by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It is always a thrill for me to build a fire. One summer our Boy Scout troop had a week-long camp and our scoutmaster taught us the fundamentals of building and maintaining a good fire. We always needed dry wood in order to keep the fire burning.
Recently I have thought about those lessons while building fires in our small wood stove. When I first ignite the fire there is plenty of paper and kindling allowing the flames to ignite. It is just enough to produce a flame. I am forced to keep the fire growing by placing larger and larger pieces of wood into the flames.
I have learned the hard way the folly of placing too much wood on too soon. It is necessary to pay close attention and place smaller kindling first into the flames until they get the larger pieces engulfed.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail to learn the lessons from the fire box. We must insure that we kindle a fire in new believers. Then we need to provide just the right amount of spiritual kindling to get their flame burning bright. As we add more solid wood we need to watch for the moment when they are burning on their own and producing fire in those around them. LIGHT A FIRE!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 6:19
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
At times it seems the entire world is on the verge of financial collapse. Retirement accounts that once seemed to be adequate for the golden years melt like a snowman in 80 degree weather! Those of us who possess the least seem to be the least concerned. Why is that? According to today’s Scripture, it has to do with where our heart is.
Over the years I have heard excuses from people who fail to honor God with their giving. They say that they want to wait until … the house sells … they get a raise … they receive their inheritance … they receive their income tax refund … and on it goes. They claim that when their circumstances change they will have more to give to the work of the Lord.
Do you recall the incident when Jesus was in the temple courts? You can read about it in Luke 21:1-4. Jesus saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a widow put in a very small amount. Jesus observed that the woman had put in more than all of the others. They gave out of their surplus, but she gave out of what little she had to live on.
It is a tragedy that many individuals (even some churches) place more confidence in the treasures of this world that will pass away than in heavenly treasures that will last forever and forever. What is your greatest treasure?
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 22, 2018 | Acts
Acts 14:19
“Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.”
I would like to let you in on a little secret. You probably are already well aware of this truth, but I want to share it anyway — popularity is fleeting and fickle. Popularity polls can reverse in such a moment of time that it takes your breath away.
Some of the most tragic counseling sessions I have ever experienced were with people who had placed their confidence in what others thought of them. When the fickle finger of fame turned away from them, they were devastated.
Paul repeatedly received accolades from the crowds, some elevating him to the position of a god. Even when he protested their adoration, they proclaimed their faith in him and the God he preached. That lasted until trouble makers arrived and suddenly he was stoned and left for dead. There has never been a time in my life when I experienced anything of that sort, but I have had those who professed to be faithful friends turn against me.
In prayer and contemplation I have found comfort in the life that Paul lived. He never sought applause or popularity from the people. He only wanted to be faithful to his Lord so that one day he would hear the words that really count: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” That is the way I want to live.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 17, 2018 | Proverbs
Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
It is quite depressing to wake up each morning and be struck with the reality that we live in the midst of a sinful and unrighteous day and age. The writer of Proverbs states without equivocation that a nation is exalted when it is characterized by righteousness. That virtue is hardly to be found these days!
The writer also states that sin is a reproach to any people. The word reproach as used in this verse in the Hebrew word chesed, which in this context means a wicked thing. That is certainly an apt description of the effect sin has on our society.
What should be our response to the sinful condition of our world? We find the answer in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Many revivals in the past have been started by a few believers who were willing to humble themselves and pray until they touched the hem of His garment. It is time to evaluate our commitment to obey God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 16, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 51:10-11
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
Have you ever wondered who you can count on to do what they have promised to do? Let me ask another, more-penetrating question. Have you ever made a commitment to pray for someone and after days, weeks, or even months, later realize that you have failed to follow through? You have betrayed your trust, my friend!
It is a serious thing to violate your promise to those around you, but what about the promises you have made to the Lord―promises that you made to Him but that you have failed to keep? I must confess that there have been times I have had to hang my head in shame and ask the Lord to forgive my failure.
It is easy to see the faults of others while at the same time ignoring my own shortcomings. I think that the more easily we find fault in others the easier it is to ignore our own failures.
There have been many times that people have disappointed me by saying one thing and then doing another. It hurt and made me feel betrayed. The answer is to take my hurt to the foot of the cross and leave it there.
May God richly bless you as you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
