Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life

Defend the poor and fatherless:

do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy:

rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 82:3-4

Henry David Thoreau once described the metropolis as "a place where people are lonely together". This loneliness is not the result of an absence of people; rather, it is due to a lack of genuine caring relationships.

If that observation was true of the past, it has become increasingly so in the present; and the prediction is that it will become alarmingly more so in the near future. In 1950 there were only seven cities in the world with more than five million people. Only two of these were in Third World countries. Today there are over 34 cities with more than five million people, 22 of which are in the Third World. And by the middle of the 21st Century, there will be nearly 100 cities meeting that criteria, with 80 of these in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The author of this text, Franklin North, was a Methodist minister in New York City. He wrote this hymn in response to a request from the Methodist hymnal committee for a hymn about big city life, which Pastor North knew well and to which he was most sympathetic. The hymn first appeared in 1903 in the publication The Christian City, of which North was the editor. Father, help us to be people with sensitivity and compassion.

WHERE CROSS THE CROWDED WAYS OF LIFE
Franklin Mason North

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear your voice, O Son of man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of Your tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,
From woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,
From famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,
Your heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water giv'n for You,
Still holds the freshness of Your grace;
Yet long these multitudes to view
The sweet compassion of Your face.

O Master, from the mountainside
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide;
O tread the city’s streets again.

Till sons of men shall learn Your love
And follow where Your feet have trod,
Till, glorious from Your Heav'n above,
Shall come the City of our God!

Read Zechariah 7:8-10; Matthew 10:42, 22:9; Luke 4:18; I Peter 2:21
Confess to ignoring others' pain because we are too busy, too lazy or feel too awkward to help.
Determine to become better acquainted with a person from another culture or ethnic background (or, in our case, perhaps a different sorority/fraternity). Perhaps invite his or her family to your home for dinner and fellowship. 

Ask God to help you think globally, to understand and LOVE the multi-cultural world Jesus died to redeem.

Pray that we would "learn His love" and "follow where His feet have tread." 

O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

Go labor on: Spend and be spent,

My joy to do the Father's will;

It is the way the Master went,

Should not the servant tread it still?

H. Bonar

As God's representatives, we must make it our life's mission to make the invisible Christ visible to lost and needy people through both word and deed. We can do this most effectively by dealing justly with others and by showing compassion and understanding to those who are less privileged than ourselves.

This hymn, published in 1879, comes from a period of religious history in America when there was much emphasis given to the social implications of the Gospel. The Civil War had ended and the country was in the midst of a great industrial revolution. As is often true in such times, the individual was often exploited in the name of economic progress.

Many of our country's clergymen became enthusiastic champions for the cause of social justice. One of the recognized leaders of this movement was Washington Gladden. It was always his conviction that it was the duty of Christians to seek to "elevate the masses not only spiritually and morally, but to be concerned about their social and economic welfare as well." Although Gladden was widely known in his day for his persuasive preaching and writing, he is remembered particularly today for this one hymn text, which teaches us so well that our service for God must always be based on an intimate fellowship with Him.

O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE
Washington Gladden, 1836-1918

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the Homeward way.

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.

The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.

Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, clearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Upon Thy straight and narrow way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.

Read Amos 3:3; Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 2:5-7

Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of others.

Ask God to open your eyes to what He is doing.
Actively seek to do for someone at least one good deed that you might otherwise be hesitant to attempt.

Rise Up, O Men of God!

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God." Philippians 1:27-28

Our world is filled with much suffering--physical, social, emotional, and most definitely spiritual. Often we close our eyes to these painful situations that are all around us. It is much more comfortable to associate only with those who live as we do. This kind of attitude within the church will turn any body of believers into nothing more than a religious club.

If we want to represent our Lord with integrity, we must not compartmentalize the church's mission. We are told to go to the highways and hedges, not just to leave an advertisement in the yellow pages. Soul winning and social responsibility are woven intrinsically together and constitute an inherent part of the ministry. A starving person needs both his stomach as well as his soul cared for. Christ's earthly ministry is a prime model of an ideal balance of caring for body as well as the soul of needy individuals...showing Christian charity for the "physical" so that they are willing to be reached spiritually.

The author of this call-to-action text, William Pierson Merrill, was a minister of the Gospel. He served churches in Philadelphia and Chicago, and he pastored in New York until his retirement in 1938. Merrill wrote "Rise Up, O Men of God!" especially for the brotherhood movement within churches in 1911. Merrill was also a prolific writer of hymn texts and theological books.

An important secret of individual happiness is to be employed continually in doing something of eternal value, to be "done with lesser things", to be totally involved in serving "the King of kings". And even the cup of water given in Christ's name will not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42).


RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD! 

William P. Merrill, 1867-1954

Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

Read Deuteronomy 11:13-32; John 12:26; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:7
Confess to not always conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel; to closing our eyes to the painful situations around us; to not giving our hearts, minds, souls and strength to serving the King of Kings.

Receive God's forgiveness through Christ on the cross.
Determine by word and example to be a challenge to the members of your church by being more aggressively involved in an outreach ministry to your community, representing Christ in meeting physical needs and thus drawing them to seek the answer for their spiritual need.

Ask for the Spirit to give you courage and boldness to do so.  

O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink

Mark Lawrence Gallery

"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.'" Luke 17:5-6

When the world seems at its worst, Christians must be at their best. ~Author Unknown

Discouragement can easily cause our faith to shrink, and we may even at times consider quitting our service for God. 

One of the chief characteristics of spiritual maturity is the ability to persevere--even in the face of adversity. God often permits difficulties to come into our lives simply to allow our faith in Him to become stronger. A faith that is never tested and strengthened soon becomes a shrinking one. But if our faith is real, it will stand every test and prove to be an overcoming faith.

This hymn text, which is an exposition of Luke 17:5, is from William Bathurst's Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use. The song was originally titled "The Power of Faith". The first three stanzas describe a victorious faith amidst some of the most difficult circumstances in life. The final stanza affirms the believer's desire to have such trust that even now life becomes a foretaste of Heaven itself.

William Hiley Bathurst was a minister who wrote more than 200 hymn texts. The composer of one arrangement of the music, William H. Havergal, father of Frances Ridley Havergal, was also a prominent minister and writer of many hymns.

O FOR A FAITH THAT WILL NOT SHRINK 
William H. Bathurst, 1796-1877

O, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

That bears, unmoved, the world’s dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That seas of trouble cannot drown,
Nor Satan’s arts beguile.

A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal Home.

Read Romans 1:17; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 6:16; II Timothy 1:7

Confess to allowing our faith to shrink when the world's troubles loom large.
Ponder this question--Could I stand to lose everything and still have an implicit faith in God and know with certainty that He is in abolute control?

Ask God to give you such faith.

Step out in faith. Take a risk- today.

Pray

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." ~James 5:16b

Please continue to pray for:

• Julianne's family, as we they await the test results. Pray for God's peace to blanket the family. For her mom's continued faith in Christ during this scary time. 
• Lorna in Chi Omega. For total and complete healing of her body, for faith and for good spirits. 
• Scotty in South Africa. For continued safety in travels, for God to continue to open his heart to those who are in need, for open doors regarding this golf initiative, if it is God's will.  
• Greek IV. To reflect Christ's humility, grace, boldness and love.

Praise God for: 

• How He worked in our hearts at Greek Conference.
• The students who turned to Christ for the first time this weekend. 
• Community. Friends. Brothers. Sisters.  

Faith is the Victory

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 

Saving faith must always be reflected in a working faith. Our response of faith to the redemptive work of Christ transforms us; but then we need a daily motivating faith if we want to live overcoming lives. To live by faith is to believe with conviction that God's purposes for us will ultimately prevail. In fact, prevailing faith anticipates victory and celebrates in advance! For example, read the Old Testament account of how singers preceded the warriors into battle and the defeat of the enemy was accomplished (II Chronicles 20:20-22).

Our faith does not develop merely through intellectual assent to religious dogma or through wishful thinking. Rather, it is a lifetime commitment to the Person of Christ with a response of obedience to His Word (Romans 10:17).

This hymn of faith and victory was first published in 1891 in the Christian Endeavor Hymnal. The author, John Henry Yates, was a preacher of the Gospel. Ira Sankey, the composer, is often called "the father of the gospel song."

 FAITH IS THE VICTORY
John H. Yates, 1837-1900

Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.

On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world!

Read Galatians 2:20; James 2:18; I John 5:1-12; Jude 3

Confess that we too often use our intellect or wishful thinking instead of true commitment when it comes to our relationship with Christ. 

Pray that the Holy Spirit would enable you to obey His word. 

Ask Him to keep revealing to you His banner of love that is over you.
Ask God to make you a vivid demonstration to your friends, brothers and sisters of a triumphant faith in Christ--an exclamation of faith, not a question mark.

Fight the Good Fight

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 

1 Timothy 6:12

As Christians, one of our chief characteristics should be courage, especially when it involves our spiritual defense of the Gospel. How easily however our noble intentions for this kind of fortitude are changed into attitudes of despair and defeat because of annoying circumstances, the secular media, or disappointment in others. To avoid these courage-defeating forces, we must have our "inner man" renewed daily with spiritual nourishment. We cannot be truly strong if we do not gain the inner strength that comes from God through consistent times of prayer and study of His holy Word.

When John Monsell wrote this hymn text, he provided ten strong imperatives for a triumphant Christian life:
1 - Fight the good fight
2 - Lay hold of life
3 - Run the straight race
4 - Lift up thine eyes
5 - Seek His face
6 - Cast care aside
7 - Lean on thy Guide
8 - Trust and prove
9 - Faint not nor fear
10 - Only believe
Each of these is worthy of further pondering.

John Monsell published a hymnal in 1863 titled Love and Praise for the Church Year. In that song book this hymn first appeared under the title "The Fight for Faith". This respected man of the pulpit was also known as a strong advocate of vigorous congregational singing, constantly persuading his people that congregational singing should be fervent and joyous. "We are too distant and reserved in our praises," he would say. "We sing, but not as we should sing to Him Who is the chief among tne thouusand, the altogether lovely!" Perhaps there is a stronger relationship between our times of joyous praise and our ability to "fight the good fight" than we generally realize.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT WITH ALL THY MIGHT 
John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.

Cast care aside, upon thy Guide,
Lean, and His mercy will provide;
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its Life, and Christ its Love.

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

Read Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:36-39; I Corinthians 16:13
Seek forgiveness for not making time with God your first priority. 
Allow God to renew your inner man through quiet meditation on His Word and a time of communion with Him daily.
Pray for the Greek IV community that we will individually and collectively grow in our ability to meditate on God's Word, hear His voice and act on His promptings.