The Living Christ Is Here

The living Christ is here;
I see Him all around.
He whistles like the birds in song—
a heav’nly joyous sound.

The living Christ is here;
with me beside the bed.
Walking beside, to me He’s nigh
my thoughts and in my head.

The living Christ is here;
He’s walking with me now.
I praise His name, and then proclaim
His wonder and I bow.

The living Christ is here;
I see His shining face.
Follow His great lead, a life all
Christians should embrace.

Scripture Analysis: Romans 1:26-27

King James Version:

(26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their bust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Latin Translation:

(26) propterea tradidit illos Deus in passiones ignominiae nam feminae eorum inmutauerunt naturalem usum in eum usum qui est contra naturam (27) similiter autem et masculi relicto naturali usu feminae exarserunt in desideriis suis in invicem masculi in masculos turpitudinem operantes et mereedem quam oportuit erroris sui in semet ipsis recipientes

Life Application Version:

(26) That is why God let go of them and let them do all these evil things, so that even their women turned against God's natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other. (27) And the men, instead of having a normal sex relationship with women, burned with lust for each other, men doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved. 

Text Analysis:

God's natural plan is God'a ideal for His creation. Unfortunately, what comes naturally to human nature is sin. Sin often means not only denying God, but also denying the way we are made. When our society says that any sex act is acceptable so long as nobody gets hurt, it is fooling itself. In the long run (and often in the short run), sin hurts people--individuals, families, whole societies. How sad that people who worship the things God made instead of the Creator so often distort and destroy the very things they claim to value! But it is impossible to understand God's natural plan without knowing the Creator himself.

Homosexuality is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22). Homosexuality is considered an acceptable practice by many in our world today--even by some churches. Many homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have a right to express them. But God does obligate nor encourage us to fulfill all of our desires (even normal ones). Those desires that violate His laws are wrong and are to be avoided.

Guidance and Recommendation:  

If you have this desire, you can and must resist acting upon it. Consciously avoid places or activities you know will kindle temptations of this kind. Don't underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you nor the potential for serious harm if you yield to these temptations. Remember, God can and will forgive sexual sins just as He forgives other sins. Surrender yourself to the grace and mercy of God, asking Him to show you the way out of sin and into the light of His love. Prayer, Bible study, and strong Christian fellowship in a Bible-believing church can help you to gain strength to resist these powerful temptations. If you are already deeply involve in this sin, you may need to seek help from a trustworthy, professional, pastoral counselor.

Other Key Verses:

-Leviticus 18:22

-I Timothy 1:10

-I Corinthians 6:9

"Marching to Zion"

Isaac Watts, a prolific hymn writer of the early 18th century, is credited for many of our most beloved hymns today. Writing over 750 hymns in his life time, Watts revolutionized worship within the church; before his new approach of singing written songs of adoration to God in public worship, only one man by the name of Thomas Ken (the author of "Doxology" or "The Old Hundredth") ever dreamed of singing new-age hymns. At a time when only the Psalms of David were sung in English churches, Watts boldly changed the outlook that Christians had on praise music to the Lord.

One of my favorite pieces by Isaac Watts is "Marching to Zion." This hymn brings great joy and assurance that every day those saved by Jesus Christ are becoming closer to God's kingdom of heaven. The first verse of this great hymn goes as follows:

"Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord And thus surround the throne, And thus surround the throne."

The refrain, written by Robert Lowry, another famous hymn writer from the mid-1800s, is undoubtedly the most uplifting part of the song:

"We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God."

Christian, remember how close we are to the kingdom of everlasting life. All because of God's gracious son, the gateway to heavenly peace, we are inching closer and closer to paradise with every breath. Join me in marching boldly all the way there!

"Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion." -Jeremiah 31:6

All for Christ,
Chase Castle

New Goals for a New Year

Happy New Year, friends! Many of you are aware that my favorite hymn is "This Is My Father's World" by Maltbie Babcock. I sing this hymn everyday when I rise; I have found that seeing the beauty in God's world, even amid my trials and faults, puts me in a joyful mood.

As this new year approaches us, I want you to think about one thing: Are you doing your best for Christ? This specific resolution reminds me of the old hymn "Our Best." I have recorded the hymn with lyrics and posted it below this text.

There is complete joy in serving Jesus Christ; joy that cannot be found anywhere else. Think of a way to get yourself to that pure joy--it doesn't have to be singing a dusty old hymn every morning. Bible devotions, daily walks, and mere prayer can lead you to great places in your spiritual walk with The Lord. He is asking for our best, and I am prepared to give it to Him this year! I hope that you are as well.

In Christ,
Chase Castle

Nearer, My God, To Thee

This great hymn of the faith, Nearer, My God, To Thee, was

played as the Titanic sank in the Atlantic on April 14, 1912.

It is a song of faith and devotion to our God, whatever the

circumstances may be. This arrangement was written and played

by Chase Castle. The video was made by Chase Castle,

with all pictures found on www.google.com. All rights go

to picture right holders.

My Father's World

My Father's World
Maltbie D. Babcock


This is my Father's world.
On the day of its wondrous birth
The stars of light in the phalanx bright
Sang out in Heavenly mirth.

This is my Father's world.
E'en yet to my listening ears
All nature sings, and around me rings
The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world.
The birds that their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world.
He shines in all that's fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
From His eternal throne,
He watch doth keep when I'm asleep,
And I am not alone.

This is my Father's world.
Dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad suprise
Cry, "The Lord is in this place."

This is my Father's world.
I walk a deset lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze
God makes his glory known.

This is my Father's world.
Among the mountains drear,
'Mid rending rocks and earthquake shocks,
The still, small voice I hear.

This is my Father's world.
From the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His only Son,
Came--a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father's world.
Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod,
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father's world.
His love has filled my breast,
I am reconciled, I am His child,
My soul has found His rest.

This is my Father's world.
A wanderer I may roam,
Whate'er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That tho' the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world.
The battle is not done.
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.

This is my Father's world.
Should my heart be ever sad?
The Lord is King--let the Heavens ring
God reigns--let the earth be glad.

The Wonder of God's Nature

                It’s a Monday morning, and you wake up late. Missing the bus, you have no choice but to walk to school. As you start off your mood is sour and intolerable; you are angry for wasting a few minutes out of your day walking to school. However, as time progresses you realize how clear the air is this morning, how pretty the sunrise is reflecting off of the reservoir, and your mood begins to lighten up. By the time you reach school you admit to yourself that the walk was a blessing, a peaceful time to contemplate your life, surrounded by God’s creation.

               My favorite hymn is “This Is My Father’s World,” written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock. Living in Lockport, New York, Babcock would frequently stroll along the Niagara Escarpment and enjoy the overlook of Lake Ontario and upstate New York’s scenery. Before leaving, he would tell his wife, “I am going to see the Father’s world.” Every morning when I rise I sing the first and last stanza to this mighty hymn. The lyrics go as follows:

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world: the battle is not done. Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one.

                I have learned that if one starts off their morning singing and praising God’s name, and thanking him for his creation it puts you in better spirits the rest of the day. His wonderful works are visible everywhere; even in a world full of evil and sin, as the last stanza to “This Is My Father’s World” says, he is among us. Begin your day with a prayer to God, thanking him for his mercy and the beautiful world that he has given us. Study his word, and acclaim his name, and you will be blessed.