Amazing Grace

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy  2:3 KJV

The Christian life is often compared in Scripture to a warfare-the struggle of sin against righteousness and of the flesh versus the spirit. Each follower of Christ is called to be a "good" soldier. This involves motivation, training, discipline, good equipment, and endurance.

This hymn text reminds us that the church universal, the "called out" body of believers from every age, race, and culture, is to be an aggressive, unified body. It must always be moving forward in its mission. We cannot allow ourselves to become stagnant and contented with the status quo.

The author of this text, Sabine Baring-Gould, a Church of England minister, has left this account regarding the writing of this hymn:

It was written in a very simple fashion, without thought of publication. Whitmonday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire, and one Whitmonday it was arranged that our school should join forces with that of a neighboring village. I wanted the children to sing marching from one village to the the other, but couldn't think of anything quite suitable, so I sat up at night resolved to write something myself. "Onward Christian Soldiers" was the result. It was written in great haste, likely in less than 15 minutes.

Yet these words that were written hurriedly for marching children became the text for a hymn that God ordained to inspire lives around the world, challenging Christians with their responsibility to be aggressive in advancing His cause both individually and with other members of the "Church of God."

Onward, Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see His banner go!

Like a mighty army moves the Church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we-One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng; blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King-This thru countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before!

For Today: 1 Corinthians  16:13; Ephesians  6:10-18; 1 Timothy  6:11-12

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm  46:1, 2

October 21, 1517, is perhaps the most important day in Protestant history. This was the day when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and a professor of theology, posted on the doors of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany, his 95 thesis (complaints) against the teachings and practices of the medieval Roman Church. With this event, the 16th century Protestant Reformation was formally born.

The Protestant Reformation movement was built on three main tenets:

The re-establishment of the Scriptures.

Clarifying the means of salvation.

The restoration of congregational singing.

"A Mighty Fortress" was written and composed by Martin Luther. The date of the hymn cannot be fixed with any exact certainty. It is generally believed however, to have been written for the Diet of Spires in 1529 when the term "protestant" was first used. The hymn became the great rallying cry of the Reformation.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe-His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He-Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same-and He must win the battle.

And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us. The prince of darkness rim-we tremble not for Him; His rage we can endure; for lo! his doom is sure-One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs-no thanks to them-abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours thru Him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still-His kingdom is forever.

For Today: Deuteronomy  33:27; 2 Samuel  22:2; Psalm  46; Isaiah  26:4

For I am the Lord, your God , who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah  41:13

Out of a broken heart after his wife and newly born son had both died, Thomas Dorsey cited to his Lord to lead him "through the storm, through the night." In doing so, he created lines that have since ministered to others in an unusual way. This tender song, written by a black gospel musician in 1932, has since been a favorite with Christians everywhere.

Thomas A. Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a "preacher's kid." As he began to be successful as a composer of jazz and blues songs, however, he drifted away from God. After it seemed to him that he was miraculously spared in brushes with death, Dorsey came back to the Lord. As his life dramatically changed he began to write gospel songs and to sing in church services. It was during a revival meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, that he received a telegram telling the tragic news of his wife and infant son. Stunned and grief-stricken, Dorsey cried, "God you aren't worth a dime to me right now!"

A few weeks later, however, as Dorsey fingered the keyboard of a piano, he created the lines of "Precious Lord" to fit a tune that was familiar to him. The following Sunday the choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in South Chicago, Illinois, sang the new song with Dorsey playing the accompaniment. "It tore up the church!"

God continued to lead Thomas Dorsey by the hand until he had written more then 250 gospel songs. He once stated: "My business is to try to bring people to Christ instead of leaving them where they are. I write for all of God's people. All people are my people. What I share with people is love. I try to lift their spirits and let them now that God still loves them. He's still saving, and He can still give that power."

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand-I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; to' the storm, thro' the night, lead me on to the light-Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grow drear, Precious Lord, linger near-when my life is almost gone. Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall-Take my and, precious Lord, lead me home.

For Today: Psalm  6:7-9; 27:11; 48:14; John  10:3, 4; 1 John  1:7

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians  16:13

This text was written in 1812 by Reginald Heber, an important 19th century Anglican church hymn writer. Heber wrote it especially for use on St. Stephen's Day, which occurs the first day after Christmas. On this day the liturgical churches honor the memory of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

The hymn's first stanza portrays Christ as the leader of a great army going forth to win His kingly crown. The challenge is given: "Who follows in His train?" The response: Those who demonstrate that they can bear the cross patiently here below.

The second stanza reminds us of Stephen's martrydom The scriptural account tells us that Stephen saw Jesus "standing at God's right hand," with Stephen praying for his murderers, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts  7:54-60).

The third stanza refers to the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to "the chosen few." The verse then reminds us of the twelve apostles and their martyrdom for the sake of the gospel. The final stanza is a picture in heaven of the noble martyrs throughout the ages before God's throne-men, boys, matrons, maids-dressed in robes of white.

The Son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain: His blood-red banner streams afar: Who follows in His train? Who best can drink His cup of woe, (Christ's suffering on the cross) triumphant over pain? Who patient bear His cross below, he follows in His train.

The martyr first, whose eagle eye could pierce beyond the grave, who saw His Master in the sky and called on Him to save-Like Him, with pardon on his tongue in midst of mortal pain, he prayed for them that did the wrong: Who follows in his train?

A glorious band, the chosen few on whom the Spirit came, twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, and mocked the cross and flame-They met the tyrant's brandished steel, the lion's gory mane. They bowed their necks the death to feel: Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid, around the Savior's throne rejoice, in robes of light arrayed-They climbed the steep ascent of heav'n thru peril, toil and pain: O GOD, TO US MAY GRACE BE GIVEN TO FOLLOW IN THEIR TRAIN!

For Today: Ephesians  6:10-20; 1 Timothy  6:12; 2 Timothy  2:3,4