by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2009 | 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.”
In this passage we are given the requirements for God hearing and healing a wicked nation. It is not when the nation cleans up its act, but when the people of God clean up their act. We talk about revival, but today I want us to take some time and analyze what is involved in it. Revival is not turned on and off like a water faucet. There are requirements that must be met.
Back in 1863, William P. Mackey wrote the words to this week’s hymn, “Revive Us Again!” Listen with your heart.
“Revive Us Again“
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
To access Revive Us Again, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/reviveusagain 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 | Oct 22, 2009 | Philippians
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
If someone asked you to describe who you were, what would you say? Without using titles, educational degrees or financial standing, what are the qualities that describe you? What makes you the person you are?
Some people feel if they attain a particular objective, they would have arrived. It usually is only a short period of time before they realize that “arriving” is not what they had expected. Yes, they had met their objective, but it only left them feeling empty. They do things for other people in order for them to return the favor. If the response is less than expected, they are crushed.
I love the way Paul explains it in today’s Scripture. He boldly suggests that it is possible to do things for selfish motives. They strive to accomplish things so people will think highly of them. If they are not appreciated they feel that they are failures.
But Paul gives the solution to the problem: “Humility!” It is the attribute of considering others more important than one’s self. It often will involve doing for others who will never be able to return the favor.
Now is the time for self examination. “Who are you?” Are you doing acts of righteousness only to please the Lord or in order to gratify yourself?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 21, 2009 | Job
Job 42:1-3
“Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted.’ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
I frequently receive messages from readers who feel as if the enemy of our souls has his weapons trained directly on them. They seem to give Satan more credit than he deserves.
I have been thinking of a few questions that may help to put things in perspective.
- Who is more powerful, God or Satan?
- Who is the defeated foe, God or Satan?
- Who wants to make your life miserable, God or Satan?
- Who wants you to allow Him to fight your battles, God or Satan?
- Who wants to tempt you into giving up, God or Satan?
You could add many more such questions. The important thing is to come to the same conclusion that Job did in today’s Scripture. It is not just hearing about God, but opening our spiritual eyes to see Him ready to meet our need.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:3-4
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”
I was a boy during the terrible days of World War II. There are vivid images that still fill my mind as I recall those days–stars in the windows. These were Blue Star Service Banners sometimes called Blue Star Flags. These banners first became a way for households to indicate they have family members in the service.
In a similar fashion Blue Star Memorial Highways were established by pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. started the program in 1945 after World War II.
The program has since been expanded to include Memorial Markers and Memorial By-Ways. This Wednesday, October 21st, I have been invited to offer the invocation for a dedication of such a memorial marker in Tumwater, Washington. (If you are interested in attending please send me an e-mail for more information).
As I recall the Memorial Banners with their blue stars, I suddenly remember that all too frequently the blue star changed to gold. This signified that the family member had died in service to the country.
If a Memorial Banner was displayed to indicate Christians who placed their lives on the line to defend the faith, would there be a star for you? Are you willing to give yourself fully in the Lord’s army?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Daily I receive messages from readers who describe the pain and trials that they are encountering. You may be one of those suffering saints, even if you did not send me a message.
As I read the words of today’s Scripture, I realize that Christians across the centuries have encountered painful trials. As I have mentioned many times, all of the disciples (except John) experienced torture, suffering and death.
Prior to the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter, was known for expressing his ideas before thinking or praying. Now that he had experienced prison, flogging and humiliation, how would he respond?
Peter’s answer to conflict and trial in his life is the same that we are to practice in our own life. It is what I like to think of as an “AHA!” moment. It is the time when we see the power of God’s Word as being more important than our natural reactions to our circumstances.
We are to see painful trials as something to be anticipated rather than some abnormal occurrence. Not only are we to expect trials in our life, we are to rejoice that we are able to participate in the suffering with Christ and look forward to being able to rejoice with Him in His glory is revealed.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
