March 31 TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS William H. Parker, 1845–1929 He explained to them what was said in all of the Scriptures concerning Himself. (Luke 24:27) Children love to hear stories. It is critically important that we build upon this natural response and fill their minds with truths about Christ that will give them a solid foundation upon which to build their lives. Although Sunday schools are important, parental influence and instruction in the home are foundations of Christian education. The stories of Jesus—His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His promised return to take us to heaven—for the child of God of any age are always fresh, exciting, and spiritually refreshing. They never grow old. Telling the stories of Jesus must also be the mission of our Sunday schools. Portrayals of the person and work of Christ must always be the core of every Christian education curriculum along with appropriate songs that enhance the teaching of the Scriptures. Although such emphases as character school, arts and crafts, and game times have their place in the church program, nothing ever equals the importance of providing our youth with sound, relevant biblical instruction. William H. Parker was an English Baptist layman greatly interested in the work of Sunday schools. He wrote this text in 1885 after returning from teaching his Sunday school class and reflecting upon the oft-repeated request of the children, “Teacher, tell us another story.” This text pictures so vividly the important events of our Lord’s life from Galilee to Calvary. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here: Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me. First let me hear how the children stood round His knee; and I shall fancy His blessing resting on me: Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, all in the lovelight of Jesus’ face. Into the city I’d follow the children’s band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand; one of His heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas! Jesus is King. Show me that scene in the garden, of bitter pain. Show me the cross where my Savior for me was slain. Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
For Today: Deuteronomy 6:7; Isaiah 40:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Mark 8:31
Consider creative ways that biblical truths can be communicated to children—visual aids, dramatizations, musical records—both at home and in Sunday school. Seriously reflect as a parent (or a grandparent) whether you are doing everything possible to further your children’s spiritual training.
March 30 NOW THE DAY IS OVER Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834–1924 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) Upon God’s care I lay me down, as a child upon its mother’s breast; No silken couch, nor softest bed could ever give me such deep rest. —Unknown Trusting God throughout the day allows us to rest peacefully at night. Fear and anxiety are the chief causes of the tension that leads to disturbed rest. And sound rest is an absolute necessity for the renewing of our bodies, minds, and emotions. Only a peaceful relationship with God and with others allows us this total renewal at the close of each day. We must learn to relax and release our cares and burdens to the Lord and then claim His promised rest. ’Tis sweet to keep my hand in His, while all is dim— To close my weary, aching eyes, and trust in Him! —Unknown Whenever there are those occasional times when sleep eludes us, it is important to center our thoughts on God, the Scriptures, and the loving concern of the Lord rather than upon the solving of life’s many problems. “Now the Day is Over” was written by Sabine Baring-Gould (composer of “Onward, Christian Soldiers”). The author, a minister in the Anglican church, was recognized as one of England’s most prolific writers of his time. Baring-Gould wrote this charming text for the children of his parish at Horbury Bridge, near Wakefield, England. It was based on Proverbs 3:24—“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” The hymn first appeared in the Church Times on March 16, 1865. It is still a favorite hymn with children everywhere. Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh; shadows of the evening steal across the sky. Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose; with Thy tend’rest blessing may mine eyelids close. Thru the long night-watches may Thine angels spread their white wings above me, watching round my bed. When the morning wakens, then may I arise pure and fresh and sinless in Thy holy eyes.
Determine to begin and end each day with your mind centered on God. Thank Him for providing the renewal of your body, mind, and emotions. Sing and share this lovely children’s hymn before retiring—
March 29 WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851–1920 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:17, 18) For the child of God, the end of this earthly pilgrimage is just the beginning of a glorious new life. This glorious hope revives our courage for the way, When each in expectation lives and longs to see the day When from sorrow, toil, pain and sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and joy shall reign throughout all eternity. —John Fawcett Our services of worship even now should be a foretaste of that day of rejoicing when those from every tribe, language, people, and nation see our Lord and together “we’ll sing and shout the victory.” The author of this hymn text, Eliza Hewitt, a school teacher in Philadelphia, was another Christian lay worker deeply devoted to the Sunday school movement during the latter half of the 19th century. Like many of the other gospel song writers of this time, Eliza wrote her songs with the goal of reaching and teaching children with the truths of the gospel. She often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It was here that she collaborated with Emily Wilson, wife of a Methodist District Superintendent in Philadelphia, in the writing of this popular gospel hymn, a favorite of both young and old alike. It was first published in 1898. The anticipation of heaven has often been described as the oxygen of the human soul. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing His mercy and His grace; in the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place. While we walk the pilgrim pathway clouds will over-spread the sky; but when trav’ling days are over not a shadow, not a sigh. Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving ev’ry day; just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; soon the pearly gates will open—We shall tread the streets of gold. Chorus: When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.
For Today: Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 35:10; John 14:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57
Allow your imagination to anticipate that day in heaven when the entire family of God is gathered for an endless celebration of praise. Allow this glorious hope to brighten your day and to keep you “true, faithful, trusting, serving … ” Sing this musical truth as you go—
March 28 WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER Words and Music by James M. Black, 1856–1938 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:15) The calm assurance of a future heavenly home is one of the greatest blessings for every Christian. It has been said that only those with an absolute confidence in their hereafter truly know to live victoriously in this life. Having a personal relationship with Christ means that we need have no fear that we will not hear “the trumpet call of God,” whether we are still alive or asleep in Jesus. James M. Black was an active Methodist layman, a music teacher, and a composer and publisher of numerous gospel songs. He related this experience: While a teacher in the Sunday school and president of a young people’s society, I one day met a girl, 14 years old, poorly clad and a child of a drunkard. She accepted my invitation to attend the Sunday school and join the young people’s society. One evening at a consecration meeting, when members answered the roll call by repeating Scripture texts, she failed to respond. I spoke of what a sad thing it would be when our names are called from the Lamb’s Book of Life, if one of us should be absent. When I reached my home, my wife saw that I was deeply troubled. Then the words in the first stanza came to me in full. In fifteen minutes more, I had composed the other two verses. Going to the piano, I played the music just as it is found today in the hymnbooks. The subsequent death of the missing girl from pneumonia, after an illness of just 10 days, furnished the dramatic finale to this account and gives a poignancy to the “roll call” song. Since its publication in 1894, this simply worded gospel song with its rather ordinary music has captured the hearts of innumerable believers. These sincere expressions have provided Christians with a singable vehicle of praise for the glorious future that still awaits them. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair— When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there. On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise and the glory of His resurrection share— When the chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, and the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun. Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, and the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there. Chorus: When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder—when the roll is call up yonder I’ll be there.
For Today: John 6:40; 1 Corinthians 15:40–42; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Give God praise for the certainty about your eternal destiny that you as a child of God enjoy. Live this day in that confidence.
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 