by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2013 | 1 Timothy
1 Timothy 6:6-9
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
It’s sad to say, but have you noticed that there are a lot of miserable Christians out there? What I mean is that they act as if they were missing out on the “good life” by being a Christian. And that is simply a lie from the devil.
There is an important element of Christian discipleship that is often lacking . . . it is the spirit of contentment. We might call it the “AHHH” factor. That state of satisfaction should be a vital part of each believer.
As we consider Paul’s words to Timothy, we discover that he is teaching his son in the faith that he needs to have contentment in living the life of faith. It is almost like he is raising the eyes of Timothy to catch a glimpse of the glory that is waiting in heaven for him, as well as all of us who are born again. We came into the world with nothing of the world’s goods, and we will depart the same way. It is only our spiritual wealth that matters.
We need to evaluate our own walk of faith. Do we have a contentment that transcends the “stuff” of the world? Do we live for the present or for eternity?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 26, 2013 | 1 Timothy
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
It seems as if it were a lifetime ago that I was a Boy Scout. As a matter of fact it was about 65 years ago, so that is pretty much a lifetime ago. I count the lessons I learned in scouting as a huge benefit in my personal development. I can still recall standing at attention with the other members of my troop and reciting the Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
I just had to go on line to bring into focus what the Scout Law was. It is that a Scout is to be: TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, HELPFUL, FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS, KIND, OBEDIENT, CHEERFUL, THRIFTY, BRAVE, CLEAN, and REVERENT.
What a list. What a wonderful world it would be if people practiced these attributes. It has never been that way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, nor will we find that type of conduct until we reach heaven.
I know that our world lacks these outstanding qualities, but what a tragedy that we do not find them in our church either. Time and again I hear reports of people who have been emotionally and spiritually injured by the action of church people. This should not be! I devote myself to bind up the wounds of such victims.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
