COME THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS!

Devotional

Charles Wesley was a prolific hymnwriter who wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime (1707-1788). His works include “And Can It Be”, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”, the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, and “Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending”.

Jason E. Vickers states that Charles Wesley’s ‘conversion experience’ in 1738 had a clear impact on his doctrine, especially doctrine concerning the power of the Holy Spirit. The change was most prominent in his hymns written after the same year.

From his published work Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity and in Hymn number 62 he writes, “The Holy Ghost in part we know, For with us He resides, Our whole of good to Him we owe, Whom by His grace he guides, He doth our virtuous thoughts inspire, The evil he averts, And every seed of good desire, He planted in our hearts.”

In this hymn, Charles communicates several doctrines: the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the depravity of mankind, and humanity’s personal accountability to God.

We hope you enjoy today’s featured hymn from Charles Wesley entitled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, written in 1744.

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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

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You can view a GloryScapes video of this hymn by going to https://gloryscapes.com/comethoulongexpectedjesus/

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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CAROL OF THE BELLS!

Devotional

Today’s video, “Carol of the Bells,” is a fun video to say, “Merry Christmas!” in a special way to all of you. It features the Bandstand Bears and cold winter snow video shots along with this amazing musical rendition by Jerry Nelson.

“Carol of the Bells” is a popular Christmas carol, with music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant “Shchedryk”.

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CAROL OF THE BELLS

Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away

Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold.

Ding dong ding dong
that is their song
with joyful ring
all caroling.

One seems to hear
words of good cheer
from everywhere
filling the air.

Oh how they pound,
raising the sound,
o’er hill and dale,
telling their tale.

Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.
On on they send,
on without end,
their joyful tone
to every home.
Ding dong ding… dong!

Enjoy this week’s inspirational video, “Carol of the Bells” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/carolofthebells/

Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

JUST GO FOR IT!

Luke 1:13 – Devotional

Luke 1:13

“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John.”

In today’s Scripture, four hundred years of silence was broken and now an obscure priest from the hill country of Judea was the recipient of a Divine revelation. It was made by none other than the archangel Gabriel.

He announced that this old couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were going to have a son and his name was to be John. Gabriel bridged that gap from the Old Testament book of Malachi and told Zacharias that this special son would be given the spirit of Elijah. He would lead a dramatic revival of spirituality, but even a greater purpose would be to announce the arrival of the promised Messiah,.

As a boy I never imagined that God could use me. I was always out of step with the others. I believed them when they said I was a remedial student. To me that meant that I was a dummy and fit for only a menial occupation. In high school I was finally confronted with the reality that I could use this brain of mine.

I am convinced that the Lord has a purpose for each of us. You may feel that you lack the requirements to be used of God, but that is none of your business. It is God’s business and all you and I have to do is follow Him. Go for it!!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Proverbs 16:1-3

“The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

Please click on the “Play” arrow in the above box to hear Pastor Cecil read today’s Evotional.

Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil