by Pastor Cecil | Dec 7, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
It was just after noon on Sunday, December 7, 1941, when my 7 year-old world was turned upside down. Church had just dismissed and several of us kids were playing outside the church. Suddenly two of the teenage girls screamed out; “Pearl Harbor has just been bombed by the Japanese!”
The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed a joint session of congress and uttered the words, That December 7, 1941 would be remembered as a “date which will live in infamy.” The same can be said of September 11, 2001.
Over the years there has been much speculation about why a warning had not been issued. There were radar operators who observed the incoming enemy planes, but seemingly mistook them for a friendly flight from the west coast. The fact of the matter is that there were few, if any provisions made to warn of impending doom.
The Japanese military achieved a great “tactical” victory that fateful day, but it was a terrible “strategic” loss. They failed to calculate the industrial and military potential that they had stirred into life. The result was their total defeat four years, and thousands of lives later.
Every human on the planet can look back on a date of infamy. We cannot place a calendar date to it, but it was the day that Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie and disobeyed God. That “sin” has been passed down to every person who has ever lived or will ever live. The result of that sin is death. It was a “tactical” victory for Satan, but it was a “strategic” blunder of eternal repercussions. It will eventually result in his utter demise.
In the meantime, Jesus is our Commander In Chief who gives us victory in our battles. He has assured us that a day is coming when the war will be over and we will have the greatest victory celebration of all time. It will be a date that will live in glory and eternal life. What a day that will be!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Daily I receive messages from readers who describe the pain and trials that they are encountering. You may be one of those suffering saints, even if you did not send me a message.
As I read the words of today’s Scripture, I realize that Christians across the centuries have encountered painful trials. As I have mentioned many times, all of the disciples (except John) experienced torture, suffering and death.
Prior to the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter, was known for expressing his ideas before thinking or praying. Now that he had experienced prison, flogging and humiliation, how would he respond?
Peter’s answer to conflict and trial in his life is the same that we are to practice in our own life. It is what I like to think of as an “AHA!” moment. It is the time when we see the power of God’s Word as being more important than our natural reactions to our circumstances.
We are to see painful trials as something to be anticipated rather than some abnormal occurrence. Not only are we to expect trials in our life, we are to rejoice that we are able to participate in the suffering with Christ and look forward to being able to rejoice with Him in His glory is revealed.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 26, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Last weekend I heard the song, “Give It All To Jesus”. As I listened to the words of the song, I thought of the numerous times that I, as well as others, have counseled people to give their problems and concerns to Jesus. Sometimes they did that, but later they had taken their problem back.
I also think of the times when I make a commitment to the Lord, and then some later time realize that I have taken the situation back into my own hands. It is always disappointing to find that I have reassumed control of my problem.
When I realize that I have taken control of my problem once again, I give it back to God…but then take it back again. This gets to be a depressing scenario and often leads to a feeling of frustration.
Today’s Scripture is very plain as to the problem. IT IS PRIDE! Did I just say that? Yes I did! In essence, when we take things back into our own hands we are saying to the Lord, “Lord, this is too big for You to handle; I will handle it myself!”
Do you know how to stop the yo-yo effect of commitment? The next time you are tempted to take back control of your situation, repeat out loud what I just wrote in the last paragraph: “Lord, this is too big for You to handle; I will handle it myself!” I can guarantee that it will stop you in your tracks and cause you yield control back to the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 19, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:5-6
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
It has been a long time since I first took my driving test, was given a driver’s license and was able to operate my dad’s car. It was always a mystery to me why he was so ashen faced and somber when the keys were placed into my youthful hands and I rocketed out to the car and backed carefully out of the driveway.
I discovered the reason for his terrified appearance when my own kids applied for their first driver’s license and waited eagerly for my shaking hands to deliver the car keys into their all too eager hands. Ah, the passage of time has a way of bringing around memories of the past—some good, some terrifying.
Our eagerness to be the one to operate a motor vehicle is an object lesson to teach us about our spiritual life—WE WANT TO DRIVE! We may not be qualified or adequately aware of the hazards which may lie up ahead, but we still want to take control.
The Apostle Peter tells the young men of the world to demonstrate humility. While this is a quality that is greatly prized by writers of Scripture, unfortunately it is not esteemed in our society. We are more prone to see strutting, swaggering, bragging and disdain by many young people who are disrespectful of their elders.
I hope you caught the words in this passage, “In the same way.” Immediately we should ask ourselves the question, “In the same way – what?” Peter has just been admonishing the elders to come under the authority of the Lord—serving in humility to Christ.
In the Old Testament book of Micah, we find this same pattern established. It tells us that, from the very beginning, God has desired a yielded and broken people. Look what it says in chapter 6, verse 8: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
That, my dear friend, is cutting to the bottom line. If you really and truly desire to find a peace with God, and harmony with those around you, do things God’s way. These words in Micah are words of instruction for the daily walk of the believer.
So you want to drive, do you? If you insist, I want to warn you of the dangers you face. The way is far too treacherous for us to do the driving. Our inexperience can only lead to disaster. It is so much better to let the One who knows the way control the wheel of our life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 26, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 2:11-12
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians acted the way the people of God should act? If we were to die in the next twenty four hours and appear before God, would He be pleased with our actions? It is a sad commentary that Christians do not always have the best reputations.
Back in my earlier days, I was a juvenile probation officer for Canyon County, Idaho. One day I received a letter from the Superintendent of the Idaho Juvenile Correction Center informing me that one of the residents was being sent back to our county. This young man had been committed by the court before I went to work there, so I had never met him.
While at the Juvenile Correction Center, this young man had been such a disruptive force that he spent most of his time in confinement. The staff there had determined that he should be transferred to the State Mental Hospital. The State Mental Hospital staff tried to deal with him, but again, he spent most of the time being locked up in the solitary confinement unit. They finally became weary of trying to deal with him and shipped him back to the Juvenile Correction Center.
I hope you are with me, as I know the scenario is a little confusing. Here is where the letter comes in. The Superintendent had written me all of the above details and informed me that they had released the young man and that he was to report to me when he returned to the county. The Superintendent’s advice to me was to inform the law enforcement agencies in our area and, once the young man had re-offended, to just lock him up for the protection of society.
Sitting at my desk in a stunned state reading and re-reading the letter, I was wondering what to say to this young man when there was a knock on my office door. The young man standing there introduced himself, and I recognized that he was the one I had just been reading about.
As we began to talk, I prayed urgently for wisdom in what to say. I asked if he ever wondered what people thought when his name was mentioned. He said they would probably think that he was a pretty good guy. I then asked him if he would like to read what people really thought of him. He said he would, so I handed him the letter I had just received.
I will never forget the look of utter shock on that young man’s face. I told him that I would not be supervising him but would agree to be a friend that he could call and talk with if and when he decided to get his act together. He thanked me and walked out of my office. Over the next few weeks and months he called several times. He was able to get a job and his life took on stability with no further criminal violations.
At a conference about six months later, I was talking to the Superintendent who had written the letter. When he asked if the young man was in jail somewhere, I was happy to give a good report about what a change had come over him. Dumbfounded, the Superintendent asked how I had been able to accomplish it. I told him that I hadn’t, but that he was actually the one that had brought about the change. “How did I do that?,” he asked. “I let him read your letter!,” I replied. Then as I shared with him the story of the letter incident, we had a great laugh together.
Let’s get downright personal. What do you think goes through people’s minds when they hear your name? Would it be good or bad? Even more personal, do you think the Lord is pleased with you? If people were to search for an example of a true Christian, would you qualify? Are your actions and reactions reflective of the life the Lord wants us to live?
My prayer is that I will constantly live in a manner that emanates a sweet aroma of a Christ-like walk. I know that there are times when I slip and fall, even intentionally jump when I should stay put. In those times I try to make the necessary corrections and restore the joy of my salvation.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 27, 2009 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
I just received the following e-mail from a good friend:
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.“I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged… it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
“Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.”
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
- Free your heart from hatred.
- Free your mind from worries.
- Live simply.
- Give more.
- Expect less.
I am sure that is much the same attitude of Frank E. Graeff, when in 1901 he penned the words of this week’s hymn: Does Jesus Care? He was known as the “Sunshine Minister.” It was following a time of personal tragedy that he wrote the words:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near? Refrain:
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long? Refrain:
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see? Refrain:
To view the GloryScapes inspirational video Does Jesus Care? please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
