by Pastor Cecil | Nov 23, 2017 | 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 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 and 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 Be joyful always. Do you frequently look as though you have been baptized in vinegar? That, my dear friend, is not being continually joyful.
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 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!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 22, 2017 | 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: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 14, 2017 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:6
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”
I confess that I am not a deep theologian who has profound knowledge of the writings of learned biblical scholars. I simply believe that the Lord has called me to take the truths that are written in the precious Word of God and study, think, and pray until they become real to me. Then, and only then, I try to present them in a manner that is simple, real, and true to the Word.
When I was in the USAF stationed in Missouri, I talked quite often with a dear pastor, Rev. Frank Meyers in Warrensburg, Missouri. He shared that his first pastorate was in St. Joseph, Missouri, near a large meat packing company. One of the workers there was a member of his congregation. This elderly meat packer had at best a third-grade education. Each day he got off work at 3:00 p.m. and would head for the pastor’s study. Frank said that old man with a limited education taught him more about the true Word of God than all of his highly educated professors in college and seminary. I want to be like that old unknown meat packer!
Just remember that it is the Lord taking this poor preacher’s ramblings to show you that God loves you, knows exactly what you feel, and has a plan for your good and His glory. I encourage you to read the book of 1 Thessalonians. If you can, read it all the way through at one sitting. It will bless you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 30, 2016 | 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: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 25, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”
I want to confess that I am not a deep theologian who has profound knowledge of the writings of learned biblical scholars. I simply feel that the Lord has called me to study, think, and pray on the things that are written in the precious Word of God until they become real to me. Then, and only then, I try to present them in a manner that is simple, real, and true to the Word
When I was stationed in Missouri with the USAF, I had many conversations with a dear pastor, Rev. Frank Meyers, in Warrensburg, Missouri. He shared that his first pastorate was in St. Joseph, Missouri, near a large meat packing company where a certain member of his congregation worked. This elderly meat packer had at best a third-grade education. Each day he got off at 3:00 p.m. and would head for the pastor’s study. Frank said that old man with a limited education (by the world’s standards) taught him more about the true Word of God than all of his highly educated professors in college and seminary. I want to be like that old unknown meat packer.
Just remember that it is the Lord that takes this poor preacher’s ramblings to show you that God loves you, knows exactly what you feel, and has a plan for your good and His glory. I encourage you to read the book of 1 Thessalonians. If you can, read it all the way through at one sitting. It will bless you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 22, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Any time a believer compromises with the world there is an appearance of wrong. It may be easy for the believer to argue that no sin was actually committed, but what signals are being sent?
The Apostle Paul spoke about weaker believers who may be struggling with the issue of meat offered to idols. If these baby believers had been a part of some group that worshipped idols and considered the meat offered as sacred, they would carry the stigma along with them once they had become believers.
Paul says that the meat had no such stigma for him, but if in eating it the weaker brother was made to stumble, he would not eat it. I wish each of us would have that same sensitivity for others. We need to evaluate our actions in relation to the impact they have on those around us. We are a walking and talking example of what true believers should be.
Here are a few things to evaluate in your life that may give a wrong appearance: The way we dress, the words we use, the places we go, the things we listen to, the people we associate with, the things we watch, just to name a few. Here is the question: Are you giving any appearance of sin or evil in your life?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
