by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2017 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord asking that He enlarge your territories? Are you content to quietly creep toward retirement when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people I run into, friends that I have not seen for awhile, and they ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any time in my entire ministry: Pastoring an organic congregation, producing a Daily-E-Votional that is sent worldwide, authoring several books, officiating at funeral services, counseling … and several other activities.
Several years ago I began to pray this prayer of Jabez for enlarged territory. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered — not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
I challenge you to join me in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by Him just for you. I can assure you right now that God is anxious to answer your prayer!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing! – –
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 8, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 11:13
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
It is sad when we shut our ears to the very things that we should be listening to. God makes every effort to speak to us, but we fill our lives with such clutter and confusion that His voice goes unrecognized and unheard.
I recall a young professional man who signed up for one of our Bible classes where the format was to pass out question sheets for each student to answer before the next class. This particular young man was in a class being taught by his manager. As he attempted to complete the question sheet, he could not find any of the answers. Amused, he could hardly wait for the class to start to see how his manager would react to this oversight.
To the young man’s shock, however, every question had been answered by the other class members. He was confused as to why he, a college graduate, could not answer questions that the other members had answered? About three weeks later this young man went into his manager’s office and expressed an emptiness he felt. Ultimately, he received Jesus into his heart.
Do you have ears to hear? You may be a born again child of God, but do you have the spiritual ears to hear as God speaks to you? Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing! – –
– Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 41:12
“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”
A true rejoicing of my heart is all of the friends that I have made across the years. Though I seem to make friends easily and naturally, I never take them for granted — each one is a very a special gift. But this has not always been the case.
As a boy I don’t recall ever having an especially close friend. Oh, how I longed for that kind of bonded relationship! Most of my life has been spent feeling that I was unique in that regard. But now, being somewhat matured and having talked with more and more people, I realize that most people feel they lack true friends, especially when they are growing up.
This passage in Psalm 41 certainly is prophetic of Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it also has personal implications. There are those times in life when our closest friends turn their backs on us and we find ourselves all alone. This is the time when we need to experience the friendship of Jesus who will never leave us or reject us.
There is an old hymn that goes something like this: “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus, He’s the only One who cares and understands.” Jesus is our true friend!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 6, 2017 | Hebrews
Hebrews 1:3
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.”
As often as possible I love to watch the passage of the International Space Station through the night sky. It takes me back to the time I first observed the passage of Sputnik long ago in 1957. It is a thrill to observe these satellites pass so silently across the dark skies above our heads.
The believer’s light source is not in his or her own actions, but in what the Lord shines into their life. Just as Jesus was “the radiance of God’s glory,” so we are called to shine forth with the illumination of His presence in our life.
As we sail silently through the dark skies of this old sin-sick world, I pray that each of us will turn our eyes upon Him. As we do, people should see His brilliance reflected in us. As Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, so must Jesus be the source of our light.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Someone has observed that shadows are often larger than the real object. When I was a police officer there were a few times when I was scared out of my wits by a huge shadow…only to discover it was a small cat walking in front of the headlights of a car and creating a larger than life shadow.
Death often casts a huge shadow, but it should hold no fear for the child of God. In II Corinthians 5:8 the Apostle Paul reminds us that “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Death is our doorway into eternity. How fantastic!
As we consider the words of this song we should make it our prayer request. It should be our desire to walk closer to the Lord than ever before. It should not be just one time, but it should be our fervent desire to walk closer to Him with each passing day.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er,
to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
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May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
— Pastor Cecil
