Colors with O still in accents sweet and strong with Jesus came, the heav'ns adoring

      It takes many years of study to become a medical doctor and additional years of training to become a “specialist.”  And through all the years of toil, each doctor combats things like sleep deprivation and the potential loss of deep personal friendships.  But most doctors are able to put such losses into perspective for the ultimate objective is to become a doctor.
     But Christ didn’t have to “study” in order to achieve one of His major objectives.  Rather, He had to humble Himself first before He could be called the Savior.  And what Christ went through only He’ll ever know.
     We do know, however, that He left Heaven and all its glories to live with little possessions in a conquered land where crucifixions were a common means of public execution.   We also know that the common people “followed” Him because many were being healed.  And though the religious leaders finally plotted his eventual death, Christ only died because He was the sacrificial lamb slain as it were before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20).  And then, of course, He was resurrected from the dead.
     And because Christ carried the sins and bore the penalty of death for each individual, He alone is truly the Savior.
     But Christ can only be a Savior to those who acknowledge their need of a Savior, as the apostle Paul, himself, personally stated in 1 Tim 1:15:  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
     And it is because of Christ’s death and resurrection, there are three names in the Bible which now are of major importance in the life of every individual - “Savior,” “sinner,” and “child.”
     So it is that only the individual who truly understands the dire penalty of being a “sinner,” will be able to ask for Christ the “Savior” to save, and then only then will the “sinner’s” name be changed from “sinner” to “child” of God.               M. Robbins



  O still in accents sweet and strong
  Sounds forth the ancient word,
“More reapers for white harvest fields,
  More laborers for the Lord!”

  We hear the call; in dreams no more
  In selfish ease we lie,
But girded for our Father’s work,
  Go forth beneath his sky.

  Where prophets’ word, and martyrs’ blood,
  And prayers of saints were sown,
We, to their labors entering in,
  Would reap where they have strown.

Samuel LongfellowJesus came, the heav’ns adoring,
  Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man’s redemption,
  Lowly came on earth to die;
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.

Jesus comes again in mercy,
  When our hearts are bowed with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
  To an earnest, heartfelt prayer;
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
  Bringing news of sins forgiven;
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness,
  Leading souls redeemed to heaven;
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
Now the gate of death is riven.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
  Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate’er befalls us,
  Glads our hearts and dries our tears;
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cheering e’en our failing years.

Jesus comes on clouds triumphant,
  When the heavens shall pass away;
Jesus comes again in glory;
  Let us then our homage pay,
    Alleluia! ever singing
‘Till the dawn of endless day.

Godfrey Thring