THE HOLIEST OF NIGHTS

THE HOLIEST OF NIGHTS

As I sit here at my computer, it is Christmas Eve.  It is raining and cold and some say we will get a bit of snow, and just maybe we will get a rare “White Christmas.”

The tree is lovely with its packages underneath waiting for Christmas morning.  I love to just look at the tree all lit up in the dark and think how awesome this season really is.  I want to just put aside all the outside trappings of this holiday and sit in peace and remember my Lord and Savior and His Divine love to come to earth as that precious baby.  Even at His birth even as the song says, “Jesus Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord at Thy birth.”

Tonight, on Christmas Eve at our church will have a Candlelight Service.  We come together to sing the wonderful carols and recall the events of that night so long ago.  The lights are turned out and each person lights a candle of the person sitting next to them, and soon the sanctuary is aglow with the soft light of our candles and it is always an awesome moment, a quiet moment.  Our lit candles symbolize to me that the “Light of the World” has come and we all share in unity that Light. 

I have always considered Christmas Eve as a holy time, a time of a quiet peace.  There is a sense of awe and holiness in the air.  It is hard to explain, but maybe many of you also sense those feelings as you gather with your families or attend a church service, or even some of you may sense that in a Midnight Mass.  It is indeed a Holy Night!  Think of that night so long ago, as we recall the words to this precious carol.

O HOLY NIGHT

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

CHORUS:

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born.

O Night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

CHORUS

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim

(French Carol, 1847)

Most of our Christmas carols are timeless, written hundreds of years ago.  And as we sing them each year, do we think of what the words mean, or what the writer was trying to say?  They all have a timeless message of the coming of our Lord and Savior and the promise of a new life with Him, a new world coming of peace.  Down through the ages each generation had its problems, its wars and its struggles.  And each generation hoped that they would be the ones who would witness His coming and His world of peace.

As I looked up the history of “O Holy Night” it spoke of Jesus coming into a weary world.  In the day Jesus came they were looking for their Messiah and ruled by the Romans and they indeed were weary of the oppression of their day.  And Jesus came on that night with a promise of salvation to all who would receive Him and someday a new day would dawn when Jesus would rule forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.  He would bring hope to mankind, eternal life with Him.  But He would have to face the cross, shed His blood for our sins, and then rise from the dead on that third day, His glorious resurrection would come.  O what a holy night!  Our holy God wrapped in flesh, and He calls us to fall our knees in worship!  Let our hearts hear the angel voices proclaiming His birth.

And He is a God of love and He taught to love each other.  And this song was sung during the Civil War to remind that generation that the slaves were brothers and Jesus had called for the chains of bondage to be broken.  And we today, are called to come together in unity and to love those who are in bondage to sin and oppression.  There are many, many out there today who are bound up in chains of sin and don’t know the Savior who can set them free.  And deliverance comes in the Wonderful Name of Jesus!   He breaks every fetter, as the old chorus says.

So on this holy night, remember that Christ is the Lord!  It is not about Santa Claus and Reindeer, but it is all about Him!  And He calls us to praise His holy name forever, and to proclaim His mighty power to set men free and the promise of a new day coming.  We look around our world and we long for that day, when we see Him face to face at last.

So I call you out there to fall on your knees in solemn worship this night, this Christmas Eve, wherever you are.  Sense the awe, the presence of the Holy Spirit, sense the peace and the joy.  If you attend a service of candlelight, close your eyes and let Him bath you in His presence.  And if you don’t know this Wonderful Savior, that a wonderful time to ask Him to come into your heart and be your Lord forever.  Ask Him in the light of the candles or even the light of your Christmas tree, what a glorious moment that would be.  I have witnessed the joy of Christ coming into a heart, and it is truly a holy moment.

So stop, worship Him and sense the awe of this holy night, in Jesus’ Name, and have a Blessed Christmas!

Pastor Sharon

DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS?

DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS?

 

We are in the midst of this beautiful Christmas season.  The tree is bright with lights, packages are mailed and hopefully soon Christmas cards speaking of this season will be mailed, along with our greetings of blessings to loved ones and friends.  The second Advent candle has been lit, and it was the Candle of Peace.

 

We so long for peace in our lives, our homes and especially in our world, as we look around and see wars and tragedy and lives of people in hopeless situations, as the world seems so dark with despair.  And we long for that day when Christ, the Prince of Peace, will appear again and bring hope and peace to this world.

 

As we celebrated Advent in our church this past Sunday, we sang an old hymn, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  I looked up the history of this hymn and it so spoke of our day also and our longing for peace on earth, and yes, the bells can ring again in our hearts as we turn our focus on our Savior and the Cross in this Christmas season.  He will bring joy and gladness to our aching hearts, all because He came.  He came to cause those bells of joy to ring again.

 

Christmas Day 1863 was not a day of “peace on earth, good will to men” in the United States.  The bloody Civil War was being waged.  At Gettysburg, only six months earlier, forty thousand men were killed, wounded, or missing.  The long siege of Vicksburg resulted in thirty thousand Confederate soldiers being taken as prisoners.  And there was no end in sight.

 

No wonder Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “bowed his head” in despair and said, “There is no peace on earth.”  The entire country, both North and South was bowed in despair.  But there was something about Christmas that helped Longfellow see beyond the carnage of the present and realize that God is not dead and that right would prevail.

 

The birth of Jesus Christ brings hope.  Christmas doesn’t mean that all problems disappear, but it does assure you that God is not dead, nor does He sleep.  Even the darkness of Good Friday is followed by the dawn of Easter.  Yes, the bells of Christmas are still ringing, singing on their way.  (Hymns by Petersen)

 

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

 

I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

I thought how as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along th’ unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

 And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor does he sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

The ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day – a voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good will to men.  (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-1807-1882)

When this song was written, when Christmas Day came the bells on the churches would ring out the news with carols.  Many of the churches had steeples and the bells chimed.  I can only imagine what that would sound like.  The air is cold, maybe snow is coming down, and that special feeling of Christmas is in the air.  I feel that awed feeling even now on Christmas Eve.  There is a holy hush in the air. 

 

So on that Christmas the bells must have continued to chime even though the nation was in deep despair, as the war continued and many families were in grief and many more lives were to be lost before the war ended.  Henry Wadsworth heard those bells and his heart was broken as he didn’t see any peace on earth, only death and dying men, a nation at war with one another.  The bells continued to chime that there was hope on earth of “peace, good will to men.”

 

We look around our world as in Henry Wadsworth’s day and wonder where is that peace that the angels promised on that first Christmas morning?  And then we have the promise and know that God is not dead nor does He sleep.  He is aware of our broken hearts, our troubled souls, and the storms that come into our lives.  As we look at troubled headlines in the news, hear the reports of violence in our land and around the world, our God is watching and waiting for the day when He Himself will finally bring “peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

Henry Wadsworth suddenly realized that his God was not dead and not sleeping and that someday, evil will be gone and righteousness will come to this earth through our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are waiting for that day, that 2^nd Advent of our Lord when He breaks the sky and does right the wrong and the bells will once again ring out “peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

And can you imagine what that day will be like, the ringing of bells, the singing of the saints, night of darkness is gone and eternal day has come? The angels once again can sing of “peace on earth, good will to men.”

 

So in this Christmas season, let the joy ring in your heart, hear the bells ringing peace on earth, and have a glorious Christmas Day in God’s peace.

 

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

COME, EMMANUEL, COME!

COME, EMMANUEL, COME!

 

We welcome the Advent Season.  It is the time to remember our Savior’s first advent, but more importantly, we long for His second advent, to break the skies and take His children home, and bring judgment and then peace at last to our troubled world.

 

We lit the first of the four Advent candles and hung the greens in our sanctuary, pausing to welcome this lovely season and to turn our hearts toward our Lord and Savior.  The first candle was the “Candle of Hope” and we were reminded to rejoice in our hope of His soon return and to remember that the little baby in the manger was our Lord and Savior, the Father’s own Beloved Son.  He came to save us, to bring us hope in a dark world, and then calls us to rejoice, rejoice!  We now have the hope of eternal salvation, cleansing from sin and eternity with Him.

 

The cry of my heart this day is “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel!  Maybe this will be the season or into the coming New Year, when we will see our Lord face to face.  I counted at least five members of either our church family or family that went home this past year, and they now are beholding His face!  Yes, they will be missed this Christmas season, but oh, the joy they must be experiencing!

 

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

 

This hymn is ancient, not only in its text, but also in its music.  While the tune used today was not really finalized until the 1800s, it is based on plainsong, the type of music used in the church during medieval times.  The lack of strict rhythmic measures gives the tune a free-flowing style.  You can almost imagine the simple intervals echoing through a stone cathedral.

 

The text developed without the chorus as a series of liturgical phrases used during Advent.  Each stanza concentrates on a different biblical name for Christ, making this hymn a rich source for Christian meditation.  Jesus is Emmanuel – “God with us,” “Wisdom from on high,” “Desire of nations,” and Dayspring.” (Hymns, William J. Petersen)

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

 

Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel!

 

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh’ to us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways to go.

 

O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

 

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.  (Latin hymn, 12^th century)

 

As I look over the words of this lovely ancient hymn, I am reminded of the day in which Christ came.  Israel was in lonely exile, under the cruel rule of the Romans.  They were longing for their Messiah to come.  They read the prophecies of His coming, but when He came, they rejected Him, as they were looking for an earthly King to come and overthrow the Romans and sit on David’s throne.   He came and they crucified their Messiah, but He arose from the grave on that third day in His Glorious Resurrection, and now we wait and watch for His Glorious Appearing, and the prophecies of old have been and are continuing to be fulfilled for that great day. So I took the words of this song and made it a prayer, a prayer from all our hearts this Advent Season.

 

“Heavenly Father, we long for “Wisdom” from on high to come, give us Your Divine knowledge and show us how to walk in Your ways, Precious Lord!  We so need You!  We need Your wisdom every day.

 

Come “Desire of Nations!” We long, Lord, to see the day when we walk in unity one with another, and to see that day when You fill this world with heaven’s peace.  We look around, Lord, and see violence on every hand and darkness covering the earth, and God’s people desire to look on Your face, at last!  And to see Your glory cover this earth.

 

Oh, Precious Dayspring, cheer our spirits as we remember your advent when You came as that little baby, and as we look on the manger scene once again, with the angels rejoicing and shepherds worshipping and Wiseman coming from afar with their gifts.  We may have dark shadows of night all around us, in trials and storms and discouragement in this season, but You came to disperse those gloomy clouds and fear of death, but brought us light and hope and eternity with You, so Come, Emmanuel, Come!

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

I'VE FOUND SUCH A FRIEND!

I’VE FOUND SUCH A FRIEND!

 

I am sitting here on this grey day, knowing that Thanksgiving Day is just one week away, and then the holidays are upon us again.  I think back over the past year and the storms that have come into my life, and I could be discouraged, as it seems to be ongoing.  But I look forward to the day when this is only a memory. 

 

But this year has also been a year of great blessings.  I have made new friends, and my precious church fellowship has been pouring out their blessings on my household as we have walked through this trial.  My daughter also has been through great trials this year, and because of our precious friends, she has been blessed and healing has come into her life.  And my precious dear friend, who has moved out of state has been there for me every step of the way.  God bless such precious friends!

 

When I think of “friends” I want to go back to my childhood.  I had a best friend whose name was Nancy, and we started our friendship in the second grade and on into high school.  About that time in my life I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and witnessed to everyone and carried my little New Testament.  We could do that in those days, remember?  She was from a non-Christian home and I did my best to tell her about Jesus.  I wonder if my childhood witnessing bore fruit and somewhere down the line, she accepted Him?  And that someday in heaven she will be there, thanking and praising God for her salvation.  I didn’t have a lot of close friends, but the ones I had were very special.

 

But I want to tell you about a Friend of mine who will never fade from my life, will never betray me, or go home to heaven.  My Friend “sticks closer than a brother.”(Proverbs 18:24).  My Friend will always be there for me and hear me when I call.  He is just a prayer away.  Do you have such a Friend as Jesus?

 

I’VE FOUND A FRIEND

 

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, and thus He bound me to Him.  And round my heart still closely twine those ties which naught can sever, for I am His, and He is mine, forever and forever.

 

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend! He bled, He died to save me; and not alone the gift of life, but His own Self He gave me! Naught that I have mine own I call, I’ll hold it for the Giver, my heart, my strength, my life, my all are His forever and forever.

 

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend! All pow’r to Him is given, to guard me on my onward course, and bring me safe to heaven.  T’ eternal glories gleam afar, to nerve my faint endeavor; so now to watch, to work to war, and then to rest forever.

 

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend! So kind and true and tender, so wise a Counselor and Guide, so mighty a Defender! From Him who loves me now so well what pow’r my soul can sever?  Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?  No! I am His forever. (James G. Small-1866).

 

Oh, as a child I knew about Jesus, was raised from birth in church.  But when I was 8 years old He became my best Friend, and He drew Himself to me with those cords of love, God’s love that has never failed me down through the years.  And that love took Him to the cross for me, for you, my friend.  It was nothing I could do on my own, not my own works could save me, but only through His death and shed blood would my salvation come.  And He is my very life, my all, my strength.  How can words come to describe such a Friend? 

 

And He will continue to guard my homeward course, that path He has chosen for me.  Heaven may be only a glimmer right now, and someday face to face.  Right now He calls me and you to watch, to continue the work He has called us to do, and be on guard against the enemy always, and someday we will rest in His arms forever.  Oh, Praise the Lord!  He is my Mighty Defender, Counselor and

Guide.

 

“For I am persuaded , that neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities, nor powers, or things present, nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is Christ Jesus our Lord”  Romans 8:38-39.

 

And He is the ultimate Friend forever!  Earthly friends may fail or fade from our lives, but I have a Friend and He is mine forever!  And I pray He will be your Friend forever too!  Just call on Him today.

 

In Jesus’Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?

HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?

 

As I sit here this morning, my mind goes back over the last year.  We are approaching the Thanksgiving season once again, and Christmas and the New Year.  Christmas decorations are filling the shelves, and a continuous flood of Christmas magazines fill my mailbox.  Do you remember with me when the Christmas season started the day after Thanksgiving?

 

There was always a great parade and Santa came to town, the season officially started.  Then the decorations went up, lights went on.  And we children started learning our little Christmas poems to say in the Christmas program at church.  Do you remember?  Oh, such wonderful memories!

 

We have come far from those traditions.  But what is on my heart is how far we have come in our walk of faith over the last years.  As we look back we see moments of great joy and sorrow, and pain.  We see our world losing touch with that walk of faith that we have known.  So many don’t know Jesus and are wrapped up in worldly pleasures.  Many have walked away from the walk of faith that they once knew.  With the holiday season approaching, a time of celebrating our Lord’s birth, many will be wrapped up in the materialistic part of the season, ignoring the carols of His birth, and all the splendors that speak of His coming.  Yes, we have come far.  Look back and see how far you have come.

 

As I look back over this last year, I can see a pattern of where I have walked, and it has been a year of pain, being unable to do the things on my heart in ministry.  I saw several dear ones go home to be with Jesus, even a loved family member.  I have been able to comfort a grieving widow, even in my own pain.  As I look back I remember praying for the sick over the phone, doing what I could do for Him.  I haven’t been able to share as much as I like here, but with the Lord’s help I will be able to share more of what is on my heart.  So how far have you come in all your struggles this past year?  Look back over the year, the path you have trod and see that “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.”

 

WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH

 

Refrain:

We’ve come this far by faith,

Leaning on the Lord;

Trusting in His holy word.

He’s never failed us yet.

Oh! We can’t turn back,

We’ve come this far by faith.

 

Don’t be discouraged

Trouble in your life;

He’ll bear your burdens

And move all discord and strife. Oh!

 

Refrain

 

Just remember with good

Things He has done;

Things that seemed impossible,

Oh, praise Him for the vict’ries He has won. Oh

 

By Albert Goodson

 

So how far have we come?  We have come down this path totally by faith, leaning on Him for every detail of our lives.  And there is no way I can turn back, I have walked too far with my Lord and the older I get the closer I am to seeing Him face to face someday and He will make the path plain behind me, and show me the reasons for things in my life.  He’s never failed me and He won’t fail you.  Just keep your eyes on the goal ahead.

 

And not one word that He has promised will fail, His Word stands true through the ages, and now it continues to speak to us His people.

 

“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised; there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses, His servant” I Kings 8:56.

 

So let us remember the good things He has done in our lives.  Let’s praise Him for the work He has done in our lives, and the victory He has brought.  Thank Him for our salvation and for our eternal home.  Thank Him for the cross, and His love for us.  And thank Him for our walk of faith that has brought us this far and we look forward to the year ahead as we continue this journey of faith, walking with Jesus and trusting His holy Word.

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

ON YOU, LORD, I AM LEANING!

ON YOU, LORD, I AM LEANING!

 

As I write you this blog, I am thinking of those out there who regularly follow my writing, I have not forgotten all my precious friends out there. Most of you I will never meet face to face until that day when we meet around the throne on that glorious day when our Lord calls all home. And what a grand day that will be, finally home!  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Revelation 22:20.

 

It has been a long journey, three surgeries since the 1^st of this year. The latest one week ago. When one arm is bound up, one learns to lean on the only One who can truly support me in dark hours.   Oh, I have my husband and others who support me. In fact I have been surrounded by them. What would we do without our precious brothers and sisters in the Lord.  And I am thinking of the wonderful doctors, nurses and caregivers in the hospital, who gave such wonderful care.

 

I had a tape recording once where a group sang this particular song,“ I Lean on You Lord” and I have not heard it since that tape has long disappeared with all the other tapes when switching to CD’s and CD players.  But at the time I had the tape, I was also going through some struggles and changes in my life. But the Lord does bring these songs back to me, and many times they just come as “songs in the night.”  I then go to my computer and look them up to see if they are available there.  I pray that the words will speak to your heart as it does mine.  I know many of you are going through great trials and times of just not knowing what to do about situations.  But in those times we can know Who we can lean on as we travel this road with Jesus.

 

I LEAN ON YOU LORD

 

CHORUS:  I lean on You Lord, I lean on You, Lord. For the things I need, I lean on You. When I don’t know just what to do, I got the faith you’re gonna see right on through; You’ll supply my every need, I lean on You.

 

I’ve been on the mountain when the sun was shinin’ bright. And I’ve been in the valley when the clouds were black as night. I’ve been betrayed like Jesus, by a friend who wasn’t true; but in the good times or the bad times, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.

 

You know I’ve heard the battle raging, and then I prayed ‘til victory came. There have been times I really thought, “God, You don’t even know my name, but, I’ve been blessed and I’ve been down where I didn’t know what to do; but in the times of joy or sorrow, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.

 

That’s why I’m “Leaning, Leaning, safe and secure from all alarms, leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” Oh, I’m leaning, leaning’ cause in the good times or the bad times, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.  (Carroll McGruder)

 

When the well is dry, it is time to go back to God’s Word and prayer.  When in situations where I just don’t know what to do, I lean on Him.  When the doctor advises further surgery and we didn’t know what to do, we went to the Lord and He gave us peace to walk that valley once again.  How about you?  Are you in a similar situation with decisions to make, go back to the Lord to experience that special peace and direction He will give.

 

And we’ve all been on the mountain top, walking in the glory of His presence.  Things are going well, people are being ministered to, and life is good walking with Jesus, but then the “valley times” come.  Life was going well last January.  I had finished a round of cancer some months earlier and had a clean bill of health, and was ready to do anything for Jesus, and there walking through a large store, I went down, and for months I felt like I was in the darkest valley, but then a bit of time back on the mountain top, the sun was beginning to shine again, then another crisis and decision to be made.  But I have learned to lean on Him.  In the good times we lean, and in the bad times we lean.

 

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27.

 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we fall, when sorrow comes, when we have great needs in our lives, whatever that may be, God’s Word promises that underneath us are His precious arms.

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

 

I'M HIDING IN THEE

I’M HIDING IN THEE

 

Today, as I write to you, I am rejoicing in God, my Savior.  It is a lovely early fall day, lovely clouds dot the sky.  And if I didn’t depend on my Lord Jesus Christ to get me through these difficult days, I don’t think I could hang on. 

 

And I know there are many of you out there who are feeling the same.  Life is hard, the world seems to be getting darker and darker.  I see so many right now who are going through difficult trials.  And I am rejoicing, as I said, because we have Someone to run to, Someone to cling to on these days of trials.

 

And we have a place to hide when the storms are raging, when the waves are roaring around us.  We have a place to hide when the tears of grief blind our eyes in the lonely night hours.  I prayed with such a friend a few days ago, whose husband had suddenly passed away after many years of marriage.  I haven’t walked that path, but I could hold her in my arms and let Jesus comfort her.  Where do we hide?  We hide in Him, our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This old hymn was written in a time of grief, and the author knew the only place he could run to was to the Rock, Christ Jesus.

 

“Pastor William Cushing was only forty-seven when his wife died.  Then his health began to fail, and paralysis affected his vocal chords.  He had to resign his pastorate, and he wondered what he could do.

 

About that time he received a letter from Ira Sankey, the song leader for Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. The letter asked, “Send me something new to help me in my gospel work.”  Cushing knew what was wanted. Sankey was looking for a new gospel song that could be sung at Moody’s revival meetings.  He prayed that whatever he wrote would be something that would glorify God.

 

Cushing recalled, “It was while waiting upon the Lord that ‘Hiding in Thee’ pressed to make itself known.” The song had come from his heart.  As he said, “It was the outgrowth of many ears, many heart conflicts and yearnings of which the world could know nothing.” (From “Hymns” by Petersen).

 

HIDING IN THEE

 

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I.  My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly; so sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee, thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

In the calm of the noon-tide, in sorrow’s lone hour, in times when temptation casts o’er me its pow’r; in the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea, Thou blest “Rock of Ages” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe; how often when trials like sea billows roll, have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.”  (William O Cushing, 1823-1902)

 

In this season of my life, when my strength is almost gone and I think about the days past when I had so much energy and was out in God’s field in ministry and now I know that He has put me aside for His own purposes.  And I am reminded that His work can go on, here at my computer  and in the newsletters I write and then that precious moment when I was able to minister to my grieving friend in the aisle of a thrift shop.  God use us no matter what “season” we are in.  And someday, in God’s time, these particular trials will only be a memory and I will be able to look back and see where I have been and  see His footprints all the way. 

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” Psalm 46:1-3.

 

No, we don’t have to fear if the earth shakes and mountains tremble around us, and the seas of troubles roar.  And I noticed the word “present” in that verse.  He is present right now to meet whatever need you have.  He hears our faintest cry and sees those tears.  Sometimes I get so discouraged, but I know who sees my tears even in the dark hours or when no one else even knows my pain.  I am hiding in Him, I am running to my “God of all Comforts.”

 

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” Psalm 32:7.

 

In those times when we run to our ‘Hiding Place” he will sometimes drop a song into our hearts.  I have had that happen many times and in difficult situations.  And it is like He is singing around me, bringing me comfort.  There is a wonderful verse in the Old Testament which promises that He will do just that:

 

The Lord Thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” Zephaniah 3:17.

 

Are you hiding in Him today?  Can you rejoice that even now your Lord and Savior, your Precious Shepherd sings a song over you?  And He rejoices over you with joy because you belong to Him?  There in that Hiding Place He wraps His love around you even though you may be in the midst of a storm and your world is being shaken.  He brings His peace in the midst of that storm.  Just like that day on the Sea of Galilee when the disciples were afraid for their very lives and Jesus just spoke to the wind and waves, “Peace, Be Still.”  And there was a great calm. (Mark 4:35-39).

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon Besler

 

 

 

I'M SAVED BY GRACE

I’M SAVED BY HIS GRACE

 

It is a Saturday afternoon, the end of another week.  It was another week of pain and difficult nights in particular.  But the Lord has so much to teach me.  And when I have no one else to turn to, I can always turn to Him in those difficult moments.  Some moments bring the tears, but He promises to collect all my tears in His bottle. (Psalms 56:8).  My heart is so full of so many things that as I write here, I am not at all sure how the Lord will use what is on my heart to encourage you on this afternoon.  

 

I know that many of you are going through difficult trials.  And sometimes when I meet someone who is in great pain, my pain does not seem so significant.  I meet many people who are having great trials, and I wonder how people can go through these things without the Lord.  In some ways, I am truly blessed.  Yes, I have my pain and as I am getting older, it seems to increase.  But I can still go on my way rejoicing in my God and trying to bring comfort to others who may need just a touch and a prayer.

 

I had such a moment yesterday, Friday.  I have mentioned in my previous blogs about a sister in the Lord who is confined in a nursing home.   Her name is Jean. She has been near death’s door for quite some time and is under “comfort care.” She can no longer move or speak.  This precious lady was a singer and loved to praise the Lord with hymns and she blessed many people, especially in later years from her electric scooter.  That is how we met her as she lived near our church and rolled herself there to bless her with her beautiful voice.  As I was there yesterday I read her some scripture and then I sing to her and she opens her eyes.  I am not sure if she can even see me anymore.  But she listened  as I sang “Amazing Grace” and a song by Fannie Crosby, “And I shall See Him Face to Face.” And as I kissed her goodbye and started to leave, her eyes tried to follow me.  I usually leave with tears in my eyes as there is such a presence of the Holy Spirit.  She has leaned on the Lord for many years.  I don’t understand God’s ways and He will take her home in due time and what a welcome she will receive.  She will be free from pain, strokes and the like and I am reminded of a Gaither Song, “When All God’s Singers Get Home.”

 

I had another song in mind for this blog, but I feel as if I will share this song by Fannie Crosby.  I may have used it in a past blog.  There are so many out there who are facing that day.  You may be in such a situation right now. The title of the Song is “Saved by Grace.”  I shared with my husband after leaving the nursing home that someday, when we are all together in God’s beautiful heaven, Jean will share with me that she remembered me singing to her when she was confined in her disabled body, and what a time of rejoicing that will be.

 

SAVED BY GRACE

 

Some day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; but O, the joy when I shall wake within the palace of the King!

 

And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story – saved by grace; and I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story – saved by grace.

 

Some day my earthly house will fall, I cannot tell how soon ‘twill’ be, but this I know – my All in All has now a place in Heav’n for me.

 

Some day, when fades the golden sun beneath the rosy-tinted west, my blessed Lord will say, “Well done!” and I shall enter into rest.

 

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait, my lamp all trimmed and burning bright, that when my Savior opens the gate, my soul to Him may take its flight. (Fanny Crosby).

 

Yes, someday that silver cord will indeed break.  It will come sooner for some and longer for others.  And I will no longer sing at bedsides, but will sing, along with my precious friend, Jean in the heavenly choir, in the glorious palace of our King Jesus!

 

And what a day that will be when we see Him face to face.  And amazing about this song is that Fanny Crosby was blind, but by faith she knew she was going to see Him face to face!

 

Yes, I am getting older, as many of us are.  And we face times of pain when are bodies can no longer do the things we used to do.  Sometimes it takes some assistance to move around and some help in our care.  I remember the days when life was so free and I could do so many things.  But someday, unless Jesus comes in the clouds first, this old body will fail, and He is preparing a mansion for me and for all His children as He promised in John 14:1-3.

 

And someday, beyond the sunset, as my sun sets in the west, I am looking for that day when He will say to me and to all those who have served Him and belong to Him, “Enter into My rest, well done!”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

CHRIST IS RETURNING, ARE YOU READY?

CHRIST IS RETURNING

ARE YOU READY?

In my quiet office and our peaceful area, I am remembering our trip to the east coast last month.  We had a great time with family and being tourists.  But I was impressed with the amount of people everywhere.  Here in our city we do have traffic and lines in stores, but nothing quite like being in some of the areas back there.  In one location at a theme park, thousands of people packed the huge gift shop, and people waited in lines outside.  And talk about traffic!  Sometimes we waited and waited for traffic to move.  And in that theme park it was literally wall to wall people.

And I watch people and wonder about what is going on in their lives.  And in the masses of people I wondered how many loved the Lord and if the Lord returned at that moment how many would meet Him in the air.  How many are ready to die?  We never know what the next day or even the next hour will hold.  And I ask you, out there, are you ready?  And in those kinds of moments I wanted to shout to the masses, “Jesus is coming, put aside the trappings and love of the world and get your heart ready, look to the cross, He died for all of you.”  I want to tell them that there are only two roads to travel in this life, the narrow road that leads to salvation and the broad way that leads to destruction.

Christ is coming soon, just look around you at the world as it falls apart.  Look around you at the lives that are in sin, deep sin.  The world is in darkness and need the “Light” of the Lord Jesus to shine.  And that day will come soon and when we do not expect it.  He will come as a “Thief in the Night.”  Don’t be caught unaware.

CHRIST RETURNETH

“It may be at morn, when the day is awakening, when sunlight thro’ darkness and shadow is breaking, that Jesus will come in the fullness of glory to receive from the world “His own.”

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long ere we shout the glad song, Christ returneth! Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! Amen.

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, it may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, when Jesus receives “His own.”

Oh, joy! Oh, delight! Should we go without dying, no sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying, caught up thro’ the clouds with our Lord into glory, when Jesus receives “His own.” (James McGranahan).

The history of this old hymn is not known, only that it was written in the early 19^th century.  But it has been the cry of every generation and each person hoped and prayed that they were the ones who would be caught up to meet Jesus, the generation of believers who would not see death.  I, myself, remember as a small child being taught that Jesus could come any moment and we were to be ready at all times.  But the years have moved on, and believers still wonder if we are living in that day.  I ask myself, as I grow older, and feel the years, “How long Jesus, when are you coming back?”

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” Matthew 24:36.

Many over the years and even in recent times have tried to predict when Jesus is coming, but only He knows.  It may be at dawn when the light is just breaking over the eastern sky.  It may be at noon, lunch time.  You may be in your office grabbing a quick lunch.  It may be at the end of the day, twilight, when all is calm.  It may be at midnight, when all of a sudden the sky will light up in the “blaze of His glory”, when He comes with His saints and His angels, and the trumpet sounds. But are you ready?

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord” I Thessalonians 4:16-17.

And He is coming for “His Own.”  He is coming for me and for you who love and serve Him, who have accepted Him as your own personal Savior.  We will hear that trumpet call, because His sheep hear His voice, John 10:3-4. He is coming for His Church, His own sheep who have served Him faithfully and have been waiting for His return.  And the cry of our hearts is found in Revelation 22:20: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

But as we look around our world, even in our churches, the hour is calling, don’t wait, judgment is coming.  What kind of people are we to be when we see these things happening in our world?  I am very burdened for who are going on with their lives unprepared for the judgment that is coming.  And I am calling you to make yourself ready, He could come this next hour, this next day or tonight.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-12.

And to think that we could be that generation of believers who would go without dying is such a precious promise.  There will be no more sickness, pain or sorrow.  And we would never grow old.  Can you imagine being caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus there?  I think about it often, especially on a cloudy day.  And I think about it when flying above in those clouds and looking down on cities below.

So, my friends, Jesus is returning and very soon.  I call to you to be ready, to meet Jesus.  Ask Him into your heart now, He is waiting, waiting for you.  He desires to call you “His own.”  Won’t you make that decision today?  That is the most important decision to make for all of eternity.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ONWARD

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ONWARD

We have been on long journey back to see our children in the east, and what a journey it was.  We visited, laughed together, and visited many places and met new people, and even met a new great grandson.  But I am reflecting back on that journey and my experiences watching people, sitting in long lines, making it to the next gate to catch a connecting flight.

I saw a world that needs Jesus, people in great darkness, and it grieves my heart.  My life is so secluded from that world that the Lord has to remind me that there is another world out there.  It is a pleasure seeking world, a world who does not know or care that there is a God who loves them, and He sent His Son to die for them and that the Lord is reaching out His arms to a lost world!  It is a world on the verge of judgment, for the Lord will soon return.

I know many of you travel with the airlines, and picture sitting in a plane on the runway for five hours, as communication problems grounded the plane and then a thunderstorm sat overhead with pouring rain.  And I was reminded that “I feel like Traveling on.”  I felt like traveling on physically and spiritually.  I longed for my earthly home again, and even more so, my heavenly home.  And the Lord brought to my mind this old song written in 1838.  And I am sure that this gentleman was not stuck in a plane on a runway, but he may have had circumstances in his life that made him long for heaven no matter what was in his life. Those times were certainly different from the times we live in but our ancestors had their own set of trials and struggles.  Read the words of this song and reflect on your heavenly home, just over the next hill, or around the next bend.

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ON

My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on;

Nor pain nor death can enter there,

I feel like traveling on.

REFRAIN:

Yes, I feel like traveling on;

I feel like traveling on;

My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on.

Its glitt’ring tow’rs the sun outshine,

I feel like traveling on;

That heav’nly mansion shall be mine,

I feel like traveling on.

Let other seek a home below,

I feel like traveling on;

Which flames devour, or waves o’erflow,

I feel like traveling on.

The Lord has been so good to me,

I feel like traveling on;

Until that blessed home I see,

I feel like traveling on.

(William Hunter)

Sitting in that plane reminded me of my walked with the Lord.  And I wonder why things are not moving in my life, I am at a stand still, it seems, and my communication with Him seems lost.  But there He is working out difficult situations in my life, and in His time, I can travel on again, down the path He has prepared for me, for He knows what is ahead.

And many times storm are raging overhead and the rains and winds come stopping me on my path, and I can’t see what is ahead, but my Tender Shepherd has traveled those paths and knows the dangers ahead and I have to just wait patiently until the rain stops, the clouds part and the sun shines again.  It was beautiful looking out the plane window and to see the clouds part and the sun shine again and we were on our way home.

We toured a beautiful mansion with many rooms and acres of lovely gardens.  During its time there were servants, butlers, maids and luxury.  But now it is a tourist attraction, its residents and all their riches are gone.  It was grand indeed with its nine stories and grand halls.  But it cannot compare to the mansions our Lord has gone to prepare for each one of us who love Him.  Our minds cannot comprehend the beauty and the glory of our heavenly home. 

These big mansions will indeed burn someday, but we have a mansion forever. Oh, Praise the Lord!  We toured the museum and viewed the treasures that were left behind.  Those things were once of great value to the residents, but I realized they did not take anything with them.

Most of us do not live in such mansions here on earth, and my earthly home would probably fit in one corner of one floor!  But I think of my heavenly home, where no death can enter or no more pain, and I am filled with joy and anticipation.  I think of one of our dear sisters in the Lord, who recently entered her heavenly home, and what a welcome she received!

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:1-3.

On my journey east there were many sights and experiences I could share and their comparisons to our walk with the Lord.  I do pray that you are traveling that road with Jesus, and that your eyes are ever looking heavenward, looking for the day when Christ returns or He calls you home.  “What a Day that Will Be When My Jesus I Shall See.” 

So travel on, my friends and keep your eyes on the goal, heaven is just ahead.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon