I Saw The Light

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Hank Williams, the great Country and Western singer of the 1940’s and 1950’s, wrote the spiritual song shown below. It has a beautiful melody and sound theological insight. The first stanza relates how human beings resist and reject Jesus with their own sinful rebellious will. Then just as Jesus tells us in John 3:3-8, the Spirit moves like a stranger in the night and sinners are changed in an instant and enabled to see the light. The sinners response of being born again by the Holy Spirit is to shout, “Praise the Lord, I saw the light”. The song goes on to show how the sinner is literally blind until Jesus gives him sight and the power to see spiritual light. Once a sinner sees this light he is enabled to walk in a new way with a new heart. He is indeed a new creation in Christ with new affections and desires.

The Barnyard Opry, shown in the above photo, entertains patrons free of charge twice a month and always bears witness to the spiritual light that is found in Jesus Christ. In this photo the moon has been enlarged about ten fold. While most may not have even noticed the moon on this night, they would certainly have noticed had it appeared as shown above. The same thing happens when the Holy Spirit shines spiritual light into the hearts of sinners. Brethren, Praise the Lord if you see this light.

I Saw The Light
Words by: Hank Williams

I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin;
I wouldn't ask my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I saw the light, I saw the light.
No more darkness; no more night.
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

Just like a blind man I wandered alone,
Worries and fears I claimed for my own.
Then like the blind man that Jesus gave back his sight;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I was a fool to wander astray,
For straight is the gate and narrow is the way.
Now I have traded the wrong for the right;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I Love To Tell The Story

Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Do you love to tell the story? The bottom line of this story is given in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God is holy, loving, and just and, while He loves human beings, He is also just and must punish their sin. All men are sinners and cannot save themselves by their works or good deeds. They are helpless in and of themselves. However, God solved this problem by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and suffer the penalty for the sins of those who place their faith in Him. Through trusting in faith in His death and resurrection, sinners not only have their sins paid for by Christ, but they also have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. Salvation and eternal life is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This is the story of Biblical salvation and there is no other way by which men can be saved.

Praise God for this gospel story. Brethren, rejoice if you trust in this story by faith because you are rich and healthy spiritually even if you are on your deathbed without a penny to your name. What a wonderful story we have to tell!

I Love To Tell The Story
Words by: A. katherine Hankey

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

As the photo above shows, clocks are everywhere. Time creeps or flies by, depending on our circumstances. Human beings by nature are in a constant state of need. Oxygen, food, water, proper body temperature, and complicated bodily functions are needed constantly for human beings to survive physically. Since God provides all of these needs for our physical well-being, all human beings are in constant physical need of God’s provisions. In a like manner, Christians need God constantly for their spiritual well-being. The power that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit is a constant source of nourishment for the spiritual needs of Christians. For blessings, peace, instruction, inspiration, and for avoiding temptations the Lord is needed every hour. This hymn points out that the Lord is needed in all circumstances of joy or pain.

Praise God that He responds to these needs no matter our location or the time of day. He is there in our joy and He is there in our pain. He is even there when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Brethren, we need the Lord every hour and He will always be there for us. What comfort and peace is ours for the asking.

I Need Thee Every Hour
Words by: Annie S. Hawks

I need Thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; (23) they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

In the photo above we see an example of the abundance that we take for granted each and every day. However, we should always be aware that God is in control of all of the complicated factors that are involved in producing such a wide variety of food that we enjoy every day. The hymn below states a truth that we should be thankful for every minute of every day when it says, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.” God has provided everything that is needed for human and animal life in this world. He has not only provided for our needs, but he maintains the intricate workings of the natural order. The Bible says it well in James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Brethren, life is temporary and fragile on earth and death will come to everyone in due time. However, God’s faithfulness does not end at our death as God has provided all that we need for our spiritual salvation. Even though we all have sinned and offended his holiness and are subject to his justice, he has also provided for us to have eternal life through faith in his son, Jesus Christ, who has paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Praise God for such a great salvation! Great is thy faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Words by: Thomas O. Chisholm

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

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

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

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

Breathe On Me

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us in John 3 that sinners must be born of the Spirit to be saved and likens it to the wind blowing where it wishes. He further states that you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. In a like manner, the early morning mist in the photo above appears and disappears without anyone knowing it is coming or going.

In the hymn below, the prayer is for the power of God, the Holy Spirit, to intervene and make positive Godly changes in the human heart. It is an acknowledgement that salvation proceeds from God’s grace and is applied by the Holy Spirit. Brethren, let us be ever mindful that our salvation does not begin with human power and it is not completed with human power. Let us, with prayer and humble reliance, ask for all of things that are requested in this great hymn. As Christians, we have an infinite source of power at our disposal. The power of the Holy Spirit surpasses all understanding. Praise God that if we ask the Holy Spirit will breathe on us. No matter what our hardship or heartache may be, comfort is but a prayer away.

Breathe On Me
Words by: Edwin Hatch

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Until my heart is clean;
Let sunshine fill its inmost part,
With not a cloud between.

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
My stubborn will subdue;
Teach me in words of living flame
What Christ would have me do.

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Fill me with power divine;
Kindle a flame of love and zeal
Within this heart of mine

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Till I am all thine own;
Until my will is lost in Thine,
To live for thee alone.

Refrain…..
Breathe on me, breathe on me,
Holy Spirit, breathe on me;
Take Thou my heart, clean every part,
Holy Spirit, breathe on me.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The chapel in the photo above is not only peaceful and beautiful inside, but is located in a wooded area next to a serene pond. Such a setting inspires a person to come before the throne of grace in thanksgiving, praise, and supplication. However, there are many places that believers can designate to come to the Lord and have a sweet hour of prayer. It is the fellowship and communication with God that is central in prayer time and not the location. There is much peace, comfort and doctrinal truth to be found in the words of the beautiful hymn below. The author says the following: “And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!” In these four short lines the author gives us all we need to know for our Christian walk. Seek, believe, trust, cast, and wait. Brethren, when we do all of these things, how can our hour of prayer be anything other than sweet?

Praise God that we can come to Him anywhere and in all seasons and have a sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Words by: William Walford

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”