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“Mary had a Baby. Yes, Lord . . . “

It’s Christmastime. The music changes. Suddenly Jesus’s name is heard in Department Stores, and it’s acceptable. Christmas Carols, children’s voices, the sound of music is everywhere.

Today, I pull out an ol’ gospel spiritual Mary Had a Baby, Yes, Lord.

Little ones light up singing this tune.

You might remember the song. It has a sweet, childlike simplicity, yet it births some  deep, important thoughts for the soul:

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes my Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes Lord,
People keep a-comin’ an’ the train done gone.

There’s a natural flow to the words even if the true melody is unknown.  

There was a lot going on then. And there’s a lot going on now. This story isn’t only about the past, this story is about today, this very moment. This story is for now.

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord.

This is a good excuse to open up the Scripture’s pages and read the story stright from the Bible:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up . . . out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to . . . Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, Luke 2: 1,4.

A lot of people began coming to town. And the song brings it all to mind, the atmosphere of that place and time.

The people keep a comin, . . . 

There’s traveling here and there, for everyone. Days are busy. We, like they, are  occupied with important things. We’re counting on many things.

Does this song bring about urgency?

What’s all this about the train done gone?

Is there a train we might miss?

The kids sing: 

What did she name Him? Yes Lord?
What did she name Him, yes my Lord,
What did she name Him, Yes, Lord,  . . .

There must be something about that name. 

And the Bible let’s us know that God gave a title along with a name. There’s something special about this Baby of Mary:

A virgin shall be with Child and they shall call His name, Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). 

Immanuel, God . . . with . . . us. 

There’s so much to do, no time to be still, so, . . .

The people keep-a-coming, and the train done gone.

Have I missed something? Do I even realize something’s missing? Do we miss the Everything?

God’s Word tells the story in Luke 2, famously:

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord . . .

What did she name Him? Yes,  my Lord . . .

‘She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord,

Named Him King Jesus, Yes, my Lord. 

Wrapped him in swaddlin’, Yes Lord.

the people keep a coming but the train done gone.”

Wrapped in rags? A King wrapped in poor ol’ rags. “No room in the Inn, but you can have the barn?”

What’s going on in this ol’ gospel song?

A cold, smelly cave where the animals all stay? Is this the story that we read every year.

God has come down to be with us, the Immanuel has come down. But who even knows? 

Is this a picture of my very own heart? Am I going to miss what’s most important? Concerned about the gifts I’m going to give, or not able to give? Am I allowing other expectations fill my mind?

Is the train done gone? 

Not if I can make the choice, each new day, even, moment by moment at times.

Though the terrain be rough, (as it was for Mary and Joseph), though there’s no room in the traditional sense, no Inn, or culturally acceptable dwelling places, . . .

perhaps the barn door, smelly and raw, of a broken spirit toward God, and a heartfelt prayer, “Lord, I’m desperate for You. Change me that I might overcome every trial as You did, and have grace and mercy as a gift to give.”

This Babe left all His glory of heaven to be born in a barn . . . for me, for every person in the whole entire world to be Savior, our Forgiver, our Redeemer.

‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord. The glory train is here now. Can I see it?

What’s my choice?

I’m getting on. And again, each new morning.

It’s my choice to choose Love before the opportunity’s gone, but I can’t do it alone.

What should we do? I will take His hand and trust He’ll help me make the step.

The Scripture says, 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold,

an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid, Luke 2:8.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” 

“Take my hand. Don’t be afraid. Trust Me. I am enough.”

My mail might not bring good news. The doctor’s report might not have good news, but Jesus, He has brought news of great joy for me, and all people of the world.

Jesus is bread. Jesus is light. Jesus is my Good Shepherd, my living water, the bright and morning star. Jesus is my peace, your peace, the Prince of Peace.

He has broken down every wall. He is our everything.

I must turn aside, from the mainstream flow of traffic, and step right up. And with each new day, never let this train pass me by.

“She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord!”

She named Him King Jesus,

“Yes my Lord.” 

I choose to make Him King. Let’s get on that train, step by step, minute by minute.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him . . . 

should not perish  . . .

but have everlasting life, John 3:16.

When it feels like a sacrifice to praise, praise anyway.

Is life so heavy that the song in our heart is gone? In this day and age, between pressing schedules, unbelievable news reports, and sudden moments of loss, a song is the last thing on our mind.

Even so, the Bible encourages:

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, trust in Him and His sacrifice for us, we are encouraged to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, continually.

Hymns are a great help to learn to praise. Everything created praises, according to All creatures of our God and King:

All creatures of our God and King, 
lift up your voice and with us sing 
alleluia, alleluia! (Paraphrase, William H. Draper. Author, St. Frances of Assisi, 1225).

Yes, the sun lifts its voice daily, the moon gives glory to God as the hymn brings melody to stir up heavy hearts with visions of hope and power:
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

We see these beauties everyday. They lift our eyes up above our earthly thoughts. This hymn ignites new direction of thought, vertical instead of horizontal.

From the weight of cares to praise to God. He is able to help in time of need.

We don’t have to be in church to worship God. We can praise God anywhere, but, there is added riches to efforts and investment of time when we come into the Lord’s house in a community, and

offer a sacrifice of praise.

We don’t always “feel” like praising God. Everyone walks through the doors of God’s house with individual pains and struggles, but a sacrifice of praise changes everything, especially . . . me.

Science has now proven the human brain functions in a more complete capacity when the thoughts and meditations are pleasant.

Praise to God brings supernatural change. The Creator of the Universe is near in our praise, that’s powerful.

We can praise God easily when things are going right, but can we praise before God “parts the Red Sea,” so to speak?

And when we make effort and sacrifice time to go to church, there is reward we don’t always see and don’t comprehend. God is found in hearts that seek Him. He draws near when we draw near to Him.

In church, the focus (should be) and is God. Not the other stuff that tries to take our thoughts, critique, distractions, etc.

He is the One who is able to do all things. Even if the song is not to our liking, we can make the willing choice to read it, speak it, and hear the truths.

With an open and willing mind, our hearts begin to see the common ground in the old hymn and admire it’s care to invoke praise through the trials:
Thou rushing wind that art so strong, 
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along, 
O praise him, alleluia! 

Yes, the winds are strong, the clouds are dark, God is greater and knows all things. O praise Him. Praise Him still.

Maybe, this is what, “be as a child means.” Children trust. Children believe.

And children are praisers. With their bright morning smiles and joyful eyes. With their energy and excitement, children bring praise.

The song of a child is pure and clear, much like the next verse speaking of the glorious sound of water:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, 
make music for thy Lord to hear, 
alleluia, alleluia!

Everything gives praise, even warm fires and their glow, the hymn reminds that we watch praise to God wherever we go:
Thou fire so masterful and bright, 
that givest man both warmth and light, 
O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

What if the masses stopped to praise? Would we be a different people? Oh, wouldn’t God be pleased?

What would it look like if we would praise God more? Would we put down pointing fingers?

And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, God alone can change the heart.

God alone is near and able to comfort sufficiently, those with a broken heart.

It’s a season to give praise to God and join all creation whose already singing. Perhaps one heart at a time, tuned up and praising more, we will witness a changed culture. A culture that returns to walk through the doors of God’s glorious house , worship Him in humbleness, . . .

Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one. 

This is how the world will be turned upside down, when His people offer a sacrifice of praise, in season, . . . and out.

O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!




Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #248

Give a Gift of Song, With or Without Singing

December has begun, and people are . . . not all jolly. How do we overcome and move forward when life is filled with loss,

or sickness, or falls,

and pressures, and messes,

and great amount of cares?

Is there a rescue place? Well, those who believe in God take comfort in spending time and thinking on His love and sufficient gift in His Son.

But what about when the song is gone when the holiday season has begun? Like a tire gone flat? Where’s the lift?

I’m telling you, it’s in the hymn-book! One that’s opened and read aloud that is.

This is the one-stringed guitar that I play, so-to-speak: the hymnal has amazing power. But my favorite of all time are Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul editions. 

I brought one of the editions into the infusion room many years ago when I was undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer patients in close vicinity to my voice were lifted immediately by the hymns and the stories of the writers. 

We were changed. A deep joy, courage, and most important, hope returned to our sick bodies.

Many were reminded that God’s gracious love never left their side, even though they had nothing to do with Him for long and past years.

Yesterday, I was thinking of my elderly neighbor while I was able to be at church on Dec. 1. She’s unable to get to church because of many reasons, and struggling in many ways. 

Thank you Robert. J. Morgan, for writing Then Sings My Soul Special Edition. I scooped up this book and went on my way to pay a short visit to my neighbor.

Coffee came first, but then pages were opened:

His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla D. Martin, 1905.

The Scripture of choice for this hymn was, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

Always to the left was the hymn, to the right, a story. With no melody at all, just the words of the hymn read aloud, “Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Yes, it’s true, the Word has been told us, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1;23.

Isn’t this one of the most precious promises of God?
My eyes scroll up for verse 2 with anticipation of the thoughts: “Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise, When song gives place to sighing, When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Hope is restored with the speaking, (or singing, if you choose) of a hymn. Change comes. The promises of God fill the mind instead of troubles and pain. For example,

“. . . God has chosen to make known . . .  the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

And then my eyes roamed to Morgan’s writing in regards to this hymn by Civilla Durfee Martin, and I was reminded of other verses regarding God’s faithfulness within this theme:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

“Do not fear . . . you are of more value than many sparrows” Luke 12:7.

What a wonderful gift this book is to me over and over again. Perhaps, this year the most meaningful gift you might give yourself, or others, is a Robert J. Morgan’s, Then Sings my Soul edition.

We’ll Understand It Better By and By

 


Hard times for Charles A. Tindley, a prominent, but persecuted American-African in the 1850’s, proved to move his pen to write, not in anger or hate, but in faith and love:

“We are often tossed and driv’n on the restless sea of time, rolling clouds and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine;

In that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, We will understand it better by and by. By and by.”

C. Tindley didn’t point a blaming finger, he didn’t ask the question why? He sought instead the Lord and His ways, and wrote a song, that we sing today,

By and by when the morning comes, . . . We’ll tell the story how we’ve over-come; And we’ll understand it better by and by, by and by.”

Mr. Tindley was a man of faith. How can we have an overcoming faith? The Word of God is our sword and help. Jesus said to the people, 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world John 16: 33.

We might not understand all the trial and pain we endure now, but with eyes up, we ask, where’s my help coming from?

Our help comes form the Lord who made heaven and earth Psalm 121: 1,2.

And the Lord gives us a trusting faith and we sing, “We will understand it better by and by. By and by.”

“Trials dark on ev’ry hand, and we cannot understand, All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land;

But He’ll guide us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die, We will understand it better by and by, by and by.”

Eyes fixed on Him and minds and hearts in His Word, this is a recipe for faith, every time.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good Romans 12:21.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith 1 John 5:4.

The song and the Word create inner courage to those who believe. Charles Tindley’s response to pain and hurt speaks loud today. He over-came.

And we will over-come too.

But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high Psalm 3:3.

Step by step, eyes on the Lord, This man is a witness, among many for us, let us proclaim together, 

“We’ve over-come; And we’ll understand it better by and by, by and by.”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Hebrews 12:1.

When the saints of God are gathered home, we’ll tell the story of how we’ve over-come; And we’ll understand it better by and by, by and by.”

For you, for me, and all the trials we live through and see, we’ll understand it better, by and by, and in the meantime, we’ll keep trusting God for each new sunrise. 

We’ll Understand it Better By and By , Charles A. Tindley, 1905.

Faith-less? or Faith-full? Look up. Listen up!

We must remind each other, God is good, even though things don’t seem as they should.

“This is impossible,” we say in our hearts, or perhaps out-loud.

The Bible reminds us, God is able to make a way, . . . through the wilderness:

This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters, . . .
 “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland . . . ” Isaiah 43:16-19.

We, who believe in God through His Son, (His great and perfect provision for us, Jesus), must not let our thoughts paralyze us. What are the promises? We must fight to think on these things and pray for increased faith.

“Eyes up, ears open. God speaks: “

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
 I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me there is no savior.
 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
    I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
     Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
    When I act, who can reverse it?” Isaiah 43:10-13.

Am I a child of God? Perhaps that’s the first question.

God is good, the Bible tells us. The world is broken, dark, chaotic because of the fall. But God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Gen. 1.

The account is written. Wise is the man who checks out the light of His Word daily.

God’s faithful love is dependent on nothing.

Love is who He is, . . .

the LORD:

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:3.

Is He my Savior? Am I a child of God trusting and relying on Him to save me for salvation, and give guidance and help for each day’s trials?

How can I trust Him greater? Am I relying on my intellect, my bank account, my careful plans to save me from my hour of peril or trial?

“Yes, that’s sensible. That’s logical.”

Even more than people to come and discourage our trust in a (so called) invisible God, our own hearts discourage us in our weakness.

This is the fight. This is the battle. We must as soldiers have a plain command: “Look up. Listen up.”

As soldiers in the lord’s army, are our eyes up? Hear God speak:

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze Isaiah 43:1-2.

Or are we faith-less this day:

“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel . . . But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied me with your offenses” Isaiah 43:22, 24.

Today, one heart at a time, beginning with mine, I feel the need to repent. I need to believe God and pray. “Forgive me for my unbelief Lord, increase my faith, in Jesus Name, Amen.”

“I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions, for my own sake,
    and remembers your sins no more.
 Review the past for me,
    let us argue the matter together;
    state the case for your innocence” Isaiah 43: 25,26.

“Lord Jesus, the only innocence I have is the complete and sufficient washing of Your blood. ‘This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ And for that, I say, Thank You Lord.”

Jesus lifted my eyes and gave me ears to hear again. His amazing grace, how sweet the sound. He saves me from myself daily.

Are you a child of God? He is only a prayer away. Call on the name of the Son that God the Father has sent to pay each of our debt in full for our sin and shame. Yes, believe in Jesus, and ask Him to empty you of all the old, and fill you a new with the Holy Spirit.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” John 3:16,17.

If you have prayed and asked Jesus to come into your life to cleanse and make you new, please tell a trusted friend that today is the day of salvation for you!

 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Amen! (Exclamation point, mine).

Baby needs sleep? Chemo’s hit hard? Sleepless times? Music Therapy in Sleepy Hymns by me

Quite honestly, music is therapy, and sometimes, simple affords a loveliness that perfect and professional can’t find.

I have opportunity to encourage and teach children and adults to learn and play an instrument daily. There’s nothing like the challenge to make something beautiful that comes from our own hands and heart. The enemy to this challenge is perfectionism.

Perfectionism paralyzes. I love when children and adults play and sing with joy, accepting where they are at the moment.

I’m thankful I have the freedom to pick up an instrument and bring sound and vibration to my scattered mind.

At this moment, I share, and there will come one more professional and skilled, but today, for a weary soul, I pray this will bring a moment of peace, calm, and restful sleep. That is my prayer.

To God be the glory. He can make all things beautiful in His time,

Toni

A New Day to Trust and Obey, Again

The past is the seasoned instruction manual.

Today is here. We often start well, and then, well . . . the night often takes away our song.

But the Word is good news to the weary soul. God’s love is higher than man’s. His love is steadfast with mercies that never end: 

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

When our desire is to believe God greater, and know Him with more depth of understanding, seek Him with thirst and hunger, and experience His blessing,

are we surprised when we find ourselves, “poor in spirit,” or in a place of mourning? What did Jesus tell the multitudes on the hill that day? What is Jesus telling me, this day . . . Matthew 5, in a New Living Translation: 

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.”
 
(This day, I join an ancient crowd that gathered. Today, I ask God to help me hear what the Spirit says to me. Join me?)
 
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
 
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
 
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
 
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
 
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
 
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
 
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
 
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”  Matthew 5: 1-10.

 

We pray for His kingdom to come. We ask for mercy, comfort, vision.

But what of our hearts? The old hymn reminds us to sing:

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But it’s not all sunshine and roses. The thorns line the stem of the flower’s glorious face. Jeremiah was a prophet of God. He did the good will of God and . . . wrote of his experience:

I am the man who has seen affliction
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness rather than light;
 indeed, he has turned his hand against me
    again and again, all day long.

 He has made my skin and my flesh grow old
    and has broken my bones.
 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness and hardship.
 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead Jeremiah 3:1-6.

The desperate story continues, but something happens in the reading. All of a sudden, I can see more than Jeremiah and my own loss and toils, I see Jesus. Yes, He is the One I see . . .

 

He drew his bow
    and made me the target for his arrows.

 He pierced my heart
    with arrows from his quiver.

 I became the laughingstock of all my people;
    they mock me in song all day long.


 He has filled me with bitter herbs
    and given me gall to drink. Jeremiah 3:12-15.

If Jeremiah can remember the faithfulness of God through the hardship, and I see Jesus through the Word, how He suffered for me, and died for my shame, yet rose that I might have victory,

then the song, Trust and Obey now makes full sense. Yes, I can sing of His steadfast love because Jesus satisfied all that’s required of me.

“It is finished,” He said. I believe this today. Today, I’m complete, and my heart sings with greater understanding: 

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Today, I lay it all on the altar. And ask that He give me grace to trust and obey. And let us grow in our faith, as we sing along the way: 

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

He is our hope, today, yesterday, forever.

In Jesus, we can be made new, even right now: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 1 Corinthians 5:17.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 

 

How to be blessed? How to be happy?

“Be blessed.”

“I’m praying for good health.”

Have a wonderful day!” Greetings, blessings, and prayers for good health are a common occurrence and desire for most humans on this planet.

But God knows that we have greater need than present happiness.

Our greatest need in acquiring a deep fulfillment in this present day, this present life is . . . His presence.

Can we begin to live our life for an audience of one?

Is our main concern to find ourselves pleasing to the Lord?

What does that look like anyway?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:7 that When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

How do we get inner health, heart and mind, and become pleasing to the LORD?

What does He require? Is it to “be kind” each day? Can we “be honest” in all things? None of us can be Holy and perfect, apart from believing on the work of Jesus on the cross.

Where is our help? No one is perfect.

Jesus, who is perfect says to us weary and broken-hearted,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28,29.

Who doesn’t want rest for their souls?

Have we heard lies about “those Christians” and let our attitude about their faults and failures keep us from a community of faith that will prove to lift up our heavy laden hearts?

Jesus knows every person on the entire planet misses the mark. None of us can get it right! But when we check out the stories of Jesus with an opened Bible, we learn, . . . He is the only righteous One.

Jesus spoke on a hill one day, when a great crowd of people gathered in one place.

We might live in a day where, “What’s good is bad,” but Jesus has the Words of life. He speaks to the broken-hearted turning things around for good bringing hope in every situation.

I’m sure in this multitude of people gathered there were all kinds of “sin-full” people present. Jesus knew they were all “sin-full” people. (We’re all sin-full people.) But He loved each one and He spoke about a new attitude, (Matthew 5, Amplified),

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit[those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

The poor in spirit are those who might be feeling they have failed.

But when one turns to Jesus, he, she’s forgiven, . . . he, she’s washed, . . . In Him, He makes all things new, 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us this,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

In Him, In Jesus, we’re blessed. Why? The multitude all gathered together heard it from His very own voice,

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted] Matthew 5:4, AMP.

Why do we listen to lies that He’s going to take all the good stuff away? Who doesn’t want to be new? Who will reject being comforted?

Many do.

But those who have ears to hear, the Bible says over and over, “Let him hear,”
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5, AMP.

And there are more blessings.

“Who was this Man on the hill speaking to the multitudes?”

He’s Savior to those who believe. But today, we must check our heart, are we believing?

Here, in Matthew 5 He’s a great teacher. In many Bible stories, He’s healer. He fed thousands. Jesus was good, but,

He won’t become Savior until we invite him in, for salvation, one time, for guidance, every minute . . .

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John the Baptist proclaimed in John 1:29.

We all need washed. Only the blood of the Lamb cleanses.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 

 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from . . .

all sin 1 John 1:6,7.

John the Baptist prepared the people, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” in Matthew 3:2.

Has the kingdom of heaven come near? Right now?

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied” Matthew 5:6.

Satisfied, healthy, and joyful. Isn’t this the desire of our heart?

Jesus looks on us who turn to Him with grace and compassion. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in mercy:

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” Matthew 5: 7.

And Oh, how happy we can be in Him today.

“Jesus, we need You in our lives to direct and guide and keep us in Your way.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps.16:11), . . .

we believe in Jesus’ name. Amen”

Will we believe? Do we choose Jesus and abide in Him? What do you say?

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15: 4,5.

Physical health? Working on it. Intellectual health? Growing daily. Spiritual, emotional health? . . . Open the Hymnal!

Quite honestly, the melodies are often outdated, but the promises in the old hymns must be resurrected.

Heavy hearts burdened by news, energy zapped by full schedules, life today can easily invite fatigue pain, where is an emergency pick-me-up?

Well, first in a relationship with the God of Creation. As simply as calling on the name of His Son. Asking Him to come in and wash and renew, Jesus does all this, but it’s not a one time adventure, it’s a life’s walk . . .

and the walk is crooked, sharp, and filled with ills! We increase mental awareness and physical strength as we journey on, but our spirit is starved and grieved by the constant darkness and lies.

The Word is God’s promise. Sixty-six Books to bring hope. But the hymnal . . .

(quick, and go find one,) it’s an immediate help.

As nourishing is good food to the body, the Word and the hymns bring vitality to our weary spirits.

If I write today and one person opens and reads the words of a hymnal, and is infused with hope to believe in a greater way, my labor is not in vain.

Our spirits grow weary. We have wrecks over time, but the cross of Christ brings comfort.

Read aloud this old hymn: In the Cross of Christ I Glory, by John Bowring, 1825.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me.
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

Perhaps this brings a hunger and thirst to discover the hope of the cross.

Bowring penned his own experience in his hymn published in 1825. With 2020 approaching, can we glean from wisdom of old to help replenish our soul?

When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.

It’s as if spending time in meditation of these words brings us to an ocean’s shore where we feel the power of God to restore.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.

For me, this hymn brings me to a present place. To a beach and the warm sun, where God shows me His power, and in the vast beauty, His love.

Today, let’s let God take us beyond where we are. Let’s let Him encourage our sadness with His great arm of compassion, let us believe our God’s present help and direction, right now, restating:

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

Finding myself at the cross today, I turned to, At the Cross, from Isaac Watts, 1701, as well. Revived and happy, I am filled and restored. Take time to read this aloud:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

Words: Isaac Watts (1707)

This is how I can glory in nothing but the cross of Christ. The hymnal heals my soul with immediate reminders of God’s love for me, you, . . . and the whole world.

May God bless you.


 

Heart Broken, Not Offended over News of Intolerance

This is nothing new, yet deep sadness comes when Christians, who are forced in this culture to tolerate so much, witness closed doors to groups who want to share the Good News to those who will hear.

True believers, believers in the God of the Bible, aren’t offended by this news, we’re heart-broken.

God’s greatest gift to the entirety of mankind is His gift to choose.

How sad, that people are afraid of a different opinion than the god of the culture. What if the God of the Bible is the true and living God?

Should we only be tolerant of the god of the intellect and modern world and not check out the Word of the Ancient of Days? We study hard for many tests in life, should we not consider reading God’s Testimonies for understanding instead of “hear-say” about them?

Who’s close-minded? Do we want to be found deceived in the end?

Shouldn’t people be exposed to both views? God allows choice, should we not as well?

When I was young, I went my stubborn way, making god into what I believed he should be. A distant God. While I went on to discover me.

But the “me” I was discovering had a story much like Humpty Dumpty who had a great fall. Broken in pieces, hurting, unable to put myself together on my own, I felt desperate and afraid with no where to turn.

But God was watching over me. And now my true search for God began.

Friends in high school, who I believe were part of Young Life, (also part of the Key club at our school), gave me a Bible.

It didn’t mean much to me then, but God knew, there would be a perfect time when I needed to know God.

At that time, my life depended on it.

I opened the Bible given to me years before and found the name of Jesus mentioned everywhere. Curiosity and deep hunger had me reading the Bible like a new best-seller, (which it is by the way, only, not new).

My heart was finally open to receive Jesus as God, Lord and Savior of my life.

He created everything with His Word. He’s provided His-story. He’s patient and kind. God is love. He doesn’t insist on His own way.

He’s the giver of life, breath, love. He’s Creator God.

And, He gives choice to each man to believe. He allows, He lets . . . man to choose Him or reject.

Why be afraid to let other voices be heard?

What if the Word of God is what it says it is, the truth: Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth John 17:17.

This news report of no surprise to God. It’s written:

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” John 1:10,11.

Younglife and many Christian organizations want the overwhelmed, restless, and guilt-ridden world to know the Good News, the God of the Bible.

Yes, God is love, but He is also Holy. God is just.

We’ve all sinned. Meaning, we’re all separated from God. The mystery is revealed in the pages.

That’s why He sent Jesus. His perfect blood shed on the cross is the atoning sacrifice. The “at one” with God sacrifice.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God John 1:12,13.

I received Jesus. I’m not perfect, but He made me new then, believing on Him for salvation, and each day He graciously accepts me, because I’m washed, cleansed, believing Him as my Savior and Lord.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Why be afraid to have Young Life on the campus? When the God of the Bible is the most liberating and freeing God ever:

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18,19.

God was in Christ reconciling the lost and broken world to Himself. God alone can put us back together again.

To keep people from choice, is a huge crime to Jesus. Do people want to be found guilty for causing others to stumble:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.  It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.  So watch yourselves John 17:1-3.

Do we want to be a people closed to invite Groups that believe in the God of the Bible because it might speak against a cultural idea?

I wasn’t open when I received my Bible to hear its Word, but God knew there would be a day.

And He patiently allowed me to go my merry way, until I was open to hear. I’m thankful for the boldness that came from kids from a Young Life group. In the end, the Lord used them to be a part of putting my broken pieces together.

I’m thankful for Young Life. And I’m broken-hearted that there might be a broken soul that now is unable to be touched by the Good News that Young Life brings.

Are you still in question who Younglife actually is and what their message actually is:

 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Young Life will continue. Young Life remains. Believers in Christ pray and we watch God move, whether the world will open their doors or not. God touches hearts that seek after Him.

God’s love never fails 1Corinthians 13.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby . . .

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone . . .
The great He? He’s Jesus!

Soon to hold my precious newborn grandson with anticipation and great joy, I give abounding, bubbling, and tripping over thanks to God.

Baby Emeril safe and content in his mama’s arms.

Do you also think of the familiar Bill Gaither hymn when reading the title phrase?

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Not only, this new-born child, but all ages that hold this precious gem . . . Yes, “this child” can face uncertain days, because the LORD Lives.

There has been much toil leading to this moment in time for us, yet, one thing stands secure,

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10.

No matter what! (And no-one could have told me all the whats that would happen in our Michael Rypkema family life up to now), and also in yours, I’m sure,

but can you, and will you join me, to proclaim this constant:

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth Psalm 121:2.

And for all of us who believe this with every ounce of our being, no matter what, we proclaim to choose, to the best of our abilities, with the help of the Lord, to:

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal Psalm 26:4.

You and I, we witness much loss in our own lives, and those around us.

Great battles rage.

Storms, sickness, and loss as a result of living in this fallen world often leave our hearts broken and bleeding.

But we remind each other, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

These are God’s Words, not our own. God is close to the broken-hearted. When the Bible is opened Psalm 34:18 comforts with truth.

The hymns, the Psalms, God’s Word . . . our joy and rejoicing. Our comfort in pain. Our compass in darkness.

Our life.

Our steady song.

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

A new-born child. It’s time to celebrate.

Actually, at all times, we can celebrate the Lord.

And each new day we can celebrate new birth as we surrender and put our trust in God.

We rejoice in the Lord for the wondrous good in life. And we also choose to praise Him through the trials.

A heart willing to praise increases faith in our day to day. To God be the glory for His goodness at all times.

Today . . . Join me in speaking aloud:

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever Psalm 145:21.

This is our hope, that all flesh will bless His holy name, now and forever, with hearts tuned to praise Him, always.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Let all the children say, “Amen.”

Who can enter His Kingdom?

Magic Kingdom can’t be entered without a ticket. The ticket will change in color and price daily, but everyone knows, you must acquire that day’s entrance pass, or you remain outside the gate.

The greatest and most magical kingdom of all is the heavenly kingdom of God. What’s the entrance pass to enter into our heavenly home?

How can we know? Does God leave us to figure it ourselves?

God makes it no mystery at all.

It’s not popular opinion.

It’s not intellectual discovery.

It can’t be acquired by earnings or points.

God’s ways are made plain. God’s plan unfolds. A look to the heavens brings awe and question, but is our faith complete through nature alone?

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ Romans 10:17.

The Bible proclaims that Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made John 1:3.
The heavens belong to Him. The seas of the earth are His possession. He is Almighty. We are awestruck with His creation.
 
But faith comes from hearing.
Not solely by the sounds of the morning birds or the fall of water. God speaks through the word about Christ.
 
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind John 1:4.
 
Proclaimed by man are many roads to the Kingdom. But whose word can be trusted? How can we know.
 
What is truth? Can we know it?
 
Darkness is present. We feel it. We see it. Our lives are pained greatly by the evils in this world.
 
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1:5. 
 
Who will cry out for truth?
Who is crying for light?
 
When the Bible is opened, God’s Word speaks,
 

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him John 1:9,10.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him John 1:11.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God John 1: 12, 13.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. What is truth? What is life? What way do we go?

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth John 1: 14.

Where’s the light that reveals the solid rock path so we may cross the rough rivers of this life? Where’s the hope in this dark world?

He’s a Person. The Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the ticket! Have we received Him? Do we believe in His name? He gives us right to become children of God.

Have you read His invitation?

 
“Come, all you who are thirsty,

    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David Isaiah 55: 1-3.

 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon Isaiah 55: 6,7.

Will we open the pages of God’s Book? Will we receive His word above man?

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55:8,9.

Who will hear? Who will believe God above man?

As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it Isaiah 55: 10,11.

Oh how we need truth to set us free. We can have the ticket, even now:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me John 14:6.

Today, today . . . who will believe?

Do we ask, “What’s in it for me?”

Jesus speaks,

You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:12, 13. 

“Come into my life Light and Truth. Come into my life and show me Your way. Come into my life, Lord Jesus.”

The gatekeeper says,

 Enter into His gates . . . (Psalm 100:4),

and we will,

with thanksgiving, . . .  into His courts with praise Psalm 100:4. 

Deliver me from the lows. I’m weak from the highs. Bring me to middle C to a sweet melody . . .

Art by Grace Rypkema

Life contains low notes, and high notes.

Birth brings high notes. Sickness and sorrow bring in the low tones, but the heart has rest near the tones of middle C.

Every human being will go through highs, light and joyful. And the lows come requiring more breath through the heaviness.

Refreshment comes when the notes lighten up near the middle C.

When Christ is our center, we have rest and peace. We have a lift from the oppressive lows. Provided for us, a life near to God, is calm refuge the high notes can’t bring.

Christ the center is music of solid ground, stable sound, no sharps, no flats.

Constant.

No matter what.

We’ve all missed God’s perfection. No one is righteous, not one . . . Romans 3 gives a full account of this minor melody. But faith in Christ Jesus frees us from death’s blow, and we are free and forgiven:  

(This) righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith Romans 3:22-25.

When we choose to believe and put Christ as our center, He restores a new song of praise and thankfulness.

Just as the flow of a melodious song, Jesus abides in our hearts filled with praise.

Through trial and strife, though no-one might understand, Jesus stands, constant, compassionate, caring, and as middle C, true:

Do we leave the lows, and come down from the highs, and move to the center and open our ears about God’s gift in Christ:

 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God Romans 6:10.

Middle C.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus Romans 6:11.

Not condemnation, only conviction to change and hope:

 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace Romans 6:14.

Who needs a new tune? A new story, a new song?

Call on Christ to be the center. He can change anyone’s tune. Romans 6:17-23, The Message:

 But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master,

 one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! 

 I’m using this freedom language because it’s easy to picture. You can readily recall, can’t you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing – not caring about others, not caring about God – the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

  As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. 

 But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end. 

 But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! 

 Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master, Romans 6:17-23.

There’s nothing like a new song of salvation, thankfulness, and freedom.

If the Lord is tugging at your heart to receive His Son, Jesus. Pray and call on His glorious name today.

“Jesus, forgive me.”

He will.

“Jesus, take all the past hurt, pain, and sin.

He does.

“Jesus make me new. Fill me with Your Spirit.”

He is constant.

Constant like middle C!

Someone needs to hear this today . . .

A local church, Lexington Baptist Church hosted a LexKids Creative Arts & Sports Camp for four days for the community.

More than a hundred children registered for two tracks with choices of: Karate, Dance, Sports (football, basket ball, etc.), Art, Cake Decorating, Jewelry Making, Inventions, Tumbling, or Vocal Track.

The children that sign up for Vocal Track, with all those wonderful choices, love to sing!

The world goes about it’s day and busy way, and I was invited to lead a small number of children in this vocal track. We learned about breathing, warm-up exercises, and we learned a new song.

Pure and simple, on day two the children were given solo parts. I had Garage Band set and the Yeti mike on, and there was a take or two, but the voices . . .

beyond precious.

Yes, I believe there is someone today, that feels weak, weary, and heavy burdened.

I share this today for therapy.

https://soundcloud.com/toniryp/healing-sound-little-children-praising-god

Music therapy in a raw, rough, but profoundly amazing way.

Let the sound of little children come, and let their pure voices bring refreshment.

Let me know if God ordained some new strength in you.

The Lord is good and gracious. He is gentle. God is full of compassion. The people of God seek to be like Him, though we fail often, children seem to be our best examples. Children are a pure witness of Jesus’ love.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:14.

LBC LexKids Creative Arts & Sports Camp 2019

I pray that someone is touched by the Lord today through the dear, precious sound of these children who truly love to sing, and I believe they will sing of His love forever!

Change my countenance Lord, let Your light shine instead

“I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small,
child of weakness
Watch and Pray-
find in Me – thine all in all.”
“I hear the Savior say,…”

My prayer to God is “Change me, Lord. My countenance is hard and pained.

Help me remember the foundations:

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.

“I am the Lord… (You are ) precious in my sight… and I have loved you.” Is. 43:3,4.

Help me remember the exhortations:

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14.

I must turn around and pray.

“May my hard countenance be changed. Christ shine on me. In Jesus’ name.”

Child of weakness, watch and pray.

 Find in Me,

thine all in all.

Battles rage inside my mind, and voices speak: “You don’t have what it takes.”
“Give up now. Things will never change.”

But like a dream flowing in circles, the Holy Spirit shows me the way, again, and again:

” . . . Thy strength indeed is small, child of weakness watch and pray. Find in Me, thine all in all.

“Hear Me, listen, receive My Spirit. Be filled, and be changed.”

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.

Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful . . .
Come, let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.” Jeremiah 31:3,4.

“Jesus paid it all!
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain – He washed it white as snow!”

A song of peace, rest, and truth from the Lord brings to remembrance God’s true Word:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 
 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 
 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 
 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep John 10:11-13.
“You Lord, chose to be true to us, Your children. You didn’t run away. You committed to each of us, You faced the cross and taught us love.
Help us speak the hymns aloud and find a countenance that’s light:

“Lord, now indeed I find, Thy power and Thine alone, can change a lepers heart and melt a heart of stone.”
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain
He Washed it White as Snow!”

Your sacrifice and offering are the vision and focus we need, to bring us joy.

Yes, we choose to abide and dwell in praise and thankfulness. Our countenance is changed to shine Your gentleness.

You remind us, we’re simply passing through. We will look up and sing, and have a washed heart and joy:

“And now before the Throne, I stand in Him completeJesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat,

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He Washed it White as Snow.“

Praise will change my countenance moment by moment, today!