The Story Behind

The story of Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886 (The writer of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus")

Born: September 10, 1819, Seapatrick, County Down, Ireland.
Died: August 10, 1886, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
Buried: Pengally Cemetery, near Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.

A true friend loves and accepts us just as we are -- stays close to us in good or in bad times, and is always ready to help in time of need. Because the author of this hymn text found just such a friend in his Lord Jesus, he decided to spend his entire life showing real friendship to others.

Joseph Scriven had wealth, education, a devoted family, and a pleasant life in his native Ireland. Then unexpected tragedy entered his life. On the night before Scriven's wedding, his fiancee drowned. He moved to Canada in 1846. There he taught in Woodstock and Brantford, Ontario, and was a tutor for the Pengelly family near Bewdley. It was there he met and became engaged to Eliza Roche, a relative of the Pengellys. In what seems too amazing to be coincidence, Eliza died shortly before their wedding.

In his deep sorrow, Joseph Scriven realized that he could find the solace and support needed only in his dearest friend, the Lord Jesus. Soon after this tragedy, Scriven dramatically changed his lifestyle. He determined to devote all of his extra time in being a friend and helper to others. He often gave away his clothing and possessions to those in need, and he worked, without pay for anyone who needed him. Scriven became known as "the Good Samaritan of Port Hope."

When Scriven's mother became ill in Ireland, he wrote a comforting letter to her, enclosing the words of his newly written poem with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of a neverfailing Heavenly Friend. Sometime later, when he himself was ill, a friend who came to call on him happened to see a copy of these words scribbled on scratch paper near his bed. The friend read the lines with interest and asked, "Who wrote those beautiful words?" "The Lord and I did it between us," was Scriven's humble reply.

What a friend we have in Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Prayer of Encouragement Peter Scazzero

I asked God for strength that I might achieve,

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

 

I asked for health that I might do great things;

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

 

I asked for riches that I might be happy,

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

 

I asked for power when I was young that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.

 

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

 

I got nothing that I asked for,

But everything I had hoped for.

 

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered,

I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

 

 

Daily Devotion (Deuteronomy 28)

Instructions and Execution

Any organisation will not achieve its goal if instructions from the top management not carefully executed. We understood the principle very well throughout our working years.

God knows us so well that he reminded Israelites in verse 13: "..If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be.."

After thousands of years, we have not changed! As we are getting busier with our work and overloaded with information, we miss the mark by paying attention to other idols - work, stock index, etc. Later we approached Jesus for miracles to take place in our lives.

We don't pay true attention to God's commands and execute well. Thus, we don't receive the promises He said He will do.

Dear Lord, forgive my ignorance upon your commands and thank you for your love and revelation of your truth today. Grant me the insight of your commands so I remember well to follow them, your truth is the living water in my heart and no one is able to rob away my inheritance and joy. Touch my lips for greater purpose today. Amen.

Daily Devotion (1 Thessalonians 4)

Live To Be Successful

Verses 11-12
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Definition of Ambition is "a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work".

Definition of Respect is "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements".

Paul's instruction on the character of Christians is revolving around:
1. Determine to serve
2. Financial independence through labour of hands
3. Strive for excellence
4. Keep low profile

The earthly measure of success is based on wealth, and its teaching is about instant results - often cause the Christians to fumble in our ministry or service against the four characters Paul mentioned:
a. Being called by the leader to serve
b. Mark attendance in our spiritual report card
c. Shy to approach or even smile
d. Holding senior management position at work and unsuitable to serve

Abba Father, many time we wear the secular robe and behave like the Pharisees and yet to think we are a great worshipers before your throne. Teach us to live our lives under your eyes, not the lives under other eyes. Remind our gifting and talents and refresh us with new ones, so that we do not seem to be useful in office and useless when retrenched. Open our eyes and direct us to our destiny and not trapped in the secular activities without the true focus in our successful life. Amen.

Daily Devotion (1 Thessalonians 4)

Lusty Temptation

Verses 3-8
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit."

After the bite of the fruit of knowledge, both Adam and Eve noticed their nakedness. The spirit of lust is the best friend of our flesh, we often fall into the gaps of lust without knowing. Devil is a crafty designer even in fashion, it is highly advisable for men to take a quick look of beautiful women and do not stay focus of her body parts more than 3 seconds. Fix your eye sight above her neck to keep our spirit of lust at bay.

Only through the constant renewal in God's words and Holy Spirit, we are able to learn to subdue the temptation around us daily. Call upon the name of Jesus if your eyes cannot stay focus at the face.

Dear Lord, forgive our craving for lusty things of the world. As we partake your daily bread, we strengthen ourselves in your truth. Reveal to us the wisdom to raise our spiritual dimension beyond the fleshy desires, and equip us through the teaching of my dear adviser against the enemy - holy spirit. Amen.

Daily Devotion (1 Thessalonians 3)

Stand Firm in Trials

Verses 7-9
"..in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God.."

Life is full of trials and tribulations, Paul discovered the Thessalonian brothers' faith in God during tough times. The world today offers trials and tribulation, are we standing firm? What signs did Timothy discover from the Thessalonian brothers that they are firm in Christ? How about ourselves today?

Paul offers some clues that we need to strive in our spiritual walk and ground our faith securely even in the midst of famine: a) Pray to be useful b) Reach out to encourage someone c) Offer our help d) Follow-up through care acts or events e) Check his/her spiritual pulse regularly f) Thanksgiving.

Dear Lord, the world in your hand has not changed much - even though we think it has. Please help us to make our lives meaningful and not focus upon our own needs/desires. Direct us today to encourage everyone we speak with in person or over the phone, so their lives may be blessed richly through your words of hope. I claim your promise in Numbers 6:24-26: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Thank you for your attention and grace. Amen.

Daily Devition (1 Thessalonians 2)

Verses 7-8:
"We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."

Most of us understand and experienced love. Not many of us fully understood the depth of motherly love (or fatherly love) and let alone God's love.

Paul expressed the loving attention we need to exercise upon others beyond our family members. We need to develop the spiritual parenthood attitude to the young Christians who need guidance, and share our lives with them.

Abba Father, anoint me with you wisdom on the subject of love. Open the eyes of my heart and receive your overflowing love every day in a new dimension, causing my well of living water to touch my oikos with love. Help me to develop the right attitude in serving others in humility. Touch my lips so I can bless anyone richly and build relationships in your grace. Amen

Daily Devotion (1 Thessalonians 1)

Effective ministry through Holy Spirit

Verses 3-6:
"Your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."

In brief, the Holy Spirit is the joy factory which prompts the Thessalonians to love others in faith with the hope in Jesus Christ.

Through the years, I have been one of the Christians operating by emotion and own plan. These Verses outlines the success model we ought to learn from - God's conviction through the holy spirit!

Paul also highlighted the sign of the spiritual harvest is the lifestyle change and joy witnessed among the Thessalonians through action - man's own effort do not last!

Dear Lord, thank you for your teaching on successful and effective ministry. Partner with me today and prompt me who I shall approach, and deliver your gospel message with love and power. amen