by Pastor Cecil | Jan 6, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 91:1-2
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
A certain husband once came to my office for marital counseling. His wife had been in earlier and they were requesting that I assist them to restore peace and harmony in their marriage.
The husband was very vocal in blaming his wife as the cause of the problems they were having. He proceeded to share the things he had said and her adverse reactions. He said that he felt she was being unreasonable.
He had just left my office when there was a knock on my door. It was this same husband. He said that as he was leaving he realized that he had left the wrong impression. The words that he had spoken to his wife were accurate, but the inflection he used as he spoke to her gave an entirely different meaning. He confessed that he was wrong. It was soon after the husband’s recognition of his guilt that their marriage became stronger than before.
When you speak and interact with others are you using an inflection that says more than the words themselves? Could you imagine Jesus speaking with the same inflection in His voice?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 5, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 91:1-2
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’”
I cannot even count the times I have read Psalm 91, but each time I read it a new insight grabs my attention. Actually, there are two words that capture my interest: “dwell” and “trust”.
In the past few years there have been television programs that follow a lone individual as he is dropped into a remote area of the globe and left to survive on his own resources for one week. He is not provided food or water and must make his way on what he can glean from the land in which he has been thrust.
Water is the first essential to be obtained, closely followed by starting a fire and preparing a shelter to protect him from the elements. It is surprising how ingenious these men are in erecting a shelter from the rain, cold, or in some desert areas, the sun. While these make-shift covers may be a place to pause, they are not a place to dwell and rest.
It is tragic that many people go through this life erecting “shelters” that they hope will satisfy. Some of these may even cost millions of dollars, but like every other thing in this world, they are destined to pass away.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 5, 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 4, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
How many times have we said something that caused us embarrassment? We immediately had the urge to yank the words back into our mouth, but it was too late and the damage was done.
Insulting words leave lasting impressions on others who hear them. Words spoken in anger or resentment will last for a long time in the minds of those who are the recipients of our thoughtless outburst. Are you feeling a little uncomfortable right now? It does little good to say we are sorry after we have used words in a way that causes pain to another.
During WWII there was a slogan that was prominently displayed everywhere: LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! The meaning was that spies might be listening for information that might be passed on to the enemy and used to cause harm and even loss of life.
In like manner we need to make Psalm 19:14 a regular part of our prayer life. The words we speak will be a reflection of the time we spend with the Lord in prayer and meditation upon His word.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I have often commented that I am better at forgetting than I am at remembering. That was never a good thing when I was preparing for an exam in school. I still am amazed that I was able to earn a Master’s Degree from Central Missouri State University! Go figure!
The Apostle Paul gives us good advice as we look forward to 2021. Do not let the chaos and confusion that has marked a majority of 2020 destroy the work the Lord has for us to accomplish in the days which lie ahead.
The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to commit ourselves to spend more quality time with the Lord in Bible study and prayer. If you have never done so, it would be worth your while to establish a plan to read through the Bible in 2021. Many plans are available on line.
My prayer for each of you is to draw closer to the Lord as the time approaches of His return. What a day of rejoicing we have to look forward to!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
