Tag Archives: Devotional

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!

(Ephesians 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”  (KJV)

There are times when every Christian has felt that his labor has been in vain, especially when there is no outward response to his appeals, and no obvious fruit from his efforts. A shower of grace is needed.

The sound of the abundance of rain precedes a great down-pouring of grace. Our spiritual ears need to hear it, our eyes need to behold “Him who is invisible” to the natural eye, as Moses of old. We need to see Him in the events of our daily lives. Our nostrils need to smell the freshness of the coming rain, the blessing of grace. Our feelings need to be touched by something not of ourselves, but from a greater, higher source. Our tastebuds need to be aroused by the goodness of the Lord, “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

God controls the rain, but there are sometimes clouds but no rain. This means that we have the means of grace, but no grace sent by the means. The clouds are ordained to bring rain, but now commanded not to do so. The Spirit has been grieved and quenched, repentance is needed. If we will turn from our sins, God will bless us, as He desires to do.

Pastor Ed Bowen

Conclusion

Maybe you need a refreshing… a spiritual renewal? God will send the “RAIN” in His time. My experience has taught me that He was always right ON TIME!

Would you consider purchasing…

Life in the Spirit

By A.W. Tozer / Hendrickson Publishers

Hendrickson presents two classic works on the Holy Spirit by A. W. Tozer, together in one volume for the first time. A superb addition to the best-selling Hendrickson Christian Classics series, Life in the Spirit combines Tozer’s How to Be Filled with the Spirit and The Counselor: Straight Talk About the Holy Spirit from a Twentieth Century Prophet.
In Tozer’s own words, How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit “was made available to the Christian public with the prayer that it may lead thirsty believers to the fountain of living waters.” Since its publication, hundreds of thousands of copies of this practical yet deeply devotional guide have been sold. How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit will refresh and open the reader to the filling of the Holy Spirit.
In The Counselor, Tozer speaks to the current conflict and confusion about the Holy Spirit from a balanced, biblical perspective-not academic, but practical. Tozer promises that the Holy Spirit “is willing-yes, willing-to do for us all that Jesus would do if He were here on earth.” The chapters of this book were originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago. Whether spoken or written, Tozer’s words were designed to “promote personal heart religion” among God’s people.

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!


THE LORD SEALS US

(Ephesians 4:30) “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”  (KJV)

“The seal of the Lord impresses His likeness on all it touches. So, the Holy Spirit seals us and makes us strong with the strength of Christ; and wise with the wisdom of Christ; and gracious with the gentleness of Christ; and holy with the purity of Christ.

We have the earnest of the Spirit, that is, the guarantee that our bodies will be resurrected from the dead.

The seal forever identifies us with Christ, as His possession; it guarantees that I am His and He is mine.

The Holy Spirit not only seals us, He is the seal; having His indwelling presence gives us this assurance.

This makes us distinct from the mere natural man who has no assurance of his future destiny. It is a great blessing to know assuredly that we belong to Christ.”

Pastor Ed Bowen