by Pastor Cecil | Dec 10, 2020 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 6:7
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
We live in a day and age where young people show little respect for their parents, or anyone else for that matter. Teen violence has reached such epidemic proportions that it is not uncommon for murders to occur simply because someone frowned.
As adults it seems that we are reaping what we have sown. We have removed the Bible from our classrooms and replaced it with atheistic theories that lack all sound reasoning. Our children are being taught false ideas of science that have been disproven. We have allowed a godless modern media to take the place of positive biblical truth.
In today’s Scripture, parents are mandated to not only teach spiritual truths to their children but to do so diligently. How can we do that when we barely spend over ten minutes a day even speaking to our kids?
When did you last actively search the Bible to discover exciting ways to draw your children closer to God? When did you last take the time to speak to your children about what the Bible says? Get busy, parents. You have work to do!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 9, 2020 | Genesis
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
I recently heard Pastor Ed Young suggest that a large percentage of the conflict within marriages is the fault of the husband. At first, I was stunned by his comment, but as I reflected back on my long career as a Christian Counselor, I’m afraid I must agree.
Far too many husbands have the attitude that they are the big cheese in the family and everyone should devote themselves to making him content. That includes his wife. How far from the Scripture that concept really is.
In Ephesians 5:25 we read the God-given instructions for husbands: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” So, husband, how are you doing in obeying this command? More enlightening, how would your wife say you are doing?
In a day and age when husbands disappear into their “man-caves” (I despise that concept), it is time for Godly husbands to show their wives that they are cherished. Say the words and demonstrate the sacrificial actions — die to your own selfish demands and bring new life into your marriage!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 8, 2020 | Ephesians
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
What determines a life of success? For some, it may be achieving great prominence or a lofty promotion. I once experienced a little taste of that kind of success when I was elected Student Body President in high school. (Okay, it was a very small high school.)
As a youngster I was blessed to receive words of praise from both my grandfather and my father; they always let me know that they were proud of me. I have also received words of love and devotion from each of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The words that struck closest to my heart were some of the final words my precious wife of 62 years spoke before going to be with the Lord. With tears in her eyes, she reached out her frail hand to softly touch mine and said, “Honey, you are love personified!”
Husbands, fathers, all of you men who read this, I beg you to stop trying to be a rock in the garden of life and become fertilizer. Die to yourself in order that your life can become the source of growth in others. Give until it hurts and then gives even more. Become love personified!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 7, 2020 | Matthew
Matthew 26:43
“And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.”
It was on this date in 1941 that Japanese carrier-based planes bombed Pearl Harbor and catapulted the U.S. into World War II. Some have commented that the attitude of complacency that the U.S. demonstrated was like being asleep at the wheel!
Back when I was working as a city police officer, a patrolman that I worked with related an embarrassing moment. He was working the graveyard shift (11 p.m. – 7 a.m.) and he was exhausted. As he approached an intersection where the traffic light was red, he decided to put his car in park and close his heavy eyes for a few seconds. He was not sure how long those few seconds were, but he was rudely awakened by a paper boy who timidly said, “Sir, the light is green now!” Wow! We laughed ourselves silly thinking about it.
Spiritually we all too frequently find ourselves much like the disciples of Jesus. He left them to go pray, but they fell asleep. Before we become too critical of those dozing disciples, how often have we dozed instead of remaining faithfully awake in our service to the One who gave His everything for us? I for one want to renew my commitment to be more faithful.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 4, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
The name Immanuel (or Emmanuel) is interpreted “God with us.” There are many Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. The encouragement that His coming entails is that God Himself will descend and make His appearance to save the people from their sins. Thank God He has come!
The “Day-Spring” referenced in the third stanza below is an encouragement for us as we travel through the long and dark times of our life. I am overjoyed that God has cared so much for us that He has sent salvation to us by grace through faith!
“O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL!”
- O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
3. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
4. O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
5. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” from GloryScapes .com by going to: https://www.gloryscapes.com/ocomeocomeemmanuel/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
