Monthly Archives: Jan 2024

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

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Today’s hymn comes from Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959). Newly married and setting up house with his young bride, Haldor Lillenas wondered how he was going to provide for his family after barely pulling together enough money to finish building their home. When a neighbor offered a dusty organ Haldor eagerly it and set about composing. As he settled into family life, he wrote many songs on that first, imperfect instrument. One of the early compositions Haldor wrote on that five-dollar organ was “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”. He wrote over 4,000 hymns in his lifetime and he went on to found his own music publishing company1. Enjoy this one!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
greater than all my sin;
how shall my tongue describe it,
where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
setting my spirit free,
for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain:
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
deeper than the mighty rolling sea, 
higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
all sufficient grace for even me;
broader than the scope of my transgressions, sing it!
greater far than all my sin and shame.
O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise his name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
reaching to all the lost,
by it I have been pardoned,
saved to the uttermost.
Chains have been torn asunder,
giving me liberty,
for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me. [Refrain]

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
reaching the most reviled,
by its transforming power
making me God’s dear child,
purchasing peace and heaven
for all eternity,
for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me. [Refrain]

1shereadstruth.com/wonderful-grace-of-jesus/

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I’m Not Ashamed To Own My Lord

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Today’s hymn is by Isaac Watts and tells of the one who is unashamed to be known as a follower of Christ. This hymn first appeared in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. I hope these words can be your own today; enjoy!

I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend His cause;
Maintain the honor of His Word,
The glory of His cross.

Jesus, my God! I know His name,
His name is all my trust;
Nor will He put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.

Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.

Then will He own my worthless name
Before His Father’s face,
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.

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O, The Bitter Shame and Sorrow

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Today’s hymn comes from Théodore Monod (1836-1921), who was the the son of a pastor in the French Reformed Church and later himself became a pastor in a Presbyterian church in America before returning to a French Reformed Church in Paris. I enjoyed reading this one as it details the journey of sanctification; I hope you can also resonate with it. Enjoy!

O, the bitter shame and sorrow,
That a time could ever be
When I let the Savior’s pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered,
“All of self, and none of Thee!”1

Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th’ accursèd tree,
Heard Him pray, “Forgive them, Father!”
And my wistful heart said faintly—
“Some of self, and some of Thee!”

Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and, ah! so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee!”

Higher than the highest heavens,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered:
Grant me now my supplication—
“None of self, and all of Thee!”

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More Love to Thee, O Christ!

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Elizabeth Payson Prentiss (1818-1878) was the fifth child of Congregationalist minister, Edward Payson. She began writing stories and poems, and contributed her works to “The youth’s companion”, a New England religious periodical. In 1838 she opened a small girls’ school in her home and took up a Sabbath-school class as well. Two years later, she moved to Richmond, VA, to be a department head at a girls’ boarding school. After a happy period in life, by 1852 she had lost two of her three children, one as a newborn, one at age four. However, she went on to have three more healthy children, despite her poor health. In 1856 she penned her hymn lyrics after she nearly lost her daughter, Minnie, to an illness. I hope after your trials in life, you can still say with Elizabeth “More Love to Thee, O Christ!”. Enjoy!

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee!
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, come grief or pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me, “More love, O Christ, to Thee!
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!”

Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise,
This still its prayer shall be, “More love, O Christ to Thee!
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!”

1https://hymnary.org/person/Prentiss_Elizabeth

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Hope Beyond The Grave

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Today’s hymn comes from loved hymn writer John Newton. May these words be your hope today too; enjoy!

My soul, this curious house of clay,
Thy present frail abode,
Must quickly fall to worms a prey,
And thou return to God.

Canst thou, by faith, survey with joy,
The change before it come,
And say, “Let Death this house destroy,
I have a heavenly home?

“The Saviour, whom I then shall see,
With new admiring eyes,
Already has prepared for me
A mansion in the skies.

“I feel this mud-walled cottage shake,
And long to see it fall;
That I my willing flight may take
To him who is my All.

“Burdened and groaning then no more,
My rescued soul shall sing,
As up the shining path I soar,
‘Death, thou hast lost thy sting.’”

Dear Saviour, help us now to seek,
And grant thy Spirit’s power;
That we may all this language speak,
Before the dying hour

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Jesus, With Your Church Abide

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Today’s song is from my favourite group, Emu Music. This prayer is one for God’s church to remain steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord. I hope you enjoy this and mediate on these words before we gather with God’s people tomorrow; enjoy!

Jesus, with your church abide
Be our Saviour, Lord, and guide
While on earth our faith is tried
Lord, our Saviour, hear us

May our lamp of truth be bright
May we raise on high its light
Through the realms of darkest night
Lord, our Saviour, hear us

Refrain
We praise you for your mercy and grace
You go with us to the end of the age
We hold on to your unfailing love
‘Til the fullness of your kingdom comes

May we serve the poor and blind,
Seek the lost so they may find
And the brokenhearted bind
Lord, our Saviour, hear us

May your victory over death 
Be the hope that we profess
All our failures we confess
Lord, our Saviour, hear us

Keep us while we wait below
Safely, till you call us home
When we gather ‘round your throne 
Lord, our Saviour, hear us

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Holy Spirit, Light Divine

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Today’s another hymn directed to the Holy Spirit from Andrew Reed. Andrew Reed (1787 – 1862) was an English Congregational minister and hymnwriter, who became a prominent philanthropist and social reformer1. Enjoy this version from Wes Reagan!

Holy Spirit, light divine,
shine upon this heart of mine;
chase the gloom of night away,
turn the darkness into day.

Holy Spirit, love divine,
cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
in your mercy pity me,
from sin’s bondage set me free.

Holy Spirit, joy divine,
cheer this saddened heart of mine;
fill me with your heav’nly peace,
let it grow and still increase.

Holy Spirit, pow’r divine,
dwell within this heart of mine;
cast down ev’ry idol throne,
reign supreme and reign alone.

Holy Spirit, fill my heart,
cleanse my life in ev’ry part;
your own temple I would be
now and for eternity.

1wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Reed_(minister)

O Spirit Come

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Today’s song is from Joyful Noise and is a song directed to the Holy Spirit. I hope these words are request also today; enjoy!

O Spirit come, our hearts renew
Our weary souls were made for You
Mend broken lives and painful scars
Pour out Your healing life in ours
O living Stream revive our souls!
O gentle Dove come make us whole!
O Spirit fill our lives anew
So we are led by You

O Spirit come, loose chains of sin
Renew Your power and life within
Gift of our Saviour flower in us
Your gifts of grace and fruit of love
O blazing Fire refine our hearts
O rushing Wind direct our paths
O Spirit fill our lives anew
So we are led by You

O Spirit come to recreate
The broken world You love and made
Push back the darkness, shine Your light
Lead dying souls to life in Christ
O Mighty God empower Your church
To speak of Christ throughout the earth
O Spirit fill our lives anew
So we are led by You

Come Holy Spirit
Renew Your life and power
Come Holy Spirit
Lord, how we need You!

O Mighty God empower Your church
To speak of Christ throughout the earth
O Spirit fill our lives anew
So we are led by You

O Spirit fill our lives anew
So we are led by You

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My Saviour’s Love Is Greater Still

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Today’s song comes from a couple called Abe & Liza, who write songs from Scripture. This lovely song is saturated with truth from God’s word including Romans 8, Philippians 3, 1 John 3, Revelation 7, and many more. They have described this song as an adult version of the children’s song “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”1. Enjoy!

My righteousness is not my own
In Christ I stand before the throne
And if my heart with guilt is filled
My Saviour’s love is greater still

Though I deserve the wrath of God  
He washed me in the Saviour’s blood
How great my sins that He was killed
My Saviour’s love is greater still

O how great, how deep and wide
Is the love of Jesus Christ

Riches and honour I disdain
For all this passing world is vain
If earthly dreams were all fulfilled
My Saviour’s love is greater still

Through many trials I must go
Until He brings me safely home
The cup of sorrows may be filled
My Saviour’s love is greater still

O how great, how deep and wide
Is the love of Jesus Christ

And when I walk on streets of gold
What wonders will my eyes behold
Through endless glory, come what will
My Saviour’s love is greater still

O how great, how deep and wide
Is the love of Jesus Christ

My righteousness is not my own
In Christ I stand before the throne
And if my heart with guilt is filled
My Saviour’s love is greater still

1songsfromscripture.com/my-saviors-love-is-greater-still

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O God of Love, Forever Blest

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Today’s song was originally by Isaac Watts based of Psalm 120. Cardiphonia and Bruce Benedict have done a lovely retune of this hymn below. Enjoy!

O God of love, forever blest,
pity my suffering state.
When will you set my soul at rest
from lips that love deceit?

Refrain:
Too long my soul (has made its home)
with those who lift the sword.
I am for peace; (but when I speak),
they make for war.

I cried in trouble to the Lord,
and he has answered me.
From lying lips and crafty tongue,
O Lord, my soul set free. [Refrain]

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