Jesus Christ My Savior Died

Jesus Christ My Savior Died
© 2013, Phillip Gaeddert

Jesus Christ my savior died
yet I’m so oft unsatisfied
this sin is nothing more than pride
which kills my soul and blinds my eye
and grieves the One who sits on high
who calls me now to come and die
repenting of my sin

My sin that drove Him to the cross
the grave, the tomb with priceless cost
to satisfy the wrath of God
and save my soul both dead and lost
the price He paid exchanged for dross
yet somehow didn’t count it loss
for me to live with Him

This Christ the Lord he took on flesh
redeemed me from my rottenness
and clothed me in His righteousness
how can I spurn this loveliness?
in humble state of brokenness
just let these dry bones now confess
an empty hand I bring

So praise His glorious name above
who sent His only Son in love
with Spirit descending like a dove
on Him who sacrificed His blood
absorbed the wrath of God enough
and plunged me ‘neath the ‘whelming flood
what can I offer Him?

To live by grace and walk aright
to walk by faith and not by sight
to love His word the only light
Jesus the way, the truth, the life
to sing of Him with all my might
to praise Him only day and night
while fighting off my sin

Well done my servant enter in
I heard Him speak at my life’s end
but not one word about my sins
I asked, He said Christ rid of them
o’erwhelmed as I have ever been
I knew my crowns belonged to Him
I lay them at His feet

So praise His name forevermore
ascribe all glory to the Lord
and spread this word from shore to shore
across the sea and around the world
that cancelled sin hath power no more
believe in Him and trust Him for
He's risen from the dead

Easter Hymn, 2012

Christ Jesus, Son of Man
© 2012, Phillip Gaeddert

Christ Jesus, Son of Man, He is the Prince of Peace
The Lion and the Lamb, seated as our High Priest
King of kings, Lord of lords, oh praise His glorious name
King of kings, Lord of lords, now and ever the same

Creator of all things, took wrath in our own stead
Lift up your head and sing, He rose just as He said
King of kings, Lord of lords, give praise to Him above
King of kings, Lord of lords, what wondrous act of love

How can we doubt His word, this Prophet, Priest, and King?
Give praise unto the LORD, and to the cross but cling
King of kings, Lord of lords, now let His praises ring
King of kings, Lord of lords, nothing to Him we bring

Only begotten Son, the truth, the life, the way
The ever faithful One, the grave was not His stay
King of kings, Lord of lords, all praise in glorious day
King of kings, Lord of lords, believe on Him today

Hymn of the Month: February 2011

He Leadeth Me!

Joseph H. Gilmore (1862)

1. He leadeth me! O blessed thot!
O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me!

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful fol-l'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

2. Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom;
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me!

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful fol-l'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

3. Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis Thy hand that leadeth me!

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful fol-l'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

4. And when my task on earth is done,
When, by Thy grace, the vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God thro' Jordan leadeth me!

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful fol-l'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Hymn of the Month: January 2011

Like a river glorious

Frances R. Havergal

1 Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

2 Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there. [Refrain]

3 Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true. [Refrain]

Advent Hymn 2010

Christ Jesus, the Messiah
© 2010, Phillip Gaeddert

Christ Jesus, the Messiah was
born as a little babe
Creator, King, and Son of God
in manger hay was laid

Salvation plan of God for man
to save elect from sin
was wrapped up in those swaddling bands
revealed to lowly men

Angels announced and shepherds heard
the message sent from heav’n
the virgin had just given birth
to Christ in Bethlehem

The shepherds rose and went with haste
to where the child was laid
and magi travelled night and day
with gifts and homage paid

Simeon blessed; Anna rejoiced
Messiah it was He
yet knew their sins of heart and voice
invoked a penalty

Christ Jesus, the Messiah was
born as a little babe
Creator, King, and Son of God
on Him our sins were laid

Hymn of the Month: December 2010

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!

Isaac Watts (1719)

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.

Hymn of the Month: November 2010

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Martin Luther (1529)

1 A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The prince of darkness grim, -
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

4 That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is for ever.

Hymn of the Month: October 2010

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord

Julia H. Johnston (1911)

1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

2 Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. [Refrain]

3 Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today. [Refrain]

4 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive? [Refrain]

Hymn of the Month: September 2010

Trusting Jesus

Edgar Page Stites (1876)

1 Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all. [Refrain]

2 Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. [Refrain]

3 Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. [Refrain]

4 Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all. [Refrain]

Hymn of the Month: August 2010

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Author: Joachim Neander (1680)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness, and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen Sound from His people again,
Glady for aye we adore Him.

Hymn of the Month: July 2010

The Church's One Foundation

S. J. Stone (1866)

1 The Church's one Foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the word:
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood he bought her,
And for her life He died.

2 Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

3 Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

4 'Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

5 Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.

Hymn of the Month: June 2010

I Know Whom I Have Believed

D. W. Whittle (1883)


1. I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day."

2. I know not how this saving faith
To me he did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day."

3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus thro' the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day."

4. I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day."

Hymn of the Month: May 2010

It Is Well With My Soul

Horatio Gates Spafford (1873)


1. When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Tho' Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

3. My sin--oh, the bliss of this glorious tho't:
My sin not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

4. And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
"Even so," it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Hymn of the Month: April 2010

TRUST AND OBEY

Author: John H. Sammis, 1887

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
Let us do His good will;
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

3. But we never can prove
The delights of his love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

4. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at his feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Hymn of the Month: March 2010

I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE

Author: Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

1. I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

2. For me it was in the garden
He prayed, "Not my will, but Thine,"
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

3. He took my sins and my sorrow,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv'ry,
And suffered and died alone.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me.

4. When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
"Twill be my joy thro' the ages
To sing of His love for me.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me.

Crimson stains

We have been singing "Jesus Paid It All" this month as our hymn of the month. The other day we also ate beets with our evening meal and at one point accidentally spilled some of the juice on a place mat. Later that night I used the stained place mat as an example of what a "crimson stain" was like. It is also interesting to note that we also have snow outside right now. I think the boys have a slightly clearer picture of the meaning of the words to this hymn's chorus now.

I tried to explain to them how utterly impossible it would be to fully remove the small beet juice stain from the white of this place mat and that no matter how much you washed it you could still always see the evidence of a stain there. Yet what Christ has done for us is to take the whole of the stain of sin and make it even whiter than glistening snow through his completed and finished work of obedience to death on the cross.

I'm still not sure how clear that picture is to them yet, but it was an apt example that made a great object lesson.

Chorus:

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Hymn of the Month: February 2010

JESUS PAID IT ALL

Author: Elvina M. Hall, 1865

1. I hear the Savior say,
"Thy stength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

2. Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

3. For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

4. And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Hymn of the Month: January 2010

I SING THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD

Words: Issac Watts, 1715.

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.