FOLLOW, I WILL FOLLOW HIM

FOLLOW, I WILL FOLLOW HIM

As I was thinking about what to write to my friends out there today, I want to ask the question: “Who are you following today?”  As I look at the world around me and see the faces of people in the crowds, or in their cars, I wonder who they are following.  The world seems to be crumbling around us.  There are wars and rumors of wars, and so many people in deep struggles. 

But we have an anchor in Jesus, our Lord.  Since we are going into the summer season, I am reminded again of the many years at summer camp, high in the Sierras of California.  I went every summer to our church camp starting when I was nine years old.  And oh, the memories of those times at camp!  I remember especially those special evening times around the campfire. 

Those were times of dedication of my life to the Lord, and especially at the final service when we were all handed a pinecone, which represented our lives and service to the Lord.  And as we made our commitments to the Lord, we would toss those pinecones into the fire.  Those memories are priceless to me.  And I remember one particular chorus that we sang at that time as we made our commitment to follow Him always.  I remember the tears and the determination that I would follow Him all the way.

And that dedication has followed me down through the years and into my senior years now as I became a Pastor and have led a life, to the best of my ability in Jesus, to be of service to my Lord and Savior.  Oh, the road has not been easy at time.  In this season of my life I have faced health issues this past year and have had to curtail some of my activities.  But I have made a fresh commitment to follow Him the rest of my days.

FOLLOW, I WILL FOLLOW THEE

“Jesus calls me, I must follow, follow Him today; when His tender voice is pleading how can I delay? 

Chorus:  Follow, I will follow Thee, my Lord, follow ev’ry passing day.  My tomorrows are all known to Thee, Thou wilt lead me all the way.

Jesus calls me, I must follow, follow ev’ry hour, know the blessing of His presence, fullness of His pow’r.

Jesus calls me, I must follow, follow Him always; when my Saviour goes before me I can never stray.  (Howard L. Brown)

He is calling, calling you to follow Him today.  He is calling you to look on His Wonderful Face and to give your life to Him.  Time is so short, my friends.  There is not time to delay as you do not know what tomorrow may bring.  Even today as I write this blog there is a big storm brewing in the Midwest, and I wonder how many will be swept into eternity without Jesus.

He is calling to look up into His Wonderful Face.  He is calling to focus on Him and take our eyes off the trials and struggles of this life.  Just a glimpse of Him, and all our tomorrows will belong to Him.  When you know the blessing of His Presence, you are looking into the face of our Wonderful Counselor, The Prince of Peace, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father.  He is our Saviour, Redeemer and Friend.  He is the Great Shepherd of the Sheep who goes ahead of His sheep and they follow Him.  He is the Great I AM, the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

And this walk with Jesus is an every hour walk with Him.  It is feeling His Presence in all the circumstances of our lives.  He leads and guides us through the valleys and onto the mountain tops.  He leads us when the wind blows in our lives, and our ship is being rocked.  He leads us when the sun is shining down on our lives.  He walks us through grief and great sorrow.  That is when we learn to know the blessing of His Presence, and the fullness of power in our lives.

And He gives us that power by the Holy Spirit to walk with Him, talk with Him, and tell others about Him.  Do you know Jesus today?  Are you following Him closely down that path that leads to life eternal?  When we keep our eyes on His Wonderful face, we can never stray.  It is when we take our eyes off Him and start looking at the storms around us, then we lose our focus on Him and lose our way.

I urge you to make a commitment to follow Him today.  No matter what is happening in your life or in the world around you, Jesus is calling, calling you.  It is the greatest commitment you will ever make.  It is a commitment for all time and eternity. 

As I have shared in the past, there are many choices in this life, but eternity has only two, heaven or hell.  What will be your choice today?  Will you follow Jesus down the narrow road to life eternal, or take the broad way which leads to destruction? (Matthew 7:13-14).

I pray that you will make a decision to follow Jesus today, and feel the blessing of His Presence for now and always, and someday will end your journey with Jesus in your heavenly home.

In the Wonderful Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

GOD LEADS US ALONG

AS HE LEADS US ALONG

Recently my husband has been shopping for items in the grocery store or other places for items we need.  I have waited in the car.  And as I wait I watch people coming and going.  I look at their faces, watch them load items in their cars and I wonder about their lives, the burdens they carry and the lives they lead.  Some faces show signs of despair, some of laughter.  And I wonder if they know Jesus, and that He can carry their burdens.

The world out there needs Jesus and to know how much He loves them.  Many of those people I see don’t know the One who came to die for them and I pray that the day will come when they will surrender their lives to Jesus.  We in America are so blessed with the Gospel and the Word freely available to all.  But people have become bitter and angry and have rejected the God who loves them so much.

But if you know Jesus as your personal Savior, you are locked in His warm embrace.  And He leads us along life’s pathway secure in His love.  So no matter where you are today in your walk with Jesus, He is our Caring Shepherd who leads us along no matter what the path may hold.  And it seems that some go through great trials that never seem to end, but oh the joy and comfort that He brings no matter what the circumstance. 

GOD LEADS US ALONG

“In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; where the water’s cool flow baths the weary one’s feet, God leads His lead children along.

Chorus:  Some thro’ the waters, some thro’ the flood, some thro’ the fire, but all thro’ the blood; some thro’ great sorrow, but God gives a song; in the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; sometimes in the valley in the darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.

Tho’ sorrow befall us, and Satan oppose, God leads His dear children along; through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along.

Away from the mire and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along.” (George A. Young)

The author of this hymn, George Young, was a carpenter and a pastor.  He didn’t make much money in either profession.  Most of his life was spent in small farming communities.  Finally, however, he and his wife were able to build their own home, and they moved in.  Shortly afterwards, while the Youngs were holding meetings in another small town, someone set fire to their house, and it was reduced to ashes.

It was probably out of that experience that George Young wrote this hymn and ended the chorus with these words: “Some thru great sorrow but God gives a song/in the night season and all the day long.”

Are your feet weary today?  You have traveled far and the road has been strewn with rocks and hard places to walk but Jesus is there leading you along.  Remember He is your Great Shepherd and we are reminded in Psalm 23:2:  “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

I was reminded of this as I saw along the highway a pasture of sheep, and there was a pond there, and the sheep were lying down beside it, and the waters were so still it reminded me of glass. The song reminds us that He leads us in “Shady green pastures.”  That reminds me that He is our shade at our right hand (Psalm 121:5) Around those still waters, are many trees that bring shade from the heat of the sun.

And that is like our Shepherd, covering us from the heat of the trials that we go through.  And then our Shepherd encourages  you to lie down and let Him wipe your weary feet in cool waters so you can face the journey ahead.  Oh, Praise the Lord, for our Gentle Shepherd!

And then there are the “mountain top” experiences where the sun is shining brightly, and trials seem to be gone for a season.  Oh, such joy in those moments!  There on the mountain top feeling the presence of our Wonderful Lord.  I am reminded of a person who accepts Jesus as their Savior and then has a “mountain top experience.”  I remember one elderly lady in the nursing home who accepted Jesus as her Savior and was so excited she was laughing and crying as she sat in her wheelchair.  Actually, we were both laughing and crying together.  She became at that moment one of His dear children and He gave her absolute joy as she began her walk with Jesus.

Then there are those experiences when it seems the night of sorrow is so dark that you can’t see the Lord leading you there ahead.  I have been there and I know many of you have been there. I have shared previously of being in the hospital after major surgery and the night of pain was so dark, but He gave me songs in the night and I sang His praises all through that night. 

And finally after the battles are over, our foes have been defeated, He leads us on up into glory, into eternity with Him forever.

“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” Psalm 73:23-24.

So we are continually with Him, as He leads us, His dear children along life’s pathway.  He leads us into rest when we are weary, and gives us those wonderful experiences of His presence, and then finally, after our trials are over, He safely leads us home to be with Him forever.

Whenever the way gets dreary, just remember He is just ahead leading you onward and upward.  And if you don’t know Jesus as your own personal Savior, He is waiting for you, and wants you to know how much He loves you.  Just ask Him into your heart today and He will become your Shepherd and your Guide forever.

In the Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

A MEMORIAL TO MY LORD!

A MEMORIAL TO MY LORD!

As I wrote this it was Memorial Day weekend. On this Monday is the day we honor all those who have given their lives for our freedom.  We honor the memories of those with services and wreaths and flowers on gravesites.  It was a cold and dreary day for many, as the weather here in this area was cold and damp. And my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones serving our country.

But on this day, as I looked outside and saw the chilly sunshine, and was warm on the inside, I was thinking of another who gave His life so we could be free.  We see all the crosses in the cemeteries, but I am reminded this day of the Cross upon which my Savior died that I may be free from sin and have eternal life with Him.  And to be able to walk with Him day by day, knowing He brings peace and joy, even though I may be going through trials.  The clouds may come, the storms in my life, but He is the joy of my life.

I pray that you will turn your eyes to the cross of Christ this day, and make it a “Memorial” day to remember what Jesus has done for you, for me. Read the words of Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher of the 19^th century as he describes his Lord, and let the words go deep into your spirit as you worship and praise our Lord and Savior!

“I bear witness that never servant had such a master as I have; never brother such a kinsman as he has been to me; never spouse such a husband as Christ has been to my soul; never sinner a better Saviour; never mourner a better comforter than Christ hath been to my spirit.  I want none beside him.

In life he is my life, and in death he shall be the death of death; in poverty Christ is my riches; in sickness he makes my bed; in darkness he is my star, and in brightness he is my sun; he is the manna of the camp in the wilderness, he shall be the new corn of the host when they come to Canaan.

Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full infinitely full.  My soul, this night, bless with all thy might’ the only Begotten.’”

Can you fathom that, my friend, how altogether lovely He is?  In all the trials we go through, all the struggles we go through as we walk the path with Jesus there is never anyone as precious as Jesus our Lord.  As Spurgeon describes His Lord, he cannot even touch the surface of the beautiful attributes of our Precious Lord.

“God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.  He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight. He shrouds his throne with his clouds.  He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundaries for day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble at his rebuke.  By his power the sea grew calm.  By his skill the crushed the great sea monster.  His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power.  Who can understand the thunder of his power?” Job 26:7-14.

We look at the sky and the clouds and we see the stars and marvel at the beauty of the heavens.  We see flowers, trees, and mountains, and Job in the above scripture reminds us that what we see of creation is only a “whisper” of His mighty power.

 So worship your King, and be reminded of His grandeur and beauty.  We serve an Awesome God!

O WORSHIP THE KING!

“O worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His pow’r and His love; our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and, girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light, it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.  (Robert Grant/Joseph Franz Hayden)

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and friend.” (Robert Grant/Franz Joseph Hayden)

And indeed He is Almighty God, our creator and most of all He is our friend.  I think of my Lord, and wonder, as mighty as He is, and look at His mighty creation and think that He loves me!  And He loves you, my friend, wherever you are, wherever you have been.  The mighty memorial, the Mighty Cross stands in the middle of history pointing the way up to heaven, crossbeams outstretched, reaching out for you.  So make this day and “Memorial” to Jesus, and give yourself to Him for all time and eternity.  He is waiting for you, please come, in Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

JUST TELL IT TO JESUS

JUST TELL IT TO JESUS

I was thinking today of how life is such a struggle for many today.  The world is in such a state that people don’t know where to turn when trouble comes.  Even Christians need to be reminded Who to run to when trials come.

As we read the news, walk among people, chat with friends and co-workers we realize that even though people may smile, laugh and appear to have everything under control, they could be “crying” on the inside.  I want to be more sensitive to people around me and their struggles that they carry inside and sometimes they are heavy, heavy burdens.  We need to be reminded that we have a Friend who cares and is concerned about our trials in this walk with the Lord.  He is concerned about our grief, our pain, our sin.  After all, He died for our sins, and carried our grief to the cross, just for you, just for me.

So be reminded, if you feel like you have no one else in this world to share your burdens with, you can “Tell it to Jesus.”

TELL IT TO JESUS

“Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?  Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus; are you grieving over joys departed?  Tell it to Jesus alone. 

Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that’s well-known.  You’ve no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden” Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus; have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden” Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?  Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus; Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?  Tell it to Jesus alone.

Are you troubled at the tho’t of dying?  Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus, For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?  Tell it to Jesus alone.  (Jeremiah E. Rankin)

If you are weary and your heart is heavy hearted today, and you are grieving over a joy that has departed, come to the God of all Comfort:

“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.  Isaiah 40:1.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God” II Corinthians 1:3-4.

If you have lost your joy this day and are grieving over something that has happened in your life that took all joy out of your life, and you feel like you can never smile again or have that peace that He brings when tragedy comes into our lives, just tell it to Jesus, He is the friend who will listen and understand and bring joy back into your life again.

When you have sinned against the Lord, and you can’t talk about it with anyone, you can talk to Jesus about it. He died for your sins and for mine.  Just take your sins to the cross and leave them there with Him, for He is faithful.  Just tell it to Jesus.  And let Him cleanse you and bring peace back into your life.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive u our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” I John 1:9.

And maybe you fear sorrow coming into your life.  You may have a loved one who is near death, and even now you fear the grief of losing that precious one.  You may have spent many days at a bedside, watching, waiting and praying, for you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  You may be sorrowing over financial needs and don’t know where the next meal will come from.  Listen to Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34, where He reminds us not to worry about tomorrow in verse 34.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.  Just tell it to Jesus, today.  And let Him take care of your tomorrows.

And I asked myself what makes people afraid of dying?  Is it fear of the unknown?  It is unresolved issues in their lives that makes people afraid?  When we have Jesus in our hearts and walk close to Him, it seems to me that heaven is just a step away.  The older I become the closer I am to my heavenly home.  When we make peace with Jesus and let Him work out those other issues in our lives, heaven becomes very real, and is just over the hilltop.  When we open God’s Word and read about heaven, and then we sing those wonderful hymns about heaven, it opens our eyes to the glory that awaits each one of us who walk with Jesus.  I truly believe God puts “heaven” in the hearts of each one of His children to prepare them for their heavenly home. When death comes to the Christian, we have no reason to fear, God is near.  Just tell it to Jesus.

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: for we walk by faith, not by sight: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” II Corinthians 5:6-8.

Are you sighing for Christ’s coming?  When problems overwhelm us, and our heart is heavy, we so long for Jesus to come back. And for those who are looking for Jesus to come back He has promised a special reward, a “Crown of Righteousness!”

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” II Timothy 4:8.

So, my friends, whatever the issues in your life today, just remember that you have a friend you can go to any time any place, any hour, and He promises in Hebrews 13:5 to never leave you.  What a Wonderful friend we have in Jesus!  Just tell it to Jesus today, He is waiting for you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

ALL THE WAY HE LEADS ME

ALL THE WAY HE LEADS ME

I have been pondering lately over the path that I am walking on at this time in my life.  A year ago I was walking a different path entirely.  I was busy in the ministry, healthy in body, no worries about future health issues.  I was following my Lord on a path that seemingly was an easy path.  Oh, there was a time of grief and much sorrow, but I knew He was there to comfort in that particular time.

We all have times like that in our lives.  And it seems as we become older in our years, the path seems to become harder to climb.  There are storms of wind and rain, rocks in our pathway, decisions to be made on which way to go.  But isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus is right there, holding my hand and leading me all the way.  I know many of you are going through great trials right now.  There is pain in your body, financial issues, concerns for your children and grandchildren, and many more problems as we travel this path with Jesus.

And I think of others in the past who had great difficulties in their lives but were able, with the Lord’s help, to go on and do great things for Him.  I am thinking of the great blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, who lived a century ago and wrote hundreds of our wonderful hymns.  And she trusted the Lord to lead her and provide for her each step of the way.

One day she needed five dollars and didn’t know where she would get it.  So she prayed about it.  A few minutes later a stranger knocked at her door.  When she answered it, the man gave her a five-dollar bill and the turned around and left.

Crosby was amazed at the Lord’s marvelous timing.  Later she wrote, “I have no way of accounting for this except to believe that God, in answer to my prayer, put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money to me.  My first thought was, “It is so wonderful the way the Lord leads me.”

That day she wrote this hymn: “ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME/WHAT HAVE I TO ASK BESIDE?”

All the way my Saviour leads me; what have I to ask beside?  Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide?  Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads; me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.  Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul a thirst may be, gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me; oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above.  When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, this my song thro’ endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way; this my song thro endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way. (Fanny J. Crosby1820-1915)

In the words of this wonderful hymn we see, as we walk this path with Jesus, His guidance, Trust in Him, and our confidence that that the path we tread will someday lead us to our heavenly home.

Sometimes when the skies are dark in our lives and we can’t see through our tears and our pain, we start to doubt that tender mercy and care.  But by faith, He brings the heavenly comfort and we can know that whatever comes our way, Jesus doeth all things well.

“For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death” Psalm 48:14.

And isn’t it wonderful to know that no matter how winding the path is, He gives me the grace for every trial, even the trial of cancer and the treatments following.  And I know of many who are walking that path right now, but are trusting in His grace and mercy, even though their weary steps may falter along the trail.

“They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by springs of living water shall he guide them” Isaiah 49:10.

Oh, what wonderful promises in God’s Word.  He satisfies His children with the Living bread, which is His Word.  He is that Living Bread that satisfies our every need.  He is the Living Water that satisfies our thirsty souls.  He is the Rock of our Salvation. Oh, Praise His Holy Name.

We have had thunderstorms in our area and lightening in the evenings.  The days are beautiful, lovely clouds, warm.  But toward evening things begin to change.  That is the way our walk with the Lord is.  We have lovely days and then the storms come and it is dark and the thunder roars.  But we have that promise that down the road and over the next hill, maybe around that next steep mountain, we are promised perfect rest in our Father’s House (John 14:1-2). 

And that will be our song through the ages, that Jesus led us all the way.  How is it with you this day?  Are you struggling with great trials?  Let Jesus be your guide.  If you don’t know Him as your own personal Saviour ask Him into your heart today, He is waiting for you.  Don’t put it off another day, another hour.  Jesus loves you so much!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

I'LL MEET YOU IN THE MORNING!

I’LL MEET YOU IN THE MORNING!

This past week our family is remembering our precious loved one who left us one year ago.  And oh, the memories and the tears that still come.  Maybe you too are remembering precious loved ones who have left us, and I write this blog to bring you comfort as I have been comforted. 

I am thinking of heaven and the joy they must be experiencing, and the joy that is ahead for us when that great reunion comes.  Whether we meet Him in the sky or meet Him in death,  that is the “blessed hope” that we believers are looking for.

I came across an article written by Joni Eareckson Tada from her book “Diamonds in the Dust.”  And it was my daily devotion on April 29, the very day we were remembering our loved one.

“I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.  Then someone at my side says: “there! She’s gone.”

Gone where”?  Gone from my sight-that is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.  Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There! She’s gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “There she comes!”  And that is dying!”

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” Psalm 116:15.

Yes, many are grieving today over the loss of loved ones.  My heart grieves for those who have lost their children and other family members and friends in recent violence in our land. 

And there are many faces missing in my life in recent months, as a Pastor I miss their smile and the precious times we had together sharing God’s Word.  And I think of those confined in hospital beds, just waiting for Jesus to call them home.

And we wonder what heaven is like, what they who have gone ahead are experiencing.  They are at home with the Lord and at peace.  But their leaving us leaves a void in our lives.  But we have His precious promises in His Word.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”  John 14:1-3.

We can only imagine what those “mansions” are like, where our loved one is dwelling.  We think in earthly terms, but have no idea what God has prepared for each one of us. ( I Corinthians 2:9).

We read in the 21^st and 22^nd chapters of Revelations of streets of gold, trees of life, the beautiful river of life.  I once loved a dear saint who was confined to a bed in a foster home.  We simply called  her “Nana.”

Nana had had both legs amputated, and was nearing her 103^rd birthday when she had a dream and shared it with me.  In her dream she saw a golden fountain and a stream of water flowing from it, and I shared Revelation 22 with her, and we both cried tears of joy, as I shared with her that soon she would be dancing on those golden streets with her new legs.  She passed away shortly after that session and I truly expect to meet her again someday.  Oh, what joyful visits we had!

 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” Revelation 21:4.

Yes, God Himself will wipe away all tears.  There will be no more parting over there, no sorrow, or no more pain.  Oh, what joy we look forward too as we continue to walk this journey with Jesus.  There around the next bend in the road, one last hill to climb, and there, beloved will be your heavenly home, bright shining on the horizon.

And as I think of my loved one, and remember her bright smile as she greeted her children at the door, I think of this grand old hymn:  “I Will Meet You in the Morning.”  You be blessed as you remember your family and loved ones waiting for you to come home and the joyous reunion just ahead.

“I’ll meet you in the morning by the bright riverside when all sorrow has drifted away.  I’ll be standing at the portals when the gates open wide at the close of life’s long dreary day.

Refrain:  I’ll meet you in the morning with a how do you do. And we’ll sit down by the river and with rapture old acquaintance renew.  You’ll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear, when I meet you in the morning in the city that’s built foursquare.

I will meet you in the morning at the end of the way on the streets of that city of gold, where we all can be together and be happy always while the years and the ages shall roll.” (as sung by Skeeter Davis).

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

YES, HE CARES!

YES, HE CARES!

Sometimes in this walk with the Lord we come to a deep valley, and we wonder if Jesus really cares or does anyone care? Are you feeling that way today?  Well, Jesus does care and He feels your pain, your grief and your loneliness. 

Let me tell you the story of another song, and then I will share an experience I had with a precious saint at her bedside.  This precious one was a singer, who loved hymns and praising the Lord.  Now it is like she is “locked” in her body, only her eyes move and she desperately tries to talk and I can only imagine how frustrating it must be.  But she loves Jesus and knows that He does care deep down inside.

“Frank Graeff had a wonderful nickname – “The Sunshine Minister”  He loved little children and became famous for the stories he told them.  He was also called “a spiritual optimist,” and people were drawn to him because he had “a holy magnetism.”

But inside, Frank Graeff was going through some spiritual struggles.  Today we might call it a midlife crisis.  Struggling with physical problems, he fell into depression and had some spiritual doubt.  It all hit “The Sunshine Minister” at the same time.

He turned to the Scriptures searching for a verse that he could really hold onto, and he found it in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you” (KJV).

That verse not only guided him through his “downtime,” but it also inspired him to write the song “Does Jesus Care?” (The Complete Book of Hymns).

DOES JESUS CARE?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song; as the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?  As the daylight fades into deep nightshades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong; when for my deep grief I find no relief, tho’ my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” to the dearest on earth tome.  And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks-is it aught to Him? Does He see? 

Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.  (Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919)

I sat by the bedside of my precious friend who is totally paralyzed now.  She moves her eyes and tries her best to form words, and then she nearly cries with frustration.  Does Jesus care that this dear one, who used to sing His praises lies in that bed in the nursing home day after day, month after month not able to move or express herself and totally dependent on those caregivers there in the nursing home?  Yes, my friend, Jesus cares.  I sat there, after reading the Lord’s Prayer to her, and her favorite 23^rd Psalm and reminding her of her mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for her, and saw the peace come into her eyes and her frustrations calmed down just at the reading of God’s Word.  It is an amazing experience to see the Holy Spirit bring calmness and peace.  Her dark way and nameless fear and dread are suddenly totally filled with His Presence.  Then I began to sing to her songs of heaven and oh, the joy on her face!  It is hard to describe this experience without tears of my own.  I don’t understand the “why?” of these situations, but I know my Jesus cares and loves her dearly.  And someday soon He will come and take her home and I promised her that she would again sing the praises to her King!

Are you having days of nights of grief over some temptations that you could not resist, and your eyes are filled with tears and your  grief over that sin is so great you feel that no one cares.  Yes, He cares, I know He cares and He understands.  And He will calm those tears that seem to flow all night long, and bring a sweet peace with His forgiveness, just ask Him, He is there for you.

And some of you have lost a precious loved one, someone who was very dear to your heart and they also loved Jesus.  Maybe you were married for many years that your loved one has gone home to be with Jesus and you are so alone and the grief is so great.  Maybe you lost a parent, a brother, a sister, a dear friend.  It is so hard to say “goodbye.”  When we walk with Jesus, we have that wonderful hope that we will see that precious one again.  Yes, our lives are empty and lonely, but does Jesus care?  Yes, He does my friend and He cares enough to be near, near to you to bring comfort and peace once again.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”  John 16:33.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon