by Pastor Cecil | Aug 2, 2016 | Galatians
Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
When I was a County Juvenile Probation Officer, I often accompanied one of the Deputy Sheriffs on patrol. On one occasion we were stopped by a road construction crew. The flagger seemed interested in talking to us since we were in a marked police vehicle.
We had been stopped for about five minutes when another car approached. The flagman waved his stop sign, but the car plowed into the back of our vehicle propelling us about twenty feet. Fortunately the deputy had the vehicle in “neutral” rather than “park” or we may have suffered injuries.
The driver of the other car was extremely intoxicated and began to scream at the top of her lungs, “He didn’t stignal! He didn’t stignal!” (Yes, that is the way she said it). She repeated this over and over, even when the local Police agency came and arrested her for drunk driving.
There are many warnings in God’s Word that people ignore to their own peril. In today’s Scripture we are reminded once again of that truth. It is like the old railroad crossing signs that clearly alerted drivers to STOP! LOOK! and LISTEN! It certainly applies in our spiritual life!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
One day last week I was returning home from an appointment. I was a block from my house and gliding along at about ten miles per hour when I noticed an eight-inch long shadow gliding along the pavement. It was then that I saw a two-inch long insect flying closer to me. The sun was at just the right angle to magnify the shadow of the tiny insect.
When I replay that scene in my mind, I am reminded that shadows are always larger than real life. The Psalmist reminds us that we travel through the valley of the shadow of death, not the valley of death.
What is the difference? The difference is that shadows are magnified. That means things we fear appear to be larger than life. Not only that, we have our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who carries a rod and staff to rescue and protect us.
The next time you encounter the shadow of fear in your life, remember who is walking beside you. He knows how big the threat really is and He alone is able to shield and protect you.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 29, 2016 | Titus
Titus 3:4-5
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
One night, 1886, in group of Christians were singing in a down-and-out part of a large city. A distraught young woman questioned if it would be possible for a sinner like her to be saved. Listening to her heart-cry for salvation, she was taken back to the mission and left with the ladies in charge. The young, wayward woman was brought to Christ that night.
A situation was secured for her in a minister’s family. Sometime later she became ill and had to be taken to a hospital. She rapidly failed and it became evident that she would not be long on earth. One of the gentlemen, whom she had met on that night on the street, was visiting her in the ward. After quoting a few suitable verses of Scripture, he repeated her favorite hymn, “All to Christ I owe.” Two hours afterward she passed away.
Of course the greatest payment in our behalf is the gift of eternal life. It cost the horrible death of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He paid what we could not pay. He went to the cross voluntarily because He knew we would never be able to pay the cost.
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I,
whereby Thy grace to claim
I will wash my garments white,
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
To access Jesus Paid It All, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/jesuspaiditall/ 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 | Jul 28, 2016 | John
John 1:8-9
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
It seems that every day we hear of tragedies of every kind. There are natural disasters, but also there are violent attacks that leave scores dead and badly injured. Just when it seems that things could not get worse, they seem to do just that.
What should be our reaction to the violence and chaos around us? I think we have at least two choices. We can look around us and become increasingly depressed or look up and see that God is the Blessed Controller of all things.
In today’s Scripture Jesus is listing the things that will precede His return and the end of the age. He does not want us to be burdened with the evil that He prophecies, but to see the glory that waits for the redeemed of the Lord.
In other words Jesus is instructing us to focus our attention on what is waiting for us. That means we are to LOOK UP! I frequently have to remind myself to focus my attention in the right direction. I do what I can to fulfill the command of the Lord, and then I LOOK UP and worship the One whom I serve. Where are you looking?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 27, 2016 | Luke
Luke 21:28
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
It seems that every day we hear of tragedies of every kind. There are natural disasters, but also there are violent attacks that leave scores dead and badly injured. Just when it seems that things could not get worse, they seem to do just that.
What should be our reaction to the violence and chaos around us? I think we have at least two choices: We can look around us and become increasingly depressed, or we can look up and see that God is the Blessed Controller of all things.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus is listing the things that will precede His return and the end of the age. He does not want us to be burdened with the evil that He foretells, but to see the glory that waits for the redeemed of the Lord.
In other words, Jesus is instructing us to focus our attention on what is waiting for us. That means we are to LOOK UP! I frequently have to remind myself to focus my attention in the right direction. I do what I can to fulfill the command of the Lord, and then I LOOK UP and worship the One whom I serve. Where are you looking?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
