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Hymn of the month


A Monthly Hymn for Your Family to Sing and Grow in the Lord Together!

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October - And Can it Be

Lyrics

And can it be that I should gain

An int'rest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

He left His Father's throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace;

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam's helpless race;

'Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me. 

‘Tia mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth and followed Thee. 

My chains fell off, my heart was free

I rose, went forth and followed Thee

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th'eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own. 

Bold I approach th’eternal throne

And claim the crown, through Christ my own

(Charles Wesley, 1738)


 
 

October Bible Memory Verses

Romans 8:1, ESV

‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ 


Hymn Story

Charles Wesley, a well known English hymn-writer, wrote this hymn as a celebration of becoming a Christian. He lived in the 1700s and often travelled with his brother John preaching and singing hymns as a way to share the good news of the Lord Jesus. 

This hymn was first printed in his brother’s hymnal ‘Hymns and sacred poems’. It first had the title of ‘Free Grace’. Of the 6,500 hymns Charles Wesley wrote this is perhaps his most loved one and is sung all over the world.

Like a woodworker has a box with all the different tools he needs to make things a poet has different ‘tools’ they use to write lyrics. They use the tools of rhyme and rhythm. They ask questions. Look at the first line of this hymn - And can it be that I should gain? Wesley uses this to draw us in to his amazement at God’s grace. They use comparing and describing words to better tell what they see and know and feel. In this lyric Wesley compares following Christ to being as if he was set free from the chains of a prison cell. 

He is trying to draw us in to a great story of rescue but even more, to encourage us to join him and make it our story too!


 
 

Something to Think About

I remember when I was little being sent to my room for doing something I should not have done. I can’t remember what it was but I do remember waiting for my Dad to come home later that evening. I knew he would find out and I was expecting to be in big trouble - I was very worried and dreaded what he would say.  But then to my great surprise my Dad came up to my room and just gave me a big hug. I told him I was sorry and I knew I was forgiven.

It is a little bit like this when we come to the Lord. We know we have done things we should not have done and maybe we dread having to face the Lord, we think He cannot forgive us. But the Bible tells us that because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us and make us completely clean. We do not need to dread that He will condemn us or punish us!

My earthly father can comfort but my Heavenly Father can and does so much more - He takes the punishment on Himself and says that I am free. When this begins to sink into our hearts it opens up our mouths to sing! To sing praise to Him who forgives us. And when we sing this hymn we are sharing with others our testimony, the story of how the Lord has saved us. The hymn can give us words we can make our own!


Prayer

Father in heaven,

Thank you that we do not need to run away. Thank you that your grace is big enough and your arms open wide. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Lord, please forgive my sin. Make me clean within. 

May I always be quick to say I am sorry and quick to find my greatest comfort in You. Use my singing voice to share the good news of Jesus with others so that they may not be scared or ashamed but put their trust in You

In His name, I pray,

Amen

‘Prayer for the world’ highlight from The Voice of the Martyrs

Here are ways you and your family can pray for God to help Christian children and their families in Afghanistan.

  1. Pray for banks to fully open. Right now many Christian families can’t get money to buy food and supplies because banks are closed.

  2. Pray for God’s protection. Because it is more dangerous for Christians right now, please pray that God would keep your Christian brothers and sisters safe.

  3. Pray for wisdom. Christians in Afghanistan are deciding if they will stay there or if they will try to leave. Pray God will show them what decision to make. For those that families that will stay pray the verse Matthew 10:16.


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