by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
One of the most heartbreaking things I have experienced is to receive word that someone who seemed to be a dedicated follower of the Lord Jesus Christ has been living a double standard. They talked a good talk and seemed to walk an upright and dedicated life, but it was just a sham.
Over the years I have had occasion to be in situations where I have been in close contact with men who are away from home and family. For some it is the first time they have been in this situation. Some feel a sense of release to do the sinful things they would never have participated in before. What was the difference? They now felt that there was no one around who knew their spiritual position.
We are well aware that such feelings of release are a lie of Satan. He delights in deceiving believers by whispering in their ears, “No one will ever know.” Our life is no Las Vegas where the theme is “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” This is a lie, for we know that the Holy Spirit is always with us and He sees and knows what we are doing. He brings conviction to remind us that God hates sin!
Today’s Scripture does not imply that we work to achieve salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith. It is clear when we read the entire passage that Paul is writing to believers. It is Paul’s prayer that all true believers will actively do the works of righteousness so that the Lord will fulfill His good purpose. That is my desire! LET’S LIVE IT!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 3, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.
There are not too many people around who can recall the 1924 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Paris. But if I mention the title of a movie and song I believe you will have images of at least one of the competitors from those games: Chariots of Fire! The name of the competitor is Eric Liddell. He was known as the “Flying Scotsman.”
He will always be remembered as the man who refused to compete in the 100 meter race where he was almost certain to win a gold medal. He chose not to run in the race because it was held on Sunday. Knowing this, Eric trained in the 220 and 440 meter races. He won a gold medal in the 440 and a bronze in the 220.
Eric was born to missionaries with the China Inland Mission. Following the Olympics and after receiving his university degree, he returned to China and served as a missionary there, especially working with the poor and disabled. He married and had three children.
As World War II loomed, the Japanese army moved ever closer to the area where Eric and his family ministered. He sent his family back to Canada for their safety, but he remained to serve the people God had laid on his heart. When the Japanese arrived In 1943, he was interned at the Weihsien Internment Camp (in the modern city of Weifang) with the members of the China Inland Mission, Chefoo (now known as Yantai) School, and many others.
Liddell became a leader and organizer at the camp, but food, medicine and other supplies were scarce. There were many cliques in the camp and when some rich businessmen managed to smuggle in some eggs, Liddell shamed them into sharing them. Eric gave freely of himself and busied himself by helping the elderly, teaching at the camp school Bible classes, arranging games and by teaching science to the children, who referred to him as Uncle Eric.
Eric Liddell died from an inoperable brain tumor. His overwork and malnourishment may have hastened his death. He died on February 21, 1945, five months before liberation. He was greatly mourned, not only at the Weihsien Internment Camp, but also in Scotland. Langdon Gilkey was later to write, “The entire camp, especially its youth, was stunned for days, so great was the vacuum that Eric’s death had left.” According to a fellow missionary, Liddell’s last words were, “It’s complete surrender,” in reference to how he had given his life to his God.
In 2008, Chinese authorities revealed that Liddell had refused an opportunity to leave the camp and instead gave his place to a pregnant woman. Apparently, with Churchill’s approval, the Japanese made a deal with the British for prisoner exchange. This information was released near the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by the Chinese government and news of this act of sacrifice came as a surprise even to Eric’s family members. Now to me that is the mark of a real champion for Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 26, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 1:21-24
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
More than once I have had people come into my office with a defeated attitude. They feel at the end of themselves because they lack purpose in their life. In most instances they were more interested in how they felt than in seeking a way to be of service to the Lord and to others. Are you at that place in your life?
Paul was in prison and facing death. He never knew from moment to moment how much time he had left on this earth. In the face of his impending death he was writing these words to give comfort to each of us facing an unknown future. It is not as important to know the future as it is to know the God who controls the future.
Paul had a unique purpose for his life. It was to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It really did not matter to Paul whether he lived or died. If he died his pain would be ended and he would be with the Lord and have that peace that is free from all suffering.
Therefore he was torn emotionally. He was eager for the eternity with the Lord that awaited him, but he had PURPOSE while he was still here. That purpose was to minister to those who crossed his path. With that ultimate purpose in mind he could resound with a clarion cry: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I desire that to be my purpose as well.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 25, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
I lie in a hospital bed with tubes and gadgets attached and strange beeping sounds all around. I know I have just had a triple heart by-pass surgery, but I need to be about the work of the Lord. I have a funeral scheduled as well as other commitments. Why am I here? Does God know what He is doing?
All of that took place back in early February 2011. Yes, God did know what He was doing and the lessons I learned during that medical emergency remain with me today. I have come more and more to realize that God places us in difficult situations in order for us to shine brightly with His love and grace.
The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest champions of the faith the world has ever known. We might be tempted to feel that God would make the way easier for such a faithful servant. Instead he endured beating, stoning, lashing, shipwreck, and prison after prison. In fact he is writing the book of Philippians from prison.
Rather than asking himself why God allowed him to be treated this way, he rejoices that he has been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Notice in today’s Scripture that even the palace guards were aware that he was there for proclaiming Jesus as Lord. I am very confident that many of the guards became believers because of his witness. Why was he there? Why are we in our own dungeon? To proclaim the good news of Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 24, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
As most of you readers know, Joyce and I just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary on July 10th. Over those years we have a growth in our love for each other, but even more important is that our love for Jesus has also grown.
Paul’s prayer for his beloved church in Philippi is very insightful. He prays that their love may abound in knowledge and depth of insight. The Greek word for abound is the word, perisseuô. It means to overflow or to exceed that which was expected. What a fantastic prayer. As great as that prayer is it does not end there.
There is a purpose in abounding love. It is that it will result in knowledge and depth of insight. If Paul’s prayer were to end there it would be meaningful. I think we are well aware of believers who have great biblical knowledge and insight, but they lack purpose and direction. Paul prays that the believer’s love may lead to discover what is best and to be pure until Jesus comes.
The prayer I pray for myself as well as for each of you who read this is that we may love the way the Lord loved. This means a sacrificial love that is willing to love others in the way the Lord desires for us to love them.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 23, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Have you ever taken the time to examine your prayers in light of the prayers in the Bible? I hope you are not as guilty as I am in praying for things that will make my life better, easier, more convenient and the same for others I have been asked to pray for. All through this wonderful small book of Philippians we are exposed to the prayers that Paul prays for his beloved church in Philippi.
The first thing that stands out is that he prays for the church each and every time he remembers them. Not only that, he seems to go through a mental list in order to pray for them individually as well as the church body as a whole. He may have recalled that night in the jail when an earthquake freed all of the prisoners. The jailer was ready to commit suicide, but Paul stopped him and that night led the jailer and his entire family to the Lord. I am sure they were part of the church he was praying for.
Then comes the power. Paul says he prays with joy. Many of our prayers are more like a lead weight instead of a helium filled balloon. He prays with joy because this beloved church has partnered with him in the spreading of the Gospel. Not only that, he has joy because the work they are doing for the Lord will bear lasting results until Jesus comes to take His children home. Praise the Lord!
How is your prayer life?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
