by Pastor Cecil | Jul 24, 2017 | 1 John
1 John 2:28
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
We live in a day and age where people seemingly are not ashamed of anything they do. Not only is there a lack of shame, but there seems to be a pride in aberrant behavior. Those of us who live by the Word of God are ridiculed and teased about not going along with the sinful lifestyle around us.
I once heard the story of a small group of believers who were meeting to worship in a country that oppressed the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. In the middle of the meeting the doors suddenly burst open and several masked men came in with drawn weapons. They demanded that anyone who was ready to die for their belief to remain and that all others should leave.
Several panicked people ran from the building, leaving behind a few brave souls who were certain they were about to die for the faith. But to their amazement, after the leader of the masked invaders closed and locked the door, they all removed their hoods and said they were looking for true believers to worship with.
Not only do I want to stand true to the Lord, I want to never be ashamed to proclaim Jesus as the Lord of my life. To live is Christ and to die is gain!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 21, 2017 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Fanny J. Crosby was a remarkable woman. There are so many accomplishments in her life that it is hard to comprehend them all. She lost her eyesight because of the treatment of a careless doctor. In spite of her loss she memorized huge portions of Scripture just by listening to her grandmother read them to her. She is credited with writing over 10,000 hymns during her life.
Fanny began writing poetry at an early age, but another amazing fact is that she did not accept Jesus as her personal Savior until she was 31. She was attending a service on November 20, 1850. The congregation was singing a hymn by Isaac Watts; At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light. She knew she needed the Lord and that very night He became her Savior and Lord. Her desire was to always stay close to Jesus who had paid the ultimate price for her salvation. Her desire was to remain near her Lord. She immediately wrote the words to the hymn for this week.
Near the Cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o’er me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
To access Near the Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://gloryscapes.com/nearthecross/ 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 | Jul 20, 2017 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
As a boy I was always impressed by a huge basalt rock located about 25 miles from my home in Camas, Washington. It is known as Beacon Rock and stands 848 feet tall. Lewis and Clark recorded passing by this huge rock on their famous expedition. Now it is often seen in commercials that feature the mighty Columbia River.
Anyone who has stood at the base of this mighty giant cannot help but be awe struck by something that is immovable. When I say that it is immovable, that is from man’s perspective. God could merely whisper and Beacon Rock would skip like a pebble across the Columbia River.
God calls us to be more immovable than Beacon Rock or any other mighty object here on earth. We are to do that by always abounding in the work of the Lord. We are to do it in His strength rather than in our own.
Are you steadfast and immovable? Are you always abounding in the work of the Lord? Is your world being shaken by the work you do for the Lord or are you shaken by the world in which you live? God wants you to be immovable!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 19, 2017 | Jude
Jude 1:23
“Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Cautiousness is a character trait that every true believer should practice at all times. It may be defined as knowing the importance of having the right timing in accomplishing the right actions.
Someone has noted that God’s work done in God’s timing will accomplish great and meaningful results. Unfortunately, too many of us think we have a better grasp of when things should be done than God does.
I often think of Joseph and the years he spent alone and forgotten in Egypt. I say forgotten, but that was only in the minds of his family. God had not forgotten him! Joseph was being prepared to save the very brothers who had betrayed him.
As we live our lives for Christ we must demonstrate caution in the way we deal with the circumstances that confront us. It is far too easy to act rashly instead of cautiously. The question we should always ask ourselves is: “What would Jesus do if He were faced with this circumstance?” Then act accordingly!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 18, 2017 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 16:25-26
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”
There have been times in my life when I have been blessed to be overcome with pure delight. For instance, that day so long ago when I knelt at an altar on the last day of Vacation Bible School and received Jesus as my personal Savior was a life-changing delight.
Then there was the day I first saw my future wife. We were just fourteen, but it was a moment I will never forget — a moment of pure delight. I somehow “knew” that she was the only girl for me! We grew inseparable for over 65 years.
The birth of our three children, eight grandchildren, and eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren have been times of pure delight. As I consider the days of my life, I realize what rich blessings the Lord has showered upon me.
It is often easy to focus on the personal blessings and overlook the greatest delight of all — the unchanging Word of God. In times of trial and heartache, His word has been my constant delight. I can rejoice with tears in my eyes because the Lord has given me the assurance that He will never leave me! WHAT PURE DELIGHT!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
