by Pastor Cecil | Jan 13, 2021 | Proverbs
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
Since he had become a Christian, Al had always tried to do what was right. He read his Bible and prayed frequently. As he grew spiritually Al was able to see the hand of God at work in his life. Then something happened!
Al owned a classic automobile that he had restored from the ground up. When the restoration was finished he decided to sell it for a huge profit. Then he had a better plan (or so he reasoned). Al decided to keep all of the profits to buy an even more expensive auto that would bring even more profit so that he would be able to give more to the Lord.
But from the very beginning things began to go wrong. There were huge unforeseen costs that drained his money and embittered his heart. He focused all of his attentions inward instead of upward and it led to disaster.
Trying to please God on our own terms rather that doing what God requires is always doomed to failure and destruction. It is not how smart we are, or what wonderful position we fill, or how much money we make that counts with God. It is and always has been that we do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 12, 2021 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 2:15
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
Imagine walking down the street on a warm spring day. The birds are singing and the sun shining through the trees makes dappled shadows on the sidewalk. Your mind is preoccupied with the joy of the day when suddenly everything changes.
There is an enticing aroma wafting across the street that draws you to a small shop with a familiar sign over the door — FRESH BAKED BREAD! You laugh to yourself, “As if anyone would have to tell you it is fresh bread!” That wonderful aroma by itself provided enough of an announcement.
You cross the street and peek through the window of the shop and see row after row of freshly baked bread on the counter. Having great will power you turn and walk away. RIGHT!
As we read today’s Scripture we are told that we are to be the aroma of Christ to those around us. In other words, we are to draw people to Christ.
What fragrant aroma of Christ do people sense when they are around you? Do you think they will want to “taste and see that the Lord is good?” Will they think of you when they desire spiritual counsel?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 11, 2021 | Galatians
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
A minister had just preached a dynamic message on being totally committed to God and empty of self. As the congregants shook the pastor’s hand after the service, a woman approached him and said, “Pastor, please pray that God will make me nothing.”
Being a courageous and faithful servant, he looked her straight in the eye and replied, “Madam, take it by faith, you are nothing!” Her reaction revealed that she did not take well to his suggestion!
I can understand what he was saying. It was not to put her down, but rather to show that without Christ we are indeed nothing. Does that end the matter? Absolutely not! As a matter of fact, it is just the start. When our pride and self-sufficiency get out of the way, Christ is able to do His work in and through us.
Are you wearing yourself out trying to please the Lord? I implore you to give up trying to earn your salvation. Listen to Him—then do what He asks you to do. God’s work done God’s way will have God’s power!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 8, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 33:1-3
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
Fanny J. Crosby was a tiny woman. She stood under five feet and weighed less than 100 pounds. Because of being maltreated for an eye infection when she was only a few months old, she spent the remainder of her 95 years totally blind.
This tiny dynamo wrote over 8,000 poems and hymns during her lifetime. She composed her poems and hymns entirely in her mind and then dictated them to a stenographer. She was said to be able to work on as many as twelve hymns at once before dictating them all out.
Fanny felt that it was a special gift from God that she should be blind all of her life, and she thanked Him for that gift. She felt that when she arrived in heaven, the first face she desired to gladden her sight would be her precious Savior. It was in 1896 that she wrote the hymn selected for this week.
PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!
- Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children. In His arms He carries them all day long:
Refrain: Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; praise Him! Praise Him, ever in joyful song!
- Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered and bled and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation; Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, love unbounded, wonderful deep and strong:
Refrain: Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; praise Him! Praise Him, ever in joyful song!
- Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King! Christ is coming! Over the world victorious, power and glory unto the Lord belong.
Refrain: Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; praise Him! Praise Him, ever in joyful song!
To access the free inspirational video for this weeks, as well as other videos, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/praisehimpraisehim
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 7, 2021 | Matthew
Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Recently I found myself being convicted of some words I had spoken to certain members of our congregation. You see, they are considering a move across the country to be near their daughter and grandchildren. Not to mention, it would also be much warmer.
To think of them leaving has been extremely hard for me. They and their family have been members of my congregation for many years. The wife’s parents were also members of my congregation and I officiated at each of their funerals.
The problem is that I have been allowing my wishes to take precedence in the matter. My dear friends have laughingly forgiven me for my desire to keep them here, but I have learned a lesson — LET GOD DO THE LEADING!
I am sure that there are many areas of my life where I have stepped out ahead of the Lord’s leadership. I want to become increasingly sensitive in encouraging people to seek the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit instead of the well meaning family and friends looking out for their own interests. We need to encourage each other to pray and let God be God!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
