THE FAMILY OF GOD

THE FAMILY OF GOD

As I sit here today, I am looking back over the last few weeks and how my life has changed, my plans for the immediate future again on hold because of medical tests and a diagnosis of returning cancer. My future, this summer, is one of chemotherapy again, followed by possible surgery. It seems like I have been through so much in the last two years, and a person, like me, wonders when these trials will end and life can get back to normal with my energy back to do the work of the ministry again.

But Praise the Lord, I know who holds all my tomorrows, whether in sickness or pain, or I go home to be with Jesus. Some of you are in that same situation as me right now, and I want to encourage you in the Lord to not lose your hope.  I felt like I was losing my hope when I received the first diagnosis of possible cancer, but I went before my Lord and peace, His peace returned. And I know where my hope lies.

But yesterday in church, I was surrounded by love, my church family. And I was totally overwhelmed by my “brothers and sisters” in the Lord. The joy came as the congregation laid their hands on me as Pastor prayed the prayer of faith. And received such a blessing as a dear handicapped sister prayed for me in her wheelchair. I have prayed with her many times and now she has returned the blessing. And I realized again how precious is the family of God, especially in times of great trials.

“Well known gospel songwriters , Bill and Gloria Gaither, were home for Easter and attending their home church in Anderson, Indiana. They heard of a young man in the community who had been severely burned when an explosion demolished the garage where he worked. Doctors did not expect him to live through the night.

A church prayer chain was activated, and church members prayed all night for the young man. When church members gathered to celebrate Easter the next day, they received word that the young man was recovering. The pastor reported that he had just spoken to the doctor, who told him the young man had a good chance of pulling through. They rejoiced in the answer to prayer.

As Bill and Gloria Gaither went home after the church service, they talked about what a wonderful thing it is to be a part of a family of believers and to able to pray together to our Father in heaven. Before long, a new gospel song was born: “The Family of God.” (“Hymns” by Petersen)

THE FAMILY OF GOD

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I’m part of the family, the Family of God.

You will notice we say “brother and sister” `round here, it’s because we’re a family and these are so near; when one has a heartache, we all share the tears, and rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King, no longer an outcast, a new song I sing’ from rags unto riches, from weak to the strong, I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I’m part of the family, the Family of God.  (Bill and Gloria Gaither)

As we concluded our service with this song, it was hard to hold back the tears as I thought of “my family” seated around me. Our church body is known for its love. I remember the day I first entered the door of this church 20 years ago, and was surrounded by such love and here I am, still surrounded by such love in the midst of another trial.

We are all joint heirs with Jesus, our Lord, and we indeed shed tears over one another in times of heartache and pain. And I am so glad I am a part of this family, my “brothers and sisters” in the Lord. I am reminded again of the beautiful picture of our intercession for one another, in holding up our hands in great times of trial, in Exodus 17:10-12.

In the valley below, Joshua and Israel were fighting a battle against Amalek. Moses was standing on the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed in the battle, when his arms tired and he dropped them, the enemy prevailed. So they took a stone and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur supported his arms on either side and the battle was won.

I see a picture of holding each other up in prayer. We become tired in the battle and we cannot keep our hands raised any longer and the enemy would try to come in and defeat us, but our brothers and sisters are there to hold up our arms in prayer and praise to our God and the battle is won, victory is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, you will notice they sat Moses down on a rock. And who is our Rock, but the Lord Himself. When we are firmly planted on the Rock, Christ Jesus, hands raised in victorious prayer, the enemy is defeated. Oh, praise the Lord!

So I am not defeated in this battle and either are you, as we continue to hold each other up in prayer, and we will see great victories won. And I always think that someday the battles will be other, and we will be home at last. But meanwhile, we have “The Family of God” to surround us and hold us up in the midst of the battle. Praise the Lord!

Pastor Sharon

I'M LEANING ON HIS HARMS

I’M LEANING ON HIS ARMS

I am sitting here thinking over the events of this day with it’s not so good news, with its fear of returning cancer. And there are tests and more tests to determine what the future may hold for me. But I know, in spite of my earlier tears and fears where I stand with Jesus. He is the only One who can bring peace in a troubled heart.

And I am also thinking of things happening in our world, the earthquakes shaking the Pacific Coast, the terrible storms in the south, wind and waves roaring with the loss of many lives. So where do we turn in the event of a doctor’s bad news or in reading of our shaking world?

The Lord always gives a song and His Word in times like these. Where do you turn when it seems your world is turning upside down, your mountains are shaking, and wind and waves are shaking your ship?

“Music teacher A.J. Showalter of Hartsville, Alabama, finished his classes for the day and returned to his rooming house. There he found letters from two former students. Amazingly they each told a similar story. Both former students had lost their wives, and both wives had died the same day. Showalter began writing letters of sympathy and condolence to the men.

As he began writing, a Scripture verse from Deuteronomy came to his mind, giving the assurance of God’s “everlasting arms” supporting us. Then he wrote a third letter, this one to a hymnwriter in Pennsylvania, Elisha Hoffman. He even suggested the wording of the chorus. When Hoffman responded quickly with three stanzas, Showalter composed the music.

The theme is simply this: with God’s arms beneath us and His love surrounding us, we can find strength in even the most sorrowful situations.” (“Hymns” by Petersen).

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O, how sweet to talk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; O, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear; leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. (Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929)

Oh, what a joy to walk this way with Jesus. Are you walking a path of an unknown future this day? Have you too had a doctor’s report and don’t know what the future may hold. The path will only grow brighter the closer we get to heaven. Just around the corner, or over the next hill will be a glimpse of glory and joys forevermore with our Precious Lord.

What are you dreading today? Are you dreading a future filled with sickness and pain from treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, or being helpless and dependent on others for your care? Are you looking at the newscasts of earthquakes and predictions of bigger ones coming? We remember the recent ones in Nepal and the loss of many lives. And we see the wind and waves roaring, rain coming down and lives lost in floods and people losing all their possessions and loved ones. When we look at God’s Word and His promises we can look up and praise our God for His peace and those “everlasting arms.” Here is a word for your heart today and mine in Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we 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.  Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” Psalm 46: 1-3, 10-11.

Even if the earth is quaking, the waves roaring, He tells us not to fear. If your life seems like it is in the midst of those storms and your mountain is shaking, God says to just “be still.” Just lean into those everlasting arms. And then He says, “He will be exalted in the earth.” Yes, our God is still in control no matter what happens here on this earth, He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and someday the whole world will see His appearing and He will reign forever, Praise the Lord!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

COME JUST AS YOU ARE!

As I was sharing an article about Billy Graham in our recent newsletter, I was reminded of the hymn, "Just as I Am." Billy Graham was led to Christ in a great revival meeting in 1934, and the hymn of invitation was this wonderful hymn, which was later the song of invitation in the great crusades, where thousands and thousands of people have walked the aisles to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

I remember watching the crusades on television and seeing the great choirs as they sang in the crusades all over the world. Oh, what a blessing this hymn has been! Even in my own life, as a child in my home church, I remember singing this hymn. This is the story of that hymn and the precious lady who wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In my research I found that she also wrote about 150 other hymns.

"Charlotte Elliott seemed to have everything going for her as a young woman. She was gifted as a portrait artist and also a writer of humorous verse.

Then in her early thirties she suffered a serious illness that left her weak and depressed. During her illness, a noted minister, Doctor Caesar Malan of Switzerland came to visit her. Noticing her depression, he asked if she had peace with God. She resented the question and said she did not want to talk about it.

But a few days later she apologized to Doctor Malan. She said that she wanted to clean up some things in her life before becoming a Christian. Doctor Malan looked at her and said, "Come just as you are."

That was enough for Charlotte Elliott, and she yielded herself to the Lord that day. Fourteen years later, remembering those words spoken by Caesar Malan in Brighton, England, she wrote this simple hymn that has been used to touch the hearts of millions, who have also responded to Christ's invitation to come just as they are."

JUST AS I AM

Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not, to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! I Come!

Just as I am, tho' tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, poor wretched, blind, sight, healing of the mind, yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon cleanse, relieve; because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God I come! I come! (Charlotte Elliott)

And I am asking you today, are you waiting for a better time to come to Jesus?  Are you feeling like you are tossed about, full of doubts and fears, sick and discouraged, fearing for the future, unsettled in your mind, worried about the situation in our world? There is not a better time to come to Jesus than right now! You do not know what tomorrow holds, or even the next hour. We are living in perilous times, Jesus is coming soon and judgment will follow, please be ready to meet Him and spend eternity with Him. You may never have another chance, this is the "Day of Salvation."  He is waiting for you, and you to "come just as you are." You don't have to wait to walk down a church aisle, you can come to Him right now where you are, just ask Him to come in. You can say a simple prayer right now and invite Him in:

"I confess to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised from the dead and that my receiving Him I now have eternal life with Him forever, and confess Him as my own personal Lord and Savior, to live and serve Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

In Jesus' Name,

Pastor Sharon

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU HAVE BELIEVED?

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU HAVE BELIEVED?

I ask you that question, “Do you know who you have believed?”  I have searched my own heart and have asked that question myself.  This past week several of us attended a Senior Retreat with seniors from all over the state and part of Washington.  It was a joy to all to be together, saints in the Lord and thinking that some of those gathered there will be with Jesus before next retreat.  And oh, the worship, singing those wonderful gospel hymns that we all love so much, and hearing the teaching of God’s Word and how to apply it our hearts in our daily lives.

 And it was wonderful to gather around the tables at mealtime and get to know our brothers and sisters in the Lord and to know that they, too, know who they have believed.  And many of these dear saints have known Him for many, many years.  It gives one an idea of what it will be like when we are all gathered together one day with Jesus and never have to pack into our cars and head for home again, we will be home at last.

As we reflect back on our own lives and our walk with the Lord, we can affirm Who we know by our lives and our testimony and the many prayers the Lord has answered.  Here is a wonderful old hymn, one of my mother’s favorite hymns and I remember singing it as a child in my home church.  “I Know Whom I have believed.”

“For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day” 2 Timothy 1:11.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That’s what we say when job hunting, but it’s also a foundational Christian truth.  You can study an entire lifetime to try to discover who God is and how to reach Him.  But it all comes down to one question: Do you know Jesus?

As a POW during the Civil War, Daniel Whittle began reading the New Testament his mother had given him as he marched off to war, and he committed his life to Jesus Christ.

After the war, Whittle was promoted to the rank of major and then became a successful businessman.  In 1873 he began preaching in evangelistic services, and for a quarter century he led revivals throughout the United States.  He also encouraged some of the leading songwriters of his time and wrote many hymns himself, including “Showers of Blessing” and “Moment by Moment.”  Whittle penned this hymn in 1883, perhaps thinking back to questions he had asked during this imprisonment.  There were still many things he didn’t know, but he certainly did know Jesus.” (Hymns by Petersen).

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He hath made known, nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own.

But “I know whom I have believed, and man persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart, nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noonday fair, nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him or “meet Him in the air.”  (Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901).

Do you know who you have believed?  Just as Daniel Whittle had those questions when he was a prisoner of war, we often ask those questions ourselves.  I don’t understand why God would love me and die for me on the cross and save me when a little girl of 9 years old.  But over the years I have learned of His marvelous grace and love no matter what the trial.

And all my hopes and dreams, all my desires to live a holy life, become a Pastor and lead people to Him and being comfort to the sick and dying, He has kept for me against that day when I am at last at home with Him.  What a beautiful picture?

But I do know that He imparted faith in His Word and in His Word I have found peace and joy.  I don’t understand how the Spirit moves convicting men of sin, but I have seen the “light” come on in faces with great joy, as He came into their heart.

And I don’t know when Jesus will come back, or if I will go home to be with Him, but I know that someday I will see Him face to face.  How about you, do you know whom you have believed? 

This very old hymn, found in a very old hymnbook speaks of believing in His love so great.  The writer of this hymn certainly knew in whom He believed.

DIDST THOU, DEAR JESUS, PRAY FOR ME?

Didst Thou, dear Jesus, pray for me in that dread night of old, when Thou didst gather in farewell Thy chosen little fold?

May I believe Thy love so great could compass even me, when Thou didst plead in tender love for all those trust in Thee?

Was there a place in Thy dear Heart for such a one as I; and dost Thou still remember me before the throne on high?

O wondrous love beyond compare, O mercy, full and free; my heart shall e’er rejoice in this, that Jesus prays for me!  Amen  (Gloria Dei, C.M.)

Blessings in Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

YES, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

YES, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Easter Sunday, here in our part of the country it is chilly and a bit on the cloudy side, and we may even get a few snow showers.  But it is always sunshine in my heart when we sing those glorious songs of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I remember those days when I was a child when we dressed up for Easter Sunday.  There were bonnets, new shoes and pretty dresses.  And we always had our Easter baskets to collect those beautiful colored eggs which were hidden in the lawn in the nearby park.  Then there were Sunrise Services, remember those?  We met out in the park as the sun was rising remembering our Lord and His glorious resurrection.

I carried those traditions over with my own children, but now times are different, but some of the old traditions remain.  I do miss the Good Friday Services and the Sunrise Services, but there is still a time to rejoice in the old hymn s as we sing on Sunday morning.  And these old hymns seem to be ageless, sung by the generations past.  As you know, I love to share the history of the old hymns.  And these stories are unique in the message they bring and the circumstances in which they were written.  I remember this one in particular from the days of my childhood, and we continue to worship our Lord today with this hymn, “He Lives.”

“By training, Alfred Ackley was a cellist who had studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London.  But he was also a minister of the gospel, serving churches in Pennsylvania and California.

The gospel song, “He Lives” was written after a question was posed to Ackley by a young Jewish student: Why should I worship a dead Jew?

Ackley answered quickly, “He lives! I tell you he is not dead, but lives here and now!  Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before.  I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.”

Ackley talked to the man further and then went home to reread the Resurrection stores of the Gospels.  As he read, the words “He is risen” struck him with new meaning.  Then, from the combination of the scriptural evidence, his own heart, and the experience of the innumerable cloud of witnesses, he sat down at the piano and wrote the song.  He once said, “The thought of his ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily.”  (HYMNS by Petersen)

HE LIVES

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair,

I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,

None other is so loving , do good and kind.

Alfred H. Ackley (1887-1960)

This wonderful hymn truly is a song of great joy and hope.  In all the seasons of life, we can rejoice in the glorious Resurrection of our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ.  We live in a world that seemingly is growing darker and darker and sin and evil abounds.  But we know that our Savior lives no matter what the world may say.  Many have rejected the message of the Gospel,  but the message is alive and well.  We continually hear testimonies of changed lives, of miracles of answered prayer.  And we serve a Savior that is always with us, never leaving nor forsaking His people (Hebrews 13:5).

All we have to do is look up into those clouds, see those beautiful trees and mountains and see those beautiful birds and animals He creates, and our hearts are filled with wonder.  I could go on and on here as His creation is boundless. 

My own heart does grow weary with continued trials and sometimes the storms seem to hit with a “stormy blast”.  Sometimes those trials seem to go on and on and we wonder when we will be able to stand on the mountain top in the sunshine again.  But there is coming a day when He will come again.  The days seem long and we look to the heavens wondering when He will come back, but His Word promises a day when the sky will roll back and our King Jesus will descend and call His people home.  What a glorious day that will be!

So He calls us to “Rejoice, rejoice O Christian, lift up your voice and sing!”  Worship the Lord, shout His praises, and sing to Him in joyful song.  He is the One who brings us hope, is our help in all our struggles, as we seek His face continually, no matter what the days ahead may hold for each of us.  Praise God, He Lives!

“O Come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all Gods” Psalm 95:1-3.

Blessings on this Easter Day,

Pastor Sharon

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

As I have just celebrated another birthday, another year passed.  And as my senior years progress my mind goes back to the years past and wonder where they have gone.   I have had so many blessings in my life and yes, there have been struggles along the way, pain and sorrow. 

But the Lord has been so good to me, sending me a wonderful husband, who loves and cherishes me daily, and my beautiful daughters and their love and now five grandchildren and even one great grandson.  And how thankful I am for my Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord, as we uphold one another in prayer.  And like the Word says, “when one suffers we all suffer.”

And then there are my precious sisters, who I love and cherish and so many memories of our childhood and later years.  I am so thankful for my precious mother, now with Jesus, who taught me about Jesus, giving me back to the Lord at two weeks of age, and then marrying into a Christian family, with a godly husband.  I am truly blessed!

But over my life down through the years, even in those times when I strayed, was the shadow of the cross.  And the tears come as I think of how the Lord has walked with me through tough times, because He has been there and He knows our pain.  It is all because of the cross of Calvary.

That “Old Rugged Cross” points back in time to the promises of coming redemption, to His death on the cross, fulfilling those prophecies and then on into the future, pointing to a glorious future with Him for eternity.  I have tears just singing this song or reading the words, they mean so much to me.  And I remember so well hearing this often as a child.  I wish we would sing it more often to remember that it is all about the cross and our salvation and the sacrifice of our Precious Lord.

It is Easter time once again, the world is seeking bunnies, eggs, new clothes and the like, but it is time we get our mind off those things for a moment and go back to the cross, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

(George Bennard-1913)

In our latest Bible Study, the ladies and I are studying the scenes of our Lord leading up to the cross, and our minds are trying to comprehend what Jesus was going through as He sat with His disciples at the Last Supper and then His agony in the garden, knowing what was ahead.  He took the Cup of Redemption at that supper and passed it around but did not partake as He would take that cup and drink of it in the garden.  He asked His Father to take that cup away from Him if possible, but He would drink of it for you and for me.  He knew the agony that was ahead on the cross, but He bore that agony for this world of lost sinners.  We cannot comprehend the agony He must have gone through and knowing exactly what they would do to Him, but oh, He loved us so much!

When I think of the cross, I also think of the crosses we bear each day.  Remember what Jesus said in Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” What is the cross you are bearing today?  Is it a body filled with pain, a troubled marriage, unsaved children, financial worries.  Some of us senior adults have lost our hearing or part of it, our bodies are stiff with pain and we have faced illness and loss of strength.

But someday, after we have walked with Jesus, and daily carried our “crosses” to the Lord, whatever they may be, we will lay those down, after all the years of clinging to that “Old Cross.”  And He promises His faithful ones a Crown of Life! (James 1:12).  And I look forward to that day, a day of joy, when old things pass away and our new life begins forever with Jesus.

So at this Easter season, look to the Cross.  Yes, it was an emblem of shame and suffering, but our Lord bore it all for you and for me.  And remember it was Friday, but Sunday was coming, His glorious resurrection!  So celebrate “Resurrection Sunday” with joy in your heart and Praise His Wonderful Name for the cross of redemption and our salvation.

In the Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

SINCE JESUS CAME

INTO MY HEART

What a beautiful day here in our part of the country, and what a beautiful day to serve the Lord.  He makes everything beautiful in my life.  Whether rain or snow, Jesus comes and brings peace and joy in spite of circumstances in our lives.  Yes, sometimes the path is narrow, rocks in the road, storms, but at the end there will be continuous rainbows of love.

I heard a testimony just yesterday of a man who was raised in an anti-God home, and his parents are still very anti-God.  But this man was turning the station on his radio and heard a pastor repeating the sinner’s prayer for any listener who would like to receive Jesus into their hearts, and he was convicted of his sin and said the prayer with the pastor.  And his life changed dramatically. Now this man had never been to church, heard a gospel song, or read the Bible.  But at that moment, Jesus came into his heart and life.  Now he faces persecution from his parents, but his life has turned around completely and serves his Lord with joy, and from what I understand, his brother has also come to the Lord.  Oh, what a testimony of the Lord’s saving power!

I remember so well the night I received Jesus as my Savior at 8 years of age, and the next day everything looked and felt different and I could not get enough of the little Bible that was given to me.  I have led many to the Lord and have seen the joy of the Lord light up their faces.  It is like seeing a light being turned on.  I can’t explain it only to say, it is the Spirit of the Lord entering their lives, and now there is hope and a wonderful  joy of knowing that they have an eternity with Jesus.

Let me tell you the following story of a very old hymn.  We used to sing this when I was a child and I still enjoy this song.  The writer of this story faced great tragedy in his life and could still write and sing of the hope he had since Jesus came into his heart.

“It’s hard to think that this joyful gospel song was written after a father had buried his youngest son.  Rufus McDaniel’s son Herschel was greatly loved by his parents, so when his life was taken away at an early age, it was heart-wrenching for both mother and father.

But Rufus McDaniel felt the best way to honor his son was to write a gospel song full of joy and hope.  Such a song would not only lift him and his wife out of their melancholy but also be a suitable remembrance for their son Herschel.

So Rufus McDaniel, a pastor in southern Ohio, wrote this gospel song that speaks of a hope that is steadfast and sure, as well as a light in the valley of death.  The joy was there for Rufus because Jesus had come into his heart.” (Hymns by Petersen).

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!  I have 

light in my soul for which long I had sought since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like  

sea billows roll, since Jesus came into my heart!

I have ceased from my wand’ring and going astray, since Jesus came into my heart! And my 

sins which were many are all washed away, since Jesus came into my heart!

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure, since Jesus came into my heart! And no dark 

 clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure, since Jesus came into my heart!

I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know, since Jesus came into my heart! and I'm 

happy, so happy as onward I go, since Jesus came into my heart.  (Rufus McDaniel (1850-1940).

Let me tell you of another experience of seeing the light of joy come into a life in an instant.  I was

visiting in the nursing home and walked into a room where a very elderly lady was sitting in her

wheelchair and I stopped to talk to her.  She noticed a cross I was wearing and asked me about it and

it opened a door to share Jesus with her.  She had been in a church all her life and had never heard the

gospel story and that Jesus loved her and died on the cross for her. 

I asked her if she would like to say a prayer with me and ask Jesus to come into her heart, and she 

said she would.  After the prayer, I saw the light come into her eyes and she started screaming, “All

my life I have been in this church and no one ever told me and now you come and told me about 

Jesus." She was so excited that I thought she would come out of her chair!  She had her hands raised 

and we had a wonderful time praising the Lord!  I never saw her again, as she left the facility the next

day,but I will meet her in heaven someday and what a time of rejoicing we will have.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, 

all things become new” II Corinthians 5:17.

Oh, my friends, when Jesus comes into our hearts, everything becomes new, the old desires pass 

away. Jesus washes away all our sins and we have hope, blessed hope.  As we walk this pathway 

no doubt and unbelief can obscure our pathway. Our hope is now eternal life with Jesus and we 

know that someday we will dwell in that city with Jesus.  And for some of us it is just over the hill, 

beyond the next sunset.  Some of us have to walk the pathway with Jesus just a little longer, but he 

has promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5).

Has Jesus come into your heart?  He is waiting, waiting for you to ask Him in.  And you will

experience joy and peace and hope for everlasting life with Him.  And you too can sing the song, 

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.”

Blessings, in Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon