by Pastor Cecil | Jun 23, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
How clean are you? Do you possess a steadfast spirit? Are you open to the Lord doing the work that only He can do to mold you into the person He desires for you to be in serving Him?
How many unintentional spiritual failures have you experienced just because you became too busy with worldly pursuits? Let me ask yet another penetrating question. Have you ever made a commitment to someone, then after days, weeks, or even months, realize that you have failed to follow through? (It’s getting a little uncomfortable isn’t it!)
It is easy to see the faults of others while at the same time ignoring our own short comings. I think that the more easily we find fault in others, the easier it is to overlook the lack of trust in our own lives. There have been many times that people have disappointed me by saying one thing and then doing another. I want to strive to never allow that to be true of me.
I always want to take my hurts to the foot of the cross and leave them there with the One who is rejected by so many. My desire is to live more like Him every day. With the help of the Lord we can be more like Him by committing ourselves to learn more about Him from His Word.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 22, 2020 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:3-4
“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.”
I recall an old saying, “If you are not standing on the promises, you will find yourself sitting on the premises.” One is an active process of involvement, and the other is a passive pastime of taking up space but contributing little. I suddenly am struck by the realization that the gripers, moaners, and fault finders of the world, are generally composed of those who are the “sitters on the premises.” If you are one of them, I hope to serve you your eviction notice before this article is finished.
I recall visiting my mother when she was a resident of an assisted living facility in Nampa, Idaho. I was struck by the hunger for attention of those who reside there. By the way, it is worth your time to listen and show your interest. What a mission field! I fear that we as Christians do not serve as positive role models in victorious Christian living. We moan and sigh and look like we have just been baptized in vinegar.
So what is Peter saying in this passage? He makes it so plain that it is hard to get more basic. He says that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.
Years ago I read a story about a man who was traveling from Europe to America on a ship. He could just barely scrape up the money for his ticket and a few things to eat on during the trip. After several days out to sea he ran out of food and was drawn to the wonderful food in the dining room. He was so hungry he knew he had to do something about it. He finally summoned up all of his courage and went to a steward and asked if he might be able to do some work so he could be able to eat a meal or two. The steward was startled by his request. He explained to the man that the ticket he had purchased included all the food he could eat. It was his all along, but he was starving for the lack of knowledge of what he possessed.
Many people in our day have the same problem. We lack the knowledge of what we possess. This traveler didn’t read his ticket and we don’t read our Bible! It is just as simple as that. Peter says that God has given us His very great and precious promises. These are given to us so that we might have an abundant life and a godly life. We are to be above the circumstances, not under them.
Pick up your dusty Bible that you are saving for who knows what and read and write down every promise that God has for His children. If you have personally received Him as your own personal savior, then claim all of the promises God has given each of us. It would be a great idea to have a notebook just to record each promise that you have found, and claim it as your own.
If you are only sitting on the premises, I guess your battle is over. Those who just sit on the premises are not stepping stones, they are stumbling blocks and we would like for you to move. ON FIRE BELIEVERS ARE COMING THROUGH!!!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 19, 2020 | Luke
Luke 15:23-24
“And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
When was the last time you hosted a celebration of pure joy — not because it was expected or a duty, but simply to rejoice for an unexpected blessing? It seems that there are far too many sad sacks around and not enough cheerful Charleys.
In our parable the father welcomed his prodigal son home and threw a celebration of pure joy. I am certain that the lost son was in a state of shock at the joy that surrounded him. He had left rich and full of pride, but returned poor and full of remorse. He had returned in a state of depression and defeat.
Can you imagine the sheer joy of this grieving father that every day as he had anxiously watched the dusty road leading to the family home? He was expectant that his prodigal would return someday and he wanted to make sure that his son realized how welcome he was.
We are told earlier in this fifteenth chapter of Luke that there is rejoicing in heaven over a returned sinner. Isn’t that great? If the halls of heaven echo shouts of praise for a repentant sinner, we need to show joy here on earth.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 18, 2020 | Psalm
Psalm 42:5
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again—my Savior.”
A sociologist spent time at a large resort which had a sizable dining room. He situated himself in such a manner, that he could see the food servers as they moved from the dining area where the guests were seated, to the kitchen area, where the chaos of food preparation was occurring. As he made his observations, he noticed that the serving staff changed dramatically as they passed through the doorway separating kitchen from dining area. In the dining area, they were kind, caring, considerate, and ever so polite. They wore smiles and were the epitome of charm and delight.
When they passed back into the world of food preparation, they underwent a similar dramatic change. They lost their smiles and cheery dispositions. They said things that were short, clipped and often surly. When their orders had not been prepared to their expectations, they barked at the chefs and made a scene.
Back into the dining area, they emerged as serene and composed, so much so that it seemed impossible it was the same people he had observed only seconds before. Were they being hypocritical and two-faced? Possibly it could be described in that manner, but it is a common characteristic of the way we operate.
In our zeal of sharing the Gospel, we are often in danger of getting in the way. We can allow the things that we are going through (good or bad), become more of the conversation than serving the “FOOD” that people are starving to receive. The treasure is on the inside, not the outside.
All too often, like the servers, we tend to show a different side depending on those who are around us. We need to spend more time allowing the beauty of the gospel shine through, as well as the beauty of Jesus.
Have you ever seen people who are not physically attractive, at least from the world’s perspective, and yet when we are with them for only a few minutes, we see and feel Jesus in them, and they are so beautiful. It is an inward beauty that is not dependent of clear skin, slim figure, or shiny hair. The treasure is on the inside, and it keeps showing through to entice people to want that treasure in their own life. THAT IS THE GOSPEL!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 17, 2020 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
A young man, named Dan came to my office for counseling. He had more than his share of troubles, one of which was his job. He worked for a potato processing plant. It was a seasonal job and not very appealing. Dan complained of the working conditions and especially about his supervisor.
I asked Dan the worst task associated with his job? Without hesitation he said it was cleaning up rotten potatoes at the end of the processing line. I smiled (my evil smile) and said: “I would like for you to volunteer for that job. But not only volunteer for it, count the ways you can be thankful for it.” My advice was not met with a great deal of enthusiasm – – but he finally agreed to do it.
A week later Dan burst into my office with more excitement than a kid who has discovered a stash of candy. He had followed through and asked for the assignment. His volunteering for that despised task so shocked his obnoxious supervisor that his whole attitude toward Dan changed. Within weeks Dan’s pay was increased and at the end of the season Dan was the last of the temporary employees to be let go.
It was a choice Dan had made. Dan determined in his heart to serve this menial task – – as unto the Lord! He said that one of the benefits of that assignment was the time alone with God. He worked alone and could spend all the time he wanted on memorizing and meditating on Scripture as well as praying to the Lord with joy in his heart. His choice was to be content with a task that others despised. Wow! That was dynamite!
My prayer for each of us is that we would begin to live our lives fully for Christ. What a change the world would see if they observed believers living a totally dedicated life. Let others see the joy of serving Jesus in the way we live our life for Him!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
