ThoughtSeeds

Charles Wesley was the most prolific English hymnwriter in history. In 1847, he wrote "Soldiers of Christ, Arise," originally titled "The Whole Armor of God, Ephesians VI." Because he and his brother and their fellow Methodists were highly persecuted by the Anglican church, he wrote this inspiring reminder to rise up as soldiers of Christ, despite the heavy persecution they often endured.

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/john-and-charles-converted
https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/soldiers-of-christ-arise

Is there someone in your life who you feel like you're at constant odds with? Is that person your enemy? Even though it can feel like it, most often, they are NOT the enemy. The real enemy wants you to think that, but the truth is that HE'S the enemy, and he is doing his best to destroy you. How can you take back the ground you've surrendered to him?

We are in a very real battle every single day, whether we want to be or not. It is not a physical battle, but a spiritual one. Who are we fighting? Our enemy goes by many names: Satan, the devil, that old serpent, father of lies, a prowling lion, accuser, adversary, and more. If we do not know our enemy, we can not effectively fight him. Learn who your enemy is, and what his tactics are.

From railway conductor to traveling evangelist with his wife, Seth Sykes and his wife Bessie shared the gospel wherever they went. Together, they wrote this long-loved simple hymn, "Thank You, Lord, For Saving My Soul. In it, the salvation message is front and center, as we thank God for saving us and making us whole, and for giving us His "great salvation so rich and free."

https://discerningmusic.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/thank-you-lord-for-saving-my-soul-seth-and-bessie-sykes/

We're told in Ephesians and 1 Thessalonians to give thanks to God in all circumstances. That can be tough to swallow, but thankfully, we have an example in the earthly life of Jesus. By looking at the times He chose to publicly give thanks, we can find a heart of gratitude ourselves "in all things."

In a season of thanksgiving, draw examples of real life gratitude from events in the Word of God. King Jehoshaphat faced a foe he could not defeat in his own strength, so he called all of his people together and they cried out to God for help. The instructions God sent were for them to watch and not worry -- God would fight this battle. But He also told them to send out their singers ahead of them, and so they did. "Give thanks to the LORD! His faithful love endures forever!" is what they sang out with all their might. The Bible says when the singing started, the enemy armies started turning on each other, and there was no battle for Jehoshaphat and his men to even worry about. What do YOU give thanks to God about?

In the late 1780's in London, Robert Raikes was burdened for the multitudes of children who worked in the factories in slave-like conditions six days a week. They had no formal education and no time to attend school, so Raikes started a "Sunday School." The Bible was the textbook, and also the Book used to teach the children to read. Despite some criticisms, the movement grew exponentially. John Burton was a young man who became a teacher for Raikes' Sunday School somewhere around the turn of the century. He wrote simple hymns to teach the children truths in a way that they could easily memorize, since they couldn't read. One of these was "Holy Bible, Book Divine." Like the song says, "Precious Treasure, thou art mine."

https://wordwisehymns.com/2012/04/13/holy-bible-book-divine/
https://thescottspot.wordpress.com/2016/02/02/holy-bible-book-divine-written-in-1803/

What IS a life verse? Do you need one? How do you get one? Is it even right to consider picking one verse from the entire Bible to sum up your life? If we are careful to remember that ALL of Scripture is inspired by God and ALL of it is profitable for us, then a particular verse that often comes to mind and encourages you or refocuses your attention on God is not a problem. What might be a problem is purposely selecting a verse that you feel "fits your life," because God's Word is supposed to change US. It's not supposed to conform to how we live our life. If I just stepped on your toes, then I encourage you to listen to this episode!

https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/what-is-a-life-verse-and-how-do-i-choose-one.html

What is a life verse? Do you have one? Mine is Joshua 1:9, and from an event in my life when I was a young girl, God has used that verse of Scripture to minister and guide me countless times. If even mighty General Joshua, leader of the Israelite army, and later the leader of all the people, needed reminders from God to be strong and have courage, then certainly it's a reminder I can use myself over and over again.

One night after evangelistic meetings, Ralph Hudson asked Mrs. Clara Williams to write a poem to include in his upcoming hymn publication. That same night, she sat down and wrote "Satisfied." In the morning, she gave it to Mr. Hudson, who took the poem and made it a hymn by composing the music. "Hallelujah, I have found Him Whom my soul so long has craved. Jesus satisfies my longings, through His blood I now I am saved."

https://womenofchristianity.com/satisfied-by-clara-tear-williams-hymn-story/