This bright song is like a Swiss army knife — many tools in one package — to chase garden-variety gloom out of most any situation or time. It can also brighten a day that is already going well. Need new life? Already got one of those, but not feeling it? Have one or more of the folks also sojourning on this planet today disappointed you — or worse — and you can find no way to get past the offense? Give this song a sing-along listen and come back for a chat on putting imperfection in its place.

I messed up

Let’s start at home. Whether I be at the the top of the world looking down on everything — and everyone — or groveling in fresh goofs and gaffs, it helps to remember I needed forgiveness and new life, and God provided for both even before I was born. I have received God’s gift of new life — yet these verses, and many more, still apply to me, and remind me to get over myself and get back under Him.

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[Romans 5:8 BSB]

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins …
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. …
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ …
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast …
Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ … [from Ephesians 2 BSB]

The Lord prepared a place for me in His “haven of rest” before I was even around to know I’d need it. He gets the credit for any and every good thing in my life. He does not quit on me. Everything will work out, and the best days are ahead.

You didn’t do much better

You might have disappointed me today.

I might remember Jesus bringing a teaching moment to a group of men carrying rocks who understood themselves to be responsible for confronting sin in others. By pointing out the “right little thing” they came to consider the situation in a personal, rather than “official” light, and that day each recognized that if sin needed to be addressed, they had some chores at home to get to before they needed to be cleaning the house of another.

I might also remember words Paul addressed to the “faithful in Christ Jesus”, and decide to act the way members of that group have been taught to act:

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. [Ephesians 4:32 BSB]

Everyone else

Now, for the rest of those people out there. The ones who lead others to error, who lie, cheat and steal, and worse. Fry them?!?

That’s what they deserve. But who doesn’t?

While a person draws breath, may they experience redemption like I did. And may I rejoice when they receive the Lord’s redemption. And may I pray and believe they don’t receive what they deserve, any more than I do.

I hate evil. May I confront it not by cursing the darkness but by bringing light. To whosoever might hear me, let it be known that Christ is ready to welcome.

God bless you lots!
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS – Christ Is Ready To Welcome
Text: B. A. Strong (1917)
Tune: Samuel William Beazley (1917)

1. Christ is ready to welcome every needy heart,
Every sinner forgiven may be;
Peace and comfort and gladness He will now impart
Unto all who will answer His plea.

Chorus:
When He said “Whosoever,”
He included you and me,
And I am glad, I am glad;
When He said “Whosoever,”
He meant all who would be free,
And I am glad, I am glad.

2. Not alone to the wealthy did the Master speak,
Not alone to the poor who were nigh;
But to all who had wandered and were lost and weak,
Did His sweet “whosoever” apply.

3 Come today with your troubles, come with all your sin,
On His love cast your grief and your care;
He is waiting to make you white as snow within,
Waiting now all your burdens to bear.

Let’s stay in touch

Each time I post a new song and lesson here I send a brief, cheerful note to friends of this song site. The note gives a quick description of the song and lesson along with a link to the new song’s page. It is super-easy for you to get a note from me, too. Just click the green “Song of the Week” button below and you are almost there.

To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)

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