by Pastor Cecil | Oct 21, 2013 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Several years ago I was Pastor of a church that was ideal for weddings. It became a ministry to meet, counsel, and perform the ceremony for many couples. But there was a little problem that frustrated me for several years. Before the ceremony, when the groom and I were waiting in my office, it was impossible to see when we were to make our entrance without opening the door a crack.
One day I was pondering the problem as I looked at the door from the sanctuary side. There was a carved piece on the door that precluded installing a traditional peek hole. I wondered what would happen if I simply drilled a small hole through the carving on the door in such a way that it would not disturb the carving. I drilled a ¼ inch hole through and bingo! I could see most of the sanctuary–not all of it, but part of it.
There is no way we can completely know what heaven will look like. We are given a few glimpses, such as the first five verses of Revelation 5, but that is such a brief view that it just whets our appetite to see even more.
While our view of our heavenly home is limited, it gives us a goal to reach for. All we need to know is that we have our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, waiting to welcome us to our new home forever and forever! Wow! It makes me homesick!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 18, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 42:1-2
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Hunger is a need that may be suppressed for many days without harm. Fasting in fact has been shown to have positive aspects and is thought to be beneficial to the body. Thirst, on the other hand is something which cannot be ignored. The dehydration of the body can quickly lead to death, as we have seen the tragic reality of in recent years with the deaths of athletes who exerted themselves in hot temperatures.
David confesses that he longs for a closer fellowship with the Lord. He likens his desire to being in a desert and almost dying for spiritual water. How did he get this way? Let’s try to imagine what that looks like, and to see if you may be suffering from the ailment. Here in Psalm 42.
One of the symptoms of spiritual dehydration is prolonged absence from assembling in the house of the Lord. Another symptom of spiritual dehydration is not spending time with God in personal communion. It leads to isolation and vulnerability to the temptations of the flesh. What about the spiritual dehydration of believers? Is that a choking sound I hear? How long has it been since you and God met for a visit? Reflect as you enjoy our hymn for the week.
Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty
Ho! Everyone that is thirsty in spirit,
Ho! Everyone that is weary and sad;
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus,
All that you’re longing for; come and be glad!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth’s joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List’ to the promise, a message for you!
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
Child of the kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but “fullness” thy longing can meet;
‘Tis the enduement for life and for service;
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet.
Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.
To access Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hoeveryonewhoisthirsty/ 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 17, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 75:4-5
To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift up your horns against heaven; do not speak with an outstretched neck.’
What an unusual phrase: “- – an outstretched neck.” It is rendered that way in the New International Version of the Bible. In the King James Version it is: “- – a stiff neck.” In the New American Standard it is: “- – an insolent pride.” In the first two versions we have a word picture, while in the NASB we find more of a definition.
We often see insolent pride displayed during sporting events. Not always, but frequently we observe athletes with outstretched necks parading back and forth like proud peacocks. This behavior has become common enough that penalties are often assessed because it is described as taunting.
It is just as distressing to observe ministers of the Gospel strut and pose in displays of arrogance. These people claim to have the answer to any and all problems that others have. The solution, they pronounce, is to send your money to them and all will be well. (Sorry, I was a little carried away there.) These ministers are more disturbing to me than the athletes. Wisdom is in their own eyes. God will have the last word.
My plea is for us to bow before the Lord and confess that we deserve nothing, but He has given us His everything. Our boasting is in Him and Him alone. He is my everything, and I bow before His majesty on high!
Let me close for today with this passage in Proverbs 3:5-6, which is the clearest way to steer clear of having an outstretched neck: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 16, 2013 | Proverbs
Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.
I was talking with a good friend earlier today. He happened to mention that he had heard or read a comment that he had amended to keep in mind: “Never argue with a fool. You will lower yourself to his level and discover that he has more experience at that lower level.”
Often I reflect on the homespun wit and wisdom of Ben Riordan, the Juvenile Court Judge I worked for many years ago. One of his favorite expressions was to describe a fool as one who might appear to be a fool . . . until he opened his mouth . . . at which time he removed all doubt!
There is a definition given in Psalm 53:1; “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.” As we consider that definition we discover that many people fall into that category. It is frustrating and counterproductive to argue with those who deny God.
Argumentation will never lead to victory. As long as the fool denies the existence of God, he will remain in his sinful state. We must live out our faith in such a way that Jesus will be seen in and through us without a word being spoken. The best witnesses for Jesus are those who allow Him to use us as His instruments of grace. May the beauty of Jesus be seen in me!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 15, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
As a young boy in church, I recall some members that always looked like they were baptized in vinegar. Their words were words of joy, but to look at them you would think the sky had just fallen on their head.
I am sure that most of us have heard the humorous exchange when someone asks: “How are you doing?” The reply: “Pretty well, under the circumstances.” The one who asked the question replies: “Well, what are you doing under there?”
So I ask you: How are you doing? I hope you are living and serving the Lord above the circumstances of life. Our outlook and attitude have a profound bearing on how we view others, but also on how they view us.
As I read today’s Scripture, I am struck by what we are told to do. It is not easy, but it is God’s mandate for us. We are to rejoice always. That means for everything—whether good, bad or indifferent! I think the way we are able to do that is through the second command: we are to pray continually. And that leads to the final step: give thanks in all circumstances. It is only by God’s amazing grace that we will be able to accomplish this in our daily walk. Let’s believe God and His Word and obey!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
