by Pastor Cecil | Jun 9, 2016 | 1 John
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Some people have better night vision than others. I am told it has to do with rods in the retina. I guess my night vision is fairly good, though I am not sure how you are able to compare it with the average … but I do not stumble too often. As a teen I did stumble a few times when I came in after a date with Joyce and did not want to turn on the lights. Mom had a habit of re-arranging furniture!
As a police officer I frequently had to enter dark buildings that had been found unlocked. With only a flashlight to illuminate large warehouse areas, it was vital to only walk in the beam of light.
Jesus is the Light of the World. In order to insure we do not stray into dangerous territory, we must follow in the light of His Word. There are people who try to tell us to follow them, but that can lead to great danger.
When we search the Word of God and walk in its light, we will be able to stay on the right path and prevent falling into error. It will also lead us to the fellowship of others who are committed to walking in the light.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 8, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Recently I was watching an automobile race on television when the announcer commented that this was no time for the driver to look in his rear view mirror. Any such distraction such as looking at who is pursuing and how close they are can take a driver’s attention from what he is supposed to do and could cost the race.
I have heard coaches give the same advice to athletes who are in a foot race or other sporting venues. It is good advice that applies equally to our walk with the Lord. We may be tempted to look back at the glory days, or we may look back at the approaching enemy, but we are told to look ahead.
It is tragic to observe believers who have lost their race for the Lord because they took their eyes off the Goal. There are many distractions that can demand our attention and result in a spiritual derailment.
The answer to finishing our spiritual race with victory is to keep our eyes on the prize that lies before us. The things of this world will lose their appeal as we see Jesus only!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 7, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 18:5
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
I have written about it before, but in the past few hours I had the pleasure of reliving an incident that originally took place over ten years ago. Joyce and I were trying to select a gift for a young girl in our church. Joyce wanted to get her something feminine and sweet, but I suggested a small toy gorilla. Kailey, the young girl, named the little gorilla “Cecil” and has kept it all of these years.
She is now graduating from Community College and, as a gift, I bought her a larger version of little Cecil the gorilla. How would a sophisticated college girl react to the new Cecil? I just returned from meeting Kailey and her mother. The first thing she did was reach out and show me the little gorilla she has kept all these years.
As Kailey opened the gift bag with the larger Cecil, her face lit up like a neon sign. The only thing I could say was that I wished Joyce were still here to share the joy. I am so glad we took the time those many years ago to befriend a little girl who would one day become a lovely young woman who did not think it silly to hang onto a toy that expressed our love. I hope the new “Big Cecil” also stays with her for a long time!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 6, 2016 | John
John 3:12
“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
During the Statler Brothers Farewell Concert, Harold (who was always the one with the humorous stories) wanted to tell one of his yarns. He prefaced it with the statement, “I have a story you are not going to believe!” His brother, Don, replied, “Every story you tell I do not believe!”
Believe is a powerful word. In the Greek it is pisteuō. As it is used in the New Testament it is the conviction and trust to which man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law and soul. In layman’s terms I would say it means to choose to listen to the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit and then obey.
As you can see, today’s Scripture is a few verses away from the familiar John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” To believe is a choice that each person on the face of the earth must make. It is the only gateway to an eternity with God. BELIEVE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 3, 2016 | Luke
Luke 24:29
“But they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to tarry with them.”
There are days when it seems we have more need for the Lord abide with us. July 10th is one of those days for me. It was on July 10, 1952 that Joyce Elaine Harper became Mrs. Cecil Adrain Thompson. If you are counting, that was 63 years ago. My precious wife is not with me to celebrate our anniversary this year since she went to be with the Lord on January 13th of this year.
In 1991 it was just one day after our anniversary, July 11th that our dear daughter Brenda Joy made her journey to be with the Lord. I know they are rejoicing in the presence of our Jesus right now, but for those of us who are left behind, (for this old pastor), there is a need for the Lord to abide with us. I want the words of this old hymn to be our prayer and bring comfort.
Abide With Me
Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. To access Abide With Me, this free inspirational video from GloryScapes™, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/abidewithme/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
