by Pastor Cecil | Sep 13, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
What is your attitude concerning our eternal home? I fear that all too many people live in a world of make-believe when it comes to making sure where they will spend eternity. It seems strange that people eagerly accept the idea of aliens from outer space, but scoff at the necessity of being born-again.
What a wonderful consolation it is for those of us who have repented and been born-again believers to know what is waiting for us. Heaven is a place and hell is also a place.
In order to arrive at the gates of hell it is not necessary to do anything. We are born in sin and that is our condemned condition unless we confess the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and invite Him into our heart.
When we stand beside the bedside of a loved one who is a believer, we can rest in the knowledge that there will be a great reunion when we all get to heaven. As we struggle through this vale of tears we can encourage those ready to meet the Lord with the words, “See you in heaven!” What wonderful comfort!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 1:3-4
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.”
I think it would be safe to say that there are selfish prayers as well as thankful prayers. The selfish prayers are motivated by how much it will benefit us or those we are praying for. The thankful prayers recognize the faithfulness of God.
THANKS. Paul says that every time he thinks of them, he thanks God for them. Not only does he thank God for them, he does so every time he thinks of them. That is the first key. Make a covenant with God that every time you think of those He lays upon your heart, you will pray for them. Give thanks that He reminded you about them. Give thanks for the way they have been a blessing to you and in your walk with the Lord.
PERSEVERANCE. Chuck Swindoll wrote a book he titled Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back. For most of us that is an accurate description. Give thanks for the way God has promised never to leave nor forsake those who call upon His name. Every time we make a slip or slide, an indiscretion or doubt, God is ever faithful and true to His Word.
PROMPTNESS. It is helpful to pray for/with the person when the request is made. This is not always possible, but usually it is. That way they know we have been listening and are bringing their need to our Blessed Burden Bearer!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 3, 2018 | 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.”
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.
Bennard spent the last years of his life a few miles north of Reed City, Michigan. At the age of 85, on October 9, 1968, he passed away. Near this home there still stands a twelve foot high cross with the words The Old Rugged Cross – Home of George Bennard, composer 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: http://www.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 | Aug 2, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 should be read and re-read over and over again because we are so prone to moan and complain instead of rejoicing. Remember, the world is watching the way we live more than listening to what we say. This is not an option for us, 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.
If I say I have complete trust in Jesus Christ to see me through every struggle, and then tremble in fear under my covers, which is dominant in my life? What will the unbelievers that I have been witnessing to say about my walk? Will they respond to my words or read my actions?
It is also this joyful attitude that leads us to the place of prayer. We come with rejoicing in our hearts to share our needs with our precious Savior — not with sad countenance as if we are at the end of our ropes, but with praise and rejoicing, in great expectation of God meeting us at our point of greatest need.
Many saints of God across the ages have had the joy and rejoicing in their hearts, even during times of deep distress. They rejoiced even as the flames consumed them. “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the half has never yet been told!”
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 25, 2018 | Philippians
Philippians 1:9-10
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.”
One of my favorite stories of simple, child-like prayer, is the story that was told about the prayer of a small boy who knelt beside his bed. He had evidently heard the adults praying for all of the missionaries in the foreign fields. That word, “foreign” was a little – – – foreign to him. Here was his honest prayer: “Lord, please bless and protect all of the missionaries in the corn fields.”
Someone commented that his prayer was sharper than the adults. If there happened to be some missionaries walking through a corn field at that moment, they had been prayed for!
So, what are we to do with prayer? The disciples of Jesus were confused, and asked Him to give them instruction on how to pray. He gave them what has come to be known as, “The Lord’s Prayer,” but should more accurately be termed, “The Disciple’s Prayer.”
Paul is sharing at the beginning of his letter to the church at Philippi, the manner in which he was praying for them. I find this very interesting as well as instructive. We would do well to examine his pattern to effective prayers.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 25, 2018 | 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
