Christian Reflection and Prayer

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His Love:
I love to tell the story because I know ' tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story!
Twill be my theme in glory-
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story-'tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully
sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have ever heard
The message of salvation from God's own
holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new,
new song,
'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
(Words: Arabella K Hankey (1834-1911)
Music: William G. Fischer (1835-1913)

Reflection:

This beautiful, wonderful hymn brings back memories.
It reminds me of the old Swedish Mission Church that
I grew up in. These were wonderful people, many of
whom were Swedish immigrants, who loved to worship
their God. This hymn was sung at one function or another,
in our church every week.
Through the words the singer tells why he/she loves
to tell the story. The story is the "Good News",
the Holy Scripture, The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why does he/she love to tell this story, first "because
I know its true". Contrary to some opinions, this is
not a fiction, it's not just another history book. It is
the true story of God the Father's relationship with
His children. It is the true account of God's love for
His children whom He gave, to them, His son. Secondly
because "it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do".
This true story satisfies my every need, like nothing else.
Thirdly I love to tell this story because "some have never
heard the message of salvation from God's own Holy Word".
You see because I believe this story I have received eternal
salvation. And there are a lot of people who have not really
heard this story, and I know that I must tell them, because
I love to tell the story. And finally I love to tell the story
because "those who know it best seem hungering and
thirsting to hear it like the rest". Even I know this story
I can't get enough, I hunger and thirst for the story of
Jesus love and glory. Do you love to tell the story?

Prayer:

Thank you for the old, old, story God, help me to tell
it so all may know, all may believe. THANK YOU GOD
FOR BEING GOD!

Samantha Smith
Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill
(1972-1985)
"If we could be friends just by getting to know each
other better, then what are our two countries really
arguing about? Nothing could be more important
than not having a war if war would kill everything."

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

While Amazing Grace has a reference to 1Chronicles 17:16-17 in the Onley hymnal (see below for that Scripture), it is more likely to be based on Ephesians 2:4-9, Paul's great treatise on Grace, which says:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. [NIV]

Scripture:

"So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship making
us friends of God." (Romans 5: 11) NLT

Reflection:

You know all through the Holy Scriptures, it talks about us being
the children of God. God is portrayed as our father, our creator
our king, our Savior. But here Paul talks about God being our
friend. Isn't that beautiful, my Father and Creator is my friend.
What a wonderful feeling to know that my heavenly Father is
my friend. What does it mean to be a friend? It means=
Love, Closeness, Dependable, Loyal, Kind, Understanding,
Compassionate, Counciler, Leader, and Sacrifice. Think about
it, This is God, and much much more. When I accepted Jesus
Christ into my life, I found a new friend, my best friend in God.
Do you want a friend in God all you have to do is BELIEVE!

Prayer:

Father God thank you for being my friend, because of my new
life in Christ, I now have a new friend, my best friend. THANK
GOD FOR BEING GOD AND BEING MY FRIEND