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
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2016 | Romans
Romans 12:10
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
I am so glad I grew up in an era when kids were taught to behave. I did not appreciate it at the time, but the consistent discipline of my parents helped shape me into the man I became. Countless times I heard that stern word — BEHAVE!
Somewhere along the line I learned that I could bring joy to my parents if I would simply behave on my own. That was especially true when I was left unattended. It resulted in satisfaction for them as well as for the Lord.
As we read the words of today’s Scripture, we find instruction to help us behave regardless of where we are. In hope … we rejoice! In tribulation … we are patient! In prayer … we are steadfast.
Where are you at this moment? Wherever you are or wherever you find yourself in the future, remember Romans 12:12. We have a confidence the world can never know. It is the assurance that what God has given us by the blood of Jesus Christ gives us the power and will to BEHAVE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 1, 2016 | Romans
Romans 12:10
“. . . not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
This week I have been exploring the various aspects of “love” which are found in Romans 12:9-13. Verse 11 urges those of us seeking a deeper understanding of love to not lag in our diligence to serve the Lord.
All too often we have the best intentions, but we fail to follow through with actions. We may make commitments to serve the Lord with all of our might, but then fail to read the Bible or pray.
It reminds me of parents taking their children into a crowded city street and admonishing them to stay close. Inevitably there is one child who lags behind and must be admonished to stay close or risk being lost.
are to have such a fervency of spirit that our primary objective is to serve the Lord with all of our heart in order to please Him. That brings me to consider this question: Am I living my life in such a manner that I have a fervent spirit in serving the Lord? Please turn that question in your own direction. Are you serving the Lord with a fervent spirit or are you lagging behind?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 31, 2016 | Romans
Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
Across the years I have counseled hundreds of individuals and couples. (That may not be due to my popularity as much as my age — I have been around a long time!) Regardless, I have met very bitter people who seemed devoid of kindly affection. In fact, they have not been kind at all.
Yesterday I used Romans 12:9 to direct our thoughts. Today and tomorrow I will continue an examination of this passage. Romans 12:9-12 is filled with descriptions of what love should be. I know 1st Corinthians 13 is frequently referred to as the Bible’s “love” chapter, but in a way, I think the Roman’s passage is equally descriptive.
We show our true Christian love by being kind to each other. Being kind means that we devote ourselves to discovering what the other person needs and then doing our best to help them fulfill their needs. It brings us back to the process of thinking of others more than ourselves.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
