by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
I am captivated by the meaning of words. It’s one of my delights to solve the daily crossword as often as possible. The nuances of words can determine several different meanings. Just as the word bless in the above passage means to affectionately praise, so the term blessed in the beatitudes has more depth of meaning. In the Amplified Bible it is rendered this way: “Blessed — happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions].”
Many of us are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Jesus introduces a Godly lifestyle. He does this by presenting the Beatitudes. Each of the Beatitudes begins with the phrase, “Blessed are you.”
The concept of blessing has come to hold more meaning to me than ever before. We either bless or curse with our mouths. At times I have talked about how actions speak louder than words. That does not mean we are to be silent—rather we are to speak blessing into situations and then act in the manner that is consistent with our words.
Where do you fit into the concept of blessing? When someone thinks of you, can they honestly consider you a blessing in their life? We need to be a blessing!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 19, 2021 | Isaiah
Isaiah 55:9
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
I once heard a sermon by Dr. W.A. Criswell of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. I cannot for the life of me recall the sermon, but I do recall an illustration he used to demonstrate the deceitful heart of man and to show how far we will go to appear smarter than we really are. Here is his illustration:
Two drunks in a bar were arguing over which of them was the most religious. Finally, one man bet the other $10 that he could not recite The Lord’s Prayer. The man took the bet and began; “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” The first man stared at him in amazement, reached in his billfold for a $10 bill, handed it to Fred and muttered, “I had no idea you knew it!”
Oh, how sad the lack of knowledge about God and His ways. We can bluff our way past those who have even less knowledge of the Bible than we do, but God knows all about us. There is no way we can fool Him. He knows every thought before we think it and every word before it comes from our lips. That fact should sober us to the reality of cleaning up our act and preparing our heart so that we are acceptable in His sight.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 18, 2021 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:9
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
Years ago we were at a family gathering and noticed that one of the younger boys had a frown on his face and was grumbling under his breath. He looked so miserable that he made everyone else miserable as well.
One of his uncles was teaching him how to hold a bat so he would be better able to hit the ball when it was pitched. The boy’s grumbling increased so I eased closer to hear what he was grumbling about. It was hilarious when I heard his low mumble, “You old grouch!”
How ironic! He was the one who had been an old grouch (even at the age of 10), and yet was calling his uncle a grouch just because he was trying to give him instructions to help him.
I wonder how often we are prone to become grumblers as we go through life. We refuse to accept the counsel of family or friends and instead we grumble and complain. This should not be. As believers we should be the happiest and most joyous people on the face of the earth. Are we? Are you? Just remember — no grumbling allowed in God’s family!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing! WITHOUT GRUMBLING!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2021 | 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.”
In 1969 the U.S. Embassy in Iran was overpowered and the Americans inside were held hostage for 444 days. They lived in terror for over a year not knowing if they would live to see another day, be it prisoner or free. They were finally redeemed and allowed to go free, but what scars they carried with them into freedom!
Forgetting that particular incident and thinking of our redemption from sin, what is the worth of the human soul? The Lord Jesus paid the price for our redemption, and I am so grateful that we have been set free from the penalty of sin!
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 | Jan 14, 2021 | Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 4:6
“Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.”
Almost every day we hear of major storms, earthquakes, or floods, occurring somewhere in the world. Basically, the people living in these devastated areas have their world turned upside down.
What are you encountering in your life at this time? Do you feel as if you are being churned up in the middle of a storm? What will it take to bring peace and tranquility to your heart?
Every time I am tempted to feel that I am enduring too much turmoil in my life, I stop and consider the apostle Paul. He endured being lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, and shipwrecked, but was always on the move for Christ.
The storms of life may take the form of actual weather, but more often they will be loss of health, wealth, or personal relationships. Only you will know which storm you are experiencing.
Today’s Scripture speaks of quietness in a manner that suggests contentment. Rather than seeking more and more of the “things” of life, we must seek more and more of the Lord. The answer to tranquility is always the same—Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
