by Pastor Cecil | Oct 31, 2008 | Job, Matthew
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.’ ”
One time Joyce and I were returning home and saw our next door neighbor pulling up grass in her front yard. I stopped and made some remark about how hard she was working. She snarled back, “Well it’s all thanks to you! Why didn’t you talk to me instead of complaining to the manager?”
I had not mentioned anything to anyone about her yard and was dumbfounded by her accusation. Try as I might, I was never able to convince that woman that we were not the ones who had complained.
We remained neighbors for a year or so following that episode. It made no difference what we did, we remained her enemies. It became evident that we were not the only ones who were the objects of her bitterness. The result was that she never was happy and made those around her unhappy as well.
Job was also faced with false accusations from his so-called friends. It became one of his many trials and ordeals. But there is an interesting element in the entire incident. After God had appeared and Job had confessed his questioning of God, the Lord dealt with his accusers.
In Job 42, we read that God required his accusers to make sacrifices before the Lord and then go to Job and he would pray for them. In verse 8 we read these words; “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” Let’s be that type of forgiving person.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 30, 2008 | Acts
Acts 3:19-20
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
A close friend of ours was driving a rental car in Europe. While taking photos of some of the high mountains, he left the main road. He wanted to get back to the main road and decided to take a “short-cut.” (Men are famous for trying to find short-cuts). After a time he noticed that several cars were following after him, so he was sure it was a road that led back to the main road.
Suddenly he saw armed guards and a gate. It was the border to another country and he was not permitted to enter. He had to make a U-turn and go back and retrace the route he had come. As he now met the cars that were following him, the drivers glared in anger. They had been following him because they thought he knew where he was going.
There are two aspects to this true story. First, Ron was required to make a U-turn! He could not reach his destination without a U-turn. The word “repent” in today’s Scripture needs to be understood: “Repentance (metanoia, ‘change of mind’) involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness.”
It is not enough for us to mentally acknowledge God and Jesus Christ as Savior. The Word of God requires a turning from our old life and going God’s way.
The second aspect of this story is the effect we have on others. Many people are following us and, sad to say, we can very easily lead them down the wrong path. When we make the U-turn to go God’s way, with the blood of Jesus covering our sins, there will those who will follow us.
What am I saying here? It is that we have an influence! That influence can lead people in the wrong direction as well as in the right direction. What a sobering realization. People may spend eternity in hell because they were following us in the wrong direction.
When we repent and make that spiritual U-turn, we need to warn those who have been following us that there is danger ahead and they must make a U-turn and follow us to the right road. Heaven is just ahead!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 29, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals, Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
One Sunday, following our evening service, a man in the congregation asked if he might come to the parsonage and talk with me. I was delighted, and when he came we had a small lunch before going into my office.
Out of the clear blue came these words: “I hate your guts!” Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Prior to this there did not seem to be anything of a conflict between us, so his statement was a blow.
With my mind reeling, I prayed silently for God’s wisdom and strength. With as much sincerity as possible I answered, “I am so glad that you feel free to share your feelings with me.” From that incident I would like to suggest a few ways to respond to and love the unlovable.
(1) Rely on God’s wisdom in dealing with the person.
(2) Realize that these unlovable people need love—perhaps more than others.
(3) Remember how unlovable our sins are in God’s sight.
(4) Rejoice that we are counted worthy to encounter persecution.
(5) Respond with love rather than retaliate with resentment.
What happened on that Sunday evening so long ago? We spent time together as he poured out his heart. As he was leaving he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Pastor, I love you so much!” Wow! That was a dramatic change from the comments he made earlier. God is so good!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 28, 2008 | Colossians, Proverbs
Proverbs 16: 18-20
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”
I have many embarrassing moments in my life. Years ago I was teaching a class of young professionals. It was deep and profound biblical truth and the class seemed to be very interested in everything I was saying. That is until I noticed that they were not looking on my face, but down at my feet.
Finally one of the young women raised her hand to ask a question. “Yes, Dorinda,” I said. In trepidation she asked, “Is there a reason you are wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe?” I dreaded looking down knowing that in my haste I had made a blunder. The class exploded in laughter at my expense. I finally recovered and told them “As strange as it may seem—I have another pair at home just like this pair!”
One of the things I have learned from these “red faced” situations is that pride needs to be dealt a blow. It is hard to act proud and aloof when you have on one brown shoe and one black one.
I earnestly pray that the Lord will continue to bring the “shoes” into my life any time I start to think more of myself than I ought. Colossians 1:25-27 says it best: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” NOT ME—BUT CHRIST ONLY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 27, 2008 | 1 Chronicles
I Chronicles 4:10
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord that He would enlarge your territories? Are you content to creep toward retirement, when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people that I have not seen for awhile will ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any time in my entire ministry: Pastor of an organic congregation, Daily-E-Votional that is worldwide, writing children’s bedtime Bible story book, teaching men’s Bible study, counseling and several other things.
I began to pray this prayer of Jabez several years ago. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered this prayer. Not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
Our 19 year-old granddaughter began to pray this prayer a few weeks ago. It has been sheer joy to observe the thrill as she shares how God brings opportunities for ministry day after day. Praise the Lord!
I challenge you to join in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by God just for you. I can assure you right now, you will never want to retire!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
