by Pastor Cecil | Apr 15, 2020 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
It seems as if we have been here before! The older I get the more things seem to repeat themselves. This is also true with particular verses of Scripture. We are all familiar with John 3:16, but it is interesting that many New Testament books have a significant 3:16.
Please read today’s Scripture and you will see what I am referring to. These two verses are extremely powerful. God’s Word is the final authority. It is “God breathed” and infallible. Also note that it is “all of God’s Word” that is spoken of here. From Genesis to Revelation, God presents our pattern for living for Him.
We may not be able to understand everything that we read the first time, or even the 100th time, but if we remain faithful in our daily reading, more and more of it will become clear.
So what is the usefulness of God’s Word? For the men and women of God to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I would say that makes it well worth our commitment to read and study diligently.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 14, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 100:2
“Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
Years ago I read the words of a shepherd concerning his sheep. He commented that a shepherd always carries both a rod and a staff. The staff is the object that is long and has a curved end. It is used by the shepherd to reach down into a ravine and rescue a sheep that was not able to get up by itself.
The rod is an object more like a club. It can be used to defend the flock from a dangerous predator. It also was used to teach a wayward lamb from wandering into danger. If a lamb tended to stray from the flock, the shepherd knew that it risked being killed. As a last resort he would use the rod to break one of the front legs of the lamb. He would immediately fashion a splint and then would carry the animal on his shoulders until the leg was healed. By the time the broken leg had healed, the lamb would have fallen in love with the shepherd and from then on would never stray.
It is sad to say that we are many times like a wayward lamb. We want to go our own way even when we know that danger is all around us. Our loving Shepherd cares enough about us that He uses painful methods to force us to rely upon Him while we are healing. If you are experiencing painful discipline right now, know that it is because of our Lord’s love and concern for us.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 13, 2020 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 2:2
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
The word determined that Paul uses in today’s Scripture is the Greek word; krinō. In part it implies a legal term as in a court of law when a matter is judicially determined as final and no further discussion is necessary.
God wants us to make Him the central focus of our existence. The things of this world, as well as the people of this world will pass away. God alone will never leave us nor forsake us. That being the case, we need to place our trust and confidence in Him.
Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose victorious over the grave, we can confidently trust Him completely. That means that we are to become single-minded in our service for Him!
The question that we need to ask ourselves is whether we are totally committed to the Lord, or do we have other things or other people that draw our attention from Him? If there are habits or individuals that take us further from the Lord, we need to make some changes immediately. Trust Him completely and be more and more SINGLE-MINDED!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2020 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit. “
The Hebrew word for redeem as used in Psalm 103:4, is the word, ga’al. In addition to redeem something, it also means to ransom someone. Many of you may have read about modern day pirates taking over large vessels and holding the ship and personnel until their ransom demands have been met.
Each and every one of us born into this world is held hostage to sin. We do not have to learn how to sin—it comes natural. It is the common characteristic of each and every human. The blessed thing is that we have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. He paid the price and we have been—REDEEMED!
The writer of this hymn, Fanny Crosby, was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!
Redeemed
(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(3) I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
REFRAIN:Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
Enjoy this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. To access Redeemed, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/redeemed/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 9, 2020 | Luke
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Whenever I read today’s Scripture, I have to ask if the hairs of our head are numbered before or after we lose most of them? That is meant to be humorous, but I know that the words are intended to show just how intimately the Lord knows us.
I love birds and enjoy a varied collection of birds that visit the feeders I have for them outside my window. Some of these precious creatures have become accustomed to me and stay close when I fill their feeding stations.
It always bothers me when I hear Christians speak as if the Lord was not aware of the details of their lives. Perhaps our problem is that we lack a proper understanding of God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we read of God’s intimate knowledge of us and our surroundings. In Psalm 139 we read: “You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.”
The next time you are tempted to feel alone and abandoned by the Lord, start looking around for the nearest sparrow (or any other bird). The Lord knows that bird by name and cares for it. If He does that, be assured that He will also take care of you.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
