by Pastor Cecil | May 8, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Sometimes we struggle over the trials and tribulations of our life trying to make sense of why things happen the way they do. If God is great and mighty (and He is), why do we have to endure such tests to our faith? The answer is to be found in our restricted vision.
I recall once traveling by helicopter to a missile site in central Missouri. I had traveled the route many times by car and knew that there were steep and winding places that required slow travel, especially when being stuck behind a slow-moving truck. These dangerous spots were clearly marked with “No Passing” signs.
From my helicopter’s eye view on this day I could observe a truck being followed by a passenger car. I knew that it would be miles before the car could safely pass the slower vehicle — he was stuck! I imagined what it would be like if I could communicate with the driver in the car and tell him when it was safe to pass or to watch out for an on-coming vehicle. Since I could not do so, the driver had to wait until he could see the road for himself.
Paul expresses the concept of waiting patiently on the Lord in I Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.” Until that day, we (along with Paul) must trust in the Lord with all our heart rather than depending on our limited understanding.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 5, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 6:27
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
True Christian character is certainly seen in our biblical heroes, but it may often be seen in those of more recent times. Hope is a character quality that looks beyond our immediate circumstances and shows what we as believers have waiting for us.
In the Sweet By and By is one of the most enduring songs written after the Civil War. It was composed by Sanford Bennett who was the owner of a drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He had just returned from the war. A friend, Joseph Webster, a gifted musician trained formally in composition, came to the store each day to talk and play chess. Often Webster would be depressed and down.
When asked what was wrong, Webster would often reply; “It will be alright by and by.” That idea hit Bennett like a flash of sunlight! As Bennett later described the incident, he took out a pen and it was all over in thirty minutes. A new hymn was born. In short order he was singing the words along with Webster and two other friends. That hymn was perfect for the post-Civil War era because it conveyed pathos with a mixture of comforting warmth. It came to typify the virtues of spiritual hope.
Sweet By and By
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore,
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise,
For the glorious gift of His love,
And the blessings that hallow our days.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
To access Sweet By and By, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweetbyandby 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 | May 4, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Years ago my wife Joyce worked as a Legislative Assistant for the Washington State House of Representatives. She did not drive so I made it a habit of dropping her off and picking her up from work.
One afternoon I was waiting for her when I noticed a car I had never seen before stop in the waiting area. For some reason I was suspicious of the driver as he seemed to be acting out of the ordinary.
About then I saw Heather, a receptionist that worked on the same floor as Joyce, exit the building and start walking to the parking area. The suspicious driver started his car and I noticed that he was following her. Immediately I started my car and followed him. As Heather reached her car I drove next to the stranger and gave him my most ominous stare. He quickly left the area. I called the police to report what I had observed and gave them his license number.
Even when we are not aware of it, God is our protector. The evil one may be lurking about, but we have a loving God who is always on guard to insure that we are safe from all harm. Rest in Him alone.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 3, 2017 | Romans
Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
“Play nice!” How many times have mothers given that admonition to their children? The answer is many times. When she was four or five, our daughter Brenda used to stay with my aunt while my wife, Joyce, worked at the college. Aunt Elva also cared for my cousin’s son, Rowe.
For some reason, when there was an argument between the two cousins, Brenda would bite Rowe. I can remember one afternoon we picked up Brenda and the first words out of her mouth were, “I bite a Rowe!” It took stern measures to solve the problem.
We may not have the habit of physically biting one another, but unfortunately we often fail to show forth a spirit of love for others. In today’s scripture the apostle Paul urges us to show brotherly love to one another. That means a deep and abiding care for the welfare of others. In John chapter 13 Jesus says, “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.”
The question we need to constantly keep in our minds is whether or not we truly care about those around us? Are we willing to let go of the things that are done for our own gratification in order that others will be given priority? What are we doing now that will remain for eternity. I want to do for others!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 2, 2017 | Romans
Romans 12:9
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
I once attended a Christian counselor’s conference where one of the speakers related a sad but humorous antidote. It seems a wife was seeing a marriage counselor and complained that her husband never told her he loved her. When asked about it, the husband said he told his wife he loved her when they were married thirty years ago; he had never withdrawn that statement, therefore, it was still in force. RIGHT!
Pure love is a sacrificial love. It is the act of being more concerned about the object of our love than satisfying our own desires. The greatest example is the love Jesus Christ demonstrated in giving His own life in order that we may inherit eternal life.
We need to show our love by the words of our mouth, but much more so by the things we do. If we say we love God yet never spend any time reading the Bible or praying, our inaction speaks for us. It is phony love.
It is time for an honest examination of our love for God. Is it a phony love that we have for the Lord who loved us enough to die for us? We can show our pure love by turning away from evil and clinging to the goodness of God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
