by Pastor Cecil | Oct 29, 2018 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
What is really important in your life? There are people who live in massive and opulent homes that cost millions of dollars. It would be easy to think that they have reached the pinnacle of satisfaction, but that is usually not the case. These people are most likely to be miserable.
On the other extreme are those who live in humble dwellings that are in low income neighborhoods. Some who reside there spend considerable time and effort day dreaming about living in the homes of the rich and powerful.
Lack of contentment can be expressed in numerous ways. Some people are never satisfied with their employment, their marriage partner, their appearance, their abilities, or any number of factors that are common to the human existence. Let’s face it—we covet the things or qualities that others possess. Even some pastors covet larger churches or larger ministries.
God calls us to find our true value in Him. He leads us and directs us in the path He has chosen for us. The path may be steep or rocky, but it is the wonderful way God has chosen to allow us to shine brightly in a world of sin. Rest in the contentment that God knows what He is doing, and by finding joy in your present situation, you may be a true minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 26, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Enjoy this free inspirational video, from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodand king/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 25, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
I once had a man from our congregation drop by the parsonage and ask to talk with me. I was delighted and hopeful that he wanted spiritual counsel of some sort. We enjoyed a light lunch before going into my office. Suddenly, out of the clear blue, came these words: “I hate your guts!” Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Prior to this outburst there did not seem to be any hint of a conflict between us, so his statement was a blow.
With my mind reeling, I prayed silently for God’s wisdom and strength. With as much sincerity as possible I answered, “I am so glad that you feel free to share your feelings with me.” From that incident I would like to suggest a few ways to respond to and love the unlovable.
- Rely on God’s wisdom in dealing with the person.
- Realize that these unlovable people need love—perhaps more than others.
- Remember how unlovable our sins are in God’s sight.
- Rejoice that we are counted worthy to encounter persecution.
- Respond with love rather than retaliate with resentment.
What happened on that Sunday evening so long ago? We spent time together as he poured out his heart. As he was leaving he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Pastor, I love you so much!” Wow! That was a dramatic change from the comments he made earlier. God is so good!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It is always a thrill for me to build a fire. One summer our Boy Scout troop had a week-long camp and our scoutmaster taught us the fundamentals of building and maintaining a good fire. We always needed dry wood in order to keep the fire burning.
Recently I have thought about those lessons while building fires in our small wood stove. When I first ignite the fire there is plenty of paper and kindling allowing the flames to ignite. It is just enough to produce a flame. I am forced to keep the fire growing by placing larger and larger pieces of wood into the flames.
I have learned the hard way the folly of placing too much wood on too soon. It is necessary to pay close attention and place smaller kindling first into the flames until they get the larger pieces engulfed.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail to learn the lessons from the fire box. We must insure that we kindle a fire in new believers. Then we need to provide just the right amount of spiritual kindling to get their flame burning bright. As we add more solid wood we need to watch for the moment when they are burning on their own and producing fire in those around them. LIGHT A FIRE!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 6:19
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
At times it seems the entire world is on the verge of financial collapse. Retirement accounts that once seemed to be adequate for the golden years melt like a snowman in 80 degree weather! Those of us who possess the least seem to be the least concerned. Why is that? According to today’s Scripture, it has to do with where our heart is.
Over the years I have heard excuses from people who fail to honor God with their giving. They say that they want to wait until … the house sells … they get a raise … they receive their inheritance … they receive their income tax refund … and on it goes. They claim that when their circumstances change they will have more to give to the work of the Lord.
Do you recall the incident when Jesus was in the temple courts? You can read about it in Luke 21:1-4. Jesus saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a widow put in a very small amount. Jesus observed that the woman had put in more than all of the others. They gave out of their surplus, but she gave out of what little she had to live on.
It is a tragedy that many individuals (even some churches) place more confidence in the treasures of this world that will pass away than in heavenly treasures that will last forever and forever. What is your greatest treasure?
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
