Bill Gaither

The Longer I Serve Him

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV



Even as a young person, I always kind of liked this song, though it really was neither my style nor my story at the time. I kind of figured it had been written by one of the old fuddy-duddys at some church far away and long ago, but it did have a sweet feeling to it. Recently when I began singing it for the residents at various of the nursing homes which I visit, I began looking into the origins of the composition and was shocked to discover that it had been written by Bill and Gloria Gaither before they even turned thirty!


That is the way it is with God’s inspiration. He shares His riches with those whom He likes, and they have a timeless appeal, precisely because the music comes from Him. I hope you will be touched and blessed by my simple rendering of the Gaither’s classic, “The Longer I Serve Him The Sweeter He Grows”. I also pray that as you embark upon the challenges, difficulties and adventures of the New year, that you will discover how sweet and great a blessing it is to be serving Jesus no matter what your age!

A Little Talk With Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments 
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
John 13:37-38 ESV

While the other gospels just tell us that Jesus went from the Last Supper table to the Garden of Gethsemane; John allows us to listen in to His conversation. Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that He was going to be betrayed and that He was leaving them, and they were shocked. Peter then volunteered to die before he would let that happen. But, instead of saying, “Wow that’s great. I know I can always count on you! Jesus turned and told Peter that he was about to deny even knowing him! Try to imagine Peter’s thoughts. “What could possibly happen to make me deny knowing Jesus? Where in the world is He going? Why is He telling us this?” Just as most of us would be pretty discouraged if our best friend told us this, the disciples were both astonished and dismayed to hear Jesus’ words. But Jesus wasn’t telling them this to discourage them. Instead, in order to tell them the wonderful news of God’s plans, Jesus needed to begin by showing them that nothing would depend on them. And just like with those disciples, God knows about our personal failures, lack of faith and sins, and yet, He still loves us. His plan is in no way dependent on our success, ability, or reputation. Jesus specializes in saving lost people, and even those who sometimes deny faith. He not only loves us, but He has come to give us strength, and forgiveness, so that we can be saved, and that God will get all the glory!

A Second Touch

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:7-8 NIV

“He Touched Me” was written in 1963 by Bill Gaither and became one of the best loved and most recorded Christian songs of the twentieth century. It became so popular that Elvis Presly chose it as the title song of an album for which he won the Grammy award in 1972. Though this generation of young people may have never heard the song, those who love Jesus, still long for God’s touch. But there are times in life, when a single touch, even from God is not enough. Like Elijah, we still believe God, but we have given up on ourselves. “Surely God has someone better than us for the job.” we say to ourselves. Are you so tired of how things have been going that today, you simply want to lie down and give up? The good news this morning is that even if we have given up: God has not! He has not written us off and is not looking for someone else to replace us. God sent His angel a second time for Elijah, and though He may not use an angel, God has a fresh word for you and me this morning, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” God is offering us not only a second touch, but also a new direction and new strength for our journey, which will lead us all the way to Him!