by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 83:14-15
“As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire, so pursue them with Your tempest, and frighten them with Your storm.”
One of my favorite things in the fall and winter months is to sit in front of my woodstove and watch the flames consume log after log. I purchased my little woodstove several years ago after an ice storm left us without power and heat for almost a week.
When I chose the stove, I picked one that was small enough to comfortably fit into our living room, yet large enough to heat the entire house of just over 1400 square feet. I also wanted a flat top so it could be used to cook in an emergency.
As I watch the flames through the glass door, I am reminded that this is fire under control. It is useful and efficient. The wildfires that destroyed homes and businesses last summer and early fall were destructive because they were fire out of control.
The fire of God must always be under His control. That is why it is imperative that we stay close to Him and spend quality time in His Holy Word. It is not that we burn brightly for ourselves, but that we let the fire of God glow through us.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 6, 2020 | 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: https://gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 5, 2020 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord asking that He enlarge your territories? Are you content to quietly creep toward retirement when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people I run into friends that I have not seen for awhile and they ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any time in my entire ministry: Pastoring an organic congregation, producing a Daily-E-Votional that is sent worldwide, authoring several books, officiating at funeral services, counseling . . . and several other activities.
Several years ago I began to pray this prayer of Jabez for enlarged territory. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered — not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
I challenge you to join me in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by Him just for you. I can assure you right now that God is anxious to answer your prayer!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 4, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 11:13
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
It is sad when we shut our ears to the very things that we should be listening to. God makes every effort to speak to us, but we fill our lives with such clutter and confusion that His voice goes unrecognized and unheard.
I recall a young professional man who signed up for one of our Bible classes where the format was to pass out question sheets for each student to answer before the next class. This particular young man was in a class being taught by his manager. As he attempted to complete the question sheet, he could not find any of the answers. Amused, he could hardly wait for the class to start to see how his manager would react to this oversight.
To the young man’s shock, however, every question had been answered by the other class members. He was confused as to why he, a college graduate, could not answer questions that the other members had answered? About three weeks later this young man went into his manager’s office and expressed an emptiness he felt. Ultimately, he received Jesus into his heart.
Do you have ears to hear? You may be a born again child of God, but do you have the spiritual ears to hear as God speaks to you? Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 41:12
“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”
A true rejoicing of my heart is all of the friends that I have made across the years. Though I seem to make friends easily and naturally, I never take them for granted — each one is a very a special gift. But this has not always been the case.
As a boy I don’t recall ever having an especially close friend. Oh, how I longed for that kind of bonded relationship! Most of my life has been spent feeling that I was unique in that regard. But now, being somewhat matured and having talked with more and more people, I realize that most people feel they lack true friends, especially when they are growing up.
This passage in Psalm 41 certainly is prophetic of Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it also has personal implications. There are those times in life when our closest friends turn their backs on us and we find ourselves all alone. This is the time when we need to experience the friendship of Jesus who will never leave us or reject us.
There is an old hymn that goes something like this: “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus, He’s the only One who cares and understands.” Jesus is our true friend!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
