by Pastor Cecil | Apr 15, 2016 | 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.”
Our families mean a lot to us, don’t they? I am more aware of this with the birth of two new great-granddaughters in the past few months. That makes eight grand and eight great-grand children. (They are all GREAT!) One of the greatest pleasures I enjoy is holding each new baby in my arms and breathing a prayer for them. I yearn for each member of my family to be as close to the heart of God as they are to my heart.
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 dread 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 each of us do at some time in our life), 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.
Enjoy this week’s hymn from GloryScapes.com. To access the Near To The Heart of God video, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 14, 2016 | James
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
This passage of Scripture seems like an old friend to me. Many years ago I memorized the entire book of James. (Please do not ask me to recite it now. At age 82 it is much harder to memorize or recall.)
Many people seem to devote most of their energy seeking after that elusive quality of joy. The problem is that most seek it in all of the wrong places. They think that things, positions, or other people will bring them joy. They often become bitter and disappointed when they fail to find the joy they have been seeking.
When it comes right down to it, joy is a choice! That’s right. We either choose to be joyful or we hang our head and mope. The trials of life are not intended to drive us to despair, but to show to the world that our joy is in Jesus.
It is time to take stock of our personal lives. Are we living a life of joy in spite of the roadblocks of life? Do people see a difference in how we respond to the trials that arise? How are we different from the rest of the world? It is how we choose to find joy in circumstances that others see as defeat.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 13, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:17-18a
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
It is so sad to observe someone who once had a fervent faith and trust in the Lord slowly draw further and further away from Him. I have tried to analyze how this could happen and I think I have some idea.
It seems that some individuals are drawn to some spiritual leader to feed them. I guess that is good, as far as it goes, but there is also a danger. It is all too easy for one to focus on the words of a teacher instead of the Word of God.
If the spiritual leader leads their students to feed for themselves it is good. On the other hand if there is no effort made to teach personal bible study it is bad. It would be like a new mother never weaning her child. Our churches are filled with bottle fed believers who make no effort to dig into the truth of the word on their own.
My heart’s desire is to have those under my teaching to mature to the degree that they surpass me in spiritual knowledge and total devotion to the precious Word of God that is able to provide eternal growth.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 12, 2016 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
You may have heard that lemmings are prone to mass suicide. That myth was perpetuated a number of years ago by a documentary film that pictured lemmings leaping over a cliff to their death. In actuality, the lemmings had been flown in from hundreds of miles away and film crews then herded them over the cliff. (Isn’t the film industry wonderful?!) NOT!!
As kids we often played a game called follow-the-leader. The object was to perfectly imitate the actions of the leader. Some of us carried that same type of conduct into our adult life. We see others doing it so we think we have to do it, too. That is a sad commentary on our behavior patterns.
There are times in this life when we are called by God to stand alone. It is not always comfortable to stand alone, but it is required if we are truly obedient to God and His word.
My appeal to each of us is to not be a spiritual lemming. We must not allow ourselves to be herded into doing what God is not pleased with. Remember Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 11, 2016 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 23:24
“Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.”
I have always been impressed with Josiah. He was a young king in Judah who sought after the Lord. Many other kings allowed the sinful practices of those around them to contaminate, but Josiah sought the Lord.
We live in a sinful age in which Satan has sanitized sin to make it appear to be harmless and fun. One of the areas is in the demonic realm. There was a time when witches were presented as being cute and harmless. Television programs made the lead characters “good” witches or mediums. I am here to tell you that there is no such thing as “good” witches. God specifically warns against having anything to do with them.
It is disturbing that some Christians allow books or TV programs that attempt to show these forces as cute and harmless. Our minds should be opposed to anything of the sort. If God says it is dangerous, we need to pay attention.
What are you allowing on your television screen, movies, or bookshelf? Here is another question … do you think Jesus would be pleased with what you are watching or reading? Make His word the final authority.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
