by Pastor Cecil | Mar 25, 2016 | Isaiah
Isaiah 53:12
“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”
Back in 1913, Salvation Army Officer, George Bennard passed through a trying experience. This experience caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of by entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the Gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
Bennard spent the last years of his life a few miles north of Reed City, Michigan. At the age of 85, on October 9, 1968, he passed away. Near this home there still stands a twelve foot high cross with the words, “The Old Rugged Cross – Home of George Bennard,” composer of this beloved hymn.
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross/ in your browser or click on the image below.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 24, 2016 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
One of the first bible verses I ever memorized was Isaiah 41:10. That scripture has held me firm and steady through the most frightening situations. I am not ashamed to admit that there have been times when I have been physically afraid, while at other times I have been emotionally and perhaps even spiritually afraid.
There have been a few incidents in my life when I was confronted with a life and death situation. I recall looking down the gun barrel of a deranged man who had already fired two shots at four of us police officers. We finally were able to disarm him without anyone being injured, but there was momentary fear.
I felt the fear of losing a loved one when I sat at the bedside of our oldest daughter, Brenda Joy, and again last year at the passing of my precious wife. There was such a helpless feeling of impending separation.
But then the reality of God’s provision enters. In the terror of the soul the Holy Spirit brings peace and certainty. It is a joy that the world can never know apart from the assurance God gives. This world is not our home – we are just passing through. Our treasures (loved ones) are waiting for us. NO MORE FEAR!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 23, 2016 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 12:13-14
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”
God’s Word is true regardless of how many people try to deny it. Since it is a fact that it is God’s message to each and every one of us, it is important that we listen to what is written and then obey.
Paul is writing to the church at Corinth in today’s Scripture. He calls for us to be united in serving the Lord. He speaks of the church as being a body. I like that. A body is made up of many parts. Each part has a different function, but all working together make the body function effectively. Try hitting your thumb with a hammer and, once you wrap it up, notice how hard it is to function with just one thumb injured.
God does not intend us to compromise with the fundamentals of the faith. There is only one way to heaven and that is through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. But it is tragic that divisions have existed between true believers just on the basis of race or social status. THAT MUST NOT BE!
The FACT of God’s plan for His church is love for the brothers and sisters. We need to stop the competition and show love for others. We need to pray for one another and assist for the furtherance of the Kingdom!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 22, 2016 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1-3
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
At a Bible study many years ago I asked the group about the meaning of faith. Their response was to quote Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When I pressed for further explanation, I was met with many blank stares.
If we analyze what is written here, we find that the first description of faith is: EVIDENCE. Now in my law enforcement background, evidence is concrete material to substantiate a case. But here in this verse, evidence is described as things hoped for but not yet seen.
I liken that to making a trip to buy an ice cream cone. On the way we begin to think about our favorite flavor. Our salivary glands begin to kick into operation and we start to enjoy the ice cream before we ever arrive at the store.
In like manner we can spiritualize this same concept. Faith is stepping out and trusting God’s promises before they ever come to pass. He says it — we believe it, and that is faith in action!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 21, 2016 | Ephesians
Ephesians 3:14-15
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
Family is an interesting concept. Sometimes families are close, but at other times they are at odds with each other and relationships are strained. Back in the mid 60’s I was in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Missouri. Joyce’s aunt and uncle lived in nearby Illinois with their two boys and one daughter. We only visited their farm once but had a wonderful time together. Joyce’s cousin, Millie, was a few years younger and that was the only time I had met her and her husband, David, and the last time Joyce had seen them.
Several years ago, Millie and David were traveling north on I-5 toward the San Juan Islands on the Puget Sound. They called and asked if we could spend some time with them — we could and did!
Joyce and Millie immediately began talking up a storm and going through the family relationships. It was a great time of closeness. After they left to continue their trip, Joyce made a profound observation. She said that even though she had never lived close to Millie, and even though it had been some thirty years since she had last seen her, as they talked they drew close because of the family of which they were a part.
While these two cousins were bonding, David and I were discovering that we, too, were related. Can you believe that?! What a discovery! Not only were we related, but we were brothers! No, we did not have the same mother and father, but were part of the much closer family of God!
There is a new name written down in glory the moment we become born again. We become “blood” relatives of all those who have been born into the family of God. All of the difficulties and trials of this world will seem as nothing when we are finally all together. Talk about a family reunion!
Joyce and Millie had laughed as they recalled Millie’s dad going to the deep freeze and taking out large containers of ice cream and asking the kids what flavor they wanted. That sight will be nothing compared to the sweet dessert which will be spread out before God’s family at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
