by Pastor Cecil | Feb 23, 2015 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:8-9
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
It seems as if I spend most of my time on the phone these days. It is hard enough trying to keep the tears out of my eyes thinking of my precious Joyce, but I am forced make the necessary changes that her death entails.
Last week I was speaking to a wonderful lady from San Antonio, Texas. She was very kind and helpful and made the task much more pleasant than if I had been forced to do everything by myself. As we concluded our business I pronounced a blessing on her. She acted stunned and said; “You have no idea how much I needed that right now.”
Blessing someone costs us nothing, but it can mean everything to the one who is the recipient of the blessing. In my mind it takes my mind off of myself and focuses on the person who receives the blessing. I have no idea why that lady in San Antonio needed a blessing at just that time, but it is none of my business. It is God’s business! God is a blessing God and He wants us to share His blessing.
As we look at the mirror of our life can we see the image of a bless giver? That is someone who blesses each and every time the Lord prompts us. My precious Joyce was a gentle and quiet spirit, but she blessed so many by her prayers, her words, and her cards with a special note. I WANT TO ALWAYS BLESS OTHERS!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 8, 2015 | 1 Peter
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
1 Peter 2:2-3
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants (babes) in Christ. I gave you milk not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.”
I love babies and it absolutely crushes me to think of all the millions and millions of infants killed by abortion. It has been a long time, but I can still remember when our children were babies — they always seemed to find a place to sleep on my chest. They loved it and I loved it! I cannot even begin to count the other babies who at one time or another seemed to find comfort on my well-padded chest.
Now, let us move from the physical realm to the spiritual realm.
Today’s Scriptures indicate that both Peter and Paul were concerned about the lack of spiritual growth in some believers. They had been Christians long enough that they should be digging into the “meat” of the Word. Instead, they had to have someone to teach them, feed them “milk” — but they still did not grow.
Many people attend church weekly (some much less than that) and seem to feel that they are getting all of the spiritual nourishment they need. LISTEN! There is no way that I, or any other minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, can give you enough in one or two sermons to get you through the week. I have seen the saying many times: A week without church attendance makes one weak.”
What spiritual food are you taking into your life? Are you growing or still in spiritual diapers?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2014 | 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.
There have been times in my life when I felt isolated and alone. It seemed that I was alone and could not sense the nearness of God in my life. When I experienced these times of spiritual drought, I was prone to wonder if Jesus really cared, even though I am usually happy and optimistic. It has been in these times that I have felt the enemy of my soul attack. I rush to God’s Word for comfort.
Frank E. Graeff was known as the “sunshine minister.” He had a cheery disposition, a winsome personality, spiritual optimist, and was a great friend of children. He was known to have a child-like faith. That being said, he did pass through times of deep trials. It was then that he turned to the Scriptures as his guide in the darkness.
As I read the words of this hymn that he wrote, I can see the change from gloom and despair to hope and victory. That is what I want in my life.
Does Jesus Care?
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: 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 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: 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 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: 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.
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
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 25, 2014 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Recently I read an article by a young Amish school teacher. Evidently each year, late in the summer they have a meeting for school teachers. As he shared some of his observations, several stood out in my mind. One was particularly meaningful.
I have no idea who the speaker was who made this statement, but I want to apply it to my own life: “I don’t want to be remembered by something I said. I just want to be remembered as a person who was here and willing to help.”
There all too many people who are willing to allow others to do the work that God has called them to do. That may more accurately be defined as unwillingness. When we fiddle-faddle around neglecting that need around us, it is the opposite of having a willing heart.
As that instructor said during the training session, it is not so much what we say that will leave a lasting impression, but the willingness to become a servant to those we come in contact with. I pray that my actions will be an example of a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that I will be totally committed in doing to the least of those He brings across my path.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 18, 2014 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
The Lord never calls us to be like the world. In fact we are repeatedly urged to live differently than those who are not believers. It may even be said that we are to be so different from those in the world that we will appear to be odd balls. (I mean that in the most positive way).
As I read the list of attributes that Peter lists as descriptive of a real Christian, I am staggered. LIKE-MINED, SYMPATHETIC, HAVING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, COMPASSIONATE, and HUMBLE. As we read over that list it is not a matter of choosing one or more, but we are to demonstrate all of them.
We are further instructed to behave in a manner that is far removed from normal reactions to situations. We are to refrain from getting even with others who wrong us. Instead we are to repay evil with blessing. Wow!
Slowly and deliberately read 1 Peter 3:8-9 again. Can you honestly say that you are acting this way? If and when we do, we will no doubt be considered out of our mind and weird. At best we will be considered DIFFERENT. Are you willing to be DIFFERENT for God rather than follow your own emotions?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 17, 2014 | 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.
This strong, carnal desire to be our own master is contrary to God’s pattern for His people. We are told to be gentle and humble before Him and with others. 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 humble 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 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, but 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.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
