by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians
I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Being thankful is not, or at least it should not be, a once-a-year thing. As members of God’s family we are to be thankful at all times. It is not our prerogative to choose when or what we will be thankful for.
In today’s Scripture, Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica (as well as all of us) that we are to give thanks in everything. Do you frequently look as though you have been baptized in vinegar? That, my dear friend, is not being continually thankful.
Paul also encourages believers to pray continually. That brings us to another embarrassing question: How is your prayer life? Are you continually speaking to the Lord in prayer? It is a discipline that we need to pursue.
The last admonition in line with today’s theme is that the Lord expects us to thank Him in all circumstances. Chew on that while you are munching on your sumptuous dinner. What if you had little or nothing to eat? Would you still give thanks? That is exactly the Lord’s will in any and every circumstance. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 6, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:14
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
Our world today is experiencing catastrophic events to such a degree that it causes even the most cynical doubters to wonder what is happening. Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, explosions, terrorist attacks—you name it. In today’s Scripture, Paul assures us that our hope is in our resurrected Lord.
In Matthew 24:6-8, Jesus spoke of signs which would be indicators of the end of the age. Here are just a few He mentions: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom will rise against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these things are the beginning of birth pain.”
In light of all these life-threatening events happening around us, we need to remember a vital truth. We will give an account for every action (or inaction) when we stand before the Lord. We should live as if we will be with Him the next minute — we very well might be!
As we anticipate the trumpet call of God, it is time for us to examine our lives. Do we still have a fervent love of God, or have we lost our first love? May our prayer be “Not my will Lord, but Thine be done!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 31, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
Though an invalid for much of her life, Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was always active and enjoyed a long personal friendship with Fanny Crosby. These two women met often for fellowship and discussion of their new hymns. Eliza was a school teacher in Philadelphia and a Christian lay worker who was committed to write songs to teach children the basic truths of the gospel. This song was written for her own Sunday school class in Philadelphia.
Miss Hewitt often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It was here that she collaborated with Emily Wilson, the wife of a Methodist district superintendent in Philadelphia, in the writing of this triumphant gospel hymn–a favorite of young and old alike. “When We All Get to Heaven” was first published in 1898.
When We All Get to Heaven
1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace. In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky; But when traveling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
3. Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving every day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
4. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “When We All Get To Heaven” from GloryScapes.com. by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven/
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 20, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Being thankful is not (or it should not be) a once a year thing. As members of God’s family we are to be thankful at all times. It is not our prerogative to choose what we will be thankful for — we are to have an attitude that is, by our spiritual heritage, thankful for all things.
In today’s Scripture, Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica (as well as all of us) that we are to: “Be joyful always.” Do you frequently look as though you have been baptized in vinegar? That, my dear friend, is not being continually joyful. Start each day by looking into God’s spiritual mirror to see the joy of the Lord.
Paul’s second admonition is that we are to: “Pray continually.” Here is another embarrassing question: How is your prayer life? Are you continually speaking to the Lord in prayer? It is a discipline that we need to pursue.
The last admonition is in line with today’s topic. Here is what the Lord expects of us: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Chew on that while you are scraping the bottom of the food bin to find a scrap to stave off the pangs of hunger. If you have little or nothing to eat do you still give thanks? That is exactly the Lord’s will in any and every circumstance.
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 10, 2018 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
What do other people think of you? Many years ago I asked that question of a young man who had recently been released from the Idaho State Juvenile Rehabilitation Center. He had become so disruptive that when released back to our jurisdiction, the local law enforcement agencies were notified that when rearrested he should be confined for as long as possible.
There was no response to my question about what others thought of him, so I passed the letter I had received across the desk and allowed him to read it. The young man’s mouth flew open in genuine astonishment. Ultimately, I agreed to work with him to change his behavior and he was never rearrested. In fact, that unruly young man became a model citizen.
The superintendent of the Rehab Center later inquired about the young man’s status and whether he had been arrested yet. When I reported that the former troublemaker was now a model citizen he wanted to know how I had accomplished that miracle. I told the superintendent that actually he had done it because the young man had read his letter.
So I ask you the question: Are you someone’s greatest problem or are you their glory and joy? I want to be the hope and joy of others!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2018 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
It is far too easy to be preoccupied with our own life and forget about those around us. Stop for a moment and think about a time in which you were treated unfairly or given an insult of some kind. The natural reaction to this treatment is retaliation.
The person who caused you pain may or may not even be aware that they have done so. Perhaps they may have been given a promotion that you felt you deserved. While they celebrated their promotion, you felt rejected. You may have even justified your actions in showing a bitter attitude toward them because you felt you deserved the promotion, not them!
This type of behavior is certainly not the way a Christian should behave. There will be times in our life when we will be treated “unfairly”. The way we react will say more about our spiritual maturity than hundreds of sermons.
My prayer is that you and I will start living the way the Lord desires. That means giving up our tender feelings to the Lord and refusing to show a contrary attitude, even when we are hurt to the core. SHOW A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
