Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
Ephesians 2:4-5 (CSBBible)
Charles Austin Miles, USA 1868-1946. Born at Lakehurst, NJ, he attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of PA. He became a pharmacist. He married Bertha H Haagen, and they had two sons: Charles and Russell.
In 1892 he abandoned his pharmacy career and began writing gospel songs. At first, he furnished compositions to the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, but soon became editor and manager, where he worked for 37 years. He felt he was serving God better in the gospel song writing business, than as a pharmacist. He published the following song books: “New songs of the gospel” (1900), “The service of praise” (1900), “The voice of praise” (1904), “The tribute of song” (1904), “New songs of the gospel #2” (1905), “Songs of service” (1910), “Ideal Sunday school hymns” (1912). He wrote and/or composed 400+ hymns.
He died in Philadelphia, PA.
John Perry
A New Name in Glory
I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.
There's a new name Written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
oh yes, it's mine! (yes, it's mine!)
And the white-robed Angels sing the story,
"A sinner has come home." (home, has come home.)
For there's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
oh yes, it's mine! (yes, it's mine!)
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.
I was humbly kneeling at the cross,
Fearing naught but God's angry frown,
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.
In the Book 'tis written, "Saved by grace."
Oh, the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.
Written by C. Austin Miles
“Saved by grace!” How blessed we are. Paul tells us over and over that God loved us so much He gave us grace, God’s unmerited favor. We deserve eternal punishment. Instead, we received grace. Paul uses two words in this passage, mercy and grace. The two words work together. Mercy is stopping punishment even though it was justified. Remember when you were a kid and you were in a neighborhood fight? You would get someone down and be ready to pound them and they would cry, “Uncle!” and you let them go. That’s mercy. Grace goes one step further. It is a gift that means nothing is owed in return. We cannot buy it or work for it. God gives it through Jesus Christ who stood in for our deserved punishment. We deserve death, we are given life.
In Austin Miles’ hymn, he writes, “Now I am forgiven, and I know by the blood I am made whole.” Christ’s blood saves us from our sin, once and for all. That’s mercy! That’s grace! We should be grateful.
Practice grace this week. Show mercy by sharing Jesus Christ.
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick