ThoughtSeeds

This hymn from 1887 has a personal story behind its origins. From separate brokenhearted letters to a music professor, we are blessed by that professor's insight and encouraging heart, as he was inspired by the verse in Scripture about God's everlasting arms. He supplied the idea and the music, and his prolific hymn-writing friend supplied the famous lyrics, with that first line so many of us know so well: "What a fellowship, what a joy divine -- leaning on the everlasting arms."

When we're told in Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God, the third piece on the list is our shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace. It might sound strange to put on "shoes of peace" as we prepare for battle, but these aren't just any shoes, and the peace they represent isn't just any peace. These shoes enable us to have firm footing on any ground we walk over, keeping us stable and moving forward, no matter the chaos of battle around us. How can you put on your shoes of peace, and what does that mean for your life?

When you hear the word "peace," what comes to mind? A placid and still lake? Quiet? What if I told you that stillness and quiet is only a small part of peace? Peace is, according to God, a complete soundness of mind, safety, security, wholeness, and friendship with Him. He offers "perfect peace" when you lean on Him for support, and trust that He's going to uphold you and sustain you.

Jesus refers to Himself numerous times in the Scriptures as "the Light of the world." The man blind from birth who had his sight restored by Jesus declared, "Once I was blind, but now I see!" In Genesis 1:3, Jesus said, "Let there be light." In the end of the Bible, in Revelation 21, we read that Jesus is the light of the city of heaven. Philip P. Bliss knew all of this when he wrote and composed the hymn, "The Light of the World is Jesus," and he wove all of it into the message of his song. "Come to the light, 'tis shining for thee."

https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biobliss.html

In Matthew 5, Jesus calls us -- believers -- "the light of the world." With His Spirit living in us, we do have that light. Do our lives, our words, and our actions reflect that light, or do they hide it in shadow? Light exposes what the darkness hides, and Jesus is calling you to reveal the truth by being the light. Let your light shine so others see it and are drawn to Jesus Christ.

Darkness cannot share space with light. Where light is, darkness must flee. Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World. What darkness do you need illuminated by the light of His presence? What shame do you need to cast off as you step out of darkness and into light? Jesus says if you follow Him, you'll not walk in darkness, but you'll have the light of life.

In his brief 38 years here on earth, Philip P. Bliss left a lasting legacy of hymns. One of the most loved is "Jesus Loves Even Me." Before we come to Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are, by our very nature, His enemy. And yet, in His great mercy, He loves us. He gave His life for us, **while we were still sinners.** Truly, Jesus loves even ME.

http://breadsite.org/hymnstories/jesuslovesevenme.htm
https://meaningfulhomeschooling.com/hymn-study-jesus-loves-even-me/#:~:text=Philip%20P.,farm%20in%20a%20lumber%20camp.&text=The%20hymn%20“Jesus%20Loves%20Even,Love%20Jesus”%20was%20sung%20often.

It's hard enough to imagine loving our enemies, but when we really stop and think about doing such a thing, the inevitable question comes up: How? HOW do you love your enemy? The very next words Jesus utters after "love your enemies" are "pray for those who persecute you." We love our enemies by praying for them. Sound strange? Well, in the logic of the world around us, yes, it's strange! But Jesus said we're not called to conform to this world, so being a little strange is okay.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-ways-to-pray-for-our-enemies/

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. He Himself is the ultimate example of Someone Who loves His enemies, but how do WE do that? And why would we want to? How do we even define the terms "love" and "enemy?"

Is God calling you to speak out, or go somewhere for Him? Or is He asking you to wait on Him right now? Either way, it requires trusting Him. The hymn "Trusting Jesus" calls us to trust Him no matter what our circumstances, no matter how small our faith, and to continue trusting Him to the end of our days here on earth, when He welcomes us into His home. "Trusting Jesus, that is all."