by Pastor Cecil | Jan 24, 2017 | Hebrews
Hebrews 6:11
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.”
I was once speaking to a man about heaven and what awaited us there. He had been a believer for many years and it shocked me when he expressed the hope that he would make it to heaven.
Wow! That blew me away. I prayed with him and shared Scriptures to give him the eternal HOPE of his salvation. That encounter inspired me to share the idea of the word HOPE with you.
Here in Hebrews 6:11 the Greek word for hope is elpis. Here is the meaning in the Greek: joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. I really like this definition. That is the kind of hope each believer should have.
What is your hope for eternity? If you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord and are walking with Him, you need to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Walk with Him and I will see you in heaven!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 23, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Last week I mentioned a poem I had read years ago in Grit Magazine. My dear friend Cathy also remembered reading Grit. She checked out Wikipedia to see if it was still in print. She found that it was and also discovered the original editorial policy.
“Always keep Grit from being pessimistic. Avoid printing those things which distort the minds of readers or make them feel at odds with the world. Avoid showing the wrong side of things, or making people feel discontented. Do nothing that will encourage fear, worry, or temptation… Wherever possible, suggest peace and good will toward men. Give our readers courage and strength for their daily tasks. Put happy thoughts, cheer, and contentment into their hearts.”
In a world that is increasingly pessimistic and perverted we need to be committed to showing the right attitude and action in everything we do and say. We need for others see Jesus in us without a word being spoken.
It is time for us to take a careful look at our self in the mirror of God’s Word. It is not in comparing ourselves with others that matters, but in comparing our thoughts and actions in such a way that would please Jesus.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2017 | 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.”
We are told that the persecution of believers around the world is increasing. Many are tortured for their faith and some killed. It has been estimated that there are over 100,000 deaths each year at the hands of the enemies of the cross.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an 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 | Jan 19, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Years ago I remember reading a small weekly newspaper called GRIT. In one issue there was a poem that expressed the idea that it was easy to go through life when everything is going grand. The writer said it made you feel like you could beat the band.
The second part of that poem, however, spoke of the pressures of life that pressed in on us and called for God-given strength to praise Him when we were feeling like we were in a vise.
In today’s Scripture reading, the apostle Paul mentions four extreme conditions that we are frequently subjected to: (1) Hard-pressed (2) Perplexed (3) Persecuted (4) Struck down. That seems to be more than enough trouble to sink our ship!
But Paul does not leave us in a hopeless condition. He gives us four expressions of hope: (1) not crushed (2) not in despair (3) not forsaken (4) not destroyed. The next time you feel under pressure, remember that we have victory in Jesus. He is our strength and has won the victory. It is ours to claim!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 18, 2017 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
In the highly competitive world in which we live there will always be winners and losers. In every sporting event, spectators leave the stadium with smiles or frowns. In the financial world we find the same expressions depending on what the earning reports reveal.
There are many excuses given for why a favorite team lost. It may be that a key player was injured or, more frequently, an official called a decisive penalty that altered the outcome. Inevitably, the end result was that there was a loser.
In our Corinthians scripture today, Paul is writing to encourage each and every believer that we can all be winners. The prize that we are contending for is eternal life in heaven with joys and raptures far beyond anything here on earth.
The gift of eternal life is just that – a gift. It comes with a tremendous price, but the price has already been paid by our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave His all that we all have only to accept it by accepting Him. Now that is a sure winner!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
