​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for November 30, 2021 “THE GOD OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS!” Daniel 9:9

THE GOD OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS!

Daniel 9:9 – Devotional

Daniel 9:9

“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.”

I am so glad that we serve a Savior who blesses us with mercy and forgiveness that we desperately need, but absolutely do not deserve. The Pharisees of Jesus day were like proud peacocks trying to display their puny acts of righteousness.

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and condemned them to remain just as they chose to be. On the other hand our precious Lord listened with favor to the honest confession of penitent sinners and they were cleansed.

God is a wonderful Savior who lovingly welcomes the humble believer who comes just as we are and rest in His arms of love and forgiveness. It is not what we earn or deserve, but it is what we terribly need.

I share my heart with you this day that I come to Jesus many times each day to receive His mercy and forgiveness. Not for salvation, that has been settled, but for restoration to be in right relationship at all times. Thank you Lord!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for November 29, 2021 “SEARCH ME-KNOW ME-LEAD ME!” Psalm 139:23-24

SEARCH ME-KNOW ME-LEAD ME!

Psalm 139:23-24 – Devotional

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me, and know my thoughts: and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon! Consistency in our walk with the Lord should be based upon a steady and solid understanding that God has beautifully provided a guide for our life – the Bible.

I am reminded of a quartet that had a song in their program that required them to search the congregation for the Solid Rock. That Solid Rock was the Bible. In one church they sadly hit a snag. As they searched row after row they found no Bible! They even went into the pastor’s study and could not find a Bible. They finally had to improvise and simply sing that it is God’s Word that is the Solid Rock!

As born again believers we need to spend more quality time with our noses in our Bible. Stop to pray the words we are reading. Make an effort to memorize those passages that have special meaning for us.

As we sincerely desire for God to become more and more real in our life, we will desire more time allowing Him to search us, know us and lead us! “Lead on dear Lord, we are listening!”

Blessings dear heart! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for November 28, 2021 "REWARDED FOR ENDURING!" James 1:12

REWARDED FOR ENDURING!

James 1:12​ –  Devotional

James 1:12

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him.”

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 November 27, 2021 “GOD MADE IT ALL!” Colossians 1:16

GOD MADE IT ALL!

Colossians 1:16​ –  Devotional

Colossians 1:16

“By Him all things were created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.”

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 November 26, 2021 “O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL!” Luke 2:15

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL!

Luke 2:15 – Devotional

Luke 2:15

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'”

The beloved Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles). The words were written by an Englishman, John Wade who had originally intended it as a hymn.

The music to “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. In 1841, Rev. Frederick Oakley revised the lyrics of “Adeste Fideles”.

While it would be an appropriate hymn at any time of the year, it has become a cherished Christmas Carol. Let us all come and adore, Christ the Lord.

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

1. O Come All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

2. O Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

3. All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/ocomeallyefaithful/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for November 25, 2021 "GIVE THANKS!" Colossians 1:3 

GIVE THANKS!

Colossians 1:3 – Devotional

Colossians 1:3

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”

A day of thanksgiving is set aside in many nations. Here in the United States it is on the 4th Thursday in November. (That’s today). At least ten other countries have days of celebration set aside to give thanks.

As my mind goes back over fifty years and the year I spent in Newfoundland, I think of the different days and ways people from other nations (who were there in service to their nation or serving in the Grenfell Hospital in St. Anthony, gave thanks.

It was a blessing to thank God for His tender mercies to us even though many tears were shed because we were separated from our loved ones back home. Those days reminded me that our sorrow of separation is always temporary. There will come a time when we will wipe away all of our tears in a joyous reunion!

This Thanksgiving Day I ask you, wherever you are to thank God for His wonderful blessings. Especially give the Lord thanks that He has given us eternal life and victory through our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!

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 November 24, 2021 "BORN AGAIN!" 1 Peter 1:23

BORN AGAIN!

1 Peter 1:23 – Devotional

1 Peter 1:23

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.”

Being “born again” is actually being born spiritually for the first time. It is a new birth into the everlasting family of God. If God is our Father (He is!), and we are His children (we are), we need to start acting as His children.,

Now there are two primary ways children may act as their father’s children: In obedience or in disobedience. I won’t ask for a show of hands on which is which, but you know where you would place yourself!

My mom used to make me sit on a stool quietly and think about how I had just misbehaved. That was pure torture for me since I seem to have been wired for action and trouble. I never had to look for trouble, it always seemed to be on the look-out for me!

When I gave my heart to Jesus as a young boy, there was a change in my pattern of behavior. I somehow knew at that early age that I wanted to please God and not just try to please my mom. I have not always succeeded, but I’m trying!

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 November 23, 2021 “WE ARE NEVER ALONE!” Proverbs 18:24

WE ARE NEVER ALONE!​!

Proverbs 18:24 – Devotional

Proverbs 18:24

“A man that has friends must himself be a friend to others. There is a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother.”

Being alone is a sad and dismal position. We really do need each other and a friend is one of the greatest possessions we can have. It is a sad and poor man who has no friends. Friends are different than companions. Companions may be close by, but really are not close enough for us to share our deepest feelings.

Thinking back across the years of my life, I have had a wealth of friends. Many years ago I received a plaque from a dear friend that holds special meaning for me. It reads; “A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you’ve been, accepts who you’ve become, and still gently invites you to grow.”

You may have such a dear friend, but as believers we all have a friend who is even closer. Of course I am speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who is with us at all times. We are never really alone when others have departed, for He stays with us all through life’s darkest hours.

You may even question whether it even helps to pray. Hold it! That fatalistic view of life is like slamming the door in the face of our closest friend who patiently stands at the door and quietly knocks. He is always here to help us. Please open the door and allow Him to heal all of the hurts you feel right now.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · November 22nd: Ezekiel 44:1-45:12, 1 Peter 1:1-13, Psalm 119:17-35, Proverbs 28:8-10

CONSUMED BY GOD’S WORD!

Psalm 119:13 – Devotional

Psalm 119:13

“My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.”

It is that time of year when the temperature can dip to near 32 degrees. That is my signal that I can start using my wood stove. There is something about the heat emanating from my small stove that seems to wrap the entire house in comfort.

Over the years I have often been struck with the way wood is consumed by the fire. I light the fire by using small kindling and progressively adding larger pieces of wood. A log on the coals is gradually … Consumed!

I am reminded that we have choices in our spiritual life. We can either be consumed in serving the Lord or rotting out in our original condition. I like to think of it as either burning up or rotting out.

I would rather live my life in such a way that I am consumed in serving God so that I leave nothing but a bit of ashes. The alternative is to burn out and remain a charred and ugly block of wood. We have enough ugly blocks already. What we need to see are more ashes left by people who have burned brightly for the Lord and slipped into eternity having been consumed with the zeal for the Lord.

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 November 21, 2021 “COME NEAR TO GOD!” James 4:7-8

COME NEAR TO GOD!

James 4:7-8 –  Devotional

James 4:7-8

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you who sin; and purify your hearts, you who are double minded.”

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 November 20, 2021 "GOODBYE IZZY!" 1 Corinthains 15:39

GOODBYE IZZY!

1 Corinthians 15:39 –  Devotional

1 Corinthians 15:39

“All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.”

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 November 19, 2021 “HO, EVERYONE WHO IS THIRSTY!” Isaiah 51:1-2

HO, EVERYONE WHO IS THIRSTY!

Isaiah 51:1-2​​ ​ –  Devotional

Isaiah 51:1-2

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

Water, water, everywhere…and not a drop to drink! Those words have probably been uttered many times by victims stranded in the middle of the ocean. The salt-laden sea seems to mock them – they are surrounded by water, but it would be poison to their system to drink it.

Lucy Jane Rider Meyer wrote the words of today’s hymn. She was born on a Vermont farm in 1849. Lucy was a teacher and not only founded many high schools, but went on to teach chemistry at McKendree College, a school for freed blacks in North Carolina. She was one of the first female professors.

What a refreshing thought that a brilliant professor was able to use the Word of God to bring music to the thirsty human soul. Oh, that we had more brave educators who would be willing to put their reputations on the line for the things of God. I thirst for that!

 

HO, EVERYONE WHO IS THIRSTY

1. Ho! Everyone that is thirsty in spirit,
Ho! Everyone that is weary and sad;
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus,
All that you’re longing for; come and be glad!

Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.

2. Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth’s joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List’ to the promise, a message for you!

Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.

3. Child of the kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but “fullness” thy longing can meet;
‘Tis the enduement for life and for service;
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet.

Refrain: I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While you are seeking Me, I will be found.

To access Ho! Everyone Who Is Thirsty, this week’s inspirational video, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/hoeveryonewhoisthirsty/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for November 18, 2021 “CHEW THE CUD!” Psalm 1:1-2

CHEW THE CUD!

Psalm 1:1-2 – Devotional

Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

In my book, “Life Is A Blast” I recall a cow our family owned when I was a boy. Her name was Blossom and she was a gentle creature. I was too young to milk her, but I enjoyed spending time with her.

One of the things that I found fascinating about Blossom was the way she chewed the cud. She would chew and chew her hay then swallow it. After a short time there would be a rumble and she would burp up some of the partially digested hay and chew it again. It is the way with cows to process their food in order to internalize it.

It is interesting that the word (meditate) in the original Hebrew tongue means to rumble or growl, but also to muse or think deeply. In my mind as we read these two verses that begin the Book of Psalms, we are called to bring the words up over and over again until they become part of our being.

Here is the vital question—are we spending the time chewing on God’s Word in order for it to dwell in us completely? Do we appropriate the deep meaning of the word and allow it to make our life complete? Let us chew the cud of God’s word!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil