Category: God

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A Problem on the Way to the Promise Land…Feb. 17th

Sunday morning, February 17th at Waterview church of Christ, our lesson was aimed some of our trials/problems on our way to heaven.  To be specific…complaining!

man silhouette on sunset

As we examined the Israelite nation (post Egyptian captivity), Robert opened the word and we looked at how often the people of God complained about; the water and food (or lack there of) and the leadership coupled with an ‘I can do better’ attitude. The following ‘order of worship’ was designed to focus our minds on this Lord’s day.  Will you think about the songs you sing in praise to God?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

 

Sunday morning, February 17, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

 

“Praise the Lord” and “Great Are You, Lord” – 74 & no book

Four songs in this hymnal begin with these three, power words; “Praise the Lord”, but our song this morning was written by J. Kempthorne in 1796.  The words are taken from the 148th Psalm and the chorus resounds with “Hallelujah! Amen” repeated twice for emphasis.  “Holy Lord” (or better known as “Great Are You, Lord”) came on the scene almost 200 years later.  Written by a husband and wife team, Steve & Vikki Cook, this hymn again sings praises to our God.  A wonderful introduction to coming together, with my heart and sing…Great are You Lord!

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” – 314

We set our minds on the Lord’s Supper as we sang the 1st and 3rd verses of this song.  As we set our minds and hearts at the foot of the cross, in our mind’s eye we can see, “the very dying form of One who suffered there for me.”  But we’ll keep our eyes on the cross as we continue to focus during the Lord’s Supper this morning.

“The Old Rugged Cross” – 313

Perhaps a bit of controversy surrounds this old hymn as some feel we shouldn’t ‘cherish’ the old rugged cross. But to others, this is metaphorically cherishing the death of my Savior, for without that cross, I’m lost.  This morning however, we specifically sang only the 3rd verse following the bread and before the fruit of the vine. Continuing to keep our eyes on Jesus we sang, “In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see; for ’twas (it was) on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me…”

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

Though a very popular ‘communion’ song, again we only sang the third verse of ‘When I Survey.’  My reasoning was simple…keep your eyes on the cross of Jesus.  “See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flowed mingled down…”  Keeping the volume soft and thoughtful we maintained a solemn focus on the death of our Savior as we partook of the Lord’s Supper.

Eyes To Heaven

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” – 276

The title of this song comes from the chorus which was made famous by Helen Lemmel in 1922 (how many thought this to be a contemporary song).  Though we rarely sing the first three verses of this song, (verse 1) “O soul are you weary and troubled?”  the power of the chorus helps us keep our eyes on Jesus.  As we conclude the Memorial of our Lord’s death, we continually strive to stay focused on Him.  Would that our mind be so strongly tied to our God that, “…the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

“To Canaan’s Land I’m On My Way” – 867

With the title of our lesson on ‘the promise land’, I thought it appropriate our song before the lesson singing us toward Canaan’s Land (heaven).  Interestedly enough we have lots of sorrows, struggles, tears and pain here on earth, but in heaven…“Dear friends they’ll be no sad farewells.  They’ll be no tear dimmed eyes.”  Why you might ask?  Simply, in Heaven (Canaan’s Land) the soul never dies.

“Bring Christ Your Broken Life” – 911

Though specific for the hymnal Faith and Praise, I think it’s interesting that this invitation song, this call for sinners to ‘bring Christ your broken life’ is found on page 9-1-1.  Notice these words: “Bring Christ your broken life, so marred by sin, He will create a new, make whole again; your empty wasted years He will restore, and your iniquities (sin) remember no more.” (Emphasis added) “Bring Him your every care if great or small – whatever troubles you, O bring it all!  Bring Him the haunting fears, the nameless dread, Thy heart He will relieve, and lift up thy head.”

“A Mansion, Robe and Crown” – no book

Another contemporary song, this one again focuses on heaven.  The third verse grabs my attention when I sing about difficult times; “My head is bowed and bloody now from the work I’ve tried to do…”  Maybe not physically for most of us, for some in the mission field I’m certain this is true.  Needless to say we are all looking forward to a mansion, robe and crown!

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Awesome Power

The following is from my friend from Flagler, Colorado.  Terry Harmon is not only a good friend, he’s a great servant in the kingdom.  He has worked as a missionary in Poland, Russia, and most recently the Ukraine.  Currently he serves as the pulpit minister for the Lord’s church in Colorado…Lighting-Storm-Texas_large

There is something about lightning that can attract my attention for long periods of time. The other day we were sitting at the Food Panty (Benevolence House) and a pretty good storm moved in, lightning included.  While we didn’t take too many chances, it was interesting as always, standing out watching the great strokes of lightning flash across the sky.  Last year about this time (summer, 2011), Timothy and I recorded one of the most awesome lightning storms I have ever seen.  It literally raged on for a couple of hours.

Lightning is a force that is so interesting to watch, yet it is so powerful…even deadly.  Currently (summer, 2012) there is a massive fire going in the Colorado mountains called, High Park.  It has destroyed some 60,000 acres of forest.  What caused this fire?  Fire fighters have pinpointed the very tree that a lightning strike hit, sparking this fire.  We feel sympathetic toward those who have lost their homes and hope that this can be contained soon. Standing out in a rain storm can also prove deadly, as lightning hits a few individuals each year, taking lives.  {The High Park fire, a forest fire in the mountains west of Fort Collins in Larimer County, was caused by a lightning strike and was first detected on the morning of June 9, 2012. A 62-year-old woman was killed in the fire. This fire burned over 87,250 acres (136 square miles), making it the second-largest fire in recorded Colorado history by area burned.  It destroyed at least 259 homes. The High Park fire was declared 100 percent contained on June 30, 2012, and all related evacuation orders were ended.}

Daniel was a man who saw things that most on this earth will never see.  And in the book of Daniel, chapter 10, verses 5 and 6 we read, “I lifted up my eyes and looked and behold there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz.  His body was like beryl, His face had the appearance of lightning, His eyes were like flaming torches, His arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of His words like the sound of a tumult.” This is a description of Jesus in the Old Testament and what a sight it must have been to Daniel.  In Revelation 1:13-16, we encounter Jesus again in a similar description, but this time written by the Apostle John.  The text reads, “…and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a Son of Man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in it’s strength.”

Think about the words and the description of Jesus in both places.  It is incredible and Jesus is seen as AWESOME!  Both descriptions paint a vivid picture that Jesus is so powerful when one looks upon Him, which should cause us to understand (and appreciate) our Lord who we serve even better.  It is mind boggling to think about this…Jesus has the power to change a person’s life unto salvation, but also has the power to send one to hell for eternity.  Despite all of His power, He doesn’t want to lose one person, which is the reason our Savior came to earth to suffer and die for mankind.  Still, each individual must come to the recognition that Jesus is Lord and must give himself to Him before our time on earth runs out.

bow to jesus

Paul wrote in Philippians 2: 9-11, “God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  There is still time if you are not a Christian, will you consider how awesome Jesus is and then repent, confess Him as Lord, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins today?

This spring as the thunder storms form, and the next time you see lightning flash across the sky, perhaps you’ll remember the incredible and awesome power of Jesus.  “Awesome power, boundless grace. None can fathom all Your ways.  Truth and love are found in Your heart alone, righteousness surrounds Your throne.  Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, most high.  Holy, Holy, Holy Lord most high!”  Words by John G. Elliott (1990)

Thanks Terry for the reminder of our awesome Lord and Savior!

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Taking a Look at Sunday Morning

I am thankful for my church family…

Having just returned from a trip the evening before, we were late getting to church service and decided not to interrupt class 20 minutes late. After getting some work done in the office, we sat down early in the auditorium.

Though we left on vacation following the morning services last week, it seemed like a long time since we’d been with our church family.

At first, it was dark in the auditorium, then a few people started to arrive.  One sweet lady, dressed in high heels and using a walking cane, was escorted to her seat by her grown son who then returned pushing her husband in a wheelchair.  They sat on the second seat from the front, settled in their pew while the son figured out where to store the folded wheel chair. He sat with them.

A few others, mostly folks walking slowly due to age, came in the auditorium finding their pews and settling in for worship before class was dismissed and the masses arrived.

One man came walking down our aisle and suddenly the lights came on.  Smiling he told us they automatically come on when he enters!  We shared small talk and he settled in his pew awaiting the rest of his family.

For 15 minutes people strolled in the auditorium, some stopped to chat before sitting down, others hurriedly walked past looking towards ‘their’ pew.  Some, knowing we’d been out of town, asked about our trip.  Another was excited to show me she too had recently gotten an iPhone, she asked if I would like to go to classes with her. Another brother shared with me a picture of a fancy faucet he had just installed in their renovated bathroom.  And yet another dear brother, short on time, asked me a question about his LOA group (our church’s small group).  One of our young men, on his first visit home from college, stopped to give me a hug and chat briefly before others wanted his attention too. A sweet lady in the pew in front of me wanted to chat about her LOA plans that were scheduled for the evening.

I glanced around the auditorium and saw a sister across the way that hadn’t been to worship in quite some time…I said a prayer of thanksgiving.  Families are all in place now, some with guests from out of town.  The college students came in close to the starting time and sat in a row together in their normal spot.

Now it’s time for the welcome and announcements and our weekly ‘meet and greet’.  Then worship begins.  It’s a joy to begin worship in prayer and then song.  A brother in front of us realizes contribution is early in the service so he pulls out a couple bills from his wallet and tries to throw them down the row for his daughter & friend to put in the plate…except neither girl saw the money and his wife sat on one of the bills.  Oh well, at least, he tried.

Before I know it, worship is over and it’s time to visit on our way out the door.  As I walk through the north end a new grandma is busy visiting with her LOA friends about her wonderful new grandson!  I lose track of time visiting and can’t find my husband; I’m assuming he went to the van to wait for me…not so this time.  In the van I do some more waiting and observe several families leaving from the parking lot.  One couple has a wedding gift and they see the person in the parking lot they need to give it to!  A college student and his younger brother come out and drive the suburban closer to the exit waiting for the rest of the family – I’m guessing it felt good to him to be back in that role, and the family certainly loved the familiarity of it too.

The sun was shining but there’s coolness in the air.  Today is our LOA Sunday and there is of buzz in the family as many have plans with their small group.

It’s such a blessing to be a part of God’s family, sharing and caring for each other in every way!  I look forward to any opportunity I have to be with my family, but it seemed especially sweet yesterday after being gone for a week.

I thank God that he gives us everything we need, each other, our church family.

Donna

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” I John 4:8

In the family of God we are a blessed people! 

Thanks Donna for reminding us of the joy we have in the Kingdom of God.

 

 

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Everything Changes, Except…

Change isn’t easy!  As a matter of fact, Sydney Harris, an American journalist for the Chicago Daily News once said, “Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.”

Change can be hard to face at times and yet if we want to grow, we have to change.  For things to sincerely ‘get better’, they can’t stay the same.  This week my daughter (a senior in HS) went with me to the office.  As we talked about the changes in our family, big brother is now in college, I reminder her that we ALL change.  She wasn’t going to always be my little blonde, curly haired 5 year old.  She was growing into adulthood and, if the Lord wills, would one day have a family of her own.  If we remain the same, that would be nice, but how could things hope to improve.  As a matter of fact, in our spiritual lives we sing the song, “Change My Heart of God”.  If we want our lives to ‘get better’, we have to go through a metamorphosis (a change).  But why do we ‘hate change?’  Perhaps it’s because of the uncertainty that lies ahead.

How often I would like for things to ‘just stay the same’.  Actually some folks take great strides to make sure things never change.  We are comfortable with the tried and true.  Not needing to ‘wonder what will happen next’ is a good thing…isn’t it?  Let me direct you to another hymn that actually talks about the changes in our lives.  The transitions that we face in life.

Over 100 years ago Jennie Wilson penned a song that tells me what to do when uncertainty comes into my life.  I need to remember the words…

Time is filled with swift transition – naught of earth unmoved can stand (Nothing on earth can change this fact)
Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand. (The earth changes…God, eternal, does not)

Trust in Him who will not leave you, whatsoever years may bring, (God is constant, even with the changes in life)
If by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling. (People let us down, God won’t)

When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true (When life is over, and if you have been faithful)
Fair and bright the home in glory your enraptured soul (delight without measure) will view (Heaven’s really good!)

Hold to His hand…to God’s unchanging hand!
Hold to His hand…to God’s unchanging hand!
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

We will face changes in life and some of them will make us ‘wish for the good ole days’.  But change will come and often it will come swiftly.  In a world that is created to ‘change’, hold fast to Him who created this world…He does NOT change.  James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom THERE IS NO VARIATION or shifting shadow.”  To put it simply…God doesn’t change.

Children hold the hands of their parents because there is comfort in knowing someone is beside them.  We hold hands as couples to show our spouse (and others who might be watching) that we find comfort and security in our loved ones presence.  In a world that is ‘swiftly transitioning’, perhaps we should be looking to reach out and take hold of our Father’s hand.  Changes will come into your life, but with God we will always find consistency.  Perhaps Mr. Harris was right, we do have a dilemma when it comes to change, but remember what he said, want we really want is for things ‘to get better.’

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A Lifetime Preparing for the First Time…

Can you remember the first time you road your bike without training wheels, or without having your dad run along beside you?  As a parent you might remember your child’s first day of grade school as he/she stood on the front porch with books in hand.  Or perhaps you’ll remember your first time to crawl in behind the wheel of the car and drive down the road…by yourself.  Our life if full of first!  We look at our lives and can remember the times when we did things for the first time.

This morning my family and I loaded up the suburban and drove to Tennessee.  Though this isn’t the first time we’ve taken this trip, it is the first time we’ll leave the house with five (5) in the car and return with only (4) four.  Our oldest son is going to Freed-Hardeman  University for his freshman year.  Having worked with college age students for years, I’ve seen anxiety in the eyes of the new college student.  And now, as his dad, I feel the tears in the eyes of the parents.  It’s never been more real to me as it is now.  For the first time, I sit here realizing my oldest, will be striking out on his own.  He won’t be getting up in the morning to make his mom and I a cup a coffee.  We won’t be riding out to the baseball field to officiate a baseball game together, and this evening, I won’t be walking into his room to tell him good night.   For the first time our oldest will be ‘riding on his own.’

Some times we have a ‘first’ that is a great experience and the beginning of a new, exciting direction for our life.  At other times, those ‘first’ are hard to face.  With every life changing ‘first’, and every new path we take, the Christian realizes he can’t go along.  When our young men and women graduate high school, that’s a big first.  When they leave home and go to college, that’s a big first.  Parents, we need to ask our children with whom do they plan to walk down the pathway.  What will they take along with them.

During the last few days my son has been busy packing his bags and last night he loaded the car.  He was determined to make sure he had what he would need in college.  But the one thing we have tried to impress upon our children is the importance of staying close to God.  Will their life bring honor to His name?  Will the friends they choose and words they use bring glory to God?  We show them a Christian example, discipline them in Christ and pray they’ll walk with God.  Parents (Grandparents), as our children take these first steps, pray for them, that they will ‘walk with God’.

Written in 1959, this spiritual song serves as an encouragement to those listening as well as those who are singing.  We know that our life will be continually filled with ‘first’.  With each first time opportunity we remember that we must take these steps with God.  The world will hurl lies at us, but you and I know that the only hope we have comes through Christ.  So Logan, this is my daily prayer that you will ‘Go with God!’

“This is my daily prayer; God Bless you, go with God.
Hold fast His mighty hand, thru out the day;
His grace your heart sustain, His pow’r relieve your pain,
Your prayer be not in vain, as you travel His way.

In spite of all the lies that some may hurl,
Christ is the only hope of all the world;
God bless you, go with God,
Thru out eternity, my prayer will always be,
May you go with God.

In spite of all the lies that some may hurl,
Christ is the only hope of all the world;
God bless you, go with God,
Thru out eternity, my prayer will always be,
May you go with God.  May you go with God!

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He’s Awesome!

What does it mean to say that something is ‘awesome’?  In the excitement of the moment, or with the thrill of an event it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “That movie was awesome!”.  But how much attention or thought do we give to how and when we use this awe inspiring word.

By definition, we consider something to be awesome when that ‘something’ is inspiring awe or showing characteristic of awe.  OK…then what is ‘awe’?  Again, by definition, awe is ‘an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.’  For emphasis, I want to say that again; awe is ‘an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.’  If we say, ‘That car is awesome!’ are we truly saying that it evokes feels of reverence, admiration and fear?  It might be that we ‘just loved’ that movie (admiration), but do we really have reverence for a form of entertainment or fear for an inanimate object?  We toss “awesome” around almost like we abuse the term “love”.  (The Greek language could help us here; Eros, Philoe, Storgy and Agape)  But what really makes you awestruck?  What is it in your life that makes you sit back and say, ‘That’s awesome…”?

The word “awesome” is not used in the King James version, but it can be found several times in the NKJV as well as other translations.  Interestingly enough, all but one come from within the Old Testament.

Genesis 28:17…Jacob after his dream of the ladder going up into heaven, called the place awesome
Exodus 34:10…God telling about the covenant He was going to make with His people would be awesome
Deuteronomy 7:21 and 10:17…awesome God; & 21…awesome things God has done; 28:58…the name of God
Judges 13:6…angel of God, very awesome
2 Samuel 7:23…what God did for His people and the land
1 Chronicles 17:21…what God did for His people
Nehemiah 1:5, 4:14 and 9:32…all refer to the great and awesome God
Job 10:16…show His power (awesome); 37:22…around God is awesome majesty
Psalm 45:4…teach You awesome things; 47:2…Lord is feared (awesome); 65:5…You answer us in awesome deeds; 66:3 & 5…His works and deeds are awesome; 68:35…Awesome God; 76:12…kings of the earth fear Him (have awe); 99:3…praise His great and awesome name; 106:22…God did awesome things; 111:9…Holy and awesome; 145:6…God’s awesome acts
Song of Solomon 6:4 & 10…awesome as an army with banners
Isaiah 28:21…extra ordinary work; 64:3…You did awesome things
Jeremiah 20:11…the Lord is like an (awesome) champion
Ezekiel 1:18 & 22…vision of the wheel of fire;
Daniel 2:31…image of the statue was awesome; 9:4…great and (awesome) God
Joel 2:31…great and (awesome) day of the Lord
Zephaniah 2:11…the Lord will be (awesome) to them
Acts 2:20…the great and (awesome) day of the Lord

Each of the proclamations noted above are directed to God or something God has done.  Our God IS an awesome God and He is deserving of all praise.  Daniel 9:4, “I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments…’. “

Next time, before you hand out that compliment of awe, remember there is only one deserving of our ‘overwhelming admiration’.  Each of us will take a stand for what we believe.  It might be openly standing for what’s right or quietly standing in reverence and awe.  This song should serve as a prayer we offer to God.  Nothing else is His equal; I stand in admiration, fear and reverence to Him.

You’ll go to the movies and enjoy the show, and yes, that brand new car is pretty impressive, but what do you really admire?  Is this world what you hold in reverence?  Do we bow in fear of how ‘awesome’ our life is?  My prayer is that we all come to see our God, and Him only, as AWESOME.

I Stand in Awe [LINK]

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You!

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Who Is Going to Win?

Several of my best friends are ministers in the Lord’s church.  Some have been in mission fields around the world while others have served the Lord stateside.

One of my best friends has worked as a missionary in Poland, Russia and most recently the Ukraine.  We have been friends since the late 1980’s and I’m honored to call Terry Harmon my brother.  Just recently Terry and his family moved back to the states where he currently serves the Lord’s church in Flagler, Colorado.  Each month Terry writes a bulletin article that is shared with that small congregation and, with his permission, today we all get the chance to read his thoughts about winning and losing…

“Every once in a while, when the kids are off to bed and there is a chance to sit down for a few minutes, I will turn on a taped game of some sporting event.  The advantage of this is that you can watch a 3 1/2 hour football game in about thirty or forty minutes.  If you fast forward through all the commercials, halftime entertainment and commentators remarks (between plays), you can watch the game so much quicker.  This is the reason I love to watch games that have been recorded.  There is, however, one slight drawback (although it doesn’t bother me).  Many times you already know the outcome of the game.

It has interested me for some time now, that while I may know who won the game, for those who are AT the game, siting in the stands, the outcome is still undetermined.  This is especially important when it is a really close game and the score goes back and forth.  Perhaps you can relate to this, sitting in the stands and thinking, “who is going to win?”  During these contest of skill, the camera will often zoom in on fans nervously watching the score board, trying to calculate whether or not their team has enough time to pull out a win.  The expression on these faces is often priceless.  Nervous and downtrodden at times, they can change to upbeat and excited at the moment their team overcomes.

A few years ago it dawned on me that our lives as Christians are really just like a ‘taped sporting event.’  It may not feel like it at times when our lives are beaten down by Satan’s attacks.  When situations test us and conflicts challenge our daily walk.  But we must remember, the outcome has already been set.  It just doesn’t seem like it as we face the struggles of life.  One of the greatest lessons we learn in the New Testament is that if we as Christians are faithful to the Lord until death…WE WIN!  The story has already been written, and God guarantees the victory.  So we just have to trust, obey and keep fighting until, ‘the race is run’.

Believe in God’s word and take comfort from reading I John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”  Also you’ll remember Revelation 7:14-15, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.”

Note the present tense of the verb in the last verse, “They (we) serve Him day and night…”  God sees all of this as it will happen in the future, but for us it seems so far off and distant.  We need to realize that there is really nothing to be nervous about and nothing to agonize over.  The bottom line is, if we stay faithful with the Lord, THE VICTORY IS OURS!  The story (the game) is already complete.”

Thanks Terry for the reminder that we should have courage and the faith to know the outcome is secure.  And of course…this also reminds me of the perfect hymn:

“Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers, rise.  And press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.  Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled;  Faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.  His banner over us is love, our sword, the Word of God; We tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod.  By faith they, like a whirlwind’s breath, swept on, over every field; The faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.  On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array.  Let tents of easy be left behind and onward to the fray.  Salvation’s helmet on each head and faith all girt about the earth shall tremble beneath our tread and echo with our shout. Faith is the Victory!  Faith is the Victory!  O glorious victory that over comes the world.  (NOTICE THIS LAST VERSE)  To him that overcomes the foe white raiment shall be given; before the angels he shall know His name confessed in heaven;  Then onward from the hills of light, our hearts with love aflame, we’ll vanquish all the host of night in Jesus conquering name.”

FAITH IS THE VICTORY!

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Understanding a 150 Year Old Hymn

Born in 1824, Walter Chalmers Smith served as a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, a poet and a hymn writer.  Unlike other writers from the 1800’s, Mr. Smith never amassed a collection of recognizable hymns.  However at the age of 43, he penned a song that we can still find in many hymnals today.  Rich in the language of ‘Old English’, Walter Chalmers Smith referenced I Timothy 1:17 as he penned “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”.  “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen”  I Timothy 1:17

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light in accessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish – but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

As a Christian hymn, this song is typically sung to the tune, “St. Denio”, originally a Welsh melody.  A well noted musicologist by the name of Erik Routley has given his impression of the hymn ‘Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise’.  He wrote:

“[Immortal Invisible] should give the reader a moment’s pause. Most readers will think they know this hymn, the work of another Free Kirk minister. But it never now appears as its author wrote it, and a closer look at it in its fuller form shows that it was by no means designed to be one of those general hymns of praise that the parson slams into the praise-list when he is in too much of a hurry to think of anything else but a hymn about the reading of scripture.  Just occasionally editorial tinkering changes the whole personality of a hymn; it has certainly done so here.”

When we sing songs (whether in the church auditorium, in the car driving down the road, or walking alone… ‘at eve’), are we thinking about the words to the songs we’re singing?  Processing our words and realizing what we’re saying should be more of a focus for those who sing.  Singing without thinking about the words would be no different than speaking without thinking about the message.  Read some of the words from this 150 year old hymn one more time, with some clearer understanding.

Verse 1…Immortal, invisible, God only wise (do we realize the immortality of our God?  We don’t see Him physically, but even in this ‘invisible state’ we know He is all wisdom.)

Verse 2…Unresting, unhasting and silent as light (God never sleeps, He’s not slow in keeping us and just as we can not hear the sun…we feel His presence.)  Nor wanting, nor wasting Thou rulest in might (God does not lack in giving to us, nor does He waste His time on us; He is the ultimate ruler.) Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above (Who won’t desire justice that holds a high standard in our life and death?)  Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. (Ever notice the comfort, and rain, that comes from the clouds?  When you see a cloud floating in the sky, you can remember God’s ‘goodness and love.’)

Verse 3…Abundant life comes from God (‘we blossom and flourish’) and still we understand that if life we will all grow old (‘wither and perish’).  However…God never changes.

Verse 4…If you’ve ever tried to look directly at the sun, you know you can’t without being blinded.  In the same way, God’s brilliance hides Him from our sight.  Yet the author ask God, “O help us to see”!  Oh that we would ‘render our praise’ to God!  Conclude this hymn with the combination of verse 1 & 4; “All mighty, victorious, God’s great name we praise, and to Him…ALL praise we would render“.

 

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Doing Chores…Part Two

What kind of chores do you have?  You know that we all have work to do, and in an earlier article we discussed a two-fold idea of ‘doing chores’.

The idea of working on the farm (doing chores) and how we, through God’s Word, are referred to as sheep.  Understand this clearly, we are sheep, and at the same time we have an obligation to tend sheep.  How can we be expected to do both?  Can we be sheep and at the same time be ‘shepherd’ sheep?

Perhaps the following song, written in the 1960s by Robert Arnold and Clyde Williams, gives the details of our task, our chore, when it comes to working with sheep.  Though not often sung in our congregations today, this song speaks to us about doing our chores.  The basis for this song is found in John 21:15-17; “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’  He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord: You know that I love You.’  He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’  He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’  He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’  He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’  He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’  Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’  And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ ”  Referencing Christ’s discussion with Peter by the Sea of Galilee, you’ll notice this song of encouragement is really Christ telling Peter (and us) to bring those who are lost back to Him.  If we love Him, we will be doing our chores and tending His sheep.  Perhaps we need to examine ourselves and see who we really love.

“In the good Book we’re told how to the saints of old, Jesus said, ‘Go feed My sheep;’
As He commanded then, we’ll be commanded when Jesus says children feed My sheep.

Chorus:
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
These are the words Peter of old, by our Lord then was told,
And today, Jesus says, these are My sheep.
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
As of old, so today, Hear the Lord, He will say,
Lovest thou Me, more than these?
Feed My sheep!

“Jesus commanded those, who would obey His call, ‘Go the lost and bring them in.’
Bring ye the wanderers home, wherever they may roam, Help them eternal life to win.

Chorus:
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
These are the words Peter of old, by our Lord then was told,
And today, Jesus says, these are My sheep.
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
As of old, so today, Hear the Lord, He will say,
Lovest thou Me, more than these?
Feed My sheep!”

There are chores to be done no doubt.  And like those years of my youth on a small, rural farm in the 70’s, you too have a chore.  But unlike those early years, you have a choice.  You don’t have to do your chores.  You can skip out on ‘tending the sheep’ and just play around in the garden.  If that’s the road you take you need to remember this; one day you’ll be ask how you did with your chores?  Did you love your Father and obey His directive?  Did you (do you) really love Him?  We can answer like Peter did, “Yes, Lord!  I love You…”  But the results of your labor will be the real answer to the question, “Lovest Thou Me?”  When we love our God, we’ll be doing our chores!