by Pastor Cecil | Nov 21, 2017 | Luke
Luke 10:3
“Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”
Is it just human nature to want to stay in our warm and snug comfort zone, or is it the method Satan uses to keep us from doing God’s will and working in His harvest fields?
Regardless of how we answer that question, the fact is that God wants us to move out of our comfort zone. Inside our zone of comfort we focus most, if not all, of our energy on ourselves and neglect the needs of those around us. The harvest fields that Jesus speaks about in this passage refer to the lost and dying all around us.
You know, there are different types of harvest fields. When wheat or barley is harvested, all of the grain is gathered at one time. In a field of strawberries, however, only those berries that are ripe are picked. It requires many subsequent trips to complete the strawberry harvest.
It is the same way with the souls of men and women. Some may be gathered all at once in a mass crusade, while others must be picked one at a time. As we move out to the harvest field we must stop and consider when the crop is ready. It is not our comfort zone that is important, but the harvest’s ripeness. Are you ready?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 27, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:20
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
In the parable of the Prodigal Son the wayward son returned to the home of his father. He did not expect to be received as a son, but was in hopes that he could be employed as a servant.
We know the story of how the father was lovingly anticipating the return of his son. He loved the wayward youth and eagerly met him with love and extravagance. It was not because the boy deserved it, but because he needed. The father was eager to give it to this son who had returned.
Clara Fiske Scott lived from 1841 to 1897 and tragically died after being thrown from a buggy being pulled by a runaway horse. She was a prolific hymn writer, but only this week’s featured hymn is still in circulation. Think of her hymn as it relates to a wayward son who has come home.
Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see,
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my ears, that I may hear,
voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare,
love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
May the words of this hymn become our constant prayer. In the moments when the cares of this world tend to blind us to the mighty power of God unto salvation may our eyes see the open arms of the Savior waiting to receive us home.
To access; Open My Eyes, this week’s inspirational video from please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/openmyeyes/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2017 | Luke
Luke 19:1
“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY till I come.”
I love the way Jesus used parables to teach spiritual truths. A parable may be described as an illustration that is designed to teach a lesson. Jesus used them frequently and cited the common culture, norms, and situation of the time He was in so as to teach the listeners in terms they would understand.
In the Parable of the Ten Talents (or a certain sum of money) the master’s servants are told to OCCUPY until he returned. The word OCCUPY can also be defined as doing his business for him until he returns. Wow! That really hits home for me.
None of us know how long we will have to be engaged in our Master’s business. We may be one heart beat from eternity or we may have many more years. The amount of time is not relevant — it is the faithfulness to do His business in a way that profits Him.
In order to OCCUPY for the Master we need to know what His business is and how we can accomplish the best for Him. We will find what His business is in His Word as we dedicate our efforts in serving as the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Are you OCCUPYING until He calls you home?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 28, 2017 | Luke
Luke 24:2-6
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”
Alfred Ackley was a Baptist pastor who had two dramatic incidents in his life that led him to write our hymn for this week. He had been conducting an evangelistic service back in 1932 when a young Jewish man threw this question at him; “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”
Then early on Resurrection Sunday morning as he was preparing for the day he listened to the radio. A famous liberal preacher made this statement; “Good morning—it’s Easter! You know folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I am concerned, His body could be dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main truth is His truth goes marching on!”
Alfred screamed out at the radio, “It’s a lie!” His wife was startled and wanted to know why he was so upset. Following the service that morning his wife prompted him to write a hymn and express his thoughts. He wrote this wonderful hymn.
HE LIVES!
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
Refrain: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Refrain: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
Aren’t you glad we serve a risen Savior? Our God is not dead, HE LIVES!
Use this link to view video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF6aBDS3drA&ab_channel=SESamonte
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 22, 2017 | Luke
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Have you ever had a doctor examine you and use a small rubber mallet which is struck just below your knee? The response is a knee jerk. The doctor is pleased if your leg jerks. It proves that you have the proper reactions.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail the test of demonstrating the proper responses. We all too often react as those who do not have the Lord in their life. We hold grudges against those who treat us in the wrong manner. We may even stoop to retaliate when we have been offended.
What should be our immediate reaction when we are treated with disdain or outright hatred? Today’s Scripture gives us two reactions; BLESSING AND PRAYER.
It will require God’s help to react in this manner, but it will produce dramatic results. When our enemies receive a godly response they will have nothing to fight against. It will allow the power of God to do the work we can never do in our own strength. It is time for believers to show RIGHT REACTIONS!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 20, 2017 | Luke
Luke 16:13
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
I recall seeing signs at the entrance to a business that restricted service. NO SHIRT – NO SHOES – NO SERVICE! Being a servant entails waiting upon another person in order to insure that the needs are met.
I am sure we have all experienced disappointment by the lack of service we have received in certain establishments. In our modern age of social media it is common for customers to post complaints or compliments concerning the service they have received.
In Joshua 24:15 the people are challenged to serve the Lord. Joshua calls the nation to join him in serving the Lord. He could not force them to serve, but he could give an example by uttering his commitment; “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Each of us should make a new commitment in our heart that regardless of what others choose to do, we choose to serve the Lord. It is time to make our stand regardless of the condition of the sin sick world in which we live!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
