by Pastor Cecil | Aug 5, 2019 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 17:10
“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
I have heard people from many religious persuasions (even atheists) take the Lord’s name in vain. It blows my mind that they profane the name of Jesus or God. Why do they not profane their own supposed god or one they deny? I think that they know the truth but refuse to admit it.
Perhaps you have heard the joke about a church that fasted and prayed for lightning to strike a tavern that was scheduled to open next door to the church. Sure enough, the night before the tavern was due to open it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.
The tavern owner sued the church, claiming that they were responsible for his business being destroyed. The church argued that they were not responsible for the destruction. In his deliberation the judge said that he was confounded. He was dealing with a tavern owner who believed in the power of prayer and, on the other hand, a church congregation that didn’t! Ouch!!
Tragedies are a very real part of the human experience. It may be a personal or family tragedy or it may be something that impacts a community or even a nation. It is then that people call out to the One true God and Jesus Christ His Son.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 2, 2019 | Revelation
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
This beautiful hymn was composed by Will Thompson who lived from 1847 to 1909. The words seem to capture the heart of the listener and draw us to come to Jesus. You can almost picture Jesus Himself standing patiently urging us to come to Him.
He not only pleads for us to come, but he offers complete pardon to anyone and everyone who will come to Him. He offers He has paid the price and He has the authority to extend pardon to any who will come to Him.
The words of this hymn stress the urgent need of those who are lost. Some may feel like they have time before making that decision, but sadly for many they wait too long. Now is the hour of decision to receive Christ’s mercy and pardon!
Softly and Tenderly
Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading;
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies;
mercies for you and for me?
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and for me.
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
O, for the wonderful love He has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.
Refrain: Come home, come home.
You who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home.
To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/softlyandtenderly/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2019 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 4:14
“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”
I once noticed a young man backing out of his parking space with a gallon of milk teetering on the top of his car. I stopped behind him and honked my horn, but he appeared unaware of what I was trying to tell him. I honked again and motioned for him to roll down his window. Again he failed to understand. Other people were now honking and trying to get his attention.
Ignoring everyone’s efforts to warn him, the young man continued backing toward me. Just as he was about to hit my car someone ran up to his window, grabbed the gallon of milk and showed it to him. Disaster was diverted and the man was able to return home with the milk that had come so close to splattering on the ground.
The honking did not work. The motions did not work. The shouting did not work. It was not until someone grabbed the milk and handed it to the driver that he stopped and received it. All around us there are folks who leave the milk of God’s Word outside their lives. It is heartbreaking to observe as they refuse to heed our warnings. Perhaps it is because we stay too far away and fail to get close enough to hand the milk to them.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2019 | Mark
Mark 5:20
“And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”
On the way to the land inhabited by the Gerasenes the disciples encountered a storm that was worse than anything they had ever experienced. They were certain their boat was about to be swamped and all of them would drown. In Mark, chapter four, we read about how Jesus calmed the storm (another one of His many miracles).
When the disciples’ boat finally arrived on the shore, they were greeted by a demon possessed man with super-human strength. Knowing who Jesus was and recognizing His authority, the demons begged to go into a herd of swine. Jesus granted their request (which demonstrates to us the power He has over demonic forces).
The man, now delivered and free from the demons, was so grateful that he begged Jesus to allow him to follow Him. Jesus declined, but told him to go home and tell his family. In today’s Scripture we read that the man went far beyond. He began to preach to the ten cities of the region.
We have no idea who this man was, but I eagerly look forward to seeing him in heaven to hear how it felt to be changed from maniac to minister to the Gerasenes.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 4:9
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
I miss so many things about my wife, Joyce. Each Saturday morning we used to go to a favorite spot for coffee. It was a chance to reflect on what the Lord was doing in our lives. We often observed a young father who was there with his three children. The family was a delight to watch. The kids seemed to reflect the peaceful nature of their dad.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lays himself out as a living example. He asks the church to use his life as an example of living for the Lord Jesus Christ. It was certainly not from an attitude of pride, but a confidence that his faith would never waiver.
Paul names four actions for the believers at Philippi to emulate: Learn, receive, hear and see. These might also be taken in reverse order. They would have seen his life and actions before they heard his message. Having seen the way Paul lived, they were open to hear his words.
The same is true for us as well. People will see what we do before they hear what we say. You may recall the old saying: “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear your words!” What are people seeing and hearing in your life? We can only live and speak it. Having done our part, we pray for fruit from our labors.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
