by Pastor Cecil | Mar 12, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I was taught to always say please and thank you. Have I always done that? No! To my shame I have at times fallen short of that aim. Even so, my desire is to strive toward the goal of living a life of thanks and praise.
LISTEN! Rejoicing is not an option, but rather an imperative. We are to be a people who rejoice! That means to get a smile on our face. You might have the joy of Jesus down in your heart, but you had better let your face know about it. That is what others will see.
You know what comes to my mind right now? I see the saints of God across the ages who had the joy and rejoicing in their hearts, even during times of deep distress. They rejoiced even as the flames consumed them, or the lions devoured them, or the soldiers of the enemy slew them with the sword.
Were their prayers heard? I believe they were. I believe they are with all of the departed saints of God right now, experiencing utter joy. “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the half has never yet been told!”
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 15, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-6
“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.”
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.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 5, 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.”
Sometimes spiritual leaders give the impression that they are so holy, that they dine with the angels. The truth of the matter is that the closest we get to becoming angelic is that we just enjoy angel food cake.
We need times of humiliation to remind us that we are still under construction. I think it is safe to say that we will always be under construction. The danger is when we feel like the job is completed and stop the building process. A building that is not under construction is a building that is starting to decay.
I heard an evangelist years ago, tell of a woman after a service who spoke very kindly to him and tell him he was so mature. He rushed home and looked up the word mature so he would be better able to enjoy all of its meaning. To his dismay, the definition said; “ripe and getting rotten.” That is what happens when we stop the building process.
Never stop the construction process. We should never know the meaning of retirement when it comes to doing the work of the Lord. We may be free from the job that we have held throughout our life, but, when it comes to doing the work of the Lord it is “always UNDER CONSTRUCTION. GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH US YET!”
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 10, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 2:22
“But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”
Paul is describing his son in the faith, Timothy. Over days, weeks, months, and years this young man had proven himself as an obedient follower of Paul and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Proven character does not happen quickly, but over a period of time. Timothy proved a worthy disciple of Paul by his faithfulness. I am reminded of the importance of what we put into our minds:
- WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS … THEY BECOME YOUR WORDS.
- WATCH YOUR WORDS … THEY BECOME YOUR ACTIONS.
- WATCH YOUR ACTIONS … THEY BECOME YOUR HABITS.
- WATCH YOUR HABITS … THEY BECOME YOUR CHARACTER.
As I read these words, it is clear that our thought life controls the type of character we will develop. Questionable thoughts will start us down the wrong path and ultimately lead to doubtful character. Good and noble thoughts, based upon the Word of God, will begin the process of developing a Christ-like character. Spend time reading and meditating on the Word of God. It will set the tone of your thought life and ultimately you will achieve a character that is pleasing to the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 29, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
I recall a seminary professor share how easy it is to downplay the things that are meaningful or important to another person. If someone has achieved some major goal in his or her life, it is easy for us to ignore it or act as if it were insignificant.
That professor explained how he would go out of his way to get excited about an accomplishment someone shared with him. For example, a certain person had told him about a verse he had memorized and the professor exploded with joy and congratulations. It was just the response that person needed because others had always made him feel inferior and worthless. Contrary to the opinions of those around him, that man went on to become a dynamic spiritual leader in his area.
It does not have to be just spiritual accomplishments that we praise. We had a small man with a severe learning disorder in a church where I served as an associate pastor. The man could barely talk, but he loved to bowl. Somehow I discovered he carried a small book with his bowling scores written down.
Each week I made a point of looking at his book and getting excited about his scores. They were sometimes 25 or 30, but I tried to make him feel special. It not only made Roscoe feel special, it made me feel that I had met an angel unaware.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 26, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I reach forward to those things which are ahead.”
How ironic that 40 years earlier, after being freed from the bondage of slavery, Moses sent out twelve spies. Only two returned with a positive report and urged them to go in immediately to possess the land God had given them. One of those two spies was Joshua, the other was Caleb. Upon Moses’s death Joshua assumes leadership and sends out only two spies to Jericho.
Let’s consider a sinner that is introduced in the book of Joshua. If we were to use an investigative technique, here is what we would find: Name:Rahab. Address: Jericho. Occupation: Prostitute.
That is basically all we know about this “woman of the night.”
Rahab and her family were spared when Israel defeated Jericho. She did not look back on her sordid past. She took a risk to save the Israelites and God blessed her for it. In Hebrews 11:31 she is mentioned along with the faithful of the ages. In James 2:25-26 she is considered righteous in the eyes of God.
When God’s Word says our sins are forgiven, does that mean we are free or do we carry the terrible burden of sin with us? I fear that there are many who actually receive God’s forgiveness but fail to recognize that He also cleanses (I John 1:9).
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
