It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Today we continue to look at and meditate on what Christ has set us free from - and I hope you will rejoice with me that we do not have to be slaves to these things! It is for freedom that Christ set us free!
We have freedom from pride. The Bible warns us about pride, and exhorts us to embrace the opposite: humility.
When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23
Jesus, our Savior, was the ultimate example of someone who could have been proud, but was not. Paul tells us that Jesus, even though He is God, did not consider being equal to God as something to crow about. Instead, He humbled Himself.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus' humility led Him to the cross, where He paid the price for our sin. Because of His death, we are set free from sinful follies. It won't take you long to find a list of sinful follies in God's word. As humans, we are apt to participate in any number of them, whether thought or deed.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. I John 2:16
Paul, in his letters to the new churches, encourages believers with how to think and act now that they have been set free. Instead of succumbing to sinful follies, believers are called to reject sin and embrace actions that show that we belong to Christ. These are good verses to consider memorizing so they are hidden in your heart and can be recited when you are tempted to sin.
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices. Colossians 3:8-9
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32
Christ has also set us free from the love of glitter and gold. Again, the Bible warns us about this folly.
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. I Timothy 6:10
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
As Christians, we have the privilege of being stewards of the gifts God has given us - and that includes our jobs that provide our income. It's all God's money - and He entrusts it to us to make good decisions. And because of our faith, we can trust that God will provide for us what we need. We don't need to worry about what we will eat or wear - God cares for us and will provide, as Jesus told us!
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:25-33
We must first seek God's kingdom, making that our first priority. That, in itself, will set us free from the love of money and all that glitters. Another sinful folly is a hot temper and anger. Proverbs has much to say about anger, wisdom and prudence.
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. Proverbs 29:11
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor. Proverbs 12:16
Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man,or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself. Proverbs 22:24-25
I really appreciate how King Solomon encourages us - do not be eager in your heart to be angry! He makes it clear that anger is a choice - a sinful folly.
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
There is a dire consequence for these sinful follies, including anger and its ripple effects of disputes, dissensions, factions and envying - those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
James provides us with a great alternative - be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
James reminds us that getting angry doesn't achieve anything - most importantly of all, it does not achieve righteousness. "Quick to hear, slow to speak" is a mantra worth repeating!
Today, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude that I have been set free. I am no longer a slave to these things, these sinful follies, because Christ has set me free. Thank you, Lord!
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:20-21
Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Glorious Freedom, verse 2
Jesus, through His death in my place has set me free. That is an amazing truth. But I think it's even more amazing to dig a little deeper and think about what He has set me free FROM - the writer of this hymn reminds us of just that - and it is QUITE a list.
We are free from carnal affections. This means that we are not slaves to fleshly sin - we are free! Paul reminds us what we were like before we had this freedom.
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:3
We all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging ourselves. Can you relate to this? The continual indulging of our flesh only leads to death -- but great news -- because we now belong to Christ we can kill that flesh, the very flesh that is full of passions and desires can be held in check because we are not slaves to sin.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
We have also been freed from our slavery to sin in regards to our relationships to other people - we are free from envy, hatred and strife. Again, before we had Christ, we were foolish, not only indulging our flesh but also hating one another!
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Titus 3:3
That's a horrible way to spend a life isn't it? Aren't you thankful that God freed you from that slavery? Luckily, the next few verses from that passage in Titus provide us with the good news. And it starts with one of my favorite words from the Bible: BUT.
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
We were spending our lives being disobedient, slaves to passion, and hateful BUT then the kindness of our God and Savior appeared. And He saved us, according to His mercy.
Even though we were spending our life being slaves to sin, He didn't hesitate to demonstrate His love for us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Paul gives us some great alternatives to the way we used to live. Here's what we do now, since we belong to Him.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:9-11
Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14
Love. Cling to what is good, give preference to one another, serve the Lord, and love. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called!
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
The Lord has set us free from worldly ambitions. These are things the world desires and aspires to. These worldly ambitions lead to desires of the flesh - and the Word promises us that those who participate and practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
Instead of worldly ambition, we have a different kind of ambition. As the result of being freed from our slavery, we have our ambition to be pleasing to the One who set us free.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. II Corinthians 5:9
In our old selves, when we were worldly minded, we didn't have the Spirit, and we caused divisions.
These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. Jude 1:19
BUT. Since through God's grace we have received salvation, He instructs us to deny our inherent worldliness and to live godly in our present age.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-13
This truly is freedom from all that saddened my life. Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, no more in chains of sin I repine! Hallelujah.
Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
We are free from carnal affections. This means that we are not slaves to fleshly sin - we are free! Paul reminds us what we were like before we had this freedom.
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:3
We all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging ourselves. Can you relate to this? The continual indulging of our flesh only leads to death -- but great news -- because we now belong to Christ we can kill that flesh, the very flesh that is full of passions and desires can be held in check because we are not slaves to sin.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
We have also been freed from our slavery to sin in regards to our relationships to other people - we are free from envy, hatred and strife. Again, before we had Christ, we were foolish, not only indulging our flesh but also hating one another!
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Titus 3:3
That's a horrible way to spend a life isn't it? Aren't you thankful that God freed you from that slavery? Luckily, the next few verses from that passage in Titus provide us with the good news. And it starts with one of my favorite words from the Bible: BUT.
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
We were spending our lives being disobedient, slaves to passion, and hateful BUT then the kindness of our God and Savior appeared. And He saved us, according to His mercy.
Even though we were spending our life being slaves to sin, He didn't hesitate to demonstrate His love for us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Paul gives us some great alternatives to the way we used to live. Here's what we do now, since we belong to Him.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:9-11
Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14
Love. Cling to what is good, give preference to one another, serve the Lord, and love. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called!
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
The Lord has set us free from worldly ambitions. These are things the world desires and aspires to. These worldly ambitions lead to desires of the flesh - and the Word promises us that those who participate and practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
Instead of worldly ambition, we have a different kind of ambition. As the result of being freed from our slavery, we have our ambition to be pleasing to the One who set us free.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. II Corinthians 5:9
In our old selves, when we were worldly minded, we didn't have the Spirit, and we caused divisions.
These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. Jude 1:19
BUT. Since through God's grace we have received salvation, He instructs us to deny our inherent worldliness and to live godly in our present age.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-13
This truly is freedom from all that saddened my life. Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, no more in chains of sin I repine! Hallelujah.
Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Glorious Freedom
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
As we get ready to celebrate the freedoms that we have in our nation this week, I thought it would be beneficial to also look at the freedom that was bought for us with Jesus' blood. Everywhere around our country this week, people will gather with family and friends to eat, launch fireworks, watch a parade, celebrate independence and hopefully pause to remember what that means for us as citizens. We have freedoms in our country because people fought for them - and because many people lost their lives in order to guarantee them for us.
But more importantly, as Christians, we also are free! Before Jesus paid the price, we were slaves to sin, but His death on the cross has purchased our freedom. Now, THAT is something to celebrate!
When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we were like the prisoners described in Psalm 107:
There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Psalm 107:10-11
As slaves to sin, we struggled in vain because we could never live up to God's holy standard for our lives.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10
But God had a plan. He would send His sinless, perfect Son to die a cruel death that belonged to you and me. His atoning work on the cross ensured our freedom from slavery - slavery to sin that had us bound up in chains.
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7
Jesus broke my fetters in twain! Hallelujah! This glorious, wonderful freedom breaks the bonds of sin. Jesus is my emancipator, having freed me from my former life.
So what is my response? Now and forever He shall be mine! I will live for Him for what He has done for me. Let's celebrate freedom!
(Join me back here in the next week or two as we look at the next verses of this hymn and more closely meditate on what we have been freed from - and what we are set free for!)
Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
As we get ready to celebrate the freedoms that we have in our nation this week, I thought it would be beneficial to also look at the freedom that was bought for us with Jesus' blood. Everywhere around our country this week, people will gather with family and friends to eat, launch fireworks, watch a parade, celebrate independence and hopefully pause to remember what that means for us as citizens. We have freedoms in our country because people fought for them - and because many people lost their lives in order to guarantee them for us.
But more importantly, as Christians, we also are free! Before Jesus paid the price, we were slaves to sin, but His death on the cross has purchased our freedom. Now, THAT is something to celebrate!
When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we were like the prisoners described in Psalm 107:
There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Psalm 107:10-11
As slaves to sin, we struggled in vain because we could never live up to God's holy standard for our lives.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10
But God had a plan. He would send His sinless, perfect Son to die a cruel death that belonged to you and me. His atoning work on the cross ensured our freedom from slavery - slavery to sin that had us bound up in chains.
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7
Jesus broke my fetters in twain! Hallelujah! This glorious, wonderful freedom breaks the bonds of sin. Jesus is my emancipator, having freed me from my former life.
So what is my response? Now and forever He shall be mine! I will live for Him for what He has done for me. Let's celebrate freedom!
(Join me back here in the next week or two as we look at the next verses of this hymn and more closely meditate on what we have been freed from - and what we are set free for!)
Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Let Us Praise and Adore
Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Isaiah 12:5
I've been thinking and meditating on God's protection and power - His wonderful mercy, goodness and care. These are sometimes things that we take for granted, but there are times when I absolutely know that I have been physically saved by God's protection - close calls when driving, safety in storms, traveling mercies, etc.
I do not ever want to become complacent and un-praising about His wonderful mercy, His constant protection and His care for me.
You probably remember the Old Testament stories of God's protection of His people.
In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9
In many Psalms of David, he cries out and appeals to the Lord for protection from his enemy. David needed physical protection as well to be emotionally and spiritually "buffered" or built up in the face of his opposition. And the Lord provided.
How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth; and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. Psalm 41:1-2
You may not need to hide in a cave from your enemy, but the Lord's protection of you is just as real. Think of how many times you've been on an airplane that safely took off, flew to its destination, and safely came back down to the ground. Or the many times you've gone from home to work and back without incident. I'm sure most of us have been in dangerous situations, or situations that had the potential to be dangerous, and we were spared. He deserves our praise for that! Let us praise and adore Him for all He hath done!
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. Psalm 78:4
Let Us Praise and Adore
Words by Fannie Crosby
Let us sing of the wonderful mercy of God,
Of His constant protection and care;
Let our fervent devotions like incense arise,
When we gather before Him in prayer.
Refrain
Let us praise and adore Him for all He hath done,
Let us tell of His goodness and care;
Let our fervent devotions like incense arise,
When we gather before Him in prayer.
Let us sing of the wonderful gift of His grace,
That to us He has tenderly shown;
In the blessed communion with Jesus His Son,
That has brought us so near to His throne.
Let us pray that His blessing may follow us still,
That His light on our pathway may shine;
And at last, that our spirits made perfect in Him,
May inherit His kingdom divine.
I've been thinking and meditating on God's protection and power - His wonderful mercy, goodness and care. These are sometimes things that we take for granted, but there are times when I absolutely know that I have been physically saved by God's protection - close calls when driving, safety in storms, traveling mercies, etc.
I do not ever want to become complacent and un-praising about His wonderful mercy, His constant protection and His care for me.
You probably remember the Old Testament stories of God's protection of His people.
In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9
In many Psalms of David, he cries out and appeals to the Lord for protection from his enemy. David needed physical protection as well to be emotionally and spiritually "buffered" or built up in the face of his opposition. And the Lord provided.
How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth; and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. Psalm 41:1-2
You may not need to hide in a cave from your enemy, but the Lord's protection of you is just as real. Think of how many times you've been on an airplane that safely took off, flew to its destination, and safely came back down to the ground. Or the many times you've gone from home to work and back without incident. I'm sure most of us have been in dangerous situations, or situations that had the potential to be dangerous, and we were spared. He deserves our praise for that! Let us praise and adore Him for all He hath done!
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. Psalm 78:4
Let Us Praise and Adore
Words by Fannie Crosby
Let us sing of the wonderful mercy of God,
Of His constant protection and care;
Let our fervent devotions like incense arise,
When we gather before Him in prayer.
Refrain
Let us praise and adore Him for all He hath done,
Let us tell of His goodness and care;
Let our fervent devotions like incense arise,
When we gather before Him in prayer.
Let us sing of the wonderful gift of His grace,
That to us He has tenderly shown;
In the blessed communion with Jesus His Son,
That has brought us so near to His throne.
Let us pray that His blessing may follow us still,
That His light on our pathway may shine;
And at last, that our spirits made perfect in Him,
May inherit His kingdom divine.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! {verse 4}
Jesus lives! Our Redeemer is the Living One, who conquered death and now lives on high. Because of His atoning sacrifice, life eternal awaits those of us who have put our trust in Him. After singing these truths, it seems only appropriate that the next verse of this hymn would be one of unabashed praise.
Let all rejoice!
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11
Praise Him, the ransomed of the earth.
Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,and give thanks to His holy name. Psalm 30:4
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright. Psalm 33:1
Praise Him in a nobler song, cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Psalm 148:1-2
Praise the victor King, whose sway sin and death and hell obey.
Sing praises to our King, sing praises. Psalm 47:6
O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. Psalm 98:1
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
Let all rejoice!
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11
Praise Him, the ransomed of the earth.
Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,and give thanks to His holy name. Psalm 30:4
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright. Psalm 33:1
Praise Him in a nobler song, cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Psalm 148:1-2
Praise the victor King, whose sway sin and death and hell obey.
Sing praises to our King, sing praises. Psalm 47:6
O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. Psalm 98:1
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! {verse 3}
In the last verse of this hymn, we are reminded that Jesus our brother, who died here on Earth, then rose again, now lives on high with our Heavenly Father. And now look at the glorious reassurance we receive from this stanza: because He lives, life eternal waits for you!
What could be more wonderful to look forward to than this?
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
God gives us life through His Son.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. I John 5:11
Those who believe in God's son have the promise of eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
The benefit of our belief is being freed from sin, which results in continued holiness and our eventual eternal life.
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
We are joined to Him!
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4
Where He is, you shall be too!
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going. John 14:2-4
With Your Lord, at His right hand, as a victor you shall stand!
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. I John 5:4
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
What could be more wonderful to look forward to than this?
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
God gives us life through His Son.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. I John 5:11
Those who believe in God's son have the promise of eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
The benefit of our belief is being freed from sin, which results in continued holiness and our eventual eternal life.
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
We are joined to Him!
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4
Where He is, you shall be too!
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going. John 14:2-4
With Your Lord, at His right hand, as a victor you shall stand!
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. I John 5:4
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Jesus Lives! Why Do You Weep? {verse 2 of Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!}
Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been with Jesus during His earthly ministry? And then, to see Him die on the cross? And then to see Him alive again? I can't even begin to fathom the emotional roller-coaster that His followers would have been on. Happy, sad, wistful, longing, joyful...
Jesus had warned His followers that He would be leaving the earth.
"I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father." John 16:28
And He kept that promise and ascended into heaven!
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11
He's gone again. But He's still alive! The One who died our Brother here lives our Brother still on high.
And look at that glorious promise that the angels give to the men of Galilee: This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in just the same way! He will come again, out of heaven, back to earth!
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3
That is something to look forward to.
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
Jesus had warned His followers that He would be leaving the earth.
"I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father." John 16:28
And He kept that promise and ascended into heaven!
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11
He's gone again. But He's still alive! The One who died our Brother here lives our Brother still on high.
And look at that glorious promise that the angels give to the men of Galilee: This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in just the same way! He will come again, out of heaven, back to earth!
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3
That is something to look forward to.
Hallelujah! Jesus Lives!
Words by Carl Garve
Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy halls of death
Christ, the conqueror, has gone,
Bright forerunner to the skies
Of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why do you weep?
Why that sad and mournful sigh?
He who died our Brother here
Lives our Brother still on high.
Lives forever to bestow
Blessings on His church below.
Jesus lives! And thus, my soul,
Life eternal waits for you;
Joined to Him, your living head,
Where He is, you shall be, too;
With the Lord, at His right hand,
As a victor you shall stand.
Jesus lives! Let all rejoice.
Praise Him, ransomed of the earth.
Praise Him in a nobler song,
Cherubim of heavenly birth.
Praise the victor King, whose sway
Sin and death and hell obey.
Jesus lives! To Him my heart
Draws with ever new delight.
Earthly vanities, depart,
Hinder not my heavenward flight.
Let this spirit ever rise
To its Magnet in the skies.
Hallelujah! Angels, sing!
Join with us in hymns of praise.
Let your chorus swell the strain
Which our feebler voices raise;
Glory to our God above
And on earth His peace and love!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)