by Pastor Cecil | Nov 20, 2019 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.’”
At times I reminisce about my parents. My dad was especially adept at doing just about anything that needed to be done—all the way from carpentry to electronics.
My mom on the other hand was more the director of operations—dad’s operations that is. When one of the family members needed something done, mom would say, “Oh, dad would be glad to do it!” Dad would just smile and moan.
Christians all too often are like my mom. When God has a task to be accomplished they start thinking about others who could do the job. While the words may not be spoken, the message is this: “Here am I—send him (or her)!”
We read in Matthew 9:37-38 that we are to pray for the Lord to send out workers for the harvest. The fact of the matter is that we need to ask the Lord what part we can play in bringing in the harvest.
Some workers till the soil, some plant, some water, and some tend the plants as they grow, and there are still those who reap. What part of the harvest of souls are you personally participating in? Ask the Lord to send you!
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 19, 2019 | Psalm
Psalm 31:24
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
“I hope he chooses me! I hope he chooses me!” Those were the words that went through my mind as sides were being chosen for any team game we played when I was a young boy. Suffice it to say, I was usually one of the last to be called. More like a booby-prize than a cherished prize.
That concept of the meaning of the word “hope” seems to be all too common. It is thought of as wishing for something that could possibly happen, but we know the likelihood is very slim.
Let me correct that idea for us once and for all. The Hebrew word for hope as used in today’s scripture is the word yachal. It carries with it the meaning of expectation. Do you hear that? It is expectant waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us!
Please read that last sentence over one more time. It is expectant waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us! It is not what we desire for ourselves, but what God wants to do in and through us. I think the greatest joy in life is to be used of God.
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2019 | 2 Kings
2 Kings 2:11
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
In college I had a godly professor of physics. On the first day of class he handed out all of the questions he would be giving on his tests. There was only one problem—the list consisted of 500 questions. We never knew which ones would be asked on each test! I think I studied more for that class than any other and enjoyed it more.
This brilliant scientist had worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII, yet had a humble Christian spirit that made him a true example of what a man of God should be. Here is a quote that was attributed to him: “I always imagined that I would go out in a ‘blaze of glory’, but I suppose I will have to settle for going out in an ordinary way.” His obituary stated that it was not his death, but his life that was a “blaze of glory.”
In today’s Scripture we read of the prophet Elijah being caught up to heaven in a chariot of fire. We might even say it was a “blaze of glory.” But the real blaze of glory was his life of unswerving faithfulness to the Lord. As Elijah left this earth he left his mantle to Elisha, who assumed his role as the faithful servant of the Lord. In a way, Elijah’s blaze of glory was his disciple Elisha. Their blaze of glory continued to burn for years to come. Who is your blaze of glory?
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 15, 2019 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Back during my high school days, I worked weekends and summers for a concrete contractor. Believe me when I tell you that things were different back then. There was very little pre-mixed concrete that was delivered by large rotating carriers. We were the mixers! We had a pile of sand, another of gravel and sacks of concrete that we had to combine shovel by shovel and bag by bag, water was then added.
In order to get the sloppy concrete into the foundation, we had to deliver it by manual labor. We had large wheelbarrows that we filled then pushed to the point of delivery. In the building process a solid foundation was essential. A weakened foundation could lead to the building falling.
As we travel through this life we often see people that have not laid a foundation that will withstand the storms of life. Sadly when storms strike, their foundations fail. It is during the storms that we need the solid foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep us safe. John Rippon published this hymn in 1787.
How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “How Firm A Foundation” by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/howfirmafoundation/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 14, 2019 | 1 Chronicles
I Chronicles 4:10
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”
Working for the Lord has never been easy, nor will it ever be. When God enlarges our territory of service we need more and more of His strength. Those who enter the Christian ministry thinking it is an easy endeavor are in for a rude awakening. It is impossible to really do His work without His empowerment.
In his prayer, Jabez asked the Lord to enlarge his territory. The territory was right at his front door. His prayer was not to be sent to some other territory, but that his sphere of influence would be multiplied. The Lord heard that sincere prayer and so will He hear our honest prayer.
It is not what we do for the Lord that makes the difference, but what the Lord does in and through us. John the Baptist was a powerful preacher of truth who called sinners to repent, but his real mission was to announce the arrival of Messiah!
Two thoughts I would like to share from my experiences:
- Never look at another person as being insignificant. You may block their ministry for the Lord. Be their supporter and cheerleader to let them know they are not alone.
- Realize that nothing is insignificant to Him. Charge into the task He has given you and allow Him to slay the giants that stand in the way of the work of the Lord.
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
