by Pastor Cecil | Jul 26, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”
Wrecking yards are wonderful places. Vehicles that have been in accidents or experienced mechanical failures are brought to the yard just waiting to be parted out. When you need a spare part for your car and do not have the funds to buy a new part, a wrecking yard can be a blessing. God also has a wrecking yard.
A friend from my year of service at St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada, sent me a message that Rev. Bob Harrington had died. Bob Harrington was once known as the Chaplain of Bourbon Street. Back in Newfoundland we spent many hours listening to his messages on reel-to-reel tapes (the latest and greatest in modern technology 50 years ago).
It was heartbreaking to hear the news many years ago that Bob Harrington turned his back on the Lord and went the way of the world. I am sure that Satan danced with glee that this servant of the Lord had fallen from grace. That is until God sent another one of His servants to restore His lost child.
One day a call came from a pastor friend of Bob’s urging him to return to the fold of God. Bob answered that call and was used of God — once again he became effective in winning souls for Christ. Perhaps not as good as new, but try telling that to a soul saved by grace!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 14, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 60:4
“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”
Flags (or banners) identify a nation. At the beginning of the Olympic Games there is the parade of nations. Each nation’s representatives proudly follow their flag bearer who holds high the symbol of that nation.
One of the iconic images from WWII was the placing of the flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945 by six U.S. Marines. Only days after the raising of the flag, three of the six were killed in combat.
Jesus left us the task of reaching the world and making disciples of all nations. His flag over us propels us to give our all in this great cause. Some have paid with their lives in order to rally around His flag.
Let me close today with the pledge to the Christian Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty for all who believe.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 9, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 90:1-2
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This week’s hymn by Isaac Watts is a paraphrase of Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present day usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas; one, two, three, five, and nine.
The hymn was originally part of; The Psalms of David Imitated in the language of the New Testament, published by Watts in 1719.
It has often been sung for special occasions in England. For instance it was sung in 1941, at a religious service on board HMS Prince of Wales, attended by Sir Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt as part of the conference creating the Atlantic Charter. It was also sung at the Funeral service for Winston Churchill in 1965.
O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
To enjoy this free inspirational video: O God, Our Help in Ages Past, go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ogodourhelpinagespast/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 6, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 20:7
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
As a young ten-year-old boy, I remember hearing reports that the allies had invaded Europe on the beaches of Normandy. It was called “D-Day.” Screaming newspaper headlines announced that it was the largest seaborne invasion in history, and it began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe.
There were many casualties and while victories were to be experienced, the price came at the expense of the lives of many brave men. During those war years there were numerous broken hearts as telegrams were received with the news of the death of a member of the family.
Let’s face it — this world is a battle ground. The enemy of our soul is entrenched in many strongholds. He may foresee his final end, just as Adolph Hitler did, but that does not mean he will surrender without a fight. He will take as many with him as possible. Hearts will be broken as the casualties are announced.
There is good news, however. We know how our battle will end. Victory has been assured through the blood of our Savior and Lord. Those who enter the service of the King of kings are assured of ultimate victory. Which side of the battle line are you on?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 17, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 37:16
“A little that a righteous man has is better that the riches of many wicked.”
Perhaps you’ve heard someone comment that a certain person “was born with a silver spoon in his (or her) mouth.” The thought behind the expression was that this sort of person used their financial means to bully others.
I have never had the problem of being a rich bully. More often than not I have been bullied by others who held the financial advantage. They possessed the means to assist people, but instead used it to put others in a financial bind.
Jesus often condemned those who used their wealth as a means to abuse those who had very little. You may recall His parable in Luke 16 of the rich man and Lazarus. It appears that the rich man almost taunted or even bullied Lazarus who ate the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. You can almost visualize the rich man tossing food fragments on the ground to watch Lazarus scramble for them. Both men died and the days of bullying were over. The sad wail of the rich man will be heard throughout all of eternity. Satan will forever be his bully!
It is not necessary for us to be rich in order to become rich bullies. If we have the means to make the way easier for others, yet make them miserable by withholding assistance, we are a rich bully. It is time to freely give to others!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 12, 2017 | Psalm
“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” (Psalm 107:29-30).
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.
To access Liebestraum & It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/liebestraum/ in your browser or click on the image below.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
