by Pastor Cecil | Nov 30, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
As a boy I was known to take shortcuts. My mom would tell me to clean up my room, but somehow my efforts always fell short of Mom’s expectations. My ways were not her ways! My “good enough” was not good enough for Mom!
I fear that is the case with many of us, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. God says it, but we run it through our own individual filter and come up with something that is less than God’s ideal. Does that sound familiar to you?
Today’s Scripture is one of my all-time favorites. In it I see two commands that must be met in order to please God. The first is to trust in the Lord with all our heart. Using our own understanding as a measure will always result in failure. Anything less than all our heart is never pleasing to God.
The second command is to acknowledge God in all our ways. That means our thoughts have to be directed toward Him. We need to acknowledge that God is in control of every aspect of our lives. It is only then that He promises to direct our paths. If you want to find victory in Jesus, live your life by Proverbs 3:5-6.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 27, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
I once read about a forest service worker who was walking through an area that had just been ravaged by a forest fire. He saw a strange mound and stopped to check it out. To his astonishment it was a mother bird that had been killed by the fire. As he knelt to examine the bird, he heard a peep from under the pile of ashes. When he turned the bird over he found several chicks.
Instead of flying to save herself, the mother had sacrificed herself in order to protect her brood from the fire that was sweeping toward them. That is what Jesus has done for us. He wants to shelter us under His wings from the firestorm of life.
In 1896, William Cushing wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings. Enjoy this featured hymn from GloryScapes.
Under His Wings
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 26, 2015 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 16:8-9
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!”
The last Thursday in November is designated Thanksgiving Day (at least here in the United States). Other countries celebrate Thanksgiving Day on different dates. It is a wonderful day of enjoying family, friends, and food … not necessarily in that order!
There are a few thoughts that run through my mind concerning Thanksgiving Day. For one thing, it seems sad that we have just one day in order to express our thanks. What about all the other days of the year? Many people never even take time to bow their heads and thank the Lord before they partake of their regular daily meals.
There are so many other things that we need to thank the Lord for besides providing the food. We can certainly thank Him for the physical things that we have been given, but we need to stop and also thank Him for the spiritual things.
I want to urge you on this Thanksgiving Day to take time to thank God for salvation. Thank Him for loving us even when we are unlovable. Thank Him for the people that He has brought into each of our lives to make our life complete.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 25, 2015 | Esther
Esther 4:14
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
As a boy I often employed the phrase “just a minute” when my mom had asked me to do something. Strange as it may seem, I often heard the same phrase repeated by our three children when either Joyce or I had asked them to do something.
One of my favorite television programs is “Texas Country Reporter.” I was watching a recent episode when Bob Phillips and his wife Keli visited the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. It was there that I heard a poem by Dr. Benjamin Mays. Let me share it with you and allow you to let it sink in. I hope it has the same impact on you as it did on me.
God’s Minute
I’ve only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it, Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,
But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it,
Give an account if I abuse it, Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 24, 2015 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 2:9
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”
It is amazing how many times we hear people mention heaven. Some of these people do not even believe in God, but they are heard to make comparative comments about heaven. Have you heard them?
“This apple pie tastes heavenly!” “That music is just heavenly!” “I love that perfume; it smells like heaven!” You get the idea and you no doubt could add a few other similar comments.
We are permitted very few glimpses into the home God has prepared for us in heaven, but it is safe to say that our senses of sight, taste, smell, or sound can never begin to grasp the scope of heaven.
I have determined to live each day of my life as if it were the last day I have on this side of eternity. I know that what God has prepared for us in our heavenly home will be just . . . heavenly!! What more can I say? I can hardly wait to get there!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
