by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 4:9
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
I miss so many things about my wife, Joyce. Each Saturday morning we used to go to a favorite spot for coffee. It was a chance to reflect on what the Lord was doing in our lives. We often observed a young father who was there with his three children. The family was a delight to watch. The kids seemed to reflect the peaceful nature of their dad.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lays himself out as a living example. He asks the church to use his life as an example of living for the Lord Jesus Christ. It was certainly not from an attitude of pride, but a confidence that his faith would never waiver.
Paul names four actions for the believers at Philippi to emulate: Learn, receive, hear and see. These might also be taken in reverse order. They would have seen his life and actions before they heard his message. Having seen the way Paul lived, they were open to hear his words.
The same is true for us as well. People will see what we do before they hear what we say. You may recall the old saying: “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear your words!” What are people seeing and hearing in your life? We can only live and speak it. Having done our part, we pray for fruit from our labors.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 24, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I recall once being given a button with the initials PBPGINFWMY. They stood for the phrase PLEASE BE PATIENT GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET. I think the Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in the third chapter of Philippians.
The giants of the faith never claimed to be perfect. In fact they have been quick to admit they are constantly in need of God’s redeeming grace. All we like sheep have gone astray. I wish it were not so, but it is a spiritual reality.
I take great encouragement in the fact that Paul confesses his personal need for continual spiritual growth and renewal. If Paul needed a closer walk with the Lord I assure you that I need it even more so.
God never calls us to be perfect little saints; I failed at that long ago. He calls us to consistently be pressing upward toward the goal of being more Christ-like. That is the greatest achievement for us to strive to attain in this journey through life. There will come a day when we will be called to be eternally with the Lord. If you are like me you yearn to hear the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 4, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
If your kids are anything like our kids, they went through a stage of independence. They wanted to do things themselves, even when they were not able to accomplish the task they were attempting. Kids are not alone in acting independently.
I once went golfing with my father-in-law and two of his regular golfing mates. I had never been on the links before, but since I was far younger than the others, I felt that I could hold my own. I stood at the first tee and gave a mighty swing! I missed the ball completely! On the next mighty swing I struck the ball, only to have it dribble a few feet from the tee. It was a very long and humiliating day. The others enjoyed the day as I was providing them with great entertainment.
On this day, July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day. While we may rejoice in the freedoms that our forefathers fought to assure us, it is vital that we remember that we never are to live independently. WE NEED EACH OTHER!
Not only do we need each other, we must have the Lord in control of our lives. Acts 17:28 reminds us that In Him we live and move and have our being. Our independent attitude ends with our total dependence on Him. HAPPY DEPENDENCE DAY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 17, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 3:12
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
I cannot believe how much quicker time passes when you get older. As a kid it seemed as if everything ran in slow motion and the days seemed to drag by. But once I arrived at my seventies, the years began to fly past like watching a picket fence at highway speed. Fast or slow, life is constantly slipping past and another year is suddenly 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 time. We cannot relive 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 sincere desire 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 — ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 26, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 3:10-11
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
All too often there are those who venerate religious objects that relate to the Lord Jesus. I have heard that if all of the supposed fragments of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified were assembled they could build a large building.
God sternly warns that we are never to worship such objects but to worship only the Lord. That old rugged cross can certainly remind us of the price Jesus paid, but His suffering was not just the pain of crucifixion, but that He was totally sinless became sin for us and paid the price for our redemption.
Back in 1913, Salvation Army Officer, George Bennard passed through a trying experience. This experience caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of by entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross/ in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 26, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 3:7
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
There are many burial sites in Egypt left by the former mighty rulers of that ancient nation. Most of these self-proclaimed gods or goddesses wanted to be buried with masses of gold and precious stones that was meant to provide for their afterlife. In the majority of cases, however, tomb robbers discovered the burial sites and plundered everything of value.
We may shake our heads at the foolish idea that we can take anything with us when we depart this life. In Job 1:21 that righteous man gives us wonderful words of wisdom: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.”
Jesus shared the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and we see that the rich man had absolutely nothing of this world’s goods with him — not even a drop of cool water. That should warn us against relying on the things of this world.
What should really capture our efforts are the things that will last for eternity. The more we devote ourselves to the things of God, the more we will find the love and joy He promises to His children that He cherishes. That is what really matters!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
