by Pastor Cecil | Nov 26, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1-5
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”
Thanksgiving Day is almost here in the United States. Canada celebrated their Thanksgiving Day on October 13th. Many other nations around the world set aside a specific day to give thanks.
The Canadian Thanksgiving Day tradition goes back to the year 1578. English explorer, Martin Frobisher, had been trying to discover a northern passage to the orient. He did not succeed, but he did establish a settlement in what is now known as Newfoundland. He declared the second Monday in October as a day of thanksgiving and praise.
The traditions for Thanksgiving Day here in the United States go back to the year 1621 when the pilgrims gathered their harvest and rejoiced that God had given them crops to sustain them through the coming cold winter months.
As Christians we need to have a spirit of thanksgiving at all times. It is not only on the day when family and friends gather for food and fellowship, but in the days when food is scarce and the future is uncertain.
It is essential that we realize that our future is not defined by our years here on earth. We have an indescribable feast being prepared for us in heaven. It is the marriage supper of the Lamb. What a day of rejoicing that will be!
For this reason we can and should make each and every day a day to give thanks. Give thanks to the Lord that He has given us new life in Him and has placed the Holy Spirit in our hearts to guide and comfort. Thank you Lord! formal
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 14, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 65:5-7
“You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.”
So you want to get away from the rat race…you long for peace and tranquility which will settle your stress and frustration…the thought of simpler and more sedate times is often appealing…
There is a program on Public Television called Alone In the Wilderness. It chronicles the year in the life of a man who left civilization and built a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness. The utter isolation was interrupted occasionally by a small bush plane which brought him supplies and mail—but other than that, it was only Dick and the wild animals.
As idyllic as the scenes of the program might be, isolation is not the answer to the hustle and chaos of daily living. Man is by his very nature created to have interaction with others. There may be recluses who cut themselves off from other people, but by their very actions they reveal there are problems which have not been resolved.
In Mark, Chapter 4, we find the story of Jesus who was surrounded by a huge crowd of people. The crowd was so large that He got into a boat and sat in it as He taught the people who were on the shore. At evening He told His disciples to take the boats to the other side of the lake. (According to Mark 4:36, there were several boats).
While Jesus slept peacefully on a cushion, a furious squall came up and threatened the boats. Remember that many of these disciples were seasoned fishermen who had spent their lives out on this lake in all kinds of weather. Now came a storm that threatened to swamp them.
In their fear and alarm they called out to Jesus. It seemed impossible that He could sleep through such a storm. The men woke Jesus and asked Him if He didn’t care if they were about to drown. It is then that we read the quiet words of power which He proclaimed in Mark 4:39: “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! (peace) Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
I want to remind you once more that these men were not simple recreational boaters. They had spent their lives in all kinds of weather conditions, and if they felt that the situation was desperate, it really was. They had almost come to the conclusion that all was hopeless and that they would never reach shore again. I think that when they called to Jesus, it was not so that He would quiet the wind and waves—that had never been done in their experience.
Perhaps they thought to wake Jesus to have Him prepare for the inevitable drowning. Jesus shocked them when He demonstrated that His power was great enough to control the forces of nature.
You may be facing situations that are threatening to “swamp your boat!” Now is the time to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember…it is Jesus who has the power to calm and bring order out of chaos.
Here is an old hymn by Elisha A. Hoffman: I Must Tell Jesus.
1. “I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He kindly will help me, He always loves and cares for His own.”
2. “I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, He is a kind compassionate friend; If I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.”
3. “Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior. One who can help my burdens to bear; I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus, He all my cares and sorrows will share.”
4. “O how the world of evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin! I must tell Jesus and He will help me over the world the victory to win.”
Chorus: “I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 75:1-5
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; men tell of Your wonderful deeds. You say, ‘I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.’ (Selah) To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift up your horns against heaven; do not speak with an outstretched neck.'”
What an unusual phrase: “- – an outstretched neck.” It is rendered that way in the New International Version of the Bible. In the King James Version it is: “- – a stiff neck.” In the New American Standard it is: “- – an insolent pride.” In the first two versions we have a word picture, while in the NASB we find more of 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 a proud peacock. 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.
From time to time a story is passed around the Internet of a school teacher who was a professed atheist. This man seemed to delight in demeaning any student who professed faith in Jesus Christ. One student was adamant about her faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. It was a simple faith, and she did not make an issue of it, but it affected her whole life.
One day this teacher thought of a way to humiliate this girl and at the same time demonstrate his atheistic position. He asked the girl to go to the window. He then said to her; “Mary, look all around, do you see the flowers and grass and trees?” Mary responded that she did. Do you see God anywhere?” Mary answered, “No.” He then asked her to look up into the sky. He asked her, “Mary, do you see God in the sky?” Again Mary answered, “No.”
When Mary had returned to her seat, the teacher smiled smugly (with an outstretched neck) and said, “You see class, we have just proved that there is no God!”
Mary raised her hand and asked to speak. The arrogant teacher granted her request. Mary called to Ted, a boy who was seated in the first row. “Ted,” she said, “Do you see our teacher, Mr. Smith?” Ted answered that he did. Mary then asked, “Ted, do you see Mr. Smith’s brain?” Ted said, “No.” Mary smiled to Mr. Smith and quietly asked, “Have we just proved that you do not have a brain?” Mr. Smith gave the class an assignment and never tried such a stunt again.
Silly story? Yes it is. But it is no more silly than the people with pompous attitudes toward God. They seem to feel that their rejection of God proves that there is no God. How ridiculous. It only proves that they do not believe in God!
But wait! What about those who believe in God, but have never entered into a personal experience with Him. I am sad to say that there are those believers who also stretch out their necks in pride and arrogance. They rely on themselves rather than trusting in the Lord. In their pride they call upon God only when they get into trouble.
Let me close for today with this passage 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 | Oct 21, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 86:1-7
“Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me.”
You may have a handle on prayer, but I certainly do not. I am convinced that what little I seem to know about prayer is based upon what I have heard others pray in my presence, and I fail to see a description of that type of praying in Scripture.
Most generally we gather for our prayer meetings with want lists of the answers we seek from the Lord. At times it even progresses beyond that as some even seem to have the audacity to begin to tell God what He is to do. HELP!! May the Lord forgive our impudence and self-centeredness.
In the pattern of prayer I see in Scripture, a different approach to prayer is given. It is far superior than the long, flowery prayers that we often pray or hear others pray.
I thought it would be interesting to dissect this prayer of David which we see in today’s Scripture. You may recall your biology class in high school when you had to dissect a frog to see the inner parts. Please don’t squirm on me! It will not smell of formaldehyde—but I hope it will be even more productive.
DAVID’S REQUESTS:
As I read through these seven verses, I see at least seven requests: (1) “Hear and answer me.” (2) “Guard my life.” (3) “Save Your servant.” (4) “Have mercy on me.” (5) “Bring joy to your servant.” (6) “Hear my prayer.” (7) “Listen to my cry for mercy.”
As I read over these seven requests, I notice how they are directed at himself. I have heard some people say that such prayers as these are selfish. That is not the case. David was expressing his personal bankrupt condition and that it was only the Lord who could help.
Not only is it unselfish praying, it is an acknowledgement of personal inadequacy. It is nothing like the prayer of the Pharisee in Luke 18:11. That man boasted of his condition. David opened his heart and exposed his need. It is only beginning. Look at his personal condition.
David uses five terms to describe his condition: (1) “I am Poor and needy.” (2) “I am devoted to You.” (3) “I trust You.” (4) “I call on You all day long.” (5) “To You I lift up my soul.”
Such openness and honesty brings the one who is praying into the presence of Almighty God as a small child who is totally reliant upon his Father to take him by the hand and care for him. YES!
There are three statements that David uses to acknowledge the qualities which God possesses: (1) “You are my God.” (2) “You are forgiving and good.” (3) “You are abounding in love to all who call to You.”
Much more could be said about the loving God we serve, but David has hit the core qualities which give him the confidence to call upon the name of the Lord. Here is the way David concludes his prayer: “In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me.” What assurance and total confidence. In all of our faults and shortcomings, we know that when we call to the Lord, he will hear us and answer in His own way.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 14, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 19:7-11
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
What a fantastic passage of Scripture! If you have not memorized it before, I suggest that you take the time to write it down on a 3×5 card and start putting it to memory. The next time you wonder: “Where did my joy go?” Here is your answer.
A few days ago I watched a brief portion of a TV program where a needy family received a complete new home. Four of the five members in the family had life threatening medical problems.
An eight year-old daughter had a condition known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She was not able to walk and had to be in a wheelchair or carried everywhere she needed to go. As she was being interviewed I was so impressed by her words that I hit the record button and was able to record her comments: “Even though I’m in pain, I’m always happy—because if you always look at the bright side—it really changes your life.”
Years ago I was praying with a young woman who was weeping her eyes out. I asked her if she had received Jesus as her personal Savior? She responded that she had. I asked if there were any sins that she knew of that needed to be confessed? She couldn’t think of any.
She had prayed at the altar for quite a lengthy period of time yet continued to be broken up and no closer to having peace in her heart. I finally became very blunt. That was back before I was sweet and gentle like I am today. – – – Cough! Cough!
I pulled her head up so our eyes were only a few inches apart. Very firmly I asked; “Why are you wasting our time and God’s time unless you really say what you want Him to do for you?” With tears still streaming out of her eyes she replied; “I just want to be happy!”
I exploded in laughter. She looked shocked by my reaction. I took her hands in mine and prayed, “Lord, Your sweet daughter has lost her joy and can’t seem to find it. Your Word tells us that You are our source of joy, so please pour some out right now!” HER JOY CAME!
Sometimes we become so focused on ourselves and our own concerns that we lose sight of the source of our joy—the Lord and His Word!
I am humbled by those of you around the world who have been called upon to endure pain and persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ. How can I be justified in complaining for my own minor inconveniences when so many have suffered so much?
Father, I bow before You right now. I pray that the joy which we believers seek will not be for our own physical satisfaction, but for Your blessed spiritual joy. May the things of this world pass away as we come nearer to You. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 13, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 119:9-12
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Praise be to You, O LORD; teach me Your decrees.”
Over the past few years, my wife, Joyce, and I have been blessed as we have watched the Discovery Health Channel’s look into the life of a large family who live in Springdale, Arkansas. When I say large, I mean LARGE! At this point, Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger have 17 children and number 18 is on the way.
As extraordinary as that may be, that is not the thing that has gripped us the most. The greatest blessing is to see a family who is committed to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. A family who stands firmly on the principle: “God says it—I believe it—that’s good enough for me!”
In the back of my mind I have wondered what would happen as the children were old enough to leave the nest. I should not have worried. God’s Word is very plain as it says in Proverbs 22:6; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The last installment of the Dugger family program featured their oldest son Joshua, as he chose a beautiful young lady, Anna Keller, to become his wife. Josh asked the permission of his father and her father before proceeding with his proposal to Anna. (His proposal was caught on tape!)
Here is another remarkable thing: Josh and Anna purposed in their hearts that they would not kiss until their wedding day. That was not a requirement imposed by either set of parents, but a godly choice they had made themselves.
Let me share with you the following announcement that was made on Josh and Anna’s web page:
“We are pleased to announce that as of Friday, September 26, 2008, we are married! Praise The LORD! We are excited our parents have given their full blessing on our relationship and we have been blessed entering marriage with purity and a commitment to each other that will last forever.
We would like to express our appreciation to God for His great love toward us by sending His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, that we might have life eternally and His blessing & abundant grace by trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross. As Paul exhorted the Ephesians, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” God has given us the greatest example of sacrificial love and we trust that we will always be able to share that kind of selfless love for each other.
We are grateful to our parents, who have given us both the opportunity to be raised in loving homes where Christ is the center focus. Training us in the ways of God, they have instilled in us a solid Biblical Worldview rooted in the truths of God Word, the Bible, clearly displayed by their faith in Him in daily living. We cannot express enough our deep gratitude for all the ways that they have invested in our lives.
We are forever indebted to so many of you for devoting so much into Anna & I over the years. We value our relationships with you and look forward to enjoying your friendship for years to come.”
Reading that glorious announcement gives me hope and confidence that the Lord is still in control and He calls us to live holy lives that stand out from the sin of the world around us.
May God bless and enrich Josh and Anna as they walk as one before the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
