​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 19, 2021 "THE LORD’S HOUSE!" Matthew 21:13 

THE LORD’S HOUSE!

Matthew 21:13​ –  Devotional

Matthew 21:13

“And He said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

I recall an incident that occurred many years ago. (At my age it seems that most of my recollections occurred many years ago). Following the evening service I was standing in the center aisle of the church speaking with the pastor and a friend.

Suddenly my friend’s young son came toward us doing somersaults. My friend was shocked and began to apologize to the pastor. I will never forget as the pastor responded; “Let him alone. It’s time we see some life in this church!”

He was just kidding (I think), but sometimes I feel like many of our churches are congregations of the frozen chosen. I am not advocating undisciplined displays, but there needs to be a sense of life and vitality in our worship.

If Jesus came into our services today, would He be pleased or would we be find Him calling us to remember that we are in His presence and thus we need to be holy for He is holy! May the words of our mouth and meditation of our heart always be acceptable to Him!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 18, 2021 "THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT!" James 1:17

THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT!

James 1:17​ –  Devotional

 James 1:17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

I must confess that when it comes to selecting gifts, I am a complete and utter failure. My wife, Joyce was the one who always seemed to be able to select just the right gift for each and every person.

In today’s Scripture, James introduces us to the ultimate and perfect gift. It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. James was the earthly half-brother of Jesus and did not come to faith until after the resurrection of our Lord. But the time was not what was important, but that he received the good and perfect gift!

We who have been born again have the privilege of offering this supernatural gift to a lost and dying world. People around us may scoff and belittle the claims of Christ, but the truth stands firm and true, Jesus Christ is the One and only answer to the sin problem.

God’s gift is good and perfect, but like every other gift, it only has value when it is received and opened. Share this priceless gift with others in order that they might discover that it is the ultimate gift that will last for all eternity!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 17, 2021 "NOTHING WAVERING!" James 1:5-6

NOTHING WAVERING!

James 1:5-6 –  Devotional

James 1:5-6

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

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 October 16, 2021 "OUR ANTICIPATED END!" Jeremiah 29:11

OUR ANTICIPATED END!

Jeremiah 29:11​ –  Devotional

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an anticipated end.​”

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 October 15, 2021 "HIDING IN THEE!" Psalm 18:2

HIDING IN THEE!

Psalm 18:2 ​ –  Devotional

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

1. 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.

Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

2. 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.

Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

3. 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.

Refrain: 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: https://gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 14, 2021 "DWELLING IN THE WORD!" Colossians 3:16

DWELLING IN THE WORD!

Colossians 3:16 –  Devotional

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

I have a question for each follower of Christ: How can the word of Christ dwell in us if we fail to spend quality time reading His word? I know that some have difficulty reading, but it takes only a few minutes to read several verses.

Stop for just a few minutes and reflect on how you spend your time. I think that perhaps a better question may be: How do we invest our time. When we make an investment we anticipate a good return. In the same manner we can anticipate a positive return for the time we spend feasting on God’s Word

Make a promise to the Lord that you will spend time each day reading your Bible. It may be a promise of five minutes or even more, but make it a priority that you will faithfully adhere to.

As God’s Word dwells more and more in our inmost being, we will increasingly be able to have a positive effect on those around us. Let us make a commitment to change our environment with promises from the Word of God instead of grumbling about how bad things are around us.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 13, 2021 "PRIDE TO PITY!" 2 Chronicles 26:16

PRIDE TO PITY!

2 Chronicles 26:16 –  Devotional

2 Chronicles 26:16

“After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

In Scripture there are two wonderful examples of men whose hearts stayed true to the Lord throughout their lives – – Joseph and Daniel. It was because of their humility. Regrettably, there are many examples in the Bible who started out as God’s heroes, but ended up as God’s zeroes. It was because of their pride. Consider Saul and Samson. Sadly, we must include Uzziah.

As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, he was able to be God’s man in leading Judah to subdue her enemies. But somewhere along the line, he began to think that it was his own ability that brought victory. That is always the beginning of the end for anyone. His success caused him to take his eyes off of the Lord and on himself. Let’s face it – -He blew it!

Our modern-day church scene is littered by the wreckage of ministers who started out with humility and total commitment to the Lord, but came to destruction when they grew popular and failed to rely totally on the Lord.

I have no idea what was in Uzziah’s mind when he entered the temple to offer incense to the Lord. I do know the consequences of his action—leprosy! Failing to rely on the Lord doomed him to a life of humiliation and separation. You have to feel sorry for this man who started with such great promise, but ended with such shame—FROM PRIDE TO PITY!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil