by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
We are told that the persecution of believers around the world is increasing. Many are tortured for their faith and some killed. It has been estimated that there are over 100,000 deaths each year at the hands of the enemies of the cross.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. It has ministered to many people across the years.
About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write, and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his Second Piano Concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!
Hiding in Thee
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
To access Hiding In Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 19, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Years ago I remember reading a small weekly newspaper called GRIT. In one issue there was a poem that expressed the idea that it was easy to go through life when everything is going grand. The writer said it made you feel like you could beat the band.
The second part of that poem, however, spoke of the pressures of life that pressed in on us and called for God-given strength to praise Him when we were feeling like we were in a vise.
In today’s Scripture reading, the apostle Paul mentions four extreme conditions that we are frequently subjected to: (1) Hard-pressed (2) Perplexed (3) Persecuted (4) Struck down. That seems to be more than enough trouble to sink our ship!
But Paul does not leave us in a hopeless condition. He gives us four expressions of hope: (1) not crushed (2) not in despair (3) not forsaken (4) not destroyed. The next time you feel under pressure, remember that we have victory in Jesus. He is our strength and has won the victory. It is ours to claim!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 18, 2017 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
In the highly competitive world in which we live there will always be winners and losers. In every sporting event, spectators leave the stadium with smiles or frowns. In the financial world we find the same expressions depending on what the earning reports reveal.
There are many excuses given for why a favorite team lost. It may be that a key player was injured or, more frequently, an official called a decisive penalty that altered the outcome. Inevitably, the end result was that there was a loser.
In our Corinthians scripture today, Paul is writing to encourage each and every believer that we can all be winners. The prize that we are contending for is eternal life in heaven with joys and raptures far beyond anything here on earth.
The gift of eternal life is just that – a gift. It comes with a tremendous price, but the price has already been paid by our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave His all that we all have only to accept it by accepting Him. Now that is a sure winner!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 16, 2017 | Matthew
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
We live in a world that is obsessed with THINGS! Throughout my life and ministry I have witnessed many situations where people seem devoted to achieving the sensual pleasures of life. In most cases, I believe it’s safe to say that those things people obsess over have nothing to do with the essentials of life, but are the toys of human pleasure and pride.
There may be times when we experience periods of hunger or thirst, but it is in these times that we can receive sustenance through the gifts of God’s servants. This gives us the opportunity to see the Lord providing for our needs, and it also allows fellow believers the opportunity to be used to meet the needs of others.
As believers, we are encouraged to make seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness the top priority in our life. When we do that we can be sure that the Lord will use us as givers or receivers. Either way, we will be doing His will.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 13, 2017 | John
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
January 13th will always have a poignant meaning in my life. It was two years ago on this date that my precious wife left the trials and pain of this world to enter the place of eternal peace. It brought her wonderful peace, but I have been left to work my way through the remainder of my days without the one who had been part of my life since I was fourteen.
I have a wonderful peace in knowing that Joyce is experiencing a paradise that is beyond my wildest imagination. In bringing that picture to mind, I am given a peace that the world can never give and a peace that it cannot take away!
If you are facing a trial and tribulation of life, I urge you to seek the peace of God that is offered to all who call upon His name. Rather than focusing your attention on the storms of life, seek the precious haven that God gives that will assure you of His wonderful peace.
Wonderful Peace
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain: Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain
To access Wonderful Peace, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wonderfulpeace/ in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
