by Pastor Cecil | Dec 11, 2018 | James
James 1:14
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
There have been two times when driving in heavy snow that I began to notice steering difficulty. Thankfully, each time I was gradually able to steer off the roadway to check out the problem.
It was then that I could see that the front wheel wells were almost packed completely with snow. The snow was packed so solidly that I had to use a sharp iron bar to break it away. Afterwards I could only drive a short distance before the same problem occurred. Each time I had to stop to clean the built-up snow out of the wheel wells.
Perhaps you can guess where I am heading with this. Sometimes in our spiritual walk we start picking up things (even good things) that prevent us from being able to steer in the right direction. Most of the time this “build up” is caused by questionable decisions or conduct.
It is possible for us to pack our lives so full of worthy activities that we lose control of our steering. Even religious activities done in our own strength and without the Lord’s calling will so clog our “wheel wells” that we lose the ability to steer. The way we can clear the blockages in our spiritual steering system is to humbly bow before the Lord and ask Him to direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best: “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.”
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 10, 2018 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
What do other people think of you? Many years ago I asked that question of a young man who had recently been released from the Idaho State Juvenile Rehabilitation Center. He had become so disruptive that when released back to our jurisdiction, the local law enforcement agencies were notified that when rearrested he should be confined for as long as possible.
There was no response to my question about what others thought of him, so I passed the letter I had received across the desk and allowed him to read it. The young man’s mouth flew open in genuine astonishment. Ultimately, I agreed to work with him to change his behavior and he was never rearrested. In fact, that unruly young man became a model citizen.
The superintendent of the Rehab Center later inquired about the young man’s status and whether he had been arrested yet. When I reported that the former troublemaker was now a model citizen he wanted to know how I had accomplished that miracle. I told the superintendent that actually he had done it because the young man had read his letter.
So I ask you the question: Are you someone’s greatest problem or are you their glory and joy? I want to be the hope and joy of others!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 7, 2018 | Luke
Luke 2:15
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'”
The beloved Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles). The words were written by an Englishman, John Wade who had originally intended it as a hymn.
The music to “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. In 1841, Rev. Frederick Oakley revised the lyrics of “Adeste Fideles.”
While it would be an appropriate hymn at any time of the year, it has become a cherished Christmas Carol. Let us all come and adore, Christ the Lord.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
Oh come ye, Oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Oh Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Oh Jesus for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ocomeallyefaithful/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 6, 2018 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:1-2a
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.”
I have taken the liberty of listing only 7 despicable characteristics of people living in the last days. There are actually 17 listed by Paul. It is a depressing view of humanity, but sadly descriptive of our present world. That tells me that we are living in the last days.
It grieves me that there are so many professed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who tell more than show the way we are to live out our Christian faith. SORRY! I hate to upset the apple cart of these people, but we are first of all to Show — then Tell. We hear all too much and see so very little.
Listen! If someone talks about being godly, yet violates the biblical pattern of godliness, do not consider that person a role model. In fact, they are negative role models and should be avoided.
In exploring the meaning of godliness, it is possible to know about God and even possess some knowledge of God’s Word and yet fail to put it into practice. Be cautious of such people. Look beyond what they say — observe how they behave.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 5, 2018 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”
Television has never been known for presenting the sterling virtue of honesty. As a matter of fact, it just seems to get worse and worse. In the past few years there has been an increase in “reality” shows. In addition to the numerous times the censors have to bleep the language of those being filmed, there is also a lack of authenticity.
When I was in graduate school I studied the Presentation of Self In Everyday Life by Erving Goffman. It was interesting to learn that people do not respond in a natural way when they are being watched by an audience.
When people have a television camera stuck in their face they will either put on a show (which most do) or close down and fail to act naturally. It is my humble conclusion that most of the reality shows are…make believe!
The tragedy is that many Christians also live a rigged reality life. They behave in a manner that seems right on the outside, but inside they are completely different. It should come as no surprise that the Lord knows our innermost thoughts and feelings. The real ones! My appeal to each and every one of us is to be honest and do not live a life that is characterized as MAKE BELIEVE!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
