by Pastor Cecil | May 10, 2019 | 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.”
This day has a special meaning for me since it was the birth date of my precious wife, Joyce. She would have been 85 today if she had not gone to be with the Lord just over four years ago. Even though she is no longer close to me, she is now experiencing a closer walk with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Death often casts a huge shadow, but it should hold no fear for the child of God. In 2 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: https://gloryscapes.com/justacloserwalkwiththee/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 6, 2019 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, 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.”
Back when I was in high school (in the dark ages), I read a poem that rattled my cage. I cut it out and carried it around for many years before losing it. I have wished many times that I still had it. I hope you enjoy what I recall. It went something like this:
When skies are blue and songbirds sing;
When flowers bloom, their fragrance bring;
When friends abound and funds abound;
When health and love are easily found;
It doesn’t take a lot of sand to shout and sing, to beat the band.
BUT – – –
When things go wrong—as they often do;
When skies suddenly lose their azure blue;
When well laid plans fall into a crumpled heap;
When weary eyes scream out for peaceful sleep;
THEN – – –
Is the time to take our stand, it’s the time to walk by faith and take God’s hand!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 22, 2019 | Psalm
Psalm 31:24
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
“I hope he chooses me! I hope he chooses me!” Those were the words that would race through my mind as sides were being chosen for some game we played as kids. Suffice it to say, I was usually one of the last to be called — more like a booby-prize than a coveted reward.
That concept of the word “hope” seems to be all too common. It is thought of as wishing for something that possibly could happen, but probably will not happen. That is just the reality of life (at least it was in my early years).
Let me correct that idea for us once and for all. The Hebrew word for “hope” as used in today’s scripture is yachal. It carries with it the meaning of expectation. Do you hear that? It is waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us!
Please read that last sentence over one more time. It is waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us! It is not what we desire for ourselves, but what God wants to do in and through us. I think the greatest joy in life is to be used of God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 19, 2019 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
We are told that the persecution of believers around the world is increasing. Many are tortured for their faith and some killed. It has been estimated that there are over 100,000 deaths each year at the hands of the enemies of the cross.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. It has ministered to many people across the years.
About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write, and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his Second Piano Concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!
Hiding in Thee
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
To access this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee/
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 18, 2019 | Psalm
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.”
On a blistering hot sunny day, a glass of cool clear water is a refreshing treat that often calls for more than one glass before our thirst is satisfied. I only wish we had that same thirst for God and His Word.
The Psalmist David had this kind of thirst for his God. It is well to remember how David is described in I Samuel 13:14 as “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart.” How would the Lord describe you? How would He describe me?
If we hunger and thirst after the things of God we will find ourselves constantly wanting to spend time in His Word and speaking with Him in our private place of prayer.
To measure our thirst for God let’s evaluate the time we spend seeking to be alone with Him. Do we have a place and time set aside that we devote to seeking a closer walk with Him? Can we be found faithful in placing His will for our life ahead of our own self-centered will? (It’s getting a little quiet in here, isn’t it?)
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 23, 2019 | 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.”
When I was in high school I worked with my dad and brother in building a house. Sometimes I made glaring mistakes. I remember one such incident when my dad quipped, “Honestly, Son, sometimes I wonder why you were ever born!” I just grinned and sassily replied, “Well Dad, accidents happen!” He was quick to chastise my remark and assure me that I had certainly been no accident. I deeply regretted my sassy retort and never asked him to explain!
As a matter of fact, none of us are here by accident! I am firmly convinced that God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. We may not have the same talents, gifts, or opportunities, but we have a unique purpose that God has designed for us.
I am struck by the reality that God is never surprised about where we are and what is happening around us. He is in complete control and has us there for a purpose. HIS PURPOSE!
I love the idea that each and every one of us has a course that is set out before us. We have not been this way before and the way may seem unfamiliar to us, but thank God, He goes before us and has set the course. All we have to do is keep our eyes on Him and follow. “For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”Psalm 139:4-6
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
