by Pastor Cecil | Sep 9, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
What is your attitude concerning our eternal home? I fear that all too many people live in a world of make-believe when it comes to making sure where they will spend eternity. It seems strange that people eagerly accept the idea of aliens from outer space, but scoff at the necessity of being born-again.
What a wonderful consolation it is for those of us who have repented and been born-again believers to know what is waiting for us. Heaven is a place and hell is also a place.
In order to arrive at the gates of hell it is not necessary to do anything. We are born in sin and that is our condemned condition unless we confess the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and invite Him into our heart.
When we stand beside the bedside of a loved one who is a believer, we can rest in the knowledge that there will be a great reunion when we all get to heaven. As we struggle through this vale of tears we can encourage those ready to meet the Lord with the words, “See you in heaven!” What wonderful comfort!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 8, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 6:20
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Over the years I have seen many people experience an unexpected financial collapse. Retirement accounts that seem to be adequate for the golden years can suddenly melt like a snowman in 90-degree weather! Those who possess the least, however, seem to be the least concerned.
Over the years I have heard excuses from people who fail to honor God with their giving. They say that they want to wait until the house sells … get a raise … receive their inheritance … or income tax refund … and on it goes. They reason that when one (or all) of these events takes place they will then have more to give to the work of the Lord.
Do you recall the incident when Jesus was in the temple courts? He saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a widow put in a very small amount. Jesus commented that the woman had given more than all of the others because they gave out of their surplus, but she gave out of what little she had to live on. Read about it in Luke 21:1-4. It is a tragedy that many people (even some churches) place more confidence in the treasures of this world that will pass away than in heavenly treasures that will last forever and forever.
It is time for a heart examination: What treasures mean the most to you? Where are your treasures being stored? One second into eternity, which treasures will have the most value?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 7, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I enjoy building a fire. I guess it started when I was a Boy Scout in my teens. One summer during a week-long camp, our scoutmaster taught us the fundamentals of building and maintaining a good fire. It was a thrill for us to use our shoe laces, a bow, a drill, and in a few minutes have a flame erupt from our dry shavings. He taught us to always have dry wood near at hand so we would be able to keep the fire burning.
In the cold winter months I build fires in my small wood stove. When I first ignite the fire I use plenty of paper and kindling to ignite the flames; and then I have to keep the fire growing by placing larger and larger pieces of wood in the flames.
If you place too large a piece of wood, however, it could be too much too soon — the fire will simply smolder and begin to die out. Then it is necessary to place smaller kindling back in the flames to allow the larger pieces to burn again.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail to learn the lessons from the fire box. We must insure that we light the fire in new believers. Then we need to provide just the right amount of kindling to get their flame burning bright. As we prayerfully add more and more solid wood, we need to watch for the moment when they are burning on their own and producing fire in those around them. GET BURNING!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 4, 2020 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
Though an invalid for much of her life, Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was always active and enjoyed a long personal friendship with Fanny Crosby. These two women met often for fellowship and discussion of their new hymns. Eliza was a school teacher in Philadelphia and a Christian lay worker who was committed to write songs to teach children the basic truths of the gospel. This song was written for her own Sunday school class in Philadelphia.
Miss Hewitt often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It was here that she collaborated with Emily Wilson, the wife of a Methodist district superintendent in Philadelphia, in the writing of this triumphant gospel hymn–a favorite of young and old alike. When We All Get to Heaven was first published in 1898.
WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN
- Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
- While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
- Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
- Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “When We All Get To Heaven” from GloryScapes.com. by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven/
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 3, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
It seems I can still hear our kids in play as one would rebuke the other, “You’re not the boss of me!” I don’t know that anyone appreciates being bossed around, so it is no wonder that resentments often arise on the job. We do not like someone telling us what to do — even when they are our supervisor. Who is your boss?
Today’s Scripture convicted me many years ago. I was working for a man who seemed to view himself to be a Viking warrior. He was often the topic of conversation in the break room and at any other time a group of us gathered together. Our comments were not at all respectful of his position.
As the Lord convicted me through His Word, I went to my boss’s office and asked for his forgiveness for the manner I had behaved toward him. I confessed to making derogatory comments about him. I was truly sorry and made a pledge to speak to him directly if I disagreed with his decisions.
Today’s Scripture is very clear about how we are to behave in the workplace. If Paul is saying how slaves are to respond to their masters, how much more does it apply to employees. He says “in everything” … and even when the boss is not around. Not to get a promotion, but doing it as unto the Lord. How do you stack up?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
