by Pastor Cecil | Feb 14, 2020 | Luke
Luke 15:20
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
In the parable of the Prodigal Son the wayward son returned to the home of his father. He did not expect to be received as a son, but was in hopes that he could be employed as a servant.
We know the story of how the father was lovingly anticipating the return of his son. He loved the wayward youth and eagerly met him with love and extravagance. It was not because the boy deserved it, but because he needed. The father was eager to give it to this son who had returned.
Clara Fiske Scott lived from 1841 to 1897 and tragically died after being thrown from a buggy being pulled by a runaway horse. She was a prolific hymn writer, but only this week’s featured hymn is still in circulation. Think of her hymn as it relates to a wayward son who has come home.
Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see,
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my ears, that I may hear,
voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Refrain:Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare,
love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
May the words of this hymn become our constant prayer. In the moments when the cares of this world tend to blind us to the mighty power of God unto salvation may our eyes see the open arms of the Savior waiting to receive us home.
To access; Open My Eyes, this week’s inspirational video from please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/openmyeyes/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2020 | Luke
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Whenever I read today’s Scripture, I have to ask if the hairs of our head are numbered before or after we lose most of them? That is meant to be humorous, but I know that the words are intended to show just how intimately the Lord knows us.
I love birds and enjoy a varied collection of birds that visit the feeders I have for them outside my window. Some of these precious creatures have become accustomed to me and stay close when I fill their feeding stations.
It always bothers me when I hear Christians speak as if the Lord was not aware of the details of their lives. Perhaps our problem is that we lack a proper understanding of God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we read of God’s intimate knowledge of us and our surroundings. In Psalm 139 we read: “You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.”
The next time you are tempted to feel alone and abandoned by the Lord, start looking around for the nearest sparrow (or any other bird). The Lord knows that bird by name and cares for it. If He does that, be assured that He will also take care of you.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2020 | Luke
Luke 1:30
“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”
I am sure that each of us has experienced fear at some point in our life. One of the taunts that was used on the playgrounds when I was a boy was “fraidy cat!” — which often led to someone taking a dare that usually led to an injury. It was almost as if injury was preferred over fear.
There is a reverential fear of the Lord that is righteous and worthy of honor. It is an awareness that when we are close to the power of God we need to feel the awesomeness of the Almighty that dwarfs all human strength.
As a boy, one of the first verses I memorized was Isaiah 41:10. In the New King James it reads this way; “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.”
I choose to live a life of confidence and as it says in Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for the Lord is with me.” What a comfort that is!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
