“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” ~ Proverbs 25:11
“Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way.” ~ Mary Poppins
I get the impression sometimes that the world is filled with people who think it is their mission in life to criticize or tell others just what they are doing wrong. Every day when you turn on the television or radio your senses are assaulted with “nattering nabobs of negativism”; an apropos and alliterative phrase coined by William Safire. Sadly the church appears to have our share of people (including myself) who are Olympic gold medalists in negativity and Hall of Fame caliber criticizers. It is far more difficult to look for evidence of grace, encourage or build up our fellow believers than I think we realize. We are quick to point out what others are doing wrong rather than motivating or lifting them up by telling them what they are doing right.
The Apostle Paul was a world-class encourager and he knew first hand how to speak life into those he loved. He knew and lived out “the mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11) and that a “gentle tongue is a tree of life.” Paul knew that encouragement can bring about change and that a fitly spoken word can be a source of great motivation to someone going through the difficulties of life.
We often gloss over the first verses in the Pauline epistles so we can get to the meat of the doctrine and teaching that Paul was giving to the 1st century church. But if we do we can miss what Chip Ingram calls the “untapped resource in the body of Christ.” If you take the time to read the introductory verses of Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy and Titus you will see that in each case Paul is acknowledging his thankfulness for the recipients, the evidence of grace in their lives and that they were in his thoughts and prayers. He calls them saints and beloved of God or he tells them that he thanks God for them and their testimony. In each case he is building them up with the “spoon full of sugar” before he has to give them “the medicine” of doctrine, correction and challenging them to walk worthy of their calling. He earned his voice with them, and because of this they were willing to listen.
I tuned into the radio broadcast this week of “Living on the Edge” with Chip Ingram and he talked about how Paul was a masterful encourager even when he himself was in dire straits. Ingram stated that “we grossly underestimate the awesome power of an affirmative word” and also that “we grossly underestimate how deeply those around us are hurting.” He specifically referenced Paul’s introduction in I Thessalonians and how Paul bestowed a blessing on his fellow believers, told them how much he appreciated them, and gave affirmation by commending them for their testimony for who they are and what they have done for the sake of the Gospel. Ingram said you can see Paul’s love and care for his fellow believers in his choice of words and his gratefulness for their endurance in the faith.
How do we put this into practice with each other? Let people know you are praying for them and care enough to ask them if God has answered that prayer. Tell them that you are glad that God is using them and that you know He will use them. Express your appreciation to your Sunday school teacher for taking the time to prepare his lesson faithfully each week and better yet tell your kids SS teacher, nursery worker or children’s church worker how much you appreciate what they are doing. Tell them you are praying for them and actually follow through. When someone comes to mind and you pray for them, drop them a note or an email and let them know. For me personally that knowledge has made an immeasurable impact on my life, and spurred me on to remain faithful.
Without a doubt believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ need to challenge one another with right living and sound doctrine. The one letter where Paul did not start out with any encouragement is his letter to the church of Galatia because they were in doctrinal error and departing from and adding to the Gospel. But again, Paul had earned his voice with them because he was personally involved in their lives and had built up some “street cred” with them.
Let’s face it; who wants to constantly be around or listen to a negative or critical person? It is no coincidence that the Apostle Paul used the imagery of a noisy gong or clanging cymbal to describe wisdom and correction without love. When we perceive that someone has nothing encouraging or positive to say we quickly tune them out and ignore them. The image I have in my mind is the sound Charles Schultz used to depict teachers and adults in the Charlie Brown stories; all we hear is “Waa wa wha wawawaw”. Let’s face it; as parents and couples it is far too easy to dwell on what our children and spouses do wrong as opposed to what they do right.
It is my fervent desire to speak life into those that I love and look for evidences of grace in my fellow believers. We need to encourage others and remind them that they are loved by Christ, that God is sovereign, that our salvation is secure and that God answers prayer. Our sole motivation to do so is that is how our Savior looks at us on a daily basis, His unlimited compassion and love for us, and the fact that even at His lowest moment dying on the Cross He exhibited that towards those that were responsible for putting Him there. Earn your voice just as Jesus Christ has earned His in your life.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” ~ Colossians 3:12-15
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
So you had a bad day
"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” ~ Luke 6:40
Do you have those mornings where you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed? This morning was one of those for me. The phone rang at 4:58AM waking me up out of a sound sleep and I have been grumpy ever since. My wife is a PRN nurse or a per diem nurse, which means that she often works on a day-to-day basis as a fill in for others who call in sick or have family emergencies. So the phone rang and my morning started wrong, at least from my perspective.
It started out wrong because I was focusing just on how this inconvenienced me. The facility where my wife works schedules the nurses for 12 hour shifts. If you know anything about nursing these shifts rarely end on time. Regulations require charting on each patient, and if you pass meds you need to keep detailed records. So with those factors alone the twelve hours can at times turn into 13 to 14 hours. But all I could think about was me and how this was going to effect me. I would be responsible for deciding what was for dinner and preparing it, finishing the laundry, emptying and loading the dish washer and picking up my kids at the two or three different times they would be let out of school, and then getting to various meetings throughout the day and into the evening. Basically I was tired, grumpy and feeling sorry for myself. Call the waaaambulance.
As I was driving the kids to school the thought dawned on me; did Jesus ever have a bad day? Did He wake up on the wrong side of the bed feeling grumpy or sorry for Himself and say to His Father; sorry God, but you just don’t understand how difficult this task is that you have set before me. You just don’t understand how annoying these disciples are sometimes or how foolish and inconvenient these people are. I am just going to call in sick today and have some “me time.”
Jesus did have bad days; but not in the same way we would classify it, and unlike us He had the perfect reaction and perfect response every time. He always sought to do the will of the Father and not His own, (John 5:30). He was not the cause of bad days like when He saw the empty religion of the Jewish leadership (Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes) or when He saw that the temple worship had been corrupted by those who set up shop to sell “approved” sacrifices, (see John 2). Unlike us He never let His circumstances or the hardship of God’s call interfere with His perfect love for the world or sidetrack Him from completing what His Father had called Him to do.
After pondering these thoughts and ruefully smiling at my lack of following His perfect example this song came on my car radio. It helped snap me out of my pity party.
I WILL LIFT MY EYES
By Bebo Norman
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
Chorus:
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, let mercy sing
her melody over me
and God, right here all I bring
is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
Chorus
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
the Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
so hold me now
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
When I was first married my Pastor preached a sermon on James 1:2 about counting it all joy when you experience trials. He reminded us that it does not say "if" but "when". The point he made that really has stuck with me over the years is this; always keep in mind that there is someone else somewhere going through a trial far greater than what you are experiencing at this very moment. That thought takes the wind out of the sails of many a pity party that I have tried to launch in my own life.
The verse referenced at the top of this post from Luke 6:40 uses the phrase “fully trained” which means being like Jesus in every way. This morning I woke up and realized just how far I have to go. I am so grateful that I have a Savior who took on human form and was tempted in every way, (and probably more than I ever have been or will), yet He did it without sin. That is the example I want to emulate and give my all.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:15-16
Do you have those mornings where you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed? This morning was one of those for me. The phone rang at 4:58AM waking me up out of a sound sleep and I have been grumpy ever since. My wife is a PRN nurse or a per diem nurse, which means that she often works on a day-to-day basis as a fill in for others who call in sick or have family emergencies. So the phone rang and my morning started wrong, at least from my perspective.
It started out wrong because I was focusing just on how this inconvenienced me. The facility where my wife works schedules the nurses for 12 hour shifts. If you know anything about nursing these shifts rarely end on time. Regulations require charting on each patient, and if you pass meds you need to keep detailed records. So with those factors alone the twelve hours can at times turn into 13 to 14 hours. But all I could think about was me and how this was going to effect me. I would be responsible for deciding what was for dinner and preparing it, finishing the laundry, emptying and loading the dish washer and picking up my kids at the two or three different times they would be let out of school, and then getting to various meetings throughout the day and into the evening. Basically I was tired, grumpy and feeling sorry for myself. Call the waaaambulance.
As I was driving the kids to school the thought dawned on me; did Jesus ever have a bad day? Did He wake up on the wrong side of the bed feeling grumpy or sorry for Himself and say to His Father; sorry God, but you just don’t understand how difficult this task is that you have set before me. You just don’t understand how annoying these disciples are sometimes or how foolish and inconvenient these people are. I am just going to call in sick today and have some “me time.”
Jesus did have bad days; but not in the same way we would classify it, and unlike us He had the perfect reaction and perfect response every time. He always sought to do the will of the Father and not His own, (John 5:30). He was not the cause of bad days like when He saw the empty religion of the Jewish leadership (Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes) or when He saw that the temple worship had been corrupted by those who set up shop to sell “approved” sacrifices, (see John 2). Unlike us He never let His circumstances or the hardship of God’s call interfere with His perfect love for the world or sidetrack Him from completing what His Father had called Him to do.
After pondering these thoughts and ruefully smiling at my lack of following His perfect example this song came on my car radio. It helped snap me out of my pity party.
I WILL LIFT MY EYES
By Bebo Norman
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
Chorus:
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, let mercy sing
her melody over me
and God, right here all I bring
is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
Chorus
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
the Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
so hold me now
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
When I was first married my Pastor preached a sermon on James 1:2 about counting it all joy when you experience trials. He reminded us that it does not say "if" but "when". The point he made that really has stuck with me over the years is this; always keep in mind that there is someone else somewhere going through a trial far greater than what you are experiencing at this very moment. That thought takes the wind out of the sails of many a pity party that I have tried to launch in my own life.
The verse referenced at the top of this post from Luke 6:40 uses the phrase “fully trained” which means being like Jesus in every way. This morning I woke up and realized just how far I have to go. I am so grateful that I have a Savior who took on human form and was tempted in every way, (and probably more than I ever have been or will), yet He did it without sin. That is the example I want to emulate and give my all.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:15-16
Monday, April 5, 2010
Confessions of a worldly man
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” ~ I John 2:15
“Worldliness…is a love for this fallen world. It’s loving the values and pursuits of the world that stand opposed to God. More specifically, it is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God. It rejects God’s rule and replaces it with our own.” ~ C.J. Mahaney
I have a confession to make; I struggle with worldliness. For those who know me well this is probably not an “a-ha” moment. But if that was your first reaction maybe like me you need to spend some time reflecting on what the Bible says about worldliness and devote some time on prayerful introspection. Does how you and I define worldliness match up with God’s definition; and more importantly are we so focused on pointing it out in others that we miss it in our own lives?
Calling someone we know or associate with "worldly" is probably one of the most disparaging things we can think to say about a fellow believer. I have often felt that within conservative evangelical and fundamentalist Christian circles we have had a far too narrow definition of “worldliness”. In some cases we define worldliness as any personal preference that someone has that doesn’t match up to how we view Christianity should be lived out. It could be in an individual’s style of dress, choice of entertainment and music. Without a doubt these things can serve as an early warning to an inward drift, but they do not always equate to whether or not we are “right with God.”
All Christians would do well to study the various passages in the Bible dealing with worldliness like I John 2:15-17. It was through these verses and others in I John that I came to the realization that I was not a Christian. I have just started reading C.J.Mahaney’s book “Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World” and he warns that we all have a wrong view of externals. He states; “Some people try to define worldliness as living outside a specific set of rules or conservative standards. If you listen to music with a certain beat, dress in fashionable clothes, watch movies with a certain rating, or indulge in certain luxuries of modern society, surely you must be worldly. Others, irritated and repulsed by rules that seem arbitrary, react to definitions of worldliness, assuming it’s impossible to define. Or they think legalism will inevitably the result, so we shouldn’t even try. Ready for a surprise? Both views are wrong. For by focusing exclusively on externals or dismissing the importance of externals, we’ve missed the point.”
Mahaney focuses on the passage in I John 2:15 and the verses that follow and points out that the Apostle John tells us that worldliness exists in our hearts and the real location or encampment of worldly actions and attitudes is buried deep within the heart of every man. We lull ourselves into a false sense of security thinking that if we look right on the outside, have the right associations and deny ourselves through an almost monastic lifestyle that we are avoiding worldliness. But we forget that even by doing this we all fall well short of the six things God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19.
Who among us can honestly state that we are never prideful and never look down on or disdain others? Are we always truthful? And even if we do not tell boldfaced lies do we have a cruel disposition and conduct character assassination on others by saying negative or untruthful embellishments about them. Do we devise wicked plans; i.e. let the wheels turn in our mind on how we can scheme, plot or plan how to manipulate people to get our way, or do things we know deep within our hearts are rebellious against God and spelled out as sin in God’s Word? And do we spread strife, cause trouble or are we at times outright divisive? A simplistic definition of worldliness is anything and everything that is man-centered thinking that is diametrically opposed and hostile to God and His Word. By God’s definition we all are prone to worldliness and exhibit these tendencies every waking moment of our earthly existence. No one is immune.
I think at times that we forget that rebellion and sin is seeking satisfaction and contentment in anything and everything other than God. For a believer worldliness can be exhibited in seeking the praise of men or taking praise for good things whose source is God. It can be making an idol of a ministry, education, our jobs, our associations, our families, our preferences and our own wisdom. If we deny that we have seeds of worldliness within our own hearts and are more focused on rooting it out of others we do the cause of Christ a great disservice.
In II Timothy 2:10 Paul laments that he has been forsaken or deserted by his co-laborer Demas because he loved this world. Demas left Paul because living out the Gospel became inconvenient and too difficult. Paul doesn’t say that Demas left because he was seeking fortune or entertainment, but because the path grew too much for him to bear. The worldliness that Demas displayed was that he was unwilling to undergo hardship for the cause of Christ and be associated with the cost of Gospel. He was apparently more concerned about using his time and energy to insure his own safety and personal well-being rather than following the example set by Christ, (see Philippians 2:5-9) We are worldly when we refuse to stay true to the Gospel and suffer the consequences of sharing it with others. Any time we seek to fulfill our agenda or equate our wisdom on a par with God we are being worldly.
Mahaney asks these questions; “What dominates your mind and stirs your heart? Is it discontentment with your life? Longing for earthly pleasures? Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness? Or is your prayer life characterized by heartfelt supplications for God’s will to be done and His kingdom come? Do you relate to God as if He exists to further your selfish ambitions or are you convinced that you exist to glorify Him?”
When speaking on I John 2:15-17 John MacArthur states that according to Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven and not of this world. We are not of this world. But he says; "This does not mean that you don't get tempted some times by things in the world, material things, lustful things. It doesn't meant that you're not allured by your own pride and self-interest. That's why the command is here. "Do not love the world." While it is true that we have literally died to the world, it is also true that we can find it still alluring and find ourselves being tempted to draw back into it." All this to say that we are kidding ourselves if we say we are not influenced in some way by the world. We would do well to redouble our efforts to root it out of our own lives before we are so quick to slap a label of worldliness on those around us.
I am worldly because I know within my own heart that every motive, action, thought or attitude is not always aligned with God's Word. Paul talks about this inner struggle that we all face in Romans 7 and he acknowledged that nothing good resided in him, and that he was constantly at war with himself to live out the Gospel. He knew he was a wretched man and that the only solution to this battle was the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not leave us comfortless and without a source of peace. I thank God for His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit to show me the depth of my own need and a means of resisting the seduction of this fallen world.
“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"It is not the inconsistent person who is a hypocrite, it is only the one who thinks his religious life makes him better than anyone else. Hypocrisy trades humility for spiritual arrogance." -- William L. Coleman
“Worldliness…is a love for this fallen world. It’s loving the values and pursuits of the world that stand opposed to God. More specifically, it is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God. It rejects God’s rule and replaces it with our own.” ~ C.J. Mahaney
I have a confession to make; I struggle with worldliness. For those who know me well this is probably not an “a-ha” moment. But if that was your first reaction maybe like me you need to spend some time reflecting on what the Bible says about worldliness and devote some time on prayerful introspection. Does how you and I define worldliness match up with God’s definition; and more importantly are we so focused on pointing it out in others that we miss it in our own lives?
Calling someone we know or associate with "worldly" is probably one of the most disparaging things we can think to say about a fellow believer. I have often felt that within conservative evangelical and fundamentalist Christian circles we have had a far too narrow definition of “worldliness”. In some cases we define worldliness as any personal preference that someone has that doesn’t match up to how we view Christianity should be lived out. It could be in an individual’s style of dress, choice of entertainment and music. Without a doubt these things can serve as an early warning to an inward drift, but they do not always equate to whether or not we are “right with God.”
All Christians would do well to study the various passages in the Bible dealing with worldliness like I John 2:15-17. It was through these verses and others in I John that I came to the realization that I was not a Christian. I have just started reading C.J.Mahaney’s book “Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World” and he warns that we all have a wrong view of externals. He states; “Some people try to define worldliness as living outside a specific set of rules or conservative standards. If you listen to music with a certain beat, dress in fashionable clothes, watch movies with a certain rating, or indulge in certain luxuries of modern society, surely you must be worldly. Others, irritated and repulsed by rules that seem arbitrary, react to definitions of worldliness, assuming it’s impossible to define. Or they think legalism will inevitably the result, so we shouldn’t even try. Ready for a surprise? Both views are wrong. For by focusing exclusively on externals or dismissing the importance of externals, we’ve missed the point.”
Mahaney focuses on the passage in I John 2:15 and the verses that follow and points out that the Apostle John tells us that worldliness exists in our hearts and the real location or encampment of worldly actions and attitudes is buried deep within the heart of every man. We lull ourselves into a false sense of security thinking that if we look right on the outside, have the right associations and deny ourselves through an almost monastic lifestyle that we are avoiding worldliness. But we forget that even by doing this we all fall well short of the six things God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19.
Who among us can honestly state that we are never prideful and never look down on or disdain others? Are we always truthful? And even if we do not tell boldfaced lies do we have a cruel disposition and conduct character assassination on others by saying negative or untruthful embellishments about them. Do we devise wicked plans; i.e. let the wheels turn in our mind on how we can scheme, plot or plan how to manipulate people to get our way, or do things we know deep within our hearts are rebellious against God and spelled out as sin in God’s Word? And do we spread strife, cause trouble or are we at times outright divisive? A simplistic definition of worldliness is anything and everything that is man-centered thinking that is diametrically opposed and hostile to God and His Word. By God’s definition we all are prone to worldliness and exhibit these tendencies every waking moment of our earthly existence. No one is immune.
I think at times that we forget that rebellion and sin is seeking satisfaction and contentment in anything and everything other than God. For a believer worldliness can be exhibited in seeking the praise of men or taking praise for good things whose source is God. It can be making an idol of a ministry, education, our jobs, our associations, our families, our preferences and our own wisdom. If we deny that we have seeds of worldliness within our own hearts and are more focused on rooting it out of others we do the cause of Christ a great disservice.
In II Timothy 2:10 Paul laments that he has been forsaken or deserted by his co-laborer Demas because he loved this world. Demas left Paul because living out the Gospel became inconvenient and too difficult. Paul doesn’t say that Demas left because he was seeking fortune or entertainment, but because the path grew too much for him to bear. The worldliness that Demas displayed was that he was unwilling to undergo hardship for the cause of Christ and be associated with the cost of Gospel. He was apparently more concerned about using his time and energy to insure his own safety and personal well-being rather than following the example set by Christ, (see Philippians 2:5-9) We are worldly when we refuse to stay true to the Gospel and suffer the consequences of sharing it with others. Any time we seek to fulfill our agenda or equate our wisdom on a par with God we are being worldly.
Mahaney asks these questions; “What dominates your mind and stirs your heart? Is it discontentment with your life? Longing for earthly pleasures? Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness? Or is your prayer life characterized by heartfelt supplications for God’s will to be done and His kingdom come? Do you relate to God as if He exists to further your selfish ambitions or are you convinced that you exist to glorify Him?”
When speaking on I John 2:15-17 John MacArthur states that according to Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven and not of this world. We are not of this world. But he says; "This does not mean that you don't get tempted some times by things in the world, material things, lustful things. It doesn't meant that you're not allured by your own pride and self-interest. That's why the command is here. "Do not love the world." While it is true that we have literally died to the world, it is also true that we can find it still alluring and find ourselves being tempted to draw back into it." All this to say that we are kidding ourselves if we say we are not influenced in some way by the world. We would do well to redouble our efforts to root it out of our own lives before we are so quick to slap a label of worldliness on those around us.
I am worldly because I know within my own heart that every motive, action, thought or attitude is not always aligned with God's Word. Paul talks about this inner struggle that we all face in Romans 7 and he acknowledged that nothing good resided in him, and that he was constantly at war with himself to live out the Gospel. He knew he was a wretched man and that the only solution to this battle was the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not leave us comfortless and without a source of peace. I thank God for His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit to show me the depth of my own need and a means of resisting the seduction of this fallen world.
“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"It is not the inconsistent person who is a hypocrite, it is only the one who thinks his religious life makes him better than anyone else. Hypocrisy trades humility for spiritual arrogance." -- William L. Coleman
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Hope renewed
"This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead." ~ John 21:14
When you read the Gospels you get to know the personalities of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. You learn that they were at times impetuous, a little self-righteous, slow to catch on to the purpose of Christ's ministry, lacking understanding of what their Master was trying to teach them, and even their lack of focus. In essence these twelve ordinary men were allot like you and I.
One of the things that we all tend to find a little remarkable is how quickly they seemed to desert Jesus when He needed them most. In Luke 22 when Jesus is praying in the garden they fell asleep rather than pray with Him. He was even betrayed by one of the very men He had invested nearly three years of His life teaching, and who was a witness to Him performing miracles. When Jesus was arrested they scattered and hid. And we are all familiar with the the account of Peter and how he denied Jesus three times.
Journalist Rusty Wright penned an article titled; "Jesus Must Have Risen: Disciples Lives Changed" and in it he states; "After Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, most of the disciples fled in fear. Peter denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus. (The women were braver and stayed to the end.) Yet 10 out of the 11 Disciples (Judas committed suicide) were martyred for their faith. According to traditions, Peter was crucified upside down; Thomas was skewered; John was boiled in oil but survived. What turned these cowards into heroes? Each believed he had seen Jesus alive again."
Wright goes on to talk about the Gospel record which shows that; "For 40 days after his death, many different people said they saw Jesus alive. Witnesses included a woman, a shrewd tax collector, several fishermen and over 500 people at once. These claims provide further eyewitness testimony for the resurrection." Wright also reminds us that; "Paul, a first century skeptic-turned-believer, wrote that "Christ died for our sins... he was buried ... he was raised on the third day ... he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve (disciples). After that, he appeared to more than 500 at the same time, most of whom are still living" (I Corinthians 15: 3-6)." The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed these men and they would never be the same. It gave them a renewed hope and a boldness to proclaim that He was and is the promised Messiah.
A Hope Renewed by Erin Nichols
The tomb was empty,
Who had stolen Him?
All our hopes He did carry,
Why did He let them win?
The angel said; He is not here,
How can the dead rise?
It seems so unclear.
Are my senses telling me lies?
I hear His voice calling softly,
And I see Him standing before me!
Your sin, sweet child of mine,
I took upon that tree.
My death was in God's time,
Your sinful plight His plan did see,
I said in three days I would live,
In that tomb I left your sin,
To death you are no longer captive,
Don't you see that I did win?
Someday you will see me again,
Until that day tell my sheep of my resurrection.
I would encourage you to reach the 20th chapter in John's Gospel and see for yourself the eye witness accounts of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ.
"He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep." ~ John 21:17
When you read the Gospels you get to know the personalities of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. You learn that they were at times impetuous, a little self-righteous, slow to catch on to the purpose of Christ's ministry, lacking understanding of what their Master was trying to teach them, and even their lack of focus. In essence these twelve ordinary men were allot like you and I.
One of the things that we all tend to find a little remarkable is how quickly they seemed to desert Jesus when He needed them most. In Luke 22 when Jesus is praying in the garden they fell asleep rather than pray with Him. He was even betrayed by one of the very men He had invested nearly three years of His life teaching, and who was a witness to Him performing miracles. When Jesus was arrested they scattered and hid. And we are all familiar with the the account of Peter and how he denied Jesus three times.
Journalist Rusty Wright penned an article titled; "Jesus Must Have Risen: Disciples Lives Changed" and in it he states; "After Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, most of the disciples fled in fear. Peter denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus. (The women were braver and stayed to the end.) Yet 10 out of the 11 Disciples (Judas committed suicide) were martyred for their faith. According to traditions, Peter was crucified upside down; Thomas was skewered; John was boiled in oil but survived. What turned these cowards into heroes? Each believed he had seen Jesus alive again."
Wright goes on to talk about the Gospel record which shows that; "For 40 days after his death, many different people said they saw Jesus alive. Witnesses included a woman, a shrewd tax collector, several fishermen and over 500 people at once. These claims provide further eyewitness testimony for the resurrection." Wright also reminds us that; "Paul, a first century skeptic-turned-believer, wrote that "Christ died for our sins... he was buried ... he was raised on the third day ... he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve (disciples). After that, he appeared to more than 500 at the same time, most of whom are still living" (I Corinthians 15: 3-6)." The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed these men and they would never be the same. It gave them a renewed hope and a boldness to proclaim that He was and is the promised Messiah.
A Hope Renewed by Erin Nichols
The tomb was empty,
Who had stolen Him?
All our hopes He did carry,
Why did He let them win?
The angel said; He is not here,
How can the dead rise?
It seems so unclear.
Are my senses telling me lies?
I hear His voice calling softly,
And I see Him standing before me!
Your sin, sweet child of mine,
I took upon that tree.
My death was in God's time,
Your sinful plight His plan did see,
I said in three days I would live,
In that tomb I left your sin,
To death you are no longer captive,
Don't you see that I did win?
Someday you will see me again,
Until that day tell my sheep of my resurrection.
I would encourage you to reach the 20th chapter in John's Gospel and see for yourself the eye witness accounts of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ.
"He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep." ~ John 21:17
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Easter reflections
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:5-11
This passage from the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi are probably some of my favorite verses in the New Testament. I love to ruminate on these verse and marvel at the cost of my salvation. On the eve of our observation of Easter Sunday remembering the bodily resurrection of God's Son, Jesus Christ, I wanted to share a couple of poems by Marsha Lowndes.
THE LAMB OF GOD
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
He came the sinless Son of God
To cleanse our hearts within
He hung upon the blood-stained cross
Thinking of you and me
Dying like some hardened criminal
His body in agony
His blood flowed down from the cross
His body tormented with pain
He cried out to His Heavenly Father
But it seemed no answer came
People stood and jeered at Him
Mocking to the end
Who Jesus was and why He came
They couldn’t comprehend
Their hearts were indifferent to the Lord
Their consciences grew ever cold
His mother watched on - unable to bear it
As the sword pierced through her soul
As you try to grasp this picture
The pain that Christ went through
Remember that day you were on His mind
He endured it all for you
Just so you could know His love
And forgiveness for your sins
To know His resurrection power
And to have His life within
He cares that much about your life
He endured the cross for you
Like those who jeered, or those who loved
With Jesus – what will you do?
© By M.S.Lowndes ~2006
THE RESURRECTION
We hold so close to our hearts
The cross where Jesus died
But so much more than the blood-stained cross
Is that Jesus came back to life
The stone's been rolled away
The tomb lay open and bare
They looked for Him, and then the angel said
That He is no longer here
Oh what joy they must have felt
To see Him just once more
To eat with Him, to drink with Him
To receive Him back as Lord
So much did He accomplish
Through His death upon the cross
And in His rising from the dead
He reconciled us back to God
Nothing else could bridge the gap
That sin had wrenched apart
Now we can freely go to God
And receive Christ in our hearts
© By M.S.Lowndes
"What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." ~ Psalm 8:4-5
This passage from the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi are probably some of my favorite verses in the New Testament. I love to ruminate on these verse and marvel at the cost of my salvation. On the eve of our observation of Easter Sunday remembering the bodily resurrection of God's Son, Jesus Christ, I wanted to share a couple of poems by Marsha Lowndes.
THE LAMB OF GOD
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
He came the sinless Son of God
To cleanse our hearts within
He hung upon the blood-stained cross
Thinking of you and me
Dying like some hardened criminal
His body in agony
His blood flowed down from the cross
His body tormented with pain
He cried out to His Heavenly Father
But it seemed no answer came
People stood and jeered at Him
Mocking to the end
Who Jesus was and why He came
They couldn’t comprehend
Their hearts were indifferent to the Lord
Their consciences grew ever cold
His mother watched on - unable to bear it
As the sword pierced through her soul
As you try to grasp this picture
The pain that Christ went through
Remember that day you were on His mind
He endured it all for you
Just so you could know His love
And forgiveness for your sins
To know His resurrection power
And to have His life within
He cares that much about your life
He endured the cross for you
Like those who jeered, or those who loved
With Jesus – what will you do?
© By M.S.Lowndes ~2006
THE RESURRECTION
We hold so close to our hearts
The cross where Jesus died
But so much more than the blood-stained cross
Is that Jesus came back to life
The stone's been rolled away
The tomb lay open and bare
They looked for Him, and then the angel said
That He is no longer here
Oh what joy they must have felt
To see Him just once more
To eat with Him, to drink with Him
To receive Him back as Lord
So much did He accomplish
Through His death upon the cross
And in His rising from the dead
He reconciled us back to God
Nothing else could bridge the gap
That sin had wrenched apart
Now we can freely go to God
And receive Christ in our hearts
© By M.S.Lowndes
"What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." ~ Psalm 8:4-5
Friday, April 2, 2010
It's just another day
"No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown." ~ William Penn
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, "for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” ~ Matthew 26:26-28
You may not know this but I am in a mixed marriage. Oh, it’s not what you might think; my wife and I are both white Anglo-Saxon Protestants but we come from diverse church backgrounds. I was raised in a Baptist home and both my parents are what you would consider “first generation” Christians; they were the first to accept the Gospel in both families. So my Protestant “heritage” is fairly limited. My wife on the other hand is the daughter of a retired Lutheran minister. Her religious background includes worshiping in Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist churches and she attended a Catholic nursing school where every major milestone was observed with a Mass.
During my pre-teen years I lived in an area that was religiously and ethnically diverse and my family was somewhat of an oddity being the only Baptists in my neighborhood. All of my childhood friends came from a very devout Catholic, Russian Orthodox, Methodist or Greek Orthodox backgrounds. We were all very good friends and our families had a lot of fun together, and spent many hours enjoying each other’s company. My parents maintain some of these lasting friendships even to this day.
I have to admit that growing up I would get a little envious of my Catholic friends especially when they had First Communion. This typically occurs when a child is between the ages of 7 or 8 because it is considered that they have reached the “age of reason” and can understand the significance of partaking in the Lord’s Table. It is considered a very significant and holy event in the life of every Catholic. My jealousy stemmed from the fact that their families would have a party and the kids would receive many gifts from friends, relatives and their parents. As a Protestant we never placed any special significance or acknowledged a child taking communion. While I recognize that the significance of the Lord’s Table or communion is in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross, I cannot help but think that we should place a little more significance on the observation with our children.
The Passion week marks the culmination of the Lenten season within the liturgical churches; e.g. Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican denominations and they will observe various days that serve as a reminder of the various aspects of the last days of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. It starts with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and ends with the Easter Sunday celebration.
As Protestants we all know that Palm Sunday marks Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem found in Luke 19:28-48 and we typically observe this during our Sunday worship services. Most children who attended Sunday school growing up remember receiving a palm frond and hearing the story of Jesus entering the city on an asses colt. But admittedly many main-line Protestants do not observer Maundy Thursday which commemorates what we call “The Last Supper” or Jesus celebrating the Passover with His disciples in the upper room, his prayer in the garden and his betrayal by Judas Iscariot. We also do not hold Good Friday services which are an observance of the actual crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Part of me finds this sad in a way because these were all significant events in the life and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, and it would seem that the Bible reminds us that we need to remember and show our gratitude to God in our worship for what He has done for us in Christ.
I mentioned my wife’s church background and she has shared with me the significance and joy she experienced as a child observing these days and how it led to a deep and worshipful observance of the Easter or Resurrection Sunday. They would have a cross in the church and on Palm Sunday it would be draped with a purple cloth signifying Christ’s triumphal entry and that He is our King. On Maundy Thursday the cross would be draped with red cloth to show Jesus Christ as the Passover lamb. On Good Friday it would be draped with a black cloth to remember His suffering and death on the Cross. And then on Easter it would be draped in white to show that because of His atoning work and that He had paid the penalty for the sins of all who believe, and that through Him we are washed white as snow.
Back in 1988, Singer and song writer Michael Card released an album titled "Present Reality" and he wrote a song called "Know You in the Now". He based this on Philippians 3:10; "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death". The words of the song are poignant reminder to us about how we approach worship.
Just to be clear; I am not advocating "high church" or a need for pomp and ceremony. We are told in John 4:23-24 that we are to worship God "in spirit and in truth" and we need to be on guard against letting our worship drift into an empty, casual or mundane practice. My key point is this; do we view our worship on Easter, communion Sunday or even our worship on every other Sunday throughout the year as just another day? Do we truly come to honor and glorify God and ascribe value to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ? These observations should have meaning and a tremendous significance for every believer and it is my prayer that we all would “raise the level” of our worship to something more meaningful than an empty observance.
“Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified” ~ Oswald Chambers
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, "for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” ~ Matthew 26:26-28
You may not know this but I am in a mixed marriage. Oh, it’s not what you might think; my wife and I are both white Anglo-Saxon Protestants but we come from diverse church backgrounds. I was raised in a Baptist home and both my parents are what you would consider “first generation” Christians; they were the first to accept the Gospel in both families. So my Protestant “heritage” is fairly limited. My wife on the other hand is the daughter of a retired Lutheran minister. Her religious background includes worshiping in Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist churches and she attended a Catholic nursing school where every major milestone was observed with a Mass.
During my pre-teen years I lived in an area that was religiously and ethnically diverse and my family was somewhat of an oddity being the only Baptists in my neighborhood. All of my childhood friends came from a very devout Catholic, Russian Orthodox, Methodist or Greek Orthodox backgrounds. We were all very good friends and our families had a lot of fun together, and spent many hours enjoying each other’s company. My parents maintain some of these lasting friendships even to this day.
I have to admit that growing up I would get a little envious of my Catholic friends especially when they had First Communion. This typically occurs when a child is between the ages of 7 or 8 because it is considered that they have reached the “age of reason” and can understand the significance of partaking in the Lord’s Table. It is considered a very significant and holy event in the life of every Catholic. My jealousy stemmed from the fact that their families would have a party and the kids would receive many gifts from friends, relatives and their parents. As a Protestant we never placed any special significance or acknowledged a child taking communion. While I recognize that the significance of the Lord’s Table or communion is in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross, I cannot help but think that we should place a little more significance on the observation with our children.
The Passion week marks the culmination of the Lenten season within the liturgical churches; e.g. Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican denominations and they will observe various days that serve as a reminder of the various aspects of the last days of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. It starts with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and ends with the Easter Sunday celebration.
As Protestants we all know that Palm Sunday marks Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem found in Luke 19:28-48 and we typically observe this during our Sunday worship services. Most children who attended Sunday school growing up remember receiving a palm frond and hearing the story of Jesus entering the city on an asses colt. But admittedly many main-line Protestants do not observer Maundy Thursday which commemorates what we call “The Last Supper” or Jesus celebrating the Passover with His disciples in the upper room, his prayer in the garden and his betrayal by Judas Iscariot. We also do not hold Good Friday services which are an observance of the actual crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Part of me finds this sad in a way because these were all significant events in the life and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, and it would seem that the Bible reminds us that we need to remember and show our gratitude to God in our worship for what He has done for us in Christ.
I mentioned my wife’s church background and she has shared with me the significance and joy she experienced as a child observing these days and how it led to a deep and worshipful observance of the Easter or Resurrection Sunday. They would have a cross in the church and on Palm Sunday it would be draped with a purple cloth signifying Christ’s triumphal entry and that He is our King. On Maundy Thursday the cross would be draped with red cloth to show Jesus Christ as the Passover lamb. On Good Friday it would be draped with a black cloth to remember His suffering and death on the Cross. And then on Easter it would be draped in white to show that because of His atoning work and that He had paid the penalty for the sins of all who believe, and that through Him we are washed white as snow.
Back in 1988, Singer and song writer Michael Card released an album titled "Present Reality" and he wrote a song called "Know You in the Now". He based this on Philippians 3:10; "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death". The words of the song are poignant reminder to us about how we approach worship.
Echo of history
A light so many strain to see
The One we talk so much about
But rarely ever live it out
Could You tell me why
Was it for this You came and died
A once a week observance
When we coldly mouth Your words
Lord I long to see
Your presence in reality
But I don't know how
Let me know You in the now
We should confess
We lose You in our busyness
We've made You in our image
So our faith's idolatry
Lord, deliver me
Break my heart so I can see
All the ways You dwell in us
That You're alive in me
Lord I long to see
Your presence in reality
But I don't know how
Let me know You in the now
Just to be clear; I am not advocating "high church" or a need for pomp and ceremony. We are told in John 4:23-24 that we are to worship God "in spirit and in truth" and we need to be on guard against letting our worship drift into an empty, casual or mundane practice. My key point is this; do we view our worship on Easter, communion Sunday or even our worship on every other Sunday throughout the year as just another day? Do we truly come to honor and glorify God and ascribe value to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ? These observations should have meaning and a tremendous significance for every believer and it is my prayer that we all would “raise the level” of our worship to something more meaningful than an empty observance.
“Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified” ~ Oswald Chambers
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A new song
“And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back--it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” ~ Mark 16:4-6
One of my favorite hymn writers is Robert Lowry who wrote the words and music for many well known Gospel hymns. When I was a pre-teen my father was the choir director and song leader at our church, and we would periodically have a “Singspiration” during our evening service. In Protestant circles a singspiration is when the entire service is simply singing hymns and choruses as a means of worshipping God and praising Him in music and song. My dad would devote a portion of the service to audience participation and would tell the congregation to raise their hands if they had a favorite that they wanted to sing. I would always shoot up my hand and ask if we could sing hymn number 311; a Robert Lowry hymn titled “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”.
Robert Lowry was an American professor of literature, a composer of hymns and gospel songs. He did become well known as a brilliant preacher, and while he did love music and hymnology, he always viewed it as an avocation or hobby. He was a pastor of churches in Brooklyn, West Chester, PA and New Jersey. He also served as the president of the New Jersey Baptist Sunday School Union from 1880 to 1886.
Lowry composed and wrote over 500 gospel songs and hymns, but is probably better know for collaborating with the great hymn writer Fanny Crosby on the song “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” Wikipedia states that; “Despite his success as a hymn writer, it was as a preacher that Lowry would have preferred to be recognized. He once stated: "Music, with me has been a side issue... I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer." But, however, it is as a hymn writer that he remains renowned.” For more info on Lowry I would suggest Kenneth W. Osbeck’s “101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns".
A favorite Easter composition and hymn about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is his song known today as “Christ Arose”. Lowry based it on Mark 16 when Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James came to the garden tomb to anoint the body of Christ. They came and found the stone rolled away and an angel telling them that Jesus Christ had risen!
Christ Arose (Low in the gave He lay)
Robert Lowry 1826-1899
Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
Death cannot keep its Prey,
Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
If you have not noticed yet, I love music. But most of all I love music that has lyrics rich with Gospel truths about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through the mercy and grace that God has shown me through His Son, Jesus Christ I can echo the words of David in Psalm 40:3; “…he has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”
"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” ~ Matthew 28:6
One of my favorite hymn writers is Robert Lowry who wrote the words and music for many well known Gospel hymns. When I was a pre-teen my father was the choir director and song leader at our church, and we would periodically have a “Singspiration” during our evening service. In Protestant circles a singspiration is when the entire service is simply singing hymns and choruses as a means of worshipping God and praising Him in music and song. My dad would devote a portion of the service to audience participation and would tell the congregation to raise their hands if they had a favorite that they wanted to sing. I would always shoot up my hand and ask if we could sing hymn number 311; a Robert Lowry hymn titled “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”.
Robert Lowry was an American professor of literature, a composer of hymns and gospel songs. He did become well known as a brilliant preacher, and while he did love music and hymnology, he always viewed it as an avocation or hobby. He was a pastor of churches in Brooklyn, West Chester, PA and New Jersey. He also served as the president of the New Jersey Baptist Sunday School Union from 1880 to 1886.
Lowry composed and wrote over 500 gospel songs and hymns, but is probably better know for collaborating with the great hymn writer Fanny Crosby on the song “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” Wikipedia states that; “Despite his success as a hymn writer, it was as a preacher that Lowry would have preferred to be recognized. He once stated: "Music, with me has been a side issue... I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer." But, however, it is as a hymn writer that he remains renowned.” For more info on Lowry I would suggest Kenneth W. Osbeck’s “101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns".
A favorite Easter composition and hymn about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is his song known today as “Christ Arose”. Lowry based it on Mark 16 when Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James came to the garden tomb to anoint the body of Christ. They came and found the stone rolled away and an angel telling them that Jesus Christ had risen!
Christ Arose (Low in the gave He lay)
Robert Lowry 1826-1899
Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
Death cannot keep its Prey,
Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
If you have not noticed yet, I love music. But most of all I love music that has lyrics rich with Gospel truths about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through the mercy and grace that God has shown me through His Son, Jesus Christ I can echo the words of David in Psalm 40:3; “…he has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”
"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” ~ Matthew 28:6
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