by Pastor Cecil | May 1, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 31:1
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.”
We never know when or how the Lord will choose to use us. We can be going about our regular business when out of the blue a situation will arise that places us in a position to be used by the Lord. It may be an action or a word, but somehow we will know it was a divine encounter.
I remember such a situation many years ago. I was shopping in a warehouse store and observed a woman with a son and daughter. I was grieved at the way the mother spoke harshly to her daughter. The girl was trying her best to help and all she received was belittling comments from her mother.
I felt the best thing I could do was smile at the little girl. Aisle after aisle we would pass one another and each time I would smile at her. At the checkout stand each customer had to bag their own groceries. The little girl was bagging for her family while her older brother just lounged around. Suddenly the girl came over to my area and began to bag my groceries. I began to brag on her and told her I could just imagine how proud her mother must be to have such a helpful daughter. I can still recall her waving to me as they left the store.
How will God use you today? As far as we know, Ananias was used only one time in his life. That one time was significant. Be alert and ready to touch a life today! All we need to do is trust and obey.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 28, 2017 | Revelation
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
This beautiful hymn was composed by Will Thompson who lived from 1847 to 1909. The words seem to capture the heart of the listener and draw us to come to Jesus. You can almost picture Jesus Himself standing patiently urging us to come to Him.
He not only pleads for us to come, but he offers complete pardon to anyone and everyone who will come to Him. He offers He has paid the price and He has the authority to extend pardon to any who will come to Him.
The words of this hymn stress the urgent need of those who are lost. Some may feel like they have time before making that decision, but sadly for many they wait too long. Now is the hour of decision to receive Christ’s mercy and pardon!
Softly and Tenderly
Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading;
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies;
mercies for you and for me?
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and for me.
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
O, for the wonderful love He has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/softlyandtenderly/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 27, 2017 | Micah
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
I can still recall my days in college and graduate school when I was faced with completing required subjects. It always seemed that the required subjects were the ones that were the most difficult for me. I could never figure out why the optional classes always seemed easier.
There are many people in some churches today that feel they have a “right” to pick and choose which of God’s commands to follow. I find that offensive to the truth of the Word of God and in conflict with His nature. God has given us some imperatives that must be followed. They are His requirements.
I love what the Old Testament prophet, Micah makes clear to us. He points out that God has made clear what is good and what he requires of us. So what are these requirements? TO DO JUSTLY – TO LOVE MERCY – TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD.
How would you rate your fulfillment of God’s requirements? What will you have to change in your life to be in compliance with them? When will you begin the process? Remember His burden is light when He is at your side.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 26, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Almost on a daily basis we hear about a storm that has devastated some area of the world. Suddenly millions are without electricity and basic needs and even more have had their whole world turned upside down.
What are you encountering in your life at this time? Do you feel as if you are being churned in the middle of a storm? What will it take to bring peace and tranquility to your heart?
The apostle Paul experienced the storms of life. He was lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, stranded at sea, and suffered rejection, yet he endured his hardships with a joy that can only come from the Lord. Tranquility is not that the storms will always be calm, but that we will find peace in the middle of the storms.
Wow! That is powerful and provides the answer for us to find tranquility in the most violent of storms. It is not what we have done or must do—it is what Christ has already done for us. He brings tranquility in the storms of life. As we cast all our cares on Him, He will give us His peace and rest.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 25, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 75:5
“Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.”
What an unusual phrase … “a stiff neck.” In the NIV it is rendered “an outstretched neck.” Regardless of the words used, it denotes an attitude of insolent pride. One place where insolent pride is often on display is at sporting events as we often observe the athletes with outstretched necks parading back and forth like proud peacocks.
But that is nothing compared to the picture of those arrogant boasters who, in their pride, stand opposed to God. These people may claim to be wise, but wisdom is in their own eyes and God will have the last word. Oh, how much better it would be if they would turn from their arrogance and honor God.
It is sad that some people display a pompous attitude toward God. They seem to feel that their rejection of God proves that there is no God. How ridiculous. It only proves that they do not believe in God!
Let me close for today with this passage in Proverbs 3:5-6, which is the best way to steer clear of having an outstretched neck: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
