by Pastor Cecil | Jan 4, 2010 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Our local newspaper (I use the term very loosely) carries a minister’s message each Friday. Last Friday there was an article written by a practitioner of a group that does not hold the Word of God as our final authority.
I was grieved to read her comments about heaven. That’s right, she does believe in heaven, but it is a heaven of her own devising and not what the Word of God says about heaven. Her heaven is comprised of anyone and everyone without regard to requirements for entry. She also had the audacity to say that these questionable characters in heaven pray for us here on earth.
It was extremely clear that there was little or no understanding of what God’s Word has to say. Without reading and understanding God’s Word, we can and will be blown about like a tumble weed in a windstorm.
Paul’s challenge to his son in the faith, Timothy, is bold and broad. He say that “all” Scripture is God breathed (inspired). It is not selective portions, but the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation that show forth God’s plan, purpose and design for each and every one of us.
It is only by spending quality time in His Word that we will be able to tell the false teachers from the true. How about making a vow to the Lord to spend at least ten minutes a day reading and meditating on His Word.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 25, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:13-14
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
When God’s Word says our sins are forgiven, does that mean we are free or do we carry the terrible burden of sin with us? I fear that there are many who actually receive God’s forgiveness but fail to recognize that He not only forgives — He also cleanses. Read I John 1:9.
Let’s consider a sinner that was introduced in the book of Joshua. If we were to use an investigative technique, here is what we would find: Name: Rahab. Address: Jericho. Occupation: Prostitute. That is all of the information we know about this woman of the night.
How ironic that 40 years earlier after being freed from the bondage of slavery, Moses had sent out twelve spies. Only two had returned with a positive report and urged them to go in immediately to possess the land God had given them. One of the spies was Joshua, the other was Caleb. Now, 40 years later, Joshua sends out only two spies.
Rahab and her family were spared when Israel defeated Jericho. She did not look back on her sordid past . She took a risk to save the Israelites and God blessed her for it. In Hebrews 11:31 she is mentioned along with the faithful of the ages. In James 2:25 and 26 she is considered righteous in the eyes of God.
Now, that brings us to the practical aspects of the forgiveness of sins in our lives. When we confess our sins we can begin to live as new creatures. It is certainly not God who brings your sins of the past to your mind and causes you turmoil. If it is not the Lord, it is coming from the other side, and that means Satan.
In the same manner you can have victory over the sins in your past. If you have confessed and repented of them, you are made clean by the blood of the Lamb. Any time Satan brings them to your mind and wants you to feel defeated for what you did, or were, don’t believe him. Choose to praise the Lord for His cleansing
In the same manner, you can have victory over the sins in your past. If you have confessed and repented of them, you are made clean by the blood of the Lamb. Any time Satan brings them to your mind and wants you to feel defeated for what you did, or were, don’t believe him. Choose to praise the Lord for His cleansing power over sin and death. Give Him the glory and receive His grace that is sufficient to cover the sins that we have confessed.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 23, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:2-5
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
I am so grieved that we have 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.
That—dear friend is not being godly, it is more accurate to describe it as just being nasty. Listen! If someone talks about being godly, yet violates the pattern of godliness in Scripture, do not consider them a role model. In fact they are negative role models and should be avoided.
This pattern applies to all believers, so don’t think it is just for those of us who are called into an active paid ministry. Someone has said that preachers get paid for being good and the others are good for nothing! Yikes! That old joke is even below my standards of humor, but, I am known for saying things like that.
In exploring the meaning of godliness, it is possible to know about God, and even have a knowledge of God’s Word, yet fail to put it into practice. In today’s Scripture, Paul is describing for Timothy that it is necessary to look beyond what these so called “godly” men say, and observe how they behave.
There is an old book written by Charles Sheldon. It is called “In His Steps.” The theme of the book is to live one’s life in such a way that the question would always be in front of those who wanted to be like Christ, “What Would Jesus Do”?
In recent years it has become a Christian fashion statement, especially for young people, to wear jewelry with the initials WWJD, which stood for this statement. How sad that many wear it but do not live it. Is it any more tragic that we who go to church and read the Bible and bow in prayer, so often fail to live our life as Jesus would desire? Please renew your commitment right now that with God’s help, you will live out WWJD.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:3-4
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”
I was a boy during the terrible days of World War II. There are vivid images that still fill my mind as I recall those days–stars in the windows. These were Blue Star Service Banners sometimes called Blue Star Flags. These banners first became a way for households to indicate they have family members in the service.
In a similar fashion Blue Star Memorial Highways were established by pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. started the program in 1945 after World War II.
The program has since been expanded to include Memorial Markers and Memorial By-Ways. This Wednesday, October 21st, I have been invited to offer the invocation for a dedication of such a memorial marker in Tumwater, Washington. (If you are interested in attending please send me an e-mail for more information).
As I recall the Memorial Banners with their blue stars, I suddenly remember that all too frequently the blue star changed to gold. This signified that the family member had died in service to the country.
If a Memorial Banner was displayed to indicate Christians who placed their lives on the line to defend the faith, would there be a star for you? Are you willing to give yourself fully in the Lord’s army?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 22, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Fall has fallen with a change in the season. The Fall equinox means that for a few brief days there will be approximately 12 hours of daylight. The days will grow shorter here in the northern hemisphere and longer in the southern hemisphere.
It seems as if we have been here before! The older I get the more things seem to repeat themselves. This is the case 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? “It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” I would say that makes it well worth our commitment to read and study diligently.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2009 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
I am so glad that we serve a God who is big and powerful enough to speak for Himself. He does this through the divinely inspired Bible. “It is the power of God unto salvation to all who will believe” (Romans 1:16).
Unfortunately there are far too many church groups who have the audacity to stand in opposition to God’s Holy Word and change it to fit their own particular brand of sin. God’s holiness is not open for debate. Sin is sin and His Word is true!
It always bugs me when I hear so-called scholars make comments that a particular writer of Scripture was only expressing his own ideas. Pardon me, did they not read this passage in 2 Timothy? It does not say that “some Scripture” is inspired (God-breathed), “ALL Scripture” is inspired (God breathed).
What does “God breathed” mean? It means that God speaks through the mind and intellect of those He has chosen to pen the words of our Bible. The Bible is comprised of 66 Books written over a period of about 1,500 years by over 40 authors from all walks of life. These writers had different kinds of personalities, and were faced with all sorts of challenges.
It was written in three languages on three continents, and it covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, it fits together into one cohesive story with an appropriate beginning, a logical ending, a central character, and a consistent theme. Only a mighty God could breathe His divine inspiration into men and do that! What a mighty God we serve!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
