by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
We are told that the persecution of believers around the world is increasing. Many are tortured for their faith and some killed. It has been estimated that there are over 100,000 deaths each year at the hands of the enemies of the cross.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. It has ministered to many people across the years.
About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write, and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his Second Piano Concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!
Hiding in Thee
- O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
- In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
- How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
To access this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee/
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 22, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 1:3-4
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints.”
When we think of giving thanks, it is most often for something that is of benefit to us. We receive a blessing or are about to receive one and so we give thanks for that which makes us feel more satisfied.
In today’s scripture Paul gives thanks for the report he has received about what God is doing for the church at Colosse. His rejoicing comes when he receives the reports of how the people there have a radiant witness for Christ Jesus and a love for all of the saints.
It causes me to stop and consider what my prayer life lacks. Am I consistently thanking the Lord for the way other believers are growing in the Lord and the work they are doing for Him? I think I need to refocus my prayers of thanks.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my many faithful readers around the world who have supported this ministry with your prayers and gifts. God has opened doors to reach thousands that need to be encouraged. I covet your continued prayer support and messages of encouragement.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 21, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
One Sunday, following our evening service, a man in the congregation asked if he might come to the parsonage and talk with me. I was delighted to meet with him. When he arrived for our appointment we shared a light lunch before going into my office. Suddenly, out of the clear blue, came these words: “I hate your guts!”
Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Prior to this there did not seem to be any indication of a conflict between us, so his blunt statement was a blow. With my mind reeling, I prayed silently for God’s wisdom and strength. With as much sincerity as possible I answered, “I am so glad that you feel free to share your feelings with me.”
From that incident I would like to suggest a few ways to respond to and love the unlovable:
- Rely on God’s wisdom in dealing with the person.
- Realize that these unlovable people need love—perhaps more than others.
- Remember how unlovable our sins are in God’s sight.
- Rejoice that we are counted worthy to encounter persecution.
- Respond with love rather than retaliate with resentment.
What transpired on that Sunday evening so long ago? The two of us spent time together as he poured out his heart. As he was leaving he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Pastor, I love you so much!” Wow! What a dramatic change from the comments he had made earlier. God is so good!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Many times we face uncertainty and loss. The things or people we counted upon for our support are not there when we need them. Even when we pray, we feel that the Lord is far from us and does not hear our supplications.
When looking back over the years of my life, I discover that in those times when I felt like I was abandoned and alone, God was the nearest to me. It was not so important that I felt Him, but that I just kept on doing what His Word said; eventually I found that these times of quietness were preparing me for increased service.
The more I search the pages of Scripture, the more I find that God’s people have not been immune to the dark days of disappointment. Joseph, for instance, was treated cruelly by his own brothers. Instead of sulking and feeling sorry for himself, he learned the Egyptian language and became the most valuable servant in Potiphar’s house and also later in the prison. Even as Prime Minister in Egypt he was cut off from his home and family.
When the opportunity finally came for him to bestow vengeance upon his brothers who had sold him into slavery, Joseph realized that his time of tribulation was all God’s plan. All he had to do was live one day at a time. That is easy to say, but hard to do. I want to always practice having Godly courage in my own life!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2020 | 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
