by Pastor Cecil | Mar 23, 2016 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 12:13-14
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”
God’s Word is true regardless of how many people try to deny it. Since it is a fact that it is God’s message to each and every one of us, it is important that we listen to what is written and then obey.
Paul is writing to the church at Corinth in today’s Scripture. He calls for us to be united in serving the Lord. He speaks of the church as being a body. I like that. A body is made up of many parts. Each part has a different function, but all working together make the body function effectively. Try hitting your thumb with a hammer and, once you wrap it up, notice how hard it is to function with just one thumb injured.
God does not intend us to compromise with the fundamentals of the faith. There is only one way to heaven and that is through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. But it is tragic that divisions have existed between true believers just on the basis of race or social status. THAT MUST NOT BE!
The FACT of God’s plan for His church is love for the brothers and sisters. We need to stop the competition and show love for others. We need to pray for one another and assist for the furtherance of the Kingdom!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 22, 2016 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1-3
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
At a Bible study many years ago I asked the group about the meaning of faith. Their response was to quote Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When I pressed for further explanation, I was met with many blank stares.
If we analyze what is written here, we find that the first description of faith is: EVIDENCE. Now in my law enforcement background, evidence is concrete material to substantiate a case. But here in this verse, evidence is described as things hoped for but not yet seen.
I liken that to making a trip to buy an ice cream cone. On the way we begin to think about our favorite flavor. Our salivary glands begin to kick into operation and we start to enjoy the ice cream before we ever arrive at the store.
In like manner we can spiritualize this same concept. Faith is stepping out and trusting God’s promises before they ever come to pass. He says it — we believe it, and that is faith in action!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 21, 2016 | Ephesians
Ephesians 3:14-15
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
Family is an interesting concept. Sometimes families are close, but at other times they are at odds with each other and relationships are strained. Back in the mid 60’s I was in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Missouri. Joyce’s aunt and uncle lived in nearby Illinois with their two boys and one daughter. We only visited their farm once but had a wonderful time together. Joyce’s cousin, Millie, was a few years younger and that was the only time I had met her and her husband, David, and the last time Joyce had seen them.
Several years ago, Millie and David were traveling north on I-5 toward the San Juan Islands on the Puget Sound. They called and asked if we could spend some time with them — we could and did!
Joyce and Millie immediately began talking up a storm and going through the family relationships. It was a great time of closeness. After they left to continue their trip, Joyce made a profound observation. She said that even though she had never lived close to Millie, and even though it had been some thirty years since she had last seen her, as they talked they drew close because of the family of which they were a part.
While these two cousins were bonding, David and I were discovering that we, too, were related. Can you believe that?! What a discovery! Not only were we related, but we were brothers! No, we did not have the same mother and father, but were part of the much closer family of God!
There is a new name written down in glory the moment we become born again. We become “blood” relatives of all those who have been born into the family of God. All of the difficulties and trials of this world will seem as nothing when we are finally all together. Talk about a family reunion!
Joyce and Millie had laughed as they recalled Millie’s dad going to the deep freeze and taking out large containers of ice cream and asking the kids what flavor they wanted. That sight will be nothing compared to the sweet dessert which will be spread out before God’s family at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 18, 2016 | 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.”
This week I have tried to focus on the plight of saints around the world who are experiencing persecution and even death. In some cases we are able to take action in coming to the aid of these precious saints. In other instances we are called to pray that their strength may be the witness to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. 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. It has ministered to many people across the years.
About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, 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.
Refrain: 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.
Refrain: 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.
Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.
To access this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 25:21
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Around 1900, my grandpa Shubert came to this country from Germany. He was only in his teens at the time. Eventually, he ended up in the panhandle of Oklahoma battling the harsh realities of the dust bowl era and was one of the few who became successful. He became one of my heroes.
When I was working as Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Grandpa came for a visit. After introducing him around my office, and even introducing him to the Governor, Grandpa looked me in the eye and in his broken English said, “I proud of you!”
There was another day when my dad and I were traveling along a beautiful Idaho river and he said almost the same words that Grandpa had used. Those two men were my earthly examples of what a man of God should be. I was humbled!
As much as the words of my grandpa and dad meant to me, I long to hear the words that will be so much greater that they can never be measured. I want to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
