by Pastor Cecil | Dec 27, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 revival meetings were being held in the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York City.
Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of November 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must indeed come then or never. After a prayer was offered, they began to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give myself away,” her soul was flooded with a celestial light. She realized what her problem had been. She realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.
At the Cross
1. Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head, For sinners such as I?
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
2. Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
3. Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
4. But drops of grief can ne’er repay, The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer is our answer— Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/atthecross/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 29, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Those of us who have said farewell to beloved family and friends experience the pangs of separation. The pain of separation is eased with the assurance that there is a bright tomorrow waiting for us when we will be united with those who have died in the Lord.
Fanny J. Crosby was visiting the home of a friend, Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe was playing a new melody she had just composed and mentioned to Fanny that she called it Assurance. Fanny responded, “Blessed Assurance.”
Fanny returned home and quickly penned the words to the hymn that has become such a favorite since it was published way back in 1873. It is just as much a blessed assurance today as it was back then.
Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angles descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “Blessed Assurance” by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/blessedassurance/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 14, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:9
“We have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
I think it was the comedian Rodney Dangerfield who continually complained that he received no respect. This complaint has not been limited to Dangerfield, but is shared by many people. Many assaults and even murders have been committed because someone thought they were not given the proper respect.
In my experience with the criminal justice system, as well in private counseling, I have discovered a one-way street: Those people who are so adamant about receiving respect are most often the ones who show little respect to others.
The word respect as used here in Hebrews 12, is the Greek word entrepȏ. It may also be interpreted as reverence. Wow! That is a quality that is rarely seen in our modern world!
We may think of it as the lack of reverence and/or respect to those in authority around us such as parents, employers, or elected officials – but that is nothing in comparison with the reverence and respect that is due to our Lord Jesus Christ. When was the last time you honored Him with the respect He deserves? Now is the time to act!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 19, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 3:13
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
There was a little lady who had a sweet spirit in spite of her many ailments. When anyone would ask Minnie how she was feeling she always replied, “Good, but life is so daily!” I am sure that all of us have felt that way from time to time. We might take a step or two forward, but like the old saying, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!”
Sometimes as I sit down at the computer to prepare my Daily-E-Votionals, I wonder how many people take the time to read them and if it is a waste of time. It is at these times that I am prone to use that expression of Minnie’s —”Life is so daily!” Then I pray and realize that I am not responsible for other people’s responses, only my actions. The Lord will cause those who have a need to receive what is given. I hope that in itself may be an encouragement for you.
We live in a world that is so preoccupied with numbers that we overlook the one or two whose lives have been changed. By our caring, some may find Jesus as their personal Savior. Life may be “so daily,” but it can also be “so fruitful!”
Our Scripture for today instructs us to encourage each other daily. It will lift our spirits to the heavens and put a song in our heart. It will cause us to rise each morning with a song of praise: “LIFE IS SO DAILY – AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO GET AT IT!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 17, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Years ago I was on the staff of a large church that was in the planning stages of a huge expansion project. One of the pastoral staff members came up with the idea of enhancing the “I” in the word faith with a picture of an eye. It was a huge success and generated new enthusiasm to see how God would bless the project.
I have in my notes the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. For the believer — believing is seeing. On the other hand, for the unbeliever — seeing is believing.
Many times we find ourselves perched on the spiritual sidelines waiting for something to happen before we become involved in the work of ministry. This wait and see attitude can become contagious and lead to the death of spiritual vision. We think we have to see it before we believe it!
God calls us to place our trust in Him on the basis of His precious Word and the promises we find there. Rather than trusting in what we can observe, we must look through the eye of faith and trust God to do what He alone can do and allow Him to use us as He sees fit. LOOK THROUGH THE EYE OF FAITH TODAY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 23, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 revival meetings were being held in the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York City.
Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of November 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must indeed come then or never. After a prayer was offered, they began to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give myself away,” her soul was flooded with a celestial light. She realized what her problem had been. She realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.
AT THE CROSS
- Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head, For sinners such as I?
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
- But drops of grief can ne’er repay, The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer is our answer – – Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/atthecross/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
