Colossians 3:16

[i]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.[/i]

So often in life there is often a song (psalm or hymn as well) which was placed in our hearts from the Lord that has encouraged us, challenged us, and helped to focus our hearts and minds on the Lord. I would like to share some and would love to hear yours as well.

There's a City of Light by Aldine Kieffler

[i]There's a city of light 'mid the stars, we are told, where they know not a sorrow or care;
And the gates are of pearl and the streets are of gold, and the building exceedingly fair:

[/i](chorus)
[i]Let us pray for each other, not faint by the way, In this sad world of sorrow and care.
for that home is so bright, and is almost in sight, and I trust in my heart you'll go there.

Brother dear, never fear, we shall triumph at last if we trust in the word He has given:
When our trials and toils, and our weepings are past we shall meet in that home up in heav'n.

Let us walk in the light of the gospel divine. Let us ever keep near to the cross;
Let us love, watch and pray, in our pilgrimage here, let us count all things else but loss.

Let us pray for each other not faint by the way, in this sad world of sorrow and care.
For that home is so bright and is almost in sight, and I trust in my heart, you'll go there.[/i]

This always calms my heart and lifts me up to Him.

Wonderful, Merciful Saviour
(Dawn Rodgers, Eric Wyse)

Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would've thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

CHORUS
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

repeat CHORUS

This song is wonderful!

Heartsong wrote:
[i]
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne[/i]

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace, to help in time of need."

Arise, My Soul, Arise- Charles Wesley

[i]Arise, my soul, arise,
Shake off thy guilty fears;
A bleeding sacrifice
In my behalf appears;
Before the throne my surety stands,
before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly speak for me;
Forgive him, Oh! Forgive they cry,
Forgive him, Oh! Forgive they cry,
Nor let the ransomed sinner die.

My God is reconciled,
Hhis pard'ning voiceI hear,
He owns me for a child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And Father, Abba, Father, cry.[/i]

Oh, I was reminded of this precious song today after reading Psalm 42. It is such a precious song to me. One cold January day walking up a steep hill and thinking of this song, it was almost as though seeing a scene of a weary pilgrim. Once I got home I wrote the scene down, as well as I could. When asked to sing one Sunday evening, I felt that it would be appropriate to sing this song and tell this picture alongside. That evening my first dear, precious pastor came to the evening service. He's a tall, quiet, very reserved but very caring man. I usually do not look around too much, as I want to stay focused on to Whom I'm singing to and with, but I happened to notice this dear man standing with tears streaming down his eyes, and I knew that he was the weary pilgrim. It was as if God had so orchastrated the whole event to minister grace to an battle worn friend.

The pilgrim whose feet were tired, whose heart ached within him took to the side of the path and knealt down.
[i]O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight, On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all:

Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep, To feed them in pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in this wilderness rove?

O why should I wander, an alien from Thee, or cry in the desert for bread? Thy foes will refoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.[/i]

In the echoes of eternity the cry of the pilgrim rises to the throne of grace..
[i]He looks! and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks! and eternity, filled with His voice,
Reechoes the praise of the Lord.[/i]

and the testimonies of ten thousands of saints who have gone on this weary road before flood into this pilgrims heart. The songs of hope, and grace and life fill his soul. The verses of scripture that have spoken to this great cloud of witnesses down through the ages reverberate through his weary spirit...."and take up thy cross and follow after Me..."

[i]Dear Shepherd! I hear, and will follow Thy call; I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my all,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.[/i]
-Joesph Swain, 1761-1796

The kneeling pilgrim knew his course, his spirit strengthened by God's grace, whether his feet were still weary or not, the pilgrim stood and returned to the path he was on.

BEHOLD HE COMETH
By Fanny J Crosby

Awake, ye that slumber,
Awake from your sleep,
With lamps trimmed and burning,
A watch you must keep,
You know not how quickly,
The cry you may hear,
Go forth to meet the Bridegroom,
For lo, He is near.

Refrain

Behold, He cometh,
The blessèd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
A glad and grateful throng.
Behold, He cometh,
The blessèd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
With a happy, happy song.

Awake, ye that slumber,
His welcome prepare.
Awake and be ready,
His banquet to share.
The hour is approaching,
No time for repose,
The open door of mercy,
Forever may close.

Refrain

Awake, ye that slumber,
No longer despise
The warning that bids you
Be watchful and wise.
The Bridegroom may tarry,
But true to His word,
Your blessèd call to meet Him
Will surely be heard.

Refrain

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

He looks! and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks! and eternity, filled with His voice,
Reechoes the praise of the Lord.
. . .

The kneeling pilgrim knew his course, his spirit strengthened by God's grace, whether his feet were still weary or not, the pilgrim stood and returned to the path he was on.

Thank you for this.

Quote:
"Awake, ye that slumber,
Awake from your sleep,
With lamps trimmed and burning,
A watch you must keep,
You know not how quickly,
The cry you may hear,
Go forth to meet the Bridegroom,
For lo, He is near."

[i]And at midnight there was a cry made, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet Him.”[/i]

[i]I marvel, as I sit to ponder,
all the joy and all the wonder,
when the Bridegroom call is given
when the wise are bound for heaven.
What a howling there shall be
when the door is shut, they see:
all those others not yet ready
hearts so slow, hands so steady
‘surely‘, thought they, ‘the time’s not yet’
with heart so dry, and eyes not wet.
No forethought for His kingdom’s call
that soul that fails the marriage hall?[/i]

My daughter once was a pen pal to a Hutterite girl and had opportunity to see the entire wedding party. (This is just the shortened version for illustrations sake.)

This girl prepared for quite some time by sewing clothes for herself and her soon to be husband, including the wedding garments. This particular bridegroom was coming down from Canada with his wedding party, he had chosen men from his family to travel with him receive his bride and take her back to her new home, which he built, to welcome her to her new people, her new family, and a new life ahead. The bride only knew about what timeframe he would arrive, so for that period of a few days to a week prepared herself daily.

She had gathered with her friends and other colony members (they have a more socialistic society), those whom she had spent her entire life with and bid them farewell, and listened to their advice. The entire colony came to see the girl and each one told her how much she meant to them as a sister, a cousin, a daughter, a friend; they knew once she was gone she would no longer be a part of their homes.

The girl had prepared enough outfits for the week that whenever the bridegroom should show she would be ready to see him. Their houses were prepared for the event and everyone was on the lookout.
Then one day the call came:

“Look, the bridegroom comes!!”

With great expectation the brides home was atwitter with the glad tidings, the bride readied herself to join him out in a certain area where they all sang wedding songs and celebrated the joyous occasion.

It so much reminded me of my great grandmother, who would often tell me as a young girl: “Whatever you do, live every day ready for the Lord to come. Do those things that you know He would be glad to see His dear one doing.”

I hope now, that I would have that kind of expectation, that kind of joy, and live that kind of life!

The first time I heard this song was on a tape of Roman Kauffman's preaching, it was such a wonderful sermon! and then he sang this song, it touched my heart and I promptly memorized it and sing it often to myself.

[i]-Mosie Lister-
My Jesus knows when I am lonely,
He knows each pain He sees each tear;
He understands each lonely heartache,
He understands because He cares,

chorus- My Jesus knows just what I need,
Oh, yes, He knows just what I need;
He satisfies, and every need supplies,
Yes, He knows just what I need.

My Jesus knows when I am burdened,
He knows how much my heart can bear;
He lifts me up when I am sinking,
And brings me joy beyond compare.

-My Jesus knows Just what I need, Oh, yes He knows just what I need; He satisfies, and every need supplies, Yes, He knows just what I need.

When other friends seem to forget me,
When skies are dark, when hope is gone;
By faith I feel His arms around me,
and hear Him say "You're not alone."

My Jesus knows just what I need, oh yes, He knows just what I need, He satisfies and every need supplies, yes, He knows just what I need.[/i]

If I can remember the name of the sermon I will look for it and tag it on here.

Love in Christ

[i]-Samuel John Stone

The Church's one Foundation is
Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth:
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

'Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for-ever-more;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic, sweet communion
With those whose rest is won;
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
~
'Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.'
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:7,8
~
I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and annoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou may see.
Revelation 3:18
~[/i]

The heavenly reputation, even the [b]precious reputation[/b] given to the Church by the Holy Redeemer, those called after His own name needs be exalted to its proper role of great responsibility.
Oh the queen sits at the right hand of the King dressed in gold, gold which is costly and tried in the fire; yet never would she dare bring reproach to her Lord, her Savior, and her Redeemer.
Even if she could seek to dig this gold with her bare hands, refine it, then spin it and weave it into the cloth of her apparrel with such fine intricacies that boggle the mind; never could she match the preciousness of that which was given to her by the King.
Rather does the wife honor the husband; even as the Church desires to honor, revere, and glorify her Redeemer.
~ Anonymous

"THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS MADE KNOWN THROUGH THE CHURCH"

The day dawns in the newborn light of day
and the hands of all creation, gather up the clay,
to form into a man.

The angels look on, as the Father breathes into the man,the breath of life.

Do you know the gift that's been given,
within your heart,within your soul,
eternal life?

The angels watch as He forms
the first Adams feet, his hands, his side,
then draws from it his wife.
Do they recognize His plan?

A tender young woman kneels afraid at the sight
of the heavenly herald as God breathes in her,
breathes into her form, the begotten Son of God.

Emmanuel, God with us,come and live in us
Oh breathe Your life in us.
Emmanuel, God with us come and live in us
Oh breathe Your breath in us.

Forms of clay stand weeping
looking up unto their Saviors feet,
as He takes His final breath.

The sun hides it's face,
as the sky shrinks away as the heavenlies,
can't bear to look upon the scene.

Do you know the gift that's been given,
can the soul of man recognize
the debt that has been paid?

Do the angels look with wonder
as the life of God now fills the clay,
and overflows through the lips of men,
to inhabit what is His?

Have we the courage to receive the breath of God
to walk as living sacrifices, even unto death
as a witness to the world,
that the Son can give them life?

Emmanuel, God with us, come and live in us
Oh breathe Your life in us.
Emmanuel, God with us, come and live in us
Oh breathe Your breath in us.

The day dawns in the newborn light of day.
The hands of all creation,gather up the Bride
for the wedding day,
to present her to the Son....so eternity's begun.

Blessings, bonni

James Nicholson~
[i]Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole
I want You forever to live in my soul
Break down every idol
Cast out every foe
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself
and whatever I know
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat;
I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith for my cleansing
I see Thy blood flow
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create.
To those who have sought Thee
Thou never saidst 'No'-
Now wash me and I shall abe whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.[/i]
~~~
"The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold." Psalm 45:13
The King's daugher, how wonderous the thought!
Not born into this world with higher rank. No, rather we all regardless of background are commissioned to be born again, into the postition which Christ, the King of Kings, has purchased for us! We then receive as an inhertance and endowment which is greater than our comprehension, more grand than all we could ever imagine, and a gift which intent is to make us into sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty!

Our heavenly Father's desire is that we be a testimony of His love, His grace, His everlasting mercies, His power to heal and cleanse our hearts and souls, to 'father' us into His Kingdom.

While He chastens us it is entirely for our good. He has made abundant provision for every cause within the realms of His grace. He has given to us His Word and His Spirit to teach us and guide us and train us how to walk in this holy rank.

He does not simply change our appearance from the pauper we once were, He does not spoil us with possessions; nor allow pretense to fill our heart when we begin thinking too highly of ourself. No, rather, the one whom God loves He rebukes and chastens.

Oh, to be the King's daughter!
To allow the refining hand of God to purify!
To give place to the Potter who molds and shapes and cleans out the heart of the vessel, making it into a vessel usable in His hands.
To pursue godliness with a heart of humility that yeilds to God's divine hand and purpose; to listen attentively to the instructive voice of the Holy Spirit and learn studiously the precious wisdom and life giving direction from His Word!
To be clean! Ever ready to repent, to be washed, to deny the flesh its profane position of defilement. Rather to embrace the cross and cling to the Lord of the cross receiving of His resurrection power to overcome!

Oh Lord, make us, Your children, all glorious within!!!
~Anonymous

Last night as my husband and I were traveling home started singing snatches of this song, but had forgotten how the first verse started. So, a few minutes I went online to see if I could not find this song on the web and would you know it lead me to SI, to this thread!

Now I am bumping this up for others' benefit. I looked through it and thought it so inspirational that I felt others could be blessed as well....so, here it is...

ginnyrose

thank you for this thread. I really am encouraged having read through it this morning.

God bless
mj