by Pastor Cecil | Nov 15, 2013 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit. “
In recent years piracy on the high seas has increased dramatically. Huge oil tankers or cargo carriers have been boarded and the ship and crew have been held hostage until the price for their release has been met. THEY HAVE TO BE REDEEMED IN ORDER TO BE SET FREE!
The fact that Fanny J. Crosby wrote thousands of poems, many of which became favorite hymns is amazing. The fact that she was totally blind is even more remarkable. Our hymn this week is Redeemed.
Redeemed
(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.
REFRAIN:
(3) I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
REFRAIN:
(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
REFRAIN:
(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
REFRAIN:
Notice verse four. It strikes me that Fanny Crosby was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed/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 | Nov 14, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
In all of my years of schooling, I think I dreaded the tests more than anything else. I wish I had been a better student and devoted myself more to the material, but if the truth were to be known, I failed to discipline myself.
I once heard a minister tell about how he had procrastinated in preparing a paper for a class. Late on the night before it was due he had run out of time and now it was do or die for him. He quickly sat down and scribbled out, “‘I’m all petered out!’ That expression comes from the actions of the Apostle Peter. He made wild boasts about what he would do, but he began to sink in the water; he missed cutting off the head of a servant as Jesus was being arrested; and he denied even knowing Jesus. This was all because he was all petered out.” The teacher gave him a passing grade and remarked that she had always wondered where that expression came from!
In today’s Scripture the Psalmist is praying a vulnerable prayer. He is asking the Lord to search his inmost heart and thoughts to reveal anything offensive. He then asks for the leadership of the Lord to guide him to everlasting life. That is my prayer as well.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 13, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
“Back in the day” (Where did that expression come from) I was married with two children and attending college full time. Back then the normal work week was 48 hours and I was taking a full 18 credit hour load. Each Spring I eagerly anticipated the goal of finishing the year. Then came the ultimate goal of completing all of my undergraduate work and receiving my degree.
Years later when I was separated from my family on a remote assignment with the United States Air Force, I had the goal of being reunited with them. Those were a very long twelve months and I counted the days until we would be together once again. What is a goal you are attempting to complete?
For each of us believers, there is a heavenly home that is waiting for us. Jesus promised it to us and we know that His promises are always sure and true. But that does not mean that we are to be idle while we wait for that wonderful day. While I was stationed in Newfoundland, I threw myself into the work of the Lord in all ways possible. My prayer is that somehow I made a difference in someone’s life.
Our Scripture for today urges us to; “—spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” How are you doing in that regard?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 12, 2013 | John
John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
In police work, one of the first things an officer will do when pulling over a speeder is to check for the identification of the driver. If things do not seem to be quite right, the identification of the passengers will also be checked. In this manner it is often possible to capture individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.
At most sporting events you will see large numbers on the players’ jerseys. On a team where everyone is dressed alike, this is how individual players are identified, as well as the positions they are playing.
Christians do not carry cards that identify themselves as born-again believers. They do not have numbers on their clothing to indicate that they are playing some vital role as a member of the “Jesus team.”
Jesus gave all true believers a command—not a suggestion, but a command. We are to love each other. Our manifestation of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ must be just as identifiable as carrying an ID card. Can you be identified as a loving member of the body of Christ?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 11, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 59:8
The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
In September 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Berlin where he had a meeting with Adolph Hitler. He held up a document that had been signed by himself and Hitler. He proclaimed confidently, “Peace for our time!” Less than one year later all of Europe was plunged into the devastation of World War II.
November 11th is celebrated in much of the world as Armistice Day. The word armistice means a cessation of conflict. I can still recall the images of people here in America when peace was restored to Europe and then with Japan. People rushed into the streets, laughed, sobbed, and shouted with joy. They felt that everything was going to be okay now that all was peaceful.
The sad fact was that peace had never been restored and in fact it will never completely be restored between nations. There will always be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus returns to establish an everlasting ARMISTICE.
Until that time comes we can experience a personal armistice. It is a peace that passes all understanding. It is the armistice that comes as we surrender our will to that of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Victory is ours as we make Him the Master of our lives. Praise the Lord!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
