by Pastor Cecil | Feb 27, 2015 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:1-3
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.”
I enjoy hearing people talk about what they do. I recall listening to fighter pilots talk about the thrill of combat and how close they came to death. I have been enthralled by the stories of the deep sea fishermen in Newfoundland. Police officers share with other officers interesting, sometimes dangerous, incidents.
The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. I can almost visualize his calloused fingers and hands. They would almost certainly have been the marks from years of stretching and stitching the fabric to create or repair tents.
In today’s Scripture, Paul uses his profession as a tent-maker to illustrate a spiritual truth: This human body of ours is not going to survive. There are those who try to reverse the aging process in various ways, but nothing is going to keep us from coming to the end of our life and entering eternity.
It is sad that most of us spend far too much time and effort on things that will pass away. By spending so much time on earthly things we neglect the things that really count—those things that have eternal value.
Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word will prepare us for that heavenly home that will never pass away. What home are you spending your time and effort to build?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 26, 2015 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Since the passing of my precious wife I have had many people mention that she is watching over me. Is she really? I think not. Stop and think about it for a few minutes. If our loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord were able to see the things we do, wouldn’t it break their hearts? Since we are told there are no tears in heaven, that in itself would negate our being watched by them.
There are some who are quick to reference today’s Scripture about the vast crowd of witnesses keeping an eye on us. Does it really? Notice that the passage begins with “therefore.” When we see that word we need to find out what it relates to. In the previous chapter, verses 39-40, we read: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Witnesses testify to what they have seen or experienced. It is not that our loved ones and saints are looking over the parapets of heaven to scrutinize us—it is their faithful and godly lifestyle that we are to remember.
As you read about the faithful men and women in the Bible or throughout all of history, take courage and never give up. God is in control. WITNESS THEM!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 25, 2015 | Psalm
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
When I was in graduate school I always dreaded tests or submitting papers. We were expected to do more than undergraduates and so the professors seemed to be very critical of every mistake. At the end of my required classes I had to submit my thesis and sit before a panel of professors for an oral examination. Ouch! It was a tremendous relief to discover that I was ACCEPTABLE and was awarded my Master of Arts degree.
There is no human individual or groups that can ever compare with finding favor with God. Let me be very quick to say that our actions will never earn our salvation. It does not come from our own merits but by the shed blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Being found acceptable before the Lord comes from what we say and what we do. It may sound strange to put our words before our thoughts, but when we read Psalm 139:4 it shows that God knows our heart and words simultaneously; “For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”
The Psalmist is yielding his mind and actions to the Lord and praying for the strength to make his words and thoughts compatible with the will of God for his life. Over and over I make this prayer my own. In those areas where I am weak I ask the Lord to find me ACCEPTIBLE in His sight.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 24, 2015 | James
James 1:19-20
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
The word “ought” is a derivation of the word “naught.” In English it is meant to express a zero. Back in the 1970’s I served as Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism at a large church. The camaraderie we had as a staff was wonderful. One day at staff meeting the most distinguished staff member remarked to the Senior Pastor that he always felt under condemnation when he called him. His number ended in 0202 and Vernon said he always thought of it as “ought to! ought to!”
Over the years I have recalled that staff meeting and in my experience as a Christian Counselor and Pastor, I have found that certain phrases are like hidden land mines that explode and cause damage to personal and/or marital relationships.
Many years ago I was recovering from major surgery. It seemed as if many of my friends felt I needed their visit and advice in order to recover. The truth of the matter is that I felt as if I had a relapse after their visit. One exception was a friend of mine who was a surgeon. During breaks he would come into my hospital room and just sit quietly. His silence was like a healing balm.
Rather than giving advice that was not asked for or placing the burden on another person to change, we need to just be available. It is far too easy to ask the question; “Why don’t you?” The better question to ask is, “How can I?”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 23, 2015 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:8-9
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
It seems as if I spend most of my time on the phone these days. It is hard enough trying to keep the tears out of my eyes thinking of my precious Joyce, but I am forced make the necessary changes that her death entails.
Last week I was speaking to a wonderful lady from San Antonio, Texas. She was very kind and helpful and made the task much more pleasant than if I had been forced to do everything by myself. As we concluded our business I pronounced a blessing on her. She acted stunned and said; “You have no idea how much I needed that right now.”
Blessing someone costs us nothing, but it can mean everything to the one who is the recipient of the blessing. In my mind it takes my mind off of myself and focuses on the person who receives the blessing. I have no idea why that lady in San Antonio needed a blessing at just that time, but it is none of my business. It is God’s business! God is a blessing God and He wants us to share His blessing.
As we look at the mirror of our life can we see the image of a bless giver? That is someone who blesses each and every time the Lord prompts us. My precious Joyce was a gentle and quiet spirit, but she blessed so many by her prayers, her words, and her cards with a special note. I WANT TO ALWAYS BLESS OTHERS!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
