by Pastor Cecil | Jul 14, 2017 | Ephesians
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
I suppose many of us have heard humorous stories about someone approaching the gates of heaven and being required to prove that their actions on earth merited entry into God’s heavenly kingdom. Beep! Wrong answer!
A person may do amazingly good works here on earth and still miss heaven. It is not what we do for God that determines where we will spend eternity—it is what He has done for us. When we repent of our sins and accept Him as Savior and Lord then—and only then—is our name is written down in glory.
The writer of this week’s hymn, Charlotte Elliot, was offended when someone asked her if she was a Christian. She told him to mind his own business. Later as she was contemplating his question, she began to wonder what it took to become a Christian. She called him and he explained to her the plan of salvation which she accepted. It was then that she wrote this hymn, “Just As I Am.”
Just As I Am
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “Just As I Am” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://gloryscapes.com/justasiam/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 13, 2017 | John
John 14:4
“And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Being lost is a terrifying sensation. It causes panic and frustration that tends to lead the lost person further away from rescue. Even with a map it is possible to become lost, which happens when one decides to rely on his or her own instincts instead of following the map that is laid out before them.
In today’s Scripture passage, Jesus assures each believer that we have the directions to go where He is going. Later in this same chapter Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Those words sum up the direction we are to travel in order to stay with the Lord.
As we travel this pathway of life there will always be a temptation to go our own willful way. I am here to tell you that taking that route will always end on a dead-end street. The results of going our own willful way will end in disaster.
We know where Jesus has gone and we know the way we are to follow. The question is whether we choose to act in obedience and follow as He leads us or go our own willful way. I choose to follow THE WAY!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 12, 2017 | John
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
One of the most distressing situations I have encountered as a Christian Counselor and Pastor are broken promises. At times it feels as if the individual who has broken the promise has done so intentionally. It is no consolation that the aggrieved party suffers even greater pain.
Those closest to us may break their promises to us, but God never has nor will He ever break His promise. He is always faithful and true. Not only does He tell us that He is preparing a place for us, He also assures us He is coming again to take us to be with Him.
As I read today’s Scripture once again I am struck by the promise that Jesus is returning to receive us to Himself. He is not just taking us to the place He has prepared for us and dropping us off. Instead He is taking us to be with Him!
Do you ever feel lonely and isolated? The promise we have from the Lord is that we will be in His presence forever. In our new and glorified bodies we will be able to experience His presence eternally. THAT IS HIS FAITHFUL PROMISE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 11, 2017 | John
John 14:2
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
There is a place being prepared for us right now! In Revelation 21 we are given a glimpse into that wonderful place called Heaven and the New Jerusalem. It is so magnificent that words cannot adequately describe it.
On the outskirts of Olympia, Washington, there is a small café that once was called The Place. The menu had this saying on the cover: There Is No Place Just Like This Place So This Must Be – – THE PLACE!
I have read reports where biblical scholars have calculated the size of our heavenly homes. Instead of square feet, the size is measured in square miles. Our family once toured the Hurst Castle in California, but in spite of its opulence it would be considered squalid when compared with the mansion Jesus is preparing for us.
There will come a day when we will be escorted to our new home. We will meet all of our dear ones who have died in the Lord. It will be wonderful, but the greatest glory of all will be to see Jesus and know that we will be with Him for all eternity. What a wonderful mansion is waiting for us!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 7, 2017 | John
John 4:13-14
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
Not only is Olympia, Washington, the State Capitol, but there is also another significant claim to fame. In the 400 block of 4th Avenue is an artesian well. People are able to fill containers of this pure cool water. It is a fountain flowing freely.
The composer of this week’s hymn is William Cowper. He was born in England in the year 1731. He suffered many personal losses during his early years that caused him much mental anguish. Loss after loss of those that were close brought him to the brink of despair.
Through all of his ordeals the Lord kept drawing him. He finally received Jesus as his personal Savior and began writing hymns and poetry. It is fascinating that he lived in a small house just behind the home of his pastor, John Newton, who wrote the wonderful hymn, Amazing Grace. Thank the Lord for the fountain of redeeming blood that cleanses us from all of our sin.
There Is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel’s veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more
For since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
and shall be till I die
When this poor lisping,
stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing thy power to save
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “There Is A Fountain” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://gloryscapes.com/thereisafountain/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
