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Another Reformation Hymn: “Jesus Priceless Treasure” (#230)

Every year, many churches celebrate the Protestant Reformation with special services focusing on the central doctrines that were brought into sharper focus as they were re-discovered in the 16th century.  While we remember especially Martin Luther and his 95 Theses … Continue reading

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Two Versions of Missions and “So Send I You” (#229)

The nineteenth century has been called “the century of foreign missions,” since there was such an impressive surge of men and women going into all the world with the message of the gospel.  Missions has been at the heart of … Continue reading

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Heaven’s Joys and “There Is a Land of Pure Delight” (#228)

How often do you think about heaven?  Jesus said that He’s gone there to prepare a place for us, and that He’s coming back to take us to be with Him (John 14).  The thought of that should absolutely thrill … Continue reading

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Calvin’s Psalter and “Give Thanks Unto the Lord, Jehovah” (#227)

The Protestant Reformation has been recognized, even by secular historians, as one of the most influential events in “modern” history in the west. When Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany … Continue reading

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Pardoning Grace and “Great God of Wonders” (#226)

The word “great” is a simple, and often over-used and under-appreciated word.  But how fitting an adjective to describe everything about God!  His name is great.  His salvation is great.  His love is great.  His mercy is great.  His justice … Continue reading

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International Political Anxiety and “Why Do the Nations Rage?” (#225)

We live in a world that is worrisomely agitated, causing significant emotional unrest in the hearts of great portions of this globe’s population.  It is caused by widespread racial unrest, universal economic hardships, transnational tensions, open warfare, the threat of … Continue reading

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The Precious Blood of Jesus and “What Can Wash Away My Sin?” (#224)

What is it that gives Christians their greatest joy, their greatest confidence, their greatest amazement, their greatest hope?  It is the precious blood of Jesus, the blood shed at Calvary as a substitute for guilty sinners, the blood that secured … Continue reading

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Jesus’ Psalm-Singing and “O Lord, by Grace Delivered” (#223)

When we sing (or read) Psalms, we usually think about how those are the words that the Lord has given us to be able to use as we pray those words back to Him, expressing in His own God-breathed words, … Continue reading

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Singing of Heaven and “Jerusalem, the Golden” (#222)

How many hymns (or sermons, for that matter) have you heard about hell?  Probably not many!  Why is that?  It may be that our church culture has grown accustomed to wanting only themes that are happy and pleasant … and … Continue reading

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Resisting Temptation and “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” (#221)

It has sometimes been suggested that Christians are not called to life onboard a cruise ship sailing leisurely in the tropics, but rather on a battleship on full alert, positioned in a war zone.  The Bible is full of images … Continue reading

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