by Pastor Cecil | May 22, 2009 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written 302 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!
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.
Refrain:
Was it for crimes that I had done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Refrain:
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:
Thus might I hide my blushing face,
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.
Refrain:
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:
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 At The Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/atthecross in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 21, 2009 | Psalm
Psalm 63:1-2
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.”
Joyce and I have been like hand and glove since we were fourteen. In case you are interested, that is sixty-one years. I think of the times I have been apart from her and our family due to military assignments—I missed them so bad it hurt.
A friend just shared with me that he was talking on the phone with his sweetheart who is many miles away. She mentioned that she missed him but did not miss the Lord so much. He asked her if she was spending time reading the Bible and talking with the Lord. She confessed that she wasn’t. He commented; “Well, there is your answer.”
After he shared this conversation with me he suggested that I should use this topic for a Daily-E-Votional. This led me to search out today’s Scripture. David was in the desert of Judah when he wrote these words. Perhaps you feel like you are in a spiritual desert.
It is always well for us to cry out in longing to the Lord when we experience the desert times of our life. It is important to realize that the Lord is more anxious to come near to us than we are to come near to Him. The parable that Jesus told of the prodigal son reveals that our heavenly Father is always waiting to welcome us back when we make our way back home.
Do you miss Him? If there is a lack of thirst for the presence of the living God in your life, spend time reading and meditating on His Word. Tell Him where you are and how much you miss Him. He is waiting to welcome you home!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 20, 2009 | Joshua
Joshua 1:8
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
My mind goes back across the years (many years) to my childhood days. There was a boy my age that lived next door. We have remained friends over these many years through thick and thin. There is one major difference—my friend became consumed with making money while I was consumed with serving the Lord.
My close friend is now a millionaire while I have very little of this world’s goods. Let’s just say that this economic downturn has had much more impact on him than it has on me.
Prosperity has become the topic of many modern ministries. Sad to say, many people have become so preoccupied with making money that they have taken their eyes off of Jesus. What a tragedy!
Just this morning I heard a statement made by one of my favorite Bible teachers that has stirred my thinking. I did not catch the entire teaching but here is what I heard: “True prosperity is achieving the will of God.”
Wow! What a clear and concise statement! It reminds me that the richest people I have ever met are some of the poorest, while the poorest are the richest. They have little of this world’s goods, but they serve the Lord with such sincerity of mind and purpose that contentment abounds.”
In today’s Scripture the Lord is challenging Joshua as he is commissioned to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. His challenge is just as meaningful for us today. It also explains how we can achieve it: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 19, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:5-6
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
It has been a long time since I first took my driving test, was given a driver’s license and was able to operate my dad’s car. It was always a mystery to me why he was so ashen faced and somber when the keys were placed into my youthful hands and I rocketed out to the car and backed carefully out of the driveway.
I discovered the reason for his terrified appearance when my own kids applied for their first driver’s license and waited eagerly for my shaking hands to deliver the car keys into their all too eager hands. Ah, the passage of time has a way of bringing around memories of the past—some good, some terrifying.
Our eagerness to be the one to operate a motor vehicle is an object lesson to teach us about our spiritual life—WE WANT TO DRIVE! We may not be qualified or adequately aware of the hazards which may lie up ahead, but we still want to take control.
The Apostle Peter tells the young men of the world to demonstrate humility. While this is a quality that is greatly prized by writers of Scripture, unfortunately it is not esteemed in our society. We are more prone to see strutting, swaggering, bragging and disdain by many young people who are disrespectful of their elders.
I hope you caught the words in this passage, “In the same way.” Immediately we should ask ourselves the question, “In the same way – what?” Peter has just been admonishing the elders to come under the authority of the Lord—serving in humility to Christ.
In the Old Testament book of Micah, we find this same pattern established. It tells us that, from the very beginning, God has desired a yielded and broken people. Look what it says in chapter 6, verse 8: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
That, my dear friend, is cutting to the bottom line. If you really and truly desire to find a peace with God, and harmony with those around you, do things God’s way. These words in Micah are words of instruction for the daily walk of the believer.
So you want to drive, do you? If you insist, I want to warn you of the dangers you face. The way is far too treacherous for us to do the driving. Our inexperience can only lead to disaster. It is so much better to let the One who knows the way control the wheel of our life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 18, 2009 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 14:15
“As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
Tradition! Tradition! I recall hearing those words being sung by Tevya in song from the movie, “Fiddler On the Roof.” Before we become too critical, it is well to consider how often we rely on tradition rather than prayerful guidance to determine our course of action. Think of the number of times we have said or heard it said; “We have always done it that way before!”
Just prior to today’s Scripture, David had inquired of the Lord about going to battle against the Philistines. In response to that question the Lord told David to go. The Philistines were defeated because the Lord had gone before them.
In this passage, the answer was not the same as before. Now the Lord instructed Moses to not proceed directly against this new armed threat, but to circle around behind and wait for the sound of marching in the balsam trees. David obeyed and God brought about a great victory.
God does not use the same methods time after time to do His will. He wants us to inquire of Him each and every time there is a decision to be made. Why? It is to demonstrate our total reliance on Him so that He will receive the credit.
In these perilous times we need to faithfully inquire of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 should always be in our heart: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Do not presume to know how God works or what His plans are for your life. Instead go to Him in prayer and stay there until you hear from heaven. Then obey!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
