by Pastor Cecil | Jun 13, 2016 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Sometimes we find ourselves in frightening situations. This is especially terrifying when we are required to rely on someone else for our safety. It is especially in those times when we must let go and trust God to be with us.
That being the case, what about the times when we are the one who controls what comes next? What about the decisions that we make that determines our welfare as well as the destiny of those around us?
I can recall times when I have travelled on icy roads that I should not have been travelling on. It put my life in danger, but it also placed my family in jeopardy. They should not have had to face that danger.
Spiritually we are always in danger of the enemy of our souls who seeks to cause harm to our reputation. It is in those times when today’s Scripture should be on our mind. We need not fear when God is near. We need to simply trust and obey! He has died in order that we can be free of the terror that faces us. What confidence to know that when we breathe our last breath here, the next breath will be celestial!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 10, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
To access All Creatures of Our God and King, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking/ 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 | Jun 9, 2016 | 1 John
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Some people have better night vision than others. I am told it has to do with rods in the retina. I guess my night vision is fairly good, though I am not sure how you are able to compare it with the average … but I do not stumble too often. As a teen I did stumble a few times when I came in after a date with Joyce and did not want to turn on the lights. Mom had a habit of re-arranging furniture!
As a police officer I frequently had to enter dark buildings that had been found unlocked. With only a flashlight to illuminate large warehouse areas, it was vital to only walk in the beam of light.
Jesus is the Light of the World. In order to insure we do not stray into dangerous territory, we must follow in the light of His Word. There are people who try to tell us to follow them, but that can lead to great danger.
When we search the Word of God and walk in its light, we will be able to stay on the right path and prevent falling into error. It will also lead us to the fellowship of others who are committed to walking in the light.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 8, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Recently I was watching an automobile race on television when the announcer commented that this was no time for the driver to look in his rear view mirror. Any such distraction such as looking at who is pursuing and how close they are can take a driver’s attention from what he is supposed to do and could cost the race.
I have heard coaches give the same advice to athletes who are in a foot race or other sporting venues. It is good advice that applies equally to our walk with the Lord. We may be tempted to look back at the glory days, or we may look back at the approaching enemy, but we are told to look ahead.
It is tragic to observe believers who have lost their race for the Lord because they took their eyes off the Goal. There are many distractions that can demand our attention and result in a spiritual derailment.
The answer to finishing our spiritual race with victory is to keep our eyes on the prize that lies before us. The things of this world will lose their appeal as we see Jesus only!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 7, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 18:5
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
I have written about it before, but in the past few hours I had the pleasure of reliving an incident that originally took place over ten years ago. Joyce and I were trying to select a gift for a young girl in our church. Joyce wanted to get her something feminine and sweet, but I suggested a small toy gorilla. Kailey, the young girl, named the little gorilla “Cecil” and has kept it all of these years.
She is now graduating from Community College and, as a gift, I bought her a larger version of little Cecil the gorilla. How would a sophisticated college girl react to the new Cecil? I just returned from meeting Kailey and her mother. The first thing she did was reach out and show me the little gorilla she has kept all these years.
As Kailey opened the gift bag with the larger Cecil, her face lit up like a neon sign. The only thing I could say was that I wished Joyce were still here to share the joy. I am so glad we took the time those many years ago to befriend a little girl who would one day become a lovely young woman who did not think it silly to hang onto a toy that expressed our love. I hope the new “Big Cecil” also stays with her for a long time!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
