May Jesus Christ Be Praised

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My husband is a champion sleeper. He can doze off almost any time in any place. In the words of famous television detective, Monk, “it’s a blessing, and a curse.”

            I, on the other hand, have an ongoing battle with sleep. Some nights it comes easily to me. Some nights, despite my exhaustion, sleep evades me. My mind rolls over the cares of the day, unfinished tasks and creative ideas that could wait until morning — but won’t. I often crawl back out of bed to write things down or wrap up loose ends.

            There are other sleepless nights that I believe are God-ordained. What’s on my mind are people; people with physical, financial and spiritual needs. I begin to pray.

A prayer warrior, I am not. I seldom pause during the day to stop and have a nice, long chat with my Heavenly Father. So our nighttime conversations, when the house is quiet and all the distractions are silenced, are a haven. I pray for family and friends. I pray for our church and pastor. I pray for our nation and its leaders. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ living with the realities of harsh persecution and the dire lack of essential needs.

And I praise God. I praise Him for offering His Son, Jesus, as a sin sacrifice. I praise Him for His ongoing care and provision; a roof over my head, clothes on my back and daily bread (plus so much more). I praise Him for adopting me as His own child and preparing a place for me to live with Him for all eternity. With that praise comes a peace that allows me to drift off to sleep.

I’m not a morning person, so I seldom wake up giving praises to Jesus “as morning gilds the skies,” as this beautiful hymn suggests in its opening lines. Instead, I find myself clinging to these words from a later stanza:

When sleep her balm denies, My silent spirit sighs; May Jesus Christ be praised;

When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast: May Jesus Christ be praised.

Morning, evening, throughout the day — all are the best time to praise our Savior. As the King James Version puts it in Psalm 22:3, God “inhabits the praise” of His people. It invites Him to dwell among us. It brings Him the glory He is due.  In this act of gratitude, we find ourselves blessed, encouraged and filled with the joy of the Lord.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering and come before Him;
Worship the Lord in holy array.  (1 Chronicles 16:28-29)

One Clear Midnight

In many churches, Advent observances are underway. Congregants are being reminded of the events leading up to Christ’s birth, events which fulfilled Old Testament prophecies pointing God’s people to the promised Messiah.

But most people of Jesus’ day missed the signs. Oh, there were a handful that came to worship Him as He lay in a humble cattle stall; the shepherds who heard the angels’ proclamation. There were a few who honored Him as King of Kings; wise men who followed a star to bring Him costly gifts. And, of course, Mary and Joseph knew His true lineage.

But most people who encountered Jesus rejected Him. They did not believe He was the Messiah. They did not follow and worship Him. They did not recognize Christ as the One God sent to offer the ultimate sin sacrifice for all time.

Things haven’t changed. Now, as then, most people who encounter Jesus reject Him. They sing the carols and mark the celebration of His birth with empty traditions but they fail to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. This should not come as a surprise. The Bible makes it clear in Matthew 7:13-14 that we must

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Jesus did not preach an inclusive gospel. His love called people out of the darkness of their sinful ways, their pursuit of other gods, into the light of one key truth, simply stated in John 14:6:

“I [Jesus] am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”

Emmanuel became flesh and dwelt among us for one purpose; to become our salvation for this life and all of eternity. If you’re hope is not securely grounded by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to God’s glory alone, you are on that narrow path that leads to destruction. Seek God earnestly through prayer (just talking to God) and reading the Bible (ask God to help you understand it). He promises this in Jeremiah 29:13.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

The prophecies surrounding Christ’s birth have been fulfilled. But the prophecies pointing to Christ’s return are still being fulfilled in our day. Most don’t know or believe the signs. Even if they recognize them, many don’t take them seriously. But one day Christ will come back; not as a humble baby but as a conquering King. He will gather up His children, those who pursued the narrow way to life, and take them to their eternal home where peace and joy will reign forevermore.

For lo the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold,

When with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing.

                                    It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

                                    Edmund Sears

Bring Them In

As a child, I always looked forward to missionaries visiting our little country church. They brought glimpses of the world to our doorstep and stories of the marvelous things God was doing around the globe, often in remote places.

When our pastor introduced a missionary on Sunday morning, I could hardly wait for the Sunday evening service. The missionary would be back with slides from their field; a tropical jungle, an intriguing Alaskan village, or an urban locale and the faces of the people who lived there. There would be stories; about people receiving medical care, children getting an education, or churches being planted and lives being transformed by God as the missionary became the hands that served and the feet that brought Good News. And there would be a table in the foyer; with unusual musical instruments, traditional clothing or works of art to help us understand the unique ways of each culture.

Then we’d sing the songs we always sang when the missionaries came: Send the Light, Bringing in the Sheeves, and We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations. It instilled in me an early understanding that we are blessed to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:1-3) and we have a God-given assignment to “go into all the world and preach the preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15).

There was a time I thought God would open the door for me to be a full-time missionary, but He took my life a different direction. Still, my desire to see God’s Word reach the remotest parts of the world lives on. My respect and admiration for those who give up life’s conveniences and comforts to serve in strange, new places is unending. I pray God will protect and strengthen His people wherever they may be working as His ambassadors to a lost world. And I pray their work, whatever it is, will be fruitful.

Out in the desert hear their cry, Out on the mountains wild and high;

Hark! ‘tis the Master speaks to thee, “Go find my sheep where-e’er they be.”

Bring them in, bring them in, Bring them in from the fields of sin;

Bring them in, bring them in, Bring the wand’ring ones to Jesus.

  • Bring Them In, Alexcenah Thomas

A Prayer for Strength

When this hymn was first translated from Welsh to English, the translator aptly titled it “A Prayer for Strength.” This beautiful hymn written by William Williams, which we now know as “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” is indeed a prayer for strength to face our journey through this life.

The imagery is largely taken from the Israelites’ miraculous deliverance from Egypt to the Promised Land, a journey that involved 40 years of wandering through barren lands where they were wholly dependent on God for their daily bread and water. When the day finally came to cross the Jordan River, God delivered them safely to Canaan — as He promised He would.

We all face different challenges as we wander through our individual deserts. No two journeys are the same. Yet, we are on the road together, facing setbacks and hurdling obstacles, sometimes succumbing to sin and other times overcoming it, as we travel through life.

Along the way, God intends for us to rely on Him, our great Jehovah, to provide all our needs; spiritual, emotional and physical. We look to God for daily guidance, daily strength, because we are weak and needy people. Each breath we take is evidence that God is sustaining us.

“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isaiah 40:29)

God’s provision often comes through His people, fellow pilgrims who support us along the way. We need each other! While no one has walked our specific path, others have walked parallel paths. Others have overcome. From a place of victory, they can offer us words of hope and encouragement, bind up our spiritual, physical and emotional wounds, and help provide our pressing needs.

“Therefore, encourage and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

The day is coming when we will each stand on the brink of death. For those who have their hope wholly in Christ, who understand they can enter God’s kingdom based only on the faith and reliance on God’s grace and Christ’s sin sacrifice on the cross, a peaceful eternity in the presence of our Savior is waiting. God will welcome us to our forever home.

“But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”  (2 Peter 3:13)

For those apart from Christ, eternal judgement waits.

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

Is your hope for salvation in Christ alone? As long as the Lord sustains you, as long as you draw breath, you can come to Him with a repentant heart, and surrender to Him as your Savior and Lord, and He will rescue you, in His mercy, from eternal judgement (1 John 1:9). You can join the pilgrim journey to God’s eternal peace.

Jesus is the Joy of Living

When I sang this hymn as a child, the full meaning of the lyrics escaped me. I liked it because it was upbeat. I liked it because the adults around me smiled as they sang it. I mean, how do you sing a song about being joyful with a frown on your face?

I’ve been following Christ for many years now (we won’t talk about how many). As I’ve matured in Christ, the full impact of these words written by A.H. Ackley have found their way into my soul’s reality:

Jesus is the Joy of Living, He’s the King of Life to me;

Unto Him my all I’m giving, His forevermore to be.

I will do what He commands me, where He leads me I will go;

Jesus is the Joy of Living, He’s the dearest Friend I know.

Since He gave me new life and became my King, God has been working diligently to drive out the cheap substitutes for true joy that tempt me on a daily basis; good food, time with people I love, a comfortable life, opportunities to travel. None of those are bad things, in and of themselves, but sometimes I turn to them in search of the joy and contentment only Jesus can give.

When I’m following my Savior more closely, I can see how foolish I am to look for contentment in temporal things. But sometimes I allow myself to wander far away and be deceived into believing these good gifts from the Father are enough. You know what? They all end up disappointing me! The flavors of a good meal are fleeting. Family and friends, in their imperfection, fail me (just as I fail them). The comforts of life are easily disrupted by pain and sorrow. The thrill of the adventure ends when the vacation is over.

The one constant I carry from day to day is this truth: Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). When I keep my eyes on my King of Life, I have deep-seated joy even when my world is crumbling around me. When I give Him my all — obeying His commands, following His lead, surrendering to His will — unshakable joy fills my soul to overflowing.

Jesus is the one thing that gives this life purpose. The joy we can know now, by serving the King of Kings, is only a tiny foretaste of the joys stored up for us in heaven. Imagine being in God’s presence, finally perfected, finally freed from the things that distract us from total devotion to our Savior. What a day that will be! — but that’s another hymn for another day.

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

(1 Peter 1:8)

I Know Whom I Have Believed

There’s a “peace that passes all understanding” that comes with knowing who God is. When, by faith, we are confident in God’s unchanging character, we can rest; rest in His unchanging nature, rest in His sovereign power, rest in His eternal promises.

I can almost hear Paul telling Timothy, with unwavering confidence and conviction, “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) These words come as Paul is facing certain death for boldly preaching the gospel message. He isn’t cowering in fear. Paul is standing securely on God’s promise to usher him safely into the presence of His Savior, for whom he lived — and must also die.

As Paul passes the torch this young man who is like a son to him, he reminds Timothy to stand firm, no matter what. Stand firm through the trials and hardship. Stand firm as long as God gives him breath. Stand firmly on God’s Word; the trustworthy and true, active and living, imperishable word of God that holds the keys to an abundant temporal life and a glorious eternal life in God’s presence.

Daniel W. Whittle drew on this verse to write his hymn staunchly declaring his confidence and conviction in a voice that echoes Paul’s, a hymn meant to bolster believers as they walk life’s path. Why God would choose any of us to be His children, His friends and His heirs is a great mystery. None of us are worthy of His love, His grace, His mercy or His kindness. We all deserve His wrath, His judgement, His holy rejection. Still, through Christ’s work on the cross, He extended to us what none of us could earn for ourselves – and opportunity to stand before Him, forgiven and purified through the blood of His perfect Son if only we will repent of our sins, seek God’s forgiveness and walk with Him by faith.

There are still many unknowns in this life. But if we are in Christ, we can rest in Him. We can declare our confidence in God’s unwavering character and know, without a doubt, He will preserve our spiritual investments until we meet Him face to face. We can find to peace to distill our fears when we face fiery trials in this life because we are confident in the One we have believed.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6)

Come, Ye Thankful People Come

Before we put up the tree and start singing Christmas carols, I’d like to pause and give an extra day to Thanksgiving. In the flurry of putting on a meal yesterday, I never gave myself time to pause and focus on all the things I’m grateful for – and they are many.

God has been so good to us. We have everything we need – and far more. I am grateful for the simple things; the ability to work, a warm roof over our heads, comfortable clothes to wear, good food to eat and fresh water to drink.

My mind goes to those devastated by the floods in Tennessee and North Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene – people who lost everything: people they loved, pets they treasured, homes, cars, livelihoods, land, family heirlooms, photos, personal possessions, and the basic essentials of life – food, water, clothing and shelter. And yet, even in their dire circumstances, many of them are grateful. They are grateful for God’s provision through the generosity and kindness of others. (The needs are still great so please help if you can!)

When Henry Alford wrote “Come, Ye Thankful People Come” in 1844, prior to the industrial revolution with the introduction of farm machinery and steam engines, people in local communities worked together to bring in the harvest. They would gather as a work team and move from farm to farm, bringing in each family’s crops before moving on. It was the only way to guarantee everything was brought in from the fields before it was damaged by the weather.

Because most of us buy our food at the grocery store, rather than raising it on our own acreage, we’ve lost some of the meaning captured in this hymn; the invitation to come and help each other bring in the harvest, the understanding of the work involved in planting, caring for and preserving crops, and the urgency of the task. Neglecting summer’s work meant hunger, or even starvation, in the long winter months.

This hymn reflects Jesus’ conversation with His disciples in Mark 4:35-36:

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

This parallel to what was once every-day life is a beautiful reminder of the task God has set before us. We have urgent work to do! God has called us to sow spiritual seeds, nurture them and help harvest souls. It’s a community effort. Sometimes we sow, sometimes we nurture and sometimes we gather in the souls. Together we are laying up eternal treasures, people saved by faith in God’s measureless grace.

If you haven’t already, I hope you will take time to count your many blessings. I hope you will prayerfully consider how you can be a blessing to others. And I pray you will take the opportunities God gives you to be part of eternal harvest so you may rejoice with others in heaven.

Even so, Lord quickly come,

Bring Thy final harvest home;

Gather thou Thy people in,

Free from sorrow, free from sin.

There, forever purify,

In Thy presence to abide;

Come, with all Thine angels, come,

Raise the glorious harvest home.

                              Come, Ye Thankful People Come

                              By Henry Alford

It is Well With My Soul

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight.”

The words keep running through my head. Each time they do, I’m reminded this world is just a brief stop on the way to eternity.

As the world continues to spiral toward profound ungodliness – and its ultimate demise – I continue watching for Christ’s return with anticipation. Things will get ugly toward the end. According to Christ’s words to His disciples about the “end of the age,” we’re just beginning to feel the birth pangs.

Natural disasters are escalating. War is raging in the Middle East, and there’s talk of growing conflict throughout the world. More and more false teachers are popping up and people are blindly following them. Heresy is even becoming widespread, even within the church. And as the church is declining, worldwide persecution is escalating.

Sometimes it makes me fearful. Not so much for me – my life is already more than half over – but for my children and grandchildren. What will their world be like? Will they continue growing in their faith and endure to the end? Will they still be “running the race with endurance” when Christ either calls them home or returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

When my questions and concerns disturb the peace that passes all understanding, God reminds me I have nothing to worry about. God has everything under His sovereign control. He is accomplishing the purposes on earth that were laid out in the heavens before time began. He loves my children and grandchildren far more than I ever could, and He appointed their days before even one of them came to pass, too.

So, I pray. I pray those who outlive me will continue pursuing God, even when they face opposition from a wicked world. I pray they’ll be able to discern God’s truths from false teachings. I pray they will know the peace of God that passes all understanding even when chaos breaks out around them.

The words of this great hymn offer us strength to face today’s trials and hope for our final delivery from them. When I consider what lies ahead, who is waiting for me (for all who love Him), I can carry on even though I’m tired and long for Christ’s return. It is well with my soul because my God is sovereign over all. It is well with my soul because I can trust God to strengthen me for whatever comes my way. It is well with my soul because my life will soon dissipate like a vapor, these light momentary trials will end, and I will stand face to face with my Savior.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us.”  -Hebrews 6:19-20a

I Must Have Jesus

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True confession: When something goes wrong, my first thought is very seldom, “I must tell Jesus.” I’m inclined to track down my husband, because I must tell him. Or pick up the phone (what old people do instead of texting) and tell my girlfriend. Or, if no two-legged listener is available, explain it all to the cat.

I mean, I do eventually get around to talking it over with Jesus. In the meantime, He’s sittin’ up there in heaven wondering when I’m going to get around to discussing my problem with Him. Why do I take my cares and sorrows to my Savior as a last resort?

Okay, another true confession: It could have something to do with an unhealthy level of pride and independence. Though I treasure the wisdom of key people in my life, I’m not necessarily looking for advice or help, something my husband has learned over the past 25 years. I’ve got this! I just want to “vent,” – ergo the one-sided diatribes with the feline.

It’s nice to have a flesh and blood sounding board, right? And there’s nothing wrong with that. We are commanded to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2); to “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15); and to “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). God intentionally gave us other people to journey through life with.

Still, God wants us to come to Him first. He wants us to discuss it with Him before we take it to an earthly being. Other people can listen and offer their insights, their comforting words, or their timely advice. But God alone has the power to bring divine light to our troubles. Only Jesus has the power to give rest to our souls. Only the indwelling Spirit can direct us along God’s path and apply God’s Word to our hearts and minds. Only our faith in our Heavenly Father can protect us from Satan’s fiery darts.

               The bottom line? I must tell Jesus. Not last – first! Jesus is my Lord. He deserves preeminence in my life. He is worthy of my honor and trust.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

When I bypass my Creator, my ongoing source of life, I cut myself off from the one who loves me the most, understands me the best, and can see the things no human can see. Since I am a child of this omniscient, omnipotent King of kings, there’s no rational reason not to sit at His feet and tell Him all about it.

I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 

– Psalm 116:1-2

Maybe this isn’t a struggle for you. You already take your cares to God first. But if you share my tendency to talk to everyone else first, let’s ask God to help us cultivate the heart of this songwriter:

“I must tell Jesus, all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.”

(I Must Have Jesus, Elisha Hoffman)

Like a River Glorious

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Some days I sense God calling me away to a peaceful place. A place without internet service, cellphone signal or traffic noise. A place with minimal human activity. A place where I can focus on the Word, and prayer, and writing – without distractions. One advantage of living in the boondocks is that such places are readily accessible.

A root beer-toned river twists its way around a low island dotted with sneezeweed, goldenrod, fleabane and wild asters. It gurgles as it rushes downhill, stumbling over rocks and bumping haphazardly into a downed tree before going on its merry way. The river’s voice settles my soul as it carries my cares away.

“Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace.”

Have you ever been in a situation where you discovered, by necessity, God’s perfect peace? Several years ago my cousin and his son were helping us remodel our house. They were truly God’s gift to us! Ben and I were coming home with a load of lumber when the trailer started swaying. At first, I wasn’t overly concerned. But when the trailer started pulling the truck all over the road, in traffic, I knew we were in trouble.

I should have panicked. I should have been terrified. Instead, an inexplicable, supernatural peace washed over me. Ben was doing everything in his power to get the situation under control. I remember putting my hand on his shoulder and saying, “You’re doing a great job!” Where did that come from? The only possible answer is the Sunday School answer: Jesus.

“Over all victorious in its bright increase.”

In the end, we did a 180 across both lanes of traffic and came to rest on the shoulder – unharmed. Praise God, no one else was harmed either. Surely, God’s angels were encamped around us! Kind drivers stopped and helped us pick up the lumber strewn across the road and we were on our way again, at a slower pace.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever. For in Yahweh, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)

I lose sight of this promise, at times. My mind is on everything but my Peace-Giver. I’m preoccupied with finances and work and household duties and family. I hit the floor running in the morning without pausing to meditate on God and His marvelous works, without committing my daily concerns to my Lord. When I get frazzled and fretful, God reminds my I have neglected the One who gives perfect peace.

“Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day. Perfect, yet it growth deeper all the way.”

God’s peace is always perfect. It’s never lacking. But the more we put our trust in it, the more we experience it, the deeper and fuller it seems, like a river growing and deepening as it makes its way to the sea.

Whatever has you unsettled today, whatever is eating at you, whatever has you distracted or preoccupied, I pray you will rest in these words from Psalm 46:10;

“Cease striving and know that I am God.”

When you struggle, refocus on the only One who can bring you rest.

“Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”