by Pastor Cecil | Oct 16, 2009 | Mark
Mark 5:19-20
“Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis (ten cities) how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
The disciples were on the way to the land inhabited by the Gerasenes. Andrew, Peter, James and John were seasoned fishermen. I am sure they had encountered many storms on the Sea of Galilee. But suddenly they were in a storm that was worse than anything they had ever seen. They were certain their boat was about to be swamped and all of them would be drowned.
In Mark, chapter four, we read about how Jesus calmed the storm (another one of His many miracles). When the disciples’ boat finally arrived on the shore, they were greeted by a man with super-human strength because he was possessed by demons. Knowing who Jesus was and recognizing His authority, the demons begged to go into a herd of swine. Jesus granted their request, which demonstrates to us the power He has over demonic forces.
The former demon-possessed man was so grateful that he begged Jesus to allow him to follow Him. Jesus declined, but told him to go home and tell his family. In today’s Scripture we read that the man went far beyond. He began to preach to the ten cities of the region.
We have no idea who this man was, but I eagerly look forward to seeing him in heaven to hear how it felt to be the Unknown Evangelist to the Gerasenes.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 15, 2009 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:34
“Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”
I have no idea how I get into these situations, but I was in one earlier today. I had an appointment at a café that was attached to a super market. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I noticed a young man starting to back out with a gallon of milk on the top of his car.
I stopped behind him and honked my horn. He seemed to be unaware of what I was trying to tell him. I honked again and motioned for him to roll down his window. Again he failed to understand. Other people were now honking and trying to get his attention.
Suddenly he put his car in reverse and began to back toward me. I was sure he would run into the side of my car. Just as he was about to hit my car he started forward and tried to drive through the opening to his left.
At that moment someone ran up to his window, grabbed the gallon of milk and showed it to him. Disaster was diverted and the man was able to return home with the milk that had come so close to falling on the ground.
I have been thinking about the incident all afternoon and evening. The honking did not work. The shouting did not work. It was not until someone took the milk and handed it to the driver that he stopped and received it.
All around us there are folks who leave the milk of God’s Word outside their lives. It is heartbreaking to observe as they refuse to heed our warning. Perhaps it is because we stay too far away and fail to get close enough to hand the milk to them.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 14, 2009 | Philippians
Philippians 4:9
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Each Saturday morning, Joyce and I go to a favorite spot for coffee or tea. It gives us a chance to reflect on what the Lord is doing in our lives. Each week we observe a young father who is there with his three children. The family is a delight to watch. The kids seem to reflect the peaceful nature of Dad.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lays himself out as a living example. He asks the church to use his life as an example of living for the Lord Jesus Christ. It was certainly not from an attitude of pride, but a confidence that his faith would never waiver.
He uses four adjectives for the believers at Philippi to emulate: Learned, received, heard and seen. These four words might also be taken in reverse order. They would have seen his life and actions before they heard his message. It is true for us as well. People will see what we do before they hear what we say.
Having seen the way Paul lived, they were open to hear his words. That is true for us as well. You may recall the old saying: “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear your words!” What are people seeing and hearing in your life?
Just because we live an exemplary life and speak a true message of salvation does not insure acceptance. The hearer must receive and learn. We can only live and speak it. Having done our part, we pray for fruit from our labors.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 13, 2009 | Acts
Acts 5:40-41
“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
Do you ever feel discouraged with yourself because you fail to stand tall for the Lord? Do you start strong but become spiritually sidetracked by the cares of the world? Do you sometimes care more about what people think than what God’s Word says?
If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, the Apostle Peter should be your example. Peter seemed to spend much of his time limping when he was with Jesus because he had his foot in his mouth. He failed in his boast to stand strong for the Lord, even to the death.
Suddenly Peter changed. After the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood boldly in front a huge crowd and preached the good news of salvation. His sermon resulted in three thousand receiving Jesus as their personal Savior that day.
Before Jesus was crucified, Peter denied Him three times—but now he was willing to receive a flogging for his preaching the message of salvation. Jesus had promised the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who would never leave nor forsake the believer. Peter allowed the Holy Spirit to work through him and he was a changed man.
Living a vital Christian life is not simply following a ritual or going through the motions. It is a dynamic change like putting a new engine under the hood. Paul sums up the change in Philippians 4:12-13: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Have you experienced the change?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 12, 2009 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 3:6
“Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.”
Back in the 70’s I worked in Law Enforcement Planning for the State of Idaho. We would allocate funds to upgrade police, courts and corrections. Often these funds would be used to hire additional personnel. One of the requirements to receive these funds was to write an evaluation on what was done with the money.
One small department had not submitted a report and our agency kept requesting that the Chief of Police respond. After numerous letters and telephone calls we finally received his one sentence report: “Hired one man, he done good!” We all agreed that his short report was better than many wordy responses we received.
Why I remember this after so many years is beyond me, other than to consider the importance of a good report—whether we give it or receive it. There is far too much bad-mouthing in our modern world. We seem to delight in that which is evil rather than searching for that which is good.
Timothy had just returned from Thessalonica. The Christians there had been enduring persecution and Paul was anxious to hear how they were doing in the midst of these trials. If I could sum up Timothy’s report in the same manner that the Chief of Police responded it might sound like this: “They received Christ and they done good!”
What kind of report would someone give about your walk with the Lord? I pray that it might be: “They received Christ and they done good!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
