by Pastor Cecil | Apr 29, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Back in the 1970’s I seemed to have it made. I was Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission. The position paid well and I was offered a similar position with a Federal agency. But God had other plans for me.
I felt God’s call and took a part-time position with my home church. The pay was less and the hours longer, but it was God’s call and I could only obey. Since that time I have felt weak and inadequate, but it is in those times that I have most felt the power of God. It was not what I did, but what God did through me.
There came a time in my life when I felt that retirement was something to look forward to. I actually passed retirement age many years ago and now I am busier and my ministry is more fruitful than when I was young and strong.
Why is that? I think the answer is that it is not my strength or ability, but God flowing through me. The less I am able to do, the more He is able to do through me. “Do you feel me?”
If you feel too weak or too inadequate to do work for the Lord—start praising the Lord. That is when His power and glory can be displayed. It is when we are weak that His strength is revealed! Thank God for the difficulties and watch Him work!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 28, 2020 | 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 | Apr 27, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:20-21
“Come, my people, enter your chambers and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.”
My dear friend Mike Keller shared today’s Scripture with me. We discussed the way God uses these “time outs” to show the peoples of the world just how little control we have over our lives.
There is one thing I am more and more mindful about — we are all destined to die (unless the Lord takes us to be with Him in the rapture). Reading the obituary columns from any newspaper across the world will reveal that young or old, rich or poor, famous or unknown —we are all destined to die.
During His earthly ministry the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead. But there did come a time (we are not told where or when) that Lazarus did die. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
This current time of quarantine and restriction will end, but there is day coming when we will be called to meet the Lord. Are you ready?!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 24, 2020 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Those of us who have said farewell to beloved family and friends know and experience the pangs of separation. The pain of separation is eased with the assurance that there is a bright tomorrow waiting for us when we will be united with those who have died in the Lord.
Fanny J. Crosby was visiting the home of a friend, Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe was playing a new melody she had just composed and mentioned to Fanny that she called it Assurance. Fanny responded, “Blessed Assurance.”
Fanny returned home and quickly penned the words to the hymn that has become such a favorite since it was published way back in 1873. It is just as much a blessed assurance today as it was back then.
BLESSED ASSURANCE
(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(3) Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “Blessed Assurance” by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/blessedassurance/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 23, 2020 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:52
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Many years ago I sat enthralled as I listened to Rev. Tim Lahaye speak on the rapture of the church. It later became the topic of his book series and movie which we know as Left Behind.
I am convinced that there will come a day when the Lord will call His church to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him for all eternity. The signs Jesus said to look for are detailed in Matthew 24. If you study this chapter you will find a description of what our modern day society looks like.
I have personally tried to prepare messages in the form of letters and e-mails for those who are left behind after the church has been raptured. I have urged those who happen to find these messages to read God’s Word to find the answer to what has happened.
The terrible time of trouble and tribulation that awaits those who have been left behind can be eased by the realization that there will still be time for them to repent and accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. Oh, how much better it will be for them to escape the terrible time of tribulation that awaits those who have failed to accept this gift before the rapture. Pass the word!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
