by Pastor Cecil | May 24, 2012 | Luke
Luke 12:15
Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
There once was a man in my congregation who owned an extensive gun collection. I am not that much of a gun nut, but it was an amazing sight to see such a collection worth several thousand dollars.
Then word came that there was a burglary in his home. As you might guess, the only items stolen were the guns that he had collected over many years and with such careful attention to detail.
Driving to his home, I wondered what his response would be to this loss and was prepared to console him. Quite frankly, I expected for him to be angry with the intruders.
Surprisingly, the robbery victim greeted me at the door with a huge smile and a hearty laugh—he had not held onto this valuable collection as being the most important thing in his life. Even when I asked if the guns were insured, he just grinned. No, they were not insured and there was no way that he would be compensated for the loss. But Wayne did not mourn the loss of such valuable items. His treasure was laid up in heaven and was waiting for him there
Several years later, after we had moved to another church and he and his wife moved across the state, we heard that Wayne had died. I could just imagine him seeing the true value of those eternal things that this world can never value. I can hardly wait to see him some day and rejoice with him in the true value of eternal life with the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 23, 2012 | 1 John
1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I once heard about a couple who made an appointment with a marriage counselor. They had been married for forty years and the counselor wondered why they would want to talk to him.
The wife started out by saying that she didn’t think her husband loved her—at least he never said he loved her. When the counselor asked the husband if this were true, he readily agreed. The husband explained that he told his wife forty years ago that he loved her and that he had not withdrawn that statement. In the husband’s mind that 40-year-old declaration was still in effect! (I think the counselor wanted to bang his head on the desk!)
It is seldom, if ever, that we choose up sides and talk about the meaning of the word love. Many of us think we have a grasp of its meaning, but there is some doubt that we have plumbed love’s true meaning.
Here is my candid observation: Love is an emotion. The Bible says we are to love and, by its very nature, love needs a positive response to that command. We are prone to love only as long as the person loves us in return. Take that response away and we quickly lose the desire to continue loving.
Like it or not, we humans are self-centered and preoccupied with ourselves. If you want an example of this, just stop and listen to someone’s conversation. Note the way they focus on their own interests and welfare.
According to God’s precious Word we are to love in the same way that Jesus loves us. That means we are to love even when the other person is not lovable. When you stop to think about it, that is the way God loves us—when we are the most unlovable. It is while we were unlovable sinners that Christ loved us, and it’s the unlovable people around us who need us to love them—with Christ’s transforming love.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 22, 2012 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
It was just a dream, but one with a message. Last night, actually toward morning, I had a very realistic dream. In the dream, Joyce and I were outside a charming little church. A young couple was proudly showing us around the outside of the building. I was struck by the tangle of brush and weeds that surrounded the structure. They did not seem to bother the couple as they continued their tour.
As my dream continued, we were once again driving up to the same small church. This time there were many people around and the front door had been smashed in. As we walked inside the shattered front door we saw the inside had been profaned with graffiti and the place was a terrible mess.
It was then in my dream that I saw a man who had been a former member busily engaged in the work of restoring the church. He was getting rid of clutter and was preparing to build the parts that had been demolished.
It made me aware that the dream was a picture of our modern day church. The compromise with the things of the world has allowed the weeds of sin to grow around the church and finally penetrate into the very core of the church itself. Things that were once not even allowed in the open society have invaded the church itself.
As I wake this day, I have a new determination to be busy about the work of restoring the Church of Jesus Christ to those principles that we find in the Word of God. My work cannot be put off by weariness or weakness. I have a new vision of the power of God for the salvation of the lost souls around me. I pray that you will also take a renewed stand for the Lord in these last days.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 21, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It seems that we all too often replace excellence with convenience. We tend to get by with the least amount of effort, time, or cost. As a result, we fail to encounter excellence. We surely can think of examples in the human family, but why spend the time trying to think of illustrations from mankind, when we can use the life of Jesus Christ as the epitome of excellence and also One who is praiseworthy.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lists four qualities that lead to excellence and praiseworthiness: TRUE – NOBLE – LOVELY – ADMIRABLE. Apply each of these qualities in the life and character of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
TRUE: Jesus is True! His Word is true and His actions are true. All that can be known about truth is to be found in Him.
NOBLE: The Greek word for noble can be defined as “WELL BORN.” It is good to recall the birth of Jesus. He was born of a virgin. That is humanly impossible. He was born of the Holy Spirit. That was the supernatural provision by God to provide the perfect Lamb to be slain for the sins of the world.
LOVELY: Jesus was and is lovely. If we are to think of lovely as being pleasing and agreeable, then Jesus is certainly lovely.
ADMIRABLE: It seems that the world clamors for bad reports and the media works overtime searching for bad news and then glorifies it. We need to see in Jesus the living example of One who was always worthy of a good report.
How is your thought life? Are you getting bitter or better? Think about the bad news and get bitter. Think about Jesus and get better!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 18, 2012 | Psalm
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced and extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. He cried out to the Lord to be able to receive a renewing of his own spirit so he could in turn minister to others. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer.
About twenty years later, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his second piano concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!
Hiding in Thee
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
To access Hiding In Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
