Tag Archives: hymns

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

  By Rachel | April 12, 2012 - 8:06 pm | Hymns I Love, Random
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We sang this hymn at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) this week, and I was so touched by the words I had trouble singing.

The words of this hymn could easily be a daily prayer- so beautiful and based in Scripture.

1 Corinthians 2:11-16

11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16for,

   “Who has known the mind of the Lord
   so as to instruct him?”

   But we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 15:1-6

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

IMG_5459

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

words by: Kate B. Wilkinson     music by: Arthur C. Barham-Gould

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

  By Rachel | April 2, 2012 - 6:57 pm | Hymns I Love, Thoughts for the Day
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A favorite hymn of mine that I am taking time to meditate on as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross during Holy Week.  I pray that it blesses you as well.

CHRIST CRUCIFIED

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

Be near me when I’m dying, O show Thy cross to me;
And for my succor flying, Come, Lord, and set me free.
These eyes, new faith receiving, From Thee shall never move;
For he who dies believing Dies safely through Thy love.

Cross

Here is a YouTube video that has a choir singing the first three verses- in case you are not familiar with this Hymn.

He Is Able

  By Rachel | March 21, 2012 - 7:54 pm | Hymns I Love
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Stepping Stones over the River Mole, Box Hill, Dorking
He is Able

He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be

This song has been running through my head today.  Just thinking again about Ephesians 3 and how often I limit God by not believing in the power available to me through Christ.

I pray that today, no matter where you are, what you have done, or how worthy you feel- that you would surrender to God.

To a love that heals, protects, and never fails- that will transform you and allow you to accomplish amazing things- through Jesus Christ- all for the glory of God.

Into the Garden

  By Rachel | March 14, 2012 - 2:19 am | Hymns I Love
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This was my Grandmother’s favorite hymn.  It is so fitting, since she was a private and more quiet person.  She wasn’t outspoken about her faith- but had a quiet wisdom and peace about her.

My Grandfather was always very vocal about his faith, and was just a very outgoing guy- he made friends everywhere.  They were such a perfect match for each other in so many ways.

Her quiet strength was the perfect balance for his outgoing boldness.

So, I am posting this in honor of her memory- and all the times when she sang this with the sweet knowledge of decades of meeting with her Savior- in the garden.

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

Refrain:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

Into the Green at Hidcote Manor Garden

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

The Long Peonie Border at Penshurst Place

I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Summer Garden Scene at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire

God of Grace and God of Glory

  By Rachel | February 26, 2012 - 6:26 pm | Hymns I Love
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Big Meadow, Skyline Drive (3)

 

We sang this hymn in church today.  And today was one of those days when this hymn became a prayer- my heart crying out to God for healing of our country- for a renewal of passion within us- to truly be disciples of Jesus.

For the church to rise up against those who scorn Christ and assail His ways- because they’re out there- even now- let us be vigilant to remember what Christ taught us.

Are we hungry for Him?  Do we see our need?  Oh, how I long for us to return to God with passion.

This portion esp. spoke to me- Bend our pride to Thy control. Shame our wanton selfish gladness, Rich in things and poor in soul- we are so rich in things in this country- but we too are pour in soul- for complacency and apathy are often the bedfellows of a comfortable existence.

I pray that this hymn touches you today like it has me- and that we start today, even now, to stir a hunger within ourselves to know God- to be obedient- to study His Word, to pray for salvation for those around us- to reach out and serve faithfully.

Rock Gap Rd, West Virginia

Revive us oh God

 

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil ’round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure Thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces,
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.

Think About His Love

  By Rachel | February 6, 2012 - 9:22 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Think about his love…how often do we do that?  Just contemplate how much God loves us, how much He loves you.

We sang this song in church today it evoked many memories:

        Praise to the Lord,
	the Almighty, the King of creation.
	O my soul, praise him,
	for he is thy health and salvation!
	All ye who hear,
	now to his temple draw near;
	join me in glad adoration!

        Praise to the Lord,
	who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
	surely his goodness
	and mercy here daily attend thee.
	Ponder anew
	what the Almighty can do,
	who with his love doth befriend thee.

        Praise to the Lord!
	O let all that is in me adore him!
	All that hath life and breath,
	come now with praises before him!
	Let the amen sound from his people again;
	gladly forever adore him.

It reminded me of all that God has done on my behalf, and that He is worthy of my Praise.  I felt so humbled and yet treasured at the same time.

God has drawn near to us.  He made us in His Image.  He sent His Son to die for us- so that we might have forgiveness and life eternal if we put our trust in Him and acknowledge our need for Him.  So mysterious- yes too wonderful for me to comprehend.

I do not understand that kind of love- we don’t see it much here on earth.  Love completely devoid of self- an outpouring of passionate feeling regardless of whether those feelings are reciprocated.

When we turn our eyes upon God, upon Jesus, we can find peace in affliction, hope in despair, and the strength to endure.  He promises that He is faithful.

So I pray that today you spend a little time pondering His kind of love.  Crack open that Bible and see His love in action.  One more song to leave you with today.

Think about His love, think about His goodness
Think about His Grace that’s brought us through
For as high as the heavens above
So great is the measure of our Father’s love
Great is the measure of our Father’s love

I’d Rather Have Jesus

  By Rachel | February 4, 2012 - 3:36 pm | Hymns I Love
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I love singing this song.  It has been a favorite since I was young- it is a good reminder to me of what is truly important in this life.  When my priorities get out of whack or I am just in a complaining, glass half empty kind of mood- I find it helpful to sing some of my favorite songs- and this one frequently comes to mind.

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

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

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

Because He Lives

  By Rachel | February 3, 2012 - 9:06 pm | Hymns I Love
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I love to sing.  I usually sing more during the day than talk- esp. now that I am home with my kids.  I have always loved hymns- and this has been one of my favorites for years.  The second verse is much more precious now that I have children.

I can remember several times in my life when this hymn brought great comfort- and singing it has also lifted me greatly during times of deep sadness and grief.  I think the words stir up emotions because of all the memories associated with them.  All the times when God has been faithful.  When He has comforted me in times of trouble.  I pray that the words bring hope and comfort to you too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.

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!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither