Praise Him! Praise Him!

Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

The photo above shows a golden hand pointing to the heavens as it sits atop a church steeple. This testimony to the glory of God, His mercy, and his love is located in the little town of Port Gibson, Mississippi. This steeple focuses attention on God rather than a building of brick and stone. God is glorified, as thanksgiving and praise are the messages that this hand pointing to the heavens sends. The hymn below also proclaims God’s praise and points to His love, honor, holiness, greatness, redemption, atonement, salvation, power, glory, and victory. The hymn ends by crowning Him Prophet, Priest, and King.

Brethren, praise God as you meditate on the wonderful words of this hymn and consider the wonderful salvation that is the present possession of all who are in Jesus Christ by faith. With such a savior, praise and thanksgiving should overflow in our hearts even when serious temporal concerns have intruded into our lives. The victory is won and we have nothing to dread or fear. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Praise Him, Praise Him
Words by: Fanny Crosby

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Jesus Paid It All

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, (14) by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

In the photo above, the floor of the small wedding chapel appears to have a crimson stain. However, no amount of scrubbing by human hands will remove this stain since it is actually a reflection of light through a stained glass window. In a like manner, the hymn below refers to sin leaving a crimson stain upon the souls of sinners and, just like the allusion on the chapel floor, there is nothing that human beings can do to remove the stain of sin from their souls. This crimson stain represents a debt that humans are powerless to pay to the infinitely holy and just God that created the universe. The best works and good deeds of the best human being that ever lived cannot pay his own sin debt. However, praise God that Jesus Christ paid this debt by his atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

Jesus paid it all and cancelled the debt that sinners owe due to the crimson stain upon their souls. He washed the stain white as snow with his spilled blood on the cross to all who claim this grace through faith. The second line of the refrain goes on to proclaim, “All to Him I owe.” We should rejoice in thanksgiving and praise when we consider that we have contributed nothing to our salvation because Jesus paid it all in washing away our crimson stain.

Jesus Paid it All
Words by: Elvina M. Hall

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,
”Shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Take It To The Lord In Prayer

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

The photo above was taken five months after Hurricane Katrina left nothing in a subdivision but slabs and pipes sticking up out of the slabs. The human misery that was caused by this storm has been well documented. In times like this, the message in the hymn below is of great comfort to Christians as they struggle to cope with the trials and sorrow that inevitably come in our short time on earth. Christians can be certain that, no matter what burdens or troubles they may have, Jesus is there to provide solace and peace. Trials and tribulations are a part of living in this world, and Christians experience unnecessary pain when they do not carry everything to God in prayer. We should never be discouraged when we consider our eternal inheritance of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Brethren, praise God and be thankful for the privilege of being able to carry everything to the Lord in prayer. Christians should be comforted as they reflect on the truth of the last two lines of this beautiful hymn and take all of their troubles to the Lord in prayer.

What a Friend we have in Jesus
Words by: Joseph M. Scriven

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Psalm 145:7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The angel in the above photograph inspires one to think about the glorious music that will no doubt be played and sung in heaven. What more can be said about the beautiful and meaningful words of the hymn below. This is a song that is focused on the mercy and grace of our triune God. The sweetness of praise and thanksgiving drips from each line as well as the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. From an admission of being prone to wander, the writer begs that God would take his heart and seal it. These are beautiful words that flow together to make a beautiful tune.

Brethren, meditate and reflect on these words line by line. Especially consider the last four lines which state: “Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, Take my ransomed soul away; Send thine angels now to carry Me to realms of endless day.” Praise God for the glory to come. What do we have to fear in this world? (Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?)

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Words by: Robert Robinson

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Death Hath No Terrors

1 Corinthians 15:55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Insect stings can be very painful and even cause death in cases of allergy or multiple stings. Paul tells us that our physical bodies will experience a sting of death caused by sin, but for Christians death has no victory as they will be resurrected with imperishable bodies. The power of sin is the law, and Christians are rescued from the power of sin by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who conquered the power of sin by his perfect obedience of the law. Therefore, Christians are given the victory through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sting of death is gone for Christians as the death of our physical bodies leads immediately to spiritual life in the presence of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Protection from insect stings, such as that of hornet, can be secured through wearing protective clothing, and protection from the sting of spiritual death can be secured through faith in Jesus Christ.

Praise God for this wonderful gift of victory and salvation through Jesus Christ. Grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone is the only way for sinners to conquer sin and death. Brethren, meditate on the hymn below and thank God that death hath no terrors for all that come to the cross of Calvary to be washed by the blood of the lamb of God.

Death Hath No Terrors
Words and Music by: Charles P. Jones

Death hath no terrors for the blood bought one,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!
The boasted vict’ry of the grave is gone,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

Jesus rose from the dead,
Rose triumphant as He said,
Snatched the vict’ry from the grave,
Rose again our souls to save—O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

Our souls die daily to the world and sin,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!
By the Spirit’s power as He dwells within,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

We seek a city far beyond this vale,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!
Where joys celestial never, never fail,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

We’ll then press forward to the heav’nly land,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!
Nor mind the troubles met on ev’ry hand,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

We’ll rise some day just as our Savior rose,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!
Till then shall death be but a calm repose,
O glory hallelujah to the Lamb!

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms

1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Christians are shown enjoying a meal together in the above photographic rendering. When Christians come together for such occasions, they are also in fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ as John points out in the passage above. These times of coming together by a church family are filled with joy and peace as everyone has a common mindset of leaning on the everlasting arms of the LORD. This leaning is just another way of saying that their trust and hope is in God rather than themselves, political leaders, or government. To lean on the arms of princes, kings, or presidents is pure folly, but trusting in God’s sovereignty, providence, and His Word is fail-safe. With the guarantee of spiritual security through eternal life, Christians can be secure when troubles of all kinds come knocking at their door.

Praise God for the inheritance that we have as adopted sons and daughters of His Kingdom. Brethren, look closely at the words to the hymn below. Reflect on the magnificent truths that are made in each line of this short but rich hymn. Joy divine – peace is mine – secure – sweet to walk – bright the path – what have I to dread – what have I to fear – blessed peace – Lord so near. Let us rejoice as we lean on the everlasting arms.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Words by: Elisha A. Hoffman

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Southern Baptists cave to global warming alarmists

See Sweet Jazzycat 2 for more. Also check this link for the late Dr. James Kennedy and expert guest on the global warming hoax!

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Grace is an act of mercy that is applied by God as David points out in the verse above. Notice David does not make a statement about cleaning himself up and making himself acceptable and presentable before God. No, he appeals to God’s mercy as he repents of his sin with Bathsheba. The way God purges and washes the sin away is answered in the great hymn below when it states, “Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.” How one gains access to the most important washing that a person can have is answered in the last verse which states, “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?"

Brethren, praise and thank God if you have had this bath and are brighter than snow in the eyes of God. What a blessing and a comfort it is to know that our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. Though we will have worldly problems of many kinds during our brief life, we are assured of spiritual refuge in his marvelous grace. Christians have a future that is brighter than the snow on the mountain peak in the photo above.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Words by: Julia H. Johnston

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

In The Garden

John 20:15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Joseph of Arimathea arranged the burial of Jesus and he was laid in new tomb in a garden where no one had yet been buried. Mary Magdalene was the first person to arrive there the morning of the resurrection of Jesus, and she was the first person to see and talk to him after initially believing his body had been removed. As she sat alone outside of the tomb weeping in the garden, can you imagine the scene when she met the risen Lord?

Can you imagine being in that garden alone and having a conversation with the resurrected savior of the world? The rest of her life must have been filled with unbelievable joy and peace when she reflected on the day she met Jesus in the garden alone. Is the joy and peace really any different for Christians who meditate on this event and what it means for their salvation and future spiritual destination? The photo above and the hymn below illustrate that Christians can have eternal contentment anytime they meditate on this hymn or visit a beautiful garden such as the Bellingrath Gardens shown in the photo above. Brethren, let us take comfort when we visit such gardens in person or when we rely on past memories to visit them in our imagination.

In the Garden
Words and music by: C. Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks
with me, And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Blessed Assurance

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith………………..

Assurance of union with Christ is the greatest experience that a human being can have in this world. When a believer meditates on being born of His Spirit and washed in His blood, he can be certain that he is an heir of salvation. Christians have the Holy Spirit at work in their hearts and, thus, sense the joy that surpasses all understanding. With eyes on heavenly things above Christians can sing with confidence and praise, this is my story, this is my song. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.

Praise God for the comfort, peace, and joy that comes when believers meditate on His love and rest in His sovereign providence in their lives. There is no worry for Christians when troubles come because they know Jesus is mine! Where is the anxiety for Christians that trust in His love and watch care in their lives? When Christians are in perfect submission, they are at rest. Then they are contented, at peace and delighted to sing with joy that this is my story, this is my song. When the day comes to be called to our heavenly home, we may not be able to sing with our lips but in our hearts we will be singing with joy, This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long. For we know that if God is for us, then who can be against us. Brethren meditate on the words of this hymn and be comforted.

Blessed Assurance
Words by: Fanny Crosby

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.