by Pastor Cecil | Sep 9, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:14
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
Peter has been speaking of the day of the Lord when the heaven and earth would be destroyed with fervent heat and a new heaven and a new earth would appear. In light of this prophecy of the destruction of things as we know them, he asks this question in verse 11; “What kind of people ought you to be?”
That is a good question and one we need to ask in our world of conflict, pain and destruction. The future looks increasingly bleak. In light of this, what kind of people should we be?
As I think about this question the word harmony comes to mind. As I consider the word harmony the word peace comes to mind. In a world where there is bickering, arguing, conflict, fights and war, we need peace and harmony. It is vital that in the midst of the stormy seas of life we can know peace and live in harmony with those around us. Even those people who sow turmoil and strife! They need to see the peace that passes all understanding of Jesus living in us.
God has never promised us that He was going to change our world and give us pleasant, darling people to live with. Don’t expect that to happen! We are stuck with the ones we have.
Jesus prayed to His Father before His crucifixion. He prayed about you and me. His prayer was very significant. He prayed that we not be taken out of the world, but that the Lord would be with us in the world. Listen to His words in John 17:15-17; “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 20, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:3
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
When Michelangelo was working feverishly on the painting in the Sistine Chapel, the Pope became frustrated at how slow the work was progressing. He asked Michelangelo, “When will you make an end?” Michelangelo replied simply, “When I am finished.”
As we travel this pathway of life there may be times when it seems that our progress is very slow. In God’s economy that is never the case. He knows when the timing is right and is working behind the scenes to accomplish His will.
Our problem is getting out of step with God. We either run way ahead and want Him to catch up with us, or we lag far behind and feel frustrated when we are not able to catch up with Him.
It is time to make a new commitment to discover God’s plan and purpose for us and then stay close to Him in order to be used to accomplish the tasks He has for us. Remember to keep the joy of the Lord in your heart. Do not be discouraged — God is not finished with you yet!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 19, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
I wonder how many times people feel they deserve commendation for attending church services. They may be singing; “Standing On the Promises” but in actuality they are merely SITTING IN THE PREMISES!
While it is a fact that our labors for the Lord will not merit salvation and a home in Glory, they do demonstrate the degree of our obedient commitment to the Lord and His great cause.
We are called to march forth as a mighty army to live and die for the Lord. None of us know what lies before us, but praise God we do know WHO goes before us to prepare the way.
God’s promises are faithful and true and He will open doors that He wants us to go through and also will close doors that He does not want us to enter. Our task is to remain so close to Him by the study of His Word and prayer to discern the difference. Are you STANDING ON THE PROMISES OR MERELY SITTING ON THE PREMISES?!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 11, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:14
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
In a world where there is non-stop bickering, arguing, conflict, fights, and war, we need peace and harmony. It is vital that in the midst of the stormy seas of life we can know peace and live in harmony with those around us — especially those who are the hardest to get along with.
God has never promised us that He was going to change our world and give us pleasant, darling people to live with. Don’t expect that to happen! We are stuck with the ones we have.
Jesus prayed to His Father before His crucifixion. He prayed about you and me. His prayer was very significant. He prayed that we not be taken out of the world, but that the Lord would be with us in the world. Listen to His words in John 17:15-17 that are so meaningful to us in our day:
“My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 11, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 2:15
“They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.”
A certain young man had a fervent desire to serve the Lord. For a time he was completely committed to obeying God’s Word without compromise. Then one day he was tempted to participate in a questionable activity. He knew it was not the right thing to do, but decided to pray about it. As he prayed he sensed that God was saying NO!
The young man waited several days and asked the Lord again and heard the Holy Spirit speak: No! He waited a few more days and again prayed. This time he heard the Holy Spirit whisper: No! Asking the same question a few days later he heard nothing, so he joyfully engaged in an activity that led him away from the Lord and into great heartache.
Mark this down: God does not change! If He says that something is contrary to His Word, will, and way—it will forever remain contrary to His Word, will, and way. It does not matter that some church council will approve sinful activity—if it is not in accordance with God’s Word, it is sin and will always be sin.
Our “do-as-you-feel-like-doing” society has torpedoed far too many believers. We must never allow the appeal of this world’s values to draw us away from God’s best for our life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 21, 2019 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:14
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
Peter has been speaking of the day of the Lord when the heaven and earth would be destroyed with fervent heat and a new heaven and a new earth would appear. In light of this prophecy of the destruction of things as we know them, he asks this question in verse 11; “What kind of people ought you to be?”
That is a good question and one we need to ask in our world of conflict, pain and destruction. The future looks increasingly bleak. In light of this, what kind of people should we be?
As I think about this question the word harmony comes to mind. As I consider the word harmony the word peace comes to mind. In a world where there is bickering, arguing, conflict, fights and war, we need peace and harmony. It is vital that in the midst of the stormy seas of life we can know peace and live in harmony with those around us. Even those people who sow turmoil and strife! They need to see the peace that passes all understanding of Jesus living in us.
God has never promised us that He was going to change our world and give us pleasant, darling people to live with. Don’t expect that to happen! We are stuck with the ones we have.
Jesus prayed to His Father before His crucifixion. He prayed about you and me. His prayer was very significant. He prayed that we not be taken out of the world, but that the Lord would be with us in the world. Listen to His words in John 17:15-17;“My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
