HE GIVES MORE GRACE

HE GIVES MORE GRACE

As I sit here at my computer wondering what the Lord wants to say to you out there this day.  Many of you are going through sickness in your body and you wonder when this trial will ever end.  I know of several who are suffering with cancer right now, and some are just waiting to go “home.” 

I talked with a lady this past week and she has gone over the time they predicted she would die from her ailments.  I told her that maybe I would see her next week.  She said, “Oh, no as I won’t be here next week.  I am going “home” to heaven and she pointed up.  I told her that someday we would meet again around the Throne!  Then there will be no sickness, tears, or sorrow and no more death, live eternally with our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I was looking at songs and their stories that would bless you in these times, I found the song “He Giveth More Grace.” As we watch a dear loved one go through multiple procedures to halt the cancer in his body, and take prayer requests of others who are in great pain, I am reminded of His grace in these times when it seems like there are no earthly answers to our pain, we learn that “He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater.”

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

“Annie Flint, the author of this hymn, understood something of God’s grace.  Her mother died in childbirth, and her father died shortly afterwards from an incurable disease.  Before his death, Annie’s father left her and her baby sister with a childless Christian couple, the Flints, who adopted them.

Annie wanted to become a teacher, but in her second year of teaching, she began experiencing the symptoms of arthritis.  The disease grew worse until she could hardly walk.  Then the death of both adoptive parents left Annie and her sister alone again.  Annie went to a sanatorium, but the doctors said there was nothing they could do for her.

She began writing from experience.  Her fingers were bent, her joints were swollen, and often she could only write a few lines at a time.  But she continued writing, praying that others might be helped through her experience.  Her poems were published in magazines across the country.  Sometimes the publisher would mention Annie’s physical condition, and readers would donate funds to help her.

Annie learned what the apostle Paul had learned when God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). 

He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater; He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.  To added affliction He addeth His mercy; To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure; His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.  For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun.” (Annie Flint, 1866-1932).

Many of us can relate to this song and Annie’s experience.  Oh, we may not suffer as she did, but we do have our various trials, and they are just as big to us in our lives.  And sometimes the burden is simply unbearable, but He promises:

“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30.

My heart goes out to so many people whose burden of grief is great today.  I know of three deaths recently, two of those were beloved Pastors.  The one we learned of today was a shock to everyone who knew him.  He had been ill, but was again in His pulpit preaching, but God called Him Home.  I think of the loved ones, his small congregation, his wife and children and so on.  But God promises His mercy, and His multiplied peace! Praise the Lord!

And I, myself, have experienced the loss of my endurance when the day is only half over.  There are days when I don’t feel like I can accomplish the next task before me.  I have no more resources left in me, and I am sure there are many out there who experience those moments.  We have no more resources to give, and then we realize our Father’s resources never give out, and He gives and He gives and He gives.  We can reach out and receive His strength for the moment and beyond.  Aren’t we glad we serve such a Wonderful Lord who never tires or runs out of His love for His children?

Yes, He gives more grace no matter what the trial, the pain, the sorrow or whatever the situation may be.  And to those who have recently faced surgery and may be in pain at this moment, He is there with His Wonderful grace and His mercy.  His arms reach out to you, just let Him take you in His gentle arms, and He will give you rest, in Jesus’ Name!

“Father, I know of so many today who suffer with cancer, who have lost loved ones, and those who are just waiting for Jesus to call them “Home.” There, Lord, they will be free from pain at last!  And we, left here, cannot even comprehend the joys you have prepared for these loved ones.  I think of the two pastors, and the crown they have won for their faithful service to You.  So, Father, comfort the families today, bring strength to those who remain and Your peace, which you give and give and give.  And we thank You, Father, that Your resources are unlimited.  And we give you great praise this day.”

In the Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

JESUS, MY SAVIOR DEAR

JESUS, MY SAVIOR DEAR

Spring has finally arrived, the sun is shining brightly and the air is warm.  It is so refreshing after such a long cold winter.  Just a few weeks ago we celebrated the Easter season and we turned our eyes to the events that marked the last week in our Lord’s earthly life.  We turned our eyes to Palm Sunday as He made His entrance into Jerusalem.  The people thought He was going to proclaim Himself an earthly king.  But our Lord was on His way to the cross to die for you and for me.  But “Sunday was coming” and His glorious resurrection, and because He lives we shall live also.  Oh, Praise the Lord!  And someday He will come back as our Conquering King, bringing peace at last to this world.

How can we not love our Savior dear?  He has brought us salvation, forgiven our sins.  What words can describe our Glorious Lord, our Savior dear. 

“But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings: and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves” Malachi 4:2.

Here is another wonderful hymn story.  Oh, how I love these stories and am able to share with others the stories of the hymns.  Our old hymns each have a message and I long to impart these stories to you that you may be blessed in your walk with the Lord.  I was recently able to share hymn stories at a retreat in fellowship around the table and also at a volunteer breakfast.  This one is called “Sun of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear.”

“When someone asked Alfred, Lord Tennyson what Jesus Christ meant to him, he pointed to an open flower and responded, “What the sun is to that flower, Jesus Christ is to my soul.  He is the Sun of my soul.”  The prophet Malachi called the Messiah the Sun of Righteousness, who would rise with healing in His wings.

So John Keble was using a familiar title for Jesus when He wrote this poem.  Keble first published “Sun of my Soul, Thou Savior Dear” in a book called “The Christian Year, which included poems to be used by believers for worship throughout the church year.  An extremely modest man, Keble published this book anonymously.  He used the proceeds from the sale of his book to maintain the small village church near Oxford in which he served for more than three decades.

Throughout his ministry, Keble was known as an outstanding preacher and a careful Bible scholar.  This hymn was inspired by Luke 24:29, where two disciples on their way to Emmaus were met by Jesus.  They begged him to say with them because it was getting late.  Maybe it was getting late, but if the “Sun of my soul” was with them, it would never get dark.

SUN OF MY SOUL, THOU SAVIOR DEAR

Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear, it is not night if Thou be near; O may no earthborn cloud arise to hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes.

When the soft dews of kindly sleep my wearied eyelids gently steep, be my last thought, how sweet to rest forever on my Savior’s breast.

Abide with me from morn till eve, for without Thee I cannot live; abide with me when night is nigh, for without Thee I dare not die.

Come near and bless us when we wake, ere through the world our way we take; till, in the ocean of Thy love, we lose ourselves in heaven above.  (John Keble, 1792-1866)

Oh, what a message the Lord has for us this day.  The sun is shining, the skies are blue and we rejoice in another day to serve Him.  And the prayer is that nothing in this world, no trial, no sorrow or tears will hide our Blessed Lord from our eyes.  No matter what comes our way, may we always keep our eyes on Jesus.  And it is hard sometimes as we feel we just can’t go on, but He is our “Savior Dear.”

And my our last thoughts at night before we close our eyes in sleep is the promise that someday we will be able to rest forever on our Savior’s breast.  I know of several  people right now who are ready to take that final rest with Jesus.

And I praise Him that He never leaves me, and that I don’t know how I could live without Him.  And if you don’t know Jesus, don’t live another day without Him.  We don’t know what the night will hold, or the next day or even the next hour.  You dare not die without Him!  As I have said before, “Life has many choices, but eternity has only two choices.”  When you close your eyes in sleep tonight, search your heart and ask yourself if you are ready to meet Jesus.

So as we walk through our days in this world of ours, we long to lose ourselves in His love.  His love is like an ocean, rolling and rolling over us, guiding and protecting us until that day when we walk into eternity with Jesus forever!  He is indeed, “Jesus, My Savior Dear.”

In His Precious Name,

Pastor Sharon

REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM

REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM

 

Easter season is now past for another year.  I see the discount bunnies and eggs in the store aisles.  We have put away the Easter baskets and decorations.  But I think many people also put away the cross of Christ in their hearts.  Oh, they heard a good sermon last Sunday and the music was inspiring, but have they thought of the cross this week?  It is because of the cross that we have our salvation, our sins forgiven, and life forever with Jesus.

 

And Jesus, by the precious Holy Spirit continues today to reach out and touch our lives.  He is waiting for us to just reach out by faith and touch Him.  I know of so many who need a touch of the Master.  My heart breaks for those who are facing tough situations and there is seems to be no answer to their problems and their suffering.  Oh, my friends, even though the way is rough, the winds are tossing your ship, Jesus is passing by, and He is never too busy to hear your cries.  He controls this great universe, but He still loves and reaches out to each and every one of us.

 

I remember this chorus when I was a child at summer camp, but I didn’t know it had all these wonderful verses.  Some of you may remember this hymn also and have fond memories as I have of those experiences around a campfire or in your home church as we worshiped our Lord.

 

REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE LORD

 

If your heart is sad and lonely, there’s no joy anywhere.

If there’s no one left to comfort, and there’s no one left to care.

Just cast your cares on Jesus and upon His arms rely,

And reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.

 

CHORUS:

Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.

You will find He’s not too busy to hear your heart’s cry.

He’s passing by this moment, your needs He’ll supply.

Just reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.

 

Though a stranger to the Master and His wonderful grace,

If you’ve never had the pleasure of beholding His face.

Would you lay aside earth’s treasures for a home in the sky,

Then, reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.

 

All along a dusty roadside, on His way to raise the dead,

Mighty was the crowd that followed, hungry for that Living Bread.

“I must touch Him”, cried a woman, “I must touch Him or I’ll die.”

So, she reached and touched His garment as He passed by.

 

Words and Music by Bill Harmon

 

There are many sad and lonely people out there who have lost their joy.  Maybe elderly, friends and family are all gone.  Or perhaps you have lost a dear loved one, and you feel like there is no one else left in this world to comfort you.  Jesus is passing by, just reach out and touch Him, His arms are extended waiting to enfold you in His arms.

 

And if you don’t know Jesus as your own personal Savior, and you have never know the wonderful love that only He can bring.  By faith, behold His face as He passes by.  Just reach out and claim Him as your Lord and Savior right now.  He is there to forgive your sins, and bring new peace and joy.  All the treasures in this earth do not compare to eternity and life everlasting with Jesus.

 

“Now a woman, having  a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment.  And immediately her flow of blood stopped” Luke 8:43-44.

 

Here is the scene:  Jesus is in the middle of a massive throng of people, and He is headed toward the home of Jairus, who is the Synagogue Ruler, who only daughter, twelve years old, has died.  And in that crowd is a lady, who has suffered much with this condition for twelve years, and has lost hope, but Jesus is passing by!  In the culture of that time, she would have been an outcast of society.  But there in the crowd is her only hope, Jesus!  And she thinks if she could only reach out and touch the tassels on His garment she would be healed.  Maybe she had stood at a distance and saw Him heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind and the wonderful miracles that He did.  And in faith, she touched Him and was instantly healed!  And we notice in verse 43 that she is called “a woman.”  But in verse 48, Jesus calls her “daughter.”  She goes from hopelessness to salvation and healing.

 

So where are you this evening on your journey?  Are you sad and lonely?  Are you wondering where the next paycheck is coming from?  Have you lost a precious loved one?  Are you facing medical tests that have you in much fear of the outcome?  Jesus is passing by, reaching out to you right there wherever you are.  And He is not too busy.  He sees your tears, feels your frustration and your hopelessness.

 

Precious Lord, there are so many out there right now who feel they are in hopeless situations, maybe financially, physically, or spiritually or some other needs.  Let them catch a glimpse of You as You pass by.  You are waiting to gather them into Your arms, to bring healing and hope and salvation and eternal life with You.  Thank You, Jesus, for the many who will reach out just now and be healed in Jesus’ Name.

 

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

REMEMBER ME!

REMEMBER ME!

 

As I sit here at my computer this evening, I look out at the sky, grey with clouds and rain showers, I am thinking of my Lord as He came to this night in which we call “Maundy Thursday.”  It is the night in which we remember the Last Supper as He shared the Passover feast with His disciples gathered there in the upper room.

 

It was a time when Jesus knew that His time had come.  He was facing the agony in Gethsemane, betrayal and arrest in the Garden.  But He had many things to share with His followers gathered around Him there.  My heart is heavy also as I think of the sacrifice that He was going to make in the hours ahead for you and for me.

 

I pray that in the next few days you will put aside, even to have some private time with your Lord, the bunnies, the egg hunts and all those lovey things that come with the season and feast your eyes on the cross.  Remember His suffering this night, the agony of “Good Friday.” And remember that “Sunday is coming, the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior!

 

I found the words to this song in an old song book that belonged to my daughter, and I remember her singing this as we were served communion.  It even has some of her notes written in it.  The book is simply called “Communion,” and is a compilation of many of our favorite choruses.  It was compiled in 1978, and this song was written by Barry McGuire. 

 

I want you to think of Jesus as He sat there with His disciples, offering the bread and the cup as they celebrated the Passover meal with the four cups of wine, and the lamb and the bitter herbs and the other elements of the Passover.  And remember as Jesus celebrated His last Passover with His disciples, that He was the Passover Lamb and would take away the sins of the world on the cross in the coming hours.  And that Lamb would be sacrificed at the same time that the evening sacrifice would be performed in the temple.  This song is called “Communion Song.”      

 

As you read the words to this song picture our Lord as He passed out the bread and the cup to those around Him, and then close your eyes if you wish and hear your Savior reminding you of the bread which was broken for you and the cup of the New Covenant that He was making for you by the shedding of His blood on Calvary.  The veil would be rent in the temple, and no longer would a lamb be required for sacrifice, as the sacrifice would have been made once and for all at Calvary.  This is the New Covenant in His blood, Praise the Lord!  Listen to your Lord as He talks to you in this lovely song.

 

COMMUNION SONG

 

“Take this bread I give to you, and as you do, remember me.  This bread is my body, broken just for you.  Take it (take it) eat it (eat it) each time you do, remember me, remember me, remember me, remember me.

 

Take this cup I fill for you, and as you do, remember me.  This cup is the New Covenant I’m makin’ with you.  Take it, (take it) drink it (drink it) each time you do, remember me, remember me, remember me, remember me.

 

 Take this love I’ve given you, and as you do, remember me, remember me, remember me, remember me.”

 

He calls us to “remember Him when we take communion and share the cup and bread together around His table.  He calls us to remember His sacrifice, and not just at our time of communion at our church, but every day, remember how much He loved us, loved us to go to the cross and suffer agony that we will have our sins forgiven and eternal life with Him.

 

“For I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat: this is My body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, it remembrance of Me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” I Corinthians `11:23-26.

 

And He calls us to take the cup and the bread and remember Him “till He comes.”  And we are looking for that day when He comes back.  We long for His appearing.  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b).

 

And there is one final promise from our Lord on that night, and I love to hear these words:

 

“But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” Matthew 26:29.

 

Someday, my friends, we will all sit down together with our Lord in His kingdom, with all the saints from all ages and angels attending, and we will share the cup together.  What a day that will be!  I can hardly wait, how about you?  Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!  And remember, you may feel like it is “Friday” in your life right now, but “Sunday is coming!

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

SOMEDAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND

SOMEDAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND

 

As I sit here today, the wind is blowing and the skies are grey.  And I am reminded that it is like that it our own lives.  The wind blows through our lives and our skies turn to grey, but I am so thankful that I belong to the Lord Jesus and He is the “Sonshine” in my life even on dreary days.  And by faith, I can lean on Him, and knowing that He holds me by my right hand and lifts me up in the “Everlasting Arms.”

 

There are so many right now on “my list” that are suffering and discouraged.  And they wonder why they have to go through these things day after day.  Some people are considered terminal and unless Jesus heals, they will soon go home to glory.

 

And right now we read in the news headlines about grieving families asking “why?” We hear of great disasters with great loss of life and our hearts go out to the mothers, fathers, children and other family members.  But someday, for those who know Jesus, all those questions and the “Whys” will be answered and we will know and understand, when we see our Lord face to face.

 

This is an old gospel song that some of you may remember.  And some of you may be asking these questions right now: “How could a loving God allow such a horrible thing to happen? Why do good people suffer and bad people prosper, why me, God, why me?”        Here is the story of how “Farther Long” was written:

 

“Late in the nineteenth century, W.B. Stevens, a preacher in the little crossroads village of Queen City, Missouri, was struggling.  His young son had died suddenly, and he was devastated. He had counseled many people who had lost loved ones.  He had given them the right Bible verses, and he had prayed with them and comforted them, but this sorrow struck home.

 

He wondered if he could keep preaching; recently his sermons seemed hollow.  How could a loving God allow such a horrible thing to happen? Why me, God, why me?

 

Stevens wrote down his thoughts in a poem.  He had no easy answers-only the assurance that “we’ll understand it all by and by.” Little did he know that his simple poem expressing a fathers’ heartache would become one of the best-known gospel songs to comfort others with heavy hearts.”  (William Peterson, HYMNS)

 

FARTHER ALONG

 

Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long

While there are others living about us

Never molested though in the wrong.

 

[CHORUS]

Farther along we’ll know all about it,

Farther along we’ll understand why.

Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

 

When death has come and taken our loved ones

It leaves our home so lonely and drear.

And do we wonder why others prosper

Living so wicked year after year.

 

[Repeat Chorus]

 

When we see Jesus coming in glory,

When He comes down from His home in the sky.

Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

 

W.B. Stevens

 

My dear friends, let me encourage you today, all is not lost.  We have the “God of all comfort” along side of us (II Corinthians 1:3).  I, too, have days of discouragement and have had days of pain, and sometimes feel like I just can’t go on, but I have a hope and look to the joy ahead and my eternity with Jesus my Lord. I too have lost a precious loved one not quite two years ago, and I still have those moments when a memory will surface with a song she loved or a treasure that was hers, or a glance at her picture.  In those times I so long to be able to share my heart with her.  So I know that many of you out there experience those moments too. Let me share with you God’s Word to bring you comfort in these times.

 

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.  We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.  Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” II Corinthians 4:6-8.

 

And, oh picture the day when we see Jesus coming in the clouds of glory, coming down from His home in the sky to gather His children home.  What a meeting that will be there in the sky!  And we will then understand it all by and by.  As one song says, “Just One Glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

PRECIOUS SHEPHERD, WE NEED YOU!

PRECIOUS SHEPERD, WE NEED YOU!

 

As we traveled recently up north I noticed the many flocks of sheep along the way.  And the pastures were so green, and sometimes there were still waters nearby.  And there were the new little lambs with their mothers.  It was such a picture of the twenty-third Psalm.  There were the vivid green pastures. Some sheep were lying down and some were drinking beside those still waters.  What a picture?  And I ask the Lord as to what message He would give me, as there were so many different themes there out in those pastures. 

 

I always think of the “Lamb of God,” the perfect Lamb.  And I think of our Shepherd, the “Great Shepherd of the Sheep”( Hebrews 13:20),  who leads us and guides us along in our life journey. And we need Him so much.  We go through so many trials, and where could we go if we did not have Him to lead us and guide us. 

 

I think of that often, as I hear of people going through great times of suffering and pain. My mind cannot fathom the pain that some go through.  In my own family loved ones continue to go through a great struggle and it seems to never end, but oh what peace He brings! I am writing from my heart this evening, as my heart is heavy knowing that many of you are also going through great times of suffering.  On the other side is the joy knowing that another dear one’s suffering is finally over, no more tears or pain and is home with His Lord.

 

I love the old hymn stories, and as I was thinking of our Precious Shepherd, this song came to me, Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, and we need Him so much.  As you look at the words, realize that it is a prayer for Him to come afresh into our lives.  But first let me share with you the story behind this hymn, an amazing story of God’s tender care.

 

“Of all the names and titles given to Jesus, perhaps most beloved is Shepherd, a title Jesus gave Himself in John 10. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and even gives His life for His sheep.  Scripture also says that He knows His sheep by name.

 

On Christmas Eve 1875, Ira Sankey, the gospel singer who accompanied evangelist Dwight L. Moody, was traveling with friends by steamboat up the Delaware River.  He was asked to sing for the other passengers, but instead of singing a Christmas carol, he felt he should sing, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” 

 

Afterward, another passenger asked him if he had been doing picket duty on a particular night at a particular place during the Civil War.  Sankey agreed that he was.  The other passenger said, “I, too, was on duty that night; I was serving in the Confederate Army, and I saw you and raised my musket to take aim.  And then you began to sing.  It was the same hymn you sang tonight.  I remembered my mother singing that hymn to me, and I could not shoot you.”

 

On board the steamboat , Sankey put his arm around the man and introduced him to the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep.”  (“Hymns” by William J. Petersen)

 

SAVIOUR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US

 

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; in Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

 

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray.

 

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee.

 

Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will; Blessed Lord and only Saviour, with Thy love our bosoms fill: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.” (William H. Bradbury, 1816-1868)

 

The words of this song are indeed a prayer from the heart to our Blessed Jesus, our Precious Shepherd.  I see so many wondering sheep, lost in their way, lost in their pain and sorrow.  We all need His tender care.  He bought us at Calvary with His precious blood, we who have excepted the cross and His sacrifice, asked Him to forgive our sins, belong to Him for all eternity.  Praise the Lord!

 

We ask Him to guard our pathway, as we go through life with Him.  And we ask Him to draw us back into His fold when we stray, and to hear us when we fall on our knees in prayer, asking Him to restore us to the fold.

 

He has promised to receive us, even though we were lost sinners.  Oh, the wonderful grace and mercy that He bestows upon His children!  And that promise extends to eternity when He will receive us home forever with Him.  Oh, the joy of that day when we meet our Shepherd face to face!

 

And He calls us to seek Him, to spend time in prayer, asking Him to guard our way, and then He fills our lives with His love.  Oh, what joy to seek Him early in the day.  But no matter when or where you seek Him, He is there with all His love for you, my friend.

 

“So, Precious Shepherd, we need you!  We ask that You guard the way of those who are reading this right now.  Let them know that You are near and have loved them from the beginning and loved them enough to go to the cross for them. May they feel your presence right now, in Jesus’ Name!”

 

Pastor Sharon

 

YOU ARE SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY!

YOU ARE SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY!

As I sit here at my computer this windy and rainy evening my mind goes back through the years and I wonder where have they gone? I think of the milestones of my life, as I have just passed the anniversary of when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, 60+years.

But in all those passing years, One person has been at the center of my life.  And I can’t thank Him enough.  Oh, how I love the Lord Jesus Christ and how He has met me through the good and bad times of my life.  He has always been there even when I drifted away at times, being too busy,  He always drew me back into His arms of love.

He has been there in the shadows and the sunshine.  He has been there in the tears and in the joys of my life.  He has been there when I felt like I could not go one step further, and He was there in the next step I took.  He is my Shepherd, my God and the love of my heart forever.  When it seems like my trial goes on forever and the pain never ceases, He is there and grows sweeter and sweeter.  He grows sweeter as I age and many years are behind me and heaven is even closer now, and someday I will see His face.  Right now I just sense His presence and He comes to me in the night and He comes in sweet moments during the day.  And He is sweeter as the years go by, and they seem to go by quicker now as I am older.  But, oh, the joy of His presence and His smile!

SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

Of  Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin; of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again; of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea, and higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

REFRAIN:  Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by, richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by.

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago; the people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know; He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see; and still His great heart yearneth in love for even me. (Refrain)

T’was wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss, to bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross; with saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise, till Heav’n and earth re-echo our Redeemer’s praise (Refrain).  (Lelia N.Morris)

This precious lady, Lelia N. Morris, wrote this wonderful hymn in 1912.  She was active in the Methodist church, camp meetings, and song writing.  She wrote more than 1,000 Gospel songs.  When her eyes began to fail in 1913, her son built a 28 foot blackboard with oversized staff lines, so she could continue composing.

In her busy life of serving Jesus and later even becoming blind, she found her Savior even sweeter as the years went by.  What a testimony of faith!

Can you fathom the love of Jesus reaching out to us as lost sheep, as we were lost in sin and with His mercy and grace He draws into the fold.  And when we wonder from Him, He gently draws us back into His arms and oh the sweet love of My Shepherd as He tenderly folds His lambs into His bosom.

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.  For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever: Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens” Psalm 89:1.

We read in the Gospels as He walked this earth, healing the sick, opening blind eyes, breaking bread to feed the hungry and His deep compassion to the multitudes that thronged around Him.  And today, He lives within our hearts, healing our hurts our sickness, walking with us through the storms of our lives, healing our blindness, and forgiving our sins, and giving us just a glimpse of eternity with Him.  He opens our hearts as we read His Word and truly as we study and pray, His Word becomes sweeter and sweeter, as the Word says it becomes honey to our taste. “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

And this wonderful love, His sweet love, took Him to the cross to bear my sins and yours, and someday, because of that great love, we will sing with the saints in glory, and shout our victory songs, as we behold our Precious Savior and all we have gone through down here will be worth it all.  And we will truly be able to say, He was sweeter as the years went by, and now in eternity, He will grow even sweeter as we abide with Him forever!

In Jesus’ Precious Name,

Pastor Sharon