by Pastor Cecil | Dec 11, 2017 | Genesis
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
I recently heard Pastor Ed Young suggest that a large percentage of the conflict within marriages is the fault of the husband. At first I was stunned by his comment, but as I reflected back on my long career as a Christian Counselor, I’m afraid I must agree.
Far too many husbands have the attitude that they are the big cheese in the family and everyone should devote themselves to making him content. That includes his wife. How far from the Scripture that concept really is.
In Ephesians 5:25 we read the God-given instructions for husbands: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” So, husband, how are you doing in obeying this command? More enlightening, how would your wife say you are doing?
In a day and age when husbands disappear into their “man-caves” (I despise that concept), it is time for Godly husbands to show their wives that they are cherished. Say the words and demonstrate the sacrificial actions — die to your own selfish demands and bring new life into your marriage!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 8, 2017 | Isaiah
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
The name Immanuel (or Emmanuel) is interpreted “God with us.” There are many Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. The encouragement that His coming entails is that God Himself will descend and make His appearance to save the people from their sins. Thank God He has come!
The “Day-Spring” referenced in the third stanza below is an encouragement for us as we travel through the long and dark times of our life. I am overjoyed that God has cared so much for us that He has sent salvation to us by grace through faith!
O COME, O COME EMMANUEL!
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” from GloryScapes.com by going to http://www.gloryscapes.com/ocomeocomeemmanuel/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 7, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 26:43
“And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.”
It was on this date in 1941 that Japanese carrier-based planes bombed Pearl Harbor and catapulted the U.S. into World War II. Some have commented that the attitude of complacency that the U.S. demonstrated was like being asleep at the wheel!
Back when I was working as a city police officer, a patrolman that I worked with related an embarrassing moment. He was working the graveyard shift (11 p.m. – 7 a.m.) and he was exhausted. As he approached an intersection where the traffic light was red, he decided to put his car in park and close his heavy eyes for a few seconds. He was not sure how long those few seconds were, but he was rudely awakened by a paper boy who timidly said, “Sir, the light is green now!” Wow! We laughed ourselves silly thinking about it.
Spiritually we all too frequently find ourselves much like the disciples of Jesus. He left them to go pray, but they fell asleep. Before we become too critical of those dozing disciples, how often have we dozed instead of remaining faithfully awake in our service to the One who gave His everything for us? I for one want to renew my commitment to be more faithful.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 6, 2017 | Ruth
Ruth 1:16
“ But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’”
There have been a few times in my life when I was confronted with a decision that meant leaving the comfort of the past in order to trust the call of God for my life. It is so easy to stay with the way that is most familiar rather than stepping out in faith and trusting God.
In Monday’s Daily-E-Votional I used the story of the wealthy young man who came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. He had complied with the Law of Moses, but he still relied on his wealth to bring him security. He refused to become a disciple of Jesus because his possessions possessed him.
Total commitment in the life of Ruth meant leaving her family and nation in order to follow Naomi and the God of Israel. She chose wisely. Because of her choice she pleased God
In the case of Ruth, she eventually married Boaz and, as we read in Matthew 1, she was the great-grandmother to King David. Pretty good reward for choosing to go with God! What choices are you making for God?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 5, 2017 | John
John 14:2
“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.”
One of the benefits while serving in the US Air Force was base housing. It was nice to know that when you arrived at your new assignment you would have a nice place to live. Each base had different styles, but they were always adequate.
We were reminded that the houses did not belong to us and were only for our use while we were assigned to that particular base. We were required to leave the units spotless when we left so the new officer’s family would feel welcome.
When we were searching to buy a new home of our own we were in a far different frame of mind. The things that we wanted in our own home were often beyond what we could afford. Then there was the maintenance issue. Even in the finest home there were things that needed to be repaired from time to time.
In today’s Scripture, John describes a home that will be our final home. It will be a mansion of beauty that is beyond our imagination. God knows us inside and out and knows what will satisfy us completely.
As a born-again Christian we are part of God’s family and the mansion is now being prepared for us. Not only that, we are going to have resurrected bodies that will be able to enjoy our new home to the fullest. Spend time thinking about it!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
