ARISE SHINE, YOUR LIGHT HAS COME!

“ARISE SHINE, YOUR LIGHT HAS COME!

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your coming” Isaiah 60:1-3.

As we spend Advent anticipating the light coming to the darkness, we are reminded

that we become a reflection of that light. Our responsibility does not end at

witnessing the birth of the light; we absorb that light and become lights ourselves.

As Jesus enters us, his light shines through us into the world.

The church has a terrible reputation of engaging in deceit and wickedness in the

shadows of our steeples. We hide our light, either to commit sin in secret or to hide

our sin in shame. If we are called to be light, and not to hide that light under a

“bushel basket”, then maybe we need to repent from cozying up to the darkness and

shine that light into our own lives.

Once we remove our own darkness, we can turn the light outward; shining into the

rest of the world. What might it look like for us to live as beacons of light for a

shadowed world? How might we be a refuge, our light drawing people afraid and

alone in the darkness?

I had a conversation with someone recently and she mentioned that the world is getting so dark with evil. And I shared with her that yes, the days seem dark spiritually, evil abounds, but our Lord promises that His light shines on and on, and someday that light will cover the earth. But for us who are believers, His light has come shines on and on.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your coming” Isaiah 60:1-3.

The Prophet reminds us to arise, to get up and shine, for the Light of the World has come. And as we walk by faith in this dark world, we have the glory of the Lord shining upon us, and the world around us will see that light and that light will bring peace no matter how dark the world seems to be.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” I Peter 1:13. He calls us in this time to set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us on the day we see Jesus face to face, to keep our minds fully on Him and not on the darkness around us.

Yes, as believers we have the light of the Lord Jesus Christ upon us, even though darkness seems to be covering the earth and its people. Hear the word of the Lord from Jesus Himself: “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master” Luke 35,36.

We are to keep our armor intact, standing, always in prayer, (Ephesians 6), and to keep that light He has given us always shining in this dark world, and always to be waiting for our Master, looking up, but reaching out to others in the darkness of sin.

As we continue to share the season of Advent, this season of light we have lit candle of Hope, Love and Joy and now we have lit our fourth candle, the Candle of Peace. In this world we sometimes wonder “where is our peace?”  Problems come into our lives that will shake us to the very core of our being. And sometimes it is just a phone call away.  We think everything is going well.  We are looking forward to Christmas and the New Year, and then we hear news that a Radiologist has found something suspicious and we are scheduled for more tests. 

But no matter what the test results may be, we as followers of our Lord Jesus know where our peace lies. We can run right into His arms with our problem and isn’t it wonderful to know that He is right there and is aware of the whole situation and whatever the future may hold and His light begins to shine again in our lives, we can bring that light and peace into this world of darkness, to those around us fearing who are fearing the darkness that is coming into their lives and this world.

As I was thinking about this, and what song the Lord would have me share, I was looking at our wonderful Christmas carols, and thinking of a song that would speak of the peace that He brings to us in these difficult times. Let me share with you the story of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”.

“Although he was a Unitarian minister, Edmund Sears believed in the deity of Christ.  He also believed in the angels’ message of “peace on earth.”

This hymn, written in Massachusetts in 1849, focuses on the angels’ song of “peace on earth.” Like many other hymns written in America during the mid-1800’s, it might be called a “horizontal hymn.” Such hymns called people to live well, to be at peace, and to honor God.  It seeks to encourage people who are bent “beneath life’s crushing load,” as the third stanza says, to stop and hear the message of Christmas sung by the angels.

Peace was a timely topic when Sears penned these words.  Tensions were rising in America, leading toward the Civil War.  But the peace promised by the angels is not only national; it is personal as well.” (Hymns by Petersen).

IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR

“It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heav’ns all-gracious King!” The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heav’nly music floats o’er all the weary world: above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hov’ring wing, and ever o’er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: o rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when the new heav’n and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.  (Edmund Hamilton Sears)

The world during the time of Christ’s birth was a sad and weary world and a dark world.  The people were bowed down with the weight of Roman rule. There had been no prophetic word for 400 years, and they waited anxiously for their Messiah to come. And He came that night, The Prince of Peace, born in a lowly stable. The shepherds out in the fields of Bethlehem saw a wondrous event in the skies that night.  The skies lit up with His glorious light. The angels bending low announcing that He was here at last, our Gracious King.  And the world of the shepherds stopped for a moment in time in the stillness of that night to hear the glorious song of the angels. The Light of the World had come! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” Luke 2:14.

And today we live in a weary world with its turmoil and pain. And our Precious Lord calls us to stop in the rushing world of Christmas, the noise of traffic, the crowded stores, the business of the season and listen with our hearts to the song of the angels as they proclaim peace to our hearts. But it takes our willingness to just put aside all the noise of the season and hear the music of the skies.  He calls us to come away with Him, just sit in His presence and let the world go by. Can we do that? The babe of Bethlehem speaks of peace and joy to come. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27.

And this wonderful old Christmas carol calls us to praise Him! The angels proclaimed His birth and proclaimed peace to all men. We praise Him because, He as God, came to dwell among men, to bring peace in the midst of our cold, stormy, foggy days.  And we praise Our God for sending Jesus, and we praise Him for His great love, and we praise Him for our salvation and for the hope of eternal life. 

There in the manger was God in the flesh reaching out to all mankind.  So sing your praises, sing the wonderful carols and rejoice in God your King! Let Him bring great joy into your heart this season no matter what the days ahead may hold! And we can rejoice in the promise of His Second Advent, His soon return as “Prince of Peace.”

And we think of the wonderful “Gift” that was given. And into our hearts He places the hope of Heaven and all its joys. And when we seek Him with humble and repentant hearts, He enters in.  My dear friends, the door of salvation is still open, let Him enter and be your Lord and Savior. “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you. And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, please don’t put it off. You don’t know what tomorrow holds, or even the next hour. Please don’t miss the call of the Savior. Let this Christmas be the time when you accept Him into your heart and be ready for whatever the days ahead may hold and be prepared to spend eternity with “The Prince of Peace.” And, Oh what Hope, Love, Joy and Peace He will bring into your life. So we make a call, “Come, Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, abide with us!”  He is Emmanuel, God with us! And He comes, bringing the wonderful peace that only He can bring. In the midst of our trials, we can sing: Peace, Peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.  (Warren D. Cornell).

Are you bending under a heavy load right now?  Are your steps slow and painful?  Listen to the music of the angels, listen to the lovely carols, each and every verse We walk a weary road sometimes and He calls us to rest and listen with our hearts and minds tuned on Him, the Savior of the world. The One who came as that precious baby and remember that before Him was the shadow of a cross!

And yes, the days are hastening on quickly. The prophecies are being fulfilled, and the signs of that wonderful day coming are upon us. And our cry is as the prophet, as He proclaimed: “Oh that you would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence” Isaiah 64:1

We look up, keeping our eyes on the heavens and someday those heavens will open and Jesus will come! This time He will not come lowly and meek, as He came the first time, but this time He comes as the Conquering King of kings!  And we all look forward to that day when at last there will be continuing and forever “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” And we will join in joyful chorus around the Throne that joyful song of the angels! And we will walk in His light forever shining in His glory.

In Jesus' Name,

Pastor Sharon

COME, O COME EMMANUEL!

COME,  O COME EMMANUEL!

 

It is the second week of December, and the weather has been very cold.  But the season is upon us, warming our hearts with song “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.”  Everywhere the lights are bright and shoppers are crowding the stores looking for their special treasures.  And we see the beautiful colors of Christmas in our lovely decorations and trees.  And we sing those lovely Christmas carols which speak of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We look at our nativity sets and see Mary and Joseph and sweet baby Jesus surrounded by shepherds and Wisemen and angels looking on.  And in our church we are celebrating the Advent season.  We light our candles each Sunday and ponder the meaning of each of five candles, three purple candles and one pink candle.  The last candle we will light will be the large white candle on Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle

 

On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of Hope. Hope is our assurance that God will finish all He has started. Hope is our confidence that He will do all He has promised. All the promises of God are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is our hope, today and forever! (2 Corinthians 1:20) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

On the second Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of love.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us! (1 John 3:1)

This is how God showed His love:
He sent His one and only Son into the world
that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)

A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

On The third Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of joy. When Christ comes into our lives, He brings the fullness of joy. He anoints our hearts with the oil of gladness. (Isaiah 61:3 When Jesus was born, the angels said that His coming was good news of great joy for all people. (Luke 2:10) Because Christ has come to us,
we can live every day in the joy of the Lord. Praise to His name!

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of peace. Jesus Christ is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14) He is the Prince of Peace,
and the fruit of His presence is peace. (Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 5:22) Christ comes to bring justice, wholeness, and harmony to every relationship throughout all creation. He wants to continually grant us peace in every situation. (2 Thessalonians 3:16) Jesus, we pray, guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:79)

 On Christmas Eve, As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and rejoice in His coming to us,
we light the Christ candle, the white candle. Jesus Christ is our hope. He is our peace. Jesus Christ is our joy. He is love-- pure, holy, undying love.

Whoever believes in Him will never perish
but have eternal life (John 3:16)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

The first candle we lit was the “Candle of Hope and Prophecy.”  As we celebrate Advent we are remembering His first Advent, His first coming and the amazing prophecies that foretold of the Messiah and His coming.  The people in the days when Jesus came, were looking for the deliverer, the One who would free them from the Romans and sit upon the Throne of David once again.  But Jesus came not to be an earthly king, but to bring the Kingdom of God to reign our hearts, a spiritual kingdom.  But the people did not see that and rejected Him and He went to the cross to die, to shed His precious blood for you, for me. 

 

And He came to bring hope to a lost world and to each of us.  In this world many have lost their hope, but there is hope in Jesus, my friends.  The cry of ours hearts and the cry of the hearts of those in His day was “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

 

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL!

 

“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 Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save and give them victory o’er the grave.  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

O come Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here; and drive away the shades of night, and pierce the clouds and bring us light! Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

O come, Thou Key of David come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path of misery.  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. (Latin hymn from 12^th century)

 

In this wonderful old hymn we see the promise of His coming, and we see Emmanuel, God with us.  He would come and when He came He would bring salvation.  In the first verse we see captives in exile longing for Emmanuel to come.  And there are times when we feel that we are captives to our sin, and to pain and sorrow.  But Emmanuel will come and bring deliverance from our sin and that which enslaves us.

 

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.  The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of Knowledge and the fear of the Lord” Isaiah 11:1-2.

 

We see this wonderful prophecy of our Wonderful Lord as He would come.  He would be a “Righteous Branch” which would grow out of Jesse, David’s father.  He would come with wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  This was the Messiah they were waiting and watching for, our Precious Jesus, the Messiah!

 

“Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” Luke 1:78-79.

 

In God’s tender mercy, He was sending the Dayspring, the Messiah to visit us.  Those who sit in darkness, He came to bring light and life and to conquer death forever.  And He promises to guide us into a life of peace.  Oh, what a promise!  If you are feeling darkness closing in on your today, the Dayspring has come to light your path, to bring peace and joy and eternal life with Him forever.  Oh, what a precious promise!

 

As we celebrate Advent, we also are looking forward to His second advent.  And we look for our heavenly home.  And because of His death and resurrection, He has opened the way to eternal life.  And when He comes there will be no more sorrow, pain or tears.  And our hearts look toward the heavens and long for His coming at last!  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

 

In the Name of Jesus’

Pastor Sharon

 

BLACK FRIDAY? BUT THE LIGHT HAS COME!

BLACK FRIDAY?  BUT

THE LIGHT HAS COME!

 

 

I had a conversation with my daughter the other day and she mentioned that the world is getting so dark with evil. And I shared with her that yes, the days seem dark spiritually, evil abounds, but our Lord promises that His light shines on and on, and someday that light will cover the earth. But for us who are believers, His light has come:

 

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your coming” Isaiah 60:1-3.

 

Yes, as believers we have the light of the Lord Jesus Christ upon us, even though darkness seems to be covering the earth and its people. Hear the word of the Lord from Jesus Himself:

 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12.

 

Thanksgiving Day is coming tomorrow and I pray that you and your family will have a blessed day of giving thanks and praise to our Lord for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, namely His salvation and His gift of eternal life. And Friday is what we have come to be called “Black Friday.”  Many will stand out in the cold and dark waiting for those doors to open and looking for a bargain.

 

I want to now go back to another “Black Friday” so long ago.  And there were no long lines at shopping malls or waiting in parking lots.  In fact, on this day, 2000 years or so ago, there were crowds of people, but not out for a bargain.  This indeed was a dark day, a day of earthquakes and darkness when the sun refused to shine.

 

It was a day of suffering, intense suffering.  And as the earth trembled and the sky grew dark, there upon the hill were three crosses.  And on the middle cross was the Savior, Jesus Christ.  And there He was suffering for my sin, for your sin.  And of all Fridays to come down through the years, this was the blackest Friday in history. 

 

And there were crowds at the foot of the cross, crowds of men and women calling out curses at the One who was taking their sin on Himself.  And also at the foot of that cross were those who loved Him, and now felt helpless as they watched Him suffer and die there.  They thought He had come to overthrow the Romans and would set on the throne of David and bring peace to the world, and they just couldn’t understand why He would die and suffer such a cruel death.  And they felt they had lost all their hope in Jesus, the Messiah.

 

But it was “At the Cross” on that first “Black Friday” that we can kneel today as the price has been paid in full by the shedding of His precious blood. 

 

AT THE CROSS

 

“Alas, and did my Saviour bleed and did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?

 

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away.  It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day!

 

Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree!

 

Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut His glories in, when Christ the mighty Maker died for man the creature’s sin.

 

But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do.” (Isaac Watts)

 

People are running everywhere looking for that special price on a bargain they are looking for.  But I want you to know that another price has already been paid.  And it was paid, not for physical “things” that would soon decay and fade away.  But a price was paid for your eternal soul and for mine.

 

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” II Peter 2:19.

 

We owed a debt of sin and it was paid in full on the cross on that “Black Friday.”  How can we comprehend the debt of love that our Saviour took to that cross?  As the song says so plainly, we give ourselves totally to Him as Lord of our lives and look forward to spending eternity with Him.

 

Yes, that day was dark, but three days later, the “Son” shone again!  The earth again shook, but on this day, our Saviour came out of the tomb shining brightly.  He conquered death and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven for you, my friend.  He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts by faith.  His precious Holy Spirit brings comfort and peace into our hearts as we walk with Jesus.  We may have dark days, but I am so glad that the “Son” still shines in our lives! The Light has come!

 

So on this “Black Friday” we remember the “Black Friday” so many years ago on Calvary, and we meet Him at the cross where our sins are forgiven, and we can praise Him for His great salvation.  Just stop in all your running around today and give Him praise with a grateful heart for all He has done and we can look forward to seeing Him face to face at last!

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

STAND UP! STAND UP!

STAND UP! STAND UP!

 

On this November day, looking forward to Thanksgiving next week and holiday preparations ahead, we look at our world and we see terror spreading all around the world, with bombings and terror attacks, and we could be caught up in great fear, wondering where they will strike next. And I so feel for the families and victims of these attacks.

 

Refugees are running for their very lives and many, many are believers, and many are coming to know Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, and we hear of many who are giving their lives for Jesus, and some are in prisons for their stand, refusing to deny the Lord who bought them with His own precious blood, given them peace and they look for the day when they will finally reach their heavenly home.

 

During the night a song came to me, and I had been troubled and thinking about how we Christians in America would stand in the face of such persecution. I search my own heart to see where I stand with my Lord. But God always has an answer in our blessed hymns. And He is calling His church to “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!”

 

“In 1858, churches throughout Philadelphia united in a citywide evangelistic effort. Every morning and evening, services were held in churches, convention halls, and theaters. Dudley Tyng, a twenty-nine-year-old Episcopalian preacher spoke to five thousand men, and one thousand responded to the gospel invitation.

 

Four days later, however, Tyng was tragically injured while watching a corn-threshing machine in a barn on the family farm. He caught his loose sleeve between the cogs, and his arm was severely torn. A main artery was cut, and he lost a great deal of blood. As he lay dying, he whispered to his father, “Stand up for Jesus, Father, and tell my brethren of the ministry to stand up for Jesus.”

 

A friend, Presbyterian minister George Duffield, preached the next Sunday on the text “Stand therefore” and in conclusion read a poem that he had just written entitled “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” The verses of that hymn first appeared as a leaflet for Sunday School children, then later were set to music.” (“Hymns” by Petersen).

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss: from vict’ry unto vict’ry His army shall He lead, till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this His glorious day: ye that are men, now serve Him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you; ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor; each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls, or danger be never wanting there.

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long. This day the noise of battle; the next, the victor’s song. To him that overcometh, a crown of life shall be; He with the King of Glory shall reign eternally. (George Duffield Jr.).

 

What a powerful message in this song, especially for the day in which we live. The war is waging, victory is near, but He is calling His Church out to Stand Up, Stand Up! Awake you who sleep, the battle is on, and the enemy of our souls knows that his day is coming. You who are fearful of these things coming, stand in the strength of the Lord. This is a glorious day in which we live, as Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords! And someday soon He will burst the heavens, and we will see our Glorious King face to face, and the enemy will be defeated and peace will reign.

 

We can’t stand and fight the enemy in our own strength, we will fail. Many of the saints are going through great trials right now, many are sick and don’t see any way out of their situation. But Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13, 18:  (vs. 13) “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (vs 18) “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

 

He is calling His Church to put on His armor daily, and to put each piece of His armor with prayer. And when we get back into our prayer closets and reading His Word daily, when duty calls to fight the battle that is being waged, we will have the Holy Spirit’s power we will see victory after victory in our lives, in our cities and in our nation. If God’s Church would stand up in mighty power again, in victory, we would see our churches filled again and souls being saved and lives changed, and we could turn this nation around and God would heal our land and protect us from the terrorists that even now are threatening our nation, and then would stop the terror in other nations. But it takes us Standing Up!

 

As we stand up for Jesus, we know the strife will soon be over. The noise of the battle will turn into a victory song as we gather around the throne, and the crown of life as promised in James 1:12, to those who overcome all the trials of life, some even unto death. What a precious promise! And Jesus reign as King eternally.

 

Oh, my friends, my heart is overwhelmed and I just give you what is on my heart at this hour. He has called us to be faithful and His word if full of promises that someday the battle will be won, and victory at last. So Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!

 

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

COME! WE NEED YOU!

COME! WE NEED YOU!

 

I sitting here looking at the grey and cloudy skies, as the fog has lifted. Fall is here with all its colors, but a time for warm blankets and warm fires, if you have them.

 

But I am thinking how dark the world is out there, and how dry our souls become as we think about world events and the times in which we live. Are you withered and dry? Is your strength almost gone? Do you fear the days ahead, and need a refreshing in the Lord? I know many of you out there need a renewal of the power you once knew as you walked with Jesus, a new sense of His presence.

 

I visited with an elderly gentleman the other day, and such a sweet man! He has been a believer for many, many years, but his faith was wavering and needed a bit of encouragement that Jesus loves him, and I reminded him of the times before when he and I had sweet fellowship in the Lord and God did a special answer to prayer at that time. I reminded him that heaven is just around the corner, and remember that as He walks this pathway, that Jesus is there to walk with him and lead him to his eternal home. I wish I could sit down with many others and just encourage them in the Holy Spirit, to keep looking to Jesus, asking for His strength for the journey. 

 

What we need in our churches and our lives is to look to the Holy Spirit and just say “Come” I need you, and He is right there. So my prayer for you this day is “Come, Holy Spirit, we need you.”  I need him in my own life, as I have walked this path of trial. I need Him daily to restore my  joy and strength, and the power to go out and into those places where there are lonely people who need Jesus. But I can only do that if I daily seek His Word and spend time with Him.  So Come Holy Spirit, we need you, every person reading this right now, “COME!”

 

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, WE NEED YOU!

 

Come, Holy Spirit, we need you,

Come, sweet Spirit, I pray.

Come in your strength and your power.

Come in your own gentle way.

 

Come as a rest to the weary,

Come as a balm to the sore.

Come, Lord, as strength to our weakness,

Fill us with joy evermore.

 

Come like a spring in the desert,

Come to the withered of soul.

Lord, let your sweet healing power,

 Touch us and make us whole.

 

Come, Holy Spirit, we need you,

Come, sweet Spirit, I pray.

Come in your strength and your power.

Come in your own gentle way.

 

                                Come in your own gentle way.  (Author Unknown

So are you weary today? Are you just tired of the continued trial you are going through. The Spirit says “Come!”  in Jeremiah 8:22, the prophet cried: “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?” Yes, Praise the Lord, we have a balm, a healing for our souls in the Lord Jesus Christ as He comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. He comes as a strength to our weakness.

 

There are days when my body and soul are so weak, I just don’t want to move, but He comes, and directs me back to the path that He is leading me on, a path of wholeness and healing in body, soul and spirit, and He promises us joy ever more, His joy. In Hebrews 12:2, the writer states that Jesus saw the joy ahead, past the cross and was able to endure the terrible suffering He went through.  He could see past the cross, and the joy that our salvation would bring, and the joys of walking with Him and looking forward to our eternal home, and He wants us to walk in that joy, although sometimes it is hard, but we have to keep our eyes on Jesus and the goals ahead. Just thinking about heaven and my eternal home fills me with great joy.

 

And have you driven though a desert lately? There are miles and miles of dry scrub and grass. Now imagine a spring suddenly springing up in that desert place, and in a short time everything that was withered is suddenly green and beautiful!  Are you feeling withered and dry today? Jesus promised in John 7 that He would fill us with rivers of living water and we would just flow with the Holy Spirit. Is that what you desire today, as I do?

 

Just lift your hands, look up to Him and say “Come” I need you. I need you in my weakness, in my dry soul, and healing in my body, soul and spirit. He comes in such a gently way, our gentle Holy Spirit. I pray that wherever you are out there, you will just call out to Him now, “COME!”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!

Another long journey, more reunions and more "good byes."We just returned from my home town, visiting with family and classmates in my 55th class reunion. I wonder where the years have gone. Most of us started kindergarten together in our small town and now we are seniors. There is no upper class or lower class, we are all one together now, and those reunions were sweet, recalling old memories. Several of those classmates have passed since our 50th, and I wonder how many of us will go on to eternity in the next five years.And I think of these last five years, and three of our loved ones have gone home to Jesus in that time.

And spending time with my dear sisters and a special cousin was especially sweet, and again the goodbyes are so hard.

And I think about these things in the midst of uncertainty in my own life, although I know who wins here, and even though I could get discouraged and want to give up the fight, I will walk on with my Lord leading and guiding me though this latest trial, because I know a greater reunion is coming, one where will never have to say goodbye and watch our loved ones drive away or fly away and no final goodbye hugs with tears.

Someday soon we will meet our Lord in the air for that glorious reunion up there in the clouds and with all those dear saints gathered with us, and what a day that will be! Some of us will go on ahead before then, but we will all meet together with our Precious Lord! Praise His Holy Name!

So many special memories in this trip, but the main highlight to me was the big Sunday Service in a big tent where many churches came together in worship. How can one explain hundreds of people, different fellowships, with hands raised and singing "How Great Thou Art." I will never forget the memory and the feeling that that was just a little tiny taste of what it will be like when all His saints will gather together in joyful songs of worship, and He will be there, our eyes will behold Him at last! All pain, sorrow and partings will be gone. Oh, I can hardly wait for that day. How about you? Are you looking up and anticipating the greater reunion coming? What a day that will be!

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!

"There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come, no more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye; all is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore, what a day glorious day that will be. 

Chorus: What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace; when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear, no more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there; and forever I will be with the One who died for me, what a day glorious day that will be." (James Hill).

Blessings, in Jesus' Name,

Pastor Sharon

WHOM I HAVE IN HEAVEN BUT THEE!

WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN

BUT THEE!

As I was out in my favorite chair this morning after a restless night, the Lord reminded me of this scripture, the one I base my life on and especially now in the midst of this cancer battle, I have no one in heaven or on earth to depend on more than my Precious Lord. And I hope as I share this scripture with you will find yourself in the same kind of situations, and I will depart from my usual song up front and close it with a song instead.

Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:

Thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Thou shalt guide me with Thy

Counsel, and afterward receive me to

Glory.

Whom have I in heaven but

Thee? And there is none upon earth

That I desire beside Thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:

But God is the strength of my heart,

And my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

This portion of scripture is marked in my Bible as my “Life Verse.” It has blessed me through many struggles over the years. I am always with Him, as He has said in Hebrews 13:8, “I will never leave you for forsake you.”  And He says He holds me by my right hand. As we walk together down this life road together, He never lets go of my right hand. Sometimes I just hold it out wanting to feel Him squeezing my fingers, as my husband often does in the physical realm. Can you relate to that? Just put out your right hand and by faith feel  Him holding your hand as you walk the path with Jesus.

He promises to guide me with His counsel, but I don’t always listen. It sometimes takes extra time in His Word and prayer to hear that sweet voice. But He promises to always guide us with His counsel. I accepted Jesus as a 10 year old and  remember how I sought Him in His Word with that little Bible that was given me and witnessed to my schoolmates on the playground, which children can’t do that now, so sad! And I have His promise after He has guided me, counseled me, given me His Word to preach, which I did a couple of weeks ago in spite of being sick from chemotherapy. And when this life is over and I have done what He has called me to do and depended on Him for His counsel, He will receive me to glory in Heaven, oh what a day to look forward to! Do you have that promise from Him?

I have many loved ones here, and even have some brothers and sisters in Africa that are praying for my healing. And I will never meet some of them this side of heaven. But I have my Lord in heaven and He and I can share our deepest thoughts. I can share with Him things on my heart that no one on earth would understand. Oh, I have a wonderful  husband and family, but He is the only one I desire so deeply to share my heart with, and He keeps secrets!

My heart and my flesh my fail. In fact death will come to all of us, unless He comes for His church in the clouds soon. And right now my flesh feels like it is failing, as I age and lose the capabilities I once had. My feet are getting slow, ears don’t hear so well and such and fighting another battle with cancer.

But God is the strength of my life and my portion forever, and until that time comes when He calls me home my heart will go on singing with great joy.

UNTIL THEN

My heart can sing when I pause to remember,

A heartache here is but a stepping stone

Along a trail that’s winding always upwards,

This troubled world is not my final home.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I’ll carry on,

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home.

The things of earth will dim and lose their value

If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile;

And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,

Remembered there will only bring a smile.

This weary world with all its toil and struggle

May take its toll of misery and strife;

The soul of man is like a waiting falcon,

When its released it’s destined for the skies.

Stuart Hamblin (1908-1989)

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

THE LOVELY NAME OF JESUS

THE LOVELY NAME OF JESUS

I want to share with you today what is on my heart and a subject that I love to share, and is the Wonderful name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and the power in using His lovely name in prayer. Many in our world have denied that lovely name, but He is still the King of kings and Lord of lords and no matter what happens in this world He is still in control. When our own world seems to be falling apart we can still proclaim the name of Jesus, even in a whisper……….Jesus

Many people strive to reach the top of success in their careers, wanting to make a big name for themselves.  But there is only one Name that outshines any name that man can make for himself on this earth. And at that name someday every knee will bow to the most glorious name in all the universe:

Wherefore God also hath highly

Exalted Him, and given Him a name

Which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every

Knee should bow, of things in heaven,

And things in earth, and things under

The earth; and that every tongue

Should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

To the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

And in that Name, the precious Name of Jesus is everything my heart desires.  He is the Lover of my soul, He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and I look forward to the day when I will at last see His face and dwell with Him in heaven forever.  Have you, my friend, experienced the absolute love of Jesus?  When we mention the Name of Jesus, do you comprehend how awesome is that Name? 

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear?

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;

‘Tis Manna to the hungry soul,

And to the weary, rest.

Dear name! The rock on which I build,

My Shield and Hiding-place;

My never-failing Treas’ry filled

With boundless stores of grace.

By thee my prayers acceptance gain

Although with sin defiled,

Satan accuses me in vain,

And I am owned a child.

Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,

My Prophet, Priest, and King;

My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,

Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,

And cold my warmest thought;

\but when I see Thee as Thou art,

I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till Then I would Thy love proclaim

With every fleeting breath;

And my the music of Thy name

Refresh my soul in death.

John Newton

Are you walking through a time of fog in your life today?  Are you having trouble seeing Jesus through your tears of sorrow and pain?  Oh, what a lovely Name to part the clouds and bring hope and cheer!  The Son is shining behind those clouds! He is Almighty God!  Christ is the all-powerful Lord, and absolutely nothing is impossible with Him!

There is an incredible secret, when it is known and followed that will bring amazing answers to prayer. It was given by Jesus Himself: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I do” John 14:13.

Here is the key! It is more than just ending your prayers with the worlds “in Jesus’ name”, rather it is to know and understand all that is included in His wonderful name.

Jesus Christ has given you the authority to use His name and all that implies whenever you pray. All that is included in His name should be used in prayer. With His name comes all the authority and power of heaven in it.

(Psalm 9:10) “And they that KNOW (and understand) Thy name will put their trust in Thee.”

(Psalm 91:91:14-15) “I will set him on high (place of authority) because he hath known (and understood my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him.”

(Psalm 34:3: “O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt (or use in prayer) His name together.”

This is the secret key to answered prayer: learning to use the many name of Jesus in all their power, as they may apply to various needs in your life. There are over 200 names of Jesus found in the Bible and any or all of them may be used in your prayers. Many only use the name “Jesus,” but His other names can be used in your prayers as well and applied to any special need you may have.

When you fail, pray, “Our Father in the name of Jesus, my Advocate, My Great High Priest, I…….

When in sorrow, pray, “Our Father, in the name of Jesus, the God of all Comfort, the Balm of Gilead, I come…….

When you are sick, pray, “”Our Father, in the name of Jesus, the Great Physician, the Lord who healeth me, I come……..

When you feel defeated, pray, “Our Father, in the name of Jesus, my Strong Tower, my Hiding place, I come………..

HERE ARE SOME PROMISES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR FAITH:

(Mark 11:24) “What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them.

(Matthew 21:22) “And all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”

(Psalm 37:4) “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart.”

(John 15:7) “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it will be done unto you.”

(John 16:24) “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you shall receive and your joy will be complete.”

Here are a few other names of Jesus you can use:

He is the Altogether Lovely One, He is the Beginning and the End, He is our Counselor, Mighty God, He is our Deliverer, He is the Father of Mercies, He is the God of all Grace, He is the King of Glory and He is the Lord of all, He is He that Liveth, He is Hope for His people, He is my Helper, He is the Upholder of all things.

“For unto us a child is born, unto

Us a Son is given: and the government

Shall be upon His shoulder: and His

Name shall be called Wonderful,

Counselor, the mighty God, the

Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
Isaiah 9:6

And in the wonderful name of Jesus is our Salvation. Through His death on the cross, He has power through His death to redeem us from our sins by the cleansing blood that He shed. And because of His resurrection, death is conquered and we have eternal life with Him forever.

When I think of that Lovely Name, I also remember that He is the Messiah, He is our Redeemer, He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Bread of Life and He is the Bright and Morning Star, with the many other names that are found in the Precious name of Jesus! And someday soon He will return in clouds of glory. And can you imagine with me what that reunion will be like as saints from all the ages, from every race and tribe will behold His lovely face. I believe there will be a shout of joy from the millions gathered in the sky that will literally shake the heavens. I think of that lovely hymn When We all Get to Heaven,” and the chorus: “When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.”

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice saying, “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”

And we all will gather around that throne shouting His praises forever and ever proclaiming, “What a lovely Name! I heard a song on a CD and must share it with you.  My heart is overwhelmed within me as I read the words of this song.  Some of you may know this song and can sing it as you read the words.  As we think of the Name of Jesus, may you come to know how lovely is that Name, the Name of Jesus!

WHAT A LOVELY NAME

There’s a name above all others, wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer.  It’s the lovely name of Jesus, evermore the same, what a lovely name.

CHORUS:  What a lovely name, the name of Jesus.  Reaching higher far, than the brightest star.  Sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven.  Let the world proclaim, what a lovely name.

Thru His name there’s wondrous power, power to redeem, making sinner clean.  By His pow’r He cleansed the leper, opened blinded eyes, caused the dead to rise.

He’ll return in clouds of glory, saints of ev’ry race, shall behold His face, with Him enter heaven’s city, ever to proclaim, what a lovely name.  (Charles B. Wycuff

In His Lovely Name,

Pastor Sharon