by Pastor Cecil | Nov 22, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
I recall many years ago, listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse. He told of how he had just completed a meeting many miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
Travel at that time was by rail and 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.
If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and to 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 To You Before the Close of Day, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday 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
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 21, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
When I was young there was a song that went something like this: “Everybody ought to go to Sunday School, to Sunday School, to Sunday School. The men and the women and the girls and the boys; everybody ought to go to Sunday School.” (There probably still is a song like that).
I am sure the good intent of the author of that chorus was to inspire people to attend church services. The problem is that it was done from a guilt-producing mindset. It is easy for us to play Holy Spirit and project our values onto other people’s lives.
So how do we inspire others to become involved in the things of the Lord? Simple—be enthused ourselves. There is nothing that inspires people to want what we have like showing how much we are enjoying it. Today I saw a young woman walking out of Costco with a frozen vanilla yogurt in her hand as she pushed her cart toward the door. She suddenly stopped and licked that wonderful treat. I was also holding two of them in my hands, so I smiled and commented about how good they were. You could see people around us becoming attracted by our comments and our pleased expressions.
We can attract people with delight much faster than by pouring on the guilt. Let the thrill of Jesus draw you to the closest walk you have ever enjoyed. Tell everyone what you are discovering in your Christian walk. Invite them to join you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 20, 2013 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
When is enough, enough? By that I do not mean to stop dealing with problems around us, but rather, when can we say we have done enough for the Lord? I have to confess that in school, even graduate school, I only did enough to get by. Just enough to get the grade I wanted or needed to achieve, no less, no more—just enough.
As I write this, my mind suddenly reflects on doing those things that are of interest to me. When I was in high school I loved to play football. The long practice sessions were no problem because I was doing what I enjoyed doing. The game day was just icing on the cake!
Then there is the love of my life, my precious wife, Joyce. We have been married for over 61 years and I never tire of doing things that please her and make things easier for her. There is no day too long for doing something special that will delight her. In a manner of speaking, there I can never do enough!
My walk with the Lord has progressed over seventy years now. I can honestly say that I love Him more and more each day. I will never be able to do enough for the precious Savior who did enough to provide my eternal salvation. Thank you Lord!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 19, 2013 | James
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When trials arise, the last thing we feel like doing is expressing pure joy. Let’s face it . . . trials hurt. They hurt us physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. I have sat at the bedside of saints who are just one heartbeat from eternity. Often the family grieves, but the grief is for themselves. They know that in a few moments their loved one will (hopefully) be physically experiencing joy and contentment that is beyond our imagination.
Another trial that we sometimes encounter is the emotional strain that results from the actions of our loved ones. These family members make unwise choices. Their sinful choices break our hearts and strain our patience. If only they would live pleasing to the Lord!
Across the years of my ministry I have been confronted by Christians who were seriously wounded by the words and/or actions of other believers. Many of these “walking wounded” even left the church because of the hurtful actions of fellow Christians.
Can you identify with any of these areas, or others? Rather than being overcome with devastation, we can have victory. James gives us a simple solution, but one that is very difficult to follow. It starts with joy. Choosing the joy of the Lord brings His power to mold and make us in His image.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2013 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:1-3
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
I think it is safe to say that most of us have had close calls with death. Even those who are the most cautious about taking risks can remember a near miss. My past experience in law enforcement and the military at times brought me close to eternity. I have listened to stories of deep sea fishermen and pilots that made me wonder how they escaped death.
The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. I can almost visualize his calloused fingers and hands. In today’s Scripture, Paul uses his profession as a tent-maker to illustrate a spiritual truth: This human body of ours is not going to survive. There are those who try to reverse the aging process in various ways, but nothing is going to keep us from coming to the end of our life and entering eternity.
It is sad that most of us spend too much time and effort on things, that will pass away. By spending so much time on earthly things we neglect the things that really count—those things that have eternal value. Receiving Christ as our personal Savior is vital to prepare for eternity. Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word will prepare us for that heavenly home that will never pass away. Which home are you spending your time and effort to build?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
