by Pastor Cecil | Jul 9, 2019 | Romans
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
A retired pastor and his wife were traveling on a remote highway in Nevada. Without warning their car sputtered and they came to a stop on a gravel pullout. Immediately the pastor took his wife’s hand and prayed that they would be alert to how God might want to use this incident for His purposes. Just as he ended his prayer there was the sound of crunching gravel. A car had stopped behind them. Here again it could easily have been a prolonged wait for assistance.
The “good Samaritan” took them into the only town for many miles. He introduced them to the owner of the only garage/service station in town. The man said he would tow the car in and see if he could locate the problem.
The garage owner’s wife entertained the pastor’s wife while the repair work was being done and, in the process, gave her heart to the Lord. The pastor led the owner to the Lord and learned that the couple was having such marital conflicts that they were ready to seek a divorce. They tearfully renewed their vows and promised to bring the Lord into their marriage.
One broken car! One fractured marriage! Two sinners who needed a Savior! In one day God used the broken car and a yielded couple to minister in a mighty way for God’s kingdom here on earth. Wow! How can God use you? Are you making yourself available at all times and looking for His breakdowns to lead you to minister to others?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 8, 2019 | Acts
Acts 2:1
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
I recall my days spent in Officers Training School with the United States Air Force. We spent hours marching from one place to another on the base and very quickly learned that we had to be in step with one another or the wrath of the Training Instructor would be felt.
That did not mean that we were all some sort of robots, however. There were actually vast differences in personalities and perspectives among the ranks, but we all marched in step with one another.
Sadly, there have been many conflicts in churches over minor issues that are more personal preferences than staying true to the Word of God. I am sad to say that many of the most vocal people are the ones that spend very little time in the study of the Bible.
I want to call all of us to get back into the study of God’s Word as the highest priority. Seek to draw close to other true believers and share what nuggets of truth you discover in your time in the Word. Learn what it means to be of One Accord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 5, 2019 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Years ago I recall listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse, a prominent pastor and teacher. He had just completed an evangelistic meeting several hundred miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram. It informed him that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
His only way back to Philadelphia was by rail. As Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed. He knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home and that there was nothing he could do but leave his son in God’s hands.
As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, “- – – but dust will be the serpent’s food.” Using that passage he asked the Lord to feed the serpent dust, but to please grant him a good night’s rest. He fell fast asleep and the next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia.
The Lord had answered his prayer. His son lived and during his time of recuperation he committed his life to full time Christian service. If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and feed the serpent dust.
To You Before the Close of Day
To you before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.
O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through. Amen.
To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 4, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
If your kids are anything like our kids, they went through a stage of independence. They wanted to do things themselves, even when they were not able to accomplish the task they were attempting. Kids are not alone in acting independently.
I once went golfing with my father-in-law and two of his regular golfing mates. I had never been on the links before, but since I was far younger than the others, I felt that I could hold my own. I stood at the first tee and gave a mighty swing! I missed the ball completely! On the next mighty swing I struck the ball, only to have it dribble a few feet from the tee. It was a very long and humiliating day. The others enjoyed the day as I was providing them with great entertainment.
On this day, July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day. While we may rejoice in the freedoms that our forefathers fought to assure us, it is vital that we remember that we never are to live independently. WE NEED EACH OTHER!
Not only do we need each other, we must have the Lord in control of our lives. Acts 17:28 reminds us that In Him we live and move and have our being. Our independent attitude ends with our total dependence on Him. HAPPY DEPENDENCE DAY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 3, 2019 | Luke
Luke 6:30-31
“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
It is easy to become so preoccupied with our own life that we forget about those around us. When we pause to recall a time in which we were treated unfairly or given an insult of some kind, our natural reaction is to retaliate.
The person who treated us unfairly may not even be aware that they have done so. Perhaps they may have been given a promotion that you felt you deserved. While they celebrated their promotion, you felt rejected and betrayed. Reliving such a situation you may have felt justified in showing a bitter attitude toward them. The other person may be bewildered by your negative reaction toward them.
This type of behavior is certainly not the way a Christian should behave. There will be times in our life when we will be treated in a cruel fashion. The way we react will say more about our spiritual maturity than hundreds of sermons.
My prayer is that you and I will start living the way the Lord desires. That means giving up our tender feelings to the Lord and refusing to show a contrary attitude, even when we are hurt to the core. SHOW A CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
