by Pastor Cecil | Jul 17, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1
“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.”
The writer of Hebrews defines the size of the witnesses as a great cloud. All too often we have been led to believe that these witnesses are somehow peeking over the parapets of heaven to keep an eye on our actions. BEEP! I don’t think so.
The purpose of a witness is to faithfully testify as to what he or she actually saw or experienced. It is not what they think or feel, but what they saw with their own eyes or heard with their own ears.
We are urged to gain a new sense of determination to do more for the Lord because of the example they have left for us. They gave so much to further the cause of Christ; that should challenge us to do more and more each passing day.
The great cloud of witnesses which stands before us gives a new sense of motivation to live all out for the Lord. God’s sending His own Son for our salvation and redemption demands that we live our life for His calling and purposes. God never calls us to a life of ease and comfort, but a life of service. He calls each of us to join that great CLOUD OF WITNESSES!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 15, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith! What is it? How can you put into words a concept like faith? The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews is often described as the faith chapter in the Bible. When you read the passage given above, it almost defies logic. It is as though it doubles back on itself and leaves us grasping for true understanding.
As I study and meditate about the meaning of faith, it strikes me that the way to understand it is by way of word pictures. We have to visualize what we have faith in as already coming into being.
Suddenly it becomes a lot of fun to think in a graphic manner. Imagine that it is 100 degrees outside and we are going to our favorite ice cream shop to get a double-dip ice cream cone. When do we begin to enjoy it? On the way there we experience the joy of anticipation. THAT IS FAITH!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 29, 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 | Mar 24, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
What is really important in your life? There are people who live in massive and opulent homes that cost millions of dollars. It would be easy to think that they have reached the pinnacle of satisfaction, but that is usually not the case. These people are most likely to be miserable.
On the other extreme are those who live in humble dwellings that are in low income neighborhoods. Some who reside there spend considerable time and effort day dreaming about living in the homes of the rich and powerful.
Lack of contentment can be expressed in numerous ways. Some people are never satisfied with their employment, their marriage partner, their appearance, their abilities, or any number of factors that are common to the human existence. Let’s face it—we covet the things or qualities that others possess. Even some pastors covet larger churches or larger ministries.
God calls us to find our true value in Him. He leads us and directs us in the path He has chosen for us. The path may be steep or rocky, but it is the wonderful way God has chosen to allow us to shine brightly in a world of sin. Rest in the contentment that God knows what He is doing, and by finding joy in your present situation, you may be a true minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 22, 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 | Mar 19, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:24-25
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.”
The pleasures of sin come with a huge price tag. Over the years I have counseled many people who yielded to the siren call of temptation and paid a price that was far more than they expected.
Satan has a deceitful way of making things seem so enticing and appealing that it leads the unwise to indulge. It started in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Adam and Eve to violate the command of God to not eat of the forbidden fruit.
We have no idea what kind of fruit it was, and that really makes no difference. The issue was not the type of fruit, but that God had said that they were not to taste of the fruit. In like manner, the Holy Spirit gives conviction about yielding to certain temptations. When we hear His voice and know it is wrong, we need to run (not walk) away from tempting fruit.
What is the temptation you are encountering? Get away from it as fast as your feet can carry you. If you have already yielded to the temptation, go to the Lord and confess your sin. Turn away from the thing that consumes you and start filling your heart and mind with the living Word of God. God does not want to punish; He wants to forgive the sincere repentant.
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
