Hello OCBC family!

​Let me share a passage that I was reading this morning, “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray” (Luke 5:16 – NASB). What a wonderful passage, a passage that show our Savior looking for a time with His Father. Spending time with Father God was a time of refreshment for Jesus. Praying is the direct communication that we can have with our God, the same God who created the universe. If Jesus, who was God in the flesh, spent time in prayer, we must also look for this time, a precious time with our Father and receive comfort for our soul. Paul encourages us with these words, “Devote ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

Yes, prayer is a very powerful weapon to be used in every situation. I recall the old hymn called, “Sweet Hour of Prayer, Sweet Hour of Prayer.”

We believe that the author of this loved hymn was an uneducated blind minister named W. W. Walford (1845). Because of his blindness he memorized huge portions of the Bible so he could preach without help. The theme of the text is the joy of spending time in communion with God through prayer. I can imagine Walford listening to a relative or friend reading a passage from the scripture so he can memorize it, and perhaps before or after this time, asking the Lord for wisdom to keep His words in his memory.

Please, use these lyrics as a regular hymn if you know the melody, but if you do not know the melody, you can still use it as a devotional.  Prayer is so powerful and sweet.

1 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!

2 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!

3 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!

In His service,

Israel

Hello OCBC family!  Today I do not have an article about a hymn but an invitation.  Tomorrow, the Prime Timers, the senior group that I have the privilege to lead, will host a special conference called, “Get Your House in Order – Biblical Principles for a Properly Planned Estate.”  This conference is being led by Jeffery Steed from the SBTC Foundation.  This paragraph is from their website,

      The House in Order seminar is a one hour presentation designed to educate and inspire congregations on the importance of having a properly designed Christian estate plan that includes a gift to ministry.
     Be prepared for life’s major events by having your house in order. Having a properly planned estate helps you wisely prepare for the future.
     Don’t be one of the 70% of Americans without a properly planned estate. Let us help!

This invitation is for everybody, not just for Prime Timers.  If you are thinking about coming, the conference will start at 10:30 am.  If you would like to stay for a potluck lunch after the program, please bring a dish to share.

Please, come, it will be a blessing for you!  This is a great opportunity.  Come to have a wonderful fellowship time.

In His service,
Israel

Hello OCBC family!  Let me share a passage with you, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” (Psalm 66:1-2).

Yesterday was the anniversary of the birthday of Frances Elizabeth Cox.  She was the daughter of Mr. George V. Cox, from Oxford.  She loved hymns, especially hymns from Germany, which were unknown in England.  She dedicated her life to translate several hymns from German into English, preparing a whole collection of these hymns called, “Sacred Hymns from the German.”  The 1st edition, pub. 1841, contained 49 translations printed with the original text, together with biographical notes on the German authors. In the 2nd edition, 1864, Hymns from the German, London, Rivingtons, the translations were increased to 56, those of 1841 being revised, and with additional notes. The 56 translations were composed of 27 from the 1st ed. (22 being omitted) and 29 which were new.  But she was not only a translator but an author as well.  It is very sad that in our modern hymnals we do not have her hymns or hymns translated by her, except “Sing praise to God who reigns above.”

This obscure hymn is one of my favorites because it is an explosion of praises to God and it is based in Psalm 66.  Sadly, this hymn it is not in Spanish and so far I can worship God with this hymn only in English (perhaps I must make my own translation).

Read the lyrics and praise God for the many blessings that He has given you so far.  To God all praise and glory.

1. Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled
and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

2. The Lord is never far away,
but through all grief distressing,
an ever present help and stay,
our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand,
God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

3. Thus all my toilsome way along,
I sing aloud thy praises,
that earth may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

4. Let all who name Christ's holy name
give God all praise and glory;
let all who own his power proclaim
aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne,
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

In His service,
Israel