SWEET BY AND BY!”

by | Aug 2, 2013 | Matthew

Matthew 6:27

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.“

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True Christian character is certainly seen in our biblical heroes, but it may often be seen in those of more recent times. Hope is a character quality that looks beyond our immediate circumstances and shows what we as believers have waiting for us.

In the Sweet By and By is one of the most enduring songs written after the Civil War. It was composed by Sanford Bennett who was the owner of a drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He had just returned from the war. A friend, Joseph Webster, a gifted musician trained formally in composition, came to the store each day to talk and play chess. Often Webster would be depressed and down.

When asked what was wrong, Webster would often reply; It will be alright by and by. That idea hit Bennett like a flash of sunlight! As Bennett later described the incident, he took out a pen and it was all over in thirty minutes. A new hymn was born. In short order he was singing the words along with Webster and two other friends. That hymn was perfect for the post-Civil War era because it conveyed pathos with a mixture of comforting warmth. It came to typify the virtues of spiritual hope.

Sweet By And By

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore,
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise,
For the glorious gift of His love,
And the blessings that hallow our days.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

To access Sweet By And By, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweetbyandby/ in your browser or click on the image below.

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Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

—Pastor Cecil

STAY ON THE PATH!

by | Aug 1, 2013 | Isaiah

Isaiah 30:20-21

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

While I was in the US Air Force, stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, I attended Central Missouri State to receive a Master’s Degree in Sociology. In addition to writing a thesis, I had to appear before all of the professors in the department for an oral examination.

I was apprehensive about what questions they may ask and how I would respond. If I failed the orals, I would have to repeat much of the work I had completed. Many of the professors in the department had areas of specialization and would be grilling me in these areas.

My major professor had spent many hours with me during my preparation. He coached me on some of the questions that may be asked and told me to follow his questions carefully during the oral examination. I did and was able to pass and receive my degree.

God has given us His precious promises to lead and guide us through all of the pitfalls that line the pathway of life. We can ignore His directions and find ourselves hopelessly lost, or we can choose to listen and stay on the path. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

—Pastor Cecil