by Pastor Cecil | Feb 12, 2015 | Joshua
Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Several years ago I had triple heart by-pass surgery. I really did not feel too bad before the operation and was back in front of our congregation in eight days. (Instead of standing, however, I did use a stool for the first few weeks).
Part of my prescription following surgery was to enroll in a cardiac rehabilitation program at the hospital. I was making progress on the various exercise machines and walking, but there came a day when I walked out. That was the day an instructor entered our room and began to teach us how to clear our minds of all thoughts and meditate.
Isn’t it strange that the world (or the god of this world – Satan) tries to duplicate the positive methods that God has given us? The “new age” crowd is nothing more than the “old age.” Clearing the mind opens the portals for the enemy to enter and occupy.
The instruction for true spiritual meditation is to be found in today’s Scripture. It begins and ends with Scripture. We need to live in God’s Word and meditate on how it applies to us. Long ago I was given wise advice on how to approach a study of the Bible: Take a portion and ask yourself three questions: 1.What does it say? 2. What does it mean? 3. How does it apply to me? Then meditate on that!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 11, 2015 | 2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15
“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
In police work there are times when it seems that the best action is in-action. That is not necessarily accurate, but it seems like it. When a crime has been committed and an offender is thought to be in a particular area, a perimeter is established. The officers on the detail are ordered to stay in their position, which allows them to see only a small area. Other officers have their assignments as well. When the criminal unwisely tries to escape, he is seen and arrested.
In the Christian walk it is easy to become tempted to do our own thing without the call of God. It is almost as if we are doing some great thing so God will be pleased with us. That is not so. Many times God calls us to set up a perimeter.
Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and languished for years in a prison far from home and family. God knew what He was doing when he allowed this to happen. His plan was to bring about the rescue of Joseph’s family, including those very brothers who had betrayed him. He obeyed and set up God’s perimeter.
It is time for personal evaluation. Are you so busy doing your own thing that you have given little thought to how you fit into God’s purpose? It is very likely that He has plans for you, but it will be up to you to just stand fast and wait for Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 10, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 84:5-7
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”
This world is not my home, I’m just passing through –
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue…
Anyone remember that old gospel hymn? How easy it is to get our eyes so focused on the cares and concerns of this world that we forget our real home is waiting for us in heaven.
A family once shared with me how they had moved from Kansas to Washington state in the 1930’s, driving an old car that was barely able to run. They had very little money and were forced to travel from town to town where they would work at hard labor for 10 cents an hour.
They stayed at motor camps that were not much more than four walls, perhaps a sink, and hopefully close to the public restrooms. Even though they would stay there for several days, or even a couple of weeks, to earn enough money to move on to the next stopping place, it was in no way home. They had no interest in fixing up the dilapidated shack because it was not their final destination, but only a stopping place until they reached home.
Why do we spend so much time, energy, and effort to fix up something that is going to pass away? It is so much better to devote ourselves to making this vale of tears a little more bearable for others as we are on our journey to our eternal home.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 9, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 18:24
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
We really do need each other, and a true friend is one of the greatest possessions we can have. It is a sad and poor man who has no friends. Friends are different than companions. Companions may be close by, but are not sufficiently close that we can share our deepest feelings.
I have been blessed with a wealth of friends over the years. One of those friends is Chris Vosler. Chris and his wife, Pat, were members of the church I pastored in Burns, Oregon, almost forty years ago. When I resigned that pastorate, Chris gave me a plaque which I have looked at almost every day of my life since then. Here is what it says: “A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you’ve been, accepts who you’ve become, and still gently invites you to grow. Cecil, Thanks for being that friend. Chris”
There is one Friend who far exceeds all others. He is with us come rain or shine, good days or not so good days. Jesus Christ stays with us during the dark hours of the night. When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is there beside us. When we receive devastating news, He is there to provide the comfort and solace to ease the pain. When we receive news that calls for rejoicing, He makes it even better for we have One who rejoices with us. At all times, and in every circumstance, our Dearest Friend makes our life worth living.
Having such a dear and precious Friend, He calls us to be the special friend to others. That will often mean getting out of our comfort zone and going the extra mile for someone else. Are you a TRUE FRIEND?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 6, 2015 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 90:1-2
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a hymn by Isaac Watts and paraphrases Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas one, two, three, five and nine.
The hymn was originally part of The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, published by Watts in 1719. It has often been sung for special occasions in England. It was sung in 1941, at a religious service on board HMS Prince of Wales attended by Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the conference creating the Atlantic Charter. It was also sung at the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965.
Later composers subsequently incorporated the tune in their own works. For example, George Handel used the tune in an anthem entitled, O Praise the Lord.
Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
To access Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ogodourhelpinagespast/ 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
