by Pastor Cecil | May 29, 2015 | Hebrews
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
When the family gets together they often find our photograph albums. Many of them show me with one of our children or grandchildren lying on my chest sound asleep. In fact, many times both the child and myself are sound asleep. Perhaps I have the type of chest that is made for cuddling into.
I would much rather have the reputation of being a cuddler than a curmudgeon. (That’s a fancy word for an old cantankerous person). I think the warmth of my chest and the steady beat of my heart is comforting to babies.
In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the US that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dreaded disease and the others in the house were quarantined. In his hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and had the college choir sing outside the house.
If you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death right now (I know that I am), let these words bring that quiet assurance we need.
Near to the Heart of God
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
To access Near to the Heart of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod 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 | May 28, 2015 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:2-4
“Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
We have often been told that it is important to read the instructions before assembling. I must confess that most of us men have a tendency to feel that we know more than those who have written the instructions and so we charge full steam ahead without reading the instructions. How frustrating it is when we run into a conflict and realize we have taken the wrong steps or taken them out of order.
I once had purchased two pieces of furniture that required some assembly. For once I read the instructions and begin assembling one of the pieces. I was getting more and more confused and frustrated when I realized I had picked up the wrong instructions and what I was reading was for the opposite piece. Rats!
In today’s Scripture there instructions for children but also for fathers. Children are to obey their parents. That goes back to the 10 Commandments and were told it is the first commandment with promise. The one for fathers is a little more difficult. By the very wording I think it indicates that fathers have a tendency to provoke their children. How sad that is. I would like to share just a portion of a letter that I just received of how a grandfather, Tom impacted his three year old grandson, Fischer.
Yesterday, we had Fischer for a few hours while Jamie gave piano lessons. I had gotten Fischer one of those little beginner fishing poles awhile ago and I thought this might be the time for him to try it out. I asked Tom to walk with Fischer and I to a little stream not far from our house so Fischer could practice with his fishing pole. He had so much fun playing with the pole and throwing rocks and sticks into the stream. He did not want to leave. On the walk back, I told Tom “to Fischer, this experience was better than going to Disneyland.” Fischer said “Yep.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 27, 2015 | Hebrews
Hebrews 2:3-4
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”
1959 Yellowstone earthquake occurred on August 17 at 11:37 pm (MST) in southwestern Montana, United States. The earthquake measured 7.3 to 7.5 on the Richter magnitude scale, and caused a huge landslide that caused over 28 fatalities. I had just started my shift as dispatcher on the Nampa, Idaho, police department. As our building began to shake I could hear cries coming from the jail section; “Get us out of here!”
There was a brief moment of panic as I considered the consequences. If I opened the cells and released the prisoners, they might escape and I would be held accountable. On the other hand if I ignored their cries and the building began to crumble, I might escape, but they would have no way of escape.
Almost as soon as I considered the options I grabbed the jail key and while ignoring the calls coming in on the switchboard, ran back and opened each cell begging them to please gather outside on the lawn until the threat had ended. I then went back to my post and prayed that we may all survive the quake. There was no loss of life in our area, and yes, all of the prisoners thanked me as I led them back to their cells.
I think we can almost feel the earth shaking with the certainty of Christ’s soon return. I can almost hear their cry; “Get us out of here!” It should cause each of us to take more responsibility to rescue as many as possible. Let’s risk our own comfort and save them!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 26, 2015 | John
John 13:3-5
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”
I think most of us have heard of Dwight L. Moody—the world famous evangelist. It seems he never thought more of himself that he should, but was always one who had a servant spirit. In the late 1800’s he invited a number of ministers to attend the Northfield Evangelistic Conference in Massachusetts.
These pastors stayed in a dormitory during the conference. The first night as Moody looked down the hallway he noticed that most of the pastors had placed their shoes outside their doors. Evidently they expected there would be servants who would shine their shoes for them before morning. Not wishing to embarrass them D.L. Moody took their shoes to his room and laboriously polishing each pair before placing them outside their owners door.
Every time I think of this prominent worldwide renowned minister of the gospel stooping to polish shoes I am impressed. He did not want to embarrass his visitors. I think of a true servant of the Most High God becomes a servant to others.
I’m not sure how many of us will find shoes outside of someone’s door but I know one thing . . . there will be people who need to be served. We are given a choice . . . we either act with pride or with purpose. I purpose to be a God’s servant.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 25, 2015 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:3-5
“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
I have often said that I am better at forgetting that I am remembering. I think this is more true the older I get. But it is so important to remember the things that will last for eternity. It is also important to remember the things that make us what we are today, as well as the people who have contributed to making our lives what they are today.
We celebrate Memorial Day as a time of remembering those who have gone before us and have given so much to us, especially those who have given their lives in the service of their/our country. As a former military enlisted man and commissioned officer, I have stood ready to give my life for my country.
Recalling those times when my life was ready to be given, I knew that it was worth it in order to protect and defend that for which I committed myself. When I took the oath to support and defend my country, I swore that my country was more important than my individual life. I would die rather than live as a coward.
On this Memorial Day it is important that we remember those who have gone before us. It is also vital that we realize that those who come after us will remember us. We are creating memories by the lives we live and the faith we demonstrate. I pray that our children and their children and their children’s children will know that we were faithful to our God and our nation. Take time to reflect on this day and that our God gave us something to remember for as long as we live.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
