by Pastor Cecil | Dec 26, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When Isaiah penned the words of this prophecy concerning the coming of our Lord, there was certainly very little hope for the people of Israel. God had chosen them, but they had rejected Him, or at least they had neglected Him. Sounds pretty much the way of our present day world doesn’t it?
People may sing Christmas carols and even be so spiritual as to read the nativity story, but what is in their heart? To know “about” someone is not the same as actually knowing them. We may be introduced to a celebrity but that certainly does not mean we “know” them.
Several years ago Joyce and I were on a vacation in Hawaii. As we were seated for lunch one day, we happened to be seated at a table next to a famous comedian and his family. I have never seen such an old grouch in my life. He not only looked miserable, he acted miserable. He never acted like he was aware of anyone in the room, including the members of his own family. We didn’t know him and what is more we did not care to know him.
That is the negative side. I have been introduced to people that appeared to be warm and wonderful and I would have enjoyed spending time getting to know them, but, here we are again, I did not know them at all.
Just to read a story about the life of Jesus does not mean that we “know” Him. To really know Him requires a new birth. In John 3:16, He told Nicodemus that in order to know Him into eternity, we must experience a new birth. That requires a confession of our sins and asking Him to come into our heart and make us a new creation. Do you know Him?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 22, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
I recall many years ago, listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse. He told of how he had just completed a meeting many miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
Travel at that time was by rail and 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.
If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and to 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 To You Before the Close of Day, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday 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 | Nov 11, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 59:8
The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
In September 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Berlin where he had a meeting with Adolph Hitler. He held up a document that had been signed by himself and Hitler. He proclaimed confidently, “Peace for our time!” Less than one year later all of Europe was plunged into the devastation of World War II.
November 11th is celebrated in much of the world as Armistice Day. The word armistice means a cessation of conflict. I can still recall the images of people here in America when peace was restored to Europe and then with Japan. People rushed into the streets, laughed, sobbed, and shouted with joy. They felt that everything was going to be okay now that all was peaceful.
The sad fact was that peace had never been restored and in fact it will never completely be restored between nations. There will always be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus returns to establish an everlasting ARMISTICE.
Until that time comes we can experience a personal armistice. It is a peace that passes all understanding. It is the armistice that comes as we surrender our will to that of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Victory is ours as we make Him the Master of our lives. Praise the Lord!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 8, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
I recently received an e-mail from one of our subscribers, Ed Thornhill, who passed on some information that I found interesting and inspirational. It has to do with the town of Reed City, Michigan. I visited Reed City’s website to check what Ed had shared with me. They have a museum there called the Old Rugged Cross Museu m.
Back in 1913 a Salvation Army officer, George Bennard, passed through a trying experience which caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the Gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
Bennard spent the last years of his life by the “side of the road,” a few miles north of Reed City, Michigan. At the age of 85, on October 9, 1968, he passed away. Near this home there still stands a twelve foot high cross with the words “The Old Rugged Cross—Home of George Bennard, composer of this beloved hymn.”
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.glorysc apes.com/theoldruggedcross/ 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 3, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
I once heard an illustration that still sends shivers up and down my spine. Picture a man praying to seek the blessing of the Lord on what he is about to do. The Holy Spirit speaks in a loud voice that the man is not to do that thing. After waiting for a time, he prays again . . . and again the voice of the Lord says, “No.” But this time it’s not as loud. Each time the man asks the Lord about the thing he wants to do, the voice of the Lord becomes softer and softer until he can hear nothing when he asks. Joyfully, the man goes ahead with his plan declaring that it must be okay with God . . . because when he asked he heard nothing.
That is such a sad illustration. But stop and ask yourself how many times you (or I) do much the same thing. Rather than spending the time to sincerely seek out the Lord’s will in a matter, we rush ahead with our plans and then try to get God to bless our actions. It is like putting the cart ahead of the horse!
God delights in having His children spend time with Him and follow His direction rather than doing their own thing. Spoiled and self-willed children are never easy to be around. Spoiled and self-willed believers are no easier to deal with.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 30, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Last week was one of those weeks that we wish would not happen, but unfortunately they frequently do. I will send along to all of you the messages I sent to our church congregation here at Tumwater Chapel of Grace:
“Just a quick note to let you know that Joyce was admitted to the hospital Tuesday night after she collapsed at home. She had fallen earlier in the day and suffered a hematoma on her left hip. The doctors are working to the best of their ability to deal with her imbalance problem and now the problems created by the fall.
With the confusion of the situation, it might be best not to try and visit at the hospital since she is having trouble concentrating. Your prayers and love will be appreciated.”
Here is the follow-up I sent out Friday evening:
“Another very quick note to let you know that Joyce came home from the hospital early this afternoon (Friday). I think we are both dealing with hospital sleep deprivation, so we are going to get some rest in a good bed. Thanks for your prayers, messages and concern.”
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
