The Sparrow

Today is Wednesday -- that day in the middle of the week which I always looked forward to -- that day when the family of God would meet together and hearts would be lifted in praise to God as we lifted our voices in joyous song, prayed together, were blessed by the testimonies of the saints, and challenged by the devotional from our pastor.  But as I thought about missing these things, I thought about a bird -- a song -- and each one of us individually.

The sparrow is a very small, tiny bird, and is mostly colored pale brown and grey.  I guess you would describe him as being very simplistic -- no beautiful colors or sweet singing voice.  But Jesus said --
     "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."  Civilla Martin penned the words to this song that blesses and encourages my heart today.
This is her account of the writing of this song --

     "Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York.  We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle -- true saints of God.  Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years.  Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair.  Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.  One day while we were visiting with the Doolittle's, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it.  Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: 'His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.'  The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me.'  The hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience."

     "Why should I be 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.

      Let not your heart be troubled, His tender words I hear;
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fear.
      Though by the path He leadeth -- but one step I may see,
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

      When ever I am tempted, when ever clouds arise --
When songs give 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.

      I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."
      

    

I'd Rather Have Jesus!

Praise the Lord for this beautiful Monday morning!  My heart is still rejoicing from the blessings and encouragement my heart received yesterday as I worshiped with my own church family, and with many others across the nation.  How blessed it is to be part of the family of God!!  And in spite of every hindering or unpleasant circumstance, I just want to testify that I would rather have Jesus and be an "old-time" Christian than anything I know!!

     "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
      I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands --
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

      I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
      I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame --
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

      He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
      He's all that my hungering spirit needs --
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

      Than to be the king of a vast domain;
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
      I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today."

When George Beverly Shea was 21 years old, he met a man who was the host of a coast-to-coast radio talent show.  When he learned that Bev (as he was called) liked to sing, he arranged an audition, and a few weeks later Bev found himself singing "Go Down Moses" to a nationwide audience on the National Broadcasting Company.  He had gotten a taste of widespread fame.

     One Sunday shortly afterwards, he sat down at his mother's organ to practice for the morning church service.  His eyes fell on a clipping she had left for him there--a poem written in 1922 by Mrs. Rhea Miller.  As he read the words, they spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life.  An appropriate melody came easily, almost composing itself.  In church that morning, he sang "I'd Rather Have Jesus" publicly for the first time.  He became known as "America's beloved gospel singer", and traveled with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team.

My friend, if you cannot sing this song from the depths of your heart today; the Master is calling, and "whosoever will" may come!   

    

My Anchor Holds!

There's a little chorus that begins -- "It's amazing what praising can do"!!  I say "Amen to that", and am so thankful this morning that, regardless of outward circumstances, there is a wonderful joy and sweet peace that can fill our souls.  The birds were singing so sweetly to me when I awakened this morning, God's beautiful sunshine was streaming through my windows, songs of praise and thanksgiving were flooding my heart with glory, and my Heavenly Father told me He will never leave me nor forsake me!!!  Praise the Lord!!  And as we look to the coming Lord's Day -- in the final analysis, it really doesn't matter if we are worshiping in our homes, at a drive-in-church, in the "inmost" prison with Paul and Silas, or even in the lion's dean with the 3 Hebrew children, for where Jesus is--it's heaven there!!

     "Tho' the angry surges roll on my tempest driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know, wildly though the winds may blow --
      I've an anchor safe and sure, that can evermore endure.

      Mighty tides about me sweep; perils lurk within the deep;
Angry clouds o'er-shade the sky, and the tempest rises high.
      Still I stand the tempest's shock, for my anchor grips the Rock.

      I can feel the anchor fast as I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, tho' unseen, bears the heavy strain between.
      Through the storm I safely ride, till the turning of the tide.

      Troubles almost 'whelm the soul; griefs like billows o'er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray; storms obscure the light of day.
      But in Christ I can be bold; I've an anchor that shall hold.

      And it holds, my anchor holds;
Blow your wildest, then, O gale, on my bark so small and frail.
      By His grace I shall not fail, for my anchor holds, my anchor holds."

God bless you, dear friend.  Make sure you are anchored firmly and securely today in Jesus, our wonderful Lord and soon coming King!!   

Living by Faith!

In the 12th chapter of Genesis, we read -- "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him."
Again, in the 11th chapter of Hebrews where we read about some of the great heroes of faith, we read:  "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."

Yesterday I read these words concerning Abraham -- "Whither he went, he knew not; it was enough to know that he went with God."  I love that sweet thought, and isn't that a wonderful statement for us in our present situation!  We don't have to understand everything -- our Master knows right where we are and what we have need of today.  I like these words from F. B. Meyer:

     "It is by no means enough to set out cheerfully with your God on any venture of faith.  Tear into smallest pieces any itinerary for the journey which your imagination may have drawn up.  Nothing will fall out as you expect.  Your Guide will keep to no beaten path.  He will lead you by a way such as you never dreamed your eyes would look upon.  He knows no fear, and He expects you to fear nothing while He is with you."
Annie Porter Johnson wrote --

     "The day had gone; alone and weak I groped my way
Within a bleak and sunless land.
      The path that led into the light I could not find!
In that dark night -- God took my hand.

      He led me that I might not stray,
And brought me by a new, safe way I had not known.
      By waters still -- through pastures green --
I followed Him -- the path was clean of briar and stone.

      The heavy darkness lost its strength,
My waiting eyes beheld at length the streaking dawn.
      On, safely on, through sunrise glow I walked,
My hand in His, and lo -- the night had gone."

So as we begin another week of walking with Jesus, and Living by Faith, let's sing this little chorus and practice it all week long!
     "Just keep on praying, 'til light breaks through!
The Lord will answer -- He'll answer you!
      God keeps His promise -- His Word is true!
Just keep on praying, 'til light breaks through!"  

        

Deeper and Higher

It is Friday, and as we look to the coming Lord's Day, it appears that most of us will once again be worshiping in our homes.  And I'm afraid, if we are not careful, we will be tempted to fret and complain about our confinement.  So let us stop and listen to the Apostle Paul in the 4th chapter of Philippians, verses 11b-13.
     "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things Christ which strengtheneth me."

What a thrilling and encouraging passage of scripture!  The great Apostle seems to indicate that his contentment was not always automatic, for he said in verse 11 -- "I have learned".  So----while we are confined, why don't we make a conscious effort to dig deeper and climb higher in the things of God, never forgetting the Wonderful promise in Romans 8:28---
     "And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

     "One of America's first African-American hymnists, Charles Price Jones, was born in Rome, Georgia, at the end of the Civil War.  His father died when he was young.  After his mother's death when he was 17, Charles wandered across the South, ending up in Arkansas, where He found Christ as his Saviour.  He immediately began witnessing of his newfound faith, and soon he was formally licensed to preach.  He married in 1891, and became a popular preacher.  Yet he felt something was missing.  He said:

     "I was pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma, Alabama, and my ministry with that church seemed to be accepted and much loved.  But as I read my Bible and observed conditions, I began to seek Him with all my heart for that power that would make my life wholly His.  I fasted and prayed three days and nights.  He then sanctified me sweetly in His love.  The blessing of God rested upon me.  It was the nearness, the eminence, the reality of the presence of God that exalted my spirit and filled me with joy, the joy of the Holy Ghost."

      In 1895, Bro. Jones became pastor of the Mt. Helm Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, and there his Holiness teachings created a storm!  "I was looked on as a fanatic by some; by others as weak in the brain", he said.  While trying to minister amid a storm of criticism, Charles suffered a personal tragedy when his four-year-old daughter was burned in a fire and died.  Soon thereafter, he was dismissed as pastor and began holding services in an empty store where he preached from the counter.  But his attitude was victorious, as expressed in his great hymn written during this period:
'O deeper yet, I pray, and higher every day.'"

     "Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.
      Deeper, deeper blessed Holy Spirit, take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus, and His perfect will.

      Deeper, deeper though it cost hard trials, deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus, let me fruitful grow.
      Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus, till all conflicts past,
Finds me conqueror, and in His own image perfected at last.

      O deeper yet, I pray, and higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord, in Thy precious, Holy Word."             
  

Peace in the Heart

     "Paganini, the great violinist, came out before his audience one day and made the discovery just as they ended their applause that there was something wrong with his violin.  He looked at it a second and then saw that it was not his famous and valuable one.
      He felt paralyzed for a moment, then turned to his audience and told them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin.  He stepped back behind the curtain thinking it was still where he had left it, but discovered that someone had stolen his and left that old secondhand one in its place.  He remained back of the curtain a moment, then came out before his audience and said:
     "Ladies and Gentlemen:  I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul."  And he played as he had never played before; and out of that secondhand instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enraptured with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building, because the man had revealed to them that music was not in the machine but in his own soul."

And so it is our mission, when we are tested and tried, to reveal to all that the music of our life is not in conditions, not in things, not in externals, but the music of life is in our own soul!
I like this little poem by Charles Richardson --

     "If peace be in the heart, the wildest winter storm is full of beauty,
The midnight flash but shows the path of duty,
      Each living creature tells some new and joyous story,
The very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory, if peace be in the heart."

So, today, if you feel like you have lost your "valuable violin" through the trials, difficulties, heartaches, loss of jobs, etc. plaguing our nation and world right now--just take a little time to be still-- quiet your heart--and have a little talk with Jesus!  You will soon rise above the cares of life, and sense the sweet peace of God flooding your soul!  God bless you!      

HE LIVES!!

Praise the Lord for the glory and wonder of the Resurrection that lingers in my heart today!  No, it was not the "normal" Easter Sunday celebration that we have probably thought we would always have, but I trust we were able to realize a little of the reality that "where Jesus is, it's heaven there!"
I am so very thankful on this Monday morning that our blessed Saviour conquered death, hell, and the grave; He is alive forevermore, and I am so thankful He lives in my heart this morning!

One of the beautiful hymns that is probably sung in most churches on Easter Sunday is the beautiful, soul-stirring hymn, "He Lives" by Alfred Ackley.  I trust a little of the story behind it will be a blessing to you today.

     "Why should I worship a dead Jew?  That question -- and a dreadful sermon -- inspired this hymn.
Alfred Ackley was born in Pennsylvania in 1887.  He showed great promise as a child, and his musician father personally tutored him before sending him to New York to study music.  Later he attended Westminster Seminary in Maryland, and was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in 1914.  In 1932, while pastoring in California, Alfred met a Jewish man to whom he began witnessing.
But the man resisted the Christian faith, saying, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?

      That statement played on Alfred's mind as he prepared his Easter Sunday message.  Rising early to prepare for the day, Alfred turned on the radio and was astonished to hear a famous liberal preacher in New York say:  "Good morning---it's Easter!  You know, folks, it really doesn't make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not!  As far as I am concerned, his body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb.  The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!"

      Alfred  wanted to fling the radio across the room.  "It's a lie!" he exclaimed.  His wife rushed into the bathroom , asking, "Why are you shouting so early in the morning"?  "Didn't you hear what that good-for-nothing preacher said?" Alfred replied.  That morning, Ackley preached with great vigor on the reality of Christ's Resurrection, and he did the same at the evening service.  But later that night, he was still agitated.  "Listen here, Alfred Ackley", his wife said at last.  "It's time you did that which you can do best.  "Why don't you write a song about it and then maybe you'll feel better."
      Alfred went to his study, opened the Bible, and re-read the Resurrection account from Mark's gospel.  A thrill went through him, and he began writing the words to "He Lives"!  A few minutes later, he was at the piano putting it to music, not dreaming it would become one of the church's most
triumphant Easter hymns."

     "I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today.
I know that He is living; whatever men may say.
      I see His hand of mercy.  I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him -- He's always near.

      In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.
      I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast.
The day of His appearing will come at last.

      Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian.  lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King.
      The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

      He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
      He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my heart."
    

Holy Week Meditations

Today we see Jesus, the King of Glory, crowned with thorns and led away to the mount of His crucifixion! 
     "Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers.  And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe.  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
      And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.  And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him."
Truly, His cross, and the events surrounding it, spoke of great suffering and great shame!  And, sadly, much of the world today still despises the cross, and the One on the cross who gave His life that we might live!
As we take time to meditate today, and try to grasp even a fraction of the price that Jesus paid on Calvary to purchase our salvation, my heart is always drawn to this blessed song by Avis Christiansen.

     "Up Calvary's mountain one dreadful morn
Walked Christ, my Saviour, weary and worn;
      Facing for sinners death on the Cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.

     "Father, forgive them!"  thus did He pray,
Even while His lifeblood flowed fast away.
      Praying for sinners while in such woe ---
No one but Jesus ever loved so.

      Oh, how I love Him, Saviour and Friend!
How can my praises ever find end!
      Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore,
My tongue shall praise Him for-ever-more.

      Blessed Redeemer!  Precious Redeemer!
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;
      Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading ---
Blind and un-heeding --- dying for me!"

I am so very thankful this Holy Week does not end here --- for Sunday is coming!!  HALLELUJAH!!!

 

Holy Week Meditations

As we continue our journey to the Cross, today we see Jesus sending Peter and John to prepare the Passover.  In the 22nd chapter of Luke, we read:
     "And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.  And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
      And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
      Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.  But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table."  --  I wonder what Judas thought and felt at that awful moment!

After supper, the scripture says -- "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of olives."  It is hard to walk with Jesus to the Garden and see Him agonizing there.  God's Holy Word says:  "And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him.  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done.  And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

This scene grips my heart as I see Jesus, in His humanity, agonizing in prayer until the Scripture says "He was in such travail of soul that an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him" as He pled with His Father to remove the cup if it be possible, but then He adds the blessed words of complete surrender to the Father's will -- "nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done."
He rose up from prayer, went to the disciples and found them sleeping.  There must have been great sadness in Jesus' heart and voice when He said---"Could you not watch with me one hour"?

The scene moves ahead to this Holy Week of 2020.  The Master sees me and you just like He saw Judas so long ago.  As we journey with Jesus through this Holy Week, may these words from the 139th Psalm be the longing of our hearts and the prayer on our lips:

     "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Amen.  

Holy Week Meditations

Praise the Lord for this lovely Monday morning!  I trust that you are feeling well, and your heart is still rejoicing and over-flowing with Palm Sunday Praises!  But this morning, the thrilling scene of the crowd waving their Palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna" is behind us and we continue on our journey to the Cross.
As we walk with Jesus on this journey to the Cross today, He seems very quiet.  I wonder---what is He thinking?  Is He looking ahead to the agony in the Garden--the mob coming to arrest Him with swords and staves---mocking Him--smiting Him--striking Him on the face?  Is He thinking of Peter (one of the inner circle) who was going to deny Him, saying, "I know Him not"!!  Or, was He looking beyond Calvary --- looking way in the future to 2020 --- looking at me and you!!  We, too, are faced with the question -- "What then, will ye do with Jesus which is called Christ?"  We must make our choice between the world and God's dear Son!
I like this poem by Helen Steiner Rice --

He carried the cross to Calvary -- carried its burden for you and me,
There on the cross He was crucified, and because He suffered and bled and died,
We know that whatever "Our Cross" may be, it leads to God and Eternity.
For who can hope for a 'crown of stars' unless it is earned with suffering and scars,
For how could we face the living Lord, and rightfully claim His promised reward,
If we have not carried our cross of care, and tasted the cup of bitter despair---

Let those who yearn for the pleasures of life, and long to escape all suffering and strife,
Rush recklessly on to an "empty goal", with never a thought of the spirit and soul . . .
But if you are searching to find the way to life everlasting and eternal day ---
With Faith in your heart, take the path He trod,
For the WAY OF THE CROSS is the WAY TO GOD." 


 

Palm Sunday!

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday!  How thrilling it must have been to be among the crowd that day in Jerusalem when they heard that Jesus was coming!  I wonder if they were thinking the anticipated King would be riding on a magnificent white horse!!  But, no, He comes riding on a colt---not high and mighty, but meek and lowly.
The Bible records in the 11th chapter of Mark's gospel that Jesus sent two of His disciples into the village to bring a colt that no man had sat upon:
     "And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on Him; and He sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.  And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.  Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord:  Hosanna in the highest."
 I wasn't in the crowd that day so long ago --- and, sadly, I cannot be in the crowd of worshipers today; but on this Palm Sunday I plan on being in my home --- waving a little branch of some kind and singing from my heart, "In the New Jerusalem"---

     "When the toils of life are over and we lay our armor down,
And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares,
      We shall meet and greet our loved ones, and our Christ we then shall crown
In the new Jerusalem.
   
      There'll be singing, there'll be shouting when the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, In Jerusalem;
      Waving palms with loud hosannas as the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jerusalem!"

Then I look forward to hearing the special Palm Sunday message from my pastor before I close my service by singing -- "Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear." 

 

Crown Him!

Palm Sunday!  What a beautiful Sunday it is as we look back in time and imagine ourselves among the crowd that day in Jerusalem when they heard that Jesus was coming!  I wasn't in the crowd that day so long ago, and -- strangely enough -- I won't be in the crowd this coming Palm Sunday either!
I've never worshiped by myself on Palm Sunday before, but I won't be in the crowded throng, waving a Palm Branch and shouting, "Hosanna!  Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!"

No, this Palm Sunday, if Jesus tarries and gives me breath, I will be sitting alone in my home.  Most of the churches will be empty, for the members and friends will be forbidden to enter because of the dreaded virus that is hovering over our world.  But then I remember -- "I won't be alone!  I am never alone, for Jesus walks with me down through this valley, and I will be worshiping with my church family online!  My heart is already full of Thanksgiving and Praise as I anticipate joining with thousands of Palm Sunday worshipers all over the world, waving our Palm branches, and shouting "Hosanna" to our King!
Why don't we start worshiping right now as we join in singing this beautiful song by Mrs. C. H. Morris --    
     "Behold one day a wondrous scene: there rode a Man of lowly mien
Along the dusty way -- along the dusty way.
      The people thronged Him as He passed; Palm branches in His way they cast,
And cried, 'Hosanna to the King, today'!

      He's passing by, just as of yore, and great and small and rich and poor
Today their Lord deny -- Today their Lord deny.
      Oh, make of Him supremest choice, and with uplifted heart and voice,
Hosanna to the King of Kings, still cry!

      Soon He is coming back again, a thousand years on earth to reign.
We'll see Him by and by; we'll see Him by and by.
      All the redeemed with Him He'll bring, who in their hearts have crowned Him King,
And they shall live and reign with Him on high.

      Crown Him!  Crown Him!  Crown the Saviour King of Kings!
In your hearts enthrone Him; Lord and Master own Him!
      Crown Him!  Crown Him!  While heaven exultant rings,
Crown the blessed Saviour King of Kings!"