by Pastor Cecil | Feb 25, 2016 | Colossians
Colossians 4:28-29
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
I have experienced many embarrassing moments in my life, but one really stands out. Years ago I was teaching a class of young professionals, sharing deep and profound biblical truths. The class seemed to be very interested in everything I was saying — except they were not looking at my face, but at my feet.
Finally, one of the young women raised her hand to ask a question. “Yes, Dorinda,” I said. In trepidation she asked, “Is there a reason you are wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe?” I dreaded looking down, knowing that in my haste I had made a blunder. The class exploded in laughter — at my expense. I finally recovered and told them “As strange as it may seem, I have another pair at home just like this pair!”
One of the things I have learned from these “red faced” situations is that pride needs to be dealt a blow. It is hard to act proud and aloof when you have on one brown shoe and one black one.
I earnestly pray that the Lord will continue to remind me of the wrong shoes in my life any time I start to think more of myself than I ought. I aim to forget myself and focus on Him. NOT ME—BUT CHRIST ONLY!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 24, 2016 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 17:9-10
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
My daughter made a comment a few days ago that was like a slap in the face. It was in no way disrespectful, but it confronted me with something I was not aware even existed in my life.
She had been to the dentist and while there she commented to the dental hygienist that I never used any type of deadening when I had dental work done. She went on to tell her that I was PROUD of it. WOW!
As I have thought about her statement I have come to realize that I have been taking pride in a silly thing like not using Novocain. Many times we think of only the big areas of pride in our life and overlook the small, but just as deadly sources of pride.
I have prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me for this sin of pride. I am also searching for other hidden things that demonstrate pride. My desire is to search and confess each time I discover some area of pride I have overlooked.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 23, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 37:7-8
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
In school we used to joke about being impatient. I can still recall a classmate saying; “I don’t have any trouble with being patient, it is the waiting that I have trouble with!”
That is where the rub comes isn’t it. Waiting is so hard that we feel we must be doing something wrong and so we barge ahead of God and take action. The problem is that it is our action rather than HIS action. It is almost as if we feel that we have to give God a little boost.
The Psalmist sets us straight in the matter of patience. In today’s Scripture we are told to REST IN THE LORD. That does not mean to work like crazy doing good things in order to impress the Lord. It means relaxing and trust that He will open the door He wants us to walk through when the time is right—not before!
If you are feeling weighed down and impatient waiting for the Lord to act upon your prayer request—STOP! Do not let yourself be burdened by seeing others prosper while you suffer. Rest in the Lord! He will call you when He is ready. That is patience!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 22, 2016 | Romans
Romans 11:36
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
I think it was my spiritual mentor, Dr. John Hall, who first introduced me to a statement that I have kept in my heart for over fifty years now: “I Can’t—He can—That’s all I need to know—Let’s go!”
To live by that spiritual principle gives both purpose and direction. Too often we try to do things our way with our abilities only to ultimately find ourselves flat on our face. That is when another expression describes our condition: “Our get up and go, got up and went!”
Anytime I have experienced loss or failure in the fifty years since Dr. John shared this expression with me, I have recognized it is not my strength or knowledge that makes the difference. It is only to the degree that I place everything in God’s hands that I am able to get up and go.
The next time you feel that you are in over your head, or lack the ability to serve the Lord, just remember that it is God’s business to work in and through you to perform the things He wills and purposes. HE IS OUR EVERYTHING!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 18, 2016 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
A message of holiness is generally not popular in our modern world. I guess most people feel they are pretty good and have no need to hear a call to clean up our act and live holy lives.
In this feel-good society we place the stress on creature pleasures. Over and over I have heard people refuse to commit their life to Christ because they want to enjoy the pleasures of sin. They want to wait until they have fully satisfied their lusts and then they will be interested in getting right with God. BEEP!
Two thoughts always come to mind in response. First is the reality that these so-called pleasures are not all they are cracked up to be. The most miserable people I have ever met are victims of what they once called pleasure. Now their lives have become a living nightmare. Often they are too ashamed to turn to God.
The second observation is that none of us know how long we have to live. These human bodies of ours are absolutely amazing. Our critical organs can function over long periods of time, but just as true, they can experience catastrophic failure at a moment’s notice and we will be in eternity. I WANT TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
