by Pastor Cecil | Apr 23, 2021 | Revelation
Revelation 21:17
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
In 1893, James Black was a Methodist Sunday School teacher in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. As he was calling roll one day for a youth meeting, young Bessie, daughter of a drunkard, did not show up, and he was disappointed at her failure to appear. He commented to a friend, “Well, I trust when the roll is called up yonder, she’ll be there.” He tried to find an appropriate song for the situation but could not find one in his song book.
Here is how Mr. Black describes how he came to write the hymn: “This lack of a fitting song caused me both sorrow and disappointment. An inner voice seemed to say, ‘Why don’t you write one?’ I put away the thought. As I opened the gate on my way home, the same thought came again so strongly that tears filled my eyes. I entered the house and sat down at the piano. The words came to me effortlessly…The tune came the same way—I dared not change a single note or word.”
“When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”
(1) When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
(2) On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
3) Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video.. To access When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/whentherolliscalledupyonder/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 22, 2021 | Exodus
Exodus 3:7
“And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.’”
Today’s passage comes straight from the burning bush that Moses encountered in the wilderness. These are the words of the Lord to Moses as well as to each of us who are His children.
God sees! There is no hiding from God. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after their sin in the Garden of Eden, but God could see them. God sees our sin as well. We may be able to hide it from others, but God sees everything!
God hears! God hears more than the words which come from our mouth, He hears what is going on in our mind. He hears our inner-most thoughts. When the world turns a deaf ear to our plight, god hears!
God knows! Not only does God see what is going on in our world, He knows what is going to happen the next minute hour, day – – all of our tomorrows are known to Him. He goes before us and is the God of our future – – if He is our Savior! If we have not made God our Savior we face a hopeless tomorrow and eternity!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 21, 2021 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
Over the years we have been subjected to advertising blitzes that promised life. If we would purchase what they were selling we would, in essence, receive life. It was almost like the children’s program offers that mimicked adult objects would deliver real life replicas.
In the adult world there is even more advertising campaigns that promise life and happiness. The sad reality is that often those who promote these products often are the most miserable and needy people. Their own products fail to give them the life they portend to deliver – – for a price!
Moses shouts out across the ages of time the truth in today’s passage. This is the true and faithful life that is everlasting. This is the life that lives in the flames of suffering and adversity.
I thank God that those of us who have received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior have passed from death to life. When the Lord dispatches His angels to escort us to paradise we will already have received eternal life! Thank you Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 20, 2021 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:56-57
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Victory comes in different forms. We have victory in wars, victory in sports, victory in politics – – victory in just about every situation of life. But lurking in the background is the agony of defeat.
The enemy of our soul has been pursuing Adam’s fallen seed since the Garden of Eden. He creates fear with the reality of death and the grave. We can almost hear his hideous laughter echo during the times of our suffering.
The scene on the mount of crucifixion was a perfect illustration of death and victory. Three men hung in agony awaiting death. One (Jesus) had the power over death and He could grant victory to anyone who chose it.
Only one of the two men who were crucified with Jesus chose victory over death. How tragically sad that was, and still is today. It is time to spread the news of VICTORY to those around us before it is too late!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 19, 2021 | James
James 3:13
“Is anyone among you wise and understanding? That person should show it by living a good life. A wise person isn’t proud when they do good deeds.”
There was once a humorous skit which depicted guests at an exclusive café being escorted to their table. The person who was escorting them had just sprained his ankle and was limping noticeably. All of the guests followed obediently and all limped.
It is a sad commentary that we all too often follow blindly those who are in effect limping through life. That is the danger of following individuals without the spiritual wisdom that comes from God’s Holy Bible.
God has given us His plan and purpose for our life. Without true spiritual wisdom we are easily led down Satan’s path that leads to heartbreak and ultimate destruction.
We find the pattern of God’s good life only as we have been born again and have His resurrected life flowing through us. Following this new birth we need to grow in the knowledge of God through His WORD!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
