by Pastor Cecil | Jan 16, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
We live in a world that is obsessed with THINGS! Throughout my life and ministry I have witnessed many situations where people seem devoted to achieving the sensual pleasures of life. In most cases, I believe it’s safe to say that those things people obsess over have nothing to do with the essentials of life, but are the toys of human pleasure and pride.
There may be times when we experience periods of hunger or thirst, but it is in these times that we can receive sustenance through the gifts of God’s servants. This gives us the opportunity to see the Lord providing for our needs, and it also allows fellow believers the opportunity to be used to meet the needs of others.
As believers, we are encouraged to make seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness the top priority in our life. When we do that we can be sure that the Lord will use us as givers or receivers. Either way, we will be doing His will.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 13, 2017 | John
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
January 13th will always have a poignant meaning in my life. It was two years ago on this date that my precious wife left the trials and pain of this world to enter the place of eternal peace. It brought her wonderful peace, but I have been left to work my way through the remainder of my days without the one who had been part of my life since I was fourteen.
I have a wonderful peace in knowing that Joyce is experiencing a paradise that is beyond my wildest imagination. In bringing that picture to mind, I am given a peace that the world can never give and a peace that it cannot take away!
If you are facing a trial and tribulation of life, I urge you to seek the peace of God that is offered to all who call upon His name. Rather than focusing your attention on the storms of life, seek the precious haven that God gives that will assure you of His wonderful peace.
Wonderful Peace
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain: Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain
To access Wonderful Peace, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wonderfulpeace/ 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 | Jan 12, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 94:22
“But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.”
It was 50 years ago when a violent wind storm struck the 921st ACW Radar Site near St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada. The site was located on a hill above the small village of St. Anthony. It was beautiful to look out over the Atlantic Ocean and view small inlets and bays below us. But the location made us vulnerable to winds.
The storm began to build in the early morning hours. I was roused from sleep by something striking the windows of my quarters. As I opened the blinds I discovered that it was roofing material being blown off.
Our buildings had been constructed over granite rock formations. The builders had drilled deep holes into the rocks and inserted steel rods. These were securely attached to the buildings and hallways to keep us from being blown away. They worked and I am alive to attest to the fact.
We need to have the Rock of our salvation as a secure anchor in the storms of life. The winds of adversity may shriek and howl around us, but when we have sunk our “spiritual rods” into Christ Jesus, we do not need to fear the storms. We must insure that we are anchored on the Rock!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 11, 2017 | Galatians
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
I’ve not heard it recently, but there’s an expression to indicate something that is greatly desired: “I’m just dying to ____!” Apparently the thing that is very much desired seems to be measured by life or death.
In a spiritual application, we are told to die to the things of the flesh in order that we can truly live for Christ. Paul goes so far as to view himself as being crucified with Christ. That means he was willing to experience suffering of the body in order to attain the life that is everlasting.
I recently heard David Jeremiah say, “We love God when we live for God.” That resonated with me and has caused me to stop and take account of the way I am living my life. Am I living for Christ or living to please myself?
If we are to live for Christ we need to consistently question the things that we do and determine if they are to please ourselves or to please God. It is vital that we begin to die to ourselves and live for God. It’s the life!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 10, 2017 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
From time to time I have shared the story of an embarrassing incident that my wife Joyce and I experienced. We were traveling to California to attend a Billy Graham School of Evangelism conference. It was a Sunday and we were on I-5 in southern Oregon. It was a little past eleven and we knew we would be late for a church service, but decided to try and find a church and get in for part of the service.
We made it into a service and were seated just after the offering; a young woman sang a special number, and we were anxiously waiting for the pastor to deliver his message. Presently he came to the pulpit and announced that he would turn the service over to the representative for the Gideon Bible Society. He stared directly at me and waited.
It was one of those “Oh, no” moments when you just knew he thought I was the man of the hour. It felt like every person in the congregation turned and stared at me. I just shrugged and shook my head. The poor pastor had not prepared a message, and it was painful to watch him try to get a few thoughts across to the congregation.
It taught me once again the validity of the instructions Paul gave to the church at Philippi: Always be ready. None of us know when we may be called upon to share the hope of Christ to someone who desperately needs it. Be ready!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
