by Pastor Cecil | Oct 22, 2014 | John
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Last week there were reports of a major hurricane bearing down on the small island of Bermuda. The chances of the hurricane striking the Island were minimal. The odds that it would be a direct strike were almost out of sight. At first there was hope that it would miss, but as time passed it was certain that Bermuda was in the crosshairs of the massive storm.
The first winds to strike came from the east. They were well over 100 miles per hour and lasted for over one hour. Then the eye of the hurricane arrived — from raging winds there came an eerie calm with virtually not even a breeze. That is when the tree frogs began to sing.
Actually it was more like a high-pitched chirp, much like a pager. The sound was so loud that even on the television you could hear the “singing” as it filled the air. But the storm was only half over. Now the winds came from the west and caused as much or more damage.
In our lives we may be encountering the storms of life. It may be from one direction or the other. It may even be possible that we are going through the calm eye of life. I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the storm is not over. It may come from a different direction than we have experienced before. The important thing is that we have the Lord and can sing like the frogs.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 21, 2014 | 2 Peter, Daily-E-Votionals
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For years I have carried a small coin purse in my pocket. It is only 2 ¼ inches across and at most, 1 inch high. I try to carry 3 quarters, 2 dimes, 1 nickel, and 4 pennies. With this change I can escape having to use a dollar at the checkout stand.
I carry a few other things in my coin purse. There is a house key, a small knife, and a tiny foldout can opener. In fifty plus years of carrying that can opener I have used it once or twice, but the times I needed it, I really needed it!
As a boy I was taught to memorize Scripture verses. When I was young it was relatively easy to memorize. As I got older it became much more difficult. I have shared with many people the secret of writing portions of Scripture on 3X5 cards and carrying them around so that they could refer to them during a free moment. One college student who was failing his college classes began to use this method during the college summer break. In the fall he raised his grades to a B average.
How are you equipping yourself to be used by the Lord? Preparation entails a lot of perspiration (the stuff that flows through your pores when you work hard). I will continue to carry my coin purse in my pocket, but I will also carry His Word in my heart!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 33:1-3
While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ‘This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Years ago when I worked in the criminal justice system I was attending a training session for behavior professionals. At the get acquainted hour a few of the leaders privately spoke with selected attendees. We were given some inside information that later in the session revealed how vital it was to know things that others didn’t. It was just an exercise, but it gave me a whole new understanding of how important it is to have God’s wisdom.
Back when Solomon was chosen to be the second king of Israel, the Lord came to him in a dream and asked him what he desired as a king. II Chronicles 1:10 is a real eye opener: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
If God appeared to you and offered your heart’s desire, what would you ask for? I fear that many would ask for the things of this world rather than true wisdom to be of benefit to others.
Even while locked in a dusty prison, Jeremiah was given wisdom that went far beyond the trinkets of this world and saw the things of eternal value. God does offer wisdom to us the requirement is that we call out to Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 17, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 107:29-30
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.
It seems that each of us is called upon to face storms in our life. It may be physical infirmity, financial reversals or the loss of a loved one. It is not the storm that matters, but how we react to the storm.
Back in 1873, Horatio Spafford and his family were scheduled to sail on the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ from New York to England where he was to assist the great evangelist, D.L. Moody. Because of a last minute business crisis Mr. Spafford sent his family on ahead and he would follow on a later ship.
Unfortunately the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank. There was a terrible loss of life. Spafford and his wife lost their four daughters. Nine days later Horatio Spafford received a cable from his wife that simply said, “Saved alone.” What poignant words.
Later, as he was sailing to meet his wife, he asked the captain to let him know when they were near where the accident had occurred. It was there that he penned the words of this week’s hymn, It Is Well with My Soul.
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
To access It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/ 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 | Oct 16, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:11-13
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’
Our daughter recently was going through some old photo albums when she came upon an old black and white photo showing a husband, wife, and their two sons. It took a few seconds to recognize our family. Mom and dad were in their thirties, my brother, Harold about twelve and I was about five.
It really brought back memories. The picture was taken beside the school and church building in Oklahoma. We lived in Washington State so it was taken when we had gone back to visit my maternal grandparents.
As I stare at the picture it reminds me how things change. Of the four, I am the only one still alive. There were many good years as well as a few challenging years ahead for our family, but Jesus was always part of our family and as such, we were more than able to find victory.
None of us know what the future holds for us, but since we know that Jesus holds the future in His hands we can look forward with confidence. The future may give us prosperity or poverty, but either way, when we all get to heaven the good things or the bad things will mean nothing in light of the Lord’s presence. What a future we have to look forward to!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
