Download - Emphasis on Songs, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

7/30/2019 Emphasis on Songs, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

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HOW GREAT THOU ARTDECEMBER 1

Bible Reading: Psalm 92Key Verse: 5- O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.Key Words: how great are thy works

Connie Ruth Christensen writes regarding one of the most favorite hymns of alltime. As a matter of fact, a poll conducted by The Christian Heraldin 1974 named itthe most popular hymn in America.

The hymn How Great Thou Arttraveled a long road before it ended up a favoriteedition to English hymnals. The original version was a poem written by a Swedishpastor, Reverend Carl Boberg in 1886, and entitled O Stor Gud. Boberg published

the poem in his periodical Sanningsvittnet. Several years later he was surprised anddelighted to hear his poem being sung by a church congregation, to the tune of anold Swedish folk melody.

Boberg's poem was soon thereafter translated into German by Manfred vonGlehn, who entitled it Wie gross bist Du. In 1925, an American Reverend E. GustavJohnson translated the Swedish poem into an English version that is somewhatdifferent than the one popular today. For instance, the first line of Johnson's hymnreads Oh mighty God, when I behold the wonder.

In 1927, I.S. Prokanoff translated Glehn's German version into Russian, to beenjoyed by that culture also. Throughout all of these translations, the originalSwedish folk tune remained the same.

In 1933, English missionaries to the Ukraine, Reverend and Mrs. Stuart K. Hineheard the song for the first time, fell in love with it and sang it often throughout theirmissionary journeys. As they traveled the Carpathian Mountains, the couple wasinspired by the incredible beauty to translate the first three verses of the song intoEnglish. When WWII broke out in 1939, the Hines returned to England carrying HowGreat Thou Art to its new home. After the war they wrote the fourth verse andarranged the original Swedish folk tune to be published in English hymnals.

In the 1950s, the song was copyrighted and widely published in America,becoming more and more popular. When George Beverly Shay and the BillyGraham gospel choir, directed by Cliff Barrows, began to sing the song at virtuallyevery crusade event, How Great Thou Artsoon became one of the most recognizedsongs around the world.

What to do: Live as if God is great in your life.


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TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BEDECEMBER 2

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-21Key Verse: 1- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your

reasonable service.Key Words: present your bodies

Frances Ridley Havergals life was brief (43 years: 1836 1879) but during thattime she composed more than 80 hymns.

Al Smith records that Frances was a Hebrew and Greek scholar and was skilledin the use of several modern languages. She was the author of many helpful books.

She was also a brilliant singer and pianist, and a glittering secular career was opento her. But Frances Ridley Havergal considered all her talents to be only loans fromthe Lord, to be used in His service. She would not even sing, except it was sacredmusic, and that only for the purpose of blessing or winning souls. She lived a life soearnest and devoted that all of the things she did had a deeper influence over thehearts of Christians than perhaps any other woman of her day.

It is no wonder that from a life so dedicated there would flow forth so beautiful ahymn of consecration. It is often considered the outstanding hymn of its kind in the

Christian church.In was in February, 1874, that Miss Havergal was a guest in a home where

there were ten persons. Some of them were not converted and those who wereconverted did not seem to be very happy in their faith. A great longing came overMiss Havergal that all ten of them might, before she left, come to know her Savior as

joyfully and as assuredly as she had just come to know Him. She began to diligentlypray to that end and God answered her prayers. For when the last evening of herstay arrived, all ten had either come to Christ for salvation or had entered into the

joy of their salvation. That night she was too happy to sleep and spent it in writingthis hymn ending with the triumphant declaration, Ever, only, all for Thee!

May these become our words as well!

What to do: Give God your life. He can do far more with it than you can.


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A MIGHTY FORTRESSDECEMBER 3

Bible Reading: Psalm 46Key Verse: 1-God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Key Words: God is our refuge and strength

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther hammered into the door of the castlechurch at Wittenburg, Germany, his 95 Thesis against the Roman Catholic Church.

Among the things Luther is known for is:

The Scriptures to be translated into the common language of all men.

The birth of congregational singing.This hymn,A Mighty Fortress is Our God, was written by Martin Luther around

the time the term protestant was first heard. This hymn became the battle anthemduring the time of the Protestant Reformation.The hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, is based on the 46th Psalm. Luther

said of music, After theology there is nothing that can be placed on a level withmusic. It drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. It is a gift that God gaveto the birds and to men. Luther went on to say, We need to remove hymn singingfrom the domain of monks and priests, and set the laity to singing. For by thesinging of hymns, one demonstrates their love to God.

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing:For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate,On earth is not his equal.

What to do: Let God be your Mighty Fortress.


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AND CAN IT BEDECEMBER 4

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:7-20Key Verse: 20- Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that

we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Key Words: above all that we ask or think

Charles Wesley, founder of the movement known as Methodism with his

brother, John, was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1735. However,

three years later, the evening of May 21, 1738, reportedly after prolonged Bible

reading he wrote:

"At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping

or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation,and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly

abundantly for me above what I can ask or think."

Another writer states that he recorded in his journal:

"I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I

saw that by faith I stood."

Two days later, his journal reported that he had begun writing a hymn. This

hymn was likely And Can It Be because of the vivid testimony of stanza four. Thishymn and Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin were the first of the 6000 plus

hymns that he wrote. Also, it is reported that his brother John sang a hymn to the

tune CRUCIFIXION on his own conversion to "vital religion" three days later.

Although it was not stated what hymn it was, the Foundery Tune Book, published by

John Wesley in 1742, pairedAnd Can It Be with CRUCIFIXION.

"And Can It Be" was first published in John Wesley's Psalms and Hymns in

1738, then in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739.

What to do: In your life, think of what can be if you would turn to Christ.


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IT TOOK A MIRACLEDECEMBER 5

Bible Reading: John 3:1-16Key Verse: 16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Key Words: For God so loved the world

Al Smith writes the following:In my opinion, John W. Peterson is one of todays most gifted Gospel

songwriters. It was my privilege to collaborate with John for several years as heworked for a publishing company I owned and had founded, namedSingspiration. It was during that time that John told me of the circumstances

which led to the writing of this great song.When World War II came along, John enlisted in the Air Corps and became a

pilot and eventually an instructor. As a pilot he served his time in China and flewB47s over the Burma Hump. His payload was 100 octane gas which was usedto keep our fighting planes in the air as we fought Japan. Many of Johns flightswere made at night. During these flights, after he had put the plane onautomatic pilot, he would not only spend his time watching out for enemy planes

which might attack, but also viewing the mighty works of the heavens which anomnipotent God had made. A God that John knew as his Heavenly Father, forhe had accepted Christ as his Savior while still a young boy. John also told methat often, when the return flight was in the daytime, he would fly his plane in lowand wing his way between the rugged mountains passing over many of thenative villages. As he did this, his thoughts often dwelt on the fact that the Godof miracles and wonders in the heavens was the same God Who so loved the

world, that He had given His all, His only begotten Son, that even these natives,unknown to John but known and loved by God, might experience the greatestmiracle of all eternal life!

The war came to an end, John first went back home to Wichita, Kansas, andthen came to Chicago to give himself to the study of music. It was while he wasin Chicago that he reviewed some of his never-to-be-forgotten experiences in theservices, and was inspired to write It Took A Miracle.

My Father is omnipotentAnd that you cant deny;A God of might and miracles;'Tis written in the sky.

It took a miracle to put the stars in place;


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It took a miracle to hang the world in space.But when He saved my soul,Cleansed and made me whole,It took a miracle of love and grace!

What to do: If you are not saved, you can become another of Gods miracles

today.

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAMEDECEMBER 6

Bible Reading: Acts 4:1-12Key Verse: 12- Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name

under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Key Words: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,whereby we must be saved

Reverend E. P. Scott was a missionary, living in India during the 1800s. At theprompting of the Holy Spirit, but against advice of his fellow missionaries, Scott set

out alone to visit a remote village. He was determined to share the Gospel with adangerous savage tribe.Several days into his journey, Scott was met by a large group of warriors whoquickly surrounded him, each one pointing a spear towards his heart. Expecting todie, Scott made a decision to use his last few breaths to glorify God, and tohopefully stir something within the hearts of his captors. He took out his violin (whichhe always carried on him), closed his eyes, and began to play and sing All Hail thePower of Jesus Name, in the native language of the warriors.

After singing the first verse, the second, the third, and then beginning the fourth,Rev. Scott realized he was still standing, and that all around him was a peacefulquiet. Opening his eyes he saw every spear lowered. There stood those mightywarriors, with tears in their eyes. Throughout the remainder of his life, Scott spentmuch time with this tribe, sharing the love of God.

All Hail the Power of Jesus Name has been hailed as the "National Anthem ofChristendom." It was written in 1779 by Rev. Edward Perronet (1726-1792). The


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music was composed by Oliver Holden (1765-1844). The hymn has been translatedinto almost every existing language.

All hail the power of Jesus' name!

Let angels prostrate fall;bring forth the royal diadem,and crown Him Lord of all.Bring forth the royal diadem,and crown Him Lord of all.

What to do: Humble yourself before Jesus and let Him truly be your Lord and

Savior.

AMAZING GRACE DECEMBER 7 Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-9

Key Verse: 2- By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein westand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Key Words: this grace

John Newton was born in London in the year 1725. His father was a seacaptain. His mother, a devout Christian woman who, realizing that an illness shehad would take her life within a short time, taught her son to know the Bible at anearly age.

When John was seven, his mother died and he became a cabin boy aboard asailing ship. His experiences through the years on the sea were dangerous andexciting, even to being shanghaied. That is, he was forced to join the crew of aMan of War. Here he was cruelly treated, being flogged and abused. After this

experience, he joined the crew of a slave ship and eventually became a captain.During all of this, John drifted far from his mothers God and the Bible. He laterwrote, I often saw the necessity of being a Christian as a means of escaping hell,but I loved sin and was unwilling to forsake it.

Each year saw him sinking lower into the pits of sin and soon he had gotten solow that even the ships crew despised him as being no more than an animal. Onone occasion, the drunk captain fell overboard but the men did not so much asmake an effort to drop a boat over the side to rescue him. They simply took a


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whaling harpoon and threw it at him. It caught him in his hip and the crew hauledhim aboard, much the same as they would a large fish. Because of this occurrence,John Newton limped the rest of his life, but as he would say, Each limp is a constantreminder of Gods grace to this wretched sinner.

Amazing Grace is really the life story and testimony of John Newton. It was in

1779 while working on the hymnal Olney Hymns with William Cowper, author ofThere Is a Fountain Filled with Blood that he wrote this gem of hymnology using asits title Faiths Review and Expectation.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once waslost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

What to do: Thank God each day for His amazing grace!

REVIVE US AGAIN DECEMBER 8 Bible Reading: Psalm 85

Key Verse: 6-Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?Key Words: wilt thou not revive us again

Here in his own words is the story of a Scottish medical doctor named W. F.Mackay.

My dear motherhad been a Godly, pious woman, quite often telling me of theSavior, and many times I had been a witness to her wrestling in prayer for my soulsconversion. But nothing had made an impression on me. The older I grew the morewicked I becameI was in danger of becoming an infidel

One day a seriously injured [laborer] had fallen a considerable distance whileclimbing a ladder. The case was hopeless; all we could do was ease the pains ofthe unfortunate man. He seemed to realize his condition, for he was fully conscious,

and asked me how long he would lastThe patient was alone in the world. His only wish was to see his landlady,because he owed her a small sum, and also wished to bid her farewell. He alsorequested his landlady send him The Book.

What book? I questioned.Oh, just ask her for the book, she will know, was his reply.After a week of such suffering he died. I went to see him on my regular visits at

least once a day. What struck me most was the quiet, almost happy expression


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which was constantly on his face. I knew he was a Christian, but about suchmatters I cared not to talk with him or hear.

After the man had died, some things about the deceaseds affairs were to beattended to in my presence.

What shall we do with this? asked the nurse, holding up a book in her hand.

What kind of book is it? I asked.The Bible of the poor man. His landlady brought it on her second visit. Aslong as he was able to read it he did so, and when he was unable to do so anymore,he kept it under his bed cover.

I took the Bible and could I trust my eyes? It was my own Bible! The Biblewhich my mother had given me when I left my parents home, and which later, whenshort of money, I sold for a small amount. My name was still in it, written in mymothers hand. Beneath my name was the verse she had selected for me.

I need not add much more. Be it sufficient to say that the regained possessionof my Bible was the cause of my conversion.

It was this man, Dr. W. P. Mackay, who later wrote the famous hymn Revive UsAgain.

Revive us again,Fill each heart with Thy love.May each soul be rekindledWith fire from above.Hallelujah! Thine the glory!Hallelujah! Amen.Hallelujah! Thine the glory!Revive us again.

What to do: Ask God to revive you again.

MORE LOVE TO THEEDECEMBER 9

Bible Reading: Romans 8:31-39Key Verse: 39- Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able toseparate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Key Words: Separate us from the love of God

All her life, Elizabeth Payson was frail and sickly, but her spirit was strong, andher ability to compose inspirational poems was striking. Her father had been one of


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New Englands best-loved preachers, and from him she inherited empathy andeloquence.

In 1845, at age twenty-seven, she married the pastor of Mercer StreetPresbyterian Church in New York City, Dr. George L. Prentiss. She was loved byboth the congregation at Mercer Street Church and the wider population in New York

City. Despite physical infirmities, she cheerfully fulfilled her role as pastors wife andmother to the couples three beloved children.But disaster struck in 1856 during an epidemic. Two of the couples children

died within a few weeks of the other, and for months Elizabeth was inconsolable.The members of the church did all they could, comforting the couple, bringing byfood, and helping with the running of the household. But Elizabeth was devastated.

The Lord directed Elizabeths heart to the Old Testament story of Jacob, theman who had so many sorrows related to his children, yet God had met him in his

distress and in the end it all worked for good. She prayed earnestly for a similarexperience. The old hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee, occupied her thoughts, andshe made it the prayer of her heart.

One night, pondering these things, she composed her own poem, writing all fourstanzas in one evening. Though it gave her great comfort, she didnt think her poemworthy of publication and didnt show it to anyone for thirteen years. It has sincebecome a classic:

More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee!Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee;This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee,More love to Thee, More love to Thee.

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;Now Thee alone I seek Give what is best;

This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee,More love to Thee, More love to Thee.

What to do: Ask God to enlarge your heart so you can love God more (Psalm

119:32).


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MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEEDECEMBER 10

Bible Reading: II Timothy 4Key Verse: 7-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the

faith:

Key Words: kept the faith

If there is a song to describe the Apostle Paul, it would be my faith looks up tothee.

Ray Palmer, in his early twenties, burned the candle at both ends, workinghimself often to exhaustion. He sometimes wondered if he could go on, teaching ata girls school, clerking at a store, studying for the ministry, and working in thechurch. He kept a little Morocco-bound notebook, and one night in his boardinghouse, he opened it and wrote out his prayers in the form of a poem. Doing so gavehim renewed encouragement.

One day in 1832, he met Lowell Mason in front of a store in Boston. Mason wasa banker and church musician who was compiling a church songbook. Masonasked Palmer for a poem to go into it, and Palmer opened his little notebook andshowed Mason the poem. After reading it, Mason said, Mr. Palmer, you may domany good things, but posterity will remember you as the author ofMy Faith Looks

Up to Thee.That night, Lowell Mason set Palmers poem to music, and Dr. Ray Palmer has

indeed gone down in church history because of that one poem jotted in his journal.

My Faith looks up to Thee,Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,O let me from this dayBe wholly Thine!

What to do: Let your faith look up to God.


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SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER?DECEMBER 11

Bible Reading: Acts 16:1-16Key Verse: 13-And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where

prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which

resorted thither.Key Words: by a river side

Rev. Robert Lowry, thirty-eight, ministered in New York City during that terrible

period in 1864 when the plague was sweeping away multitudes of citizens. When

he wasnt visiting sick members of his Hanson Place Baptist Church, he was

conducting funerals. One hot July day, Lowry himself was near collapse, exhausted,

despirited. Reaching for a scrap of paper, he began composing a poem; then, at hisorgan, he composed the music for it. It spoke of his hope to meet his suffering and

dying parishioners in heaven, down by the River of Life.

Shall we gather at the river,Where bright angel feet have trod?With its crystal tide foreverFlowing by the throne of God?

Yes, well gather at the river,The beautiful, the beautiful river;Gather with the saints at the riverThat flows by the throne of God.

What to do: Today, be refreshed from the river of life that flows from Gods Word

into your heart.


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IN THE SWEET BY AND BYDECEMBER 12

Bible Reading: Revelation 22:1-13Key Verse: 1-And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,

proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Key Words: a pure river of water of life

Joseph Webster walked wearily into the little drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It

was a lovely day in the late fall of 1867, but Webster looked as though he had lost

his best friend. His problems had gotten the best of him, and his mood was heavy.

The proprietor of the little shop was Samuel Bennett, thirty-one, who not only

filled prescriptions he sometimes wrote them. On this day, he had just the

prescription for his discouraged friend.After listening carefully to Websters accumulated burdens, he picked up his pen

and began writing on a 5 x 7 piece of paper. In a few minutes he handed his friend

a poem, one he had composed on the spot.

Webster read the poem, picked up his fiddle, and began improvising a simple

melody. Hand me some paper, he said, so I can jot down the notes before I forget

them.

He played the tune two or three times, then, recruiting a couple of customerswho had walked into the store, they formed a makeshift quartet and sang it. Thus

the world was given the popular gospel tune:

Theres a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afarFor the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there.In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

What to do: Look forward to the land that is fairer than day, but occupy until

youre there.


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I SURRENDER ALLDECEMBER 13

Bible Reading: Isaiah 6:1-9Key Verse: 8-Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who

will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Key Words: Here am I, send me

"For many years I had been studying art. My whole life was wrapped up in itspursuit and the thing farthest from my mind was active Christian service," so spokeJudson W. Van DeVenter. My dream was to become an outstanding and famousartist. After graduating from college I studied drawing and painting under a well-known German teacher. To help me financially, I taught school and eventually I

became supervisor of art in the public schools of Sharon, Pennsylvania.It was during this period in my life that a revival was held in the First MethodistChurch of which I was a member. I became very interested in these meetings as apersonal worker. It was not very long after that, I was licensed as a lay preacher.God blessed my efforts and many souls were saved in the meetings I conducted.The Spirit of God was strongly urging me to give up teaching and to enter theevangelistic field but I would not yield. I still had the burning desire to be an artist.This battle raged for five years. At last the time came when I could hold out no

longer and I surrendered my all my time and my talents. It was then that a newday was ushered into my life. I became an Evangelist and discovered that deepdown in my soul was hidden a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden asong in my heart and touching a tender chord He caused me to sing songs I hadnever sung before.

I wrote I Surrender All in memory of the time when, after the long struggle, Ihad surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service for the Lord. Itwas written in the home of Mr. George Sebring in East Palestine, Ohio. It was Mr.Sebring who later founded the city of Sebring, Florida.

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

What to do: Surrender all to Jesus today.


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I MUST TELL JESUSDECEMBER 14

Bible Reading: Mark 5:35-43Key Verse: 35- While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogues

house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master

any further?Key Words: thy daughter is dead

It was while he was a pastor in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, that the Rev. Elisha AHoffman wrote I Must Tell Jesus.

On the membership roll of the church was a lady who just seemed to betroubled with sorrows and trials all of the time. Because of this, Rev. Hoffman madea determined effort to visit with her more often than the others in the church for hesensed her need of the prayer and the reading of the Bible which accompanied eachof his visits. This did much to lift her spirits and lighten her load.

Coming into her home one day, he found that a new calamity had befallen herand she was crestfallen and oh, so discouraged! As she unburdened her heart toher pastor, and as she told him what had happened, she would wring her hands andexclaim, Oh, Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do? When she hadfinished her tale of woe, Pastor Hoffman opened the Bible and began to quote

verses of assurance, trust, and the faithfulness of God. After he had read a few ofthem, he remarked, You see, my dear sister, God wants to bear all of these sorrowswhether great or small. The best thing we can do is to take them to Jesus. We musttell Jesus! For a moment there was silence and then with face aglow and her eyesshining she exclaimed, Yes, Pastor, you are so right. I must tell Jesus! I must tellJesus!

Pastor Hoffman said that he made no further pastoral calls that day, for in hisheart was burning the phrase, I must tell Jesus. He knew it was a message the

whole world should know and what better way to send it forth than with a song. Hewent back to his church study and wrote I Must Tell Jesus that very afternoon.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;In my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.He ever loves me and cares for His own.I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!I cannot bear my burdens alone.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

What to do: Whatever you are facing today, you can tell it to Jesus.


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IM GOING HIGHERDECEMBER 15

Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-18Key Verse: 17-Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with

them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the

Lord.Key Words: caught up

It was a beautiful clear day in Kansas City, Missouri. The year was 1924 andHerbert Buffum, an itinerant preacher and singer, was walking along Main Streetenjoying himself when he was attracted by the faint whir of an engine. As hestopped and listened he reasoned that it had to be coming from the sky above andas his eyes searched they eventually focused upon a small plane flying among thefleecy clouds in the great expanse of the blue heavens. It was flying so high that hecould hardly see it. It was for this reason that Buffum hardly heard the whir of itsengine. As he stood enthralled at the sight, for flying was then in its infancy, hiseyes began suddenly to search deeper and deeper into the depths of the wide blueexpanse. He mused, It would be wonderful to fly that high. He became soengrossed with the scene and with his thoughts that he became unaware of thepeople and the noise about him.

With a start he awoke from his daydreaming for it seemed that the faint whir ofthe engine had become a loud audible voice saying, Herbert Buffum, youre goinghigher someday!

It was with this experience still warm upon his memory that he wrote Im GoingHigher Someday.

Herbert Buffum was born in Lafayette, Illinois, in 1879. He preached his firstsermon when he was seventeen years of age and also wrote his first song the sameyear. At the time he was serving with a Christian service organization called The

Volunteers of America. It was while he was sweeping the floor of the gospelmission that he received the inspiration to write his first song.

Im going higher, yes, higher someday.Im going higher to stay oer the clouds

And beyond the sky to be with Jesus forever on high.Loved ones Ill meet in that sweet by and by.

Im going higher someday.

What to do: Are you going higher some day? Make sure you are.


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JUST AS I AMDECEMBER 16

Bible Reading: John 6:22-40Key Verse: 37-All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh

to me I will in no wise cast out.

Key Words: him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out

She was an embittered woman, Charlotte Elliott of Brighton, England. Her healthwas broken, and her disability had hardened her. If God loved me, she muttered,He would not have treated me this way.

Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister named Dr. Cesar Malan visited the Elliottson May 9, 1822. Over dinner, Charlotte lost her temper and railed against God and

family in a violent outburst. Her embarrassed family left the room, and Dr. Malan, leftalone with her, stared at her across the table.

You are tired of yourself, arent you? he said at length. You are holding to yourhate and anger because you have nothing else in the world to cling to. Consequently,you have become sour, bitter, and resentful.

What is your cure? asked Charlotte.The faith you are trying to despise.As they talked, Charlotte softened. If I wanted to become a Christian and to

share the peace and joy you possess, she finally asked, what would I do?You would give yourself to God just as you are now, with your fightings and

fears, hates and loves, pride and shame.I would come to God just as I am? Is that right?Charlotte did come just as she was. Her heart was changed that day. As time

passed, she found and claimed John 6:37 as a special verse for her: the one whocomes to Me I will by no means cast out.

Several years later, her brother, Rev. Henry Elliott, was raising funds for a schoolfor the children of poor clergymen. Charlotte wrote a poem, and it was printed andsold across England. The leaflet said: Sold for the Benefit of St. Margarets Hall,Brighton: Him that Cometh to Me I Will in No Wise Cast Out. Underneath wasCharlottes poemwhich has since become the most famous invitational hymn inhistory:

Just as I am, without one plea,But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou biddst me come to Thee,O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

What to do: Jesus wants you just as you are.


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STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUSDECEMBER 17

Bible Reading: Acts 2:22-36Key Verse: 36- Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath

made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Key Words: whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ

During the great revival of 1858, Stand Up for Jesus was the dying message ofRev. Dudley Tyng to the Philadelphia Young Mens Christian Association and theministers associated with them in the noon-day prayer meeting usually known as theWork of God in Philadelphia. On Sunday, Rev. Tyng had spoken to over 5,000men gathered in Janes Hall. Of these 5,000 men, over 1,000 responded to the

invitation. The following Wednesday, Dr. Tyng was at home on his farm and decidedhe would go out to the barn where they were shelling corn. While there, the sleeveof the silk study jacket he was wearing caught in the cogs of a wheel as a mule wasturning the corn sheller. Dr. Tyngs arm was pulled into the sheller and literallypulled out at the roots and within a few hours Dr. Tyng would be dead. But notbefore he had given those stirring words in answer to a question from his father whoasked, Dudley, hundreds of your friends and co-workers are waiting for news fromyou. What should I tell them? His answer was, Father, tell them to stand up for

Jesus. These were his last words. At the funeral service the following Sunday, Dr.George Duffield, a well-known Presbyterian pastor, gave the message. At theconclusion he quoted a poem that he had written based upon the last words ofDudley Tyng. This has become our well-known and beloved Gospel song, StandUp, Stand Up for Jesus.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross;Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss:From victory unto victory His army He shall lead,Till every foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed.

What to do: Stand up, stand up for Jesus!


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THE DOXOLOGYDECEMBER 18

Bible Reading: Psalm 150Key Verse: 6-Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.Key Words: Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord

Thomas Ken (1637-1711) was an Englishman and an ordained Anglican priest.He served as Rector of several parishes, was briefly Chaplain to Princess Mary, andlater to the British fleet. He published many poems, along with a Manual of Prayers.

After his parents died, Thomas was enrolled by his sister into an all- boy'sschool, Winchester College. He would return to the same school as Chaplain manyyears later. In order to motivate his students in their devotions, Thomas wrote a

three stanza hymn -- one verse to be sung upon waking and one before bed. Thethird verse was to be sung at midnight, if a boy found sleep difficult.Today, the writing of this hymn may seem an innovative way to motivate

teenage boys. In Thomas' day however, the writing of this hymn for such a purposewas somewhat revolutionary. For centuries hymns of the church were sung only bymonks. Although at this point in history Protestant churches in some countries werebeginning to introduce hymns into congregational singing, it would be several yearsbefore England would officially sanction the practice. For this reason, Thomas Ken

has been called Englands first hymnist.The refrain to all three verses of Thomas hymn has since become one of the

most widely-sung songs in the world, and is referred to in many circles simply as,The Doxology.

Towards the end of his life, Thomas Ken was imprisoned by King James II, forhis forward Protestant thinking. Upon his release, he quietly retired from thepriesthood and went to live with some friends until his death, on March 11, 1711.When he was buried at sunrise, The Doxologywas sung at his funeral.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (The Doxology)

Praise God from Whom all blessings flowPraise Him all creatures here belowPraise Him above ye heavenly hostsPraise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

What to do: Praise the Lord today, and everyday, for He is worthy of our praise.


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O COME, ALL YE FAITHFULDECEMBER 19

Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-14Key Verse: 11- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is

Christ the Lord.

Key Words: for unto you is born this day

One of the favorite Christmas hymns is O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The original Latin text consisted of four stanzas. The first calls us to visualize

anew the infant Jesus in Bethlehems stable. The second stanza is usually omitted

in most hymnals, but it reminds us that the Christ-child is very God Himself:

God of God and Light of Light begotten, Lo, He abhors not the Virgins womb;

Very God, begotten, not created O come, let us adore Him.The next stanza pictures for us the exalted song of the angelic choir heard by

the lowly shepherds. Then the final verse offers praise and adoration to the Word,

our Lord, who was with the Father from the beginning of time.

For many years this hymn was known as an anonymous Latin hymn. Recent

research, however, has revealed manuscripts that indicate that it was written in 1744

by an English layman named John Wade and set to music by him in much the same

style as used today. The hymn first appeared in his collection, Cantus Diversi,published in England in 1751. One hundred years later the carol was translated into

its present English form by an Anglican minister, Frederick Oakeley, who desired to

use it for his congregation. The tune name, Adeste Fideles, is taken from the first

words of the original Latin text, and translated literally means be present or near, ye

faithful.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; come ye, O come ye toBethlehem; come and behold Him, born the King of angels:

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; sing all ye bright hosts of heavnabove; glory to God, all glory in the highest:

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be allglory givn; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Chorus:O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adoreHim, Christ, the Lord.


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What to do: God was faithful in sending His Son. His Son was faithful in coming,

and we should be faithful in serving and telling others about the savinggrace of Jesus.

THE FIRST NOELDECEMBER 20

Bible Reading: Luke 2:15-20Key Verse: 20-And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the

things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Key Words: and praising God

Kenneth Osbeck says of this great Christmas hymn:Although no Christmas season would be complete without the melodious

singing of this tuneful carol, very little is known about its origin. It is believed to havehad its rise in France during the fifteenth century. Noel is a French word originating

from Latin meaning birthday. The song is thought to have been brought across thechannel to England before 1823 by the wandering troubadours. The carol under theEnglish form, Nowell, became a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially in thewest of England. This was when the entire village gathered for singing andcelebrating the bringing in of the Yule log. At this time carols were thought of aspopular religious songs meant to be sung outside the church rather than within.

The First Noelis a story of the birth of Christ, but all six stanzas are needed totell the entire story; but in particular, note the sixth verse.

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,That hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind hath

bought.And the repetition of the joyous Noel in the refrain (chorus) is the same as our

singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

What to do: Because He came, we can live.


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While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.

What to do: Give thanks to God for not only the Christ Child but for the Savior that

was born in a mangerbut Hes preparing a heavenly mansion for us.

GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMENDECEMBER 22

Bible Reading: Psalm 24Key Verse: 8- Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD

mighty in battle.

Key Words: the Lord strong and mighty

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (also known as God Rest Ye Merry,Gentlemen) is an English traditional Christmas carol. The melody is in the minor

mode. It was published by William B. Sandys in 1833, although the author is

unknown.

Like so many early Christmas songs, this carol was written as a direct reaction

to the music of the 15th Century Church. During this period, the songs of organized

religion were usually written in Latin and their melodies were somber and dark,

offering singers and listeners little inspiration or joy. In fact, though few admitted it inpublic, most church members secretly disliked the accepted religious songs of the

day. Yet the laymen of the time had no power over the way they worshipped and had

to accept things as they were. So, while they continued to go to worship, they

created their own church music outside the walls of the cathedrals and chapels. In

this way, the peasant class led a quiet rebellion against the tone of religious music

by writing religious folks songs that were light, lively and penned in common

language. Their Christmas folk songs became the foundation of what are nowknown as Christmas carols.

You may also want to note that the word merrydidnt mean then what it means

now. Now it means happy but then it meant strong and mighty. Robin Hoods men

may have been happy but they were also strong and mighty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_modehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Sandyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Sandyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_modehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_modehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_modehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_modehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carol


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So this Christmas season, remember we should be merry but in Christ we are

also strong and mighty.

What to do:

Yes, even this Christmas season we should remember that God isstrong and mighty. Put your trust in Him.

SILENT NIGHTDECEMBER 23

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25Key Verse: 25-And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he

called his name JESUS.

Key Words: brought forth her firstborn son

In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing in towns throughout theAustrian Alps. On December 23 they arrived at Oberndorf, a village near Salzburg

where they were to re-enact the story of Christ's birth in the small Church of St.Nicholas.

Unfortunately, the St. Nicholas' church organ wasn't working and would not berepaired before Christmas. (Note: some versions of the story point to mice as the

problem; others say rust was the culprit) Because the church organ was out ofcommission, the actors presented their Christmas drama in a private home. ThatChristmas presentation of the events in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke putassistant pastor Josef Mohr in a meditative mood. Instead of walking straight to his

house that night, Mohr took a longer way home. The longer path took him up over ahill overlooking the village.

From that hilltop, Mohr looked down on the peaceful snow-covered village.Reveling in majestic silence of the wintry night, Mohr gazed down at the glowingChristmas-card like scene. His thoughts about the Christmas play he had just seenmade him remember a poem he had written a couple of years before. That poemwas about the night when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah

to shepherds on a hillside.Mohr decided those words might make a good carol for his congregation thefollowing evening at their Christmas Eve service. The one problem was that he didn'thave any music to which that poem could be sung. So, the next day Mohr went tosee the church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. Gruber only had a few hours to comeup with a melody which could be sung with a guitar. However, by that evening,Gruber had managed to compose a musical setting for the poem. It no longermattered to Mohr and Gruber that their church organ was inoperable. They now had


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a Christmas carol that could be sung without that organ. On Christmas Eve, the littleOberndorf congregation heard Gruber and Mohr sing their new composition to theaccompaniment of Gruber's guitar.

Weeks later, well-known organ builder Karl Mauracher arrived in Oberndorf to fixthe organ in St. Nicholas church. When Mauracher finished, he stepped back to let

Gruber test the instrument. When Gruber sat down, his fingers began playing thesimple melody he had written for Mohr's Christmas poem. Deeply impressed,Mauracher took copies of the music and words ofSilent Nightback to his own Alpinevillage, Kapfing. There, two well-known families of singers the Rainers and theStrassers heard it. Captivated by Silent Night, both groups put the new song intotheir Christmas season repertoire.

Silent night! holy night!

All is calm, all is bright,'Round yon virgin mother and Child!Holy Infant, so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

The Strasser sisters spread the carol across northern Europe. In 1834, theyperformed Silent Nightfor King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and he then orderedhis cathedral choir to sing it every Christmas Eve.

Twenty years afterSilent Nightwas written, the Rainers brought the song to theUnited States, singing it (in German) at the Alexander Hamilton Monument locatedoutside New York City's Trinity Church.

In 1863, nearly fifty years after being first sung in German, Silent Night wastranslated into English (by either Jane Campbell or John Young). Eight years later,that English version made its way into print in Charles Hutchins' Sunday School

Hymnal. Today the words of Silent Night are sung in more than 300 differentlanguages around the world.

What to do: What happened on that silent night changed the world forever. Let

us be faithful to tell others of what Jesus did for us.


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WE THREE KINGSDECEMBER 24

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-8Key Verse: 1- Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of

Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,Key Words: wise men from the east

We three kings of orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar;Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

And then the refrain:

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to Thy perfect light.

The words were penned by John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891), an EpiscopalBishop, who was both a graduate of the University of Vermont and the GeneralTheological Seminary, in 1850. Hopkins would go on to be a deacon, author,illustrator, and designer as well as a music teacher in his seminary. He also

enjoyed working in stained glass.He composed We Three Kings in 1857, but it was not published until 1863,

during the midst of the Civil War. Actually he composed the words to this, hismost famous hymn, as a piece to be performed in a Christmas church pageantfor his nephews and nieces at the Seminary.

The second, third and fourth verses of the song place the spotlight of historyon the three kings, who may have been wise men and in some writings were

magicians. Whatever their actual calling was, they are now endemic to theChristmas story of the Bible. The final or fifth verse is a paean to the Christ Childwith the sounds of Alleluia ringing across the plains.

To God be the glory!!

What to do: We dont worship kings, but the King of Kings.

Pastors Note: We really dont know if these wise men were kings, nor do weknow there were three of them. This is believed because of their gifts: gold,frankincense, and myrrh.


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JOY TO THE WORLDDECEMBER 25

Bible Reading: Psalm 98Key Verse: 4-Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise,

and rejoice, and sing praise.

Key Words: Make a joyful noise

Isaac Watts, who wrote over 750 hymns, was known as the Father of Hymns.He wrote Joy to the World in 1719. The hymn is based on Psalm 98:4a, Make a

joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth.If you notice the lyrics of the song, Joy to the World, you will see nothing about

shepherds, a manger, wise men, angels, or any other character or element that wenormally associate with the Christmas story. The reason being that Isaac Watts didnot write Joy to the Worldto be a Christmas song. The original theme of this songwas the second coming of the Lord. Christmas wont always be a joyful time, butwhen Jesus comes back, even the rocks will sing!

Over 100 years later, in 1839, Lowell Mason adapted and arranged this songinto a melody many believe to have been written by Handel. In my research,however, I have not been able to establish when or why this hymn becameassociated with Christmas. Certainly we can look at the message in the song and

see that it can be applied to Christs appearance as a babe in Bethlehem. We mustprepare room for Him in our hearts and lives. This is a joyous occasion!

As you hear and sing this beloved carol this season, think about the words.Yes, they apply to the Christmas story in that the Lord is come! We should rejoice!But, let the lyrics all point you to the reason Jesus came: to save the world. Beready because He is coming again! What a glorious day THAT will be when thewhole earth celebrates His appearing!

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come;Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

What to do: Be joyful; for He did come and He is coming again!


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ANYWHERE WITH JESUSDECEMBER 26

Bible Reading: Daniel 6:10-24Key Verse: 22-My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they

have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also

before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.Key Words: My God hath sent his angel

The theme for this song came to Dr. D. B. Towner as he was listening to amessage given by D. L. Moody. It was in Binghamton, New York, in 1866, and it wasone of the meetings in which Dr. Towner was associated with Mr. Moody. It is alsoone of the first songs that he wrote.

Mr. Moodys sermon was filled with the challenge that with Christ as the captainof ones life you could go anywhere without fear for God would see you through. Hedrew his illustrations from the Bible and introduced Daniel in the Lions Den, theHebrew children in the fiery furnace, the Apostle Paul, and others Moody madethem come to life!

Mused Towner, There ought to be a song written with that theme. Usually, awriter of that time would first secure the words before attempting a melody; but hedecided that he would write the melody first and try to put into it the special feeling he

felt was needed for such a song. After he had completed the music, he sent it on toCleveland, Ohio. There lived a young lady named Jessie Brown who had a God-given gift for writing sacred poems. With the song, Mr. Towner included a note tellingMiss Brown that he wanted the song to say Anywhere with Jesus. As Miss Brownplayed the music, she was able to catch the spirit in which Mr. Towner had written itand in a very short time had written a set of words making Anywhere with Jesus acomplete song. Soon the Sunday Schools and Christian Endeavor societies hadmade it their more popular Gospel song.

In 1896, Jessie Brown became the wife of Rev. John E. Pounds. It is because ofthis, that the name Jessie Brown Pounds is now usually used on her songs.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go;Anywhere He leads me in this world below;Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade;Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Anywhere! Anywhere! Fear I cannot know;

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

What to do: Is Christ the Captain of your life? If so, you can go anywhere with

Jesus.


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RESCUE THE PERISHINGDECEMBER 27

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:16-29Key Verse: 23-If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved

away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached

to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Key Words: was preached to every creature

For years on a pew in the old Bowery Mission in New York City (now torn down)was a brass plaque which read Fanny Crosby occupied this seat on her many visitsto this mission for over a period of 50 years. It was while sitting here that shereceived the inspiration for the great Gospel song Rescue the Perishing. This ishow Fanny told the story of its writing.

It was written in the year 1869, when I was forty-nine years old. Many of myhymns were written after experiences in New York mission work. This one was thuswritten. I was addressing a large company of working men one hot summerevening, when the thought kept forcing itself on my mind that some mothers boymust be rescued that night or not at all. So I made the pressing plea that if therewas a boy present who had wandered from his mothers home and teaching, wouldhe come to me at the close of the service. A young man of eighteen came forward

and said, Did you mean me? I promised my mother to meet her in Heaven, but as Iam now living that is impossible. We prayed for him and finally he arose with a newlight in his eyes and exclaimed in triumph, Now I can meet my mother in Heaven,for I have found God.

A few days before, Mr. Doane had sent me the subject, Rescue the Perishing,Care for the Dying. I could think of nothing else that night. When I arrived home Iwent to work on the hymn at once and before I retired it was ready for the melody.The next day my song was written out and forwarded to Mr. Doane who wrote the

beautiful and touching music as it now stands to my hymn.This blessed song so wonderfully shows how God blends experience and even

suggestions from others and in His timing makes all things work together for good!

Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;Weep oer the erring one, Lift up the fallen,

Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

Chorus: Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying;Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.


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What to do: Rescue the perishing.

BEYOND THE SUNSETDECEMBER 28

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 5:1-8Key Verse: 8-We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,

and to be present with the Lord.

Key Words:present with the Lord

One evening, in the summer of 1936, Horace Rodeheaver invited the faculty ofthe Rodeheaver School of Music to his home at Rainbow Point, Indiana. Amongthose attending were lyricist Virgil Brock and his wife, composer Blanch Brock.

As the evening progressed, the sunset over the nearby Winona Lake was soincredible, the faculty members began to talk about the unusual particulars of itsbeauty. The talk eventually died down and the group sat for a long time, silentlysoaking in the wonder.

Virgil's cousin Horace Burr, who had been blind from birth, suddenly spoke outwith excitement, saying that he had never seen such a beautiful sunset. One of theother guests asked how it was possible for him to see events of the sky. Horace'sreply was to have a lasting affect: I see through other people's eyes, and I think Ioften see more - I see beyond the sunset.

Back at home, Virgil was inspired to write a hymn based upon the events of theevening. His wife joined him from the piano. Horace was there also. When he heard

the first three verses Horace reminded them of the storm clouds that had beenhovering just above that evening's sunset, and suggested that be the theme of afourth verse. Before the three climbed into their beds that night, Beyond the Sunsetwas ready for publication.

Beyond The Sunset

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning.When with our Saviour heaven's begun.Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawningBeyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather.No storms will threaten, no fears annoy.


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O day of gladness, O day unending.Beyond the sunset eternal joy.

What to do: When this life is over, will you be able to be present with the Lord?

DRAW ME NEARERDECEMBER 29

Bible Reading: James 4:1-8Key Verse: 8-Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Key Words: draw nigh to God

This blessed song was the result of a visit made by Fanny Crosby to the home

of the man who composed so many of the musical settings for her hymns. She was

the guest of Dr. William Howard Doane and family in Cincinnati, Ohio.She looked forward to these visits not only because they afforded a change of

location and relief from an even-then busy New York City, but also for the wonderful

Christian fellowship which she found in the Doane household.

Late one afternoon, as they were all seated on the front porch of the lovely

Doane home, they witnessed the glory of a mid-west sunset with all of the riot of

color which only the Creator, Himself, could paint. Though Fanny was blind yet she

had witnessed many a sunset through the eyes of her Grandmother Crosby. Thisday members of the Doane family were her eyes. Then, as the sun began to lose

itself beyond the horizon and the evening shadows began to fall, Dr. Doane spoke to

Fanny of the nearness of God at a time like this the marvel of the reality that the

great Creator had become the Savior, and day by day our desire should be to live

more pleasing in His sight. Suddenly, in a moment of inspiration, Fanny asked Dr.

Doane if he would write down a poem which had started in her mind during the

discussion. She dictated it line by line, verse by verse, and then a chorus and soanother heart-warming Gospel song had been composed by Fanny Crosby. The

next day Dr. Doane wrote the musical setting which has played such an important

part in making it one of Fanny Crosbys best-loved songs.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,To the cross where Thou hast died;


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Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,To Thy precious bleeding side.

What to do: Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.

HE LEADETH ME DECEMBER 30 Bible Reading: Psalm 23

Key Verse: 2-He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside thestill waters.

Key Words: He leadeth me beside the still water

Through the years, Philadelphia has been the birthplace of many church hymns

and Gospel songs. But perhaps the one for which it is best known, is the greatassurance hymn, He Leadeth Me.

John Henry Gilmore was born in Boston in 1834. In 1861 he was the supply

pastor at First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. After a mid-week praise and prayer

service in which he had been speaking on the 23rd Psalm, he visited the home of

Deacon Watson, where there was further discussion on this beautiful portion of

Scripture. It was during the discussion that he jotted down this hymn, as he said,

and handed it to his wife. She in turn, without his knowledge, sent it off to a Baptistpublication. Some years after its publication in that paper, and when visiting a

church in Rochester, New York, he happened to pick up a new little hymnal they

were using. As he turned its pages, his eyes fell upon his hymn. You see, William

Bradbury, often called the Father of the Gospel Song, had found the words in the

Baptist magazine and had composed a tune which exactly caught the tone and spirit

of the text. Such is the story of Joseph H. Gilmores great hymn.

On a bronze tablet, on the side of the UGI Building in Philadelphia are foundthese words: He Leadeth Me, sung throughout the world, was written by Reverend

Doctor Joseph H. Gilmore, a son of a governor of New Hampshire, in the home of

Deacon Watson, immediately after preaching in the First Baptist Church, northwest

corner Broad and Arch Streets, on the 26th day of March 1862. The church and

Deacon Watsons home stood on the ground upon which this building was erected.


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He leadeth me, He leadeth me;By His own hand He leadeth me;His faithful follower I would be,For by His hand He leadeth me.

What to do: Being successful requires being a good follower follow Him.

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUDECEMBER 31

Bible Reading: Proverbs 21Key Verse: 31-The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the

LORD.

Key Words: safety is of the Lord

Dr. and Mrs. William Stillman Martin and daughter were guests at the PracticalBible Training School in Lestershire, now Johnson City, New York. The year was1904 and Dr. Martin was traveling in the area as an Evangelist. One Sunday, hewas scheduled to speak in a church some distance from Johnson City, but whenMrs. Martin awakened that morning she felt ill; in fact to Dr. Martin she seemed illenough for him to cancel his engagement. This thought he voiced to his wife butbefore she could answer her husband, their young daughter, perhaps 7 or 8 years ofage replied, Oh, Daddy, you dont have to stay home because of mother God willtake care of us. Taking this as a voice from the Lord and having his wifes fullapproval, he boarded the Erie train and went on to his meeting. When he arrived atthe church, there was word awaiting him. It was from his wife saying, All is well God did take care of us.

When Dr. Martin arrived back at the school he was met by his wife who wasnow fully recovered. As she greeted him, she handed him a paper with some verseswritten on it. In the hour of extremity, God had given the confidence needed and

all through the little child the Lord had given them. The poem was entitled God WillTake Care of You. Soon, Dr. Martin had taken these words and while seated at thepiano in their apartment wrote the melody which through the years has proven to beone of the most perfect and singable musical settings ever composed for a Gospelsong.

God will take care of youThrough every day, oer all the way;


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He will take care of youGod will take care of you.

What to do: Dont run from God; run to Him and let Him take care of you.


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy FortenberrySandy LancasterGlenda MyrickMary Parsons

John and Tascha PiattReba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to helpthis devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse