by Pastor Cecil | Oct 26, 2016 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:16
“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
If you were writing a letter to your son or daughter and knew that it might be the last words you would ever share with them, what would you say? What would you want them to remember above everything else?
I can recall one of the last conversations I had with my dad. He had been my hero throughout my life and I cherished his wise counsel. He said; “Son when I am gone I want you to remember to tell everyone that I love the Lord and when He is ready to take me home, I am ready to go.”
Dad was never one to spend his time in useless arguments. He had a focus on things that were eternal. He only had an 8th grade education, but his wisdom was far beyond many who had advanced degrees.
The “profane and idle babblings” that Paul mentions are things that can occupy our time and attention and lead us away from God rather than a closer walk with Him. I want to avoid these arguments and debates in order to stay close to the Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 25, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”
I want to confess that I am not a deep theologian who has profound knowledge of the writings of learned biblical scholars. I simply feel that the Lord has called me to study, think, and pray on the things that are written in the precious Word of God until they become real to me. Then, and only then, I try to present them in a manner that is simple, real, and true to the Word
When I was stationed in Missouri with the USAF, I had many conversations with a dear pastor, Rev. Frank Meyers, in Warrensburg, Missouri. He shared that his first pastorate was in St. Joseph, Missouri, near a large meat packing company where a certain member of his congregation worked. This elderly meat packer had at best a third-grade education. Each day he got off at 3:00 p.m. and would head for the pastor’s study. Frank said that old man with a limited education (by the world’s standards) taught him more about the true Word of God than all of his highly educated professors in college and seminary. I want to be like that old unknown meat packer.
Just remember that it is the Lord that takes this poor preacher’s ramblings to show you that God loves you, knows exactly what you feel, and has a plan for your good and His glory. I encourage you to read the book of 1 Thessalonians. If you can, read it all the way through at one sitting. It will bless you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 84:10
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
Back in the 1960’s while serving in the Air Force, I was stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was during this time that our family was introduced to the Bible Memory Association. All five of us memorized faithfully and recited each week.
As a culmination of memorizing for an entire year, the young people were rewarded with a week at camp held in Ringgold, Louisiana. One of the unique features of the camp was the Order of Whitefoot. This honor was only given to BMA campers who had memorized for at least two years and had attended camp.
Additionally, only those who had received the Order of Whitefoot were given the special privilege of serving. Only the Whitefeet were allowed to scrub floors and empty trash. Only they were permitted to do the menial tasks that are usually dreaded.
The story is told of the world famous evangelist D.L. Moody who had invited a large number of ministers for a conference. He noticed that many had placed their shoes outside their doors to have them shined. Not wanting to embarrass them, Moody shined the shoes himself. The guests were abashed when they discovered their presumption.
I want to be more like Moody and the Order of Whitefoot and serve others.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 21, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
I was born in 1934 to a humble working class family in the United States. One hundred years earlier, Katherine Hankey was born to a wealthy family in England. Katherine found great joy in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. She conducted Bible studies all over the city of London.
At age 30, Katherine experienced medical problems that prevented her from leading her Bible studies for one year. It was during that year of rehabilitation that she wrote a long poem about her Jesus. The last part of her poem contains the words of this week’s hymn. The music was composed by William Fisher.
I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true.,
It satisfies my longing as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems,
Than all the golden fancies, of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, ‘tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard,
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best,
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 119:18
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”
One of the things that I dislike the most about having my eyes examined is when the optometrist adjusts the machine until it’s out of focus and then wants me to say when it comes back into focus. It seems to me that the examiner should be able to tell me what is in focus rather than me being required to do it. Oh, well, life is hard!
Spiritually we are called to keep our focus on the Lord. It is far too easy for us to allow our vision to be distorted by the things of the world to the extent that we are not able to properly see things that God wants us to see.
In a world that is increasingly perverted, it becomes more and more likely that people get out of focus. What God’s Word says is wrong is now deemed to be right and what is right according to the Word is seen as out of step, if not biased.
God’s children have often times been required to pay with their lives because they were committed to keeping the right spiritual focus. I pray that we never have to suffer for Christ, but if we do I pray we will be strong and never distort the Gospel.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
