by Pastor Cecil | Aug 22, 2017 | John
John 14:20
“At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
Are you seeking harmony in your life? Are things discordant and seemingly out of control? Do you start the day wondering what chaos will present itself before the day has ended? Do you feel as if you are caught in a whirlpool and being drawn into a vortex of adversity?
How are those questions to wake you up and put a smile on your face? Those of you who know me personally (my regular readers probably know me better than most), know that it is not my spiritual gift to be a prophet of gloom and doom. I want to provide hope and life.
In John 14:2 we find real hope for the believer: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Look it up and read it for a real lift for your soul.
Harmony is not the result of taking a course on organization, although that might benefit many of us. It is not in walking around with signs instructing you to “Don’t worry! Be happy!” Some grouch may lock you up for that.
Harmony is a recognition that there is an order to the universe which is not dependent upon the day-to-day circumstances. It is in being IN Christ Jesus. He confirms that He is in His Father. As we are in Him, He promises to be in us! That is the true essence of harmony!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 25, 2017 | John
John 21:9
“Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.”
Have you ever experienced a meal so delectable that years later the memory still makes your mouth water? There was once a restaurant in north Idaho that was mine and Joyce’s favorite. Their specialty was baked potatoes. It was heartbreaking to drive by our favorite eatery on a trip north only to discover the building had been destroyed by fire. No more of those wonderful baked potatoes for us.
Today’s scripture has often made me wonder what that seashore breakfast must have tasted like to the disciples who had been invited to come and dine. Think about it! The Master who had created the universe had Himself prepared fish and bread. I am sure that they had never wrapped their lips around anything so delicious.
The Master invites each and every one of us to gather around His table and partake of the food He prepares for us. His food nourishes and sustains us to do His will for our lives.
If you are trying to survive on the scraps of this world, I want to invite you to move up to the Lord’s table and enjoy the meal He has prepared for His disciples. It will do more than sustain you — it will equip you for His service.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 13, 2017 | John
John 14:4
“And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Being lost is a terrifying sensation. It causes panic and frustration that tends to lead the lost person further away from rescue. Even with a map it is possible to become lost, which happens when one decides to rely on his or her own instincts instead of following the map that is laid out before them.
In today’s Scripture passage, Jesus assures each believer that we have the directions to go where He is going. Later in this same chapter Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Those words sum up the direction we are to travel in order to stay with the Lord.
As we travel this pathway of life there will always be a temptation to go our own willful way. I am here to tell you that taking that route will always end on a dead-end street. The results of going our own willful way will end in disaster.
We know where Jesus has gone and we know the way we are to follow. The question is whether we choose to act in obedience and follow as He leads us or go our own willful way. I choose to follow THE WAY!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 12, 2017 | John
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
One of the most distressing situations I have encountered as a Christian Counselor and Pastor are broken promises. At times it feels as if the individual who has broken the promise has done so intentionally. It is no consolation that the aggrieved party suffers even greater pain.
Those closest to us may break their promises to us, but God never has nor will He ever break His promise. He is always faithful and true. Not only does He tell us that He is preparing a place for us, He also assures us He is coming again to take us to be with Him.
As I read today’s Scripture once again I am struck by the promise that Jesus is returning to receive us to Himself. He is not just taking us to the place He has prepared for us and dropping us off. Instead He is taking us to be with Him!
Do you ever feel lonely and isolated? The promise we have from the Lord is that we will be in His presence forever. In our new and glorified bodies we will be able to experience His presence eternally. THAT IS HIS FAITHFUL PROMISE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 11, 2017 | John
John 14:2
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
There is a place being prepared for us right now! In Revelation 21 we are given a glimpse into that wonderful place called Heaven and the New Jerusalem. It is so magnificent that words cannot adequately describe it.
On the outskirts of Olympia, Washington, there is a small café that once was called The Place. The menu had this saying on the cover: There Is No Place Just Like This Place So This Must Be – – THE PLACE!
I have read reports where biblical scholars have calculated the size of our heavenly homes. Instead of square feet, the size is measured in square miles. Our family once toured the Hurst Castle in California, but in spite of its opulence it would be considered squalid when compared with the mansion Jesus is preparing for us.
There will come a day when we will be escorted to our new home. We will meet all of our dear ones who have died in the Lord. It will be wonderful, but the greatest glory of all will be to see Jesus and know that we will be with Him for all eternity. What a wonderful mansion is waiting for us!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 7, 2017 | John
John 4:13-14
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
Not only is Olympia, Washington, the State Capitol, but there is also another significant claim to fame. In the 400 block of 4th Avenue is an artesian well. People are able to fill containers of this pure cool water. It is a fountain flowing freely.
The composer of this week’s hymn is William Cowper. He was born in England in the year 1731. He suffered many personal losses during his early years that caused him much mental anguish. Loss after loss of those that were close brought him to the brink of despair.
Through all of his ordeals the Lord kept drawing him. He finally received Jesus as his personal Savior and began writing hymns and poetry. It is fascinating that he lived in a small house just behind the home of his pastor, John Newton, who wrote the wonderful hymn, Amazing Grace. Thank the Lord for the fountain of redeeming blood that cleanses us from all of our sin.
There Is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel’s veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more
For since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
and shall be till I die
When this poor lisping,
stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing thy power to save
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “There Is A Fountain” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://gloryscapes.com/thereisafountain/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
