Wednesday 25 January 2012

Hymns I Love: All Hail the Power

My People,

Please don't get upset with me. The Lord is definitely doing a new thing in my life and in my family and in those around me and that includes YOU!!!(yes you reading)

Of late I have been spending more and more time in His presence: waiting on Him and seeking His will for my life. In this process there has been tears (lots of it) and laughter (lots of it too), confused states and also clarity. There has also been motivation and encouragement from the word. In all I am grateful for this process because in the end all the glory goes to: Yes you guessed right not any Man but to our way maker, our comforter, our bridge over troubled water, our covenant keeping God, our Banner, our shield, our defence, our lover, our friend:Yes to My God.

It's not easy to smile while your heart is heavy but have you ever wondered how you do it: you smile as a believer because you know that in ALL THINGS you are a CONQUEROR and at the end God will give you the VICTORY.

These days I prefer my hymns. They are deep. While studying today I decided to listen to this hymn: All Hail the Power. Because there is Power in the name of Jesus. So much Power (Blushing at the thought)

Brief History:

The lyrics were written by Edward Perronet while he served as a missionary in India and first appeared in the November, 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine, which was edited by the renowned author of "Rock of Ages", Augustus Toplady.

Here are the Lyrics:


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.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,
ye ransomed from the Fall,
hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball,
to Him all majesty ascribe,
and crown Him Lord of all.
To Him all majesty ascribe,
and crown Him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng
we at His feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song,
and crown Him Lord of all.
We'll join the everlasting song,
and crown Him Lord of all.

I love Bishop Clarence E. McClendon and the Harvest Fire Mega Mass Choir's version. They only had the first and third stanzas on the Shout Hallelujah Album. This song just takes me in. Totally.

It makes me remember/realise the magnitude of my God(Don't even know if that statement makes sense but you get my point). He is mighty, He is the King of kings; all majesty belongs to Him; He deserves all the Glory all the Honour; all the Praise; Everything.

Sometimes all that is needed to silence every situation/trouble/trial/imagination/stronghold/difficult situation is just to worship and realise that even though your problem may boast as to how big it is you are able through worship to boast back that your God is the Biggest. He is Jesus Christ.

Remain Blessed People

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Hail_the_Power_of_Jesus'_Name

Friday 6 January 2012

Hymns I love: Higher Ground

Hello People!!!

Happy New year. This year will be your year of announcement, acceleration, restoration and reconciliation. Remember to hold on to God like you've never done before. Be expectant and listen to the still small voice and not any whispering that negates the promises that God has for your life.

I must have sang this hymn 4 times out of the 6 days of this year already.:-)

Every time I sing it, it's like I get a new and deeper understanding of each verse. Today on the train while coming into work, I was singing it to myself again and once again I got something deeper. I mean I have known this hymn for most of my life time so how come now? Well I am understanding each verse better and applying it to my everyday life.

Brief History:

This hymn was written by Mr Johnson Oatman Jr. He is also the author of many popular hymns such as 'No not One' and Count your Blessings'

The composer of the music was Charles Gabriel who was considered to be the most popular and influential, gospel song writer during the evangelistic crusade
decade, 1910-20.

One of the Biblical References for this Hymn:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2


Comments made by others on this hymn include:

"There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.” Henry Ward Beecher.

I can not but agree more with the above quote. Sometimes life seems like a cycle and sometimes that cycle comes with pain and endless routines. Sometimes one just wants something more: The ability to live above all the circumstances that surround and plague you.

Here are the lyrics:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.


My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.


I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.


I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

That's it people.

Keep looking unto Jesus: The Author and Finisher of our Faith.

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Sources:

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/HH_Higher_Ground.html