by Pastor Cecil | Feb 1, 2021 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:7
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
The definition of spiritual faith is found in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Now unless I am missing something, substance and evidence are things that can be touched, held, and collected as exhibits. Faith on the other hand is usually described as being unseen but needing trust to believe that it is real. Hebrews 11:1 melds the two ideas together.
I have often used the analogy of going to a favorite ice cream store on a hot day. The enjoyment of your favorite ice cream cone does not begin when you take your first lick of that delectable treat — it is thinking about it on the way to the store.
In like manner we begin to enjoy the pleasures of our eternal home with the Lord as we walk this pathway of life. We may encounter conflicts, pain, and distress along our pathway, but we can demonstrate our righteousness by believing what God says is true. When we doubt God’s word, we demonstrate our unrighteous nature and this is displeasing to God. God desires for us to trust and believe!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 22, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Back when I was eight or nine my parents owned a café in Camas, Washington, called Kelly’s. I have many fond memories of spending time in and around that place. Sometimes I would help the dish washer, but in reality was more hindrance than help.
Years after we had moved away from Camas I always wanted to drive by and see if Kelly’s was still open. I had told my wife Joyce about it enough times that she was no doubt tired of hearing my stories. A day came when I took a trip down memory lane with Joyce. We were able to find my family’s old house and the old church where I had given my heart to the Lord, but my heart saddened when we saw the building where Kelly’s had once been. It was now an insurance agency. Rats!
There were other instances where we tried to find some favored spot only to discover the use had changed and it was entirely different from the way we remembered. It is disappointing to have the buildings of our past change, but it is heart breaking to discover that some people have changed for the worse.
In today’s Scripture we are urged stay the course and walk in such a way that our life will be an example to others. Jesus is always the same and that is the rock upon which we are to build our life.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 2, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 revival meetings were being held in the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York City.
Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of November 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must indeed come then or never. After a prayer was offered, they began to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give myself away,” her soul was flooded with a celestial light. She realized what her problem had been. She realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.
AT THE CROSS
- Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head, For sinners such as I?
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- But drops of grief can ne’er repay, The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer is our answer – – Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/atthecross/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 24, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
The writer of Hebrews defines the size of the witnesses as a great cloud. All too often we have been led to believe that these witnesses are somehow peeking over the parapets of heaven to keep an eye on our actions. BEEP! I don’t think so.
The purpose of a witness is to faithfully testify as to what he or she actually saw or experienced. It is not what they think or feel, but what they saw with their own eyes or heard with their own ears.
We are urged to gain a new sense of determination to do more for the Lord because of the example they have left for us. They gave so much to further the cause of Christ; that should challenge us to do more and more each passing day.
The great cloud of witnesses which stands before us gives a new sense of motivation to live all out for the Lord. God’s sending His own Son for our salvation and redemption demands that we live our life for His calling and purposes. God never calls us to a life of ease and comfort, but a life of service. He calls each of us to join that great CLOUD OF WITNESSES!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 24, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:9
“We have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
I think it was the comedian Rodney Dangerfield who continually complained that he received no respect. This complaint has not been limited to Dangerfield, but is shared by many people. Many assaults and even murders have been committed because someone thought they were not given the proper respect.
In my experience with the criminal justice system, as well in private counseling, I have discovered a one-way street: Those people who are so adamant about receiving respect are most often the ones who show little respect to others.
The word respect as used here in Hebrews 12, is the Greek word entrepȏ. It may also be interpreted as reverence. Wow! That is a quality that is rarely seen in our modern world!
We may think of it as the lack of reverence and/or respect to those in authority around us such as parents, employers, or elected officials – but that is nothing in comparison with the reverence and respect that is due to our Lord Jesus Christ. When was the last time you honored Him with the respect He deserves? Now is the time to act!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 24, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Those of us who have said farewell to beloved family and friends know and experience the pangs of separation. The pain of separation is eased with the assurance that there is a bright tomorrow waiting for us when we will be united with those who have died in the Lord.
Fanny J. Crosby was visiting the home of a friend, Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe was playing a new melody she had just composed and mentioned to Fanny that she called it Assurance. Fanny responded, “Blessed Assurance.”
Fanny returned home and quickly penned the words to the hymn that has become such a favorite since it was published way back in 1873. It is just as much a blessed assurance today as it was back then.
BLESSED ASSURANCE
(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(3) Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “Blessed Assurance” by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/blessedassurance/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
