by Pastor Cecil | Feb 14, 2014 | Genesis
Genesis 9:16
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
Years ago my wife Joyce and I were once driving along the beautiful Columbia River gorge in Oregon. A rain shower had recently swept across the area, and now bright sunlight flooded the area. As we drove, a rainbow kept pace beside the car. I know it was just a refraction of the sunlight, but what an awe inspiring sight.
There are two requirements to produce a rainbow, rain and sun. Without rain there could be no rainbow. Without sun there would be no rainbow. In the rainy times of our life, God’s tender care for us brings His rainbow of blessing. God’s covenant of love did not say that we would be free of rain, but He is always with us in the storms of life.
Back in 1879 Rev. J. K. Alwood was equally moved as he observed a rainbow in the western sky late one evening as he was traveling home. When he arrived at his home, he immediately composed the hymn for this week; The Unclouded Day.
The Unclouded Day
O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,
O they tell me of a home far away;
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,
O they tell me of that land far away;
Where the tree of life in eternal bloom
Sheds its fragrance thru the unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me of the King in His beauty there,
And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold,
Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow,
In the city that is made of gold.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me that he smiles on His children there,
And his smile drives their sorrows all away;
And they tell me that no tears ever come again,
In that lovely land of unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video The Unclouded Day, fromGloryScapes™ Christian Hymns.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 13, 2014 | Romans
Romans 7:14-18
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
As we read the words of today’s Scripture, it appears that there is no hope for us. If the Apostle Paul felt that there was no good thing in him, what about you and me? The fact is, as human beings, we are subject to failure.
Peter was adamant about his support of Jesus just before Jesus was arrested. But in spite of all his good intentions, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before daylight. The other disciples were no better as they turned and ran away.
You may have faced situations in your life when your commitment to the Lord slipped. It was your intention to stand firm, but then you began to allow things to slip into your life and, before long, you were on the outside looking in. Does that ring a bell?
Paul ends his lament about the control sin has over our hearts with a shout of victory in verse 25: Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! There is our answer and our source of deliverance. It is not in or through our best efforts, but only through the shed blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Humanity fails, but Christ wins!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 12, 2014 | Acts
Acts 9:17-18
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.
We never know when or how the Lord will choose to use us. We can be going about our regular business when out of the blue a situation will arise that places us in a position to be used by the Lord. It may be an action or a word, but somehow we will know it was a divine encounter.
I remember such a situation many years ago. I was shopping in a warehouse store and observed a woman with a son and daughter. I was grieved at the way the mother spoke harshly to her daughter. The girl was trying her best to help and all she received was belittling comments from her mother.
I felt the best thing I could do was smile at the little girl. Aisle after aisle we would pass one another and each time I would smile at her. At the checkout stand each customer had to bag their own groceries. The little girl was bagging for her family while her older brother just lounged around. Suddenly the girl came over to my area and began to bag my groceries. I began to brag on her and told her I could just imagine how proud her mother must be to have such a helpful daughter. I can still recall her waving to me as they left the store.
How will God use you today? As far as we know, Ananias was used only one time in his life. That one time was significant. Be alert and ready to touch a life today! D. James Kennedy says, “The only ability a Christian needs is availability.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 11, 2014 | Job
Job 2:3
Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited Me against him to ruin him without reason.’
It has always been somewhat of a mystery to me that there are conversations in heaven between God and Satan. These conversations concern those of us here on earth. We know that Satan is the enemy of our souls and the accuser of the believers.
As we read the account of Job we see that God boasts to Satan about the integrity of Job. What this tells me is that God watches our actions and more than that, the motivations behind our actions. In other words, God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. He not only sees what we do but knows why we do it.
In the New Testament we read that Jesus told Peter that Satan had desired to sift him and the other disciples as wheat. Even though Peter proclaimed his steadfast faithfulness and willingness to die for Jesus, we know he fell short.
What do we do when our integrity falls short of our best intentions? The answer is to confess our failures and get up to serve the Lord. Peter and the other disciples that failed the Lord at the moment of His arrest and trial eventually became martyrs for Him after the Resurrection. Integrity is confessing our failures and going on to live for Him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 10, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
A man was not feeling up to par, so he made an appointment and went to see his doctor. When the doctor entered the examining room, it was not his regular doctor, but an intern. The intern told him that his doctor had been called out of town on an emergency and that he was filling in. After a short examination he was told he was in very bad condition. It was like a slap in the face and he demanded a second opinion! Without flinching, the intern said: “You’re ugly too!” That is a terrible joke to begin the week, but I hope you will stay with me as we explore the importance of attitude in the life of the believer.
I never want to belittle the ordeals that people encounter. Perhaps the worst thing we can say to someone who is going through a valley of the shadow of death experience is to say: “I know what you are going through.” We don’t! It is impossible for us to know what is causing the pain within a person. But the Lord knows!
Some people experience sickness and incapacitation of one sort or another. In those times it is well to consider the way God’s people have suffered across the centuries of time. Some of the greatest songs or poems of praise were penned at times of suffering.
Each of us is given a choice in dealing with the pain and agony of this life. We can sigh and moan about how hard our situation is, or we can soar above the circumstances and praise the Lord from whom all blessings come! I, for one, choose to soar! Come and soar with me!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
