Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!
(Psalms 37:7-9) “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” (KJV)
We are given the precept to “rest in the Lord.” This means to keep our hearts silenced to unbelieving thoughts, such as thinking only of our troubles without seeing the Lord in them. If we do so, then we will utter, as Jacob, “all these things are against me.” Or, possibly, as Elijah, “it is enough now, O Lord, take away my life.”
In these and other unbelieving “suggestions” from the adversary, we are to keep silent before the Lord. The heart is to rest in Him and keep still. Murmuring will not take place. We must not keep silent as to prayer though… for in that holy meditation the heart turns to commune with the Lord.
Resting in the Lord keeps us from… (1) Uttering unbelieving words to influence others in unbelief instead of adding to their faith. (2) What we consider to be justifiable anger. (3) Words uttered in frustration over unfulfilled expectations.
We must see the Lord, through the eye of faith, in all the circumstances of our lives, knowing He is working all things for our ultimate good… as He promised.
Conclusion
Resting in Jesus can be hard to do sometimes as a pastor. That sounds weird, but it is SOtrue! Our pride keeps us from doing the first thing and that is to stay focused… resting… on Jesus!
Would you consider purchasing…
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Then and Now Bible Maps, Deluxe Edition with CD-ROM |
By Rose Publishing
Trying to connect the current events with the Holy Land of the Bible? This resource fills in the blanks with transparent maps of modern-day Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries that lie flat over Bible maps showing the lands and cities where the patriarchs, Jesus, and the apostle Paul traveled. This deluxe version features a companion CD-ROM.
The CD-ROM includes JPG’s of all of the maps in the book, so that you can use them in your own Bible material or make your own PowerPoint. presentations, and PDF’s of all of the maps so that you can make overhead transparencies or full-page handouts. (The digital files on this CD-ROM are for personal use only, not to transmit, use on the Internet, or for sale.)
