by Pastor Cecil | Dec 24, 2008 | Matthew
Matthew 2:4-6
“When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
There are two groups of people in this passage that knew about Jesus—the Magi and the chief priests and the teachers of the law.
The Magi of Daniel’s day may have been taught about the coming of the Messiah over three hundred years before this event. The message was passed from generation to generation until they saw the star and knew that Messiah had come.
Transportation was slow and dangerous back then. They had a journey of several hundred miles ahead of them and no trains, planes or buses could help. We have had a little taste of that in the past few days. Winter storms have hit our area with such force that public transportation was set on its ear. I cannot recall a time when even trains and buses were at a standstill, but they have been here.
God provided a wonderful sign, a star, to guide these men to search out the one whose coming had been foretold. When they arrived in Jerusalem they caused an uproar by asking where they could find the One born “King of the Jews?”
Here is my first observation: THE WISEMEN KNEW HE HAD BEEN BORN AND SOUGHT HIM WITH SUCH DILIGENCE THAT THEY FOUND HIM! That is still true today. Those who seek to find the Savior will find Him!
But there is that other group that knew about Jesus, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. We know that they knew because, using today’s Scripture, they were able to tell Herod it was in Bethlehem.
It is a sad commentary that even though they knew where Jesus was to be born and that the wise men had a sign to guide them, they failed to go and look for Him themselves. Perhaps they felt a threat to their ecclesiastical standing. The only thing we know is that they failed to search Him out.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as seeking Him. The wise men found Jesus and worshiped Him. We know they had spiritual leadership since we read in verse 12 that they were to return home another way and not tell Herod.
When we seek the Lord and find the Lord and worship the Lord, we can rest in the confident assurance that He will lead us in the path we are to follow. The important thing is for us to wait for His voice before we act. There is danger of running ahead of God as well as lagging behind. Teach us, Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 23, 2008 | John
John 1:1-14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
What more can be said except, Thank you Lord? This is truly the message of Christmas!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 22, 2008 | James
James 1:13-15
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Here in the beautiful State of Washington we have been hit by two snow storms and another is on the way. I was called out to meet with a family in preparation for a funeral service. The snow had stopped, but there was at least six inches covering the roads. I have driven on snow and ice enough to not fear driving in the white stuff, except to be concerned about other drivers who may lose control.
As I returned home and drove into the garage, I happened to notice that snow had caked on the tires and was starting to build up in the wheel wells. I smiled at the reality that I had seen such a build-up several times before.
Those of you who live in warm and sunny climates may not have had the experience I am about to relate, but try to picture this scenario. There are two times I have had it happen. After driving for several hours in very snowy conditions, I began to notice difficulty in steering. I was gradually able to steer off the roadway to see what the problem was.
It was then that I saw that the front wheel wells were almost completely packed solid with snow. The snow was packed so solidly that I had to use a sharp iron bar to break it away. After awhile the same thing occurred, and I had to stop to clean out the problem again.
Perhaps you can guess where I am heading with this. Sometimes in our spiritual walk we start picking up things (even good things) that prevent us from being able to steer in the right direction. Most of the time, this build-up is caused by questionable decisions or conduct.
It is possible for us to pack our life so full of worthy activities that we lose control of our steering. Even spiritual activities done in our own strength and without the Lord’s calling will so clog our “wheel wells” that we lack the ability to steer.
The way we can clear the blockages in our steering system is to humbly bow before the Lord and ask Him to direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 19, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2, 5
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. – -‘Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’”
I seem to remember a commercial from many years ago (with my memory I can’t be sure of too many things) about satisfaction. I think it was a commercial for Folger’s Coffee: “Good to the last drop—it satisfies!” Does that ring a bell for some of you?
Many products or programs claim to bring lasting satisfaction. Usually the satisfaction they claim can only be achieved by investing in what they are selling. Smiles on labels, billboards, fliers or on television prove that this or that will satisfy.
Perhaps there are things that will bring temporary satisfaction, but will it last? When your throat is parched after working for hours in the sun, a drink of cool water will satisfy you, but for how long? How long will it be before you are headed for the water faucet once more?
Our daughter, Brenda, went to be with the Lord in 1991. For at least two years before her death her doctors treated her for water retention. The bottom line was that she had a parched throat almost continually. She frequently said to her mother and me, “When I get to heaven I want to drink all the water I want without being scolded by my doctors.”
You know something? I think Brenda was right. She was looking forward to her heavenly home when she would experience satisfaction such as she had never experienced before. That is what the Psalmist was trying to describe in today’s Scripture.
For most of this week we have been considering Psalm 103:1-5. These verses are very introspective and direct our soul to praise the Lord. There are more things to praise the Lord for, but these verses get us started.
I love birds and especially enjoy watching hawks and eagles. The fact that we live on Bald Eagle Lane is very appropriate. In today’s Scripture we are encouraged by the fact that the Lord satisfies our needs.
Not selfish needs to be squandered on ourselves, but spiritual needs to make us effective in the works of the Lord regardless of our age. He says that our youth will be renewed like the eagles. To me that means He gives us strength for doing what He calls us to do. Are you soaring yet? It starts by praising Him for everything!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 18, 2008 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2, 4
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. – – who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”
It seems like a lifetime ago—as a matter of fact it almost was. It was back in 1952 that I went to a jewelry store and selected an engagement and wedding ring for the woman of my dreams. It was a small set with hearts on either side of a small diamond. The hearts were a symbol of our love for each other.
Back then (as now) I did not have much money. After I had selected the rings I put them on lay-a-way. For those of you who are rich and have never heard of the term lay-a-way, it is reserving the item and paying on it a little at a time until you have met the price. You may then REDEEM your item.
The Hebrew word for redeem as used in Psalm 103:4, is the word, ga’al. In addition to redeem something, it also means to ransom someone. Many of you may have read about modern day pirates taking over large vessels and holding the ship and personnel until their ransom demands have been met.
Any time hostages are held against their will they have no control of their life. From moment to moment they never know when they may be killed. The joy of being set free must be exhilarating.
Each and every one of us born into this world is held hostage to sin. We do not have to learn how to sin—it comes natural. It is the common characteristic of each and every human.
The blessed thing is that we have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. He paid the price in order that those who are born again may be set free—REDEEMED! Are you happy about it? Do you take the time to praise the Lord for setting you free? That is one of the greatest things to praise the Lord for.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
