by Pastor Cecil | Jan 7, 2014 | Philippians
Philippians 1:20-21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
There are times in our lives that, when facing danger of one sort or another, we experience the tangible grip of fear. We may not be paralyzed in the situation, but our reactions seem to move in slow motion. Twice I have encountered deranged men with loaded weapons that could have easily taken my life. Time stood still in both occurrences, and only later could I normalize.
Fear is not restricted to physical danger. One of the areas that the enemy of our souls uses to impart fear into our spirits is in the sharing of our faith. We may have a sincere desire to share, but the fear of being rejected and scorned causes us to freeze up.
In today’s Scripture, Paul is well aware that he is facing a very uncertain future. He has already encountered persecution and pain, and he knows that more of the same awaits him. Still, Paul’s main concern is that his life will exalt Jesus. His greatest desire, be it torture or death, is to remain faithful: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
The question I continually ask myself is: What am I willing to endure in order to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I willing to endure snickers, scorn, or even worse? I pray that I may always be a worthy Servant!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 6, 2014 | Acts
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Recently I was re-reading the book, Terrorist To Evangelist, by G. Brent Riggs. It is the story of Kenny McClinton and the supernatural power of God unto salvation. Kenny has become a dear friend through the Daily-E-Votional, and I have have been blessed to speak to him several times on the telephone.
Late one night, as I was reading through the story of his life, I was struck by a statement he made about suffering for a righteous cause: “A whole lot of guys (people) wanted to be martyrs, but few were willing to die.”
As I pondered Kenny’s statement, I realized that we need to ask ourselves about our own commitment. What are the things in our life that we consider to be righteous causes? Are we willing to die for them? If we honestly cannot discover any righteous causes, then we are to be pitied.
I do not mean to imply that believers are to live with a persecution complex. I feel that our call is to be sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ and to put our lives where our testimonies are.
I once heard a humorous song that (sadly) expressed the commitment of some people. One line went, “I will go any where you want me to go, dear Lord, as long as it is on the beaches of Waikiki!” HOW SAD!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 3, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
To access All Creatures of Our God and King, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking/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 2, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
I pity those who come from other language groups that try to walk through the minefield that the English language presents. For instance, the word “commit” is an example of how confusing our language can be.
As we check a dictionary for the meaning of the word, we first of all discover that it may be defined: to entrust, especially for safekeeping; commend: to commit one’s soul to God. But then we immediately see a second definition. “Commit” can also be defined: to place in a mental institution or hospital by or as if by legal authority.
As I compare these two meanings, it strikes me that there is a choice involved here. We can either choose to commit ourselves to the Lord in the certain expectation of His leading and guiding our steps, or we will face an unpleasant commitment.
I have known many who made what appeared to be a solid commitment, only to watch them make an about face later on. When I officiate at weddings, I challenge the couple to covenant before God and the witnesses to hold fast to the vows they make, for better or worse. Sadly, when the “worse” arises, some abandon their commitment. I pray that we will hold fast to be committed to God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2014 | Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’
Newspaper columnist Erma Bombeck, who died in 1996, once wrote that she realized things had changed between Erma and her mother in the car. One day she was driving with her mother beside her in the passenger seat and had to slow rather quickly. Without thinking about it, she reached over to support her mother much like she had done for one of her children. Erma’s mother had now become the child, and Erma the mother. Life had suddenly come full circle.
Shortly afterwards, Erma happened to be in the passenger seat with her daughter driving when she had to brake suddenly. You got it! The daughter reached over to support Erma. Oh, how things change!
Our granddaughter was with us over Christmas and was commenting on her age—“Being 25 is ‘unreal,'” she says. When her brother was 20, our granddaughter thought it would be forever before she would reach that age, and now she is five years past that!
Her comments reminded me of just how quickly life passes. There is no time for procrastination. The things that God calls us to do must be done when He tells us to do it . . . not when we get around to it. Only one life and it soon will pass. Only what is done for Christ will last!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
