by Pastor Cecil | Nov 30, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I have never considered myself a fly fisherman, but when I was stationed in the northern tip of Newfoundland, Canada, I discovered that only fly fishing was permitted. My learning curve was pathetic. I had more tangled line and snapped flies than I care to remember. Eventually I was able to do a fair job and caught and released many feisty brook trout.
Humility is a quality that is also difficult to attain. I once heard about a pastor that had preached several sermons on humility. After the third or fourth week a member spoke to him after the service. “Thank you, Pastor, for your wonderful series on humility. I really do not have many gifts, but I do take pride in the fact that I have humility.” BEEP! The pastor felt like gagging.
Peter tells us that humility is attained by casting all of our cares on Him. It is not what we do that matters, but what we allow the Lord to do when we cast all of our cares and concerns on Him.
The attainment of humility is never gained by striving but by casting. It is not focusing our attention on ourselves but on the Lord. My desire is to confidently trust everything I am or ever hope to be in the hands of my loving Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 29, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 50:12
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness.”
Last week I was having coffee with two friends when one told the story of a young boy who was on his way to Sunday School. His mother had given him a quarter to put in the offering and a quarter to buy candy. As boys will do, he began to play with the quarters when one slipped out of his hand and fell down a drain. He looked up and asked God to forgive him for losing God’s quarter.
Oh, wow! Is that revealing or not? It seems that we tend to separate what we consider our own apart from what belongs to God. In many cases God gets far less than we keep for our own satisfaction.
What truly belongs to God? Is ten percent His and the ninety percent ours? If we were to increase our giving to the Lord to fifty percent and keep fifty percent for our own, would that be enough giving.
When we come to the place in our life where we acknowledge that God owns all that we have or ever will have, blessing awaits us. Rather than telling God what we are going to give Him we need to ask Him what we are to do with what He has entrusted to us. That is when His bountiful spiritual blessings will flow.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2016 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Our local newspaper circulates an advertising paper called YES, which is thrown onto one’s porch or driveway without prior approval. I know it is not a big thing, but I have never liked receiving this circular in its ugly pink plastic wrapper.
Today there was a note inside the latest issue of YES that gave a number to call if you wanted to be unsubscribed. I called the number and after a delay, a customer service representative came on the line.
When the rep asked if I wanted to be unsubscribed, I told him that I had never been subscribed. His next statement almost made me laugh: “You are saying no to YES, is that correct?” I responded: “Yes, I am saying no to YES.” It suddenly felt like I was repeating an Abbot and Costello comedy sketch!
As we read today’s Scripture we find directions to God’s eternal YES. All of the promises we find in His Word are a resounding YES! This is the YES we must never say no to, but an echoing Yes! Yes! Yes!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions as you say yes to His promises!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 25, 2016 | Luke
Luke 2:15
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'”
The beloved Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles). The words were written by an Englishman, John Wade who had intended it as a hymn. The music to “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. In 1841, Rev. Frederick Oakley revised the lyrics of “Adeste Fideles.”
While it would be an appropriate hymn at any time of the year, it has become a cherished Christmas Carol. Let us all come and adore, Christ the Lord.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
Oh come ye, Oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Oh Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Oh Jesus for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ocomeallyefaithful/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 24, 2016 | Colossians
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
In the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday of November. In Canada it is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October. Other countries may have different days set aside for a time of thanksgiving.
While it is wonderful to express thanks for our blessings on these special days, I wonder why we fail to be grateful all through the year. It seems that we find it too easy to take God’s bountiful blessings for granted.
Today’s Scripture is one of the wonderful “3:16’s” in the Bible. Not only is John 3:16 a meaningful verse, many other 3:16’s are notable. Paul writes the Epistle of Colossians while in prison. Facing affliction, he gives words of thanks. He calls upon the Church to sing and express thanks sincerely. This is not a thankfulness given out of duty, but rather a privilege. For the Believers it must radiate with joy.
As we celebrate our gratitude to God for all He has done for us, let us take time to ask ourselves what we can do for Him. Have a glorious Thanksgiving Day with joy in your heart for all the Lord has done for us.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
