by Pastor Cecil | Dec 26, 2008 | 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?
To view “What Child Is This?” go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whatchildisthis
Blessings dear hearts!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2008 | Isaiah
Isaiah 2:2-5
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s Temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills and all the nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Mountains are wondrous things. Here in the Puget Sound region, we are struck by the absolute grandeur of several peaks. Saturday evening I was officiating at a memorial service. Before the service I stepped outside and was greeted with a glorious sight. To the east I observed Mt. Rainier that was a vivid shade of pink, coral and beautiful as the sun was setting. To the south I saw the dark shape of Mt. St. Helens.
I hope I never become indifferent to the magnificent views that our mountain peaks provide. I want to always bask in the sight and thank God for the beauty of His creation. Looking from the valley to the mountains is breathtaking, but there are also fantastic views from the mountains looking at the valleys below.
I hope that this has not confused you too much. There is a reason for spending this time to point out the different views we have. The perspective we have on the world around us must always be based upon the Word of God.
It is interesting that a portion of the Scripture for today, “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks”—is found above the entryway to the United Nations.
At first glance, this may appear to be a wonderful undertaking on the part of the UN. But as we go back to Scripture, it is not a governing body which will be the source of peace and harmony, but the Lord Himself.
There is a view we have of God from the perspective of His Word. It contains prophecy of a time in which there will be peace on earth. What a beautiful sight that is. It gives us hope and a purpose. We long with eager anticipation for that time when people will stream to God’s holy Temple and bow before Him in adoration.
But there is also God’s view. This is the view from His holy mountain to where we are. It is the view which God has at all times, but He invites us to share that view with Him. He wants us to see the world through His eyes. He wants our heart to be broken for the sin and strife which clouds the world.
There will be a day when all people will come to worship the Lord! Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God. For some, it will be too late. They will have put off the decision to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and will be on their knees in a bitter realization of their lost condition.
Others of us who have been born again will be caught up in rapture and adoration as we realize that our eternity with our precious Lord is endless, joyous, and full of meaning. We are invited to begin sharing this view with the Lord right now. Just as we can look toward the Mountain of the Lord and be struck by its beauty, so we can soar onto the mountain, and see things from God’s vantage point. What a view!
Even when we must return to the place where we are called to minister, we can remember the view from the mountain. It will give us the encouragement we need to remain faithful until He calls us to be with Him forever and forever! What a view that will be!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 23, 2008 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3-4
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”
I had been searching for a picture of a small bird huddled behind a rock, when I found a remarkable painting by Jack E. Dawson. I have just been viewing this intriguing painting which he titled, “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.” It not only pictures a bird in a storm—it has five small quail like birds hidden behind a crashing waterfall in the midst of a thunderstorm. Wow!
It is such a comfort to me to understand that the Lord is always there with us in the midst of any storm we may encounter. Please repeat that statement—“The Lord is always with me in the midst of the storm!”
The idea of perfect peace is especially appealing when you are in a storm. Back a number of years ago Joyce and I were invited to take a cruise though the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
A friend of ours was using his cousin’s 30 foot cabin cruiser for the trip. The first day was very smooth, but then came a hazardous crossing of open ocean water. It was soon evident that we were in trouble. Waves on every side tossed us to and fro at will.
It was during that time that we longed for a place of perfect peace. After several hours of battling the waves we could see hope out ahead. San Juan Island was ahead and was blocking the wind. We could see calm water in the distance, but we were still in the storm. It was a tremendous relief when we reached the calm.
In today’s Scripture Isaiah is giving us the remedy for dealing with the storms of life. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.”
Yes, there will be storms in the forecast for us. Storms are inevitable. But we also have the confident assurance that the Lord will shelter us in the storms.
He will not always use the same methods to protect us, but He will do so. At times He will allow the storms to pass by on each side while we are protected in the palm of His hand.
At other times He will permit us to go through some violent storm. I think He does this to show how true believers should react when our world is turned upside down.
Do you want peace in the midst of your storm? Place your trust in the Lord and do not allow the storm to shake your faith. Praise the Lord that He is greater than any storm we will encounter!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 11, 2008 | Isaiah
Isaiah 58:14
“‘- – – then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
I love to cook and I especially enjoy cooking in cast iron utensils. Just about every time I use a skillet or Dutch oven, I think about the old chuck wagons that became the hub of every cattle drive that traveled across the plains states in the early days. There is a spiritual application here, so please bear with me.
At first glance you might think that the cook who operated the chuck wagon was on the lowest rung of the ladder. Actually, he was the highest paid man on the cattle drives and had total authority of his domain.
Cookie would arise about 3:00 a.m. each morning to get his sourdough biscuits rising, the coffee brewing and bacon frying. His rattling pans were the alarm clock for the rest of the hands to get ready for the day.
The cook was responsible for the welfare of the men who drove the cattle. He did not do the herding of the cattle, but he insured that the men who rode the horses and drove the herd were taken care of.
It was essential that he not only provide nourishing meals but that he gather fuel for the fire, water to fill the water barrel and select an appropriate place to set up camp for the next night.
Cook was often called to settle disputes among the cowboys, do mending, cut hair and even see to minor medical emergencies of the hands. He operated on less sleep than the rest of the men, so his job was not an enviable position. (Do you see where this is heading yet?)
God has called some to be “cookies” to the “cowboys” around us. This is a high calling from the Lord and it requires dedication. Many times it means that we must go without sleep and work harder than others that we lead.
Many times the hard work will not be appreciated. The “cookie” on a cattle drive did not look to the cowboys for reward. His reward came from the owner of the cattle who had hired him to do the job.
That is true for us as well. Our reward will not come until the “drive” is completed, and we hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful Cookie!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 8, 2008 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3-4
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.”
Since he had become a Christian, Al had always tried to do what was right. He read his Bible and prayed frequently. As he grew spiritually he was able to see the hand of God at work in his life. Then something happened!
Al owned a classic automobile that he had restored from the ground up. When it was finished he decided he was going to sell it for a huge profit. He had been given counsel to honor God with a portion of the profits. He agreed, but he had a better plan. He would keep all of the profits, buy an even more expensive auto that would bring even more profit—then he would be able to give more.
He rejected the counsel and kept all of the profits with which he bought his new classic car to restore. From the very beginning things began to go wrong. There were huge unforeseen costs that drained his money and embittered his heart.
In today’s Scripture we are introduced to a young man who became King of Judah when he was only sixteen. His name was Uzziah. The significant thing that stands out in this passage is that, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”
Wouldn’t that be a wonderful description of you—or me? Not how smart we are, or what wonderful position we fill or how much money we make, but that we do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
There are many who try to do what is right in the eyes of other people. I want to tell you right now—that is like walking on shaky ground. People are fickle! The very ones who place a laurel on your head one minute, may be the very ones who cry for your head the next minute. I have been there! It’s not pleasant!
Uzziah followed in the steps of his father, who also followed after the Lord. This chapter also mentions his mother, Jecoliah. This is the only mention of her in the Bible, but she must have had an influence in Uzziah’s life or she would never had merited mention.
This godly mother must have taught her son to do right in the sight of the Lord. In the midst of an ungodly world she had prepared her son to be a mighty man of God by doing what is right in God’s eyes.
In our modern world we are surrounded by those who turn their back on God and mock Him. For many, the only time they call out to God is to curse in His name.
Have you ever thought about what a paradox we see in those who deny that there is a God? They claim that there is no God in heaven, yet profane His name. You never hear them curse in the name of false gods. Hmmmm?
I think we will spend the next few days considering the life and rule of this man Uzziah. He was the tenth and one of the ten righteous kings of Judah. I encourage you to read chapter 26 of II Chronicles to learn more about him.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 5, 2008 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
“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!’”
Over the years I have been given (officially or unofficially) many titles; son, husband, dad, papa, uncle, officer, teacher, lieutenant, captain, pastor—on and on it goes.
There is one title that few know about. As a matter of fact, only my wife Joyce has ever used it—“Ole Dog Shep.” My wife is the one who gave me that title one time when I was waiting for her to get off work.
Since that day we have laughed every time I do something that indicates that I am on time and reliable.
It is amazing how many times I have encountered people who promise the stars but are not reliable enough to be depended upon. As a matter of fact, it seems that there are more unreliable people than those you can count on.
Jesus told a parable that relates to this subject. Matthew 21:28-31; “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ The first,’ they answered.”
Jesus agreed that their answer was correct. In essence it indicates that actions are more important than what a person says. To say something that will make people think well of us is empty if we fail in our actions.
Over the years I have been called upon to officiate hundreds of weddings, funerals or other meaningful events. Early on I learned that people are on pins and needles until I arrive. As a result, I have made a point to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
All around us there are people who depend on us and our integrity. Part of integrity is to be reliable. That means being where you are supposed to be, and being there on time or early.
How can you establish a new pattern of dependability? First is to use a date book or calendar. Write down each and every commitment you make. Check each evening the schedule you are committed to the next day.
Second, on the day of the appointment, start a mental time clock of the hours you have before the appointment. Get as much detail out of the way as early as possible and always be aware of the time remaining. Make allowance for traffic delays that may arise.
When you say to someone, “I will go!” make sure you are committed to stand by your commitment.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
— Pastor Cecil
