by Pastor Cecil | Jun 16, 2017 | Titus
Titus 3:4-5
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
One night, 1886, in group of Christians were singing in a down-and-out part of a large city. A distraught young woman questioned if it would be possible for a sinner like her to be saved. Listening to her heart-cry for salvation, she was taken back to the mission and left with the ladies in charge. The young, wayward woman was brought to Christ that night.
A situation was secured for her in a minister’s family. Sometime later she became ill and had to be taken to a hospital. She rapidly failed and it became evident that she would not be long on earth. One of the gentlemen, whom she had met on that night on the street, was visiting her in the ward. After quoting a few suitable verses of Scripture, he repeated her favorite hymn, “All to Christ I Owe.” Two hours afterward she passed away.
Of course the greatest payment in our behalf is the gift of eternal life. It cost the horrible death of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He paid what we could not pay. He went to the cross voluntarily because He knew we would never be able to pay the cost.
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I,
whereby Thy grace to claim
I will wash my garments white,
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
To access Jesus Paid It All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/jesuspaiditall/ 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 | Jun 15, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Many of us remember being at summer camp and hearing the announcement that there was a snipe hunt scheduled for that evening. Only later were we to discover that a snipe hunt was a practical joke that sent unsuspecting newcomers into the woods to hold a sack to catch a non-existent creature. Many waited for hours before giving up.
As a newly commissioned officer I was serving my first duty assignment in the Personnel Processing Squadron. The ranking enlisted man was a Senior Master Sergeant who became a friend and mentor. We had one enlisted man, however, who drove us all to distraction. He was slow and always seemed to do as he pleased without following directions.
One day the Sergeant and I decided to send him on a fake assignment that would keep him occupied for an hour or so. To our chagrin we did not see him the rest of the day. The next day he reported that he was not able to complete his task. I think we were the ones who had been duped!
The enemy of our soul wants to dupe us into seeking after things that are false and destructive to our walk with the Lord. The only way we can be certain that we are not on one of Satan’s snipe hunts is to stay in God’s Holy Word.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 14, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 60:4
“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”
Flags (or banners) identify a nation. At the beginning of the Olympic Games there is the parade of nations. Each nation’s representatives proudly follow their flag bearer who holds high the symbol of that nation.
One of the iconic images from WWII was the placing of the flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945 by six U.S. Marines. Only days after the raising of the flag, three of the six were killed in combat.
Jesus left us the task of reaching the world and making disciples of all nations. His flag over us propels us to give our all in this great cause. Some have paid with their lives in order to rally around His flag.
Let me close today with the pledge to the Christian Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty for all who believe.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 13, 2017 | Colossians
Colossians 3:12-13
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Many times I have heard people pray to become more like Christ … and then immediately begin to tear into those around them. The words of their prayer must be offensive to the Lord as He calls us to be like Him.
How many of these attributes would describe the way you behave: TENDER HEARTED? MERCIFUL? HUMBLE? MEEK? PATIENT? WILLING TO PUT UP WITH OTHERS? FORGIVING?
(Is it getting quiet in here?)
If we truly want to be like Christ, we need to behave as Believers ought to behave. That means treating others in the same manner we would like for them to treat us. It does not mean that we deserve it or that they deserve it, but just as we need it so do they need our compassion.
We all have a long way to go in having a Christ-like spirit, but we begin by trying to see ourselves and others the way Christ sees us — fallen sinners who are in need of love and forgiveness. BE THAT FOR OTHERS AND IT WILL RETURN TO YOU!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 12, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 11:6
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”
Some dear friends of mine own a cabin in a small community on the Pacific coast. They are very generous in allowing others to use the cabin to rest, relax, and restore themselves.
Recently the owner was doing some clean-up after a few families had used the cabin. As she was sweeping out under one of the bunks, she noticed a note that had been left behind. It actually was a letter to God written by a young seven-year-old girl.
I do not have a copy of the letter, but in essence it read: “Dear God, please help me be nicer to people especially my friends and my mom. I hope you can make this be true. Please watch me at school. Love, xxxxxx.”
The simplicity and openness of this letter must have touched the heart of God. There are those who try to impress by high-sounding words, but God hears the honest prayers of a sincere heart. I want that to exemplify my prayers!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
