1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I’ve done a devotional series on popular hymns in 2007, but this series will be slightly different. It will be “hymns on steroids”! 🙂 I want to give a little history behind the hymn, a message that was impressed upon my heart, as well as what it can mean for all of us during these uncertain times. I hope you enjoy this new series and are blessed by its content.
1 Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2 Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3 Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4 Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Charlotte Elliott
The History Behind the Hymn
Elliott, Charlotte, daughter of Charles Elliott, of Clapham and Brighton, and granddaughter of the Rev. H. Venn, of Huddersfield, was born March 18, 1789. The first 32 years of her life were spent mostly at Clapham. In 1823 she removed to Brighton, and died there Sept. 22, 1871.
In 1828, at the age of 32, Charlotte Elliott suffered a serious illness that left her a semi-invalid. This caused depression, and within the year she experienced a severe spiritual crisis. Swiss evangelist Henry A. Cesàr Malan was visiting her family, and she confessed to him that she didn’t know how to come to Christ. His famous response was, “Come to him just as you are.” Her depression continued, however. One night, twelve years later, she lay awake, distressed by her uselessness as an invalid, and by doubts of her spiritual life. The next day, as she reflected on the previous night, she decided she needed to meet her spiritual troubles head on and conquer them by the grace of God. So she “gathered up in her soul the grand certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise” (Lutheran Hymnal Handbook). She took up pen and paper, and wrote down her own “formulae of faith,” remembering those words of the visiting evangelist. In the end she had the text “Just as I am, without one plea.” Her rule of faith has since become a comfort to millions, and we join with all Christians who experience doubt and uncertainty in their faith when we declare that Christ invites us to come to Him, just as we are.
Though weak and feeble in body, she possessed a strong imagination, and a well-cultured and intellectual mind. Her love of poetry and music was great, and is reflected in her verse. Her hymns number about 150, a large percentage of which are in common use.
Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I was probably a couple of days old in the Lord when I read these three verses. Oh how I cried! I was very heavy laden and had a burden of care upon my shoulders. I had been married six years at this point and my husband absolutely despised what I had become. Life was unbearable and I could not imagine God healing my marriage. He not only healed my marriage but He also showed me how I could receive peace in the midst of the trial while waiting! These verses rested heavily on my heart during that time.
What does this have to do with today’s hymn? Everything! God wants us to come to Him with all our troubles!
3 Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Message for today
Yes, this hymn’s message is mainly to show that God takes the sinner just as he is. The sinner need not clean up his life before receiving the gift of salvation. If he had to do that, what’s the point of God’s Son being called a gift? One doesn’t have to do a thing to receive a gift. It is freely given and must be freely accepted. There is nothing that can be added.
1 Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
It is not by our own works that we receive this wonderful gift. It is by simple faith. We are all sinners in need of saving. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. The very nature of God is to show mercy upon a repentant sinner. When we humbly come before Him, admitting our sinfulness, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
My friend, there is nothing we can do to wash away our sins. Only Jesus can do that. He became our sin offering so we could be made righteous before God through Him! Oh praise the Lord for His unending love for us!
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rock of ages cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood From thy riven side which flowed Oh, be of sin the double cure Cleanse me from its guilt and power
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Naked, come to Thee for dress (come to Thee for dress) Helpless, look to Thee for grace (Oh, look to Thee for grace) Vile, I to the fountain fly Wash me, Savior, or I die
Rock of ages (ooh, rock of ages) Cleft for me (cleft for me) Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee (in Thee)
Augustus M.Toplady
The History Behind the Hymn
There is a popular story most hymnologists do not believe about the origin of this hymn text. That story was started 122 years after publication of the hymn text by a letter published in the Times [of London], June 3, 1898, from Dean Lefroy of Norwich, together with one from Sir W. H. Wills on the same matter. The burden of Lefroy’s correspondence is based on a claim made by Sir W. H. Wills regarding the origin of this hymn. Wills’ claim asserted that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, then a curate (assistant Church of England preacher) in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics. [3]
According to E. J. Fasham, a more likely inspiration for the text is a 1673 sermon by Daniel Brevint (who had been the Dean of Durham Cathedral). This sermon had been partially quoted in the preface to Charles Wesley’s Hymns of the Lord’s Supper (1745), which was in common use amongst a number of ministers of the period. The similarity between the passages from Brevint’s sermon and the hymn suggests this was the starting point for Toplady’s text.
Psa 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psa 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Where do I go in times of trouble? I have been saved since 1980 and the answer to this question has changed a few times throughout the years. With each passing trial, I have learned to trust the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6) As I grew in the Lord, I discovered His faithfulness more and more. Each trial drew me to Him more quickly. His invitation to come to Him in times of trouble would be the first thing I ran to rather than go to Him as a last resort.
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Message for today
Is it any wonder why the world’s religions center on men’s works instead of faith in Jesus? Working one’s way to Heaven is a lie from the enemy. It is centered on the ver first sin, which is pride. This sin had Lucifer thrown out of Heaven and it carried on when he tempted Eve in the Garden. If I can say that I worked my way to heaven, then I can also tell you everything I did in order to earn it!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There is nothing that I can do that will wash away my sins. It is due to the wonderful gift that the Father has bestowed upon His creation! (John 3:16) Anything good I do before salvation is considered to be dirty rags. Mother Teresa was a wonderful person; her works for the poor and needy are to be commended. But they will only be commended here on earth. Her works amount to nothing because she did not have that relationship with Jesus Christ.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jesus has a very special love for you. [But] as for me–The silence and the emptiness is so great–that I look and do not see,–Listen and do not hear.
–MOTHER TERESA TO THE REV. MICHAEL VAN DER PEET, SEPTEMBER 1979
A born-again Christian is given the Comforter, the power of the Holy Spirit, to be able to see the truth so that truth can set him free. (John 8:32) The promise from Jesus Himself tells us that the Holy Spirit abides with us for ever! Had Mother Teresa known Jesus, she too would have had the peace of God! (Philippians 4:7)
Joh 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Jesus paid a dear price in order for us to have that peace. He paid a great price for His Church so she can hide herself in the cleft of the Rock! It is through Him that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! (Romans 8:37)
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Charles Wesley 1739
The History Behind the Hymn
Of the thousands of churches across the world, you would only be able to walk past a few during the Easter season and not hear the congregation boisterously singing this tune. It was written by a man who wrote so many hymns that he himself would not be able to name half, and it sat as just another of his many works for many years. It wasn’t until one significant change to the hymn caused it to explode in popularity and become an essential pick for the celebration of the risen Savior.
Charles Wesley was born in 1707 as the eighteenth child of Samuel and Susannah Wesley’s overall nineteen. He was born premature, and was at first thought to be dead. But God had much in store for little Charles, and wouldn’t allow death to take him just yet. It took a few unsure weeks, but baby Charles finally became healthy. It’s a good thing too, because Charles Wesley went on to become the most successful hymn writer to ever live.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Out of all the “gods” that this world has created to date, not one can boast a resurrection of the dead. Not one! We are seeing more and more open dissention against Christianity as we near the Tribulation period. Christians are made fun of and are now thought to be insane. How does one live in a world such as this? The early church had it so much worse, Reader! One only has to read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs to see that Christians are not really under persecution here in America … yet. If you’ve not read it, you can follow the link and download it for free. It is a very hard read – one comes to the realization of just how these martyrs were tortured for their faith.
I realize that if I should live until the Rapture of the Church, I will see persecution. America is beginning to see this and it will get much worse according to the Scriptures which depict the end times. (2 Timothy 3:1-3) The only way I can live through the upcoming persecution is to be grounded in God’s Word. My focus must be on the risen Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. This life is not a race but a Christian marathon. Each day brings new challenges and trials. However, the Father gives strength with each one. Our eyes must be fixed on the only One who can help! He is not a god made with hands! He is the Almighty, the Creator of all things, the Alpha and Omega! There are so many names for Him that if I were to include them all, this post would be endless!
Today’s hymn is at the center of the believer’s core beliefs and values. Without the resurrection, there is no conquering of sin or death!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Message for today
Love’s redeeming work is done! This praise should be ever on our lips, Christian! Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross to purchase our pardon. All humanity is born to be destined for Hell. But to those who recognize their sinfulness and desire pardon from their sins, there is One who has paid the ransom; He has paid the penalty for those sins! Had Jesus simply died on the cross with no resurrection, there would be no forgiveness of sins. Because Jesus rose on the third day, His promise to His followers is that they will also!
Psa 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Born-again Christians will go to Heaven in one of two ways: when they die, or when the Rapture occurs. In the meantime, we were given a new life after our salvation. At the moment one is born again, the Holy Spirit come to live within. This same Spirit gives us the ability to say no to sin, which we could not do before. He gives us the ability to walk in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:5-7)
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
At the end of our pilgrim journey, we will be taken to our exalted Head and be like Him. We will have eternal bodies, just as Jesus did. We will be able to enjoy eternity in a place that will be beyond anything we can imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
I will be offline from 9/1 through 9/24. I will not be posting during this time. In the meantime, please feel free to go to my Devotionals page and Bible Studies page to check out the different topics!
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.
Chorus: 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!
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.
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!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
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!
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!”
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!
Carl Boberg translated into english by Stuart K. Hine
The History Behind the Hymn
‘How Great Thou Art’ is a Christian hymn which started life as a poem set to a Swedish melody.
The poem, ‘O Store Gud’ (O Great God), was written by the Swedish poet and lay minister, Carl Boberg, in 1885. According to hymnologist J. Irving Erickson, the poem is said to be inspired from a sudden violent thunderstorm which Boberg was caught in on his way home from church.
After the storm had cleared, and Boberg had returned home, he opened his window and looked out towards the sea. The evening was quiet, and Boberg could hear the sound of church bells. It was these sights and sounds that inspired the words of ‘O Store Gud’.
The lyrics were matched with a traditional Swedish folk song and first sung in a church in 1888, three years after the poem was written.
As the hymn’s popularity gained momentum, the lyrics began to spread across the world. British missionary Stuart K. Hine translated the lyrics into English. His translation was actually done from Russian lyrics, which were a translation of German lyrics, which were a translation of the original Swedish lyrics.
Hine also added two original verses of his own to the 1949 translation, which still feature in the lyrics today.
A Lesson for Me
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psa 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Whenever I hear this hymn, tears come to my eyes. There is no greater hymn that will make a heart tender toward the Creator. His beautiful and wonderful works never see to amaze me. The internet has helped me to see the Lord’s beautiful creation all over the world. I love to put those 4K videos on YouTube that are set to music. They take me all around the world while sitting in my living room!
The Creator of it all has a lot more in store for us than what we see and hear on this earth!
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.
Message for today
For the born-again believer, there is coming a time when we will see new things and hear new sounds that no one has ever seen or heard! We are promised this!
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
To those who do not want anything to do with God, this special place will not be available to you. Hell is a real place described as burning, darkness, torment, and the first death. Once God calls an unbeliever out of Hell at the Great White Throne Judgment, He will review every opportunity to be saved with that person. He will reveal every known and secret sin. Everything will be laid open with nothing to hide. Then He will see if that unbeliever’s name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life; of course, that name won’t be there. It is at that time that the unbeliever will experience a second death and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. That moment’s reprieve from burning in Hell will be replaced with an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Friend, don’t be deceived by the world’s attractions. Their pleasures last for a split second in comparison to eternity.
Today’s hymn reveals what Christ did for the unsaved. The Father sent His Son (John 3:16-17) to pay the price for your sins. Jesus bore your shame and sin because it was impossible for you to pay the penalty yourself.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
But for the born-again believer, that second time (Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation) will be a glorious event!
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!”
So what is it for you? Will you be ashamed at His Coming or will you be rejoicing? If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Will I be found faithful when You return for me, dear Lord? Or will my efforts leave me with a meagerly reward? These are my thoughts each passing day; seeking to do your will, I longingly search your way through the illuminating Word.
Use me in my circle, to share your mercy and your grace. I will gladly show salvation to those who are so lost! Lord, there is no greater love that I can share with this world; To tell them of your suffering – you paid that heavy cost!
The time of the Rapture is soon coming, right at the door. I fear that my lost family will suffer Satan’s rage! Oh Father, give me extra time to share the bless’d news. Please remove the scale-filled eyes and reveal your precious Grace.
Each morning finds me watching, waiting for that Kingdom age. Dear Father, there’s no greater gift than what you did for me! All my tears shall be wiped free, and my faith will be made sight. I will spend each of those days with you for all eternity!
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature! O thou of God and man the Son! Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing!
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight. And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast!
Beautiful savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and son of Man! Glory and honor. Praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine!
authorship Unknown
The History Behind the Hymn
I have to say, I’m a little surprised at how old this hymn is. For some reason, I thought it was rather new, perhaps late 19th century or even early 20th century, but some traditions say it’s as old as the 12th century, sung when Crusaders made their way to the Holy Land.
Others attribute the hymn to around 1620, when the followers of the reformer John Hus were driven from Bohemia in a bloody purge. They settled in Silesia, now part of Poland. This is said to have been a Bohemian folk song.
The first known appearance of the hymn was in the Munster Gesangbuch of 1677. Hoffman Fallersleben heard a group of Silesians singing this hymn, wrote down what they sang, and published it in his Schlesische Volkslieder in 1842. This is the version of the hymn we know.
The hymn appeared in English in Richard Storrs Willis’ Church Chorals and Choir Studies in 1850.
A notation about this hymn in that collection stated that it was, “sung by the German knights on the way to Jerusalem.” That may well be where the Crusader legend began. Willis was also the composer of It Came upon a Midnight Clear.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Today’s hymn is like a love letter and song to our glorious Lord and Saviour, our King! Are there even enough words that totally describe Jesus? I dare say, no! When I meditate on when the Church is raptured and we face our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13), I cannot even imagine what I will do! Will I run into His arms and thank Him? Will I fall to the ground in adoration? What do you think you will do when you see Him?
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight. And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast!
Message for today
Who am I that the Creator of the universe (John 1:1-3) would think of me? Why would He have time for me!? Why would He even think of me? The Lord’s love for His creation is so great that He gave His life and shed His own blood so we could spend eternity with Him. This is beyond my comprehension. If I try to use my intellect and logic, I dare say the enemy has a field day and tries to convince me that it’s a bunch of hogwash. But it is by faith that I believe. So what is faith?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Everyone in their heart of hearts knows there is more than just life here on earth. There has to be something greater! When you think of every living thing and what each is comprised of, it is virtually impossible to believe in evolution. Look at the intricacies of a flower, a bird or the inner ear of man. A woodpecker’s tongue is not like any other bird – it wraps around the bird’s brain! Each part of creation has a specific purpose. It takes more faith to believe in evolution than it does that a wonderful Creator is responsible for it all!
We will surely find out one day. When the King of Kings and LORD of Lords appears! I would rather live my life worshiping this amazing Creator than to find out when I die that I was totally wrong! In fact, what have I lost if I lived a godly life? I’ve lost nothing, except eternity in Hell. What a glorious day it will be when I enter into eternity seeing my Fairest Lord Jesus!
Beautiful savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and son of Man! Glory and honor. Praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine!
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Did your mind ever wander during a Sunday service? Perhaps you started thinking about other things–maybe what occurred last week, or plans for the coming week or what you will be doing later that day. Something like that happened to the writer of a familiar hymn.
On a hot summer Sunday morning in 1865, Mrs. Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was found in her accustomed place in the church choir loft. But as the pious words of the Reverend Schrick’s prayer droned on and on, her thoughts drifted to other things. She pondered the meaning of the cross, and the storied scene flashed before her mind’s eye.
High upon a rocky crag, three crosses scarred the afternoon sky. On the outer gibbets, hung two notorious thieves. Below, Roman soldiers drank and gambled, waiting for death to overtake the poor wretches suspended above them. It was a public execution, but far more significant than they imagined at the time. Suddenly, the air grew dense and an eerie darkness invaded the scene.
As the soldiers gazed about them in superstitious dread, a triumphant cry pierced the gloom. It came from the figure on the centre cross. One word, in the Greek tongue: “Tetelestai!” Then He was dead. That shout of victory Christ uttered as He died is usually translated “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). But it had another meaning back then. It was an accounting term. When a bill was paid, it was commonly stamped with the word “Tetelestai,” meaning Paid in Full.
But it had another meaning back then. It was an accounting term. When a bill was paid, it was commonly stamped with the word “Tetelestai,” meaning Paid in Full.
It is finished! Paid in full! Tetelestai! Tetelestai comes from the verb teleo, which means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.” How appropriate that the Lord used these words, Reader! Do you see it? We’ve heard the phrase “Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe” but does it mean anything to you?
Someone has to pay the debt for all my sin, and that is ME! Each one of us cannot enter Heaven’s gate unless that debt, that penalty, is paid. If there were a dollar value set to each one of my sins in my lifetime, I dare say there would not be enough money in the world to take care of that debt! Since tetelestai’s meaning in Jesus’ day was an accounting term, we can picture the Father in Heaven stamping “PAID” on our debt because Jesus paid for it all.
For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb
Message for today
Friend, thank the Lord Jesus for giving us the opportunity to have our sins washed clean because of His shed blood on Calvary!! There is no other way that one can do this! (John 14:6) He is the only way. Buddha can’t help you! Allah can’t help you! Only Jesus.
What would you say if you bought a house when times were great and your income paid the mortgage with no problem. But then you fall on difficult times and you are now months behind with no hope to catch up. If the bank didn’t foreclose on you, that debt would increase ever more with interest added to boot! It is no different with our sins, Reader. The only way the debt for our sins could ever be paid was for Jesus to take that debt upon Himself. We cannot pay that debt ourselves! There is nothing we can do either! All we can do is receive the consequences for lack of payment and that is eternal life in Hell!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Where are you at this point in your life, Reader? Are you so deep in debt for the sins you’ve committed that you feel there is no turning back? We all come to that place in our lives. Some receive salvation early in life, while others are more stubborn. The longer you wait, the harder your heart becomes toward that sin. Sin will no longer stir regret in your heart and it will become hard as stone. There will come a point where your heart will be so hardened you will be blind to sin altogether.
Eph 4:18-19 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Don’t get to that point, Reader. Surrender yourself to God’s love and forgiveness. There is peace to be had and balm for your wounds! Jesus paid it ALL so you could have that peace and balm! However, judgment awaits the person who does not want his debt to be paid. The Bible shows us the way of salvation. Don’t be ignorant but turn from your wicked ways.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
A great wrath awaits the person who does not accept salvation. Zech 7:12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Is your heart set in stone? If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee; E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me, Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer, The sun gone down, Darkness comes over me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight, An open heaven; All that Thou sendest me, In mercy given; Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise, So by my woes to be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee
Sarah Flower Adams was a British actress who received praise for her performance in an 1837 production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After health problems disrupted her plans to continue with theater, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns.
Her most notable hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came about in 1841 when Adam’s pastor was looking for a hymn for the following week’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, which is referred to by many as “Jacob’s ladder,” or “Jacob’s dream.” Adams offered to write the hymn and completed it within a week to go along with the pastor’s sermon. The hymn was originally set to music written by her sister, Eliza Flower, but another hymn-tune called “BETHANY,” written by Lowell Mason in 1856, has become most widely recognized and is most familiar to listeners today.
Psa 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
How does one draw near to God? How can you have that relationship with the Lord that close and personal? The Bible states that God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). The Scriptures also state that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, according to John 14:6. Jesus in the One that provides the way for us to have a close relationship, not only to Him but to the Father! He is the only Mediator we need! (1 Timothy 2:5)
At the moment of salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit to help us through our daily lives! We don’t need anyone else to intercede for us to the Father. The Holy Spirit intercedes for the believer so our prayers are in accordance with the will of God. Here’s a good example: You are praying for a new car and are looking at a Cadillac. The Holy Spirit knows that it won’t fit in your budget so He intercedes for you and God puts a cheaper vehicle in your path. I know this is basic but it proves my point.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
There let me see the sight, An open heaven; All that Thou sendest me, In mercy given; Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Message for today
Today’s Gospel message is so diluted. They preach a loving God, which He is, but they don’t preach that He also requires repentance. One can sit in a garage all day but will never be able to claim that he is a car. It’s no different than calling yourself a Christian just because you go to church. There must be a change of heart, mind and direction!
When a person is truly born-again, Jesus becomes the center of his/her focus. Decisions are made with the Lord in mind; life’s trials are viewed through the Word of God. The things that used to appeal to the believer are no longer desired. The heart is convicted when sin is committed. If this has not happened to you, then you must think about it.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
One cannot be practicing sin and worshipping God at the same time. This is what James calls double-minded. He also points out that we must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Seeking forgiveness for sins is not asking Jesus to die on the cross again so that those sins can be forgiven. They are already forgiven. What is necessary is that you acknowledge that sin, feel remorse for it and turn from it. That is repentance, my friend.
Born-again believers should see sin with different eyes and with a different heart. It should pain us, tear us apart inside, when we sin! As we grow older in the Lord and closer to Him, we will hurt more each time we sin. We see sin with the same eyes as God does. This is drawing nigh to Him. This is the whole point of today’s hymn.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
We know we are in the end times because there is a growing number of people turning to witchcraft.
Netty has been practising magic for 16 years. She cast a spell to get her current job in banking. She credits other spells with securing subsequent salary raises. She once used a spell to make her boss like her more. Another bagged her the love of her life, seven years ago. She still has the honey jar she used for it – into which she put herbs, a petition and a Corona bottle cap he’d discarded. (She assures me he knows about it.) Raised a Catholic, Netty has not completely reneged on the faith, nor does she see any conflict in casting spells and praying to saints. You might call her a Christian witch. You might be surprised to know there are thousands of them.
Organised religion is in decline. In Western countries, growing numbers are turning their backs on the Church. Thousands of churches shutter each year, faced with dwindling congregations and funds. The 2021 census on religion in England and Wales alarmed many: for the first time since its advent in 1801, less than half the population described themselves as Christian, down from 72 per cent two decades ago. Those ticking “no religion”, the second-most common response, soared to 37.2 per cent. The UK is now, statistically speaking, one of the least religious countries in the world.
Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
2 Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
What happens to those who practice such things?
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
What does God say about people who practice this?
Exo 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Granted, today everyone is able to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and be freed from such sins. But in the Old Testament, judgment was served quickly. If you are involved in these things, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will free you from the bondage of this sin! If you are a Christian and have been talked into using the Holy Spirit board, don’t! I had not heard about this but it’s been out since 2022! This is no game for believers. Use discernment, Christian! You can better believe that anything that has occult in its history cannot be of any good to believers. The devil will make it appear as good for Christians, but he is the father of lies (John 8:44)! He is a deceiver and will make things to appear as though they are from God. Remember, Satan is known as an angel of light but his goal is to draw everyone into darkness! (2 Corinthians 11:14)
The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
