by Pastor Cecil | Jan 24, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 55:8-9
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
When I was in high school I worked with my dad and brother in building a house. Being an immature teen I would sometimes make a glaring mistake. I remember one such incident and my dad said: “Honestly, son, sometimes I wonder why you were ever born!” I just grinned and sassily replied, “Well dad, accidents happen!” He was quick to chastise my remark and assure me that I had certainly been no accident. I deeply regretted my comments and never asked him to explain!
As a matter of fact none of us are here by accident! I am firmly convinced that God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. We may not have the same talents, gifts, or opportunities, but we have a unique purpose that God has designed for us.
There are two words in the Scripture for today that grab my attention. The first is the word thought. It is from the Hebrew word machashabah. In addition to the interpretation of the word thought, it also implies a distinct plan and purpose. I am once again struck by the reality that God is never surprised about where we are and what is happening around us. He is in complete control and has us there for a purpose. HIS PURPOSE!
The second word is way. In the Hebrew it is the word derek. It has the fantastic idea of being a path, direction or course of life. I love the idea that each and every one of us has a course that is set out before us. We have not been this way before and the way may seem unfamiliar to us, but thank God, He goes before us and has set the course. All we have to do is keep our eyes on Him and follow.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 23, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
What is really important in your life? When all is said and done, what can you count as your most valuable possession? There are people who live in massive and opulent homes that cost millions of dollars. It would be easy to think that they have reached the pinnacle of satisfaction, but that is usually not the case. These people are most likely to be miserable.
On the other extreme are those who live in humble dwellings that are in low income neighborhoods. Some who reside there spend considerable time and effort day dreaming about living in the homes of the rich and powerful.
Lack of contentment can be expressed in numerous ways. Some people are never satisfied with their employment, their marriage partner, their appearance, their abilities, or any number of factors that are common to the human existence. Let’s face it—we covet the things or qualities that others possess. Even some pastors covet larger churches or larger ministries.
God calls us to find our true value in Him. He leads us and directs us in the path He has chosen for us. The path may be steep or rocky, but it is the wonderful way God has chosen to allow us to shine brightly in a world of sin. Rest in the contentment that God knows what He is doing, and by finding joy in your present situation, you may be a true minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 22, 2013 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
I always loved to hear Paul Harvey on the radio. His comments were so penetrating and direct that it seemed as if he knew where we all lived. It was 47 years ago that he delivered the following message that seems somehow prophetic. I ask forgiveness for those few of you who receive the garbled symbols in place of apostrophes and quotation marks. Please bite the bullet and grasp what he is saying.
IF I WERE THE DEVIL by Paul Harvey (Broadcast April 3, 1965)
If I were the devil . . . if I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness, and I would have a third of its real estate and fourth of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree . . . THEE!
So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first. I’d begin a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square.” And the old I would teach to pray after me: “Our Father, which art in Washington.” And then I’d get organized.
I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, and churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions—just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door. Within a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing. I’d have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the courthouse, and then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in his own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.
If I were the devil, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle. If I were the devil, I would take from those who have and I would give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what will you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as a way to get rich. I would caution against extremes in hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be, and thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.
In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 21, 2013 | 1 Samuel
1 Samuel 25:3
The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.
Sometimes babies get stuck with funny names. Take me for example. I would sure never have selected the name, Cecil for an innocent baby. But my parents did. I have had to live with that name all of my life. Oops! I have to add that my dad was also Cecil and although we have different middle names, I spent my early childhood days known as Junior. What a sad life! Sob! Sob!
All that being said we get back to the focus of this man named, Nabal. In Hebrew the name means, fool. Later in the chapter when Abigail, his wife was pleading with David to spare the life of Nabal, she said; Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him!
Abigail was a beautiful and godly woman that was stuck with a husband who had the name of a fool and lived up to his name. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she used every resource at her disposal to spare his life. There is never an indication that this churlish man ever appreciated so rare a gem that was his wife. How sad!
It may be that you are married to a spouse who makes your life miserable. My counsel is for you to show forth the beauty of the Lord in response. Let the Lord show you ways to save the life of the most difficult person in your life!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 18, 2013 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 31:2-3
Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me.
My wife Joyce and I have had more than a few fiery trials in our life. We have been forced to our knees and cried out to Him to support us. When it seemed that we could not go on, the Lord has always been faithful and our Firm Foundation.
The hymn for this week was the favorite hymn of Rachel Jackson, wife of Andrew Jackson. He requested that it be played for him in the final hours of his life. It was also a favorite of General Robert E. Lee. It was sung at the funerals of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.
On Christmas Eve, 1898, an entire corps of the United States Army was camped on the hills near Havana, Cuba. Almost as a man they spontaneously took up this sacred tune and words. In times of trial and danger it is essential to have a firm foundation in the Lord upon which to stand.
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To You who for refuge to Jesus for refuge have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
