by Pastor Cecil | Jan 17, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
I Thessalonians 1:4-6
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”
“Believers”! What a name! It was the name that was used to describe the members of the early New Testament church. It was actually used before the name “Christian”, which was first used to describe the believers in Antioch. The name implies identification with Jesus. It is not simply believing, in something—it is being identified with some ONE!
Back in the late 60’s, I was in the US Air Force, stationed in Missouri. From time to time I visited with a dear pastor, Rev. Frank Meyers, in Warrensburg, Missouri. Frank shared that his first pastorate was in St. Joseph, Missouri, near a large meat packing company.
One of the workers there was a member of his congregation. This elderly meat packer had, at best, a 3rd grade education. Each day this man got off work at 3:00 p.m. Almost every afternoon he would head for the pastor’s study. Frank said that old man, with such a limited education, taught him more about the true Word of God than all of his highly educated professors in college and seminary. It is my desire to be like that old unknown meat packer—a true believer!
Please understand that it is not my intention to belittle professors. Some of my own professors were godly students of God’s Word, who were faithful believers. Unfortunately there were others who placed more value on their title “professor” than “believer”.
As I was praying throughout the day and wondering what the Lord wanted me to share, my mind went back to the time I was an associate pastor in Nampa, Idaho. The Christian Education Director asked me to teach a class attended by many of the pillars of the church.
It was made up of retired pastors, missionaries, college professors and the like. (I WAS IN DEEP TROUBLE)!!! The Christian Education Director laughed and said, “Cecil, they are going to chew you up and spit you out!” Thanks for that encouragement, Bob! I could hardly wait to get started. – – – RIGHT!
I prayed fervently for leadership in being a humble believer. I will never forget that first Sunday. I could not get away from the burden of going back to the basics. I stood before them and said, “You know, I think we need to start at the beginning and learn the ‘basics for believers’ all over again.”
I was prepared to be chewed up and spit out! To my absolute amazement I saw smiles all over the room which held about 100 members. Someone finally spoke out loud and said “That’s exactly what we need and what we want.” WOW! Thank you Lord!
I took my Boot Camp in the USAF in April 1953. It was a shock that rattled my cage and taught me that I was going to learn to do things the military way, not my way. In a similar fashion we need to understand three very important principles:
1. STICK WITH THE BASICS.
2. STUDY A PASSAGE OVER AND OVER UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND IT.
3. MODEL WHAT THE GOD’S WORD TEACHES.
Please read the entire book of I Thessalonians. It is only five chapters so you should be able to read it all the way through at one sitting. Even though there are only five chapters, they are dynamite.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 16, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 11:1-3
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
If someone were to ask you to define faith, would you have an intelligent answer? How do you describe something as intangible as faith? Is there a Scriptural basis and framework for faith? Beyond defining faith, do you possess the kind of faith that is pleasing to God?
I feel that we often define faith by simply quoting today’s Scripture and leaving it at that. It is certainly a fantastic description of what faith is, but do we really capture the meaning? Words will remain only words without some way to attach them to a meaningful picture.
I have often visualized faith in this manner. Imagine with me that it is the afternoon on a warm summer day. The thought suddenly comes to you that an ice cream cone would taste wonderful. Three blocks away is the home of Friendly Fred’s Forty Flavor Ice Cream Emporium and Fitness Gym. (That last part is just for the conscience).
On the walk down to Friendly Fred’s, you try to think about some of the flavors that Fred has to offer. You suddenly recall that Fred has cherry chocolate delight with caramel streamers. (I doubt that there is such a flavo.r). As you think of the cone, you imagine two scoops piled onto the cone and spreading over the side. You can even picture having to lick the sweet tasting ice cream around the edge of the cone before it melts and runs down the side of the cone. Ahh, Yes!!
Here comes the question. At what point do we begin to enjoy the ice cream cone? You are so right! It is the moment that we begin to visualize the cone and imagine what it will taste like. It is seeing in our mind what is going to be a reality, even though we have not yet walked through the doors of Fred’s Emporium.
Faith is choosing to see what God desires for us even when the thing has not yet come into being. The writer of Hebrews has chosen chapter eleven to serve as the “Hall of Faith.” He presents men and women of faith who had trusted God, even when it seemed that the thing hoped for was impossible. Here is the list: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, Joshua and Rahab and millions of martyrs across the ages.
In our modern time, science, so-called, has attempted to brainwash students into believing that we are the result of the evolutionary model. They claim that it was not a Supreme God who created all things, but tiny micronisms interacted with other elements around them, and can you believe it—amazingly, life was formed. BEEEP! Sorry, but that takes more faith than I can muster. Yes–evolution does require faith–the wrong kind!
It is a howl to observe the way atheistic scientists have stretched the truth far beyond the breaking point to prove their theory of evolution. In light of thousands of scientific findings in support of creation, they go further and further afield to find support. Running out of ways to show that life evolved here on earth, now some have proposed that life evolved from some other planet – Mars! That is simply to place the problem beyond the bounds of this world. The question still remains, how did it start there?
Moses gives the answer, and one which is to be received by faith. God framed the worlds, the universe by His powerful word. He spoke, and it came into being! It is not necessary to have the creation theory proven before we believe God’s Word. We believe God’s Word and then see the confirmation of His Word by His creation!
Here is the bottom line. The Almighty God, who created all things by the power of His Word is certainly able to deal with the problems we encounter in our life. How do we access that power? By faith! It is not a matter of waiting to see some great miracle and then believe—we believe and then watch for His miracles. I fear that we have missed many of God’s miracles because we have failed to look for them.
I hope I can get this last thought across. It has to do with what we see through faith. In place of the “I” in faith, picture a big eye ball. So here we go. Whatever you have been praying and trusting God to accomplish, visualize it through the eye of – – – FA<I>TH!!!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Last week I was reading a guest column in the local newspaper. The columnist was confessing to a particular bias that she had dealt with and overcame in her life. That would have been all well and good had she stopped there. As is often the case, she didn’t!
She went into the transference mode and used the mighty “E” word—EVERYBODY! She wrote: “Everybody has this same type of prejudicial bias.” Hold it Nellie! I have enough of my own shortcomings without you imposing yours upon me and everyone else in the world.
It was almost as if she was trying to justify her sinful attitude by saying that not only were a few other people guilty, “everyone” was guilty. I guess it falls under the attitude of misery loving company. For the life of me I fail to see the joy in having a bunch of miserable people clumped together. Where in the world would we find hope or comfort if “everybody” were in the same miserable condition?
There is another aspect of the concept “everybody“. It is a justification to participate in questionable or even out and out sinful activites. It’s okay to do it because “everybody” is doing it.
Many modern day parents are being coerced by their children to allow things that should not be permitted. These parents fall for the old stale line, “But everybody is doing it!” Or, “Everybody has one.” It is sad that many young people have been targeted and subjected to exploitation because their parents gave in and allowed their children to do things that posed a danger.
It is well past time for people to stand up and do things God’s way regardless of what “everybody” around us are doing. We need to inquire of God’s Word and read what He says we are to do. If God says something is wrong, we need to stay as far away from the activity as possible.
Jesus said that the path to heaven and eternal bliss is narrow and hard and only a few will enter in. The way to hell and eternal suffering is wide and easy and many (everybody) will enter in. Choose the right way!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 14, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Luke 15:20-21
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “
It is not uncommon for people to get a mistaken concept of God and His attitude toward His people. We often hear comments about doing good things so God will be able to forgive us. I don’t know what Bible you read, but it surely isn’t in my Bible!
On the contrary, we are repeatedly told of a God who is loving and accepting of His children. Does that mean that God permits sin? No way! God hates sin! But God loves the sinner. It breaks His heart when we sin, but it brings Him great joy when we return to Him.
Jesus was teaching this very lesson by use of the parable of the Prodigal Son. I am sure you are all too familiar with this oft repeated scenario. The young son thinks he needs to enjoy the pleasures of sin, and he does so.
In his pursuit of worldly pleasures (notice that they are the same ones today), he has no concern of the hurt he is causing his father. It is a hedonistic, self-centered pre-occupation with himself, that is the motivation of his actions.
We can see the utter immaturity he is demonstrating. It is like driving 60 mph down a short one way street. You may be going like a house afire, but there is a sudden stop coming!
The stages of dissipation in the Prodigal Son are diagramed in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. In answer to your question, no I did not create it. I am not even related to Frank Charles Thompson who designed this wonderful aid to Bible study.
The Prodigal’s steps to the bottom are; Self-will, Selfishness, Separation, Sensuality, Spiritual Destruction, Self Abasement and Starvation. How heartbreaking it is to realize how many proceed down this same path which leads away from the God who loves us and sent His own Son to die for us.
You may see a picture of yourself or others who have, or even now are traveling this spiral into the pit of despair. While we may experience the heartbreak of watching this downfall, we must wait for the moment of opportunity before anything can be done.
The prodigal had to experience the degradation of feeding pigs and filching a few scraps from their trough in order to sustain his life. It was at this point of starvation that he became aware of what was available to him. He needed to return to his father!
In the parable, Jesus provides us with the picture of the faithful father watching patiently for that wayward son. He was not waiting to punish him or chastise him, but to open his arms to him. That is the way God waits for the spiritual prodigals.
The Thompson Chain Bible also gives steps of restoration; Realization, Resolution, Repentance, Return, Reconciliation, and Rejoicing. He ties this in with Romans 5:1-18, if you would like to read it over.
I always am struck by the joy that the son felt and that the father experienced. God delights when His wayward ones come back home. The son is happy, the father is happy, there is rejoicing in the house of the Father. A feast is ordered, gifts are bestowed and all are happy.
Actually there was one who was not happy. It was the older brother. He was the son who had not left home. But in a way he too had left the father. He had bitterness in his heart that this prodigal brother of his was treated with such love and acceptance. He wanted judgment and condemnation, not love and acceptance.
Now is the time to apply the teaching to our lives. Where are we in this story? The Prodigal Son or the older brother? The servants of the Father who eagerly make the prodigal feel accepted? If returning prodigals make the Father happy, we will make Him happy by rejoicing toward those who return to the Lord. Let them see a smile of acceptance when they return home!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 11, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 51:10-12
“Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
There is one word in this passage that bears careful consideration. It is the word “steadfast.” In the King James Version it is translated “right.” It comes from the Hebrew word “kuwn.” Here are some of the nuances of meaning for kuwn; (firm, stable, established, fixed, directed on the right course, morally steadfast). You can see the problem translators face in using a single word.
A pure heart and a right spirit are two character qualities which we should pursue. But how do we pursue a pure heart and a right spirit? It is evident from the prayer of David that his works or efforts would not achieve the desired results.
This prayer of David was made after Nathan the prophet had confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. He acknowledged that it was the Lord who was the only One who could give him a pure heart and right spirit.
God did forgive him, purify his heart and restore a right spirit within him. But there was a price to be paid for his willful sin. We should always keep in mind that even when God cleanses us from our sin, there may be consequences. Not always, but frequently.
If there are transgressions, bitterness, or an unforgiving spirit within us, we need to have the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ bring a proper attitude. We know that even in the event of consequences that may result from our past actions, the Lord is able to use us.
Some of you who are reading this are confined in prisons as a result of poor decisions and immoral actions. These may be actual or emotional prisons. Either way, God can reach you right where you are. Anytime we offer ourselves to the Lord in humble submission, He will take us and use us—even allowing us to minister for Him. Your ministry may have a life changing impact upon those around you.
Remember that the last person to accept Jesus as his Savior and Lord before Jesus died on the cross of redemption, was a thief. He was assured that he would be with the Lord that very day in paradise. Just think of the joy at being the bearer of the message of salvation to someone near you!
This concept is not restricted to the bars of a prison. Some are confined by habits, attitudes or some other situation which seems to be keeping you in bondage. Rather than asking for freedom, why not pray for God to change the inner you so that you may be free to serve Him in love?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
