Have you endured hardship and heartache? Cling, sweet friend, to the Cross.
So I'll cherish
the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at
last I lay down;
I will cling
to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it some day
for a crown.
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, less than forty-five minutes from my own hometown of Alliance. He also happened to be the writer of one of my all-time favorite hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross." It is arguably the most beloved hymn of all time.
After coming to Christ during a Salvation Army meeting, Bennard and his wife became active in the Methodist Church. It is said that he wrote "The Old Rugged Cross" in response to some ridicule he had received. The source or topic of the ridicule isn't clear, but his response is found in the lyrics of the hymn. His answer was to cling to the cross. He is reported to have said that, for him, "Christ and the Cross were inseparable."
Perhaps it is best that we do not know the specific reason Bennard was ridiculed. Who among us has not faced criticism or torment of some kind? We can relate to his situation without knowing the details — maybe even more so because we do not know the details. We can then apply his answer to anything we encounter. |
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The answer is always to cling to the Cross. |
The answer is always to cling to the Cross. |
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The answer is always to cling to the Cross.
Have you ever been mocked for your faith? Cling to the Cross.
Have you ever been misunderstood? Cling to the Cross.
Have you endured hardship and heartache? Cling, sweet friend, to the Cross. Don't be afraid to bear its shame and reproach because, one day, you'll exchange it for a crown.
Lord, help me to always be true to the Cross. Excerpted with permission from 100 Favorite Hymns by Stacy Edwards, copyright Thomas Nelson. |
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Cling to the Cross. No matter what is going on in your life today, the answer is "cling to the Cross". Jesus came and paid for you. Personally. So no matter what you are enduring, know that Jesus is with you, for you, He loves you, He will never leave you, and the Cross is the proof of His unfailing love. Come share your thoughts with us. ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Cultivate a deeper appreciation for timeless hymns while drawing closer to God |
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$15.99 $9.59 (40% off) + FREE shipping on all orders $35 and more |
Whether you are learning more about the beloved hymns that compose a soundtrack for your spiritual life or you are discovering their timeless beauty for the first time, 100 Favorite Hymns offers a unique way to draw closer to the God of every generation. This beautiful devotional will stir your heart as you reflect on the powerful words of our most-loved hymns. Select devotions feature the personal stories of the hymn writers themselves, many of whom endured deep suffering, unrelenting trials, and redemptive triumphs. Explore the hearts and histories behind favorite hymns such as: The Old Rugged Cross In the Garden Amazing Grace Blessed Assurance This Little Light of Mine This book: - Features colorful botanical-themed illustrations, making this a beautiful gift for birthdays, holidays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day
- Provides inspirational ways to start or end each day for worship leaders, music teams, and anyone who enjoys hymns
- Offers readers a devotional opportunity to cultivate a deeper appreciation for timeless hymns while drawing closer to God
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What Our Readers Are Saying |
"Sweet book full of thoughtful devotions for my enjoyment or for sharing in our women's group at church. Our family sings these old hymns at our reunions and gatherings as well as in church, so this book is really lovely for the devotions and the love of those hymns and those times in my life. This makes a wonderful gift, too." — Laurie D. |
"This book was a wonderful blessing for my mother. At the age of 98, music is the one thing that has always been a part of her life. She really enjoyed the stories behind her favorites and knew almost all 100 songs!! This book brought back precious memories from her life of music . Thank you for putting together such a wonderful collection!" — Gary F. |
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More books that make great gifts |
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100 Favorite Bible Verses |
Discover the life-changing power of Scripture with 100 of the best-loved Bible verses that bring encouragement, direction, insight, and hope for your life. On each spread, this beautiful little book features an inspiring scripture set in a beautiful design, bright botanical watercolor illustrations, a short devotional thought, and a prayer starter. This is great for gifting! |
| 100 Favorite Bible Prayers |
Discover the life-changing power of conversation with God as you immerse yourself in the richest prayers of the Old and New Testaments. From Hannah's prayers for a child to Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, the prayers of Scripture remind us of God's longing for us to draw near to Him. |
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Bonus Savings: The Jesus Bible |
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| The Jesus Bible, ESV Edition |
Encounter the living Jesus in all of Scripture. From the Passion movement, The Jesus Bible lifts Jesus up as the lead story of the Bible and encourages you to faithfully follow him as you participate in his story. Profound yet accessible study features help you meet Jesus throughout Scripture. See him in every book so that you may know him more intimately, love him more passionately, and walk with him more faithfully. |
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"Prayer is a practice with God, not a performance. And the more we practice our prayer, the more natural our conversation with God will be." - Chrystal Evans Hurst Friends, let's learn to pray and experience intimacy with God like never before! Sign up now and join us for the 28 Day Prayer Journey Online Bible Study with Chrystal Evans Hurst! |
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