Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Nothing But The Blood of Jesus

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing —
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Words and Music by Robert Lowry, 1876

 

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:7 – 9

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:22

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

 

I’m sure you have heard the proverb. There is more than one way to skin a cat. While I’m not exactly sure of the origins of this phrase, I know it means that there is always another way to do something. People all over the world know this, even if they have not heard the proverb. After all, we are always looking for an easier way to reach our end goal. And for the most part, this is true, but not always. That, of course, is what makes this a proverb and not a statement of fact.

So it is with knowing God and drawing near to Him. We are always looking for how to put ourselves “in God’s good graces.” What extra can I do? What can make up for my mistakes? How can I make God love me? When we look around, we find lots of answers to these questions, but the fact is,there is only one answer. This is the question found in the old gospel hymn, “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus.

Robert Lowry does not hesitate to lay out the question from the start. He writes, “What can take away my sin?” This is the ultimate question that each of ask. How can I stand before God? How can I make myself right?

Lowry answers his own question with the words “nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The blood is both joyous and sorrowful. It is a dark reminder of the sacrifice that Christ made on the Cross. That he gave his life to pay the price for the sins of man. (Romans 4:25) It was the only way.

We see the need of the blood of Jesus when we read, “the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) And we go on to read in Ephesians 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

No, “nothing can for sin atone . . . Naught of good that I have done.: This is why the Paul writes in Philippians 3:7 – 9 that, “whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

And so we see that this same blood is a source of joy, for by it we are made righteous. This is found through faith in the new covenant in the blood of Jesus. As Jesus, himself said in Matthew 26:28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

It is the Blood of Jesus alone that opens the door. It is the blood of Jesus alone that can forgive our sins. It is the blood of Jesus alone that can bestow on us righteousness. It is the blood of Jesus alone that allows us to stand before God.

Yes, when we have put our faith in Jesus, when we have trusted in His blood, then and only then can we truly sing the words, “Oh! Precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

 

 

Read more about “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus.”

Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Words by German Jesuit Order, 17th Century
Music by Silesian Folk Song

 

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.
Isaiah 33:17

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15 – 17

“This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.
Isaiah 44:24

yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live
1 Corinthians 8:6

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
1 John 4:15

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
Psalm 33:12

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11

 

I was raised on a small Iowa farm. Although I have spent most of the last 26 years living in the suburbs of Chicago, deep down, I still long to be home in Iowa. One of the most beautiful scenes in the world to me a farm with wide open spaces and fields green with crops.

Now this is my definition of a beautiful scene, but each of us have different things we would list. For some it is a mountain range. For some a long sea-shore. And for some, it is the hustle and bustle of a city street. The list could go on.

Whatever the scene, for each of us, it can mean the world to cast our eyes upon it. But as beautiful as these scenes can be, they are nothing compared to casting our eyes upon our Savior. This is the theme of the hymn, “Fairest Lord Jesus.” This hymn, originally written by German Jesuit monks, has one thought that it presents. That the fairest thing of all, is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All other things, when compared with him fade to nothing.

The hymn reads, “Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands” yet in response declares, “Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer.” It goes on to say, “Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host.” Yet again, the response is that “Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast.”

No matter how much we may love the things of this earth. No matter how much we may love the beauty of all of God’s creation. They are nothing when compared with Christ himself.

Our hearts desire to see the beauty of our savior is not something new to us, nor something that was new to the authors of the hymn. No, we are not alone in seeking to see the beauty of God. David writes in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

When we seek to look upon the beauty of our Lord and Savior, everything else will begin to seem less important. It is Jesus who our hearts desire to look upon. When we look upon Jesus, we see God revealed. (Colossians 1:15)

Jesus is the very Son of God (1 John 4:15)and the very Son of Man (Luke 19:10) It is Him that we seek to follow. It is Him we hope to see. When we come to see Him truly in this light, we can join with others in the words, “Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.”

 

 

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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.”

 

 

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Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

‘Tis So Sweet, To Trust In Jesus

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Words by Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882
Music by William J. Kirkpatrick

 

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
John 14:1

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11 – 14

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

 

Why? This is a favorite question of little children. They want to learn. They want to understand things. But, there is something else that goes right along with their question, why. Little children seem willing to accept what they are told without further question. It does not cross their mind that the person giving them the answer may not be telling the truth. They simply trust.

Somewhere along the line, we loose this ability. Our default is no longer to trust, but to question. We view trust as something that is earned, not simply given. This is exemplified in the Russian proverb, “Trust, but verify.” It is commonly tied to President Ronald Reagan in association with his dealings with the Soviet Union. Simply put, it means that we want to trust what somebody tells us, but we need to have proof before we do.

The question is then, do we really trust? When we truly trust, there is a peace that comes from knowing we do not have to worry if we are being told the truth. This is the theme of Louisa Stead’s hymn, “ ‘Tis So Sweet, To Trust In Jesus.”

Stead writes, “just to take Him at His word..” Think about, what peace there really is when you do not have the need to question. I am not talking about questions of understanding, but of truth. The simple reality that you do not need to doubt that what you are being told is the truth.

For this reason Stead goes on the right, “And in simple faith.” That’s what trust boils down to, simple faith. But do we have faith because we trust, or do we trust because we have faith? If we do not have faith in the person, then we can not trust them, but how can we trust someone, if we do not have faith in them. These things seem to go hand in hand. Faith and trust are two sides of the same coin. This is why John 14:1 read, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” in some translations and “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” in others.

So trust and faith (or belief) walk hand in hand. It is this trust that allows us to place faith in Jesus sacrifice for us. Because of this trust, I can turn my life over to Christ. I can rest in Him “Just from sin and self to cease.” So that I can get from Jesus, “Life and rest, and joy and peace.”

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13 – 14, “ When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.”

We can trust in Jesus. So we are able to sing the final verse of this hymn.

“I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.”

 

 

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Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Words by Fanny Crosby, 1873
Music by Phoebe Knapp, 1873

 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:19 – 23

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

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 8:12 – 17

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:33 – 34

 

Do you remember what it is like when you try something new for the first time? Hopefully we are all trying new things and stretching ourselves as much as we can. But maybe it will help to think back to when we were young, after all everything was new then. One of those new big things that almost all of us has expereinced is driving.
This is fresh in my mind not from having learnef to drive, but having an 18 year old son who has recently gone through it and a 14 year old son who is about to. It’s nerve racking from both sides without a doubt. But I came to realize that the best thing I could do was not simply correct their mistakes, but to affirm what they do right and reassure them that they can do it.

You see, when we are trying hard and simply keep struggling we can quickly become discouraged and see no hope. But when we have someone come along side of us, place their hand on our should and tell us, “It’s okay, you are not alone. You can do this, just give it another try.” we find the strength to go on. That assurance can mean everything.

This is the message that Fanny Crosby relates to us in her hymn, “Blessed Assurance.” We all know how hard this life is. Every day the struggles can seem to get worse. Sometimes we don’t know how we are going to go on. Now your probably expecting me to say that Jesus is the answer. Well, He is, but I am not simply saying “let go, let God.” Even as believers there are times that we can become so burdened down that we loose sight of God, and “sound bite” answers simply do not give us assurance.

So how do we find that assurance that can so easily evade us? How do we remind ourselves that God is there? The answer is found in God’s Word, the Bible.

When we turn to Hebrews 10 verses 19 we are reminded that “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” You see one of the barriers that stands in our way is that we do not turn to God because we are so distracted by our struggles, and often because we feel unworthy to come before Him. But we are reminded that we may enter His presence with confidence.

We are children of God who can come to our father. Romans 8:15 – 17 tells us, ” 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.”

Chapter 8 continues to tell us in verse 33 – 34 that if we an then children of God, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

No, as hard as the struggles we face are, we are not alone. Christ interceded for us. We as little children may come before our
Father and He will hear us. When we are reminded of this, that we may “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” (Hebrew 10:22)

God has given us that needed reassurance in His Word. Now that We indeed have this assurance, we can join with the words of Fanny Crosby declaring, “Pefect submission, all is at rest. I in my savior, am happy and blest.”

 

 

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Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Words by Reginald Heber, 1826
Music by John Dykes, 1861

 

. . . At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. . . Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. . . Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:1 – 11

. . . I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with two they covered their face, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. . .

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin removed.
Isaiah 6:1 – 7

 

I remember visiting my grandparents house when I was young. We would go there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, sometimes Easter as well as other times. One of the things that was always a given was a big meal. For the holidays there was always a big meal, but even if we were there only for the weekend, we would always have a big Sunday dinner.

Now my grandmother had a china cabinet (though I don’t remember it having china) that the dishes were kept in. We would pull out the dishes and set the table. For big family get togethers we would set a second table. Sometimes we stretched the dishes to the limit, using everything available in the cabinet.

But these were not the only dishes my grandmother had. Hanging on the wall in the dining room she had a collection of tea cups. These, however, were special. She had collected the. and they were never used. After my grandmother passed away these cups were distributed to family. I have one, and I as well do not use it, it sits on a shelf as a reminder of my grandmother each time I see it. It is set apart.

“Set apart” This is the meaning of he word Holy, and so is the theme of Reginald Heber’s hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Heber begins his hymn with the words, “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” These words may be familiar to many. In Revelation 4:8 the angels around the throne declares, “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” They are echoing the words of the angels around the throne in Isaiah 6:3 where they declare, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Think about, the angels themselves, who are in the very presence of God cannot help but declare that God is set apart. He is above and beyond all of creation. He is Holy. But they do not simply declare Him holy, but do it three-fold. The three-fold formula is a declaration that God is not simply holy, but perfectly holy. And so over and over again, in his hymn, Heber proclaims that God is perfectly holy.

How humbling and frightening this can be. I mean if the seraphim and cherubim who are in God’s very presence bow before Him declaring his holiness and the twenty-four elders of Revelation 4:10 fall down and cast their crowns before Him, what can I do. As Heber puts it, “Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.”

So when I find myself coming before the Lord, I am with Isaiah who says, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5) What am I to do?

There is hope. For Isaiah the angel touched his lips with a coal from from the altar of God and he is told, “this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin removed.” But what of us?

Our hope is in Jesus Christ. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18) Because of this, if we “declare with our mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) As a result, we need not fear standing before God, but we may “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace “ (Hebrews 4:16)

Yes, we who have believed in Christ. We who have been baptized “ in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” ( Matthew 28:19) into Christ death and resurrection (Romans 6:3) need not fear being in the presence of a perfectly holy God. Instead we may join with that great chorus of voices testifying, “Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!”

 

 

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Brian Olson Devotional, Hymns, Worship

Take It To The Lord In Prayer

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Words by Joseph Scriven, 1855
Music by Charles Converse, 1868

 

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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 15:13 – 15

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 – 7

 

Remember back in elementary school, when you would take a field trip to a museum, a park or anywhere else? We were always told the rules of behavior; “Don’t run”, “Obey the signs”, Listen to the adults” and most importantly, “use the buddy system.”

You remember the buddy system. You were paired up with one or two other people, and you always had to be together no matter where you went. The plan was to make sure that no one got lost or left behind. It’s a good plan and can be used throughout our lives. It’s always good to have someone else to share our load.

Even in the Bible we see the buddy system. In Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 12 we read, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.”

This is the idea behind the old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” We all need a friend to turn to and Proverbs 18:24 tells us that “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Now what exactly does “closer than a brother mean?” Think about it. It is not unusual for people to put on a face for people to see. They share what they want to be seen. But a brother, or family in general, sees the real us. They see us when we let our mask down. They know our real strengths and weaknesses.

Yes family knows the real us, and there is something about that which gives us peace. We don’t feel the need to put on a happy face when things are bad. We don’t have to live in fear that people will see our failings and turn away. Family loves you as you are.

So who is this friend that is closer than a brother? It is the Lord Himself. Jesus remind us of this in John 15:15 when he says, “I have called you friends.” Jesus is the friend closer than a brother. Jesus is the closest friend to all believers. He is the friend we can be ourselves with. He is the friend we can share our joys and our sorrows with. He is the friend who knows the real us and accepts us. As Scriven writes, “Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.”

This is the gift that God has given to those who turn to Him. In Scriven’s words, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” We bring whatever we are facing, whatever we are going through to God in prayer. And what is the result of bringing things to Him? It may not always be the answer we are looking for, but it brings us a sense of peace. By trusting things to God, we can find a peace that is beyond our understanding. A peace that comes from knowing everything is in God’s hands.

In Philippians 4:6 – 7 Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Sharing our prayers with the Lord gives us this peace. But when we fail to bring our problems to God in prayer, we give up the opportunity to experience this peace. Scriven puts it this way, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Believers have been given a wonderful gift. The opportunity to allow Jesus to share, and even carry our burdens. The buddy system works. Jesus is there to help us carry on and make sure we are not left behind. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”(Hebrews 13:5)

Because of this, I find great peace as I sing the words, “Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.”

 

 

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