Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Choosing Praise Despite Circumstances Billy Taylor remembers sitting in his office …
Praise to Jesus (Part 1)
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:7-8) What Does Ascribe Mean? “Ascribe” is an old Middle English word that means attributing praise to God for the excellence He already has. We worship …
Psalm 45 and Jesus’ Excellence (Part 1)
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the King. My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Jesus is the most excellent of men, and His lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed Him forever. (Psalm 45:1-2 adapted) This post builds on Excellent Lord Jesus Part 1 and Part …
Excellent Lord Jesus (Part 2)
Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring: Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. This post continues our look at the hymn, “Fairest Lord Jesus.” You can read Excellent Lord Jesus (Part 1) here. Note: The above is the first stanza of a famous Christian hymn. …
Excellent Lord Jesus (Part 1)
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, Son of God and Son of Man! You will I cherish. You will I honor. You’re my soul’s glory, joy, and crown. Note: The above is the first stanza of a famous Christian hymn. It was translated from German to English in 1873, and at that time, fair meant excellent or handsome. In …
Prayer of Richard of Chichester
My sheep listen to My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28) Richard’s Prayer Richard of Chichester (1197–1253), also known as Richard de Wych, was an English pastor. His dying prayer was adapted for the song “Day by …
Savior with Four Names
When people ask about Jesus the Son of God’s First Coming, here’s a favorite Scripture I use: To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace, there will …
I’ll Hasten to His Throne
I love the Lord. He heard my cries, And pitied every groan. Long as I live, when troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne. (From a poem and hymn by Isaac Watts) Richard Smallwood Richard Smallwood is an American gospel composer, music director, and arranger. He has won many awards and his songs have been translated into Korean, German, Hebrew, …
Learning from Katie Luther
Now, brothers and sisters, I remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first …
Joy in Troubles
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything….Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has …