by Pastor Cecil | Jun 23, 2017 | 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, from GloryScapes™ Christian Hymns.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 22, 2017 | Luke
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Have you ever had a doctor examine you and use a small rubber mallet which is struck just below your knee? The response is a knee jerk. The doctor is pleased if your leg jerks. It proves that you have the proper reactions.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail the test of demonstrating the proper responses. We all too often react as those who do not have the Lord in their life. We hold grudges against those who treat us in the wrong manner. We may even stoop to retaliate when we have been offended.
What should be our immediate reaction when we are treated with disdain or outright hatred? Today’s Scripture gives us two reactions; BLESSING AND PRAYER.
It will require God’s help to react in this manner, but it will produce dramatic results. When our enemies receive a godly response they will have nothing to fight against. It will allow the power of God to do the work we can never do in our own strength. It is time for believers to show RIGHT REACTIONS!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 21, 2017 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:7
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
Many times when people ask; “How are you doing?” The response is; “Pretty good under the circumstances!” Someone offered an addendum by asking; “What are you doing under there?”
Each and every one of us will encounter circumstances in our life. These may be financial, physical, relational, or some other difficulty. The reality of life is that God never promises to take us away from the circumstances, but that He will be with us as we encounter the circumstances.
I once was talking to a Pastor of Adult Ministries. He advised me never to ask folks in a retirement facility how they were doing. He said they would spend the next hour telling you how they were doing. When my mom was in such a facility I came to understand that we need to take time to listen, not just speak the words.
There are people all around us who are being crushed by their circumstances. May God give us the ministry to reach out and touch them with the love of Jesus. We may well be the bright hope they need in their dark night of despair.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 20, 2017 | Luke
Luke 16:13
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
I recall seeing signs at the entrance to a business that restricted service. NO SHIRT – NO SHOES – NO SERVICE! Being a servant entails waiting upon another person in order to insure that the needs are met.
I am sure we have all experienced disappointment by the lack of service we have received in certain establishments. In our modern age of social media it is common for customers to post complaints or compliments concerning the service they have received.
In Joshua 24:15 the people are challenged to serve the Lord. Joshua calls the nation to join him in serving the Lord. He could not force them to serve, but he could give an example by uttering his commitment; “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Each of us should make a new commitment in our heart that regardless of what others choose to do, we choose to serve the Lord. It is time to make our stand regardless of the condition of the sin sick world in which we live!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 19, 2017 | 1 Kings
1 Kings 17:16
“The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.”
Depending on the Lord often requires stepping out in faith. Many times I feel so inadequate to perform the multitude of tasks that stretch out before me. It is during these times that I come to realize that it is not my ability that matters, but rather my availability.
Elijah was just a man, but he was God’s man! He lived by faith that when God said something it was so. God provided for him for months by sending ravens with food morning and evening. There was even a small brook to provide water. But things would not last. God gave Elijah his marching orders.
God sent Elijah to the small town of Zarephath in Sidon. He was to go to the home of a poor widow to whom God had spoken. There were two people who had to believe God rather than the circumstances; the widow who was on the verge of starvation and Elijah who demanded to be served first.
Both Elijah and the widow believed God and acted in obedience. The result was that all during the drought they had flour and oil to provide their food. It came only as they totally depended on the faithful God. We also must live in total dependence.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
