by Pastor Cecil | Aug 31, 2018 | Isaiah
Isaiah 51:1-2
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
Water, water everywhere…and not a drop to drink! Those words have probably been uttered many times by shipwreck victims stranded in the middle of the ocean. The salt-laden sea seems to mock them — there is so much water all around them, but it would be poison to their system to drink it.
Lucy Jane Rider Meyer wrote the words of today’s hymn. She was born on a Vermont farm in 1849. Lucy was a teacher and not only founded many high schools, but went on to teach chemistry at McKendree College, a school for freed blacks in North Carolina. She was one of the first female professors.
What a refreshing thought that a brilliant professor was able to use the Word of God to bring music to the thirsty human soul. Oh, that we had more brave educators who would be willing to put their reputations on the line for the things of God. I thirst for that!
Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty
Ho! Everyone that is thirsty in spirit,
Ho! Everyone that is weary and sad;
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus,
All that you’re longing for; come and be glad!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth’s joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List’ to the promise, a message for you!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
Child of the kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but “fullness” thy longing can meet;
‘Tis the enduement for life and for service;
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet.
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
To access Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty, this week’s inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hoeveryonewhoisthirsty/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 30, 2018 | John
John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
With all of the filthy-mouth language in our world today, it is difficult to hear a conversation not laced with profanity. I am deeply troubled by the use of the word “God” in general conversation. I once was talking with a man that repeatedly used “God” several times during our conversation. I asked him if he was praying? He said, “No, why do you ask?” I told him that he used the word “God” so often that I was just sure he was praying. Using the Lord’s name in vain is profanity!
Ulysses S. Grant was the President at the close of the Civil War and a very interesting man. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His roommate was Fred Dent. When he was interviewed about what kind of man the President was, Fred Dent had this to say: “In all the time we roomed together, I never knew Ulysses to use a single vulgar or profane word.” Wow!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people viewed our walk with the Lord as pure and holy? An example of our love for the One who died in order that we might be as little children walking hand in hand with our Lord, in confidence, trust, and total dependence in Him. That would certainly bear the right fruit!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2018 | Job
Job 2:9
“Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!’”
More and more I am impressed with the necessity of allowing God to have total and complete control of our lives. If it seems that I repeat this concept again and again, it is because it is so vital to me. Job’s wife could not see the purpose God had for her husband’s suffering and she doubted the wisdom of his integrity.
There will always be those who are critical of us when we choose to trust in God. They seem to think they are wise by using worldly wisdom, and we are utter fools for trusting in the Lord. Right now, I can tell you, I would rather be a fool for Jesus than to be wise in my own eyes.
There is an old adage which goes: You can keep your mouth closed and just look stupid, or you can open your mouth and remove all doubts! The same goes for trust in God. Our trust in God must not be based upon what other people will think, but because we know that God is the blessed controller of all things, and He will do what is right.
This brings me to a thought about why we trust. It is not that we are lazy, indifferent, or lack the initiative to control things. No, it is a willful choice of the ownership of our life. That is true INTEGRITY!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 28, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 37:39
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.”
Many of us who have traveled with children in the car remember the constant refrain from the back seat, “Are we there yet?” Hearing this over and over again can quickly become a source of irritation.
In the same way, we tend to expect God to act upon our requests in a more timely manner — but we need to remember that it is in His time (not ours) that His perfect will is accomplished. Think of Joseph or Job as excellent examples of what it means to wait upon the Lord.
Does God hear our prayers? If so, why does it take so long for us to see the results? Certainly the element of timing may be involved, but at the same time we need to understand that there are spiritual forces which we cannot see that are at work. Read Daniel chapter 10 for a good example of this type of warfare in the spirit realm.
Just because we do not receive answers when we want to receive them does not mean that God does not hear us, or that He is unconcerned about us. Remember that He is in absolute control and in His time the answer will come. Our part is to remain faithful and keep our eyes on Him, not on our request. “HE IS ALL WE NEED!”
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 27, 2018 | 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.”
Pride is not ever pretty. When we consider the prayer requests offered, the vast majority seem to be self-centered. Even the lyrics of spiritual songs and poems focus more upon ourselves rather than upon the Lord.
I recall hearing about a pastor who had delivered a powerful sermon on the danger of pride and the need for his congregation to seek after the same humility which Jesus demonstrated. After the service he stood at the door greeting people as they left. One little lady stopped and said, “Oh, Pastor, I am so glad you preached that sermon this morning. I do not have many qualities that I can pride myself on, but humility is one of them.” He went home shaking his head and muttering to himself.
As Christians we need to modify our definition of self-acceptance. The definition of self-acceptance is to recognize that God has created us with certain unchangeable characteristics that may be used for his honor and glory. It is not what’s in it for me, but what’s in it for Him!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
