by Pastor Cecil | May 3, 2018 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Sometimes, when life is hectic and demanding, I feel like I would like some “alone” time. Have you ever felt that way? For several years Public Television has chronicled the story of Dick Proenneke, a man who lived alone in the wilderness for over thirty years.
I have to confess that I love watching this program over and over again. It is not that I would like to be alone like Dick, but I am intrigued by the creative ways he used the resources around him to survive.
In addition to being impressed by Dick’s resourcefulness, I also became aware of something else—he was not totally isolated. There was a bush pilot who made trips into Dick’s remote location to deliver supplies and mail. I can only imagine the joy he must have felt in receiving mail from his family in California.
We do not have to be isolated in a wilderness like Dick Proenneke to feel alone. We can feel alone even when we are surrounded by a multitude of people. Regardless of where we might be or who might be around us, according to our Scripture for today we are never alone. Not only is the Lord with us at all times, He has promised to give us strength and to uphold us. Praise the Lord!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 2, 2018 | Romans
Romans 12:9
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
I am scared silly by what I observe in the modern church world. Fundamentals are being sacrificed for the sake of fads. The gospel is being replaced by gadgets. Spirituality is being traded for superficiality. Discipleship is being bartered for dependency.
This new wave of Christianity calls for little or no commitment except sending money with the selfish motive of receiving good things in return. Entire groups of churches have adopted the premise that their own decisions hold priority over the infallible Word of God.
I am here to say that if the Bible says something is a sin—it is a sin. No amount of ecclesiastical mumbo jumbo can replace what God has spoken. Now we are being subjected to efforts to form a one-world church. The book of Revelation will open your eyes to the pitfall such an organization presents.
So what are we to do—individually as well as collectively? PRAY! Not in pride but in humility. II Chronicles 7:14 should be constantly before us: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Let’s obey God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 1, 2018 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.“
Back in the 1970’s I seemed to have it made. I was Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission. The position paid well and I was offered a similar position with a Federal agency. But God had other plans for me.
I felt God’s call and took a part-time position with my home church. The pay was less and the hours longer, but it was God’s call and I could only obey. Since that time I have felt weak and inadequate, but it is in those times that I have most felt the power of God. It was not what I did but what God did through me.
There was a time in my life when I felt that retirement was something to look forward to. But I passed “retirement age” many years ago and now my ministry is more fruitful than when I was young and strong.
Why is that? I think the answer is that it is not my strength or ability, but God flowing through me. The less I am able to do, the more He is able to do through me. “Do you feel me?”
If you feel too weak or too inadequate to do work for the Lord, just start praising the Him. That is when His power and glory can be displayed. It is when we are weak that His strength is revealed! Thank God for the difficulties and watch Him work!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
