Category: The Lord Jesus

Wonderful Words

“Wonderful Words of Life” was written in 1874 by Philip P. Bliss, a gifted composer and evangelist whose music shaped the gospel hymn tradition. Bliss was deeply involved in revival meetings across the U.S., often collaborating with evangelists like Dwight L. Moody and Major Daniel Webster Whittle2.

✍️ Origins and Purpose

  • Bliss composed the hymn for a Sunday School paper called Words of Life, published by Fleming H. Revell in Chicago.
  • The hymn was designed to be simple, repetitive, and memorable, making it ideal for teaching children and congregations by rote.
  • Its lyrics emphasize the beauty, hope, and spiritual nourishment found in Scripture—“Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life.”

🚂 Tragic Turn

  • Just two years after writing the hymn, Bliss and his wife Lucy tragically died in a train derailment in 1876.
  • Their legacy was carried on by fellow musicians like James McGranahan, who continued performing Bliss’s hymns at revival meetings.

📚 Musical Legacy

  • The hymn gained widespread popularity through inclusion in Gospel Hymns No. 3 (1878) and Sacred Songs and Solos No. 2 in Britain.
  • Its enduring appeal lies in its gentle melody and uplifting message, often used in worship to evoke reflection and joy.

Philip P. Bliss left behind a remarkable legacy of gospel hymns that continue to resonate with congregations and choirs around the world. Here are some of his most beloved and widely sung works:

🎵 Notable Hymns by Philip P. Bliss

Hymn TitleTheme / MessageYear
Almost PersuadedUrgency of salvation and decision-making1871
Hold the FortSpiritual perseverance and encouragement1870
Hallelujah, What a Saviour!Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and triumph1875
Let the Lower Lights Be BurningEvangelism and guiding others to safety1871
Whosoever WillInvitation to salvation for all1870s
Jesus Loves Even MePersonal assurance of Christ’s love1871
I Will Sing of My RedeemerJoyful testimony of salvation1876
Free from the Law, O Happy ConditionGrace over legalism1870s

Many of these hymns were published in the Gospel Hymns series, co-edited with Ira D. Sankey, and became staples in revival meetings across the U.S. and Britain2.

Encouraged in heart and love,

Colossians 2:2-3New International Version

2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

God’s Spirit

Isaiah 61; 1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.See the source image
Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me

I remember this was one of the many prayer choruses I came to learn of by heart as a young adult and one that has spoke a lot to me in my Christian life . It’s a prayer chorus that kind of speaks for itself, a chorus of prayer and  repentance.

 

The Lord’s Spirit

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy

Fear

Psalm 34:7 says:

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

This verse is a powerful assurance of divine protection. Here’s a breakdown of its deeper meaning:

🌟 Symbolism and Interpretation

  • “Angel of the Lord”: Often interpreted as a manifestation of God’s presence—some scholars even see this as a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ.
  • “Encamps around”: Suggests a constant, surrounding protection—like a military guard or a sheltering presence.
  • “Those who fear Him”: Not fear in the sense of terror, but reverence, awe, and deep respect for God’s holiness and authority.
  • “Delivers them”: God actively rescues and intervenes in the lives of those who trust and honor Him.

💬 Spiritual Insight

David wrote this psalm after being delivered from danger, and he uses this verse to highlight how God’s protection isn’t passive—it’s intentional and personal. The image of an angel setting up camp around someone evokes a sense of belonging, safety, and divine watchfulness.

🕊️ Encouragement

This verse reminds believers that they are never alone in their struggles. Whether facing fear, uncertainty, or spiritual battles, God’s presence surrounds and defends those who seek Him with reverence

He Lives

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.Image result for He lives

I love this passage from Corinthians, it gives us a reminder that Christ did die for our sins and that unless you accept him as your personal saviour you will remain a sinner.

1. O joyful sound! O glorious hour
When Christ by His almighty power
Arose and left the grave!
Now let our songs His triumph tell
Who broke the chains of death and hell,
And ever lives to save.
Refrain
He lives, He lives,
I know that my Redeemer lives.
He lives, He lives,
I know that my Redeemer lives.
2. The first begotten of the dead,
For us He rose, our glorious Head,
Immortal life to bring.
What though the saints, like Him shall die,
They share their Leader’s victory,
And triumph with their King. [Refrain]
3. No more we tremble at the grave;
For He who died our souls to save
Will raise our bodies, too.
What though this earthly house shall fail,
The Saviour’s power will yet prevail
And build it up anew. [Refrain]

Pictured in the video are The International Staff Band and The Melbourne Staff Band of The Salvation Army