by Pastor Cecil | Mar 4, 2014 | Matthew
Matthew 5:38-42
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
I can remember as a teenager being asked by my parents to do some small task. I hate to confess, but I just did the bare minimum to be able to say I had done the job, but inside I knew I had not really done my best or even what was expected of me.
I am wondering what we do when we feel the Lord prompting us to do something? Do we plunge in with great enthusiasm and accomplish the task, or do we simply go about the motions without really giving our best to the Master?
I am told that in Jesus’ day, the Roman soldiers could compel an Israelite to carry their burden for them. There was a restriction. They could only compel them to carry the load for one mile. Early believers were urged to demonstrate their faith by giving more of themselves than was required.
How do you stack up in this area? Are you and I giving more than required? When asked do something, do we go over and beyond what was required? Do we show the spirit of Jesus on a daily basis? Think on these things.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 3, 2014 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The time has come! What Paul warned Timothy to be aware of, was that there would come a time when people would refuse to hear the Word of God. We are certainly living in a day and age when people want to be entertained rather than taught. The word doctrine in the Greek is: didaskalia. It means to instruct or teach.
Have you noticed that in the past several years there has been a dramatic increase in books and movies that deal with mythical creatures and even present them as being real.
Isn’t it strange that the very people that deny the Bible as being the Word of God are the very ones who support the myths as being true. These people often accuse Christians of being out of step with reality and reject our teachings.
What do we do a situation like this? I think Paul makes it very clear that our task as believers is to be faithful in proclaiming the truth. Yes, there are many who will reject it and reject us as well, but we are to stay at the task until Jesus Comes!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 28, 2014 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
I once read about a forest service worker who was walking through an area that had just been ravaged by a forest fire. He saw a strange mound and stopped to check it out. To his astonishment it was a mother bird that had been killed by the fire. As he knelt to examine the bird, he heard a peep from under the pile of ashes. When he turned the bird over he found several chicks.
Instead of flying to save herself, the mother had sacrificed herself in order to protect her brood from the fire that was sweeping toward them. That is what Jesus has done for us. He wants to shelter us under His wings from the firestorm of life.
In 1896, William Cushing wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings. Enjoy this featured hymn fromGloryScapes.
Under His Wings
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 27, 2014 | 1 Kings
1 Kings 18:20-21
So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.
Are you fish or fowl? What do I mean by that question? I am really interested in knowing whether you have repented of your sins, trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ with all of your heart and had your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
There are many who know about Jesus and His saving work . . . even had faith that He is the Savior of the World . . . but have you been born again? To be born again is much more than believing about Jesus—it is inviting Him to be the Lord (the Boss) of your life.
Elijah was a faithful prophet of the Lord. He had the gumption to stand up against the wicked King Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal. He challenged the people before he challenged the prophets of Baal. He wanted to know whether they stood for God or against Him.
In Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23, we read the words of Jesus as He challenged the people of His day: “He that is not with Me is against Me.” That leaves no middle ground for a namby-pamby relationship. If Jesus required a committed relationship then, He still requires it today!
In response to Elijah’s challenge, the people remained silent. Their silence answered the question. In the same way, our silence to the call to come to Jesus and be born again signifies our refusal to follow. If we desire to be counted as one of His own and have our lives transformed, we must stand up and be counted.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 26, 2014 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:17-18
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Most of us can relate to the apostle Peter–a man that was totally focused on the Lord, yet he slipped. This was a man of courage. But, too often, we focus on the the three times Peter denied knowing the Lord in the courtyard where Jesus was shamefully and unjustly tried.
The courage of Peter was seen hours before the kangaroo trial. He was the one who used a sword on the servant of the high priest. Such action could be considered suicide. But Peter was willing to die for his Master.
A few short hours after demonstrating this act of courage, Peter failed his Lord three times just as Jesus had prophesied. When he denied Jesus the third time and the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. I am sure that it was a look of love and forgiveness. Peter went away and wept bitter tears.
I have tried to get my mind around the courage of Peter on the one hand and the failure on the other. The only difference I can see is that he was separated from his Lord. The way to have victory is to grow in the Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
