by Pastor Cecil | Mar 19, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 148:13
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
During my U.S. Air Force service I was required to spend a one-year assignment apart from my family. There were many wonderful experiences during that year, but I always knew that I was only there temporarily — it was not home. I was homesick for my home and longed to return to my wife and three precious children.
Several years later I went to a hospital in Bend, Oregon, to visit a returned missionary who was a member of our congregation. The reports that we had received indicated that she was in very serious condition. I went intending to read a few passages of Scripture to her in order to cheer her up.
When I entered the missionary’s hospital room it was like an entryway into heaven. This precious saint was so excited about being with her Lord in a few short days that she could hardly contain herself. In the time I spent at her bedside she showered me with praise and hope. I had gone to lift her spirits, but I walked out of that hospital with such a feeling of joy that I almost wished it was me standing on the doorstep of eternity.
I want to encourage each of us to take time and think about being ushered into the presence of our loved ones who have gone on before us; imagine listening to them tell us about our new home that will last eternally. I am homesick for heaven!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 16, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 107:29-30
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven”
It seems that each of us is called upon to face storms in our life. It may be physical infirmity, financial reversals or the loss of a loved one. It is not the storm that matters, but how we react to the storm.
Back in 1873, Horatio Spafford and his family were scheduled to sail on the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ from New York to England where he was to assist the great evangelist, D.L. Moody. Because of a last minute business crisis Mr. Spafford sent his family on ahead and he would follow on a later ship.
Unfortunately the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank. There was a terrible loss of life. Spafford and his wife lost their four daughters. Nine days later Horatio Spafford received a cable from his wife that simply said, “Saved alone.” What poignant words.
Later, as he was sailing to meet his wife, he asked the captain to let him know when they were near where the accident had occurred. It was there that he penned the words of this week’s hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “It Is Well With My Soul” from Gloryscapes.com by going to:http://gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 7, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Many years ago I attended an Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts conference held in Seattle. At the last session each attendee was given a small button with the letters PBPGINFWMY that stood for PLEASE BE PATIENT, GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET. I liked it then and I like it now.
Sometimes spiritual leaders give the impression that they are so holy they regularly dine with the angels. The truth of the matter is that we simply like angel food cake — we don’t dine with them. None of us are perfect and I think spiritual leaders should be more open in sharing our failures. We need times of humiliation to remind us that we are still under construction. I think it is safe to say that we will always be under construction.
Years ago I heard an evangelist tell of a woman that spoke to him after a service and mentioned that she thought he was very mature. He rushed home and looked up the word mature so he would be better able to enjoy all of its meaning. To his dismay the definition read “ripe and getting rotten.” Ooops!
Never stop the construction process. We should never know the meaning of retirement when it comes to doing the work of the Lord. We may be retired from the job that we have held throughout our life, but when it comes to doing the work of the Lord it is always “under construction.” God is still at work!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 5, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 75:5
“Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.”
What an unusual phrase: “a stiff neck.” In the New American Standard it is rendered “an insolent pride.” It may either be given as a word picture, while it may also serve more as a definition.
One of the places we see the picture of insolent pride displayed is during sporting events. Not always, but frequently we observe athletes with outstretched necks parading back and forth like proud peacocks. It has become common enough that penalties are often assessed because it is described as taunting.
But that is nothing compared to the picture of those arrogant boasters who, in their pride, stand opposed to God. These people may claim to be wise, but wisdom is in their own eyes and God will have the last word. Oh, how much better it would be if they would turn from their arrogance and honor God.
Let me close with a favorite passage found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which is the clearest way to steer clear of having an outstretched neck: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 16, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Enjoy this free inspirational video, from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodand king/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 6, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
I was born and spent the first twelve years of my life in Camas, Washington. Just over 20 miles east of Camas is a huge basalt rock about 840 feet high known as Beacon Rock. When I think of a huge hunk of rock I think of Beacon Rock. It has weathered the storms of winter and the blazing heat of summer, yet it stands tall and strong.
When I think of my spiritual rock I think of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who created Beacon Rock and all of the other rocks on the face of our globe. He is the Blessed Creator of all things! He never changes regardless of the storms of life.
We need a strong rock like Jesus to see us through the trials and tribulations of our life. The reality is that we all pass through storms that threaten to overwhelm us. It is during these times that we need to anchor our life in the Rock of our salvation.
Who is your rock? Do you place your trust in some human being that is destined to die like every other human? That is not a wise and safe source of strength. While we need the comfort and counsel of others, even more so we need a redeeming Savior who loved us enough to become the rock of our salvation!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
