by Pastor Cecil | Dec 21, 2020 | Galatians
Galatians 3:23-24
“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”
Way back in 1953 I walked into an Air Force Recruiting Station and was met by a Sgt. Swift. He told me of the positive features available if I enlisted; I trusted him and enlisted. But that is not the end of the story — ten years later I had received my college degree and a commission in the Air Force.
My first assignment was at the training base where I had attended Officers Training School. As I looked out over the personnel that I now supervised, guess whose name I saw — Sgt. Swift! His first response was, “Oh no!” We had a good laugh about how things had changed, and he was glad that he had been honest during our first meeting.
One day we all will appear before the Judge of the universe. Every single thought or deed will be revealed. I am sure Satan will try to bring up every sinful thing in our past, but when we have confessed our sins and received Jesus into our hearts, we need not fear. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to pay the price for our sins. He has done what we could never do! Praise the Lord we never have to say, “Oh no!”
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 1, 2020 | Galatians
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Pride is not ever pretty. When we consider the prayer requests offered, the vast majority seem to be self-centered. Even the lyrics of spiritual songs and poems focus more upon ourselves rather than upon the Lord.
I recall hearing about a pastor who had delivered a powerful sermon on the danger of pride and the need for his congregation to seek after the same humility which Jesus demonstrated. After the service he stood at the door greeting people as they left. One little lady stopped and said, “Oh, Pastor, I am so glad you preached that sermon this morning. I do not have many qualities that I can pride myself on, but humility is one of them.” He went home shaking his head and muttering to himself.
As Christians we need to modify our definition of self-acceptance. The definition of self-acceptance is to recognize that God has created us with certain unchangeable characteristics that may be used for his honor and glory. It is not what’s in it for me, but what’s in it for Him!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 29, 2020 | Galatians
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
A young man, a believer desiring to serve the Lord with all of his heart, worked and worked doing everything he thought would please the Lord. It took all his energy and effort, but the young man kept at it!
One Sunday evening he had finished assisting in a week-long series of meetings. Following the last service he packed up books, Bibles, and other materials until late into the night. He returned to his hotel room exhausted, threw himself across the bed and almost wept. The exhausted man cried out, “Lord, I am through! I can’t keep this up any longer. I am tired to my very core. I will still love and honor you, but from now on someone else will have to carry the load!”
He expected the Lord to be disappointed in him for quitting, but just the opposite happened. It was as though the Lord breathed into his ear, “Finally! You have been doing things for Me that I never asked you to do. Now I can work through you to do My work.” That young man never again felt the heavy burden to demonstrate his love for the Lord by a self-imposed performance.
Are you wearing yourself out trying to please the Lord? I implore you to give up trying to earn your salvation. Listen to Him—then do what He asks you to do. God’s work—done God’s way—will have God’s power!
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
