by Pastor Cecil | Jun 28, 2018 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:24-25
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.”
I once conducted a funeral service for a 92-year-old man. Prior to the service I met with his widow and two daughters. They shared with me the qualities which made him special in their eyes. His sweet little widow looked directly at me and said, “He was a gentleman.” (I want to stress that he was a gentle man.)
Her statement has been churning in my mind ever since. It is so important for us as Christians to be known by our gentle manner, exhibiting a spirit that is broken before the Lord so that the Christ within us oozes out to minister to those around us.
As I read Paul’s words to Timothy, I am impressed by his instruction to teach with gentleness the ones who are opposed to us. Those are the very ones we are to be gentle with and never to be resentful, impatient, or short when interacting with them.
This type of Christ-like living does not occur by reading books or attending self-improvement sessions. It comes about with a constant and consistent walk with the Lord. It demands a love of His Word and time spent communing with Him in prayer. The more time we spend with Him, the more we will become like Him, and that is the pure source of gentleness.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 24, 2018 | 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.”
Not only can He use you, He wants to use you. The only thing standing in the way is … (are you ready?) … YOU!
As I allow my mind to wander across the years, I am struck by those who have been able to minister under dire circumstances. A missionary I knew was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed hospital room, he was able to share his testimony with the patient 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 our own life we have endured occasional tests and trials. As we surrendered each situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that we could never have entered in 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. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 12, 2018 | 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.”
As I allow my mind to wander across the years, I am struck by those who have been used of God under dire circumstances. A missionary I knew was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed hospital room, he was able to share his testimony with the patient 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 our own life we have endured occasional tests and trials. As we surrendered our situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that we could never have entered in 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. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 27, 2018 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Last week I was listening to a Christian radio station when a reporter made reference to the reaction of Franklin Graham when he was told his father, Dr. Billy Graham, had died – Franklin chuckled!
A chuckle is not the usual reaction to news that your beloved father has died. The person who was interviewing Franklin asked about his reaction. Franklin said that several years ago his dad had told him that one day he would be told that Billy Graham had died. Billy told him not to believe it! He assured Franklin that he would be more alive than he had ever been in his life on earth. Wow!
That should be the normal attitude that each of us believers should take to the grave with us. These old bodies of ours may grow old and experience sickness and pain, but there is coming a day when the old shell of humanity is replaced with a new and glorious body.
How are you responding to the departure of your own loved ones who die? If they have been born again they have already died to self and will suddenly be clothed with an imperishable body that will never spoil or fade!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 21, 2018 | 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.”
Recently I conducted a graveside service for a retired police officer. As I looked around the crowd of people in attendance I noticed that many of the police officers were dressed in full uniform with perhaps 20 to 30 pounds of high tech gear. I almost laughed out loud when I recalled what my own police gear looked like when I was a patrolman back in 1958 — a gun, extra ammo, handcuffs, and a badge.
That last item was most important. When I was sworn in as a police officer I gave my word to serve and protect the people of my community under the authority of that badge. The vast majority of citizens supported that authority.
God has equipped us with our very own badge of authority. It is the Word of God. Paul wanted his son in the faith, Timothy, to recognize the power he had been given by the Word of God: doctrine – reproof – correction – instruction in righteousness.
Every believer has the same equipment available today. We are equipped, but are we using what God has provided? Our badge of authority is the new birth and the equipment is His Word. Use it wisely and effectively!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 3, 2017 | 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.”
Long holiday weekends or vacation times are often referred to as “down times.” For the child of God, however, that is never the case. Paul counsels his son in the faith, Timothy, to be ready at all times.
Ready for what we may ask? To CONVINCE – REBUKE – EXHORT. In order to be ready we must be prepared. That means we need to be diligent in reading the Word of God and living it out in our life.
The deeper we go in the understanding of God’s plan and purpose for Adam’s fallen race, the more we will see that His love reaches down to the lowest. It is our privilege to be used by God.
Are you ready? Can you be relied upon to do God’s work, God’s way in God’s perfect timing? Let me leave you with another word of encouragement Paul gives Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
