by Pastor Cecil | Feb 15, 2018 | 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 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 the knot-heads? Especially the knot-heads!
The word harmony may be defined as having agreement, accord, or living in peaceful relations. A quick glance at the latest news will quickly reveal that we are not living in a world filled with harmony.
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 as we find recorded in John 17:17; “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
To find harmony that is authentic and everlasting we must trust in and rely on the everlasting Word of God. It is not to be found in the so-called wisdom of man, but the unchanging Word that God has inspired to lead us into His HARMONY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 2, 2017 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:5-7
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Buffet restaurants are popular places to eat because there are so many food choices available. The problem is that there are so many options that it is common to eat more than is appropriate. Digestive misery is the result!
In the case of God’s Word, too many people seem to feel that they are permitted to select only the portions that they find agreeable and reject the remainder. Today’s passage dispels that line of thought. We are told that ALL Scripture is the inspired (God breathed) Word of God.
If all Scripture is given by God, we need to refuse to listen to those who choose to present only the portions they like and reject the rest. Paul goes even further when instructing his son in the faith, Timothy, the purpose of Scripture: It is for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
Notice that it is only as these attributes are applied that the spiritually mature individual will be completely equipped for every good work. Are you faithful in applying God’s Word to your life? Remember His purpose for Scripture.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 29, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:5-7
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
In the movie “Oliver,” a young Oliver Twist was living in a workhouse that required much and provided little. After receiving only a small serving of food at meal time, Oliver requested, “More please, Sir.” It was an affront to the establishment and led to his escaping and becoming a fugitive. But that is the rest of the story.
In spiritual reality, the Lord is always eager to give us more and even more from His bountiful supply. The apostle Peter enumerates some of these precious gifts that are ours for the taking: FAITH—VIRTUE—KNOWLEDGE—SELF-CONTROL—PERSEVERANCE—GODLINESS—BROTHERLY KINDNESS—LOVE.
As I read through this list once again, I see that God has poured out such a bountiful supply of spiritual gifts that it is truly difficult to comprehend. It is not wrong for us to desire more of these wonderful gifts. In fact, the sin is when we fail to receive what Jesus has given us through His precious blood. MORE PLEASE, LORD!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 28, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:9
“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”
A born-again believer has been given a new life in Jesus Christ. That means the Lord gives us freedom from the sins of the past. Freedom from past sins does not mean we have the freedom to continue in those sinful ways. There needs to be a life cleaning!
Over the many years that I have served as pastor and counselor, I have been confronted with individuals who hang onto their old sinful habits. Perhaps I should rephrase that and say that the old habits have hung onto them.
Old sinful ways should have no place in the life of a victorious believer and follower of Jesus Christ. In today’s Scripture we are told that it is possible to be shortsighted and even blind to the sins that once controlled us.
It is time for an honest evaluation regardless of how long we have been saved. What things need to be cleansed from our lives? Here is another way of looking at it — if Jesus returned today would He be pleased with the things we are doing? If not, it is time to get rid of the old. His blood has made us free not to sin!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 26, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:4
“- –by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
There is an old adage that goes something like this: If you are not standing on God’s promises, you are just sitting on the premises. One is an active process of involvement, and the other is a passive pastime of taking up space and contributing little.
It is sad that our churches are often filled with gripers, moaners, and fault finders. These are the ones who are taking up space and simply sitting on the premises instead of living a victorious life by standing on God’s promises. If you are one of them, I hope to serve you your Eviction Notice. We have enough “sitters.” We need more “standers” — those that search out God’s promises and stand firm on them.
So, what is Peter saying in today’s scripture passage? He makes it so plain that it is difficult to get more basic. Peter says that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him. I don’t know what everything means where you live, but in my mind it means the whole works.
I once read about a man who was traveling by ship from Europe to America. He could barely scrape up enough money for his ticket and a few things to eat during the trip. After a few days at sea, the man saw all the wonderful food in the dining room and smelled the tantalizing aromas that sent him into ecstasy. He was so hungry he knew he had to do something about it. The penniless passenger summoned up all of his courage and asked the ship’s steward if he might do some work so he could eat a meal or two. The steward was startled by the passenger’s humble request. He sat the man down and explained that the price of the ticket he had purchased to make the trip included all the food he could eat. All the food he needed belonged to him from the first day of the voyage, but he was starving from the lack of knowledge of all that he possessed.
That traveler’s problem, as well as the problem with many of us, is not knowing what is ours — he didn’t read his ticket and we don’t read our Bible! It is just as simple as that. Peter says that God has given us His very great and precious promises. These are given to us so that we can live an abundant and Godly life.
If you have personally received Jesus as your own personal savior, then claim the promises you have been given. Write down every promise that God has for His children. In fact, it would be a great idea to have a notebook just to record each promise that you find. Then claim it as your own.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 28, 2016 | 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:19
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Our family has made numerous road trips over the years. I think I developed the habit of starting very early in the morning from my dad. When I say “early in the morning,” I mean well before dawn. It just seems that the lack of traffic that early allows you to make much better time. It is almost like reducing the travel time.
I can recall on those trips watching the first hint that dawn was near. The eastern skyline gradually appeared out of the darkness and minute by minute it became more pronounced. Before long gorgeous colors began to emerge and you knew that dawn had arrived.
As we make our way through this sin-darkened world, it often seems as if we are being swallowed up in the inky blackness of depravity. It is during these times that we need to focus our attention on God’s eastern sky…dawn is about to break!
Keep your spirits up, dear hearts! In Psalm 30:5 we are reminded: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Never lose heart as you travel through these dark hours — dawn is very near.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
