by Pastor Cecil | Mar 10, 2021 | John
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I recall being tossed about on the turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean as it funneled through the Straits of Juan De Fuca. Our cabin cruiser that had seemed to be strong earlier in the day now was being tossed about like a cork. The peaceful cove we finally reached seemed to be a blessing from the Lord.
Frequently the storms of life seem to descend upon us like a violent storm or raging sea. It is during these times we can be the most effective witnesses for the power of God to overcome the trials of this world.
All too often people seem to feel that it is necessary to accomplish some great or mighty act to please the Lord. However Jesus says that if we simply give a cup of water in His name we are doing His work.
As we encounter tribulation in our life we need to demonstrate the joy that only the Lord can bring. It is not enough to endure the times of tribulation we need for the pure joy of serving Jesus to radiate from around us. A cup of water many not seem to be much to us, but to a parched throat it may be better than pure gold.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 9, 2021 | 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 12:23
“But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
I have shared with many people the testimony of a young father that he tearfully gave to a small group of us in our living room as we shared how we had come to receive Jesus as our personal Savior.
He said his spiritual birth was in the waiting room of our local hospital in the middle of the night. His wife was in the delivery room about to deliver her baby. The doctor entered the waiting room and informed Rick that his wife was having a difficult time and it looked as if their baby (a boy) would not live.
Rick said he was all alone pacing back and forth and for the first time he cried to the Lord. He somehow knew that if his baby boy died he would go to be with the Lord and he would never see him. He knew the only way to insure he would ever see his son was to receive Christ into his heart. He did just that!
Shortly after being born again himself, the doctor rushed out with the news that his son had made it and his wife was asking for him. When he told her of his new spiritual birth there was double rejoicing as they cuddled their newborn son.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 8, 2021 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”
What constitutes a call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ? I am not sure that I have the answer for everyone, but I know my own experience. It was in 1953 in Amarillo, Texas. I was attending Jet Aircraft Maintenance School and Joyce and I were living in a small upstairs apartment. One Sunday afternoon I was surrounded by an awareness of God and an urgency to proclaim the Word of God.
It also seemed that my ministry would be different. It was as if the Lord was telling me that I would be His servant in the trenches, as it were. I was to begin preparing myself for ministry, but He wanted me to be used where He sent me, and that would not necessarily be to an established church.
For years I ministered in places where the US Air Force sent me. It was a thrilling time to see doors open and needs that suddenly appeared. I preached, taught, and made myself available in areas that lacked an established church or minister.
You may be facing a call in your own life. My counsel to you is to wait upon the Lord. Allow Him to reveal the plans He has for you. Do not wait for the established avenues to open up. If God shows you that He is opening a door for you—walk through it!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 5, 2021 | Psalm
Psalm 107:29-30
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.”
It seems that each of us is called upon to face storms in our life. It may be physical infirmity, financial reversals or the loss of a loved one. It is not the storm that matters, but how we react to the storm.
Back in 1873, Horatio Spafford and his family were scheduled to sail on the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ from New York to England where he was to assist the great evangelist, D.L. Moody. Because of a last minute business crisis Mr. Spafford sent his family on ahead and he would follow on a later ship.
Unfortunately the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank. There was a terrible loss of life. Spafford and his wife lost their four daughters. Nine days later Horatio Spafford received a cable from his wife that simply said, “Saved alone.” What poignant words.
Later, as he was sailing to meet his wife, he asked the captain to let him know when they were near where the accident had occurred. It was there that he penned the words of this week’s hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain: It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “It Is Well With My Soul” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 4, 2021 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
One of the first passages of Scripture I memorized many years ago was this one from Isaiah 41. I am not sure at what point in my life I began to apply the truth of this precious promise to the way I lived. I must confess that there have been times when I failed to apply this truth, but I always seem to be drawn back to it.
There are two things we are warned to remove from our life: FEAR and DISMAY. You may question how we are to get rid of these to “joy robbers” from our life. The answer is given loud and clear: God assures us that He is our God and our strength comes from Him.
He assures us that He is OUR God. That is the personal assurance. He also promises that He will; (1) STRENGTHEN US. (2) HELP US. (3) UPHOLD US WITH HIS RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.
I urge each of us to trust in God’s precious promise to always be there at all times and for every need. We may forsake Him, but He never forsakes us!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
