by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2016 | Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Schedules are extremely important. In fact, the whole world of public transportation relies on accurate schedules. You may remember my mentioning the computer application that alerts me to the schedule of the passes of the International Space Station (ISS) as it silently glides across the heavens over 200 miles above.
Over the years I have viewed the ISS hundreds of times as it passed overhead. Some of the passes occur during the dark hours, so it is possible to see the Space Station as a very bright star. In other instances, the Station passes into the earth’s shadow and seems to disappear.
Day after day I know that the ISS is making its way around the earth. It may be cloudy or the sun may prevent our viewing it as it passes over head, but I always know that it is right on time.
To us it often seems that the Lord is late in answering our prayers. We focus on our own desires rather than waiting on the Lord to bring about His will. At all times we need to remind ourselves that the Lord is always RIGHT ON TIME!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 9, 2016 | Ephesians
Ephesians 3:14-15
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
Saturday a week ago, I was blessed to be surrounded by my family. Most of my grandkids and all eight of my great-grandkids were there. It was a special time with family and one I will not soon forget. The following day I was again blessed to be surrounded by my church family.
Since then I have been thinking a lot about the importance of family. While that is true, the fact is that some people do not have the blessing of a warm and accepting physical family.
It breaks my heart to realize just how many dysfunctional families we have around us. As a result, I have tried to make a conscious effort to step into the role of dad, or granddad. I hope it takes away some of the pain in the lives of those that have felt isolated and alone.
Family is important and I want to encourage as many of you as possible to open your heart to those who may be feeling alone. On the other side of the coin, I encourage those of you who feel alone to seek out a warm and welcoming church family.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 8, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 28:6
“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!”
I have heard it said that men have one-track minds. I tend to think that our minds do get derailed at times. By that I mean that people may be speaking around us, but we are pre-occupied with our own thoughts and simply tune out what is going on around us.
I am so glad that the Lord is not like me! He hears the whispered prayers of His children. When others around us have ignored our cry for understanding, we have a tender and compassionate God who always is anxious to hear us.
As I write this I am also mindful that we need to take time to listen to what others are saying. It is assuring to know that God hears, but it also is an encouragement to have another human prepared to listen.
The Judge I used to work for told the story of two men who had hearing loss. They went before a judge, who also had a hearing loss, to settle their dispute. One brother demanded that his brother be required to share the inheritance with him. The second brother incorrectly heard what was said and shouted, “It’s a lie! I don’t even own a dog!” The judge, shouted, “You boys ought to quit fighting and support your old mother! Case dismissed!” Oops! We need to be more like the Lord and hear what those around us are saying.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 5, 2016 | 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 | Aug 4, 2016 | Galatians
Galatians 1:10
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
When you lift your head from the pillow each morning, what motivates you to get up? What is your purpose in life? When you fluff up your pillow and snuggle down at the end of each day, what purpose did you fulfill for the Lord that day?
There is a quote attributed to Lewis Carrol that contains a basic truth that is both meaningful and sobering: “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
I fear there are many people going through life with no idea where they are heading. Many, if not most people, feel that they are in control and what they think is what will determine their eternal destiny. They say there is no God and act as if that makes it a reality.
That makes no sense. Someone may claim that all water is the same. They dip their hand in a bowl of lukewarm water and believe they have proved their point. Try submerging your hand in boiling water and their argument is … in hot water!
God has a purpose that He beckons us to follow. Read today’s Scripture once again and find God’s purpose for your life.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
