by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2017 | 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.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2017 | Philippians
Philippians 3:7
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
Each time I read the sports pages of the newspaper I see that there are more losers than winners. Many contenders enter the race, but only one crosses the finish line in first place and receives the winner’s laurels.
Every sport has its winners and losers. It is the same way in the field of business and industry. What we gain today can be lost in a moment of time. To believe that we will always have things our way is to deceive ourselves.
Many of us have experienced the loss of loved ones and friends. I personally have encountered the valley of the shadow of death in the passing of my parents, my brother, my oldest daughter, and my precious wife. I also have lost many other dear family and friends.
The things of this world pass quickly. I am constantly encouraged by the assurance that those dear ones who knew the Lord on this earth are not lost, but have slipped into the paradise of the Lord. I eagerly anticipate seeing them again, and when I do it will be in the land where there will never be any loss … but only peace, joy, and everlasting fulfillment. What a day that will be!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 9, 2017 | Philippians
Philippians 1:12
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”
In early February 2011 I was lying in a hospital bed attached to tubes and gadgets that emitted strange beeping sounds all around; I had just undergone triple by-pass heart surgery. Lying there helpless, I recall thinking I needed to be about the work of the Lord … there was a funeral service as well as other commitments on my very busy schedule. Why am I here? Does God know what He is doing?
In answer to that question — 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 to give us the opportunity 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, Paul endured beating, stoning, lashing, shipwreck, and imprisonment in prison after prison. In fact, he wrote the letter to the Philippians from a prison cell.
Rather than asking ourselves why God allows us to endure suffering, we need to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. We need to look around us and use our circumstances to be a good witness for Jesus. Do others see Jesus in you when you suffer?!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 5, 2017 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
I don’t know why the acronym GIGO suddenly popped into my mind. It has been years since I have thought of it. GIGO stands for GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT. I think you get the idea: What we think results in the actions we display.
Proverbs 23:7 states that “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The questions we need to ask ourselves is what is on our mind and is it going to profit our walk with the Lord or blemish it?
It is so easy to be caught up in the trash we see on TV, hear on the radio, or read in various media. What we give our thoughts to results in how we respond to the life around us.
I have committed to try as much as possible to stay away from the media sources that glory in the gory. That often includes the political vitriol that seems to be warring continually. I choose to focus my mind on Philippians 4:8!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 20, 2017 | 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.“
In the second chapter of Joshua we read that the two Israelite spies were saved by the action of a prostitute named Rahab. She not only saved their lives, but gave them valuable inside information. She said that she knew that God had given them the land because the whole land was in fear of the Israelites. She asked that when they conquered the land that she and her family might be spared.
Rahab followed their orders and the Israelites kept their promise to her. In the sixth chapter we read that Joshua sent the same two spies to rescue Rahab and her family.
But the story does not end there, my friends. She was saved, but God had not forgotten her faith. In Hebrews 11:31 she is mentioned along with the faithful of the ages. In James 2:25-26, she is mentioned as one who was considered righteous for what she did. Even more amazing, the first chapter of Matthew lists Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus.
Now, that brings us to the practical aspects of the forgiveness of sins in our lives. When we confess our sins, we can begin to live as new creatures. It is certainly not God who brings your sins of the past to your mind and causes you turmoil. If it is not the Lord, it is coming from the other side, and that means Satan. It is only by God’s GRACE that we are saved!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 19, 2017 | Philippians
Philippians 3:20
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
My residence is in Tumwater, Washington. My zip code, however, is Olympia, Washington. There are instances where a person’s place of residence is in an area that shows a different location than where they actually reside.
There are certain localities where a person’s residence is nearer a town or city in another nation. One road, river, or railroad can make a distinction as to how an address is determined.
When I was stationed in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada, I had a mail box with a Canadian address. Mail sent to that address came to me, but I was not a Canadian citizen. I was only a temporary resident.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we are citizens of heaven. We may have a temporary address here in this world, but our forever home is celestial and eternal. I frequently find myself homesick for a place I have never been, but I will reside there forever and ever. That is my real citizenship!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
