by Pastor Cecil | Dec 2, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:1-2
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
From time to time I rack my brain to know what to share with you each day. I have a wealth of past experiences, but there are also current sources of inspiration. There are many inspirational Christian radio stations that provide wonderful and edifying music and solid Biblical teaching.
On the internet I have used a Bible search program for many years that provides exhaustive concordances, dictionaries, commentaries and word search. Many of these can be accessed free of charge at certain websites.
Television offers selective programs that are true to the Word, but care must be taken to insure that the messages presented are Biblically based and not a way to solicit income from listeners.
The greatest source is your own personal Bible. Spend quality time reading and studying it and then make it a habit to share what you learn with others. PASS IT ON!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 8, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Sometimes God uses dire circumstances as a means of ministry. A missionary was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed room, he was able to share a witness with his roommate in the other bed and lead him to the Lord.
During the cold war years there were many Christians who were imprisoned due to their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered each situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have opened in any other way. It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us—just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used—just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used—just willing.
You may be enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 1, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“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.”
It seems as if we have been here before! The older I get the more things seem to repeat themselves. This is also true with particular verses of Scripture. We are all familiar with John 3:16, but it is interesting that many New Testament books have a significant 3:16.
Please read today’s Scripture and you will see what I am referring to. These two verses are extremely powerful. God’s Word is the final authority. It is “God breathed” and infallible. Also note that it is “all of God’s Word” that is spoken of here. From Genesis to Revelation, God presents our pattern for living for Him.
We may not be able to understand everything that we read the first time, or even the 100th time, but if we remain faithful in our daily reading, more and more of it will become clear.
So what is the usefulness of God’s Word? For the men and women of God to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I would say that makes it well worth our commitment to read and study diligently.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Pi (Greek letter ‘π’), is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. March 14, or 3/14, is also my birthday, as it also was my grandmother’s. Since I was born on Pi Day may explain why I like pie better than cake!
There are so many things that I fall short of achieving in my 85 years on this earth. One thing is very clear; I have lived far more years than those years that lie before me. It really is not my decision just how many more days, weeks, months or years I have left to live. I do, however, have a choice as to how I will live those days – – – I choose to live them for the Lord!
As I write these words I suddenly am overwhelmed with the reality that even the youngest person who receives these words has no idea how long they have to live. It may be at any moment that our earthly life will end and eternity will begin.
On this Pi Day, my 85th birthday, I commit myself to follow Paul’s admonition to Timothy. I will strive to be ready in season and out of season to convince, rebuke, exhort for those who listen, to receive Christ as personal Savior and then grow in His grace!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
During the cold war years many Christians were imprisoned for their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel. Some even died for the faith.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered my situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have been entered any other way.
Many of you are enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify.
It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us — just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used — just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used — just willing.
God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 6, 2018 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:1-2a
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.”
I have taken the liberty of listing only 7 despicable characteristics of people living in the last days. There are actually 17 listed by Paul. It is a depressing view of humanity, but sadly descriptive of our present world. That tells me that we are living in the last days.
It grieves me that there are so many professed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who tell more than show the way we are to live out our Christian faith. SORRY! I hate to upset the apple cart of these people, but we are first of all to Show — then Tell. We hear all too much and see so very little.
Listen! If someone talks about being godly, yet violates the biblical pattern of godliness, do not consider that person a role model. In fact, they are negative role models and should be avoided.
In exploring the meaning of godliness, it is possible to know about God and even possess some knowledge of God’s Word and yet fail to put it into practice. Be cautious of such people. Look beyond what they say — observe how they behave.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
