​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 30, 2021 "DIRECTIONS PLEASE!" Proverbs 3:5-6

DIRECTIONS PLEASE!

Proverbs 3:5-6 –  Devotional

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do rely on your own understanding. In everything you do give Him the credit and He will make your ways straight.”

I have a pretty good sense of direction, but I must confess there have been times when I was totally lost. It is not a pleasant feeling to realize you had lost your way and could not find your way back to familiar ground.

I once was hunting with a friend for chucker partridges in the desert lands of Idaho. Since we had not seen any birds, we decided to each go in a different direction. It was not long before I realized that the canyon where I now found myself was not the one I had originally been in. I WAS LOST!

After a few hours I met a group of hunters who were very familiar with the area and realized that I had followed the wrong canyon. I was soon reunited with my hunting partner.

It is possible for us to neglect constant contact with the Lord and discover that the territory in which we are traveling is not where we should be. It is when we feel lost that we need to get into God’s Word. It is in His Word we will find the directions we need. DIRECTIONS PLEASE LORD!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 29, 2021 "IMITATORS OF GOD!" Ephesians 5:1-2

IMITATORS OF GOD!

Ephesians 5:1-2 –  Devotional

Ephesians 5:1-2

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

As a boy I often found myself watching my dad and trying to imitate everything that he did. I know he was trying his best to follow the Lord and as a result I soon discovered that I could follow the Lord on my own.

Yes, I still needed the influence of my dad in my life, but much more so I needed the perfect example of Jesus to be the prime influence in my life. I failed many times, but I always knew that even though I would fail, Jesus would never fail!

As we strive to become imitators of Christ we need to seek the source of Divine guidance. That is in the Bible. We can hear others preach from passages to be found in the Bible, but it is essential to go to the source in God’s Word.

Jesus consistently used passages from the Old Testament and made His listeners discover that God’s Word is the pattern we are to follow. To truly be imitators of Christ we must spend time with Him in His Word!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 28, 2021 "THE RIGHT THOUGHTS!" Isaiah 55:8-9

THE RIGHT THOUGHTS!

Isaiah 55:8-9 –  Devotional

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Why is it important for us to spend quality time in God’s Word? The answer is that it is in the Word of God that we discover the mind of the Lord. He knows what lies before us and prepares us to be used by Him.

I recall working with a young man who desired to be used by the Lord. He had embarked upon the discipline of memorizing Scripture and copied portions of Scripture on 3X5 cards which he always carried with him.

He wanted to be a greater witness where he worked at a potato processing plant. I asked him what was the worst job that everyone else avoided? He immediately said it was cleaning up the rotten potatoes. By the way, the smell is horrendous.

The next week he was delighted to report that he had volunteered for that job and was now able to memorize and meditate as he mucked up the smelly mess. As it turned out, his action so impressed his boss that he was the last temporary worker to be employed as the season drew to a close and the first hired the next year! The greatest reward was not the job but finding God’s right thoughts!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 27, 2021 "WE ARE LIKE SHEEP!" Isaiah 53:6

WE ARE LIKE SHEEP!

Isaiah 53:6 –  Devotional

Isaiah 53:6

“We have all strayed and like wayward sheep gone our own willful way. But the Lord has laid on Him the sin that is rightfully ours.”

While attending college I worked on the local police department. There was an old veteran officer that frequently could be heard to utter these words: “The more I see of people, the more I think sheep are smart animals.” At the time I thought he was being crass and cynical, but more and more I tend to agree with his assessment.

Our natural inclination is to stray and go our own willful way. The Good Shepherd of our soul has tender love and care for us. No matter how often or how far we stray away from God’s care and protection, He is always concerned about us and tenderly cares for us. It is not what we deserve, but what we need!

How far have you personally wandered away from the Lord? Are you like a lost and wandering sheep that has strayed away from the Good Shepherd to seek the bitter weeds of sin and strife?

The fantastic news is that Jesus came into this old sinful world to save the lost sheep that are lost and are in danger being swallowed up by the vicious wolves of sin and strife. Return to Christ’s fold. He eagerly awaits your return!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 26, 2021 "OPEN OUR EYES!" Luke 24:30-31

OPEN OUR EYES!

Luke 24:30-31​ –  Devotional

Luke 24:30-31

“When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 25, 2021 "TO GOD BE GLORY!" Jude 1:24-25​

TO GOD BE GLORY!

Jude 1:24-25​ –  Devotional

Jude 1:24-25

“Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 24, 2021 "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!" Psalm 107:29-30

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

Psalm 107:29-30 –  Devotional

Psalm 107:29-30

“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.”

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 It Is Well With My Soul, an inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/

Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 23, 2021 "ONLY BY HIS GRACE!" Ephesians 2:8-9

ONLY BY HIS GRACE!

Ephesians 2:8-9 –  Devotional

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

More and more I am thrilled that Jesus opened the gates of glory to those whom were rejected by the self-righteous religious leaders of His day. Those who took pride in themselves were rejected by the Lord. He gave Himself freely to the very ones whom the spiritual elite of His day rejected.

I have always been drawn to those who have been rejected by the so-called normal people of the world. That may be the result of my own rejection in my early childhood days. I was always the last one chosen when teams were selected. I felt that I was considered a liability rather than an asset.

As a young boy, when I received Jesus as my personal Savior, I suddenly felt that I had been accepted just as I was. I was loved by the God of the universe and I now had purpose in my life.

As I read the gospels I discover that Jesus always reached out to the people like me. It was not what I did for Him that mattered, but what I allowed Him to do for me! I still want that for my life. It is not by my works but; ONLY BY HIS GRACE!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 22, 2021 "CHOOSE LIFE!" Deuteronomy 30:19

CHOOSE LIFE!

Deuteronomy 30:19 –  Devotional

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

Life is filled with choices. My granddaughter called a few hours ago and requested prayer about a decision that is confronting her. As I pray about her request, and numerous others that have been placed before me, I feel inadequate to answer.

The Lord has given us His precious Word as our guide and the Precious Holy Spirit to enlighten the path that lies before us. The answer to what steps we are to take may not be made plain to us immediately, but we always need to seek His guidance.

Today’s Scripture was a plea from Moses to the people of Israel who were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses would not enter with the people he had led out of bondage because of failure to follow God’s command exactly.

We need to always seek the voice of the Lord in our Bible study and prayer. It may only be a still, small voice, but God will speak to us when we take time to listen carefully for His precious whisper in our spirit.

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 21, 2021 "GODLY DISCIPLINE!" Isaiah 38:16

GODLY DISCIPLINE!

Isaiah 38:16 –  Devotional

Isaiah 38:16

“O Lord, Your discipline is for our good. It is kind and gentle and leads us to health here on earth and life eternal. It is by You that we receive health and life.”

As a boy our family moved to a new town and naturally I was enrolled in a new school. I think I was in the fifth grade and my new teacher was much like a Marine Corps drill sergeant. I didn’t realize this until I made some minor infraction and suddenly felt her ruler slam down on my hand.

That was not the end of the matter. The force of her blow caused the ruler to break and she exploded in anger and held me responsible for the broken ruler. I was sent to the principal’s office where I was told to behave myself in the future. (My teacher was terminated at the end of the school year. I think she blamed me.)

I am so glad we serve a God who has lived on earth as a human and experienced all of the circumstances that each of us face. He was confronted with injustice, scorn and pain, yet He endured it all. He died that we might live.

We all face times of godly discipline, but thank God they are not the sort as my grade school teacher dispensed. Godly discipline loves us enough to die for us that we might live for Christ. I like that sort of discipline. No broken ruler!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 20, 2021 "FREEDOM TO SERVE!" John 14:1-3

FREEDOM TO SERVE!

John 14:1-3 –  Devotional

John 14:1-3

“Listen fellow believers: God has called us to freedom; but be sure you do not use this wonderful freedom to live in the pleasures of the flesh, but to serve each other.”

As a boy I seemed to have had an aversion to do as I was told. Thankfully I grew up in an age when the board of education was applied to the seat of knowledge. It seemed as if I was more skilled at evading responsibility than doing what was required. Discipline resulted!

There came a day (I can’t recall exactly where and when it was), that I had the brilliant idea of doing something beneficial without being told. My parents were stunned by my actions and to see the pleased look on their faces brought joy to me as well. I began to do it more often!

All too often people have the mistaken idea that serving the Lord is burdensome and a drag. In their mind they picture a Christian as someone who is dull, boring and lifeless. That is so sad!

We have been called to serve the Lord with joy and gladness. So why are we so often dragging around like a hound dog lazing in the shade. We need to serve the Lord in the beauty of the new life He has given us. WE ARE FREE TO SERVE!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

 

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 19, 2021 “THANK GOD FOR OTHERS!” Philemon 1:4-6

THANK GOD FOR OTHERS!

Philemon 1:4-6 –  Devotional

Philemon 1:4-6

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 18, 2021 "FREE IN GOD’S LOVE!" 1 John 4:18

FREE IN GOD’S LOVE!

1 John 4:18 –  Devotional

1 John 4:18

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear possesses torment. He that possesses fear is not made perfect in love.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for September 17, 2021 "WITH THE LORD!" John 14:1-3

WITH THE LORD!

John 14:1-3 –  Devotional

John 14:1-3

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Yesterday afternoon I received a call from Mary Hunter, the wife of my long-time friend and our webmaster, Larry “Buck” Hunter. It was a call that I had been expecting, but at the same time, dreading.

Mary shared the news that “Buck” had gone to be with the Lord. As I have been in prayer for Mary and the three daughters, I have once again been reminded that for the believer, death is not the end, but the beginning of a paradise with God.

The promise which God gives us is such that the Apostle Paul stated that he would much prefer to be with the Lord, but as long as he was allowed to live he would be the Lord’s faithful servant.

I want that to be my purpose for as long as the Lord allows me to continue my ministry here on earth. I am homesick for heaven, but the Lord still has given me fruitful ministry here on earth. I will be as faithful as I know how, but more and more I long to be with the Lord and those who have gone before me.

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil