by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2012 | 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.
To access It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/ in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 8, 2012 | Matthew
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It is sad to observe people work themselves into a frenzy trying to amass a nest egg that will provide them with ease and luxury when they retire. The problem is that many work so hard with such singleness of heart that they destroy their closest relationships and many sacrifice those closest to them in their frantic efforts.
From time to time we read about famous and wealthy people who become so despondent when their fortunes slip away that they resort to suicide. The things of this world will always fail to bring the contentment that so many pursue so passionately.
Jesus was well aware of the fickle nature of the human heart. He knew that wealth never brings peace and harmony. Solomon was a classic example of how cheap and hollow the accumulation of worldly riches really is. He seemed to have it all but concluded that it was all vanity.
Jesus teaches us that we are not to devote our efforts to attain the things of this world that will vanish. The Lord will provide us with what we actually need, and when we surrender our will to find and follow His will, we will lay up treasures in heaven that will last for eternity. Treasure in heaven and peace here below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do you feel as if you go through life with a giant question mark over your head? Do you listen to the news of God’s people being taken hostage, and wonder why? Do you question why children are diagnosed with incurable diseases? Do you ask yourself why God allows the wicked to appear to prosper?
There are a multitude of questions that seem constantly to be with us. In the back room of our mind we conjure up notions that if we had understanding on some of these issues, all would be well. Can I let you in on a little secret? IT ISN’T GOING TO HAPPEN! Not only is it not going to happen, it should not be our goal. Being used of God is simply doing what He says, whether we ever gain understanding.
More and more I see God accomplish things in my life that are not a result of my own resolve. It is just being available, and then going on about my normal business. Several years ago I received an e-mail that really illustrates this whole idea of God being and doing things we cannot understand. Do you think this story is true? It sure could be!
ALMIGHTY GOD
The pastor of a store front church called “The Almighty God Tabernacle” was working late on a Saturday night. He decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn’t answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. The following Monday the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he’d used that Saturday night. The man on the other end wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night. The pastor was dumbfounded and couldn’t figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the caller said, “It rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.”
The pastor remembered the apparently misdirected call and apologized for disturbing the gentleman, explaining that he’d intended to call his wife.
The caller said, “That’s OK, let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, “God, if You are there, and You don’t want me to do this, give me a sign right now.” At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘ALMIGHTY GOD’. I was afraid to answer!”
The man who had intended to commit suicide is now meeting regularly for counseling with the pastor of a church called—The Almighty God Tabernacle.
Instead of wasting a lot of time trying to come up with answers that are beyond our capacity to understand, isn’t it better to just take God’s hand? Those things which God wants us to know will be revealed to us. The other things that we struggle to understand will just have to wait until God reveals them to us.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 6, 2012 | Psalm
Psalm 37:3-8
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord,trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;do not fret—it only causes harm.
Years ago we lived in Nampa, Idaho, and attended a church pastored by Rev. Earl Lee. It was always a joy to listen to his sermons, especially when he translated phrases from the Murati Bible which he had used as a missionary in India.
In addition to his frequent translations, there was one sermon that has remained in my mind. It was based on this passage from Psalm 37. I hope you notice the words underlined in today’s Scripture: TRUST, DELIGHT, COMMIT, and REST. To use these words as a guide to spiritual discipline is fundamental.
In whom do we trust? The Lord! The moment we stop trusting in the Lord and begin to place our confidence in something or someone else, we are doomed to despair. As we faithfully trust in the Lord we begin to delight in the exciting life of faith.
This is possible only when we commit ourselves to the Lord and obey Him as we read His Word and obey what it says. The rest that is mentioned is not some ho-hum half asleep type of rest. It is giving up the control of our life to His leadership and placing our complete trust in Him. Are you Trusting, Delighting, Committing, and Resting? Try it! Your life will never be the same!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 5, 2012 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 34:7
Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.
It is shocking to consider all of the things I used to be able to do that at my age I do not have the strength to do. It seems such a short time ago when I could hardly wait to be a part of the youth group. That passed quickly and then I entered the age that was often referred to as the young people.
Consider such well known organizations such as YMCA or YWCA. I hope you recall that they are the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Young Women’s Association. Changed over the years and the Christian aspect has been discarded as well as the young emphasis. A visit to the local “Y” will reveal that many well past the age of youth or young people make use of the facilities.
Even though my mind still considers me a young person, my body says I am not. There is no set time when we stop being young and become old. I have known thirty year old people who acted like they were ninety and ninety year old people who considered themselves young.
I choose to be a part of that second group! It is my desire and intent to remain active in the Lord’s service until He chooses to call me home. Until then you can find me with a young people’s group somewhere. That’s where I belong!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
