BE STILL!

by | Apr 2, 2013 | Psalm

Psalm 65:7

You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.

So you want to get away from the rat race. You long for peace and tranquility which will settle your stress and frustration. You dream of a simpler and more sedate time.

There is a program on Public Television called Alone In the Wilderness that chronicles the year in the life of a man who left civilization and built a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness. The utter isolation was interrupted occasionally by a small bush plane which brought him supplies and mail—but other than that, it was only Dick and the wild animals.

As idyllic as the scenes of the program might be, isolation is not the answer to the hustle and chaos of daily living. Man is by his very nature created to have interaction with others. There may be recluses who cut themselves off from other people, but by their very actions they reveal there are problems which have not been resolved.

In Mark 4, Jesus told His disciples to take the boats to the other side of the lake. While Jesus slept peacefully on a cushion, a furious squall came up and threatened the boats. Remember that many of these disciples were seasoned fishermen who had spent their lives out on this lake in all kinds of weather. Now they trembled! If ever they needed peace and quiet, it was now.

In their fear and alarm they called out to Jesus. It seemed impossible that He could sleep through such a storm. The men woke Jesus and asked Him if He didn’t care if they were about to drown. It is then that we read the quiet words of power which we read in Mark 4:39: Quiet! (peace) Be still! Immediately the wind died down and the sea became calm.

The disciples had concluded that all was hopeless and that they would never reach shore again. It was only then that they called to Jesus—perhaps they thought to wake Him to prepare for the inevitable drowning, because they had never before witnessed Him quieting the wind and waves.

You may be facing situations that are threatening to swamp your boat! Now is the time to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember . . . it is Jesus who has the power to calm and bring order out of chaos.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

—Pastor Cecil

WHO IS THE FOOL?

by | Apr 1, 2013 | 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 3:18

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

April first has long been recognized as April Fools Day in many countries around the world. It has been around since 1392 when Geoffrey Chaucer penned the Canterbury Tales.It is a day when practical jokes are the order of the day.

It was over sixty years ago, when I was a jet mechanic in the US Air Force, a few of us decided to play an April Fool prank on one of our co-workers. We called him and pretended to be from the finance company and demanding that he pay his past due account immediately. What we did not know was that he was indeed behind and began to beg for a little leniency. We quickly ended the call and never mentioned what we had done—until now!

There are many foolish people in the world and the most foolish are those who fail to make the choice to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Also it is foolish to spend our time and talents on the things of this world without coming to the realization that only one life and it soon will be past. Only what is done for Christ that will last.

The question for this first day of April is; are we wise or foolish? Have we made that eternal choice to confess our sins and invite the Lord Jesus Christ to come into our heart and become the Lord of our life? Are we living a life of obedience to His divine will for our life? Do not be an eternal fool!!!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

—Pastor Cecil