Sweet Jazzy Cat will focus elsewhere for a brief time

Notice!

I will be taking a brief break from posting here in order to concentrate the new team blog that Mark Pierson (AKA Bluecollar) and I have started. It is titled TRUE FREE GRACE and the link is directly to the right on the sidebar. Click on the True Free Grace logo and you will be there. Please check out on the right sidebar for links to the many resources from past postings here at Jazzycat.

To quote an ole General, "I shall return" if the LORD is willing!

Proverbs 4:26

Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

There is great wisdom in this brief proverb. To be successful in life and in Christian growth and sanctification it is important to focus on things upcoming. Looking forward with a gaze of discernment and concentration is needed to avoid dangers and traps that are inevitable for life in a fallen world controlled by the prince of darkness. Christians should look straight ahead to avoid physical harm and pitfalls, and they should also look directly to Christ for strength, courage, purpose, knowledge, and wisdom to have a spiritually strong foundation.

The temptations come fast and often in a world dominated by sin and worldly pursuits of the flesh. Christians that avoid turning to the left or right and remain on the Biblically tried and true straight course will reap rewards and contentment in this life as well as have the inner peace of knowing that it is well with their souls. The photo above shows a little boy in the 1940s, just beginning his life and pulling his wagon with his gaze focused straight ahead. There will be many opportunities in his life to veer off the straight way and end up on a wrong path with only sin and misery to reap. These consequences of sinful decisions can sometimes last a lifetime.

However, by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ this little boy can be led in the paths of righteousness and reap all the benefits that are a part of being a son of God. Indwelt by the Spirit of God, Christians are led by the Spirit and more and more conformed to the image of Christ. Brethren, we should keep our eyes pointed straight ahead and our hearts in tune with God’s sanctifying grace. Praise God that we will reap eternal life through faith in Jesus with our gaze fixed and locked directly on Him.

New Group Blog

True Free Grace

The new True Free Grace Blog will highlight some aspects of the Reformed Doctrine that are being misrepresented. The doctrines of Grace will be discussed as well as the emphasis for evangelism and witnessing that is a part of the Reformed Faith that is also called Calvinism. It is our hope to provide many resources for research and study as well in our links sidebar.

Proverbs 4:14

Proverbs 4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.

The paths of the wicked often cross our daily lives as we go about our normal activities. Although these paths are sometimes hard to discern, Christians should be able to recognize and avoid them through a thorough understanding of the Law of Christ. In the photo above, the path of the wicked is easy to discern as people must make a conscience effort to walk this path. The consequences of walking this path are well known, and the results are not in doubt. The wicked who run these gambling boats do not conceal the fact that the mathematical advantage will always make them very successful. They are open 24 hours a day every day of the year. They provide entertainment, free drinks, and they will put you up in a hotel and even send a limo to pick you up if you participate enough. This proverb exhorts Christians to refrain from these paths and to avoid the way of evil.

How can Christians successfully refrain from evil and avoid wicked paths? Attempting to do it by relying on the flesh and self, through law keeping, is a recipe for failure. Instead, Christians should understand that they are no longer under law but are under grace. Through God’s grace and reliance on the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are to serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the law. With a focus on prayer and the leading of the Spirit, Christians are empowered to have victory over sin. Although we may stumble and struggle with sin, a heart that is in tune with God’s grace and Spirit will prevail and not succumb to following in the path of the wicked.

We are not only saved but also sanctified by grace through faith. Praise God that Christians are conformed more and more to the image of Christ by his grace and indwelling Spirit.

Proverbs 3:25-26

Proverbs 3:25-26 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Even with plenty of people around, it certainly gives a person pause upon suddenly seeing this character in the stairway opening of a solid wall. The first visual image was viewed out of the corner of my eye as I passed the corner of the walkway and the staircase. Then upon turning my head, I saw this person standing stationary as if he were setting an ambush. I suspect, at night and alone, this sight would have caused a maximum adrenalin surge. However, we are reminded in this proverb to not be afraid when sudden terror comes because of our trust in God. He is our confidence and we know that nothing can harm us apart from His providence. While this does not mean that sudden calamity will never harm us, it does mean that all things are under God’s control and work for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. For Christians, even death is but a portal to eternal life and serene peace with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the character in the photo above were really dangerous and meant harm, we have nothing to fear since there is nothing he could do to affect our eternal life.

This proverb also has the promise of keeping and preserving us from the ruin of falling into the schemes and pitfalls of sinful pursuits. Those who are led by the Spirit of God have the power to resist and avoid these temptations. Praise God that we can have confidence and trust in the Lord to protect us from being ensnared by evil activities as well as being eternally secure from any harm that evildoers may do.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

When a sinner is saved and justified by God’s grace, he is adopted into the family of God. He becomes a son of God and is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). God’s love is set upon him and He will express this love through discipline and reproof (Hebrews 12:6). This is similar to the discipline that an earthly father will dispense to a son in whom he delights. This proverb exhorts God’s children to not despise His discipline or grow weary of His reproof. The Lord disciplines those he loves. While this will sometimes be unpleasant and possibly painful, the purpose of discipline is not punishment but rather training in righteousness. It could come in the form of a heightened conviction of sin along with regret and guilt or, in more extreme sin, it could come in the form of a restraining injury. Being exposed and embarrassed, as well as church discipline, could also be the result of such discipline. Whatever form it takes, it is meant to restrain and get the attention of God’s children before their sin grows into more severe and damaging consequences.

Therefore, believers should not despise or grow weary of this discipline and, in fact, should be thankful because God only disciplines those he loves. Those whom God does not love with the same enduring love of his adopted children, he gives up to pursue their lusts and impurities (Romans 1:24). These lusts of the flesh may provide pleasure for a season, but the wages of sin is death and the end result is not only spiritual ruin but also temporal ruin from the ravages of sin. Sin may be wrapped in pleasure, but it provides its own punishment. Many ruined lives languish in prison as a result of sin and unrighteousness.

Praise God that those who accept His discipline will also finish the race and gain the prize just like football players that accept the discipline required to be a successful winning team.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

In the photo above, my brother in Christ is enjoying the festivities at our church picnic. He is viewing the picnic through the lens of sunshades that protect his eyes from too much ultra-violet radiation. In one lens you can see a reflection of my wife and me taking the photo, and in the other lens you can see the catering trailer that cooked the catfish along with people standing and talking.

In a like manner, my brother in Christ also views the world through the lens of God’s revelation. In short, he has a Christian world-view to guide him as he journeys through his life. He does not lean on his own understanding but trusts in the wisdom of this world-view to aid him in navigating through the many temptations and dangers that are a part of living in a world that is dominated by the prince of the air. In this proverb, God promises that He will make straight paths for all who acknowledge Him by trusting in Biblical revelation. By God’s grace redeemed sinners are empowered through faith to find these straight paths and walk in them.

Praise God that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, He changes the hearts of those he redeems and enables them to willingly walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Christians can rejoice in knowing that the desires of Spirit will reap straight paths and life while the desires of the flesh will reap crooked paths that lead to death.

Happy Memorial Day

Let Us Remember...........
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who hasgiven us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.

Proverbs 1:10

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Many Christian ministries have cruises where their supporters can come together for fellowship and Bible study along with enjoying a scenic vacation. However, even in this setting the lure of sin is close at hand in the form of gambling as the photo above shows. With the advancements that our society has in transportation, recreation, and information technology, the availability and diversity of the enticements Christians receive from sinners pose an ever-present danger. Many of the desires of the flesh mentioned in Scripture are readily available in our culture and some can be gratified with a few clicks of a computer mouse. Sinful and unrighteous activities have increased and become more accepted in the last few decades and access has become much easier. Gambling, pornography, drugs, prostitution, perversions, homosexuality, promiscuity and gang activity have become widespread in America and the enticements start early in the lives of young people and even children. These enticements come regularly as young people are encouraged to conform to the ways of the world through advertising and peer pressure. It is not a matter of if children will be enticed but rather of when and how often.

However, this proverb gives the wise solution to this problem when it warns do not consent. Don’t participate in unrighteous and ungodly activities. Don’t experiment with behaviors and activities that can and do ruin lives. Sin is its own punishment. These very temptations that appear to offer pleasure and happiness often bring misery and destruction. To pay for a short season of pleasure with a lifetime of regret and misery is not a good trade. Therefore, heed this parable and do not consent to the enticements that can ruin your life. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 said: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Yes, we can't

Barack Obama said the following yesterday………

“We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,"

Hmmm, we must seek the approval of other countries and if they don’t say O.K., we will have to give up our SUVs, go hungry, and give government power over our thermostats. I believe Kerry called this lunacy meeting the global test. Evidently in these people’s eyes we should submit to a coercive global government and reduce our prosperity to the world average to be kind and fair. Can you imagine the world-view one must have to make such a statement. Actually I can. It sounds like a statement that would come directly from a sermon by Obama's pastor, Jermiah Wright.

No, Mr. Obama! The solution is to bring freedom and capitalism to the rest of the world so they can raise their prosperity. Destroying the American economic system is not the answer. The danger of believing the manipulated global warming hysteria is displayed here for all to see.

WAKE UP AMERICA…………
Let us not leave Sanitytown to follow these loons to Kooksville. Marxism does not work!

Green guilt my foot!

U.S. Today reported in a survey that the percentage of people suffering from "green guilt" has risen from 20% to 22% in the last year. It is incredible that so many people can be manipulated by activists and the agenda based media. Here it is May 17 and I have my heat on in the southern part of Mississippi. This has been the coolest spring I can remember since at least the seventies when they were warning of the coming ice age. Yet not only have 22% of the American people bought into this hogwash, they actually feel guilty about their carbon footprint. As a proud member of the 78% let me say that I have no guilt for my carbon footprint. When I see Al Gore and the other celebrities reduce their carbon footprint to my level, I will still not feel guilty for the global warming hysteria farce, but I will promise to moderate the total disdain and contempt that I now view these people. I have a suggestion for the 22% that feel guilty! Turn off you air conditioners and show us some action instead of wringing your hands and just talking the talk. Walk the walk. However, don’t expect me to be walking with you on your journey to Kooksville.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

2 Timothy 1:12 I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

The flag in the photo above was torn and tangled by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but the lighthouse is still standing guard in Biloxi, Mississippi. An image of this old lighthouse is shown on the latest Mississippi car tags as a symbol of endurance and trustworthiness. In a like manner the verse above and the hymn below point to the trustworthiness of our triune God. Paul, in the verse above, expresses full confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ and Christ’s power to guard what has been entrusted to him by divine revelation.

In the beautiful hymn below the author, Daniel Whittle, lists many things that he does not know about the workings of God’s amazing grace. He is puzzled as to why God made his wondrous grace known and how his saving faith was sealed in his heart. He doesn’t understand how his faith produced peace in his heart, or how the Spirit moves convicting us of sin. He admits that he does not know what good or ill awaits him in this temporary life, and that he doesn’t know when Christ will return. BUT, he does know whom he believed and is persuaded that He is able to deliver the promises of the gospel good news. Brethren, praise God that we can rest in the promises of God for our eternal future.

I Know Whom I Have Believed
Words by: Daniel W. Whittle

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

How Great Thou Art

Job 38:25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt,

God in chapter 38 of Job outlines His incredible awesome acts of creation. In the hymn below, some of these acts are also outlined. When these awesome acts are considered, a human being can only stand in wonder and amazement. How great thou art is a natural reaction to all that God has created and sustains. When you then meditate on the fact that God sent his son to planet earth to die on the cross of Calvary as an atonement for the sins of all who place their faith and trust in him, then adoration, praise, and worship are the proper responses to such a great salvation. If our sin debt is so great that Jesus must die in order for us to be reconciled to God, then what an insult it is to Him for anyone to assert that human self-effort or allegiance to false gods of human imagination will also be acceptable to God for our salvation.

Brethren do not be fooled by the spirit of the age into thinking that there is any other way to eternal life other than through grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Be secure in peace and comfort if you are resting in Christ alone to take you home on that great day when he returns, and we who are found in Him will be able to sing, “How Great Thou Art.”

How Great Thou Art
Words by: Carl Gustav Boberg

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

I Saw The Light

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Hank Williams, the great Country and Western singer of the 1940’s and 1950’s, wrote the spiritual song shown below. It has a beautiful melody and sound theological insight. The first stanza relates how human beings resist and reject Jesus with their own sinful rebellious will. Then just as Jesus tells us in John 3:3-8, the Spirit moves like a stranger in the night and sinners are changed in an instant and enabled to see the light. The sinners response of being born again by the Holy Spirit is to shout, “Praise the Lord, I saw the light”. The song goes on to show how the sinner is literally blind until Jesus gives him sight and the power to see spiritual light. Once a sinner sees this light he is enabled to walk in a new way with a new heart. He is indeed a new creation in Christ with new affections and desires.

The Barnyard Opry, shown in the above photo, entertains patrons free of charge twice a month and always bears witness to the spiritual light that is found in Jesus Christ. In this photo the moon has been enlarged about ten fold. While most may not have even noticed the moon on this night, they would certainly have noticed had it appeared as shown above. The same thing happens when the Holy Spirit shines spiritual light into the hearts of sinners. Brethren, Praise the Lord if you see this light.

I Saw The Light
Words by: Hank Williams

I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin;
I wouldn't ask my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I saw the light, I saw the light.
No more darkness; no more night.
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

Just like a blind man I wandered alone,
Worries and fears I claimed for my own.
Then like the blind man that Jesus gave back his sight;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I was a fool to wander astray,
For straight is the gate and narrow is the way.
Now I have traded the wrong for the right;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light!

I Love To Tell The Story

Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Do you love to tell the story? The bottom line of this story is given in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God is holy, loving, and just and, while He loves human beings, He is also just and must punish their sin. All men are sinners and cannot save themselves by their works or good deeds. They are helpless in and of themselves. However, God solved this problem by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and suffer the penalty for the sins of those who place their faith in Him. Through trusting in faith in His death and resurrection, sinners not only have their sins paid for by Christ, but they also have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. Salvation and eternal life is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This is the story of Biblical salvation and there is no other way by which men can be saved.

Praise God for this gospel story. Brethren, rejoice if you trust in this story by faith because you are rich and healthy spiritually even if you are on your deathbed without a penny to your name. What a wonderful story we have to tell!

I Love To Tell The Story
Words by: A. katherine Hankey

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

As the photo above shows, clocks are everywhere. Time creeps or flies by, depending on our circumstances. Human beings by nature are in a constant state of need. Oxygen, food, water, proper body temperature, and complicated bodily functions are needed constantly for human beings to survive physically. Since God provides all of these needs for our physical well-being, all human beings are in constant physical need of God’s provisions. In a like manner, Christians need God constantly for their spiritual well-being. The power that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit is a constant source of nourishment for the spiritual needs of Christians. For blessings, peace, instruction, inspiration, and for avoiding temptations the Lord is needed every hour. This hymn points out that the Lord is needed in all circumstances of joy or pain.

Praise God that He responds to these needs no matter our location or the time of day. He is there in our joy and He is there in our pain. He is even there when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Brethren, we need the Lord every hour and He will always be there for us. What comfort and peace is ours for the asking.

I Need Thee Every Hour
Words by: Annie S. Hawks

I need Thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; (23) they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

In the photo above we see an example of the abundance that we take for granted each and every day. However, we should always be aware that God is in control of all of the complicated factors that are involved in producing such a wide variety of food that we enjoy every day. The hymn below states a truth that we should be thankful for every minute of every day when it says, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.” God has provided everything that is needed for human and animal life in this world. He has not only provided for our needs, but he maintains the intricate workings of the natural order. The Bible says it well in James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Brethren, life is temporary and fragile on earth and death will come to everyone in due time. However, God’s faithfulness does not end at our death as God has provided all that we need for our spiritual salvation. Even though we all have sinned and offended his holiness and are subject to his justice, he has also provided for us to have eternal life through faith in his son, Jesus Christ, who has paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Praise God for such a great salvation! Great is thy faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Words by: Thomas O. Chisholm

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endurethThine own dear
presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Breathe On Me

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us in John 3 that sinners must be born of the Spirit to be saved and likens it to the wind blowing where it wishes. He further states that you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. In a like manner, the early morning mist in the photo above appears and disappears without anyone knowing it is coming or going.

In the hymn below, the prayer is for the power of God, the Holy Spirit, to intervene and make positive Godly changes in the human heart. It is an acknowledgement that salvation proceeds from God’s grace and is applied by the Holy Spirit. Brethren, let us be ever mindful that our salvation does not begin with human power and it is not completed with human power. Let us, with prayer and humble reliance, ask for all of things that are requested in this great hymn. As Christians, we have an infinite source of power at our disposal. The power of the Holy Spirit surpasses all understanding. Praise God that if we ask the Holy Spirit will breathe on us. No matter what our hardship or heartache may be, comfort is but a prayer away.

Breathe On Me
Words by: Edwin Hatch

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Until my heart is clean;
Let sunshine fill its inmost part,
With not a cloud between.

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
My stubborn will subdue;
Teach me in words of living flame
What Christ would have me do.

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Fill me with power divine;
Kindle a flame of love and zeal
Within this heart of mine

Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
Till I am all thine own;
Until my will is lost in Thine,
To live for thee alone.

Refrain…..
Breathe on me, breathe on me,
Holy Spirit, breathe on me;
Take Thou my heart, clean every part,
Holy Spirit, breathe on me.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The chapel in the photo above is not only peaceful and beautiful inside, but is located in a wooded area next to a serene pond. Such a setting inspires a person to come before the throne of grace in thanksgiving, praise, and supplication. However, there are many places that believers can designate to come to the Lord and have a sweet hour of prayer. It is the fellowship and communication with God that is central in prayer time and not the location. There is much peace, comfort and doctrinal truth to be found in the words of the beautiful hymn below. The author says the following: “And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!” In these four short lines the author gives us all we need to know for our Christian walk. Seek, believe, trust, cast, and wait. Brethren, when we do all of these things, how can our hour of prayer be anything other than sweet?

Praise God that we can come to Him anywhere and in all seasons and have a sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Words by: William Walford

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

The photo above shows a golden hand pointing to the heavens as it sits atop a church steeple. This testimony to the glory of God, His mercy, and his love is located in the little town of Port Gibson, Mississippi. This steeple focuses attention on God rather than a building of brick and stone. God is glorified, as thanksgiving and praise are the messages that this hand pointing to the heavens sends. The hymn below also proclaims God’s praise and points to His love, honor, holiness, greatness, redemption, atonement, salvation, power, glory, and victory. The hymn ends by crowning Him Prophet, Priest, and King.

Brethren, praise God as you meditate on the wonderful words of this hymn and consider the wonderful salvation that is the present possession of all who are in Jesus Christ by faith. With such a savior, praise and thanksgiving should overflow in our hearts even when serious temporal concerns have intruded into our lives. The victory is won and we have nothing to dread or fear. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Praise Him, Praise Him
Words by: Fanny Crosby

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.