Friday, July 1, 2016

Sharing Some Patriotic Bible Verses

                                     


Happy Canada Day and Happy Independence Day weekend everyone in Canada and USA or those who live outside of North America! I hope that you all have a blessed day and would like to share with you some verses about patriotism. I think it's so amazing that especially in the United States the Founding Fathers were all Christian and on the US money they all have the phrase In God We Trust.

In closing,  God Bless the USA and God Save the Queen (King)!

Here are some Bible verses about Patriotism:

Psalm 33:12-22

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.s
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.


 Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ


1 Peter 2:9-10 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.


 2 Chronicles 7:14

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


Romans 13: 1 -5
 
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.




 



      
                          






































































































Friday, June 10, 2016

It's Vital to Love Yourself (Who You Are in Christ)

It's vital to love yourself (who you are in Christ)

http://greatbiblestudy.com/loving_yourself.php

 


When I say that you need to love yourself, I'm not referring to the stuck-up, prideful, worldly type of loving oneself (also known as self-worship); I'm talking about a concept of being thankful, and appreciating the person who God has made in you. The worldly type of loving yourself is where you are stuck up, prideful and arrogant, whereas this type of loving yourself is based upon humility and thankfulness. The two could not be more different!

The amount of bondage that results from self-rejection, self-hatred, unwillingness to forgive oneself and so forth is shocking. Below are just a few of the symptoms:

- Self-rejection; not accepting yourself, always beating up on yourself, not happy with the person that God made you, etc.
- Self-hatred; hating the person who God made in you, considering yourself ugly, dumb, clumsy, etc.
- Unforgiveness or bitterness; when a person continues to hold things against themself, such as something in their past that was embarrassing, gross, or that they are still ashamed of (even after repentance).
- Being hard on oneself; always beating up on yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. Always seeing yourself as worthless, or pushing to reach irrational goals just to feel good about yourself.
- Low self-esteem; always seeing yourself as a failure, or less than those around you.
- Ashamed of yourself; refusing to forgive yourself from something in your past.
- Feeling ugly or stupid; seeing yourself as ugly, worthless, stupid, no good for nothing, etc.
The list can go on and on, but if this sounds like you, then keep reading!

You need to be thankful

Many today consider themselves dumb, ugly, stupid, clumsy, worthless, etc. Did you know that you were created in God's own image, and whenever you consider yourself dumb, ugly, etc., you're actually considering something that God made as being ugly, dumb, etc.??

Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Let me ask you a couple questions...
- Did God create your physical body? If so, would you dare make a statement that God made an ugly body?
- Did God create your mind and intellect? If so, would you dare make a statement that God created a dumb, stupid, or worthless brain?
- If God created you in His image, then are you saying that His image is dumb, stupid, worthless or ugly?
David was a humble man with a heart after God's own, yet he praised and thanked God for the marvelous work that God had made (referring to his physical body):

Psalms 139:14, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

David was not boasting in who he was, but rather being thankful and rejoicing over the beautiful creation that God made in him! How many who consider themselves ugly are looking at things the way David did? Probably not too many!
King David appreciated and thanked God for what God gave him. Instead of saying, "I'm ugly", David was saying, "Wow! Look at what God gave me! It's marvelous!!" It's vital that we develop this same attitude about what God's given each of us as well.

You need to forgive yourself!

Much is said on how we are to forgive others, but many of us seem to skip over the concept of forgiving ourselves. Believe it or not, it's equally important and vital to be sure we've forgiven ourselves, as it is that we've forgiven others! Unforgiveness brings much bondage into our lives, regardless if it's towards God, others or even ourselves. Bitterness (the fruit of unforgiveness) is a means by which many are defiled:

Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

Regardless of what we've done in our pasts, whether it be an abortion, fornication, or some gross and embarrassing sin, it's vital that we forgive ourself from everything in our pasts that we are ashamed of. If God chose to forget our sins for His sake, then I think we ought to do the same:

Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

God's Word says that He has actually removed our sins from us! If we continually beat up on ourselves, it's known as false guilt, and is a tool of the enemy to pull us down. If we still associate ourselves with our sinful past, then we need to change the way we see things... why? Because the way we are thinking does not line up with what God's Word has to say.

Psalms 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

When we associate ourselves with our past failures, after God's Word has assured us that they have been removed from us... then do you realize that you aren't really believing what God's Word is saying? It's time that we make that choice to forgive ourselves, and then align our thinking with what God's Word has to say. If God says it's removed from us, then we need to take Him for His Word, and believe what it has to say!

Sunday, May 8, 2016

The Influence Of Godly Mothers (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17)

 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4c/ff/b0/4cffb055c281ce049fff3ab469126800.jpg 
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-11-influence-godly-mothers-2-timothy-15-314-17


Mothers do influence their sons and daughters! One of life’s greatest blessings is to have a godly mother. And, thus, one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is to be a godly mother.
But, sadly, the influence of the feminist movement has caused the status of motherhood to decline. Women are encouraged to find fulfillment in a career, not in raising children. If kids come along, they are dropped off at the day care center, sometimes even as infants. In 1950, only 12 percent of women with preschool children worked outside the home. “Leave it to Beaver” was not an untypical home situation! By 1985, over 50 percent of mothers with children five and under were working. Young mothers also return to work sooner after the birth of their babies than ever before. In 1976, 31 percent of mothers were back on the job before their child’s first birthday. By 1987, that figure had jumped to over 50 percent.
Even many Christians have adopted the cultural trend. While I realize that there are legitimate cases of economic hardship where the mother’s job is a necessity (as with single moms), there are also many situations where the family could make it on just the husband’s job, but they choose to have the mother work so they can “have a better lifestyle.” But I question whether trading a mother at home for increased income really provides a better lifestyle. Most kids would vote for less junk and a mom at home.
I’d like to elevate the role of godly mothers by looking at the influence a godly mother and grandmother had on a well-known young man named Timothy. In 2 Timothy 1:5 we learn that his faith came to him through his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. The Apostle Paul’s preaching may have been used by God to bring Timothy to actual conversion, but behind his preaching were years of godly influence by Timothy’s grandmother and mother. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, we also learn that the sincere faith of these women was combined with instructing Timothy from his earliest days from the Scriptures. Their example and the results in Timothy’s life show us that ...
Through faith in God and by honoring His Word, godly mothers have great influence as they train their children.

1. Godly mothers are women of sincere faith (1:5).

As Paul thought fondly of Timothy and his sincere faith, he was reminded that such faith also dwelt first in Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and in his mother, Eunice. We don’t know when these women had come to faith in Christ. Even though they had Greek names, at least Eunice was a Jewish believer (Acts 16:1). Perhaps Lois had been converted in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and had come home to tell her daughter. Or, perhaps both women were devout Jews who responded to Paul’s preaching when he visited Lystra, their city. But the implication is that their faith pre-dated that of Timothy.
Timothy’s father was apparently a Greek unbeliever (Acts 16:1). We have no clue as to why a godly woman of faith like Eunice would marry a pagan man. The Old Testament is very clear that Jews should not marry outside the faith. Perhaps Eunice, though raised by Lois in a faithful Jewish home, went through a time of rebellion, during which she got married, but later came to faith in Jesus as Savior and Messiah. We can only speculate.
We do know that the Bible clearly forbids a believer from marrying an unbeliever. But Eunice’s story is in the Bible to give hope to women in mixed marriages. If her son, Timothy, could grow up to follow the Lord as he did, then God can do the same for your children, even if your husband is not a believer. While God intends for the father to take the lead in the spiritual training of the children, the mother can have a great influence even in situations where the father is passive or hostile to God.
One prime quality which such a woman needs is sincere faith. The word “sincere” means, literally, “not hypocritical.” It is possible to have a hypocritical, not genuine form of faith. Phony faith is the mask that is put on in front of church members or out in public, but it’s set aside in the home. The parents may be fighting as they drive to church, but when they drive in the parking lot, they act as if everything is just great. Kids smell that kind of phoniness a mile away.
One pastor had been preaching on the importance of daily Bible reading. When the pastor and his wife were invited to a parishioner’s home, the pastor’s wife noticed that the woman of the house had written on the kitchen calendar for that date, “Pastor/Mrs. for dinner--Dust all Bibles.” Another pastor, after having tea with a parishioner, said, “I’m glad to see the way you’re living.” “Oh, pastor,” replied the man, “if you want to know how we really live, you must come when you’re not here.”
Having a sincere faith doesn’t imply perfection. But it does imply reality with God. Such faith dwelt in these women; it was at home in them, a comfortable, everyday sort of thing. Sincere faith means that you have sincerely believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. It means that you walk in reality with Christ each day, spending time in His Word and in prayer. It means that you confront yourself with Scripture and judge your sin on the thought level. It means that when you do sin against a family member, you ask their forgiveness and seek to work on your weak areas. It means that you develop godly character qualities and attitudes of submission, thankfulness, and joy in the Lord. Your kids will realize that, while mom isn’t perfect, she does walk with God.
Not only are godly mothers women of sincere faith, but also they seek to hand off that faith to their children. Hypocritical faith can’t be handed off. If you’re a phony, your kids won’t want anything to do with your version of Christianity. But genuine faith is contagious. Timothy’s faith could be traced back through his mother to his grandmother. He could see the Lord in them, and it attracted him to the Lord.
How do you hand off your faith to your kids? One of the main ways is by training them in God’s Word:

2. Godly mothers honor God’s Word and train their children in it (3:14-17).

In the most reliable manuscripts of verse 14, “whom” is plural, pointing to Lois and Eunice, as well as to the Apostle Paul. The phrase, “knowing from whom you have learned them” points to the reality of God’s Word in these people who had influenced Timothy. He could look at their lives and see that the Bible is a reliable Book. By the way, while the parents should be the primary agents for teaching their children God’s Word, pray for godly mentors for your children, such as Paul was to Timothy. Don’t be so jealous as to think that you’re the only one who can influence your children. Pray for godly Sunday School teachers, youth workers, elders, pastors, or other men and women of God to influence your children for righteousness.
The main way your children will grow up to love and serve God is through His Word. God’s Word of truth is powerful to save (James 1:18) and to sanctify (John 17:17) His people. The best thing you can do for your kids is to instill in them from an early age the importance of reading, studying, memorizing, and obeying God’s Word. How do you do it?

A. A mother must grow in her own love for God’s Word.

You cannot impart what you do not possess. If your kids seldom see you seeking God through His Word, they won’t catch it for themselves. If they don’t see you changing through your growing understanding of and obedience to the Word, they won’t be motivated to be in the Word for themselves. If the TV is on every night, but the Bible is seldom read as a family, guess what the kids will assume is the most important? Your kids should be able to see evidence of your love for God’s Word.
I strongly encourage you to begin reading the Bible to your children even when they’re very young. Stick to the story portions until they’re old enough to listen to the likes of Romans. You can buy Bible story books that have simple text and a lot of pictures. As they grow older, you can read things like the “Muffin Family” stories that have a Bible story which is then applied by a story about the Muffin family. But even when they’re toddlers, they can absorb more of just straight Bible reading than you would guess.
Once when Joy was just a young toddler, we were driving down the mountain where we lived in California on a day with beautiful clouds. She pointed to the sky and said, “Look, Jesus!” I couldn’t figure out why she was saying that until it dawned on me that a day or two before around the dinner table we had read Matthew 26:64, where Jesus says that we will see Him “coming on the clouds of heaven.” Even though she wasn’t more than two years old, Joy made the connection between clouds and Jesus! You never know how God is using the seed of His Word.

B. A godly mother will use God’s Word to lead her children to saving faith in Christ.

“... from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15). Salvation is built on the knowledge of the truth revealed in Scripture. Children need to know more than “Jesus wants to be your friend, so you need to invite Him into your heart.” They need to know what God’s Word reveals about the condition of their hearts, that they are rebellious and disobedient toward God. They need to know not only that God is loving, but also that He is holy and just, and that He will bring terrible, everlasting punishment on those who do not turn from their sins and trust in Christ. They need to know what Christ did on the cross, dying as our substitute. They need to understand that God forgives our sin because of His kindness, apart from our good works. They need to know what saving faith is, as opposed to empty profession that does not result in salvation.
As you read the Bible to your kids, they will learn about people who turned from their sin to God and were saved. They will hear of others who made wrong choices, who loved their sin more than God, whose lives were ruined. They will hear stories of children whose parents were godly, but the children did not follow God, and of others whose parents were ungodly, but the children chose to follow the Lord. They will learn that each person is accountable before God. As you read the Bible to them, pray that God will use it to convict them of their sin, to show them their desperate need for salvation, and cause them to trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. If you use simple illustrations, even young children can understand the basics and genuinely be converted to Christ.
You need to be careful not to assume that just because your five-year-old “asked Jesus into his heart” that he is truly saved. He may be, but he may not be. Look for evidence of genuine conversion: Is he sorry about his sin and sensitive to it? Does he show a growing love for God and His Word? Does he want to talk about the things of God? Does he want to please God with his life? It seems to me that “easy believism,” especially with children, is a major danger of the modern evangelical church.
If you want to read a chapter that shows the stark contrast between the former days and our day, I commend to you chapter 6, “Through Much Tribulation,” in volume one of C. H. Spurgeon’s Autobiography (Banner of Truth). For over 20 pages, he goes on and on, describing the mountain of guilt he was under from age ten until he was converted at 15. He is so graphic and consumed with his own sinfulness that I’m sure, had he lived today, we would take him to a Christian psychologist!
He says, “For five years, as a child, there was nothing before my eyes but my guilt, and though I do not hesitate to say that those who observed my life would not have seen any extraordinary sin [he was a minister’s son in Victorian England!], yet as I looked upon myself, there was not a day in which I did not commit such gross, such outrageous sins against God, that often and often have I wished I had never been born” (p. 58). After many more pages describing his guilt for disobeying God’s law and his fear of being condemned, he says, “Then I was brought down to see my corruption, my wickedness, my filthiness, for God always humbles the sinner whom He means to save” (p. 72).
In an earlier chapter, Spurgeon tells how every Sunday evening, his mother would stay home with the children, read and explain the Scriptures to them, and plead with them to think about the state of their souls and to seek the Lord. He remembers one time her praying, “Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.” He says, “That thought of a mother’s bearing swift witness against me, pierced my conscience, and stirred my heart” (p. 44).
Spurgeon’s father was often away from home preaching. Once, as he was on his way to a service, he feared that he was neglecting his own family while caring for the souls of others. So he turned back and went home. When he came in the house, everything was quiet, except for the voice of his wife behind the bedroom door. He listened and heard her pleading earnestly in prayer for the salvation of all her children, and especially for her strong-willed first-born, Charles. His father thought that with his wife caring so well for the spiritual interests of his children, he could go on about the Lord’s business, so he left again for his preaching engagement without disturbing her (from pp. 44-45).
So a crucial task for godly mothers is to pray for and use the Scriptures to lead each of her children to faith in Christ.

C. A godly mother will train her children in how to live by God’s Word.

God’s Word is mighty to save, but also is sufficient for all of life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3, 4). It is profitable for teaching us the ways of God, how God wants us to live (2 Tim. 3:16). It reveals the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). It reproves us, which means, it convinces us of our wrongs. It corrects us by showing us how to get right with God and others. It trains us in righteousness, showing us how to keep on the path of obedience and blessing. Scripture is not given to satisfy our curiosity or to give us interesting stories. It is given to be profitable for how we live, to correct us and keep us on God’s path of holiness. Your kids should see you applying Scripture and you should teach them how to apply it to the things they face as they grow to maturity. If you use God’s Word to lead your children to saving faith and to train them in God’s ways, it follows that ...

3. Godly mothers have great influence on their children.

Who knows what lifelong influence Lois and Eunice had on young Timothy? Sure, he was strengthened greatly through his relationship with Paul. But the foundation was laid by his godly mother and grandmother. It is not too much to argue that world history is shaped in the home through godly mothers.
Spurgeon says, “Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me. How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come?... How can I ever forget when she bowed her knee, and with her arms about my neck, prayed, ‘Oh, that my son might live before Thee!’” (p. 44, emphasis his).
President Theodore Roosevelt said, “When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she only would realize it, a more honorable as well as more important position than any man in it. The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more important, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist, or scientist” (in Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations, by Paul Tan [Assurance Publishers], p. 845). That is not to disparage the crucial role godly fathers must play. But it is to encourage you in the crucial role godly mothers play.

Conclusion

Maybe you feel like a failure as a mother. Where do you start? God always honors repentance. Turn back to Him. Confess your failures. Begin to obey Him where you’re at. As a Christian couple, you may have to consider having the wife quit work to be home with the children. Even if your children are grown, God will honor your repentance. Go to them and ask their forgiveness for failing to be an example of godliness or for failing to train them in God’s ways. God can use you as He used Lois, a grandmother, in Timothy’s life. Walk with God in sincere faith. Use His Word to lead your children and grandchildren to the same sincere faith and to train them in God’s ways. You will be mighty in influencing our nation and even world history for Jesus’ sake.

Monday, April 18, 2016

The Story Behind the Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

The Story Behind the Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

Words by Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940), Written in 1885


What a wonderful hymn this is, I hope that it encourages your walk with the Lord if you are a Christian. The lyrics of the song are such a lovely reminder that we can focus on how great our Savior is. However, if  you aren't a Christian, I hope that you'll be encouraged to start your walk with the Lord and that He may guide your steps and help you in your time of need. 

I will be including the lyrics at the bottom of this message. Please look at the link below for the reference of where this information may be found on the internet. Thanks. :)

http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=12507
 
Carl Boberg
Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940)
Carl Boberg was born in Sweden as the son of a shipyard carpenter. After spending some years as a sailor, Carl had a conversion experience at the age of 19. He decided to attend a Bible school in Sweden and then accepted a pastorate in his hometown. In 1890, he began serving as the editor of an evangelistic magazine. He soon became the owner of the magazine, and he continued as its editor until 1916. According to hymnologist J. Irving Erickson, “Under [Carl’s] leadership, the periodical became an increasingly important arm of the evangelical movement.” For almost 20 years, Carl also served as a member of the Swedish Parliament. He was a popular speaker and a gifted writer. He published several collections of poetry as well as many hymns which are still sung in Sweden. Only a handful of Carl’s hymns have been translated into English – the most popular being “How Great Thou Art.” Carl wrote this hymn when he was only 26 years old. He had been walking through a spectacular thunderstorm in 1885 when he was inspired with the opening words of his poem “O Store Gud” (“O Great God”). He wrote 9 stanzas based on Psalm 145:3, “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.” A few years later, while visiting a church in Sweden, Carl was surprised to hear his poem being sung to an old Swedish folk melody.

Tune “O Store Gud,” a Swedish hymn adapted and translated by Stuart Wesley Keen Hine (1899-1989), Published in 1949


Stuart Hine
Stuart Wesley Keen Hine (1899-1989)
Stuart Hine was born in London, England. He became a Christian at the age of 14 and later became a missionary to Eastern Europe. Stuart first heard the hymn “How Great You Are” in 1933 in Ukraine where it was sung in Russian. The Swedish original had been translated into both German (1907) and Russian (1912). Stuart and his wife began singing the hymn in Russian at evangelistic meetings, but it was not until he was caught in a storm in the Carpathian Mountains that he began a “free translation” of the hymn into English. He translated nine of the verses into two and later added a third and fourth verse of his own. Hine published his version in 1949 in Grace and Peace, an evangelistic publication that circulated in at least 15 countries. Furthermore, British missionaries helped to spread the hymn to both Africa and Asia. The popularity of the hymn grew in the U.S. (and renewed interest in the hymn in Europe) through its use in the Billy Graham Crusades. “How Great Thou Art” continues to rank as a favorite hymn across the globe.

Lyrics to the Hymn

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Refrain

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Refrain

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Refrain

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Refrain

Monday, April 11, 2016

Story Behind the Hymn: How Firm A Foundation

History of “How Firm a Foundation”

What a nice hymn with a lovely message of having a foundation of faith and belief in Jesus can be so strong and firm. It has very strong Biblical references throughout the song and has been sung by many people throughout the ages and is a popular one with many Christian singers today. To check out this page online, you may read it on this link http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=11906.

Words published by John Rippon (1751-1836), Published in 1787

John Rippon
John Rippon (1751-1836)

This hymn was first published in a collection by John Rippon in 1787 — its authorship was attributed to a person with the initial “K.” Some scholars believe that Robert Keene, a worship leader and close friend to John, was the author. However, Keene was a hymn composer (he wrote the tunes, not the words for hymns), and since he was credited with authorship on his many tunes, it seems strange that he would not be credited with words that he penned. Ultimately, the author has yet to be identified with any certainty.
Whoever the author may have been, John Rippon is credited with popularizing the words. In 1775, John became the pastor of Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London (a congregation that would later be pastored by the famous preacher Charles Spurgeon), where he served for over six decades. In 1787, he published his famous A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix to Dr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns. This collection of hymns was reprinted 27 times, in over 200,000 copies.1 It was used by his congregation (and many others) until 1866 when Spurgeon created a collection called Our Own Hymn Book (which borrowed significantly from both Rippon and Watts).2
“How Firm a Foundation” was first printed in America in 1820, and it quickly gained popularity throughout the United States. President Andrew Jackson asked that it be sung at his bedside shortly before he died, and it was sung at the funeral of General Robert E. Lee, by his request, “as an expression of his full trust in the ways of the Heavenly Father;” it was also the favorite hymn of President Theodore Roosevelt.3 America’s love for this hymn was perhaps best revealed during the Spanish-American War — on Christmas Eve of 1898, Northerners and Southerners in the U.S. Army joined together to sing it.

Tune “Foundation” (American Folk Tune), Published in 1832


The source of the tune remains as much of a mystery as the authorship of the text. It seems that it first appeared in 1832 with the name “Protection” in A Compilation of Genuine Church Music, by Joseph Funk, and then in 1844 with the name “Bellevue” in The Sacred Harp. According to hymnologist Donald Hustad, “it is generally agreed that it was one of the most widely sung folk hymn tunes in the South.”4

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Story Behind the Hymn: Christ Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay)

2 webpages were used in this blog message this week to provide a more detailed history of this hymn that was written by Robert Lowry who also wrote other famous hymns. References for the information below can be found on the following 2 links:
http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/SongsAndHymnsOfRobertLowery.html
http ://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=11725.

 

History of “Christ Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay)”:

Words and Music by Robert Lowry (1826-1899), Published in 1874

Robert Lowry
Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia in 1826. As a teen, he was active in teaching Sunday school, as well as serving in the choir of his church. For college, Robert attended the University at Lewisburg, PA (now Bucknell University), and he graduated with the highest honors. He began working as a pastor, as well as a professor of literature.
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According to the Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers:
“Dr. Lowry was a man of rare administrative ability, a most excellent preacher, a thorough Bible student, and whether in the pulpit or upon the platform, always a brilliant and interesting speaker. He was of a genial and pleasing disposition, and a high sense of humor was one of his most striking characteristics. Very few men had greater ability in painting pictures from the imagination. He could thrill an audience with his vivid descriptions, inspiring others with the same thoughts that inspired him.”

While preaching was Robert’s main work for many years, he always had a deep love of music. In time, he began dedicating more effort to music and by the end of his life, he had written dozens of popular hymns and tunes such as: “Here Is Love,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” “Shall We Gather at the River?”, and “We’re Marching to Zion.”

This song which reminds us of the fact that Jesus, who was crucified, was also raised form the grave, is "Christ Arose."  The text often identified by its first line, "Low in the Grave He Lay," was written and the tune (He Arose) was composed both  in 1874 after Lowry had moved to preach in Lewisburg, PA, where he also served as Professor at Bucknell. During the spring of that year, he was having his evening devotions and was impressed with the events associated with Christ's resurrection. Soon he found himself in the parlor of his home and, in a very spontaneous fashion, there came forth from his thoughts the words and music for this song. It was first published the following year in a Sunday school songbook Brightest and Best of which he was co-editor with William Howard Doane (1832-1915).  This song emphasizes both the facts and the importance of the resurrection of Christ.
Stanza #1 talks about how Christ lay in the tomb waiting the resurrection day.
"Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!"
The Bible records the burial of Jesus in Joseph's new tomb (Matthew 27:57-61).  However, this was only a waiting period, because even the Old Testament had prophesied that the Messiah would be raisd from the dead (Psalms 16:9-11; cf. Acts 2:29-31). And even Jesus Himself had often predicted His own resurrection (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).
Stanza #2 tells about how preparations were made to keep Christ's body in the tomb.
"Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!"
The Jewish leaders were afraid that the disciples would steal the body, so they asked Pilate to set a guard and seal the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).  They remembered His predictions of a resurrection and wanted to have all their bases covered (Matthew 12:38-40). But, of course, all their preparations were in vain, and the very thing which they sought to prevent is what they eventually claimed happened (Matthew 28:11-15).
Stanza 3 speaks of how Christ came forth from the grave.
"Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!"
The simple fact is that after three days in the tomb, Jesus arose just as He said that He would (Matthew 28:1-2). Following His resurrection, He appeared to a number of people to show by many infallible proofs that He was indeed alive again (Acts 1:1-3; I Corinthians 15:3-8). And the rest of the New Testament teaches us to remember Christ's resurrection because it declared Him to be the divine Son of God (Romans 1:3-4; II Timothy 2:8).
Sometimes, song leaders may choose to have the congregation sing all three stanzas one right after another and then the chorus which triumphantly declares,
"Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!"
The resurrection of Christ from the dead is recorded in the scriptures not as some kind of allegory but as an actual event: Luke 24:6-8). And it is presented in the scripture as the basis for our hope (I Peter 1:3-4). Therefore, we can rejoice and have hope because of the fact that "Christ Arose.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

History of the Hymn: Lead Me to Calvary

Hope everyone is having a blessed Resurrection Sunday/Easter today. In my humble opinion, Easter is more than just chocolate, bunnies, chicks and eggs. I hope that you will consider reading the history of this hymn for this week and reflect on the Bible story of Easter. I will try to share the Christian Easter story with you all some time this week. Thanks and God Bless! :) http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=11840

 

History of “Lead Me to Calvary”


Words by Jennie Evelyn Hussey (1874-1958), Published in 1921

Jennie Hussey
Jennie Evelyn Hussey (1874-1958)

In 1874, Jennie Hussey was born in rural New Hampshire (where she spent much of her life). For many years, she was the primary caregiver for an invalid sister, despite dealing with her own crippling arthritis.

Though Jennie was born into a Quaker family that went back many generations, she chose to identify with the Baptists as an adult. Since Quakers did not practice water baptism, Jennie asked to be baptized at First Baptist Church in Concord, New Hampshire. She told the pastor, “I’ve spent much of my life hidden away in the country, and I’d like to have the opportunity, before God takes me home, to tell everybody, ‘I love Jesus.’”

Jennie had been a poet since her youth, and she used this gift to beautifully declare her love for Jesus. The hymn “Lead Me to Calvary” is said to have been born out of Jennie’s painful battle with arthritis; she prayed the words of her hymn:

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

The remaining verses followed, and Jennie’s hymn would later appear in over 90 hymnals. Jennie continued to show her love for the Lord in poetry, and by the end of her life in 1958, she had penned dozens of hymns.

Tune “Duncannon” by William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

William Kirkpatrick
William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
The tune “Duncannon” was written for Jennie’s words and was named after William’s birthplace — Duncannon, Pennsylvania. As the son of a school teacher and musician, William was raised in a musical environment. William spent his life in Pennsylvania where he studied and worked in carpentry and mechanics for several years. However, he found himself devoting all of his free time to music. He was particularly skilled in violin and cello and was in constant demand at his church. By 1855, as a teenager, he chose to devote himself to sacred music, and God blessed him with a beautiful and fruitful ministry. William began composing hymns and published his first tune in 1858. By the end of his life, he had composed over 160 tunes. He also helped to edit and publish an estimated 50 hymn collections.





Lyrics to the Hymn:  Lead Me to Calvary

King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be:
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.


Chorus:
Lest I forget Gethsemane;
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.


Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.


Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.


May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

Source: Baptist Hymnal 2008 #251