Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Ponder Anew

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 o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how all thy longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

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,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

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 for aye we adore Him.

Words by Joachim Neander, 1680
Music by Unknown, 1665

 

Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150

“And you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. “Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand,
Deuteronomy 30:8 – 9

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23:6

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you
Luke 12:24 – 28

 

When we look at the world today compared to 200 years ago, we have some pretty amazing things.  We have computers that not only allow us to process and save information, but connect us with the rest of the world.  We have telephones that not only connect our homes and offices, but that we carry with us everywhere.  And with the simple flip of a switch, we illuminate the night.

Yes, we have amazing developments but we seem to simply take them for granted. But imagine the thought processes of those who brought these things to life.  Where would we be without people like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell or Charles Babbage.  These people thought beyond what was, to what could be. When we stop to consider the impact they have had on the world, it is staggering.

But if these people, as well as others, could have this impact on the world, how much more has the very Creator of the Universe had on each and every one of us.  As I look at the words of  Joachim Neander’s hymn, “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty” I can not help but ponder these thoughts.

He begins his hymn with a call for each of us to join together in praise and worship of God.  He calls, “All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; Join me in glad adoration.” This call is a theme that we hear in Psalm 150 where we read,

“Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.”

 He goes on to reflect on many of the things God has done.  Our minds are drawn to the realities that God reigns over all, that he shelters and sustains us, that he provides for our needs.  We see that God “will prosper us abundantly in all the work of our hands.” (Deuteronomy 30:9) We are reminded that His “goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives.” (Psalm 23:6)

Unfortunately, these are all things we can so easily take for granted.  They are things we can simply fail to reflect on and consider.

This draws us to what seems a pivotal point in the hymn.  Neander calls us to, “Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do, If with His love he befriend thee.”  You see, when we stop to consider the magnitude of what God has done in this world, we can not help but be amazed. When we genuinely “ponder anew” what He has done for us personally we must sing our praises to Him.  But if this is not enough, we need to consider what is beyond our comprehension.  We reflect on the reality that the Almighty Creator of the Universe calls us friends.  (John 15:15)  That he cares personally for us.  This is why Jesus reminds us, in Luke 12:28 that if God can so beautifully clothe “the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you.”

Yes God can and will care for His people, as he always has.  The God who sustains the world, can sustain each and every one of us.  When we stop and “ponder anew” this truth, our voices are drawn to join with all of God’s people when we declare, “Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.”

 

 

Read more about “Praise To The Lord.”

 

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

O Worship The King

O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

O measureless might! Ineffable love!
While angels delight to worship Thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.

Words by Robert Grant, 1833 (based on lyrics by William Kethe, 1561)
Music by Johann Haydn, (1737 – 1806)

 

 

Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
Psalm 104:1 – 4

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.
Psalm 103:13 – 14

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
Psalm 40:11

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalm 95:6

But God is my helper. The Lord is my defender.
Psalm 54:4

Our Redeemer–the LORD Almighty is his name– is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 47:4

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15

 

I love the hymns of the church. I love how they express such substance and feeling. There are some that teach deep theological truths. Some hymns look to the joys of heaven to come. Still others speak to our situations in life. But sometimes, we need to stop and simply see God for who He is and who we are to him. This is a theme of Robert Grant’s, “O Worship The King.”

As I go through Grant’s hymn, there are two things that draw my attention. The first is the elaborate description given of God and His majesty. He writes, “O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space, His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.”

What an incredible word picture that he draws straight from Scripture. In Psalm 1:4 we read, “. . . The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent . . . He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. . .” God is worthy to be praised.

This then leads to the second part to which I am drawn. The counter to the image of a God who is to be praised. Grant writes, “Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.”

Yes, God is worthy to be praised, yet in contrast, we are nothing. And even though we are nothing, God has compassion on us. He knows our weakness. Psalm 103:14 tells us, “that He is mindful that we are but dust.”

Knowing this, He shows His compassion for us. In Psalm 40:11 we read, “LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.” Yes, we are but dust, but God’s mercy reaches to us. He watches over us, protects us and meets our every need, for He is our Maker (Psalm 95:6), Defender (Psalm 54:4), Redeemer (Isaiah 47:4) and Friend (John 15:15).

When we come to realize, despite who we are, that the Almighty Creator of the universe cares for us. When we understand that we can turn to Him to lean on and find strength, what else can we do? We are compelled to sing His praise. We declare with ardent fervor the opening words of the hymn, “O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love.”

 

 

Read more about “O Worship The King.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

God Leads His Dear Children Along

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Words and Music by George Young, 1903

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14 – 17

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5 – 6

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14

 

I have worked with the Boy Scouts for several years. In the scouts, our goal is to develop leadership among boys as they grow into men. The key method for reaching this goal is the boy led model in which the boys serve as the primary leaders of the troop and the adults serve as advisers. This is great experience for the boys, but can sometimes lead to a less than fluid execution. And while they learn from their failures as much as their successes, they also learn the need for good, clear leadership.

Thankfully, those of us who follow Christ, have not been left to lead ourselves. This is the overarching theme of George Young’s “God Leads Us Along.”

In his words we see that it does not matter the situation we find ourselves in, for those who trust in God he will Seek his will “show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:6). When we have put their faith in Christ and are led be Him, we become Children of God. This is why Paul writes in Romans 8:14, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Yes, we can know that God leads us as he has promised. In Isaiah 48:17 God tells us, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.” When we follow His leadership we can rest with confidence for the God who has told us that he will lead us, has also promised that he will never leave us. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

So whatever our trial or our situation, we need not fear that we will become lost if we keep our eyes on the one who leads. Our Heavenly Father leads us not simply as an adviser for our lives, but as leader who takes along the way if we will submit and follow.

When we submit our lives to God’s leadership, we will see first hand the meaning of the words, “God leads his dear children along.”

 

 

Read more about “God Leads Us Along.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

I Heard

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory.
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Words and Music by Eugene Bartlett, 1939

 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:13 – 15

 

I have always enjoyed learning the details around historic events. One of the most compelling is learning about the events of WW II. One of the reasons is that it is still recent history, having occurred in my parents lifetime. This means that I can actually hear from people who were there and remember the events.

To hear people recount where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked. They tell the stories of what they were doing, and how it impacted everyone. To hear from those who served their country with honor as they fought in the war.  Hearing about the celebration in the streets as the news traveled of the victory in Europe on May 8, 1945.

It was a hard earned and long awaited victory, but ss great a victory as this was to celebrate, it is a pale shadow of the victory that those who believe in Jesus find. This is the subject of Eugene Bartlett’s” Victory In Jesus.”

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:57 , “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  A victory over sin and death that we can not achieve on our own.  Yes we know that the victory is found in Christ, but as I sing through this hymn one recurring phrase jumps out at me.

We read “I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory.” After this we find “I   heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning.” The theme is beginning to form and continues as we sing, “I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.” Finally we conclude with “I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory”, “And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea.” Over and over again, the phrase “I heard” jumps out at us.  Why is this important? Because while victory is found in Jesus alone, that victory is impossible if we have not heard.

And so I am reminded of Paul’s statement in Romans 10:14 – 15 where we read, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  To believe in Christ, to claim the victory, you have to hear the story of Jesus.  But in order to hear, someone has to be sent to tell the story.

This is the call on the lives of those who have claimed the victory.  In Isaiah 6:8 we read, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”  Those of us who have heard the story and claimed the victory that comes from believing can not simply rest in that victory, but must in turn tell the story to others.  Only if we are willing to tell, can other hear and believe.

There is victory to be found in Jesus.  A victory that can redeem us from the our sins and plunge us beneath the cleansing flood.  A victory that must be told to other. May those of us who have experience this victory not keep it to ourselves, but share it for other to hear.  Then, and only then, can they have the opportunity to join together with each of us and those believers who came before singing “O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.”

 

 

Read more about “Victory In Jesus.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Not A Mite Would I Withhold

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Music by Henri A. C. Malan, 1827

 

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
Leviticus 11:44

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
Luke 18:18 – 23

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41 – 44

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

 

 

When I was young I was a member of the the 4-H organization. Now for those who are unfamiliar with 4-H, it is largest youth development organization in the United state, with focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs.

We would have regular meeting which always began with formal opening ceremonies. One of the items that was part of these ceremonies was reciting the 4-H pledge. It goes:

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

As 4-Hers seek to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth, they pledge the 4-Hes (Head, Heart, Hands, Health) to that Goal. It is basically an abbreviated way of saying they are going to “give it their all.” In a similar way, Francez Havergal in her hymn, “Take My Life and Let It Be” lays out an “all in” commitment to following Christ.

The hymn begins by saying, “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.” To be consecrated is to be set aside and dedicated for a sacred purpose. The call in the hymn is to set aside our very lives as dedicated to God’s purpose. This should draw our minds to Leviticus 11:40 where we read ,”I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

So Havergal begins to list piece by piece our commitment to following Christ. But it is not just our commitment to give these things to serve Christ, but our prayer that He will make use of them.

As we sing through this hymn, the line that stick with me is “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” This is not because it is a financial commitment, the fact is that the others are commitments of my very body and being which are for more profound and desired by God. (Micah 6) What strikes me is the phrase, “Not a mite would I withhold.” We are to be all in.

I am drawn to the images of two of Jesus encounters. In Luke 18:18 – 23 Jesus speaks with a rich man who was unable to give up all he had to follow and instead walks away. In Mark 12:41 – 44 Jesus observes a poor woman put two coins in the offering and tells His disciples that she had given more than anyone else, because she gave all she had.

We are called to give everything, our money, our body and our minds to serving Christ, but it is not something to be taken lightly. We are to be consecrated, set aside, dedicated. So when we realize the magnitude of the prayer of consecration we can join with others and say, “Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”

 

 

Read more about “Take My Life and Let It Be.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me.
(Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.)
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me.
(Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.)
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me.
(Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.)
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Word and Music by Haldor Lillenas, 1918

 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:1 – 2

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14 – 17

 

We use the term grace regularly in business. When you receive e a bill, it has a due date and what is called a “grace period” that is an extended time in which you can pay the bill without any penalty. Now technically speaking this is grace, it is giving you an undeserved reprieve on what you owe. But in this case, the grace has an ending. Additionally, it does not cover all that you own, it only delays the implementation of a penalty.

In his hymn, “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” Haldor Lillenas presents to us the reality, that when compared with the grace that is available through Jesus, anything else called grace is meaningless.

The grace received through Christ is “Greater than all my sin.” Now, for those of us who are honest with our selves, we begin to realize how profoundly great that really is. But it is all to easy for us to say, “well yes I have sinned, but at least I am better than that person.” But if the Apostle Paul himself could say, “I am the worst.” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) than how can we say we are any better. No, Jesus has given us grace that is “greater than all my sin.” A grace that is beyond measure, and beyond description.

It is a grace that removes a weight from my shoulders. It “Tak(es) away my burden” and “Set(s) my spirit free.” It releases us from the chains that bind us and sets us free. Free from our guilt, free from our penalty. Lillenas says, “ By it I have been pardoned.” Pardoned and free, this is what Paul declares to us in Romans 8:1 – 2 where we read, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

Yes, the grace of Jesus has pardoned us and set us free, but if this is not enough, Lillenas presents to us a far greater outcome of His grace when he writes, “Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled, By its transforming power, Making him God’s dear child.”

Yes, we are pardoned. Yes, we are set free But for greater than either of these, we are adopted into Gods family. In Romans 8:14 – 17 Paul tells us that “the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”

It truly is wonderful grace that we can receive from Jesus. Grace that not only paid our penalty, grace that not only set us free, but grace that has made us children of God Himself. It is only when we start to grasp the magnitude of this wonderful grace that we can even begin to “magnify the precious Name of Jesus. Praise His Name!”

 

 

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Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Onward, Christian Soldiers

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 banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

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, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believed, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

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 through countless ages men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Words by Abine Baring-Gould, 1865
Music by Arthur s. Sullivan, 1871

 

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
2 Timothy 2:1 – 4

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10 – 17

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:3 – 5

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:16- 18

 

War is a terrible thing.  There is no question about that, but there are times when it has become necessary.  It is an issue of which we all have different views. Some have been distant from the events, some have been in the middle of them, some have anxiously awaited the return of loved ones and some have never had loved one return.  No, war is a terrible thing, but unfortunately it has been a reality for time immemorial.

But no matter our view of war, we should all have respect for those who have chosen to serve their nation in the military.  Those who have been willing to give everything for the land and people they love.  They are soldiers.  Men and women who have chosen to place the needs of others ahead of themselves. No matter what you think of war, soldiers deserve our respect.

But war is hated.  It is this hatred of war that has led many to dismiss songs that seem to glorify war, especially when those songs are done under the banner of the Christian faith.  This is the case with “Onward Christian Soldiers.” How can those who claim to be followers of a loving God hold up war as a standard?  But that is not the case.  The focus is not on war but on soldiers, people who have sworn to faithfully follow their leader.

Baring-Gould writes, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the Cross of Jesus going on before.”  You see the image is not the war, but the faithful soldiers. An imagery that Paul himself reminds Timothy of in 2 Timothy 2:3 – 4 when he writes, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” As followers of Christ we need to avoid other things getting in the way of following Christ.  We need to keep our focus on the cross of Jesus that is before us.

Yes, the imagery of a soldier is clearly established, but the fact is that Paul reminds us that we are, indeed, part of a war.  A war that is, ” not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  We are in a spiritual war, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) It is for this reason that Baring-Gould writes, “At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!”

Therefore, as a victorious army, we must remember that “We are not divided, all one body we, One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.”  A reminder of Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:3 – 5, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Yes, we are soldiers in a war, but a war for which the victory is sure.  We faithful follow the lead that Christ, Himself, has set before us.  So we do join the happy throng, and and lift our voices in the triumph song, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King, This through countless ages men and angels sing.”

 

 

Read more about “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Draw Me Nearer Blessed Lord

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Words by Fanny Crosby, 1875
Music by W. Howard Doane, 1875

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:7 – 8

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1 – 2

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19 – 20

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings Hebrews 10:22

From the time we are young children, even before we can remember, our biggest comfort is found in being near to our parents. We’ve all seen it. A child is put to sleep but the minute they wake up and realize that they are alone they begin to cry. It is when a parent comes and picks them up that they begin to stop crying. It is the comfort they find from not being alone, from being drawn near to one who cares about them.

As we grow older we become more comfortable with separation, but we still have the tie that binds us to others. We still find comfort in knowing that those who care are near, even if we strain to keep a certain distance.

Even when we are grown and on our own things still remain the same. We may have lived on our own for years. We may be married and have our own children. But when something goes wrong, it is often to that same comfort to which we once again return. We draw near to those who love us.

In her hymn, “I Am Thine, O Lord” Fanny Crosby focuses on this basic desire within all of us, this desire to be drawn near to the one who cares for us.

She writes, “I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith And be closer drawn to Thee.” God has called to us and those who have responded to the call have become part of His family. They are His. This is, however, only a beginning because knowing something and living something are two different things. That is, we know that we belong to God, but our greatest desire is to be held in His arms.

This is the place of comfort and safety that we all desire. James writes in chapter 4 verses 7 – 8 that if you, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” When we begin to feel alone and distanced we can find the peace that comes only in God’s arms by drawing near to Him.

Our response to this peace we are drawn to is to serve Him. Crosby calls to God to “Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, By the power of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine.”

You see, if it is the nearness of God that we truly seek, then how much more near can we be than to live in His will. Paul writes in Romans 12:1 – 2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

When we draw near to God, we will be anchored in the steadfast hope that comes from Him. We are able to submit to Him. We are able to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice” so that we are able to “test and approve what God’s will is.” In Hebrews 6:19 we read, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast.”

So, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” (Hebrews 10:22) It is only then that we will truly understand the blessing of drawing near to God. It is then that we can sing the words, “O the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!”

Read more about “I Am Thine, O Lord.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Uncategorized, Worship

What Have I To Dread

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Words by Elisha A. Hoffman, 1887
Music by Anthony J. Showalter, 1887

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.
Deuteronomy 33:27

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. . . 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 41:10, 13

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
John 4:16 – 18

One of the things that I remember from growing up may seem a little strange and silly to a lot of people. At the top of the stairs in our house there was a cabinet that kept some of the nice dishes and other items. On the top shelf there was a cookie jar. It was shaped like a cow with a kitten sitting on its back. Now for some unknown reason, I not only did not like the jar, but I refused to go past the cabinet if I could see the cow. This was a problem, especially considering the fact that I had to pass the cabinet to get to my bedroom.

Well my older sister and brother came up with an interesting solution. They went up there with a couple of toy guns and “eliminated” my fear. Now the jar was still there, but for some reason I had a little less problem going by it, though sometimes, I may have been moving quickly.

Seems strange, but we all have fears. Most of them are irrational fears,or phobias. Fear of spiders, Fear of heights, Fear of crowds, Fear of cow shaped cookie jars. Sometimes these fears make us unable to move, sometimes we find strength from facing them.

Now not all fears are irrational. For instance, a fear of walking down a dark alley is actually a reasonable. It is a reminder that we need use common sense precautions in life. But in these cases, just like in the irrational ones, we need to find the strength to move past them.

In the hymn “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” we read, “What have I to dread, what have I to fear?” It speaks with such confidence. But what is the source of this confidence to face fears. In Deuteronomy 31:6 we find the answer. It reads, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This same message is repeated in Isaiah 41:10 where God says, “do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” and in verse 13 he continues, “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.”

God is the answer. He is the source of the strength to face our fears. He has promised that he will always be with us and will never leave us.

This strength is made available to each of us through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 4:17 – 18 tells us, “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” The love of God that dwells in us, through our faith in Jesus Christ, will drive the fear away.

Yes there are still genuine dangers we need to be aware of in life, but it is not fear that should rule our response. When we realize that God holds our hand in His, then we sing the words, “ Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms”

Read more about “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

I Come To The Garden Alone

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

Words and Music by C. Austin Miles, 1912

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
1 King 19:11 – 13

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:15 – 16

 

We live in a hectic and busy world.  It seems we always have something on our plate.  I know personally, those times when there is nothing on the schedule are few and far between.  Between working full-time (which typically pushes over 40 hours a week, being a leader in two separate youth organizations and ministry involvement, which includes both regular preaching and writing, I have very few down hours.  Add on top of that activities of for my wife and three children, there are times when having nothing to do is simply a fantasy.

Now, on those rare occasions when we do have free time, what do we do with it. We try to find other activities.  And if we are not doing something else, then we will often find ourselves with the television or radio going.  Down time is rare and silence almost seems taboo.

As I look at the words of Miles’ hymn, “In The Garden”  I am struck by the clear theme of peace and rest.  From the beginning we read,  “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.”  This is something we have lost, and something that we so desperately need.  Time set aside from the rush of activities and the constant barrage of noise.  This is what the Psalmist refers to when he writes, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

The distractions of our daily lives can so easily get in the way of knowing God. We do not take the time to listen for God’s voice.  We miss the sweet joy about which Miles writes, “And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.” It is in the peace of the garden, when everything else is set aside, that we can hear God’s voice.  It is then that we can hear the gentle whisper of 1 Kings 19:11 – 13.

We all need time alone with God.  Jesus, the very Son of God, understood this need.  Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  If Jesus saw this need, how much more do each of us need it as well.

Yes, we need to take time away from our hectic lives to be alone with God.  To listen for His voice. To know Him.  “In The Garden” reminds us that when we take this time, we can share the joy that can come only from walking and talking with our Lord alone.

 

 

 

Read more about “In The Garden.”