Hymns of the Past – Sovereign Grace has Power Alone by John Newton

This beautiful hymn was written by John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace. The style and rhythm of this hymn, along side it’s evangelical message, makes it a great one to teach children. I hope it will bless you all, my friends, on this Lords Day! As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Sovereign grace has power alone
To subdue a heart of stone;
And the moment grace is felt,
Then the hardest heart will melt.

When the Lord was crucified,
Two transgressors with Him died;
One with vile blaspheming tongue,
Scoffed at Jesus as he hung.

Thus he spent his wicked breath,
In the very jaws of death
Perished, as too many do,
With the Savior in his view.

But the other, touched with grace,
Saw the danger of his case;
Faith received to own the Lord,
Whom the scribes and priests abhorred.

This was wondrous grace indeed,
Grace vouchsafed in time of need!
Sinners, trust in Jesus’ name;
You shall find Him still the same.

But beware of unbelief,
Think upon the hardened thief;
If the Gospel you disdain,
Christ, to you, will die in vain.

Hymns of the Past – Alas! By Nature How Depraved

Hello dear ones, I hope this post is finding you all doing well! You all know, if you’ve followed this blog long enough, that I adore hymns. And this hymn is a prime example of why! It’s Scripturally sound, and gives the Gospel to the hearers. What other reason is there to sing, than to proclaim the Good News? This hymn was written by John Newton, author of Amazing Grace. I pray it blesses you, beloved brethren, as always be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Alas! by nature how depraved,

How prone to every ill!

Our lives to Satan how enslaved,

How obstinate our will!

And can such sinners be restored,

Such rebels reconciled!

Can grace sufficient means afford

To make the foe a child!

Yes, grace has sound the wondrous means

Which shall effectual prove;

To cleanse us from our countless sins,

And teach our hearts to love.

Jesus for us a ransom paid,

And died that we might live;

His blood a full atonement made,

And cried aloud, Forgive.

Yet one thing more mus grace provide,

To bring us home to God;

Or we shall slight the Lord, who died,

And trample on his blood.

The holy Spirit must reveal

The Savior’s work and worth:

Then the hard heart begins to feel

A new and heavenly birth.

Hymns from the Past – Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare by John Newton

The writer of Amazing Grace, beloved, also wrote so many beautiful hymns that it’s difficult to pick one. This caught my eye, what a beautiful prayer! I pray it blesses you all, friends.

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,

Jesus loves to answer pray’r.

He Himself has bid thee pray,

rise and ask without delay.

Thou art coming to a King,

large petitions with thee bring,

for his grace and pow’r are such,

none can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin,

Lord, remove this load of sin!

Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,

set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord! I come to Thee for rest,

take possession of my breast;

there Thy blood-bought right maintain,

and without a rival reign.

While I am a pilgrim here,

let Thy love my spirit cheer;

as my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,

lead me to my journey’s end.

Show me what I have to do;

ev’ry hour my strength renew;

let me live a life of faith;

let me die Thy people’s death.

Hymns from the Past – Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare

Beloved, this beautiful hymn was such a blessing to me. This week marks the third year since I was saved by Gods grace alone, July 4th 2015! With that burden I begin, and the Lord removed this load of sin. What an unbelievably amazing grace! I pray this blesses you as well, dear ones. As always, friends, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,

Jesus loves to answer pray’r.

He Himself has bid thee pray,

rise and ask without delay.

Thou art coming to a King,

large petitions with thee bring,

for his grace and pow’r are such,

none can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin,

Lord, remove this load of sin!

Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,

set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord! I come to Thee for rest,

take possession of my breast;

there Thy blood-bought right maintain,

and without a rival reign.

While I am a pilgrim here,

let Thy love my spirit cheer;

as my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,

lead me to my journey’s end.

Show me what I have to do;

ev’ry hour my strength renew;

let me live a life of faith;

let me die Thy people’s death

John Newton

Hymns from the Past – John Newton Afflictions, Though They Seem Severe

1 Afflictions, though they seem severe,

In mercy oft are sent;

They stopped the prodigal’s career,

And forced him to repent;

Although he no relenting felt

Till he had spent his store;

His stubborn heart began to melt,

When famine pinched him sore.

2 “What have I gained by sin,” he said,

“But hunger, shame and fear?

My father’s house abounds in bread,

Whilst I am starving here.

I’ll go and tell him all I’ve done,

Fall down before his face;

Unworthy to be called his son,

I’ll seek a servant’s place”

3 His father saw him coming back,

He saw, and run, and smiled;

And threw his arms around the neck,

Of his rebellious child.

“Father, I’ve sinned–but O forgive!

I’ve heard enough” he said,

“Rejoice, my house, my son’s alive,

For whom I mourn’d as dead.

4 “Now let the fatted calf be slain,

And spread the news around;

My son was dead but lives again,

Was lost, but now is found.”

‘Tis thus the Lord his love reveals,

To call poor sinners home;

More than a father’s love he feels,

And welcomes all that come.

Wednesday Testimony – John Newton

Sunday I posted a hymn by John Newton (1725-1807), and realized that I hadn’t written about his testimony yet. Most know Amazing Grace, but how many of us know the tremendous weight behind the words? When you hear the story you’ll never sing the song lightly again.

John Newtons mother was a Puritan, who taught him scriptures, until she died when he was 7. His father, who was a sea captain, remarried and Newton fell into bad company. His Christian learning stopped, and if not by the grace of God, it all would have been lossed.

His life was plagued by near death experiences, each one leading him to attempt a life of piety only to lapse into more wickedness than before. He eventually became a slave trader, professing there was nothing after life, no God, no eternity. 

His last close call with death came during a storm at sea, when he was heading up to the top deck and someone called down for him to go find a knife. He did, but the man who went up in his place was immediately swept out to sea. The storm raged on, the ship was tossed too and fro for four weeks. Newton entered that ship a lost, blind, wretch. He left it a new creation in Jesus Christ!

From slave trader to preacher…John Newton was saved by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Newton’s testimony is prescious to those of us with lost loved ones who seem too far gone to turn. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. I pray the Lord will encourage you all today, dear brethren, with the story and song Amazing Grace! As always, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Sunday Hymns from the Past – The Trembling Gaoler by John Newton

John-Newton

John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, actually wrote several hundred other hymns. There’s something about his songs, you can see that he was in awe of God and the salvation he received but never deserved. When someone is forgiven much, they have much to be thankful for! 

Luke-7-47

Just as an aside, did everyone have to be named John? No wonder we call these men by their last names. What’s it like in heaven? Someone shouts ‘hey John’ and three thousand men stand and say ‘yes?’. Surely there were other names to choose from. Am I the only one that gets all the Johns of history confused? Beloved I hope this hymn blesses you, like it blesses me. I pray today that your fellowship was sweet and that you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Be good Berean’s, my dear friends, and study to show yourselves approved.

 A believer, free from care,

May in chains or dungeons sing,

(If the Lord be with him there)

And he happier than a king

Paul and Silas thus confined,

Though their backs were torn by whips,

Yet possessing peace of mind,

Sung his praise with joyful lips.

Suddenly the prison shook,

Open flew the iron doors,

And the gaoler, terror-struck,

Now his captives’ help implores:

Trembling at their feet he fell,

“Tell me first, what must I do

To be saved from grief and hell?

None can tell me this but you.”

“Look to Jesus, (they replied)

If on him thou canst believe;

By the death that he has died,

Thou salvation shall receive:”

While the living word he heard,

Faith sprung up within his heart,

And released from all he feared,

In their joy his soul had part.

Sinners, Christ is still the same,

O that you could likewise fear!

Then the mention of his name

Would be music to your ear;

Jesus rescues Satan’s slaves,

His dear wounds still plead, “Forgive!”

Jesus to the utmost saves

Sinners look on him and live.