by Pastor Cecil | Dec 22, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 98:4-6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
What a wonderful time of the year! Christmas has always held a special feeling of joy and peace for me. Gift giving and receiving brings the family nearer then than perhaps at any other time of the year.
When I was serving in the US Air Force and stationed on a remote assignment to northern Newfoundland, Canada, there was one song that always brought tears to my eyes — I’ll Be Home For Christmas. I think it was the last phrase that went something like this: I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams. My heart ached to be home with my wife and three kids, but even though I would be separated from them by thousands of miles, I would be with them in my dreams.
There are many scholars who question whether Jesus was actually born on the day we celebrate as Christmas. Their arguments sound very convincing and very well may be true, but their reasoning leaves the Christian church with no other day set apart to honor the miraculous entrance of the Son of God as a tiny baby in a dirty stable. His birth in such surroundings revealed that anyone who would accept Him would have a new home.
Thinking of that new home that Jesus is preparing for those who are His children makes me homesick. We are not there yet, but we can see heaven in our dreams and yearn for that day when He welcomes us home. Keep Christ in Christmas!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 16, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 37:5-6
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Those on the world scene, such as sports figures, political figures, etc., may seem to be larger than life, but in a very short period of time, they fade away and are forgotten. But the person who commits themselves to shape your life by their care and concern, will never be forgotten.
When I was in my graduate work, my major professor was constantly hounding me to look up the meaning of words. (I regret that I do not do that as often as I should.)
In today’s Scripture I have underlined the word, “commit”. In the Hebrew it is the word “galal.” I am sure you are greatly impressed. Before you doze off, let me share a definition that adds color. It has a primitive root meaning, “TO ROLL.”
When we commit ourselves to the Lord, we “ROLL” all that we have and are and hope to be on Him, knowing that He cares for us. It is not just some — ho hum, I think I will try this commitment thing to see if it works. Rolling it onto the Lord, means I leave it with Him and trust Him to handle it.
Years ago I read this wonderful “Statement of Commitment.” It was penned by a young African pastor and tacked to a wall in his house.
MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN:
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me because my banner will be clear!
WOW!!! That is what I call rolling all we are in commitment to the Lord. I endorse and stand in agreement with what this dear brother has committed. I invite each of you to do the same.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 12, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 98:4-6
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King”
It has been told that Isaac Watt, who wrote the words of this beautiful Christmas hymn, had not intended it to be used only at Christmas. He wrote the words to paraphrase the words we find in today’s Scripture in Psalm 98.
To me it is a reminder that God will take our most feeble efforts and allow them to be used to accomplish His divine purpose. Once again Proverbs 3:5-6 is proven true: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Please enjoy this hymn of praise.
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.
To access Joy to the World, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/joytotheworld/ in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 11, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.“
Over the years I have had the privilege of experiencing a variety of professions. One of the most enjoyable was working as a County Juvenile Officer. I had come into the position directly from serving as a city police officer, so I was well acquainted with the patrol officers who worked the night shift.
I frequently rode around with one of the officers as he made his rounds. From time to time I would spot a juvenile who was part of my caseload. I would note the time, location and who else was present. Many times the probationer was on a court ordered curfew.
The next time that individual came in to report I would ask if they were adhering to their curfew. The response was usually that they were. I would then ask about the day and time I had observed them. The look of astonishment was priceless. I would then proceed to take the necessary action that was merited. It wasn’t long before they felt like I was everywhere and they had better keep on the straight and narrow.
In today’s Scripture we see that the Lord is everywhere and He knows all about us. There are no time-outs when it comes to living for the Lord. He knows each and everything about us. That is not a bad thing, but a constant reminder that He is always there when we call. Praise the Lord!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 3, 2014 | Psalm
Psalm 37:1-7
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
It seems like a lifetime ago that I was in Officer’s Training School and marching across the parade ground. One of the first things we learned was that our eyes were always to be focused directly ahead. The only exception was when we passed the review stand and the order was shouted –“Eyes, Right!” After passing the stand the order would be “Ready, front!”
Our spiritual life is not the parade ground, but we can gain some valuable insights from marching in formation. The Psalmist David warns us about letting our eyes focus on the wrong things. It is very easy to fret and envy the wicked when we see them living a life of luxury while we struggle to get by.
David jars us to attention by reminding us that this world is not our home nor is it their home. There will come a day when the ungodly will stand before God Himself and what a sad day it will be. They will fade like fragile flowers in the sun, but we will shine as the noonday sun. Joy comes in the morning, but until then we need to keep our eyes in the right direction.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 27, 2014 | 2 Corinthians, Psalm
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
For as long as I can remember I have been a positive person. Depression has never been an enemy that I had to encounter. When I tell people that I am doing great, they doubt it and seem to feel that I am not being honest with them. This has been the case with caring for a wife with dementia. We have had wonderful support from family and friends, but often it is just me and Joyce. These have been precious times that I cherish.
There have been several who want to protect me and have suggested that it is too much for us and that we need to consider placement in a care facility or bring in outside help to take some of the load.
This evening I was cleaning up in the kitchen and today’s Scripture came to me. When the Lord told Paul that His grace was sufficient for the thorn that Paul experienced, how did he respond? He did not call in the cavalry troops to help—he went right on doing what he was called to do in faith that God’s grace was sufficient.
I thank God that He has given me strength and guidance to keep on keeping on. I intend to do just that very thing and like Paul I do it with delight!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
