​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 31, 2021 “NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD!” James 4:8

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD!

James 4:8 – Devotional

James 4:8

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

My Dad was an encourager and was always there to insure that I was striving to be the man God wanted me to be. He stressed that after he was gone I would hold fast to the Gospel and point people in the direction of the cross. I yearn for the day when I will see my Dad once again, but even more so I yearn for the day when I will meet my Savior face to face.

Our current pandemic is not the first such disaster. In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the U.S. that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dreaded disease and the others in the household were quarantined. In Cleland’s hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and brought the college choir to sing it outside the house.

If you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death right now – – I know that each of us will at some time in our life – – let the words of this hymn bring the quiet assurance we need.

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

1. There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

2. There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

3. There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

Enjoy this week’s hymn from GloryScapes.com. To access a video of Near To The Heart of God, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod2/

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 30, 2021 “FREE TO CLEAN HOUSE!” Psalm 51:10

FREE TO CLEAN HOUSE!

Psalm 51:10 – Devotional

Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

A born-again believer has been given a new life in Jesus Christ. That means the Lord gives us freedom from the sins of the past. Freedom from past sins does not mean we have the freedom to continue in those sinful ways. There needs to be a continuous cleansing of our life.

Over the many years that I have served as pastor and counselor, I have been confronted with individuals who hang onto their old sinful habits. Perhaps I should rephrase that and say that the old habits have hung onto them.

Old sinful ways should have no place in the life of a victorious believer and follower of Jesus Christ. In today’s Scripture we are told that it is possible to be shortsighted and even blind to the sins that once controlled us.

It is time for an honest evaluation, regardless of how long we have been saved. What things need to be cleansed from our lives? Here is another way of looking at it; if Jesus returned today would He be pleased with the things we are doing? If not, it is time to get rid of the old. His blood has made us — free to clean house!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 29, 2021 “THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE!” James 4:14

THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE!

James 4:14 – Devotional

James 4:14

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

During this time of year I recall how very much my dear wife loved being with our family at this very special season. Christmas was always a special celebration for us. In sixty-six years we spent every Christmas together, except one. That was in 1966, when I was on a remote assignment in St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

That year I was broken up by one song lyric that went “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” The year 2015 was my first Christmas without Joyce, but her first Christmas with Jesus. SHE HAD A BETTER TIME THAN I DID!

During the Christmas season in 2014 my precious Joyce was in a hospital bed in our living room. She had just been placed on Hospice Care. With her dementia I was not sure if she understood about her condition. I sat by her bed and held her hand and asked if she understood that Hospice was END OF LIFE CARE? She nodded.

But I was wrong! It was not end of life … it was her entry into everlasting life. No more confusion or pain for my sweetheart. She received the reward of eternal life. For believers it is not end of life! IT IS THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE! I can hardly wait!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 28, 2021 “REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE!” Deuteronomy 11:7

REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

Deuteronomy 11:7 – Devotional

Deuteronomy 11:7

“But your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did.”

There is no question in my mind that I am better at forgetting than I am at remembering. The older I get, the more efficient I am at forgetting things that once were easy to recall and bring to mind.

I am coming to realize that it is not so much the things that I recall that matter the most, but what I do with the things that do come to mind. The critical question is, do I take action when I see the “light” that the Holy Spirit reveals to me?

In today’s Scripture, Moses is bringing to remembrance the mighty acts that God has performed for the Israelites in delivering them from bondage in Egypt. He challenges the people to recall what God has done and take positive action as a result.

We have seen the way God has acted on our behalf. As a result, it is time for us to take action. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We can trust Him to open the doors of opportunity to serve Him in the days that He allots to us! Are we taking action?

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 27, 2021 “AN ORDER TO PRAISE THE LORD!” Psalm 103:1

AN ORDER TO PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 103:1 – Devotional

Psalm 103:1

“Praise the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me praise His holy name.”

I have loved Psalm 103 for many years. It seems to be an intimate glimpse of David in his private time of worship. Do you have a private time of worship? If not I highly recommend that you establish such a time.

In the hustle and bustle of our crazy world we can usually carve out time for things that really do not matter, while neglecting things that have eternal value. Personal praise and worship should be our highest priority!

There are many things that we devote ourselves to that are here today and gone tomorrow. Our praise and worship to our precious Lord and Savior will echo down through the ages of eternity. Praise to God lasts forever!

Start today with praise to the Lord. Stop what you are doing right now and lift your soul in praise. I have just done that myself and believe me when I tell you that that short time of praise still echoes in my soul. PRAISE THE LORD!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 26, 2021 “A LIGHT AND GLORY!” Luke 2:30-32

A LIGHT AND GLORY!

Luke 2:30-32 –  Devotional

Luke 2:30-32

“Lord, now allow Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word: For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people Israel.”

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

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 25, 2021 “OUR GREATEST GIFT!” John 3:16

OUR GREATEST GIFT!

John 3:16 –  Devotional

John 3:16

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

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

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 24, 2021 “ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING!” Psalm 145:9-12

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING!

Psalm 145:9-12 – Devotional

Psalm 145:9-12

“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”

In my mind’s eye, as I picture the scene in and near Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus, the more I am struck by the way God chose the most humble people to announce the birth of His beloved Son.

In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, his love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.

Probably because he lived such a simple life, he noticed things that we, in our busy lives, tend to overlook. On this Christmas Eve let us take time to appreciate the depth of love of God for us and our need to share that love with others.

All Creatures Of Our God And King

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him,

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O, praise Him, O praise Him,

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O, praise Him, O, praise Him

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O, praise Him, O, praise Him

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Enjoy this free inspirational video, from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for December 23, 2021 “JUST GO FOR IT!” Luke 1:13

JUST GO FOR IT!

Luke 1:13 – Devotional

Luke 1:13

“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John.”

In today’s Scripture, four hundred years of silence was broken and now an obscure priest from the hill country of Judea was the recipient of a Divine revelation. It was made by none other than the archangel Gabriel.

He announced that this old couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were going to have a son and his name was to be John. Gabriel bridged that gap from the Old Testament book of Malachi and told Zacharias that this special son would be given the spirit of Elijah. He would lead a dramatic revival of spirituality, but even a greater purpose would be to announce the arrival of the promised Messiah,.

As a boy I never imagined that God could use me. I was always out of step with the others. I believed them when they said I was a remedial student. To me that meant that I was a dummy and fit for only a menial occupation. In high school I was finally confronted with the reality that I could use this brain of mine.

I am convinced that the Lord has a purpose for each of us. You may feel that you lack the requirements to be used of God, but that is none of your business. It is God’s business and all you and I have to do is follow Him. Go for it!!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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