by Pastor Cecil | Sep 28, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:19
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Our family has made numerous road trips over the years. I think I developed the habit of starting very early in the morning from my dad. When I say “early in the morning,” I mean well before dawn. It just seems that the lack of traffic that early allows you to make much better time. It is almost like reducing the travel time.
I can recall on those trips watching the first hint that dawn was near. The eastern skyline gradually appeared out of the darkness and minute by minute it became more pronounced. Before long gorgeous colors began to emerge and you knew that dawn had arrived.
As we make our way through this sin-darkened world, it often seems as if we are being swallowed up in the inky blackness of depravity. It is during these times that we need to focus our attention on God’s eastern sky…dawn is about to break!
Keep your spirits up, dear hearts! In Psalm 30:5 we are reminded: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Never lose heart as you travel through these dark hours — dawn is very near.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 27, 2016 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:13
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
I am sure that you have heard the expression: Well, that’s the last straw! We’ve probably all experienced a time when it felt like life’s pressures had become so great we could hardly go on when another discouraging issue suddenly arose. It was then that “the last straw” phrase was muttered.
There is certainly little doubt that we live in an evil day. Not only do we live in an evil day, but the evil seems to get worse with each passing day. Doing what is Godly and right is now seen as being wrong and evil.
Along with the reality of facing “the last straw,” we also come to the reality that it is time to stand for what is right. It is time for battle! Today’s Scripture passage indicates that we are to take on the full armor of God and stand firm in our defense of the Word of God.
In standing firm and sure for the Gospel, there may be casualties. I would much rather be wounded or even killed in defending the cause of Christ than going along with the masses who deny the faith. This is the last straw — what are we going to do about it? I, for one, am going to stand clad with God’s full armor. Join me?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 26, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Back in 1954 my wife Joyce and I were stranded in a blinding snow storm in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We knew there was a town not too far away, but we grew weary and suffered with the cold.
When it seemed that we could hardly walk further we saw the lights of the small town. There was only one small hotel in the town and with joy and relief we were able to get a room for the night. Not only that, the wife of the hotel manager fixed us a bite to eat since there was no café open at that time of night.
There have been other times since then that I experienced weariness. Not all of them have been from physical exertion. Sometimes the emotional trials of life cause a deeper weariness. The loss of our loved ones creates a heaviness of heart that seems to drag us down.
It is in the weary times of life that we have the blessed assurance that the Lord Himself will carry our load. The only way that will happen is when we come to Him and cast our burden on Him. The longer we hold on to the things that weigh us down more weary and defeated we become. God promises us His rest, but we receive it only when we come to Him. Don’t carry your burden alone!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 23, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and also was able to quote large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses as the Lord laid the words upon his heart. Above all—he was a man of prayer.
In the mid 1800’s, Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to theObserver and asked if they thought them worth preserving. TheObserver did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer 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
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 22, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
An apparently strong Christian begins to read, listen, or watch images that once were totally off limits. If we were to listen in to Satan’s dominion we might hear a soft chuckle. This same Christian begins to slip closer and closer to sin and finally crosses the line and violates God’s word. Satan smiles and then he laughs. He knows that he has succeeded in his efforts to discredit and destroy one more Christian’s witness.
It is all too common to learn of the moral failure in the life of someone who had once been an example of good Christian behavior. The worldly media is quick to jump on these stories of moral failure, painting all believers with the same broad brush.
As a Christian counselor I have often been faced with the daunting task of trying to restore a fallen individual. The scenario always seems to follow the same pattern. It usually starts with the person feeling that they deserve a “little fun” in their life and that “no one will be hurt by it.” AND THEN SATAN LAUGHED!
The way to prevent Satan’s laugh is to remain sober (watchful) and vigilant (stand guard). There is never a time-out in serving the Lord. We must at all times keep on keeping on with Jesus!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
