by Pastor Cecil | Mar 31, 2016 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 10:12
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Back in my college days (I can hardly remember that far back) there would be a class that I wanted to take. The problem was that in order to register for that class it was required to have taken another class.
There were other classes that were required in order to graduate. We had advisors that were assigned to insure that our class schedules included all of the required classes that would qualify us for graduation.
In the spiritual realm we often are faced with the question of what does God require of us? We know that we are not saved by any works that we do, but what does He require of us once we are saved? The answer is found in today’s Scripture. We are given four requirements:
1. We are to reverentially fear the Lord our God.
2. We are to walk in ALL His ways.
3. We are to love Him.
4. We are to serve Him with all our heart and all our soul.
How are you complying with God’s requirements?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 30, 2016 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 2:2
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
In the 1984 Olympiad there was one scene that still lives vividly in my memory. It was not the victorious finish of a winner, but the conclusion of a determined Swiss marathon runner, Gabriela Andersen, who finished 37th.
I can still see her in my mind’s eye, staggering from the darkened tunnel into the bright sunlight of the Los Angeles Coliseum. There was only one lap to complete and the race would be over. She was so far behind it seemed foolish to complete that last lap, but finish she did. The ovation for her far exceeded that for the winner.
It is safe to say that each and every one of us is in a race. Sometimes it seems that we lack the strength to continue on … but we must. There is a prize to win at the end of the race. That prize is to hear the words from our Master — WELL DONE!
Determination always comes with a price. It means sacrificing the easy way in order to finish well. It means to keep on keeping on even when our get up and go, got up and went. We need more believers who are filled with determination.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 28, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 4:19
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
You may have heard the story of the young woman who was hired by an uppity socialite to care for her small son. The nanny was told to give the child anything he wanted because he was going to be raised in an affluent society.
Shortly after she was hired, the young woman was watching the boy in the backyard and chided him for misbehaving. The boy’s mother rushed out and demanded that the nanny never speak that way to her son again.
It was only a short time later that the boy screamed out. His mother again rushed out in a rage and demanded why the nanny could not follow orders. The nanny replied, “Ma’am, I was following orders. The boy wanted to play with a bumblebee and I was prevented from stopping him.”
That is a silly story, but there are many times we are like that little boy. We want to play with things that are dangerous and will hurt us — and we do not want to be told to stay away from them.
God has promised us to take care of our needs. The problem all too often is that we have a list of wants that we feel we are entitled to. When we feel entitled to something, it is easy to make it a need rather than a want. Just trust God!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 25, 2016 | Isaiah
Isaiah 53:12
“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”
Back in 1913, Salvation Army Officer, George Bennard passed through a trying experience. This experience caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of by entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the Gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
Bennard spent the last years of his life a few miles north of Reed City, Michigan. At the age of 85, on October 9, 1968, he passed away. Near this home there still stands a twelve foot high cross with the words, “The Old Rugged Cross – Home of George Bennard,” composer of this beloved hymn.
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross/ in your browser or click on the image below.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 24, 2016 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
One of the first bible verses I ever memorized was Isaiah 41:10. That scripture has held me firm and steady through the most frightening situations. I am not ashamed to admit that there have been times when I have been physically afraid, while at other times I have been emotionally and perhaps even spiritually afraid.
There have been a few incidents in my life when I was confronted with a life and death situation. I recall looking down the gun barrel of a deranged man who had already fired two shots at four of us police officers. We finally were able to disarm him without anyone being injured, but there was momentary fear.
I felt the fear of losing a loved one when I sat at the bedside of our oldest daughter, Brenda Joy, and again last year at the passing of my precious wife. There was such a helpless feeling of impending separation.
But then the reality of God’s provision enters. In the terror of the soul the Holy Spirit brings peace and certainty. It is a joy that the world can never know apart from the assurance God gives. This world is not our home – we are just passing through. Our treasures (loved ones) are waiting for us. NO MORE FEAR!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
