by Pastor Cecil | Jun 3, 2014 | 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 12:4-7a
‘Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.’ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’
Back in the 1970’s I was working for the State of Idaho and also teaching a Bible class at the Idaho State Penitentiary. One of the men had been convicted of murder and was serving a life sentence. During one of our Bible study classes, he shared with the group the story of what had happened. His unlawful act was accomplished in the heat of emotion. The consequences of an evening that began in a festive atmosphere ended with him behind bars for life.
The result of our actions will always result in consequences. The result of doing things God’s was will result in honor and blessing. Refusal to obey God and His commands will carry shame and dire consequences.
David was God’s selection to be the mighty King of Israel. David had served the Lord faithfully for many years and God had showered him with honor and blessings. As the King he was to lead his troops into battle. However in II Samuel 11:1, we find that when the kings go off to war, David didn’t! KINGS are supposed to lead—THEY DO NOT SEND!
You no doubt recall the sad story of David’s sin. He STAYED—He STARED—He STOLE—He SLEW! He was guilty of not going into battle with his men; BUT of committing adultery and of killing Bathsheba’s faithful husband.
David’s conscience may have bothered him, but it is possible that he may have thought he had escaped the consequences. But God knew! Not only did God know, but God sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David about his sin.
As we read today’s Scripture, David is enraged by a wealthy and powerful neighbor who would steal his poor neighbor’s one ewe lamb. He fumed out his vengeance on such a vile man but was stopped in his tracks by Nathan’s words of judgment: “You are the man!”
David repented of his sin, but there were serious consequences. Like my friend at the Penitentiary, a consequence was required. In David’s case it was the death of his baby and chaos between his sons.
Repentance also had its consequences. My friend became a born again Christian and led many other inmates to Jesus. David felt the touch of the Lord and wrote many Psalms with a broken heart. He became known as a man after God’s own heart. Where are you right now? I urge you to repent and reap the consequences of God’s love and forgiveness.
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 49:16
The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the Lord.
Pride comes in all shapes and sizes. As a young boy during the dark days of World War II, I recall seeing the image of the Italian fascist leader, Benito Mussolini. He had his arms crossed and wore an arrogant expression. He was a proud man! Then I recall another picture of this evil man — it was of his dead body hanging upside down in a public square in Milan. His pride had ended!
As a Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism at a large church, I was assigned a heavy counseling load. I recall a young college student who was so shy and withdrawn that she could hardly communicate. There had been abuse in her life and that could easily have been the source of her problem.
Weeks of counseling sessions seemed to be getting us no where fast. I prayed fervently for the wisdom to help her. At our next appointment I noticed that everything she said was directed at herself. Taking a risk, I stated that I knew what her problem was. She was stunned. I told her that I felt that she had pride in her life and needed to deal with it directly. She immediately confessed her sin of pride and left my office. It was the step that set her free.
You see, pride does not have to be in the form of a dictator or any other public figure. It can just as easily appear in the life of someone like you or me. The more we focus our attention upon ourselves, the greater the pride. Allow God to be the primary object you seek to please. NOT YOU, BUT HIM!
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 30, 2014 | 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.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced and extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. He cried out to the Lord to be able to receive a renewing of his own spirit so he could in turn minister to others. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Theewas born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer.
About twenty years later, 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.
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.
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.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
To access Hiding In Thee, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please 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 | May 29, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 50:14-16
Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. But to the wicked person, God says: ‘What right have you to recite My laws or take Me covenant on your lips?’
We have just celebrated Memorial Day and truly it is a time to honor those brave souls who have paid the price for us. In like manner there are many saints of God who paid the price by dedicating their lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
During war time and in the heat of battle many soldiers huddled down as low as possible not knowing if the next enemy shell would land close enough to obliterate them. It was in those moments that some prayed a foxhole prayer. (By the way it is not essential to be in a foxhole or even in physical battles to pray such a prayer.)
I would define most foxhole prayers as bargaining with God. We ask the Lord to get us out of the situation we are in and if He does then we will serve Him. I love the faith of the three Hebrew children facing the firey furnace if they refused to bow down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
I think their proclamation of faith rings across the centuries of time as an example for all of us. They said they knew their God was able to deliver them, but even if He did not, they would not bow down. That is the gut level faith that goes beyond the selfish foxhole prayer that only seeks immediate relief. May we all place our lives into the hands of a mighty God who does all things well.
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 28, 2014 | Philippians
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I have a confession to make. The words that I write down five days each week for this E-Votional do not come easily. My mind is always searching for an inspiration from the Lord as to what to write. Many times (if not most of the time) my inspiration comes from a passage of Scripture I have read; other times it springs from a memory of things long past, and still others come from observation of events that happen around me.
Do you know what the hardest part is? Simply to GET STARTED! There are always so many distractions and demands on my time that it is easy to put off the more essential tasks. (I am sure you have never had that problem. Cough! Cough!) If by chance you have suffered the same malady, there is hope for all of us.
I see at least two things that Paul urges us to do in order to get started in our walk with the Lord. The first is to forget. Amazing isn’t it? He wants us to forget the things that are past. I think that is because we cannot relive them, and to spend time dwelling on them will only take our minds off our spiritual objective: to please the Lord.
The second thing Paul urges is for us to strain for what is ahead. In your mind you can visualize a runner straining to reach the goal line, his body leaning forward to be able to cross the finish line victoriously. GET STARTED!
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
