by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2009 | Revelation
Revelation 22:12-13
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Many years ago I attended a speed reading class. The instructor could read an entire book in less than an hour and then pass an examination covering the material. The one thing he taught us that sticks in my mind is to start at the back of the book.
It seemed to be the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. He went on to explain that when you desire to get the most out of a book you are not looking for surprises, rather you need to discover what the writer’s objective is so you will be able to better grasp how he comes to his conclusion.
I have a habit of watching a sporting program on TV, or a DVD over and over again. I find that by knowing what is going to happen I am able to appreciate the action much better.
I once heard a highly educated biblical scholar share an incident when he was teaching on the Book of Revelation. He made a statement that it was very difficult to understand Revelation. A man with very little formal education raised his hand and said; “Doctor, I can explain the entire book in two words—Jesus Wins!
In all of the turmoil and uncertainties of life we need to remind ourselves of this simple fact. It does not matter how drastic the circumstances of life may seem to be, we can comfort ourselves with the final outcome—Jesus Wins!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2009 | John
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We have a liberal college in our community and from time to time we see bumper stickers from this group that read, “World Peace.” Some jokesters have made a play on this sticker by coming up with one of their own; “Whirled Peas.” I suppose the second sticker is much more easily achieved.
From the day that Adam and Eve sinned and were evicted from the garden there has been strife, conflicts and wars. For all of the rhetoric about attaining peace we are no closer to world peace, nor will we ever be until Jesus comes again to establish His “Wonderful Peace” over all the earth.
What a fantastic day it will be when there is eternal peace. Today’s featured hymn from GloryScapes™, is “Wonderful Peace.”
“Wonderful Peace“
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain: Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain:
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain:
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain:
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain:
To access Wonderful Peace, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wonderfulpeace 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 | Aug 6, 2009 | 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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.”
If there was a way to survey the un-churched element in our society about their opinion of churches and the people who attend them, what do you suppose they would say? That applies regardless of what part of the world you are living.
Many who are actively involved in the church growth movement have seemingly tried to tailor the church to use entertainment to draw people. They seem to think that by this means they will appeal to those who have not previously attended.
I just received a wonderful quote that was forwarded to me by my beloved friend Kenny McClinton in Northern Ireland: “If the church were down on her face in prayer they would be more concerned with the fellow outside. The Church has degenerated into a third rate amusement joint, with religion left out!”
Wow! Those are strong words aren’t they? I guess the author of the quote has been inside many of our modern churches. As a matter of fact he hasn’t. The quote was made by none other than the evangelist Billy Sunday back in 1914. Can you imagine what he would say about what is going on in our churches today?!
I also received an e-mail from another friend in Missouri. In it he shared his testimony of how he came to be born again. He attended a church that simply preached Jesus as the only way to heaven. No entertainment!
After the service, as he walked alone, he realized that he was a lost sinner. He prayed a sinner’s prayer and asked the Lord to come into his heart. Immediately he felt the burden of sin lift off his shoulders. He knew beyond any shadow of doubt that his prayer was answered. That was real! No entertainment necessary!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 5, 2009 | Romans
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Well, I find myself at odds with one of the well known ministers of our day. In recent weeks a few readers have forwarded comments made by this man which give his response to the question: “What is the purpose of life?” Here is what he replied: “In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity.”
That response just did not sit well with me (as with some of his other comments). It is easy to make comments, but it is another thing to support one’s comments with Scripture.
As I have meditated on what is the real purpose in life, I recalled one of the most fundamental questions contained in the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
Simply living our life in order to prepare for eternity leaves many gaps. It places undue focus on our own interests rather than upon the Lord Himself. If our chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, we will spend time in His Word and inquiring of Him what His will is for our life.
Yes, it is preparation for eternity, but we are not the important part of the equation. He is our all in all and our eternity begins the moment we are born again and have our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That is our real purpose for being here!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 4, 2009 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
With a subscriber base that reaches around the globe, each day I receive reports of trials and persecution that the saints of God are experiencing. It is easy to feel true sympathy for these people.
Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I was praying and meditating about those who are experiencing persecution. Immediately I was aware that we are to rejoice with these people. Thus the Scripture I have chosen for today. The Greek word for “blessed” is “makarios.” It means to be happy to the point of rejoicing.
Why on earth would someone who is experiencing lies, persecution and insults rejoice? The reason for their harsh treatment is faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
It is essential to examine one’s life to see if the cause is the result of faith in Christ or because of some type of misconduct. We cannot claim to be persecuted for Christ’s sake if we are guilty of doing something wrong.
Here is the bottom line—if you are encountering extreme ordeals in your life, you are blessed. Both here in Matthew 5 and also in James 1 we are told to count it joy and even rejoice in our trials. We don’t need to pity, we need to praise!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
