by Pastor Cecil | Dec 10, 2014 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:5-6
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
One of the most memorable experiences of my early teen years was a camping trip with our Boy Scout troop. Our scout master, Bob Manley, was a very kind and patient man. He taught us solid Christian values as well practical outdoor skills.
One of the skills Bob taught us was how to start a fire in the wilderness without a match. The first step was to gather dry grass or shredded bark that would catch the spark. The next step was to have dry kindling ready to keep the fire burning as we added larger and larger pieces of wood.
Using a flint and steel was fairly easy. It was when we used a spindle and bow on a dry base with a notch that we worked up a sweat. As we stayed at it the friction would cause the base to begin to glow. We tapped a spark onto shredded bark. In both systems it was essential to carefully fan the spark until flame appeared. Wow!
I wonder if our spiritual life is like that spark or just smoldering. In today’s Scripture we are reminded that the gift of God is like a flame in our life. It may just be an ember or a flicker, but we are called to fan it into flame. In the woods we blow on the ember to allow it to burst into flames. Paul urges us to allow the Lord to fan into the spark of our spiritual life. Open your heart and mind to the prompting of the Lord. Burn brightly for Him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 15, 2014 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:9-10
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? Has God given me a reason for being? Do I have an impact on the life of those around me? Have I seen God at work in the lives of those around me because I was used by the Lord?
These are just a few of the questions we may ask ourselves to determine if and what God’s purpose is for each of us. I have even counseled people who felt that they had no spiritual purpose in life. Others had gifts and talents, but they had nothing to give and so they left the work of the Lord to others.
I once passed a church and saw a man I knew mowing the lawn. When I asked him if the church hired him to mow the lawn, he informed me that they had no idea he was doing it. He saw a need and performed it. I discovered that there were a number of elderly people that he helped out. It was his purpose for those in need.
It may not be a ministry such as preaching or teaching that is your purpose in serving the Lord. When the Spirit opens your eyes to some need, no matter how insignificant it may seem, go for it! Your purpose might seem unimportant to you, but obeying the Lord is vital to being a faithful servant.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 19, 2014 | 2 Timothy, Daily-E-Votionals
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 people who will also be qualified to teach others.
When I first started using the computer, I did not discipline myself to consistently save the material I was working on — one of the most distressing things to encounter is to lose material you have worked on for days, weeks, months, or even years. I want to tell you from personal experience, it wrenches your insides. All that work and suddenly it was gone!
People with much more computer experience had cautioned me about the importance of using the save feature. Losing valuable work was the best teacher, but by then I had suffered loss. I have since taken steps to insure that my material is backed up off site so that I can rest assured of recovery.
Spiritually we face a much greater threat. Believers try to teach the necessity of being saved, but all too often our pleas go unheeded. In many cases I fear it is too late to be saved. Death is certain, but it is often sudden and without warning.
In order to spend eternity in heaven with God, we must be saved. It is more than knowing the Bible — it is surrendering our self-centered will to allow Jesus Christ to come into our heart and save us. If you have never personally applied the save feature that the blood of Jesus provides, I urge you to be saved today while there is still time.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 22, 2014 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:9-10
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
One of the saddest things in the world is to feel useless. At a very early age, kids will try to help adults with whatever task they may be doing. More often than not, the young child’s inexperience slows the adult’s progress rather than being of benefit.
As we get older, the desire to assist tends to taper off. This waning of desire even crosses over into the spiritual realm. After receiving the Lord into our hearts, we have a sense of peace and fulfillment…but too often the joy of our salvation wears off and we just go through the motions of living a Christian life.
Let me be quick to point out that according to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by grace through faith and not by our own works of righteousness. We cannot be good enough to merit eternal life. It is God’s gift at Christ’s expense. In the same manner we are kept safe and secure by His grace and our faith.
Having said all of this, what is the purpose God has for us? As I said at the beginning, some Christians feel useless. They have little or no awareness that God has a purpose for each of us. If God loves us so much that He sent His dear Son to give His life for us, what is our purpose? The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. That is real purpose, dear heart. Are you fulfillingHis purpose for your life?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 3, 2014 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The time has come! What Paul warned Timothy to be aware of, was that there would come a time when people would refuse to hear the Word of God. We are certainly living in a day and age when people want to be entertained rather than taught. The word doctrine in the Greek is: didaskalia. It means to instruct or teach.
Have you noticed that in the past several years there has been a dramatic increase in books and movies that deal with mythical creatures and even present them as being real.
Isn’t it strange that the very people that deny the Bible as being the Word of God are the very ones who support the myths as being true. These people often accuse Christians of being out of step with reality and reject our teachings.
What do we do a situation like this? I think Paul makes it very clear that our task as believers is to be faithful in proclaiming the truth. Yes, there are many who will reject it and reject us as well, but we are to stay at the task until Jesus Comes!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2013 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
“CAN GOD USE ME?” you ask. The answer is a resounding YES! Not only can He use you, He wants to use you. The only thing standing in the way (are you ready?) . . . is YOU!
As I allow my thoughts to wander across the years, I am reminded of those who have been able to minister under the direst of circumstances. A missionary I knew was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed 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 because of 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 lives 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. 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.
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
