by Pastor Cecil | May 8, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Sometimes we struggle over the trials and tribulations of our life trying to make sense of why things happen the way they do. If God is great and mighty (and He is), why do we have to endure such tests to our faith? The answer is to be found in our restricted vision.
I recall once traveling by helicopter to a missile site in central Missouri. I had traveled the route many times by car and knew that there were steep and winding places that required slow travel, especially when being stuck behind a slow-moving truck. These dangerous spots were clearly marked with “No Passing” signs.
From my helicopter’s eye view on this day I could observe a truck being followed by a passenger car. I knew that it would be miles before the car could safely pass the slower vehicle — he was stuck! I imagined what it would be like if I could communicate with the driver in the car and tell him when it was safe to pass or to watch out for an on-coming vehicle. Since I could not do so, the driver had to wait until he could see the road for himself.
Paul expresses the concept of waiting patiently on the Lord in I Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.” Until that day, we (along with Paul) must trust in the Lord with all our heart rather than depending on our limited understanding.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 26, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Almost on a daily basis we hear about a storm that has devastated some area of the world. Suddenly millions are without electricity and basic needs and even more have had their whole world turned upside down.
What are you encountering in your life at this time? Do you feel as if you are being churned in the middle of a storm? What will it take to bring peace and tranquility to your heart?
The apostle Paul experienced the storms of life. He was lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, stranded at sea, and suffered rejection, yet he endured his hardships with a joy that can only come from the Lord. Tranquility is not that the storms will always be calm, but that we will find peace in the middle of the storms.
Wow! That is powerful and provides the answer for us to find tranquility in the most violent of storms. It is not what we have done or must do—it is what Christ has already done for us. He brings tranquility in the storms of life. As we cast all our cares on Him, He will give us His peace and rest.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
A story is told of a very poor man who lived in ancient times. It was a time when powerful kings dominated all who lived in their kingdoms and who had the power of life and death. It was a time when many sons and many horses were a sign of wealth and prosperity.
This poor man had only one son and one horse. As he grew older, the son used the horse to plow the fields, to haul produce to market, and ride from place to place on various errands. People pitied the poor man and often made disparaging remarks about his poverty.
Things went from bad to worse when the son was returning from the village on the horse and was thrown to the ground, breaking his leg. The people clucked their tongues and wondered what evil thing this poor man had done to have such bad fortune befall him. He would just smile and reply, “The Lord knows what I need. I will trust Him to give me what He wants me to have.”
Not long after the son’s accident, the king sent messengers to each village and demanded that every able-bodied young man report for battle immediately. The only one in this age group who was not conscripted was the poor man’s son because of his broken leg.
In a short time the sad news was relayed to the village that the battle had gone very wrong and all of the men had died in the fray. Now the poor man who had once been pitied was considered to be the one who was blessed.
When we trust in God, it makes no difference what people think or say—Romans 8:28 is true in any and every circumstance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
As a child of God we should place ourselves under His control daily. He may delay the answer to our prayer, or He may deny it as He did with Paul. Whatever the Lord determines for our lives—to delay or deny—we can know that His grace is sufficient.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 19, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Years ago I remember reading a small weekly newspaper called GRIT. In one issue there was a poem that expressed the idea that it was easy to go through life when everything is going grand. The writer said it made you feel like you could beat the band.
The second part of that poem, however, spoke of the pressures of life that pressed in on us and called for God-given strength to praise Him when we were feeling like we were in a vise.
In today’s Scripture reading, the apostle Paul mentions four extreme conditions that we are frequently subjected to: (1) Hard-pressed (2) Perplexed (3) Persecuted (4) Struck down. That seems to be more than enough trouble to sink our ship!
But Paul does not leave us in a hopeless condition. He gives us four expressions of hope: (1) not crushed (2) not in despair (3) not forsaken (4) not destroyed. The next time you feel under pressure, remember that we have victory in Jesus. He is our strength and has won the victory. It is ours to claim!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2016 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Our local newspaper circulates an advertising paper called YES, which is thrown onto one’s porch or driveway without prior approval. I know it is not a big thing, but I have never liked receiving this circular in its ugly pink plastic wrapper.
Today there was a note inside the latest issue of YES that gave a number to call if you wanted to be unsubscribed. I called the number and after a delay, a customer service representative came on the line.
When the rep asked if I wanted to be unsubscribed, I told him that I had never been subscribed. His next statement almost made me laugh: “You are saying no to YES, is that correct?” I responded: “Yes, I am saying no to YES.” It suddenly felt like I was repeating an Abbot and Costello comedy sketch!
As we read today’s Scripture we find directions to God’s eternal YES. All of the promises we find in His Word are a resounding YES! This is the YES we must never say no to, but an echoing Yes! Yes! Yes!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions as you say yes to His promises!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 1, 2016 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
If you have ever been lost you can relate to the helpless feeling of not knowing which way to turn to find deliverance. Usually I have very little trouble finding my way, but there was one time when a hunting trip turned into an ordeal.
My hunting partner and I had spent many hours watching pronghorn antelope. We were not hunting them, but rather enjoying observing these amazing animals. In our preoccupation with observing them we got turned around.
Hoping to locate our car, we separated and each went in a slightly different direction. After over an hour of walking over volcanic rock, I located a group of hunters. They knew where we had left our car and drove me there, which was actually several miles away. Without their help I would have been in deep trouble. My friend also found his way back to the car.
There are many souls in our world that discover they are lost. The problem is that without counsel they often head in the wrong direction. God’s way is the only way to heaven. Never listen to other lost people who try to give you directions.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
