BLACK FRIDAY? BUT THE LIGHT HAS COME!

BLACK FRIDAY?  BUT

THE LIGHT HAS COME!

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

AT THE CROSS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

STAND UP! STAND UP!

STAND UP! STAND UP!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

COME! WE NEED YOU!

COME! WE NEED YOU!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, WE NEED YOU!

 

Come, Holy Spirit, we need you,

Come, sweet Spirit, I pray.

Come in your strength and your power.

Come in your own gentle way.

 

Come as a rest to the weary,

Come as a balm to the sore.

Come, Lord, as strength to our weakness,

Fill us with joy evermore.

 

Come like a spring in the desert,

Come to the withered of soul.

Lord, let your sweet healing power,

 Touch us and make us whole.

 

Come, Holy Spirit, we need you,

Come, sweet Spirit, I pray.

Come in your strength and your power.

Come in your own gentle way.

 

                                Come in your own gentle way.  (Author Unknown

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!

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

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

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

Blessings, in Jesus' Name,

Pastor Sharon

WHOM I HAVE IN HEAVEN BUT THEE!

WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN

BUT THEE!

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

Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:

Thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Thou shalt guide me with Thy

Counsel, and afterward receive me to

Glory.

Whom have I in heaven but

Thee? And there is none upon earth

That I desire beside Thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:

But God is the strength of my heart,

And my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

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

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

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

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

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

UNTIL THEN

My heart can sing when I pause to remember,

A heartache here is but a stepping stone

Along a trail that’s winding always upwards,

This troubled world is not my final home.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I’ll carry on,

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home.

The things of earth will dim and lose their value

If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile;

And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,

Remembered there will only bring a smile.

This weary world with all its toil and struggle

May take its toll of misery and strife;

The soul of man is like a waiting falcon,

When its released it’s destined for the skies.

Stuart Hamblin (1908-1989)

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

THE LOVELY NAME OF JESUS

THE LOVELY NAME OF JESUS

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

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

Wherefore God also hath highly

Exalted Him, and given Him a name

Which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every

Knee should bow, of things in heaven,

And things in earth, and things under

The earth; and that every tongue

Should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

To the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

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

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear?

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;

‘Tis Manna to the hungry soul,

And to the weary, rest.

Dear name! The rock on which I build,

My Shield and Hiding-place;

My never-failing Treas’ry filled

With boundless stores of grace.

By thee my prayers acceptance gain

Although with sin defiled,

Satan accuses me in vain,

And I am owned a child.

Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,

My Prophet, Priest, and King;

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

Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,

And cold my warmest thought;

\but when I see Thee as Thou art,

I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till Then I would Thy love proclaim

With every fleeting breath;

And my the music of Thy name

Refresh my soul in death.

John Newton

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HERE ARE SOME PROMISES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR FAITH:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“For unto us a child is born, unto

Us a Son is given: and the government

Shall be upon His shoulder: and His

Name shall be called Wonderful,

Counselor, the mighty God, the

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT A LOVELY NAME

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

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

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

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

In His Lovely Name,

Pastor Sharon

A GREAT REUNION IS COMING

A GREATER

REUNION IS COMING!

The summer is winding down it seems. We are already in the middle of August and fall will be upon us soon. I am sitting here reflecting on the last two months. There have been moments of great joy and moments of despair and uncertainty. But I have learned that in the midst of all that has been going on in my life, God is still control. He calms my fears and comforts me in the midst of this latest cancer struggle and chemotherapy and gave me strength to go on in this very special summer. I was even able to preach one Sunday, and again, in His strength and anointing.

This summer was a summer of reunions. Some of these dear ones we will never have the opportunity to see again this side of heaven. And, Oh, the memories of family dear and the laughter and the tears, and all those hard miles of traveling through some of the most beautiful mountains of God’s creation.

My first reunion was in early June, a calm quiet Tuesday morning when we had a knock on my door, and there were my two sisters, who I hadn’t seen in a couple of years and who live many miles away, such a surprise! And oh the joy of that reunion and the tears and laughter!

And then later on at the end of June we journeyed on to Montana and another reunion with my dear friends, Shirley and Bob.  We have been friends for many years, and through many trials together, another reunion of joy, tears and laughter. And my dear friend, Shirley, was such a comfort to me, to feel her strength personally.

Then we journeyed on to South Dakota to meet with my husband’s family, a very large family. There were eleven of the fourteen children gathered there in the campground, and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

During that reunion time we all took a journey to a retirement home where lives the school teacher who taught twelve of the children in a one room school house, and that was quite a reunion and the memories involved.

Then to complete the joy of these summer reunions was a visit from my daughter and three grandchildren who live on the east coast. And what a time we had together visiting God’s beautiful Oregon, and sharing together over meals and laughter. And what a special time  it was to be able to share and visit with another one of my beautiful daughters.  But parting is so hard, saying goodbye in Montana, watching cars drive away in South Dakota and seeing my family depart at the airport.

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

Someday soon we will meet our Lord in the air for that glorious reunion up there in the clouds and with all those dear saints gathered with us, and what a day that will be! Some of us will go on ahead before then, but we will all meet together with our Precious Lord! Praise His holy name! Here’s an old, old hymn that some of you may remember:

GLAD REUNION DAY

“There will be a happy meeting in heaven I know, when we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below; gather on the blessed hilltops with hearts all aglow, that will be a glad reunion day.

CHORUS: Glad (That will be a happy day), yes, a wonderful day, Glad (that will be a happy day) day, yes, a glorious day, there with all the hold angels and loved ones to stay, that will be a glad reunion day.

There within the holy city we’ll sing and rejoice, praising Christ the blessed Savior with heart and with voice; telling Him how we came to love Him and made Him our choice, that will be a glad reunion day.

When we live a million years in that wonderful place, basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face, it will seem but just a moment of praising His grace, that will be a glad reunion day. (Iris Dement).

Blessings in Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon