by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2013 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I cannot believe how much quicker time passes when you get older. As a kid it seemed as if everything was in slow motion and that the days drug by. From one holiday to the next seemed like an eternity. But then I arrived in my seventies and the years seem to fly past like watching a picket fence at highway speed. Fast or slow, life is constantly slipping past and another year is before us.
Some people spend the majority of their time remembering the days gone by. We say that they are living in the past. Others spend much of their time worrying and wondering about the future. As I see it, neither of these choices are worthy of our efforts. We cannot re-live the past (what is done is done). We cannot pre-live the future (we have not been there yet).
That leaves the here and now. There is a familiar quotation that sounds like a Bible verse, but if so I cannot locate it: Only one life and it soon will be past. Only what is done for Christ will last!
My aim and desire for the year 2013 is to live each day for Jesus Christ as if it is the last day I have to live for Him. It may very well be the last day and I want most of all to please Him rather than to enjoy any other thing. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do you feel as if you go through life with a giant question mark over your head? Do you listen to the news of God’s people being taken hostage, and wonder why? Do you question why children are diagnosed with incurable diseases? Do you ask yourself why God allows the wicked to appear to prosper?
There are a multitude of questions that seem constantly to be with us. In the back room of our mind we conjure up notions that if we had understanding on some of these issues, all would be well. Can I let you in on a little secret? IT ISN’T GOING TO HAPPEN! Not only is it not going to happen, it should not be our goal. Being used of God is simply doing what He says, whether we ever gain understanding.
More and more I see God accomplish things in my life that are not a result of my own resolve. It is just being available, and then going on about my normal business. Several years ago I received an e-mail that really illustrates this whole idea of God being and doing things we cannot understand. Do you think this story is true? It sure could be!
ALMIGHTY GOD
The pastor of a store front church called “The Almighty God Tabernacle” was working late on a Saturday night. He decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn’t answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. The following Monday the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he’d used that Saturday night. The man on the other end wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night. The pastor was dumbfounded and couldn’t figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the caller said, “It rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.”
The pastor remembered the apparently misdirected call and apologized for disturbing the gentleman, explaining that he’d intended to call his wife.
The caller said, “That’s OK, let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, “God, if You are there, and You don’t want me to do this, give me a sign right now.” At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘ALMIGHTY GOD’. I was afraid to answer!”
The man who had intended to commit suicide is now meeting regularly for counseling with the pastor of a church called—The Almighty God Tabernacle.
Instead of wasting a lot of time trying to come up with answers that are beyond our capacity to understand, isn’t it better to just take God’s hand? Those things which God wants us to know will be revealed to us. The other things that we struggle to understand will just have to wait until God reveals them to us.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 2, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and also was able to quote large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses as the Lord laid the words upon his heart. Above all—he was a man of prayer.
In the mid 1800’s, Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 25, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Sunday morning I was visiting with one of our men before the service. It was a beautiful sunny morning and he commented how refreshing it would be to have our service outside in the beautiful sunlight. I agreed but thought of the complaints of some who would think it was too chilly.
He then remarked that before long it would be our rainy season and it would be too wet to be outside. I laughingly mentioned how often we hear that word too. It is very seldom that we are content with what we have. It is either too this or too that, but seldom just right.
As believers we are quick to find fault when things are not exactly to our liking. Listen to what people are saying before and after service and you will hear as much griping and complaining as just about everywhere else. That term will occur over and over, “It is too . . . “ (you finish the sentence).
Our contentment does not come from the things this world has to offer. Contentment is a choice. In light of all of the tribulations that Paul (as well as other believers faced) how could he find contentment? The answer is in Jesus. Paul sums it up in an eloquent manner: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Praise God that our life can be filled with a sigh of, “It’s too . . . wonderful!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 6, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 2:17-18
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
From time to time I have been in services or watched on television as a congregation was led in a chorus of There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit In This Place. One line in that song is, There are sweet expressions on each face. Beep! As my eyes scan over the crowd I see that only a few have sweet expressions on their face. For the most part they look like they have just been baptized in vinegar.
I have no idea where certain people have the idea that to be a Christian is to have a sour look on your face. It is almost like asking someone if they just hit their thumb with a hammer and them responding, “No, I’m a Christian.” Now that is sad! If anyone should have joy oozing out of each pore it should be a born again child of God who has been rescued from death to life.
Paul knew what it was like to endure pain and suffering for the sake of Christ. Rather than having a pity party, he used his situation to rejoice. When he and Silas had first arrived in Philippi, they ended up in prison. (Acts 16:15). Rather than being down and out, they sang and praised at the top of their lungs. I do not think that was the cause of the earthquake (my singing might cause that), but the Lord used His earthquake to free all of the prisoners. The jailer, his family, and I am sure many of the prisoners became the members of that church in Philippi.
Now Paul reminds them and us that we rejoice regardless of the circumstances of life. In fact, the worse things are around us, the more we should literally glow with joy and rejoicing that God is still on the throne! Praise the Lord! He is our source!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 16, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 2:1-2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Back in the 1970’s I pastored a church in Burns, Oregon. Our church secretary’s husband, Tom, was a very sweet man, but he never attended church. He owned a small plane and even had his own airstrip, and he was always trying to get my wife, Joyce, and me to take a plane ride. Joyce promised Tom that if he attended church we would fly with him. One Sunday she was standing in the vestibule when Tom walked in with a smile and asked when she wanted to go for a flight.
That was a “therefore” in Joyce’s life. If there had not been a condition placed upon Tom’s church attendance when he asked her if she wanted to go for a flight, it would have had little meaning. But with the challenge issued, it had meaning. By the way, it was a delightful flight that we totally enjoyed.
When we read today’s Scripture we encounter that word which should always lead us to search for what led the writer to use the word therefore. In the previous chapter, Paul had given these inspiring words: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Paul challenged the Philippian church with the reality that suffering for Christ is a blessing. Simply to believe in the Lord was not enough. It required total surrender and a willingness to put their lives on the line. THEREFORE, what does that mean for us? I am sure that it means that we are to quit pampering ourselves and put it all on the line! Are we willing to give our all? I pray we are!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
