by Pastor Cecil | Jun 15, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Many of us remember being at summer camp and hearing the announcement that there was a snipe hunt scheduled for that evening. Only later were we to discover that a snipe hunt was a practical joke that sent unsuspecting newcomers into the woods to hold a sack to catch a non-existent creature. Many waited for hours before giving up.
As a newly commissioned officer I was serving my first duty assignment in the Personnel Processing Squadron. The ranking enlisted man was a Senior Master Sergeant who became a friend and mentor. We had one enlisted man, however, who drove us all to distraction. He was slow and always seemed to do as he pleased without following directions.
One day the Sergeant and I decided to send him on a fake assignment that would keep him occupied for an hour or so. To our chagrin we did not see him the rest of the day. The next day he reported that he was not able to complete his task. I think we were the ones who had been duped!
The enemy of our soul wants to dupe us into seeking after things that are false and destructive to our walk with the Lord. The only way we can be certain that we are not on one of Satan’s snipe hunts is to stay in God’s Holy Word.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 14, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 60:4
“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”
Flags (or banners) identify a nation. At the beginning of the Olympic Games there is the parade of nations. Each nation’s representatives proudly follow their flag bearer who holds high the symbol of that nation.
One of the iconic images from WWII was the placing of the flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945 by six U.S. Marines. Only days after the raising of the flag, three of the six were killed in combat.
Jesus left us the task of reaching the world and making disciples of all nations. His flag over us propels us to give our all in this great cause. Some have paid with their lives in order to rally around His flag.
Let me close today with the pledge to the Christian Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty for all who believe.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 13, 2017 | Colossians
Colossians 3:12-13
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Many times I have heard people pray to become more like Christ … and then immediately begin to tear into those around them. The words of their prayer must be offensive to the Lord as He calls us to be like Him.
How many of these attributes would describe the way you behave: TENDER HEARTED? MERCIFUL? HUMBLE? MEEK? PATIENT? WILLING TO PUT UP WITH OTHERS? FORGIVING?
(Is it getting quiet in here?)
If we truly want to be like Christ, we need to behave as Believers ought to behave. That means treating others in the same manner we would like for them to treat us. It does not mean that we deserve it or that they deserve it, but just as we need it so do they need our compassion.
We all have a long way to go in having a Christ-like spirit, but we begin by trying to see ourselves and others the way Christ sees us — fallen sinners who are in need of love and forgiveness. BE THAT FOR OTHERS AND IT WILL RETURN TO YOU!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 12, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 11:6
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”
Some dear friends of mine own a cabin in a small community on the Pacific coast. They are very generous in allowing others to use the cabin to rest, relax, and restore themselves.
Recently the owner was doing some clean-up after a few families had used the cabin. As she was sweeping out under one of the bunks, she noticed a note that had been left behind. It actually was a letter to God written by a young seven-year-old girl.
I do not have a copy of the letter, but in essence it read: “Dear God, please help me be nicer to people especially my friends and my mom. I hope you can make this be true. Please watch me at school. Love, xxxxxx.”
The simplicity and openness of this letter must have touched the heart of God. There are those who try to impress by high-sounding words, but God hears the honest prayers of a sincere heart. I want that to exemplify my prayers!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 9, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 90:1-2
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This week’s hymn by Isaac Watts is a paraphrase of Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present day usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas; one, two, three, five, and nine.
The hymn was originally part of; The Psalms of David Imitated in the language of the New Testament, published by Watts in 1719.
It has often been sung for special occasions in England. For instance it was sung in 1941, at a religious service on board HMS Prince of Wales, attended by Sir Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt as part of the conference creating the Atlantic Charter. It was also sung at the Funeral service for Winston Churchill in 1965.
O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
To enjoy this free inspirational video: O God, Our Help in Ages Past, go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ogodourhelpinagespast/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
