Hymns

Swing Low

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My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  John 14:2-3 NIV

Whatever the origins of Swing Low Sweet Chariot, the song has come to be a melody of hope to everyone who senses that they are waiting for Jesus to come. I especially enjoy singing it with my friends at long term care facilities. I believe that many in our little congregation understand better than I the nearness of Heaven and the promises of Jesus. Contrary to legend, neither Saint Peter, nor the Archangel Michael come to take us home. Our only method of transportation from earth to Heaven will be in the arms of the Good Shepherd who will one day come for us all. Are you ready to meet Him? Can He claim you as one of His flock. For Him to call us by name as members of His flock in glory, we must call on Him to be our Lord right here, before the chariot comes. I do hope you enjoy our impromptu version of this classic spiritual. Have a blessed day all!

Is Your Name on the Roll?

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Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 ESV

Yes, we will rejoice when we see our names written in the book of life, but an even greater joy it will be when we realize that there in Heaven, Jesus will be there with us! “When the trumpet of the Lord will sound and time will be no more.”, we will pass from the shadow lands of earth, into the presence of Jesus, where we will see Him face to face. It is impossible to imagine how amazing it will be, though the word of God leaves us hints. “In HIs presence is fullness of joy.” Psalms 16:11 ESV and “He will wipe away every tear.” Revelation 21:4 ESV

For me the closest thing to understanding the joys of that day, comes when I sing with my friends in long term care. Maybe it is because those who are believers know that they have one foot on the doorstep of the house where Jesus lives! I do hope you will enjoy our rather rousing rendition of, “When the Roll is called up Yonder. Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

Where is Jesus?

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Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. John 7:45-46 NIV

Can you imagine the scene of today’s verse? Here was a squad of trained, professional soldiers, coming back from their assignment, which had been to arrest Jesus. But instead of bringing in the Rabbi they had been authorized to detain, they show up on the doorstep empty handed. “Where is Jesus?” their commanders asked. “Why are the handcuffs empty?”

“You don’t understand sir,: the captain of the detachment replies. “No one ever spoke like this man!” You see, it isn’t just during our worship time, that the things of earth can grow strangely dim. This little story tells us that when Jesus was seen for who He truly is, even His enemies weren’t sure what to do with Him. We may try to look away, but His eyes hold ours, His words penetrate our hearts and the power of His presence is more than we know how to deal with. Today it is two thousand years later, but people are still asking, “Just who is this Jesus?” The answer of our faith is that, He is the King of kings and the Lamb of God. He is the carpenter from Nazareth and the Word of God in human form. Jesus is the beginning and the end. He is the bright and morning star. Jesus is the Holy Son of the Living God and the Savior of the world. He humbly rode in on a donkey, but one day He will victoriously return on a white horse. Are you ready for all of who Jesus is? Am I? Why not turn our eyes upon Jesus this morning? Let’s look full in His wonderful face, before we go out to face the world, so that we will be empowered to report to others, “No one ever spoke like this man!” I pray you will be blessed by this simple version of the old hymn, along with the short message, from our Sunday service at Watermark.