by Pastor Cecil | Oct 31, 2016 | Acts
Acts 7:55
“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.”
In the King James Version of the Bible the word heaven is mentioned 582 times in 550 verses. That makes it a well documented location in Scripture. The problem is in knowing how to get there. This week I will be dealing with the issue of insuring we know for certain we are heaven bound.
It is tragic that so many people who have little or no concern about spiritual matters are sure they will be going to heaven. They convince themselves that just because they want to go there, that is where they will go.
Hollywood and fiction writers have performed a horrible disservice by depicting that entry into heaven is gained by doing more good deeds than bad ones. It has even been expressed as a book showing which outweighs the other. More good you go to heaven; more bad you go to hell.
I want to take the time this week to show what the Bible says about what is necessary to gain entrance into God’s glorious heaven. I urge you to invite your friends and family to travel with us to show God’s requirement for entry.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 28, 2016 | Ruth
Ruth 2:8
“Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.'”
It is hard to make a list of beloved hymns without encountering Fanny J. Crosby. This blind little lady composed well over 8,000 hymns and poems in her life. It is sad that many churches never sing these songs anymore. They are the losers!
As I think about the life of Fanny J. Crosby I am humbled. With her physical limitations she expressed her longing to be more and more like the Master she served. This hymn seems to highlight her aim to draw closer to Him.
In today’s Scripture, Boaz instructed Ruth to stay near the women who worked for him. He was her kinsman redeemer even though she did not know it. Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer and we know it because the Bible tells us so. Are we like Fanny J. Crosby having a desire to be closer to Him?
Close to Thee
Thou my everlasting portion,
More than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Refrain:
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
Nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
Refrain:
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
Lead me through the vale of shadows,
Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Refrain:
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “Close to Thee” by going to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/closetothee/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 27, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 1:29
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
If there happened to be a check-out line to purchase spiritual gifts, I am sure that suffering would not one of the most popular items in our cart. Be that as it may, in today’s Scripture suffering is presented as a gift.
As I read the words that Paul penned to the church at Philippi I am always reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5. It was part of His Sermon On the Mount; in fact it was part of what we call the Beatitudes: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Is it possible that we have our eyes so focused on receiving only good things that we ignore the importance of laying our lives down for Christ? We may not be called upon to experience physical pain or death, but it is possible to suffer ridicule or humiliation at the hands of those who reject Christ.
Whether it is physical or emotional death, we need to accept the way we are treated as our special gift from God. There will come a time when the struggles of this life will end and the ages of eternal bliss will erase every tear from our eyes. Until that day comes when Jesus calls us home, let us receive the gift to suffer for Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 26, 2016 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:16
“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
If you were writing a letter to your son or daughter and knew that it might be the last words you would ever share with them, what would you say? What would you want them to remember above everything else?
I can recall one of the last conversations I had with my dad. He had been my hero throughout my life and I cherished his wise counsel. He said; “Son when I am gone I want you to remember to tell everyone that I love the Lord and when He is ready to take me home, I am ready to go.”
Dad was never one to spend his time in useless arguments. He had a focus on things that were eternal. He only had an 8th grade education, but his wisdom was far beyond many who had advanced degrees.
The “profane and idle babblings” that Paul mentions are things that can occupy our time and attention and lead us away from God rather than a closer walk with Him. I want to avoid these arguments and debates in order to stay close to the Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 25, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”
I want to confess that I am not a deep theologian who has profound knowledge of the writings of learned biblical scholars. I simply feel that the Lord has called me to study, think, and pray on the things that are written in the precious Word of God until they become real to me. Then, and only then, I try to present them in a manner that is simple, real, and true to the Word
When I was stationed in Missouri with the USAF, I had many conversations with a dear pastor, Rev. Frank Meyers, in Warrensburg, Missouri. He shared that his first pastorate was in St. Joseph, Missouri, near a large meat packing company where a certain member of his congregation worked. This elderly meat packer had at best a third-grade education. Each day he got off at 3:00 p.m. and would head for the pastor’s study. Frank said that old man with a limited education (by the world’s standards) taught him more about the true Word of God than all of his highly educated professors in college and seminary. I want to be like that old unknown meat packer.
Just remember that it is the Lord that takes this poor preacher’s ramblings to show you that God loves you, knows exactly what you feel, and has a plan for your good and His glory. I encourage you to read the book of 1 Thessalonians. If you can, read it all the way through at one sitting. It will bless you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
