by Pastor Cecil | Jan 8, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
How many times have we said something that caused us embarrassment? We immediately had the urge to yank the words back into our mouth, but it was too late and the damage was done.
Insulting words leave lasting impressions on others who hear them. Words spoken in anger or resentment will last for a long time in the minds of those who are the recipients of our thoughtless outburst. Are you feeling a little uncomfortable right now? It does little good to say we are sorry after we have used words in a way that causes pain to another.
During WWII there was a slogan that was prominently displayed everywhere: LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! The meaning was that spies might be listening for information that might be passed on to the enemy and used to cause harm and even loss of life.
In like manner we need to make Psalm 19:14 a regular part of our prayer life. The words we speak will be a reflection of the time we spend with the Lord in prayer and meditation upon His Word.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 1, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 98:4
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”
Throughout scripture we are called upon to make a joyful noise before the Lord. In Psalm 98, all of creation is called upon to make a joyful noise before God. All around us we see the hand of a loving God who cared enough about us to send His own dear Son into the world to provide us with salvation.
This beautiful hymn was written by Isaac Watts. As we read and listen to the words of this moving Christmas hymn, we need to stop and ask ourselves if we are making a joyful noise before the Lord or just noise.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart Prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing;
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and angels sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods; rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy;
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy
No more will sins and sorrows grow;
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow;
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace;
And makes the nations prove,
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “Joy To the World” from GloryScapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/joytotheworld/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 22, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 95:2
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”
I once pastored a small congregation of loving and caring believers where the members’ average incomes were minimal at best. The local mill that employed several of our families had to downsize and many jobs had been lost.
Even in these meager circumstances, our church was asked to adopt the pastor and his wife of an even smaller congregation than ours. Undaunted by our lack of funds, however, some of our people contacted friends in the community where this pastor served to find out what the couple needed, which turned out to be major appliances. We knew we could not afford to purchase new ones … but we could buy used items and restore them.
The project took time and effort, but we undertook it with love and a sense of excitement. Our good deed, however, was not received in the same spirit. There was no sense of joy or thankfulness from the recipients, but one of resentment that they were given USED items rather than NEW. We had worked hard to give the best we could, but their lack of thankfulness was very apparent.
The attitude of gratitude was certainly missing in that situation―a gift offered sincerely out of love and compassion resulted in a slap in the face. As we approach the season of giving it is vital that we take the time to show our thankfulness … not for what gifts we receive, but for the people who are part of our lives.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 13, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 83:14-15
“As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire, so pursue them with Your tempest, and frighten them with Your storm.”
One of my favorite things in the fall and winter months is to sit in front of my woodstove and watch the flames consume log after log. I purchased my little woodstove several years ago after an ice storm left us without power and heat for almost a week.
When I chose the stove, I picked one that was small enough to comfortably fit into our living room, yet large enough to heat the entire house of just over 1400 square feet. I also wanted a flat top so it could be used to cook in an emergency.
As I watch the flames through the glass door, I am reminded that this is fire under control. It is useful and efficient. The wildfires that destroyed homes and businesses last summer and early fall were destructive because they were fire out of control.
The fire of God must always be under His control. That is why it is imperative that we stay close to Him and spend quality time in His Holy Word. It is not that we burn brightly for ourselves, but that we let the fire of God glow through us.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 41:12
“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”
A true rejoicing of my heart is all of the friends that I have made across the years. Though I seem to make friends easily and naturally, I never take them for granted — each one is a very a special gift. But this has not always been the case.
As a boy I don’t recall ever having an especially close friend. Oh, how I longed for that kind of bonded relationship! Most of my life has been spent feeling that I was unique in that regard. But now, being somewhat matured and having talked with more and more people, I realize that most people feel they lack true friends, especially when they are growing up.
This passage in Psalm 41 certainly is prophetic of Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it also has personal implications. There are those times in life when our closest friends turn their backs on us and we find ourselves all alone. This is the time when we need to experience the friendship of Jesus who will never leave us or reject us.
There is an old hymn that goes something like this: “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus, He’s the only One who cares and understands.” Jesus is our true friend!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Someone has observed that shadows are often larger than the real object. When I was a police officer there were a few times when I was scared out of my wits by a huge shadow…only to discover it was a small cat walking in front of the headlights of a car and creating a larger than life shadow.
Death often casts a huge shadow, but it should hold no fear for the child of God. In II Corinthians 5:8 the Apostle Paul reminds us that “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Death is our doorway into eternity. How fantastic!
As we consider the words of this song we should make it our prayer request. It should be our desire to walk closer to the Lord than ever before. It should not be just one time, but it should be our fervent desire to walk closer to Him with each passing day.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er,
to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
To access the free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/justacloserwalkwiththee/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
— Pastor Cecil
