by Pastor Cecil | Mar 18, 2016 | 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.”
This week I have tried to focus on the plight of saints around the world who are experiencing persecution and even death. In some cases we are able to take action in coming to the aid of these precious saints. In other instances we are called to pray that their strength may be the witness to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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.
Refrain: 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.
Refrain: 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.
Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
To access this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 25:21
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Around 1900, my grandpa Shubert came to this country from Germany. He was only in his teens at the time. Eventually, he ended up in the panhandle of Oklahoma battling the harsh realities of the dust bowl era and was one of the few who became successful. He became one of my heroes.
When I was working as Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Grandpa came for a visit. After introducing him around my office, and even introducing him to the Governor, Grandpa looked me in the eye and in his broken English said, “I proud of you!”
There was another day when my dad and I were traveling along a beautiful Idaho river and he said almost the same words that Grandpa had used. Those two men were my earthly examples of what a man of God should be. I was humbled!
As much as the words of my grandpa and dad meant to me, I long to hear the words that will be so much greater that they can never be measured. I want to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 16, 2016 | James
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Do you ever feel as if the world is dragging along at a snail’s pace all around you? Do you feel like every time you get in the shortest check-out line, there is a some sort of hang up and you wait and wait? All of the longer lanes you passed up have checked out and you are still waiting. PATIENCE!
The book of James is one of the most practical books in Scripture as it deals with true Christian living. Not only does James tell us what we should do, but he gives steps to follow and profits to expect.
One of the profits he explains is in the critical area of patience. It starts by how we deal with trials. The natural inclination is to be angry or frustrated when we face trials. James tells us to count it pure joy. WHY? Because it starts a sequence by allowing the Lord to show us that faith in Him allows Him to do the work through us and make us complete.
How do you react to the trials that you encounter on a daily basis? Do you fret and stew or do you look up to the Lord and thank Him for entrusting you with this new opportunity to grow in His grace? Trust Him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 15, 2016 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
From time to time we hear of people who have not called their loved ones for years. You may even have some in your own family who are like that. It hurts when they do not call, but they are the ones who are hurt the most. By cutting themselves off they become isolated.
Isolating ourselves from God is even more devastating. He is the One who loves us most and the One who has given freely of the fountain of living water. His invitation to come and freely receive eternal life from Him is always open.
An open invitation means that we are free to receive it at any time. Other invitations may come with limitations such as cost or an expiration date. God’s invitation is always there waiting for us to respond.
Jeremiah shows us the true nature of God’s invitation. Any time we call to Him, He promises to answer. Not only that, He has promised us great and mighty things we cannot even imagine. MAKE THE CALL!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:22-23
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
I can recall a time (almost) when I could hardly wait for my birthday. Back then I would add “and a half” to indicate that I was going to be one year older. It did not take long before that habit stopped. As I passed middle age, I wanted to put on the brakes and not age so fast. It really did not matter . . . age passes quickly!
On this date way back in 1934, I was born. In case you are mathematically challenged, that makes me 82 today. The truth of the matter is that it is not the chronological age that’s important, but rather whether we have been born again.
It is tragic that many people feel they have been born again because they were baptized as an infant. That is so unbiblical that it defies imagination. In the same way, there are some who feel they just grew into being a believer. Being born again is much more than infant baptism or a gradual growth.
This is the time for candid self evaluation. If there was never a time when you confessed your sinful condition and invited Jesus to come into your heart, then pray that prayer right now. Make this your spiritual birthday.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
