by Pastor Cecil | Jan 31, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 3:10-11
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
All too often there are those who venerate religious objects that relate to the Lord Jesus. I have heard that if all of the supposed fragments of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified were assembled they could build a large building.
God sternly warns that we are never to worship such objects but to worship only the Lord. That old rugged cross can certainly remind us of the price Jesus paid, but His suffering was not just the pain of crucifixion, but that He was totally sinless became sin for us and paid the price for our redemption.
Back in 1913, Salvation Army Officer, George Bennard passed through a trying experience. This experience caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of by entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross/
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 30, 2020 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 15:3
“And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.”
In today’s Scripture we are introduced to a young man who became King of Israel when he was only sixteen. His name was Uzziah. The significant thing that stands out in this passage is that “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”
Wouldn’t that be a wonderful description of you, or me—not how smart we are, or what wonderful position we fill, or how much money we make—but that we do what is right in the eyes of the Lord?
There are many who try to do what is right in the eyes of other people. I want to tell you right now—that is like walking on shaky ground. People are fickle! The ones who place a laurel on your head one minute may be the very ones who cry for your head the next minute. I have been there! It is not pleasant!
When we do things to say “yes” to God, we often must say “no” to the things of the world. This is the time to stand back and evaluate our lives. What are we doing that is in response to His will rather than our own? DO WHAT IS RIGHT!
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 29, 2020 | Galatians
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
A young man, a believer desiring to serve the Lord with all of his heart, worked and worked doing everything he thought would please the Lord. It took all his energy and effort, but the young man kept at it!
One Sunday evening he had finished assisting in a week-long series of meetings. Following the last service he packed up books, Bibles, and other materials until late into the night. He returned to his hotel room exhausted, threw himself across the bed and almost wept. The exhausted man cried out, “Lord, I am through! I can’t keep this up any longer. I am tired to my very core. I will still love and honor you, but from now on someone else will have to carry the load!”
He expected the Lord to be disappointed in him for quitting, but just the opposite happened. It was as though the Lord breathed into his ear, “Finally! You have been doing things for Me that I never asked you to do. Now I can work through you to do My work.” That young man never again felt the heavy burden to demonstrate his love for the Lord by a self-imposed performance.
Are you wearing yourself out trying to please the Lord? I implore you to give up trying to earn your salvation. Listen to Him—then do what He asks you to do. God’s work—done God’s way—will have God’s power!
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 28, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
When bread is first taken out of the oven there is an intense aroma that wafts across our senses that seemingly draws us to come closer. FRESH BAKED BREAD! Oh, the sheer delight! The aroma has announced the prize. You can hardly wait to taste the wonderful flavor of hot bread fresh from the oven.
The next day you notice the remainder of the bread sitting on the counter, but something has changed. Yesterday’s wonderful aroma has faded.There may be a hint of the original smell of fresh baked bread, but not at the same intensity as the day before.
By the third day what is left of the loaf has become stale and its aroma lost. It has become nothing but dried out unappealing bread. You can still remember what it had once been, but it just does not have that fragrant aroma that was so captivating when fresh.
As we read today’s Scripture, we are told that we are to be the aroma of Christ to those around us. What fragrant aroma of Christ, do people sense when they are around you? Do you think they will want to “taste and see that the Lord is good?” Will they come to you when they desire spiritual counsel? I pray that others may find in you the fragrance of Christ!
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 27, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3-4
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
The mother of a 5-year-old girl was concerned that her daughter was having scary dreams at night. She felt helpless to deal with the problem of her child’s bad dreams. Have you ever spent a sleepless night tossing and turning? Have you been troubled by frightening dreams that cause you to feel panic stricken?
Bad dreams are not restricted to young children. Many adults are confronted with the reality of horrible dreams that disturb the rest they need. Do you sometimes question what you can do to sleep soundly in the arms of the Lord?
Here is a challenge for anyone who has been having trouble with night terrors. Search out scripture passages that deal with praise and promise. Read these passages several times before you slip into bed.
Today’s Scripture is a wonderful passage for us to use before we retire for the night. It is a promise that the Lord has given to those who will keep their minds stayed on the Lord. May God grant you sweet sleep!
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
