by Pastor Cecil | Aug 24, 2017 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
It was fascinating watching the total solar eclipse on Monday. I watched the NASA channel as well as the Weather Channel as they covered various locations where there was totality of eclipse.
There was no doubt that the people who gathered at those locations were moved by what they had observed. In several instances I heard them mention that it was a “spiritual” experience.
Pardon me? Did I hear that right? The very people who might deny anything to do with the God of the Bible are now saying that they had just experienced a spiritual event? It reminds me that the god of this world blinds the eyes of people many times by deceiving them with so-called spiritual experiences.
I have mentioned many times before that in these last days Satan is using every trick to lead people away from a saving knowledge of Christ. We need to be diligent and rely on the Holy Spirit to convict hearts and give us the words to speak true spirituality.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 23, 2017 | Revelation
Revelation 3:2
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”
Back in 1953-1956 I served in the Air Force as a jet aircraft mechanic. I rode to work each morning with my crew chief, Anthony Urban. If I slept in a little too late, Joyce would hurry me up by shouting, “Cec, Urban is here!” It came to be like an electric shock to stir me to action.
After an exhausting day at work I would often lie down for a nap after dinner. Joyce had been alone all day and was eagerly waiting to spend some quality time together. One evening as I was enjoying my sweet catnap I heard those feared words, “Cec! Wake up! Urban is here!” In a panic I pulled on my work uniform and was heading for the door when I saw her rolling with laughter! That was my last nap for a little while.
The prophets of old, Jesus in His earthly ministry, and the apostles after Him have called for all true believers to wake up while there is still time. Will you hear and heed the call?
We need to set our spiritual alarm clocks and wake up to the need of a lost and dying world around us. Many of our modern churches seem more concerned with show than the substance of life. I think it is past time to spend quality time in prayer and Bible study. WAKE UP!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 22, 2017 | John
John 14:20
“At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
Are you seeking harmony in your life? Are things discordant and seemingly out of control? Do you start the day wondering what chaos will present itself before the day has ended? Do you feel as if you are caught in a whirlpool and being drawn into a vortex of adversity?
How are those questions to wake you up and put a smile on your face? Those of you who know me personally (my regular readers probably know me better than most), know that it is not my spiritual gift to be a prophet of gloom and doom. I want to provide hope and life.
In John 14:2 we find real hope for the believer: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Look it up and read it for a real lift for your soul.
Harmony is not the result of taking a course on organization, although that might benefit many of us. It is not in walking around with signs instructing you to “Don’t worry! Be happy!” Some grouch may lock you up for that.
Harmony is a recognition that there is an order to the universe which is not dependent upon the day-to-day circumstances. It is in being IN Christ Jesus. He confirms that He is in His Father. As we are in Him, He promises to be in us! That is the true essence of harmony!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 21, 2017 | Isaiah
Isaiah 60:19
“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.”
There has been a flurry of activity leading up to the total solar eclipse that is scheduled to occur today across much of the United States. One of the areas of total darkness will pass over the small community of Burns, Oregon.
If you are to look at a globe you will no doubt be able to find Burns which is located in the center of Oregon. Much larger cities will not be shown, but Burns is there. The reason is that there are no other towns or cities near there.
I am told that the population of small towns like Burns, Oregon, have swollen to huge sizes because people want to experience the total darkness of the eclipse. In John 3:19 Jesus revealed a sad truth: “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
There is nothing wrong about wanting to see a total solar eclipse, but there is something horribly wrong with a desire to seek spiritual darkness when God offers us the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Let this event remind us of His eternal light.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 18, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
The Haven of Rest Quartet began singing in the year I was born, 1934. I can recall First Mate Bob introducing the program after a fog horn sounded. The quartet then would sing the words of this week’s hymn.
As we struggle through the storms of life it is a wonderful assurance that God provides a haven of rest where we can safely escape the wild waves of adversity. I thank God that many times in my life I have found God’s haven of rest for my own soul. In the book of Psalms, David refers to the storms of life. He was attacked on all sides by his enemies who desired to take his life. Do you feel that way sometimes?
His predecessor, King Saul, was a demented king who imagined that David was attempting to take the kingdom from him. (Actually it was the Lord who had rejected Saul because of his wickedness and failing to keep the Lord in control of his life.)
In many of his Psalms, David cried out to the Lord for help and immediately praised Him for giving him a safe place of refuge. That is the same with us today. We may be tossed and torn by the storms of life, but the Lord always gives us a haven of rest. That is the hymn for this week.
The Haven of Rest
My soul in sad exile was out on life(s) sea,
So burdened with sin and distressed,
Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, (Make Me your choice)
And I entered the Haven of Rest!
Refrain: I have anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I will sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I am safe evermore.
I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
In faith taking hold of the Word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul;
The Haven of Rest is my Lord.
Refrain: I have anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I will sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I am safe evermore.
The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blest,
Of Jesus, who will save whosoever will have
A home in the Haven of Rest.
Refrain: I have anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I will sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I am safe evermore.
How precious the thought that we all may recline,
Like John, the beloved so blest,
On Jesus strong arm, where no tempest can harm,
Secure in the Haven of Rest.
Refrain: I have anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I will sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I am safe evermore.
O come to the Savior, He patiently waits
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the Haven of Rest,
And say, ‘My Beloved is mine.’
Refrain: I have anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I will sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I am safe evermore.
To access The Haven of Rest, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://gloryscapes.com/thehavenofrest/ in your browser or click on the image below.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
