following periods of deep distress.  Such was the case with this week's hymn choice.  Barclay Allen (1918-1966) was a very talented pianist who headlined with the Fredy Martin Band in the 1940's.  They played all over America and he accompanied people like Peggy Lee, Jane Russell, and Frank Sinatra.  

         One night in 1949, while driving in Nevada, after drinking all day, he fell asleep at the wheel, drove over an embankment, and ended up paralyzed from the neck down. He was 30 years old. At the request of his mother, a Rev. Norman Hammer launched an intensive conversion effort on the young man who was nearing death. The angry young musician's heart was finally reached by the Lord and the pastor introduced him to his friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

          Months later, after long and difficult rehabilitation, Barclay Allen regained a measure of his mobility. He was able to sit in a wheelchair, and even to do a limited amount of piano playing.  In 1953, Barclay Allen composed the music and a friend, Roc Hillman, supplied the lyrics for the hymn "I Found a Friend."   The hymn was made popular when it was sung by George Beverly Shea at Billy Graham rallies.  

          While the words were penned by Hillman, they probably are the testimony of Allen  ...  when life seemed not worth living ... a friend so tender and forgiving ... now He walks beside me ... his love is overflowing ... I can depend on Him to see me through ... my soul will live in glory ... He's ever near ... I found a friend and life began anew ... He can be your friend too.  What an amazing testimony from one who was paralyzed.  If God can love and care for one like Allen, certainly He can care for you.  Have you placed your trust in Him?

1.   I found a Friend when life seemed not worth living

I found a Friend so tender and forgiving

I can't conceive how such a thing could be

That Jesus cares for even me

Each day, each year, my faith in him is growing,

He's ever near, his love is overflowing

I have no fear my worldly cares are few

I can depend on Him to see me through

I found a Friend, He can be your Friend too.

2.     I found a Friend and now He walks beside me

His hand to lead, to comfort and to guide me

When clouds appear I talk to Him awhile,

He's taught this heart of mine to smile

Each day, each year, my faith in him is growing,

He's ever near, his love is overflowing

I have no fear my worldly cares are few

I can depend on Him to see me through

I found a Friend, He can be your Friend too.

3.     Because He came, my soul will live in glory,

I'll praise His name and tell my Saviors story,

What friend so true would give his all for you,

I found a friend and life began anew

I'm sure you'll find He is your Friend too

Each day, each year, my faith in him is growing,

He's ever near, his love is overflowing

I have no fear my worldly cares are few

I can depend on Him to see me through

I found a Friend, He can be your Friend too.

Listen to it here.   FRIEND

WILL YOU LOVE JESUS MORE?

          At the beginning off the day do you ever pause to think about those who will cross your path that day?  You may have appointments scheduled.  You will spend time with family members and maybe some friends.  You will probably have discussions with coworkers.  You will have conversations with clerks and those who provide a service for you.  And you will probably have numerous unexpected contacts with folks that you meet throughout the day.  
         Many of these conversations will be about necessary business items, but some will be about other topics of interest - sports, family experiences, future plans, neighborhood and national news and other general information.  Now some of these contacts may be with those who know the Lord, but many of them will be with folks who need the Lord.  Will your words and your attitude in these conversations reflect the love of your Savior?  Will they see Jesus in you? You may be the only believer that they know and ever talk to.  
         This song raises an important question for us about them - "Will you love Jesus more when we go our different ways - when this moment is a memory?"   That doesn't mean that we need to preach to them or flood them with Bible verses.  But it does mean that we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He works through us during our conversations.
          The words of this song were penned by a contemporary Christian music trio composed of pastors Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean.  According to Phillips, "Our songs are usually things that come out of our hearts as pastors. All three of us serve full-time as lead pastors, and sometimes the people sitting in the pews form what God's trying to say to you."  
         Maybe their lyrics would be a good prayer for each of us to pray early in the morning and before many of our conversations throughout the day. "I'd pray for nothing less than for you to love Jesus more."  Lord may my conversations today be acceptable in your sight.  "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."   Psalms 19:14.

I feel quite sure if I did my best

I could maybe impress you

With tender words and a harmony

A clever rhyme or two

But if all I've done in the time we've shared

Is turn your eyes on me

Then I've failed at what I've been called to do

There's someone else I want you to see

[CHORUS]

Will you love Jesus more

When we go our different ways

When this moment is a memory

Will you remember His face

Will you look back and realize

You sensed His love more than you did before

I'd pray for nothing less

Than for you to love Jesus more

I'd like to keep these memories

In frames of gold and silver

And reminisce a year from now

About the smiles we've shared

But above all else I hope you will come

To know the Father's love

When you see the Lord face to face

You'll hear Him say "well done"

[REPEAT CHORUS TWICE]

I'd pray for nothing less

Than for you to love Jesus more

Listen to it here.   LOVE JESUS MORE