by Pastor Cecil | Jan 3, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
To access All Creatures of Our God and King, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking/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 | Jan 2, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
I pity those who come from other language groups that try to walk through the minefield that the English language presents. For instance, the word “commit” is an example of how confusing our language can be.
As we check a dictionary for the meaning of the word, we first of all discover that it may be defined: to entrust, especially for safekeeping; commend: to commit one’s soul to God. But then we immediately see a second definition. “Commit” can also be defined: to place in a mental institution or hospital by or as if by legal authority.
As I compare these two meanings, it strikes me that there is a choice involved here. We can either choose to commit ourselves to the Lord in the certain expectation of His leading and guiding our steps, or we will face an unpleasant commitment.
I have known many who made what appeared to be a solid commitment, only to watch them make an about face later on. When I officiate at weddings, I challenge the couple to covenant before God and the witnesses to hold fast to the vows they make, for better or worse. Sadly, when the “worse” arises, some abandon their commitment. I pray that we will hold fast to be committed to God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2014 | Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’
Newspaper columnist Erma Bombeck, who died in 1996, once wrote that she realized things had changed between Erma and her mother in the car. One day she was driving with her mother beside her in the passenger seat and had to slow rather quickly. Without thinking about it, she reached over to support her mother much like she had done for one of her children. Erma’s mother had now become the child, and Erma the mother. Life had suddenly come full circle.
Shortly afterwards, Erma happened to be in the passenger seat with her daughter driving when she had to brake suddenly. You got it! The daughter reached over to support Erma. Oh, how things change!
Our granddaughter was with us over Christmas and was commenting on her age—“Being 25 is ‘unreal,'” she says. When her brother was 20, our granddaughter thought it would be forever before she would reach that age, and now she is five years past that!
Her comments reminded me of just how quickly life passes. There is no time for procrastination. The things that God calls us to do must be done when He tells us to do it . . . not when we get around to it. Only one life and it soon will pass. Only what is done for Christ will last!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
