by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2017 | Isaiah
Isaiah 1:18
“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’”
I am sure that all of us have had a time or two when we had to plead with someone else to be reasonable. The word reason is one that calls for rational and calculated action — to play with fire leads to a painful burn; therefore, I will not play with fire! Right!
The Hebrew word for reason is yakach. Pronounced yä·kahh’, it means to be rational and calculated before coming to a final decision. All too often we react rather than use reason to determine how we respond to things.
We usually fail to reason because of our propensity to react (more commonly known as the knee jerk response). Instead of taking the time to use reason, we mindlessly take the path of least resistance and then pay the price of our rash actions.
The Lord stands ready to show us His perfect plan for our life. It is true that we are all sinners by nature, but because of His graciousness He has sent our Savior Jesus Christ to provide His shed blood to make us white as snow. Trading our inky black sinfulness for His pure white righteousness is a no-brainer. All we need to do is use REASON to come to a right decision!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 9, 2017 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-6
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
We have far too many church members who look like they have just lost their last friend. They not only have sour expressions on their faces, they have sour personalities to match.
Paul repeatedly urges his readers to rejoice. The word he uses for rejoice is the Greek word chaírō. It is pronounced khah’-ee-ro, and it means to be joyous and happy. That means looking like you are happy. If you have the joy of Jesus in your heart, you need to let your face know about it and show it!
For those who have never placed their trust in Jesus Christ as the Lord of their life, there is little or nothing to be happy about. The things of this earth grow dimmer and dimmer as life slips away.
As true believers who have passed from death to eternal life by confessing we are sinners and accepting the blood of Jesus to pay the price for our sin, we are able to rejoice. The things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 8, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
I have many friends who have lost their eyesight. That does not mean they are blind — they are just not able to use their eyes. That may sound strange, but I have found that these friends have developed keen senses through touch and sound that makes them very aware of what is going on around them. Discernment does not rely on one particular sense we may or may not possess. People with 20/20 eyesight may be “blind” to things that are going on around them.
I recall a couple that operated a spiritual retreat center in the beautiful hills of Idaho. I had listened to the wife welcome guests and explain the amenities several times before, so this time I just sat at the rear of the room and observed.
It was then that I noticed her husband. He was also sitting in the rear of the room, but he was communicating with his wife with his eyes and by slight nods of his head.
After the welcome session I spoke with the couple and discovered that he was so shy he could not speak to a group. She, on the other hand, depended on his subtle cues to insure she was presenting things properly. What a team! We all need to be aware of the cues the Lord sends our way.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2017 | Hebrews
Hebrews 3:13
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
I recall Professor Howard Hendricks commenting about how easy it is to dampen the fervor of a new Christian. The new believer will share a spiritual truth he or she has just discovered and the more mature believer they share it with will blow it off as if a three year old could find such a thing.
Professor Hendricks shared how he makes it a point of being so thrilled over the new believer’s discovery that he fairly jumps up and down in excitement and encouragement. This sort of encouragement causes the new believer to want to spend even more time searching the Word.
Each of us has the choice to either encourage or discourage people. Perhaps there is a third option of simply ignoring people. I have heard it said that being ignored is almost worse than being demeaned. It is like they do not exist.
How do you feel you rate in the encouragement department? Do others feel motivated to draw closer to the Lord after they have spent time with you? Are they excited to share what they have discovered in their personal Bible study? Do not let Satan have the victory because of your indifference. Be an encourager!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 4, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 91:4
“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
I once read about a forest service worker who was walking through an area that had just been ravaged by a forest fire. He saw a strange mound and stopped to check it out. To his astonishment it was a mother bird that had been killed by the fire. As he knelt to examine the bird, he heard a peep from under the pile of ashes. When he turned the bird over he found several chicks.
Instead of flying to save herself, the mother had sacrificed herself in order to protect her brood from the fire that was sweeping toward them. That is what Jesus has done for us. He wants to shelter us under His wings from the firestorm of life.
In 1896, William Cushing wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings. Enjoy this featured hymn from GloryScapes.
Under His Wings
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
