by Pastor Cecil | Sep 3, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
On the wall above my desk is a very special framed piece of counted cross stitch. It has an eagle in flight and the words of today’s Scripture — and it has a very special place in my heart. It was a birthday gift from our daughter, Brenda, back in 1991.
Brenda had been working on it for my birthday in March. She was desperately ill, which slowed down her work. But Brenda said that even though she had not finished it for my birthday, she was determined to complete it before she went to be with the Lord. Brenda presented her gift to me just a few days before her death.
Each time I glance up to that framed scripture of Isaiah 40:31 on the wall, I recall Brenda’s labor of love. It means much more to know that she was thinking of her dad as she made each stitch.
This fantastic verse reminds us of one of God’s most precious promises: When we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. We get into trouble when we attempt to develop our own strength instead of waiting for Him. Anytime people run ahead of God and rely upon their own strength, they get into trouble. On the other hand, when people inquire of the Lord and wait for Him to lead, they are rewarded with His power.
The thought I want to leave with us today is that we need to spend our time in fellowship with the Lord. Reading His Word, speaking with Him in prayer, and listening patiently for His still small voice to guide us. Not running ahead of Him or lagging behind Him, but walking close at His side.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 21, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.
Look at the weather reports virtually anywhere in the world and you will find storms of every description. A hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean crosses the International Date Line and is now designated a typhoon, but it’s the same storm. Tornados unleash deadly violence in normally peaceful areas. Warm months are not the only seasons of violent storms. In the winter months there are bitter cold spells, frequently with blizzard conditions.
Those who find themselves trapped in any of these storms know the full fury that surrounds them and immediately begin to pray for God’s protective shield against the raging storm. The disciples found themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, and even though some of them were seasoned fishermen, they feared for their lives.
Weather-related storms are not the only storms we encounter. There are also financial storms, physical storms, marital storms, employment storms, as well as religious storms. Let’s face it—we live in a storm-ravaged world!
So how are we supposed to deal with the storms of life? Isaiah gives us the answer loud and clear: We need to have a steadfast mind. How are we going to have a steadfast mind? By placing our trust in the Lord forever, which means we trust Him not only in the storm, but beyond the storm. Trust in the Lord and find His perfect peace!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 6, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 1:18
‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’
Yesterday I wrote about an incident that occurred many years ago when our oldest daughter lost her retainer, causing us to spend many hours in a dumpster sifting through piles of smelly kitchen waste trying to find it.
While our youngest daughter, Lori, was at our house yesterday, I asked her to look it over for corrections. She stared at me with a shocked expression and said, “Dad, that was not Brenda — it was me that lost the retainer, and we were both searching.” She went on to say that her teacher even wrote in her year book that year, “Have your dad stay out of the dumpsters!” Lori continued to explain that we never did find the retainer, but when the dentist heard the story he replaced it free of charge.
I had no idea when I wrote yesterday’s E-Votional that I was conveying erroneous information. I certainly could recall the hours I spent digging through piles of leftover food scraps, but I had the wrong daughter and the wrong resolution to the problem. Lori asked me to go ahead and send out the E-Votional as written . . . but today I need to write this follow-up to correct my error and to teach a lesson.
When we receive knowledge that what we have done is wrong, immediately we need to set the record straight. My intentions were honorable, but my recollection was off base. When we see our errors we need to correct them and allow the Lord to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Years ago I recall listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse, a prominent pastor and teacher. He had just completed an evangelistic meeting several hundred miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram. It informed him that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
His only way back to Philadelphia was by rail. As Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed. He knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home and that there was nothing he could do but leave his son in God’s hands.
As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, “- – – but dust will be the serpent’s food.” Using that passage he asked the Lord to feed the serpent dust, but to please grant him a good night’s rest. He fell fast asleep and the next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia.
The Lord had answered his prayer. His son lived and during his time of recuperation he committed his life to full time Christian service. If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and feed the serpent dust.
TO YOU BEFORE THE CLOSE OF DAY
To you before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.
O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through. Amen
To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:6-8
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’
I recall hearing a musical group singing a song that had a line about hearing the call from the Lord . . . but wanting someone else to respond to it. Isn’t it amazing how keenly we can hear the call of the Lord for someone else? We even wonder why they are so slow to respond to His call. We hear it so clearly. Right!
But what about when the call is directed to us? We have all kinds of excuses for not responding: We are too busy, we are not qualified, or perhaps the call is not really from the Lord . . . and on and on our excuses pile up.
In Acts 9 a man named Ananias lived in dread and fear of persecution. Then the worst possible news began to spread around Damascus where he lived that the man they had heard was a violent persecutor of the believers in Jerusalem was now on his way to their city. Then the unthinkable happened — Ananias was called by the Lord to go and pray for this feared man that his sight might be restored! That was his calling in life, but what a difference it made!
As you are reading the Bible or praying, you may feel a tug on your heart strings and know that the Holy Spirit is calling you for a special task. Please do not argue with God and expect someone else to do it. Be willing to act in obedience.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 20, 2014 | Isaiah
Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the Lord’s house.
Have you ever wondered why modern-day Christians are so weak and anemic? They may have the desire to live a victorious life, but regardless of the good intentions, there is an evil influence that seems to pervade.
I was just reading about a family that began experiencing traumatic changes in their family. The husband’s business began to go from bad to worse. Then the husband and wife experienced marital conflicts that were new and unexpected.
As they prayed and sought counsel, they were asked if there was something new in their home? They could only remember a small troll type doll they had purchased while on vacation. They immediately removed the doll and destroyed it. The unclean thing was put out of their life and Christ was on the throne. There was a dramatic change for the better in their family and business.
We have allowed many unclean things to encroach upon our homes and personal lives. It may be a type of music, pornography, fetishes, or any number of things. If you are feeling the blast of evil in your home or personal life, I urge you to spend time with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the unclean thing that needs to be removed.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
