by Pastor Cecil | Nov 30, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I have never considered myself a fly fisherman, but when I was stationed in the northern tip of Newfoundland, Canada, I discovered that only fly fishing was permitted. My learning curve was pathetic. I had more tangled line and snapped flies than I care to remember. Eventually I was able to do a fair job and caught and released many feisty brook trout.
Humility is a quality that is also difficult to attain. I once heard about a pastor that had preached several sermons on humility. After the third or fourth week a member spoke to him after the service. “Thank you, Pastor, for your wonderful series on humility. I really do not have many gifts, but I do take pride in the fact that I have humility.” BEEP! The pastor felt like gagging.
Peter tells us that humility is attained by casting all of our cares on Him. It is not what we do that matters, but what we allow the Lord to do when we cast all of our cares and concerns on Him.
The attainment of humility is never gained by striving but by casting. It is not focusing our attention on ourselves but on the Lord. My desire is to confidently trust everything I am or ever hope to be in the hands of my loving Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 22, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
An apparently strong Christian begins to read, listen, or watch images that once were totally off limits. If we were to listen in to Satan’s dominion we might hear a soft chuckle. This same Christian begins to slip closer and closer to sin and finally crosses the line and violates God’s word. Satan smiles and then he laughs. He knows that he has succeeded in his efforts to discredit and destroy one more Christian’s witness.
It is all too common to learn of the moral failure in the life of someone who had once been an example of good Christian behavior. The worldly media is quick to jump on these stories of moral failure, painting all believers with the same broad brush.
As a Christian counselor I have often been faced with the daunting task of trying to restore a fallen individual. The scenario always seems to follow the same pattern. It usually starts with the person feeling that they deserve a “little fun” in their life and that “no one will be hurt by it.” AND THEN SATAN LAUGHED!
The way to prevent Satan’s laugh is to remain sober (watchful) and vigilant (stand guard). There is never a time-out in serving the Lord. We must at all times keep on keeping on with Jesus!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 6, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:4
“… rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
Recently, a dear friend forwarded a prayer request from a deeply distressed daughter for her mother who was facing serious medical issues. In the message she mentioned that her father was giving loving care to his precious wife of many years. This daughter said that her dad still thought his wife was the most beautiful woman in the world, regardless of her age and physical condition.
As I read those words I thought back to the last days of my wife, Joyce. Her frail little body required much attention. She could hardly move and her mind had difficulty staying focussed. In spite of all that, she was to me the most beautiful woman in the world.
Why was that? It was the inner beauty that Jesus had given her. Joyce never was one that enjoyed the spotlight. She was shy by nature, but her gentle and quiet spirit cared about people and she ministered in her own quiet way.
Many flashy female movie stars make themselves up to look glamorous, but in a short time that outer façade wears off and they lose their appeal. Godly women get more beautiful each year. Ladies, be such a beauty. (MEN AS WELL!)
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 2, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Fanny J. Crosby was a remarkable woman. There are so many accomplishments in her life that it is hard to comprehend them all. She lost her eyesight because of the treatment of a careless doctor. In spite of her loss she memorized huge portions of Scripture just by listening to her grandmother read them to her. She is credited with writing over 10,000 hymns during her life.
Fanny began writing poetry at an early age, but another amazing fact is that she did not accept Jesus as her personal Savior until she was 31. She was attending a service on November 20, 1850. The congregation was singing a hymn by Isaac Watts; At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light. She knew she needed the Lord and that very night He became her Savior and Lord. Her desire was to always stay close to Jesus who had paid the ultimate price for her salvation. Her desire was to remain near her Lord. She immediately wrote the words to the hymn for this week.
Near the Cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o’er me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
To access Near the Cross, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/nearthecross/ 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 | Jun 17, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.“
There have been times in my life when I felt isolated and alone. It seemed that I was alone and could not sense the nearness of God in my life. When I experienced these times of spiritual drought, I was prone to wonder if Jesus really cared, even though I am usually happy and optimistic. It has been in these times that I have felt the enemy of my soul attack. I rush to God’s Word for comfort.
Frank E. Graeff was known as the “sunshine minister.” He had a cheery disposition, a winsome personality, spiritual optimist, and was a great friend of children. He was known to have a child-like faith. That being said, he did pass through times of deep trials. It was then that he turned to the Scriptures as his guide in the darkness.
As I read the words of this hymn that he wrote, I can see the change from gloom and despair to hope and victory. That is what I want in my life.
Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
To access Does Jesus Care? this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2016 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:22-23
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
I can recall a time (almost) when I could hardly wait for my birthday. Back then I would add “and a half” to indicate that I was going to be one year older. It did not take long before that habit stopped. As I passed middle age, I wanted to put on the brakes and not age so fast. It really did not matter . . . age passes quickly!
On this date way back in 1934, I was born. In case you are mathematically challenged, that makes me 82 today. The truth of the matter is that it is not the chronological age that’s important, but rather whether we have been born again.
It is tragic that many people feel they have been born again because they were baptized as an infant. That is so unbiblical that it defies imagination. In the same way, there are some who feel they just grew into being a believer. Being born again is much more than infant baptism or a gradual growth.
This is the time for candid self evaluation. If there was never a time when you confessed your sinful condition and invited Jesus to come into your heart, then pray that prayer right now. Make this your spiritual birthday.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
