by Pastor Cecil | May 8, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
This week I have tried to focus on the plight of saints around the world who are experiencing persecution and even death. In some cases we are able to take action in coming to the aid of these precious saints. In other instances we are called to pray that their strength may be the witness to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced and extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. It has ministered to many people across the years.
About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his Second Piano Concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!
Hiding in Thee
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
To access Hiding In Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please 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 7, 2015 | John
John 17:14-17
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Have you ever heard someone praying for you? They spoke your name but it was directed to the throne of grace in your behalf. I wish everyone could experience the awesome power of such a prayer.
Jesus prayed for His disciples and that includes you and me. If you want to hear His prayer for you, please turn to John 17 and, beginning with verse 6, read through the remainder of the chapter; realize as you read the words of this precious prayer that it includes you. What a difference it should make in your life.
God does not call us to have a persecution complex. There are some people who do questionable things and when others react adversely to that behavior, they will cry out that they are being persecuted. That is ridiculous! Questionable behavior can never be justified as being persecuted for Jesus. Such erroneous thinking detracts from those who are truly experiencing persecution for the sake of Christ.
As we pray for those saints of God that are truly experiencing persecution, it needs to be prayer for their faith to remain strong and true. My own personal prayer is that if I am ever to experience persecution that my eyes will be fixed on Jesus. Should He deliver me, praise the Lord! If He calls me home to glory, PRAISE THE LORD! I just want to faithful either way.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 6, 2015 | Philippians
Philippians 1:12-14
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Have you ever wondered why God allows His saints to endure suffering, torture, and even death? Couldn’t He simply step in and bring about a great deliverance for those who are going through persecution? The answer is a resounding YES! So why does God allow persecution and suffering? OTHERS!
Frequently we forget that this world is not our home. It is terrible that many believers have been, are being, or will be subjected to torture and even death. But by the way they suffer and die they give a testimony to the Lordship of Christ in their lives.
I recall reading of the terrible persecution of Christians during the Cold War years. Richard Wurmbrand was a youth during a time of anti-Semitic activity in Romania. Prison or death was the price a person paid for trusting in Jesus as their Savior. The remarkable thing is that the suffering saints became such an example to some of the guards that they became Christians who were thus imprisoned and influenced other guards . . . and so on.
The prayer of Jesus concerning His disciples is found in John 17:15: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” My prayer for suffering saints is that they hold to the faith!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 5, 2015 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-14
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
Persecution toward the people of God has always been present. Satan knows he is a defeated foe and desires to fight God in every way possible. He hates Christians for they have been redeemed from his grasp by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
If Satan is a defeated foe, why does he continue to wage war against the saints of God? It is because he knows his fate and desires to rob God of as many souls as possible. He does this through deception and lies. Just as he enticed Eve in the Garden of Eden he still uses innuendos and doubt to cloud human hearts.
Every time I hear reports of martyrs who remain steadfast in the face of torture and death my heart explodes with praise. How tragic for those who are inflicting the persecution. Their eternal destiny is horrible and eternal.
As the first martyr, Stephan looked heavenward as the stones fell heavily on his earthly body the Lord parted the curtains of heaven for just a few moments. It was enough time for him to catch a glimpse of the heaven that was waiting for him. As he saw his Jesus he fell asleep. The stones could not touch his spiritual reward.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 4, 2015 | Matthew
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Last week a dear friend shared a message on YouTube.com delivered to the United Nations by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. He challenged that August body to the horrible persecution of Christians all over the globe. You can watch this 13-minute speech by going to: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CzQjFqR4Zzsen
It seems impossible to comprehend that men, women, and even children are being slaughtered because they are Christians and refuse to renounce their faith and allegiance to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I was proud to be one of God’s family when I heard of four children who chose to be beheaded rather than to deny the One who had died to give them eternal life.
Even in so-called Christian nations we have felt the tide of oppression coming our way. We have not yet felt the death sentence hanging over our head, but in many ways there has been opposition.
I would like to spend a few days in the Daily-E-Votional considering how we as believers should react to the persecution that is approaching at an alarming rate. I want to encourage us with the words of Jesus in Luke 21:28: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
