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
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 13, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 51:1-2
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
Water, water, everywhere…and not a drop to drink! Those words have probably been uttered many times by victims stranded in the middle of the ocean. The salt-laden sea seems to mock them – they are surrounded by water, but it would be poison to their system to drink it.
Lucy Jane Rider Meyer wrote the words of today’s hymn. She was born on a Vermont farm in 1849. Lucy was a teacher and not only founded many high schools, but went on to teach chemistry at McKendree College, a school for freed blacks in North Carolina. She was one of the first female professors.
What a refreshing thought that a brilliant professor was able to use the Word of God to bring music to the thirsty human soul. Oh, that we had more brave educators who would be willing to put their reputations on the line for the things of God. I thirst for that!
HO, EVERYONE WHO IS THIRSTY
- Ho! Everyone that is thirsty in spirit,
Ho! Everyone that is weary and sad;
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus,
All that you’re longing for; come and be glad!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
- Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth’s joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List’ to the promise, a message for you!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
- Child of the kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but “fullness” thy longing can meet;
‘Tis the enduement for life and for service;
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet.
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
To access Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty, this week’s inspirational video, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/hoeveryonewhoisthirsty/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 9, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Years ago I recall listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse, a prominent pastor, and teacher. Years earlier he had just completed an evangelistic meeting several hundred miles from his home in Philadelphia when he was given a telegram. It informed him that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
His only way back to Philadelphia was by rail. As Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed. He knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home and that there was nothing he could do but leave his son in God’s hands.
As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, “- – – but dust will be the serpent’s food.” Using that passage he asked the Lord to feed the serpent dust, but to please grant him a good night’s rest. He fell fast asleep and the next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia.
The Lord had answered his prayer. His son lived and during his time of recuperation, he committed his life to full-time Christian service. If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and feed the serpent dust.
TO YOU BEFORE THE CLOSE OF DAY
To you before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.
O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through. Amen
To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to https://gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday/
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 21, 2020 | Isaiah
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
It is never a good idea to belittle the ordeals that people encounter in life. Perhaps the worst thing we can say to someone who is going through a “valley of the shadow of death” experience is, “I know what you are going through.” We don’t! It is impossible for us to know what is causing the pain within a person. But the Lord knows!
I vividly recall sitting at the bedside of our oldest daughter as she was dying. Joyce had gone home and it was just Brenda and me in that quiet room. In the past weeks I had remembered her as a precocious little girl in a frilly pink dress. Now she was the mother of three beautiful children, just moments from ascending to be with her Lord.
This was no time for me to focus on the loss, but on the joys that awaited her in glory. As I considered the glory which awaited my beloved daughter, I could almost feel a pang of homesickness for heaven. One of the Scriptures I quoted for Brenda was Psalm 23. Verse 4 was especially precious: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” It was this promise that made her funeral a few days later a celebration of praise. The Lord knows!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 12, 2020 | 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.”
As we go through life we often encounter trials and tribulations. All too often we spend our time begging God to get us out of these situations, rather than asking Him to use the situations for our good and His glory.
One of my first memories as a child was being terrified of trains. I would hear the whistle of a steam locomotive and immediately scream with fear. I can vaguely recall my mom holding me close to her and trying to calm my panic.
Today’s Scripture is a verse that I memorized a few years later as a young boy. It has been a comfort to me across the years. I notice that we only need to do two things. Actually we are to refrain from doing two things. We are not to fear and we are not to be dismayed.
The assurance that God gives us is fivefold: 1. He is with us. 2. He is our God. 3. He will strengthen us. 4. He will help us. 5. He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. That is good enough for me. I will just do my part.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 11, 2020 | 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.”
Back in the early 80’s I was involved in Christian counseling. A man came to me who was in a state of constant fear. His telephone calls or personal visits were ensconced in a panic of fear and dread. It was such an all-consuming trait that it drove people away from him, which only increased his fear and depression. As a result of working with this man I came to realize once again that fear and depression go hand in hand.
I attempted, with prayer and to the best of my ability, to guide this man to the Lord as the answer to life’s problems which so grievously attacked him. At times I thought he was making headway, but soon he was back to relying upon himself and his own abilities. It was back to “dismal city” all over again. Sometime after leaving that community I received word that he had taken his own life. The end of refusing to trust in God is not pleasant.
As we look at today’s verse, we see that as believers we are instructed to stay clear of two patterns of behavior: fear and depression. We have confidence because: FOR I AM WITH YOU! and I AM YOUR GOD!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
