by Pastor Cecil | Aug 21, 2015 | 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.”
Several years ago I received an e-mail from one of our subscribers who passed on some information that I found interesting and inspirational. It has to do with the town of Reed City, Michigan. I visited Reed City’s website and discovered that there is a museum called the “Old Rugged Cross Museum.”
The Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on September 14, 1954, north of Reed City, Michigan, near the Home of Rev. and Mrs. George Bennard. Rev. Bennard was the author of the well-loved hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” written in 1913.
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 by the side of the road, 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 | Aug 20, 2015 | Isaiah
Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Eagles have been my favorite bird longer than I can remember. I am captivated every time I look into the sky and see that majestic bird with the dark body and white head soaring majestically over the earth below.
When I see an eagle in flight, the beauty and grace of his movements are fantastic. Soaring high in the sky, he looks very small and yet he is a very large bird. His talons can crush bones and his beak can tear away huge portions of flesh. But I don’t think of these qualities while I observe him in flight, only his beauty.
The truth of the matter is that an eagle spends a considerable amount of time performing very menial activities. I have observed them via an “eagle cam” sitting on a nest for hours on end, sometimes in snow and ice, to ensure that the eggs are hatched. Then both the mother and the father take turns seeking food to bring to the nest to feed their hungry brood.
When we think of serving the Lord, it is easy to think of the easy times, the times of soaring and feeling the wind beneath our wings. As we consider today’s Scripture, there is another element involved. Spiritually, to soar like an eagle is to patiently wait for the Lord and be prepared to act when He calls. Soar, my friend!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 19, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 139:1-4
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”
There are many emotions that arise when we go through a stressful situation. I tenderly want to suggest that one of the most difficult encounters is when a well- meaning person suggests that they know how you feel.
I have encountered this several times in my life and have heard from others who also have had to respond to these comments. Yes, I may have had similar tragedies in my life, but that does not equate to knowing what another person is feeling.
What may cause intense pain and anguish in one person does not make them expert in relating it to the pain another is experiencing. There comes a time when silence and presence speak far louder than trying to impose my previous feelings.
There is one exception; the Lord knows what we are experiencing and He alone knows how we feel! He has borne our sinful burden to the cross and has experienced every heartache that we can ever endure. REST IN HIM AND FIND COMFORT!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 18, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 34:1-2
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.”
I want to ask you a personal question. Do you enjoy listening to someone who is constantly complaining? Do you enjoy being around people who are so negative that they seem to make a conscious effort of seeing the worst in every situation?
If you are like me it’s difficult being around people like this. Unfortunately many Christians seem to fall into this type of behavior. There is very little praise, joy, or expectation from these people. They drag you down spiritually. Personally I think these negative oriented people are not living the life desires.
The psalmist David gives us a beautiful pattern of victorious Christian living. It seems as if he is making this a personal commitment to himself. He first of all starts out by asserting that he will bless the Lord at all times. If you have read anything about David in the Old Testament you will see that there are many times and many situations that were threatening and hard to give the Lord blessing. He goes on to say that he will praise the Lord continually! And finally he says that his boast will be in the Lord! And he just knows that those who are humble before God will hear of his praise and blessing and boasting and be glad.
So the question right now is, are you blessing the Lord enough? Do you praise him for each and every situation regardless of how devastating it may seem? Are you boasting about what you have accomplished or what God has accomplished through you? I encourage you to look deep into your own life and then praise the Lord!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 17, 2015 | Amos
Amos 6:1
“Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!”
A few blocks from my home is a busy intersection where, almost every week, there is a group of young people having a car wash to raise money. They have signs and usually more enthusiasm than I have experienced for years. Sometimes they yell at the top of their voices, but with your windows rolled up you have no way of hearing what they’re saying. But at least they’re excited!
Today, as I came to the intersection I noticed a young man who is sitting on a lawn chair. He was so nonchalant that at first I thought he was asleep. Then I noticed he had a sign advertising the car wash, but instead of holding it up he just had it leaning against the chair as he sat.
The scene prompted me to think of the modern day Church. There are a few who are excited and committed to the task of sharing the good news about Jesus Christ … but there are many more who seem to be “at Ease In Zion.”
It is well for us to understand that we are in the midst of a battlefield — a battlefield for the souls of men and women, boys and girls. And yet, so many are very much like that young man sitting on a lawn chair — indifferent and uncommitted. It is time for us to wake up and get busy sharing with our family and friends and others as the Holy Spirit opens the door. Wake up, Beloved! It may be their last chance!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
