by Pastor Cecil | Jan 21, 2014 | John
John 4:34-36
‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.’
It must have been 50+ years ago, while visiting friends in Oklahoma City, that I watched a pastor being interviewed by the local television station. The reporter was asking the pastor about his day-to-day activities in addition to his Sunday preaching responsibilities.
I am not sure how the question arose, but in some way the reporter asked the pastor about his vacations. After all of these years, I can still vividly recall the pastor telling the reporter that he did not take vacations. He shared that his enjoyment in the ministry was such that he never felt the need to get away from it.
At the time, I found it hard to believe what that pastor said those many years ago. But as I look back over the years of my ministry, I have come full circle. I can honestly report that it has been so long since I took a vacation that I cannot remember when it was. Not only that, I feel more energized than when I used to take vacations.
I feel that the secret is resting constantly in Him, and allowing Him to do His work through me. I in no way feel the need to get away . . . only to get closer to Him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
Over the years I have had the privilege of experiencing a variety of professions. One of the most enjoyable was working as a County Juvenile Officer. I had come into the position directly from serving as a city police officer, so I was well acquainted with the patrol officers who worked the night shift.
Frequently, I rode around with one of the officers as he made his rounds and, from time to time, would spot a juvenile who was part of my caseload. I would note the time, location, and who else was present. Many times, the probationer was on a court-ordered curfew.
The next time that individual came in to report, I would ask if they were adhering to their curfew. The response was usually that they were. Then I would then ask about the day and time I had observed them. The look of astonishment was priceless. I would then proceed to take the necessary action that was merited. It wasn’t long before the probationers felt like I was everywhere, and they had better keep on the straight and narrow.
In today’s Scripture we see that the Lord is everywhere, and He knows all about us. There are no time-outs when it comes to living for the Lord. He knows each and everything about us. That is not a bad thing, but a constant reminder that He is always there when we call. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 17, 2014 | Luke
Luke 15:19-20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
One of my most pleasurable jobs as a pastor is helping families restore broken relationships. I once was called upon to officiate at a funeral service. The son of the deceased told me that he had not spoken to his sister for years and wanted me to reconcile them before the service. Right! Just like that!
Less than an hour before the service I met with the two and their families. Each of them had ten or fifteen children, spouses and others on their side. He and his family were on one side and she and her family on the other side of the aisle. I had prayed for just the right words and to this day cannot recall what Scripture I used. I had just finished when the brother stood and walked across the aisle and hugged his sister. The two families merged with great joy.
Fanny J. Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915. This remarkable lady never let problems keep her away from the Lord. Her blindness as an infant meant that she spent her entire life without physical sight, but was blessed with a keen spiritual sight.
When she was only eight years old she wrote the following poem: Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world contented I will be! How many blessings I enjoy that other people do not! So weep or sigh because I am blind, I cannot – nor I will not.
The hymn, Draw Me Nearer expresses her desire to draw nearer to her blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Draw Me Nearer
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
To access Draw Me Nearer, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/drawmenearer/ 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 | Jan 16, 2014 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
During World War II, there were colorful posters displayed in prominent places with this slogan: LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS. The intended message was to beware of unguarded talk because the enemy may be listening, and it could lead to disaster for our fighting men.
In our daily walk, we are exposed to loose lips. Another name for it is gossip. That is a horrible word. It implies spreading lies or half-truths about another person. An easy way to determine if gossip is involved is to ask if the words being spoken about a person would ever be spoken directly to that person.
Born-again believers that hold true to the faith, and have high standards of morality about many things, are sometimes guilty of having loose lips. It is certainly nothing to take lightly. I once worked for an obstinate boss and was guilty of gossiping about his actions.
The Lord convicted me of my sin and I quickly confessed it. The hard part was going to that man and asking for his forgiveness. I assured him that from that moment on I would confront him directly when I disagreed with his actions. I was promoted soon after that because he knew he could trust me. Do you have loose lips?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 20:6
Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand.
There was a time when sporting events were just that. But now that time seems to be a distant memory. The world of sports has become such big business that even university sports coaches are often paid more than the presidents of those same universities. Getting that bone out of my teeth, let me proceed.
Raucous cheering erupts from spectators when a score is made, and especially when a game is won. Even without sound, it’s easy to tell which team is victorious by the reaction of players and fans. The winning side is happy and jubilant, while the losers are sad and dejected. I have never seen jubilation over a team that has lost.
In this season of playoffs and championship games, you can see supporters wearing jerseys of their favorite team and even painting themselves with their team’s colors. They shout, “We can do it!” even though they themselves are weak and incompetent. They just identify with their team and want to feel a part of the team.
God has allowed us the blessing of being a part of His winning team. No matter how strong the opponents may be, with God in control we are assured of victory. The trials of this life may seem to be crashing down around us, but we need to go back to the Word of God and see who wins. VICTORY is ours! Jesus wins!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
