by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2014 | Luke
Luke 15:19-20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
One of my most pleasurable jobs as a pastor is helping families restore broken relationships. I once was called upon to officiate at a funeral service. The son of the deceased told me that he had not spoken to his sister for years and wanted me to reconcile them before the service. Right! Just like that!
Less than an hour before the service I met with the two and their families. Each of them had ten or fifteen children, spouses and others on their side. He and his family were on one side and she and her family on the other side of the aisle. I had prayed for just the right words and to this day cannot recall what Scripture I used. I had just finished when the brother stood and walked across the aisle and hugged his sister. The two families merged with great joy.
Fanny J. Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915. This remarkable lady never let problems keep her away from the Lord. Her blindness as an infant meant that she spent her entire life without physical sight, but was blessed with a keen spiritual sight.
When she was only eight years old she wrote the following poem: Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world contented I will be! How many blessings I enjoy that other people do not! So weep or sigh because I am blind, I cannot – nor I will not.
The hymn, Draw Me Nearer expresses her desire to draw nearer to her blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Draw Me Nearer
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
To access Draw Me Nearer, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/drawmenearer/ 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 | Aug 28, 2014 | Job
Job 1:20-21
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I will depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’
Over the years I have come to appreciate the book of Job. It is amazing that this very righteous man could lose all of his wealth, most of his servants, and worst of all, his ten children. Having lost one daughter, I know something of the heartache that must have seized him.
It brings us to consider what is important in life. We know that the things of this world, even the people of this world, will pass away, but there is a glorious eternity waiting for all who will receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
It is not what we do that merits that wonderful home in glory that is waiting for us. It is only by the precious atoning blood of Jesus that we have the confident assurance that our name is written down in glory.
Job could look beyond the horrible losses in his life and see that God is good. Some people wait for health or wealth in order to praise the Lord. Job could not have known what was going on in heaven between God and Satan that resulted in his pain. The one thing he did know: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;may the name of the Lord be praised.” I want that kind of faith!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 27, 2014 | John
John 14:15-17
If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.
Years ago I was listening to a sermon tape of Donald Grey Barnhouse. (Yes it was the old reel to reel type). For that time it was state-of-the-art.) He related that a lady in his church (Let’s call her Jane) was traveling to a conference with three other women. One of them mentioned that they were going to have drinks and asked Jane if she would like to join them.
Jane had recently committed her life to the Lord and was not living the same lifestyle she previously lived. In reply to their invitation she asked them to wait just a moment, then she prayed, “Holy Spirit do you want a slug of liquor?” Then to the woman who had invited her, she said, “The Holy Spirit and I say no.”
Wow! I am sure it became very quiet in that car as they continued their journey. As we read the last few words of today’s Scripture we find a truth that many times is overlooked; “He lives with you and will be in you.” Stop and ask where you have been or are now taking the Holy Spirit. If He was visible would you feel comfortable having Him there?
There is another aspect to this issue. Are we making the decisions about where we are going? Since the Holy Spirit lives within should we not seek His guidance in our life? It means surrender to self, but it will result in victory.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 26, 2014 | Acts
Acts 6:3-4
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday I wrote about a young Amish school teacher who was attending a meeting for school teachers. One of the speakers mentioned that he wanted to be remembered as a person who was here and willing to help. It was refreshing reading about a teacher’s meeting for Christian teachers.
Here is another statement that caught my attention: “When we serve our fellow men we are serving God. The moment we use our position of authority to demand obedience we have stopped fearing God.” That is a wonderful reminder for all of us.
As we read today’s Scripture we find that Stephen was chosen to wait on the tables. He was a servant! There were six other men chosen, but Stephen was not just a servant, but in verse 8 we read more about him. Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. He went beyond the required tasks of a servant and did his duties as unto the Lord.
Here is the question for us all. Do we have the heart of a servant to such a degree that we serve others as our spiritual act of ministry? That is my desire.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 25, 2014 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Recently I read an article by a young Amish school teacher. Evidently each year, late in the summer they have a meeting for school teachers. As he shared some of his observations, several stood out in my mind. One was particularly meaningful.
I have no idea who the speaker was who made this statement, but I want to apply it to my own life: “I don’t want to be remembered by something I said. I just want to be remembered as a person who was here and willing to help.”
There all too many people who are willing to allow others to do the work that God has called them to do. That may more accurately be defined as unwillingness. When we fiddle-faddle around neglecting that need around us, it is the opposite of having a willing heart.
As that instructor said during the training session, it is not so much what we say that will leave a lasting impression, but the willingness to become a servant to those we come in contact with. I pray that my actions will be an example of a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that I will be totally committed in doing to the least of those He brings across my path.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
