by Pastor Cecil | Oct 14, 2014 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
All of us need to feel the lift that we receive when someone encourages us. As a preacher, I have been encouraged by the expressions of affirmation when I share a truth.
Sometimes these affirmations may not be glowing comments of praise. It was over 50 years ago and I had been invited to preach at a small church not too far from our home. The pastor was a friend of ours (I am sure that was the only reason I had been invited to speak).
As I came into the church I noticed one of the most dynamic evangelists in our denomination was in the crowd. I have to confess that my delivery was not eloquent and I did a great deal of thrashing through my notes to make my points.
This precious evangelist was on crutches and after the service he laboriously made his way to speak with me. In a gentle and quiet voice he spoke in my ear; “Son, don’t get discouraged. I have found myself thrashing through those same bushes as I have preached. Just keep on telling about Jesus.” To me that was sincere encouragement. Have you taken the time recently to encourage someone?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 14, 2014 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
How will people remember you when you are gone? I have officiated at hundreds of funeral services. These services are times of recalling the things that made that individual unique and worthy of remembrance.
There are many sad situations when I meet with a family prior to the service and they can recall very few positive traits about the deceased. “They lived, they died, and caused few ripples in the pond of life.” An obituary photo may show them with a fish, golf club, tennis racket, or some other interest, but was it really them?
Three of the funeral services that I conducted were especially significant to me: our daughter, my mother, and my brother. I knew much better what a legacy they each had left behind and was eager to share it with all who gathered.
As I write this I am struck with an immense realization. It is not so much what people will remember about us, but what the Lord remembers about us. He will always remember our prayer for salvation and our prayers for spiritual discernment. He knows and loves each of His dear children with an everlasting love. When all others may ignore or forget me, the Lord will always remember me!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 25, 2014 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
It is often thought that mothers are solely responsible for the care and nurturing of their children. This is not biblical and certainly leaves a horrible gap in the care and protection of young children.
Recently I was more than pleased to hear a young father tell about caring for his three year old daughter who was suffering with a cold and fever. He was afraid that he and his wife might not hear her if she called from her bedroom, so he took a blanket and slept on the floor in her room. Oh for more fathers who step out of the modern stereotype role of father and demonstrate godly qualities.
Fathers should go beyond meeting the physical needs of their children and develop spiritual maturity. According to this scripture in 1 Thessalonians, this is done by: “Encouraging, comforting and urging — to live lives worthy of God.”
This is a call for men to step forward and be the example of spiritual leadership in your home. The young father that I mentioned earlier is not only providing for the physical well being of his daughter, he is also training her in the ways of the Lord. I am pleased to say that he is my grandson. Well done Seth!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 21, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
When I was young there was a song that went something like this: “Everybody ought to go to Sunday School, to Sunday School, to Sunday School. The men and the women and the girls and the boys; everybody ought to go to Sunday School.” (There probably still is a song like that).
I am sure the good intent of the author of that chorus was to inspire people to attend church services. The problem is that it was done from a guilt-producing mindset. It is easy for us to play Holy Spirit and project our values onto other people’s lives.
So how do we inspire others to become involved in the things of the Lord? Simple—be enthused ourselves. There is nothing that inspires people to want what we have like showing how much we are enjoying it. Today I saw a young woman walking out of Costco with a frozen vanilla yogurt in her hand as she pushed her cart toward the door. She suddenly stopped and licked that wonderful treat. I was also holding two of them in my hands, so I smiled and commented about how good they were. You could see people around us becoming attracted by our comments and our pleased expressions.
We can attract people with delight much faster than by pouring on the guilt. Let the thrill of Jesus draw you to the closest walk you have ever enjoyed. Tell everyone what you are discovering in your Christian walk. Invite them to join you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 15, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
As a young boy in church, I recall some members that always looked like they were baptized in vinegar. Their words were words of joy, but to look at them you would think the sky had just fallen on their head.
I am sure that most of us have heard the humorous exchange when someone asks: “How are you doing?” The reply: “Pretty well, under the circumstances.” The one who asked the question replies: “Well, what are you doing under there?”
So I ask you: How are you doing? I hope you are living and serving the Lord above the circumstances of life. Our outlook and attitude have a profound bearing on how we view others, but also on how they view us.
As I read today’s Scripture, I am struck by what we are told to do. It is not easy, but it is God’s mandate for us. We are to rejoice always. That means for everything—whether good, bad or indifferent! I think the way we are able to do that is through the second command: we are to pray continually. And that leads to the final step: give thanks in all circumstances. It is only by God’s amazing grace that we will be able to accomplish this in our daily walk. Let’s believe God and His Word and obey!
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 2, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
It is far too easy to be preoccupied with our own life and forget about those around us. Stop for a moment and think about a time in which you were treated unfairly or given an insult of some kind. The natural reaction to this is retaliation.
The person who caused you pain may or may not be aware that they have done so. In fact they may have been given a promotion that you felt you deserved. While they celebrated their promotion, you felt rejected and betrayed. In such a situation you may have felt justified in showing a bitter attitude toward them. The other person may be bewildered by your belligerent attitude toward them.
This type of behavior is certainly not the way a Christian should behave. There will be times in our life when we will be treated in a cruel fashion. The way we react will say more about our spiritual maturity than hundreds of sermons.
My prayer is that you and I will start living the way the Lord desires. That means giving up our tender feelings to the Lord and refusing to show a contrary attitude, even when we are hurt to the core. SHOW A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
