Thoughts from the Past – Sing Unto the Lord

Source unknown.

Here is another old post from the past as we will be observing Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
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Feb. 4, 2006
Sing Unto the Lord
(Edited.)


Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

In his hymn "Come, We That Love the Lord" Isaac Watts wrote the words:

"Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God;
But children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad."

There are various excuses given for not singing in the assembly of the saints. There are people who excuse themselves with, "I can't sing" and refuse to participate. Some “don’t know the songs”.  (Well, if you don’t sing them, you never will.) Some consider singing boring.

Years ago my family met an evangelist and pastor who appeared to hate singing whenever Christians were gathered together. He declared it a waste of time and didn't want more than one hymn, or so, to be sung at any service where he was speaking so that he could get on with his preaching. To him, what he had to say, even in private conversation, was obviously much more important than praising and singing unto our God. Not knowing his attitude, we suggested that our families get together sometime in a home for hymn singing. He was absolutely struck dumb and couldn't even answer us - quite a feat for him, truthfully. Others of his family had to explain to us that he had no use for that. The question arose in our minds later as to whether a man with that kind of an attitude toward praising and worshiping God could even be saved. Only the Lord knows if he is. He surely doesn't show it by his obedience to the word in that area. (In retrospect I am inclined to think the man a narcissist, which would account for the self-importance at the expense of praising God.)

As the verse above states, singing praise to our God is pleasant and comely. His saints should find it enjoyable. I've known many saved folks who loved to sing praise to the Lord. Some of them "couldn't sing" either, but they growled or droned or hopped up and down the scale in spite of that and seemed to be have the greatest time - a pleasant time - singing unto the Lord!

Isaac Watts' comment "Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God..." somehow crystallizes the thought here. When people who profess to follow Christ have no desire, no pleasure, no joy in singing praise to Him and His Father, it may be that they "never knew our God." I understand that some people really cannot sing for some physical reason, and sometimes for some emotional reason. I'm not talking about that. But what of those who refuse to sing, and who refuse to be blessed in listening to others sing?

The best we can say for them is that they are saved but not filled with the Spirit nor the word of Christ.

Ephesians 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The "natural" outflow of being filled with the Spirit and the word of Christ is to sing! Have you ever pondered that? Even if it's "only" in our hearts, it's the reaction that God desires. Obviously it is not a proof of salvation or filling of the Spirit since there are those who can fake this quite well. But, God intends for us to minister to each other through music! He desires our sung praise. In the Old Testament we are told that He inhabited the praises of Israel! (Psalm 22:3)

How is it with you? Do you sing as you go about our work? Do you sing in the assembly of the believers - sing as if you meant it and had someone worth singing about? Those who don't have the greatest voices can hum or whistle as they work. We can all make melody in our hearts to the Lord.

A friend of mine who suffered from years of depression was so thankful when she could again wake up in the morning with a spiritual song or hymn going through her mind. She had prayed for a restoration of that from the Lord, and as she recovered from the depression it came back.

One young man my family knew whistled hymns on his job. A coworker recognized him as a fellow believer and they took turns whistling hymns as they worked together. They were ministering to each other even in the midst of the ungodly! (Psalm 23:5)

These are things to ponder. How can we include music and singing praise to the Lord more in our daily lives? Ask the Lord to show you. He will always aid us in doing His will as revealed in His word.

Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

(First published here 8/7/2011.)
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Worth Repeating: The Hidden Line

 

The Hidden Line - Have You Counted the Cost?

First published here in September of 2013. Edited Oct. 2023.

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Hebrews 3:7-11  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Last Sunday night we heard a very useful and challenging sermon on the subject of not allowing our hearts to become hardened to the Spirit of God. In the course of the message the pastor talked about the invisible line that we can cross when we persistently resist the reproving of the Holy Spirit and harden our hearts against Him. There is a point at which the Spirit ceases to speak or call and we cannot know when and where that point may be.

Saved people can cross a line when they refuse to deal with sin in their lives that the Lord wants them to deal with, or when they refuse to do things that He wants them to do. If we harden our hearts over and over and refuse to deal with something the Lord at some point may finally steps back and let us go our own way. The results of this are never good. 

1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [Emphasis added.]

Galatians 6:7-9  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Those who are not Christians can cross the hidden line where God’s Spirit no longer draws them. This may happen when they repeatedly reject the call to salvation in Jesus Christ. There have been many people no doubt who went on and on time after time rejecting the call to life through Christ until they no longer heard it at all. Sadly, they don't necessarily feel any evidence of their loss or impending doom, nor do they realize that they have chosen eternal death over eternal life. This is a very fearful thing! 

Proverbs 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 Corinthians 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

This brother’s message reminded me of this poem and also of an old song. I wanted to post them here today.

The Hidden Line
[The Destiny of Man]

There is a time, we know not when,
A point we know not where,
That marks the destiny of men
To glory or despair.

There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God’s patience and his wrath.

To pass that limit is to die,
To die as if by stealth;
It does not quench the beaming eye
Or pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit lithe and gay;
That which pleases still may please,
And care be thrust away.

But on that forehead God has set,
Indelibly a mark,
Unseen by men, for men as yet
Are blind and in the dark.

And yet the doomed man’s path below
May bloom as Eden bloomed;
He did not, does not, will not know,
Or feel that he is doomed.

He knows, he feels that all is well,
And every fear is calmed;
He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell,
Not only doomed, but damned.

Oh, where is this mysterious bourn
By which our path is crossed;
Beyond which God himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost.

How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent,
"Ye that from God depart,
While it is called to-day, repent,
And harden not your heart."

Dr. J. Addison Alexander

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Chorus from an old song – (Have You Counted the Cost?)

Have you counted the cost,
If your soul should be lost,
Though you gain the whole world for your own?
Come to Jesus today,
He will show you the way,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

Hebrews 3:7  …To day if ye will hear his voice,

The choice is yours.

Short Thought - Little Mountain Church House

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Luke 6:47-48 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Psalm 11:3-4 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

Sadly, these days there are many people who don't have a church from their childhood that taught them the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus Christ. Some never went to church, some went to churches that were not walking in the truth. I have more than one church that I look back to in my childhood where I heard God's word taught and preached and it became the foundation of my life, by God's good grace and mercy. 

Parents, what foundational church memories are you laying in your children's minds and hearts? Are you making sure they are regularly in the fellowship of a local church assembly where God's true word is taught and preached? Are you making sure they see the joys and sweetness of being part of a group of people who are following the Lord in sincerity and truth, where love is pure and good, and where there is accountability and support through the tough times? Grandparents, aunts and uncles, older siblings, friends of younger children, are you striving to do what you can to help some other parents' children get to church where they can learn the truth of the Lord and where they can know that Jesus loves them too? Many a young person has been taken to church faithfully by someone other than their own parents or even relatives. Maybe you can help some children have these foundational memories in some way, even if you aren't the parents. It's something to think about.

And here's something else to think on: There are going to be more babies born in hard places and to people who don't want them as the abortion laws are tightened and changed in some places. Those kids will seldom be loved and nurtured in God's ways if they are born to mothers who would have killed them if they could have. If you are going to celebrate the changes in abortion laws in favor of the unborn, you need to have a plan to reach them with the gospel as children. To save their lives in the womb only to let them grow up in misery, want, and abuse is not much improvement over being born straight into heaven in my humble opinion. 

Matthew 18:4-7 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 

Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 

Hard Questions - To What End?

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Man of sorrows what a name,

For the Son of God who came...

It is hard to understand why Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh, would take on the sorrows and grief of this life. It is deeply comforting, but it is also a mystery. But as the old hymn clearly shows us, there was a purpose.

Ruined sinners to reclaim:

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Philip P. Bliss

One question that I am trying to ask myself more is, "To what end?" In this context "end" means the result or purpose, but with a more permanent thought behind it. The means to an end reflects the idea of a plan or method that arrives at a desired goal. "To what end?" is a question that applies right across the length and breadth of life. If we will ask ourselves this and answer honestly, it can help us in determining the value of many things in life. It can direct our efforts and priorities, and it can help us "delete" things from our lives or thoughts that simply don't matter. Basically, it comes down to this: If the end result is not useful or beneficial in some way, if it does not take us further in the path God has laid before us, then it probably isn't something we should be spending our precious life on.

Continue Reading.

Thoughts from Hymns - The Greatness of God

Photo property of Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose

It's good to remember and think upon the greatness of God. Here is a post by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose based upon this hymn:

Great God of Wonders

Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

(translated by Stuart K. Hine)

Thoughts from Hymns - The Mercies of God

Photo property of Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose.

Here are some thoughts on God's mercy and an old hymn posted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

When All Thy Mercies, O My God

From another hymn -

The mercies of God! What a theme for my song,
Oh! I never could number them o'er;
They're more than the stars in the heavenly dome,
Or the sands of the wave beaten shore.

- Thomas O. Chisholm

Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Thoughts from Hymns - Power In Jesus' Blood

photo: Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

Hebrews 9:12-14 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Here is another good hymn post from Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

Nothing But the Blood

No blood, no altar now,
The sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,
The Lamb is slain no more,
But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains.

We thank Thee for the blood,
The blood of Christ, Thy Son:
The blood by which our peace is made,
Our victory is won:
Great victory o'er hell, and sin and woe
That needs no second fight, and leaves no second foe.

Excerpt from hymn by Horatius Bonar

Thoughts from Hymns - Sweet Rest

Graphic property of Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him...

Here is a good thought from a hymn. It was posted last year by Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose. I hope you will be encouraged and learn some useful things, as well as enjoying her lovely photographs. :-)

Sweetly Resting

This post also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

"Faith is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son." Horatius Bonar

Also a quote from another hymn:

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Jean S. Pigot

God Answers Prayer because He is Good

"God answers our prayers not because we are good,

but because He is good." - A. W. Tozer

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

This is something a lot of people have more or less trouble with. As humans we tend to think that we need to earn things, that if we just strive hard enough the good things we want in life will come to us. Sometimes we are even mistaken enough to think that they are owed to us if we've put in "enough" effort in our own estimation.

Getting satisfactory answers to prayer is an area where it is sometimes easy to make this mistake. Even when we know we are not saved by works, it's common to think we earn our blessings -- answered prayers, marriage, ministry, children, financial success, etc.

This idea has likely been encouraged by certain teachings that either imply or outright declare that our blessings are earned. Some Christian songs or hymns encourage this type of thinking, and I'll use one for an example of what I'm talking about. The one that comes to mind which has bothered me for years is the song "Is Your All On the Altar?" The chorus tells us this:

"Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield him your body and soul."

Once when we were singing this years ago I realized that I knew Christians who were blessed whose all was not "on the altar," so to speak. They had things in their lives that were not yielded to God, and yet God blessed them in spite of themselves. It dawned on me then that our blessings are not earned.

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Thoughts from Hymns: Where Did We Come from? Where Are We Going?

This is an article that I wrote years ago before I was married. My husband and I edited and updated it last night.

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These days it seems that no matter what country or part of the world one comes from or lives in violence, trouble, and turmoil are either present or near at hand. It can become quite easy to have a very limited view, seeing just our own troubles and the fearfulness of the time in which we are living. Christians today are often sadly lacking in a historical view of our spiritual ancestors despite talk about "our historic faith," "historical positions," "Baptist History," and so forth .

The third verse of the old hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" is a potent reminder, however:

"Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain;
Gates of hell can never
'Gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise,
And that cannot fail."

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy - A Poem and A Challenge

(graphic crated at AZQuotes.com)

My husband and I have had influenza this past week, so my post today will be somewhat brief.

Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy

Fade, fade, each earthly joy;
Jesus is mine.
Break ev'ry tender tie;
Jesus is mine.
Dark is the wilderness,
Earth has no resting place,
Jesus alone can bless;
Jesus is mine.

Tempt not my soul away;
Jesus is mine.
Here would I ever stay;
Jesus is mine.
Perishing things of clay,
Born but for one brief day,
Pass from my heart away;
Jesus is mine.

Farewell, ye dreams of night;
Jesus is mine.
Lost in this dawning bright,
Jesus is mine.
All that my soul has tried
Left but a dismal void;
Jesus has satisfied;
Jesus is mine.

Farewell, mortality;
Jesus is mine.
Welcome, eternity;
Jesus is mine.
Welcome, O loved and blest,
Welcome, sweet scenes of rest,
Welcome, my Savior’s breast;
Jesus is mine.

-- Mrs. Catherine J. Bonar

I am reminded of my own Gramma, who did celebrate Christmas, but she got to where she did very little in her own house because she realized how much extra trouble it was and that what was done would need undoing later, and she didn't want to commit that much time and effort to it. She didn't need things to prove she loved the Lord, or that He was her joy.

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

What level of vanity have you spent on "the season"? How much time, money, and effort have you spent on things that have little or nothing to do with the actual birth of Jesus Christ and things of eternal value?

May I ask you a personal question? Could you enjoy celebrating Jesus' birth without all the trimmings and decorations, without all the traditions and rituals?

Earthly joys are all going to fade away and not be remembered someday anyway. Only those things of true eternal value will last, and we don't need earthly things to prove our relationship to Jesus.

What will be of lasting value?

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 

We can choose to live with less of earthly joys and more of eternal joys now - today - by what we choose to spend our time and efforts upon, but it will take conscious effort and sacrifice. How will you minister Christ in this world today, tomorrow, any day?

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

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Here is a lovely presentation of this hymn by my friend, Stephanie, at The Enchanting Rose.

Fade, Fade Each Earthly Joy

Thoughts from Hymns - Fight the Good Fight of Faith

1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Fight the Good Fight

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide,
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life and Christ its love.

Faint not nor fear, for He is near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

John S. B. Monsell

There is much sorrow, and foolishness, and fear and trembling in the world these days. It seems more and more like the end of all things is at hand, 1 Peter 4:7. But, there is one thing we need to focus on in the midst of all this – we have a battle to fight which supersedes these things.  It is not a war against flesh and blood, but it is the spiritual battle of the Christian life. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

There are so many Christians in the United States who are focused on the “right to bear arms” – to own guns. This is not the good fight of faith. Dear ones for Christ’s sake, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal because our battle is not carnal – that is to say, it is not with flesh and blood.

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. [Emphasis added]

We should not be fighting for the right to keep and use carnal weapons. Though they may serve a useful purpose (which I agree with), they are not the weapons of our warfare. They are a useful method of defending ourselves against general villainy (see Luke 22:36-28 where Jesus said that two swords were enough among 11 men!), and for hunting food. But, the weapons of our warfare must be spiritual weapons because it is a spiritual battle. The armor of God is spiritual armor.

Ephesians 6:13-17  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour 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:

We are not defending nor establishing a physical kingdom. Jesus Christ Himself said, …My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36 His Kingdom will not be of this world until He comes back Himself with the armies of heaven to establish it (see Rev. 19).

Our warfare is to fight the good fight – the spiritual warfare. Christ is our right. He has promised Himself to us. Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Our goal is to run the straight race through God's grace, Heb. 12:1; to lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6:12 &19; to …press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, Philippians. 3:14.  We can cast the cares of this present life on the Lord, 1 Pt. 5:7; and trust in the boundless mercy of God, finding His love and life enough and totally sustaining!

“Faint not nor fear, for He is near,
He changeth not, and thou are dear...”

Perhaps these are the most beautiful words in this whole song. In a time when many are fainting (giving up the battle and giving way to worldliness and false teachings) and fearing, it is so important to …earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude vs. 3. In a time when we are being regularly bombarded with “facts” that should cause us terror about every aspect of life, with claims that we are being spied upon, poisoned, and messed with by higher powers we have no control over, it is so important that we remember that our God is near. Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

And, He changes not! This is a wonderful blessing, and when connected with His love for us it is a great comfort! Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. If the unchanging Lord so loves the sons of Jacob, we can be assured that His love for believers now will not change! In the battle of the Christian life this should be a constant point of encouragement and blessing - we, in all our unworthiness, are dear to the Almighty, Holy God who created all things!

Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

1 Timothy 1:18-19  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

We must “hold faith” lest we also make shipwreck. It is only through the power of the Lord Jesus that we can fight the good fight of faith. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

If we do believe, we will find the great truth that Jesus Christ is all in all to us, that He is all we need, and that all the spiritual blessings God has available are available through Him. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Like the Apostle Paul, let us strive to be able to say with him, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8

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My blogging friend Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose made a lovely and thoughtful presentation of this hymn which you can see at here: Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might.



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First published here Oct. 2012.

Thoughts from Hymns - A Thought from Another Blog

Photo property of Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

From Every Stormy Wind that Blows

I didn't know what to post today and I wasn't sure I was going to even post anything. I have some things on my mind, but I don't feel ready to write about them yet, and I'm not even sure yet if I should. But, this post by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose was a blessing and I decided to pass it on to you here. Please go to her blog and enjoy the photos, but more importantly, ponder the important message she shared today through hymn, scripture, and prose.

ABCs of Raising Children

 

My grandfather with his four children sometime in the 1950s.

The original of this was actually written by someone else, though I don’t know who it was.  It has been altered extensively to make it more biblical. 

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A is for Accountability.

Hold your children accountable for their behavior. Give them boundaries and make it clear that there will be repercussions if they cross those limits. Example - In the Old Testament Law God told His children "thou shalt not" and then prescribed set punishments if they did anyway.

Give them responsibilities and hold them accountable if they fail to do as they have been instructed. 1Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Someday they will give account of themselves to God. Ultimately, you are preparing them for that day. Rom. 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Show them that the point of accountability is not so that you can punish them for every mistake but rather to help them grow in their ability to bear responsibility.  Galatians 6:2-5 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Continue Reading.

Thoughts from Hymns – My Saviour First of All

 

Job 19:25-27  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

This old hymn takes on such a poignant meaning when you think of the lyrics in light of the fact that Fanny Crosby was blind almost from birth.  To think that the first thing she saw when her sightless eyes were healed at death was the face of her Redeemer is a wonderful and moving thought. 

She “longed to see [her] Saviour first of all”!  I think God answered that desire, don’t you?  From stories of other Christian’s deathbed experiences I think it’s quite likely that the Lord would show her His hands and face as the first wonderful thing she ever saw.  It’s hard to imagine for those of us who have always had our sight, or for those who had sight at one time, what it would be like to have our very first sight to be the face of Jesus Christ.

Acts 7:55-56  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

How do you suppose she knew about the “luster of His brightly beaming eye” when she had never seen such a thing as a brightly beaming eye?  She never knew what “spotless white” was either.  Her imagery is touching.

Fanny said she would know Him by the prints of the nails in His hands.  It has been said that the only man-made things in heaven are the prints of the nails in the hands of Jesus Christ and His pierced side.  This is based on John 20:27 - Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.  This was His resurrection body, so it’s assumed that He still bears the marks of His death, which is fitting considering how much He accomplished in that! 

How do you think you will feel to meet your Saviour face to face and to actually see the print of the nails in His hand?  What will that mean to you?  What does it mean to you now?  Does that thought give you a desire to live more “with eternities values in view”, as the old chorus says?  It is something I need to think about.  I think we would do well to praise Him more now for His mercy, love and grace!

Psalms 106:1-2  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?

Thoughts from Hymns - By Thy Grace We Will

 

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

By Thy grace we will!

This is a line from an old hymn that stuck in my head some time back and this past year I’ve thought about it quite frequently.  In fact, you might say that it has become a life “motto” of sorts, though I don’t think about it as often as I’d like to.

We had a very busy year in 2013 from my perspective.  There were also some very large challenges.  More than once the Lord reminded me to cast myself upon His grace and go forward.  I knew these were things that were unavoidable or that were clearly His will, so me desire was to rest in His grace to get me through them.  He never let me down!

In January last year my mom had a hip replacement.  This was the first major surgery that anyone in my immediate family had had, so it was rather much of a hurdle for us.  February was focused a lot on helping her recover from that.

In March we began preparing for company and in April my sister and her husband and children paid us a two week visit.  It was a great blessing, but we were sick while they were here.

My in-laws came at the end of May for a few days and in June we had a friend get married, which meant sewing projects and helping out a little with the wedding.

I kept thinking, “After ___________, we’ll be able to rest.”  It didn’t happen – for a long time.

No sooner did I think we were in for a break in July than my husband and I and my parents began to plan a trip to Australia to visit my brother and his family.  This was not a small undertaking and there was a string of different things to do for weeks ahead of time – visas, tickets, special food needs, locating special items for specific needs, making some new clothes, packing, TSA rules, what we could take through customs, etc.  But, the biggest thing for me in some ways was that long overseas flight.  I had not flown since I was six.  I get motion sick fairly easily and I have claustrophobia, fear of heights, and difficulty being in crowds – besides regular anxiety issues.  Well, we knew it was going to be a big challenge, and it was!  The flights were grueling on several levels.  (I think the motion sickness was probably the worst part.)

Added to all this was the fact that I had to get bifocals for the first time just before we left (they made me dizzy for awhile), and I had to have last minute dental work done with the possibility of needing emergency help while in Australia.  Thankfully, the Lord spared me that!

While we were over there we stayed with my brother’s family for 3 1/2 weeks and had a great visit and made some good memories, but 8 people in a smallish house was a bit of a stretch at times.  :-)  Riding and having my husband drive on the “wrong side of the road” was also more nerve-wracking than I at first thought.  Plus, the Pacific flight getting there was such a trial, I dreaded the homeward flight often during our visit – especially when jets flew over the house!  Thank the Lord, the homeward flight was much easier in some ways, but it was more emotional in others.

We got home on October 8th and it took a bit for my parents and me to get back onto Texas time and recover from the trip.  In November, I started making plans for Thanksgiving when my in-laws were supposed to visit again.  I was really looking forward to having them here for that, but the Lord overruled and my husband and I were both sick, so they didn’t come and we spent the holiday resting.

Things calmed down some in December, especially since we are outside of the busy Christmas loop, and we were able to have some quieter time.  I did a lot of reading and research and the colder weather this winter gave a good excuse to stay inside more.  It was very refreshing, and I’m so thankful that the Lord granted my desire for some rest!

Of course, all of this was added to the usual challenges of life that are relatively normal and to be expected, and to the usual duties and activities that we dread or enjoy, and to the burdens and prayer requests for friends and family.

I feel incredibly blessed.  By God’s grace we DID get through a lot – some major challenges included!  It was especially uplifting to face a huge-to-me challenge like flying to Australia and to come through so well – by God’s grace!  (Yes, I did use medication and herbal remedies to help, but I consider that part of the provision from the Lord.)

I want to remember this all.  I want to remember that God did give “grace to help in time of need” – over and over and over again – through big challenges and little ones, through the monotonous things and the hair-raising things, for my own burdens and for the burdens of others.  Because, you see, it is the memories of these great blessings that give “bright hope for the future”!  I don’t even know how many times in a challenging situation the Lord reminded me of His grace, and I told Him in my heart, “By Thy grace we will.”  It really became a prayer, and He answered it exceeding abundantly above all that I could ask or think (Eph. 3:20). 

There is an acknowledgement in that thought also, and that is that if it is not God’s will and within His grace for us to do a thing then we won’t do it; because it is only by His grace that we can.  This was something I had in the back of my mind as well.  Whatever He allows or wills us to face or endure or deal with in life – He WILL give the grace to get through it.

Here is rest.  Here is peace.  Here is confidence for the future.  We don’t have to live in fear of what “might” happen this year.  We don’t have to dread potential challenges or trials.  By God’s grace, we will get through whatever He allows.  And faith is rest – rest in knowing that whatever the future holds, God’s grace is greater.

So, we can face the future with this courage-giving thought – “By Thy grace we will!”

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Thomas O. Chisholm

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Peter 5:10-11  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

What Do We Really Sing?

 

These altered titles of hymns and spiritual songs are a commentary on what some people seem to be really singing.  What about you?  Is there something here that applies – either specifically or in the spirit of the thing?  Some of them are humorous, but probably most of us should stop and think about what we do “sing” about in our daily conversations, motives and thought life.

1 Corinthians 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

 

* Spirit of the Living God, Fall Somewhere Near Me

* My Faith Looks Around for Thee

* I'm Fairly Certain that My Redeemer Liveth

* A Comfy Sofa Is Our God

* When We All Get To Burger King

* My Sins Are Blotted Out I Hope

* We're Marching To Epcot

* Sitting In the Premises

* I Surrender Some

* There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings

* Fill My Spoon, Lord

* Oh, How I Like Jesus

* Heaven Came Down and Swindol Filled My Soul

* He's Quite a Bit to Me

* Soldiers of Christ Recline

* I Love to Talk About Telling the Story

* Take My Life and Let Me Be

* It is My Secret What God Can Do

* All Hail the Power of Calvin's Name

* Where He Leads Me, I Might Follow

* Haven of Romance

* Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me

* When Peace Like a Trickle

* Is It the Dividend Day?

* Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style

* I Need Thee Once A Year

* Send the Funds

* The Road Leads to Mc Donald's

* Something for Me

* I Am Bound for the Real Estate Office

* Jesus Loves Me This I Kind of Know

* Lead On, Oh C.H. Spurgeon

* Tell Me the Stories of Hunting

* Why Worry When You Can Charge It?

* I Believe the Answer's Gone Away

* I Am Still On the Throne

* Great Is My Faithlessness

* Dare To Be A Good Ol' Boy

* I Wonder Have I Done My Best for BJU?

* I Stand Amazed In the Presence of Trinity Broadcasting Network

* True Hearted, Half Hearted

* Go Ye Into All the Pews and Read the Hymnals

* I Am Resolved A Little Longer To Linger

* Ye Might Not Be Born Again

* Turn Your Eyes Upon Television

* God Might Take Care of You

* O Could I Speak the Matchless Self

* My Work Alone, Oh Savior

* No One Understands Like Rick Warren

* Jesus Paid It Mostly

* I'd Rather Have Blue Jeans and Silver and Gold

* Nearer My Broker To Thee

* Something Between

* My Sirloin First of All

* Every Day With Barley Green Is Sweeter Than the Day Before          

* Do You Know My Boyfriend?

* Elvis Is the Sweetest Name I Know

* Oh Sacred Pride Now Wounded

* Always Take Time to Shave

* I Need Chocolate

* Ring the Bells of Quitting Time

* I've Reached the Land of Joy Online