His father moved to America in 1886 where he bought a farm
in South Dakota. After constructing a sod house, his mother, Anna Marie, and
siblings, Paul, Johanes, Katrine and George, were re-united in 1887. They
relocated to Astoria, Oregon.
Lillenas learned English and began attending school. In 1900
the family moved to Minnesota. Lillenas began a four-year correspondence course
in chemistry and chemical analysis with private tutors. He worked as a labour
most of the year, but during winter he concentrated on his studies.
His family was once again relocated to North Dakota when his
mother died, but Lillenas decided to move back to Oregon where he finished his
correspondence and found employment in a chemical factory.
Like most Scandinavians, he was raised in a Lutheran family.
The family was devout in their religious life and attended community services
when held in their area. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church when he was
15; however, he had not experienced “the miracle of the new birth.”
As a young boy Lillenas had been befriended by an elderly
woman who taught him English and told him about Jesus. Consequently, in 1906 he
began attending meetings at the Peniel Mission where this woman was an active
worker.
One summer evening he paused to listen to a street corner
service. There he heard the gospel and made his decision to devote his life to
Christian service. The singing and testimonies brought conviction to his heart.
Later that year he was saved, and three weeks later his heart was cleansed. Soon
he was helping in the mission, singing to his heart’s content, witnessing with
joy to “the wonderful grace of Jesus,” and writing songs with increasing skill
and volume.
He sold a few songs at age 19. At age 21 he began writing
more songs, encouraged by some earlier ones becoming popular, such as “He Set
Me Free.”
He joined a vocal group called the “Charioteers’ Brigade,” associated
with the Salvation Army, which held street meetings and revival services, while
continuing his ministerial studies at Deets Pacific Bible College in Los
Angeles, CA.
Lillenas met his wife, Bertha, at college, and she, too,
became a songwriter. They had two children.
For ten years Lillenas was also a song evangelist and
travelled with Bertha holding revival services.
Additionally, Lillenas was an ordained Minister in the Church
of the Nazarene, author, song evangelist, poet, music publisher and prolific
hymnwriter. He and Bertha were elders in the church. He composed over 4,000
hymns, the most famous being "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." He produced the first
hymnal for the Church of the Nazarene. He was inducted into the Gospel Music
Hall of Fame.
In 1945 Bertha died of cancer, and later that year Lillenas remarried Lola Dell, and they lived in Melody Lane until 1955, when they moved to Pasadena, CA, attending the Nazarene Church there. They also made three trips to Norway after his retirement, and he wrote three books during that time: “Modern Gospel Song Stories (1952), “Down Melody Lane (an autobiography): (1953), “Motoring 11,000 Miles Through Norway-A Guide for Tourists” (1955). Lillenas had a full and interesting life. He died on August 18, 1959
Biblestudytools.com: The Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the gift of God to His people, and whom they receive through the doctrine of faith into their hearts, as a spirit of illumination, faith, comfort, adoption, truth, and as a seal and earnest of future glory; God gave His Son, and all things freely along with Him, as a justifying righteousness, remission of sins, adoption, and eternal life; all which were provided for them in the council and covenant of peace, and made up that grace given unto them freely in Christ before the world began.
Studylight.org, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Here the Psalmist says, that when he shall have profited in God’s law he will also employ himself in teaching it to others. This order is undoubtedly to be observed, that divine truth take root in our hearts before we engage in the work to others. Yet every man, according to the measure of his faith, ought to communicate to his brethren what he has received, and that the doctrine, whose use and fruit God would have to be displayed for the common edification of the Church, may not be buried.
Preceptaustin.org, MacArthur: By referring to the Word as the law of liberty, James focused on its redemptive power in freeing believers from the bondage of sin and then freeing them to righteous obedience. It allows us to serve God not out of fear or mere sense of duty, but out of gratitude and love. One day it also will free us from this world and its corruption from our fallenness; from our flesh; from temptation; and from the curses of sin, death, and hell.
Preceptaustin.org, Hiebert: The "liberty” points to the well-known Christian freedom from bondage that the believer knows through faith in Christ. As he submits himself to its transforming power, this law of liberty works in his life a disposition and ability to do God’s will joyfully.
Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: God wants His people to be changed from within. Scientists today use this same word, metamorphosis (from the Greek), to describe the changes a caterpillar undergoes in its chrysalis from which it emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Similarly, the Christian is to be changed from within rather than letting outside forces to shape his life. He is to be “metamorphosed.”
Blueletterbible.org, David Guzik: Grace is God’s first gift, and glory is His last gift. “Glory never comes without grace coming first, but grace never comes without glory coming last; the two are bound together, and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Spurgeon).
Biblestudytools.com: He gives converting grace, the first grace, and all future supplies of it; He gives sanctifying grace; He gives justifying, pardoning, adopting, and persevering grace, and all freely; He gives honor and glory among men, fellow creatures, and fellow Christians; and He gives eternal glory, the glory His Father gave Him, the crown of glory, life and righteousness; this is the gift of God through Christ.
Enduringword.com: David knew there was something magnetic about the true praise of God. When one genuinely praises God, he or she wants to draw others into the practice of praise. If it is good for one to exalt His name, then it is even better to do it together with His people . . . and [we] long for that day to come, when all nations and languages . . . shall make their sound to be heard as one, in magnifying and exalting their great Redeemer’s Name.
By His Grace . . .
