by Pastor Cecil | Feb 16, 2021 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Last week I was listening to a Christian radio station when a reporter made reference to the reaction of Franklin Graham when he was told his father, Dr. Billy Graham, had died – Franklin chuckled!
A chuckle is not the usual reaction to news that your beloved father has died. The person who was interviewing Franklin asked about his reaction. Franklin said that several years ago his dad had told him that one day he would be told that Billy Graham had died. Billy told him not to believe it! He assured Franklin that he would be more alive than he had ever been in his life on earth. Wow!
That should be the normal attitude that each of us believers should take to the grave with us. These old bodies of ours may grow old and experience sickness and pain, but there is coming a day when the old shell of humanity is replaced with a new and glorious body.
How are you responding to the departure of your own loved ones who die? If they have been born again they have already died to self and will suddenly be clothed with an imperishable body that will never spoil or fade!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 10, 2021 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Recently I conducted a graveside service for a retired police officer. As I looked around the crowd of people in attendance I noticed that many of the police officers were dressed in full uniform with perhaps 20 to 30 pounds of high tech gear. I almost laughed out loud when I recalled what my own police gear looked like when I was a patrolman back in 1958 — a gun, extra ammo, handcuffs, and a badge.
That last item was most important. When I was sworn in as a police officer I gave my word to serve and protect the people of my community under the authority of that badge. The vast majority of citizens supported that authority.
God has equipped us with our very own badge of authority. It is the Word of God. Paul wanted his son in the faith, Timothy, to recognize the power he had been given by the Word of God: doctrine – reproof – correction – instruction in righteousness.
Every believer has the same equipment available today. We are equipped, but are we using what God has provided? Our badge of authority is the new birth and the equipment is His Word. Use it wisely and effectively!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 5, 2020 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Sometimes God uses dire circumstances as a means of ministry. A missionary was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed room, he was able to share a witness with his roommate in the other bed and lead him to the Lord.
During the cold war years there were many Christians who were imprisoned due to their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered each situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have opened in any other way. It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us—just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used—just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used—just willing.
You may be enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 15, 2020 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
It seems as if we have been here before! The older I get the more things seem to repeat themselves. This is also true with particular verses of Scripture. We are all familiar with John 3:16, but it is interesting that many New Testament books have a significant 3:16.
Please read today’s Scripture and you will see what I am referring to. These two verses are extremely powerful. God’s Word is the final authority. It is “God breathed” and infallible. Also note that it is “all of God’s Word” that is spoken of here. From Genesis to Revelation, God presents our pattern for living for Him.
We may not be able to understand everything that we read the first time, or even the 100th time, but if we remain faithful in our daily reading, more and more of it will become clear.
So what is the usefulness of God’s Word? For the men and women of God to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I would say that makes it well worth our commitment to read and study diligently.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 19, 2020 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Sometimes God uses dire circumstances as a means of ministry. A missionary was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed room, he was able to share a witness with his roommate in the other bed and lead him to the Lord.
During the cold war years there were many Christians who were imprisoned due to their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered each situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have opened in any other way. It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us—just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used—just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used—just willing.
You may be enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 3, 2020 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Sometimes God uses dire circumstances as a means of ministry. A missionary was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed room, he was able to share a witness with his roommate in the other bed and lead him to the Lord.
During the cold war years there were many Christians who were imprisoned due to their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered each situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have opened in any other way. It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us—just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used—just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used—just willing.
You may be enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
