Hide Thou Me

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

God has a secret place for us. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life. It was there David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.

It’s a place that affords us quiet, peace and the profound presence of God. Those who have learned to abide in Him have been to that place and know the glory of it.  

It’s a place where the enemy dares not follow.  It is a place reserved for those who love the Lord their God. 

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“Sometimes I feel discouraged — And I think my works in vain — I'm tempted oft(en) to murmur — To grumble and complain. — but then I think of Jesus — And all he's done for m — Then I cry Ohh...Rock of Ages — Hide thou me.

“Ohh...Rock of Ages — Hide thou me. — There is no other refuge but Thee — And through this dark world I've wondered far, far from thee. — Then I cry Ohh...rock of ages — Hide thou me.”

         Diego James Christian

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  H

Follow Me

Mark 1:17,20 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. . . . . . [20] And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

When Jesus came walking by those ships that day, four men were busy, but they followed Him. They received a life that produced something with eternal significance. 

He would have us come to the place where we value Him and His will more than anything else in this world. 

It will be only when Jesus is more precious than family, friends, fortunes or anything; that we will be able to give Him the service He deserves. 

Sometimes, what we are called to give up is nothing more than nets. At other times, we are called to walk out on things that are precious to us. We have to come to the place where Jesus is more precious than anything else in the world.

If He is calling you, allow nothing to stand in your way of experiencing His life changing power firsthand, If you ever meet Him and respond to His call, you will never be the same.

The Lord designed and gifted each of us individually and for a purpose. He will take us with our strengths and our weaknesses, and will use us to do His work. 

Not all of us have the same gifts but God has a personal place for each of us to labor. The question is, are you filling that place? 

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“I traveled down a lonely road — And no one seemed to care, — The burden on my weary back — Had bowed me to despair. —  I oft complained to Jesus — How folks were treating me, — And then I heard Him say so tenderly.

"My feet were also weary, — Upon the Calvary road; — The cross became so heavy, — I fell beneath the load, — Be faithful, weary pilgrim, — The morning I can see, — Just lift your cross and follow close to me."

"I work so hard for Jesus," — I often boast and say, — "I've sacrificed a lot of things — To walk the narrow way, — I gave up fame and fortune; — I'm worth a lot to Thee," — And then I hear Him gently say to me,

"I left the throne of glory — And counted it but loss, — My hands were nailed in anger — Upon a cruel cross, — But now we'll make the journey — With your hand safe in Mine, — just lift your cross and follow close to Me."

“O, Jesus if I die upon — A foreign field someday, — 'Twould be no more than love demands, — No less could I repay, — "No greater love hath mortal man — Than for a friend to die" — These are the words He gently spoke to me,

"If just a cup of water — I place within your hand — Then just a cup of water — Is all that I demand." — But if by death to living — They can Thy glory see, — I'll take my cross and follow close to Thee.”

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

He Washed My Eyes With Tears

David had been hunted by soldiers loyal to his own son Absalom who had done everything in his power to destroy his own father. The only reason David survived Absalom’s revolt was by the grace of God.

When Psalm 61 was written, the rebellion is over, Absalom is dead, and David is headed home with sorrow in his heart because the son he loved more than life is gone. 

Out of that sorrowful, broken heart comes this sweet, precious Psalm 61 named Sorrows Sweet Song..

Psalm 61:2-3 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. . . . .  [3] For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

God has given us some encouraging songs, many written through stormy trials. Ira Stanphill wrote the following ones, some after a divest&ting divorce. You may recognize them. 

* Follow Me     * Happiness is the Lord      * He Washed My Eyes with Tears   * I Know Who Holds Tomorrow   * Mansion Over the Hilltop   * Room at the Cross    

* Suppertime     * Unworthy      * We’ll Talk it Over

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“He washed my eyes with tears that I might see, —The broken heart I had was good for me; —He tore it all apart and looked inside, — He found it full of fear and foolish pride. — He swept away the things that made me blind, — And then I saw the clouds were silver lined; — And now I understand 'twas best for me. — He washed my eyes with tears that I might see. 

“He washed my eyes with tears that I might see —The glory of Himself revealed to me; — I did not know that He had wounded hands — I saw the blood He spilt upon the sands. — I saw the marks of shame and wept and cried; — He was my substitute, for me He died; — And now I'm glad He came so tenderly; — And washed my eyes with tears that I might see. 

      Ira Stanphill

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Ever been eaten up with worry and fear? We all have. Maybe we forget that we are a child of the King. He gives excellent care to the birds and the sparrows and even the beauty of the flowers, and we are much more precious to Him.    

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 

[7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The secret to having our needs met is to live for and love the Lord. Jesus encourages us again with some much needed words of peace. 

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

We shouldn’t allow ourselves to live in a worried state. Trust Jesus.

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“Why should I feel discouraged, —Why should the shadows come, — Why  should my heart be lonely, and long for Heaven and home, — When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: — His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He  watches me;

“I sing because I'm happy, — I sing because I'm free, — For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled, — His tender word I hear, — And  resting on His goodness, — I lose my doubt and fears; — Though by the path He leadeth, — but one step I may see; — His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

“Whenever I am tempted, — wherever clouds arise, — When songs give place to sighing, — when hope within me dies, — I draw thee closer to Him, — from care He sets me free; — His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

     Civilla D. Martin

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Day By Day

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. . . . . . . . .  [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

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Jesus said to Paul, “my grace is sufficient.”

The Lord Jesus tells Paul that He is working out a divine, sovereign plan. It was not the power of the Apostle that would get the job done for Jesus. It was the power of God.

Paul says that the buffeting of his thorn is a gift from God. When we are going through a time of severe trial and pain, we may not see it then, but that time is a gracious gift of God.  

How? during our time of buffeting there will be grace to stand for Jesus, grace to serve Him, grace to live for Him, grace to die for Him, grace to face life for Him. There will be grace — amazing, matchless, marvelous grace — for every hump in the road of life.

The Lord also says that His “strength is made perfect in weakness”. It simply means that God gets more glory from using the weak of the world than those of great strength and power, 1 Cor. 1:27.  

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“Day by day, and with each passing moment, — Strength I find to meet my trials here; — Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, — I've no cause for worry or for fear. — He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, — Gives unto each day what He deems best. — Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, — Mingling toil with peace and rest. 

“Every day the Lord Himself is near me, — With a special mercy for each hour; — All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, — He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r. — The protection of His child and treasure — Is a charge that on Himself He laid; — "As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure," — This the pledge to me He made. 

“Help me then, in every tribulation, — So to trust Thy promises, O Lord, — That I lose not faith's sweet consolation, — Offered me within Thy holy Word. — Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, — E'er to take, as from a father's hand, — One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, — Till I reach the promised land.”

          Carolina Sandell Berg; translated by Andrew L. Stoog

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Beulah Land

There isn’t a person who has come far in the journey unscathed by the troubles of life. Many bear the scars on their heart, in their mind, and in their body.  

It’s good to know that the trials of life can’t follow us to our eternal home. 

When we leave this world, whether it be by the rapture or the graveyard, there are some things that can’t go with us. No more tears. No more death. No more sorrow. No more pain. 

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Just the knowledge that there is a place of endless glory and blessings ahead is enough to give the child of God “joy unspeakable and full of glory”.

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“I'm kind of homesick for a country — To which I've never been before. — No sad goodbyes will there be spoken — For time won't matter anymore.

“Beulah Land, I'm longing for you — And some day on thee I'll stand. — There my home shall be eternal. — Beulah Land — Sweet Beulah Land.

“I'm looking now across the river — Where my faith will end in sight. — There's just a few more days to labor, — Then I’ll take my heavenly flight.

“Beulah Land, I'm longing for you — And some day on thee I'll stand. — There my home shall be eternal. — Beulah Land — Sweet Beulah Land.”

          Squire Parsons

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There

God's people are different. They serve a living God, a God who is mighty in power and able to do anything.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

When God's saints call on the name of Jesus, heavy with burdens, Heaven begins to mobilize in their aid. We have a God who is able to hear and is able to answer his children.

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: . . . .  [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

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“If the world from you withholds of its silver and its gold, — And you have to get along with meager fare, — Just remember, in His Word how He feeds the little bird; — Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

“Leave it there, leave it there, — Take your burden to the Lord oh and leave it there. — If you trust and never doubt, — He will surely bring you out. — Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

“If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain, — And your soul is slowly sinking in despair, — Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal; — Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

                Charles A. Tindley, 1916

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.