by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2013 | 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.
During my lifetime I have had opportunity to spend some time in fruit orchards . . . and cannot recall ever hearing groans from the trees as they produced luscious fruit. I have also walked down the long rows of onions while slicing off the seed pods for a seed company . . . and never once heard the onion plants groaning as they matured. The trees and the onions did the thing they were designed for—they grew and produced after their own kind.
Sometimes it seems that we try our best to be something other than what God designed us to be. In writing this second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul clears the deck and lays it out for all of us to see. We are all called to a holy life.
Paul is quick to add that there is nothing that Timothy can do to merit this holy life, and that point carries down to us as well. The holy life is not achieved by what we accomplish, but by what Jesus has done for us from the very beginning of time.
God’s great and magnificent grace! Not what we deserve, but what we need. The Lord knows our inability to be holy and He has provided Himself as our strength. As we turn our life over to Him, our roots sink down into the rich soil of His love and He becomes our holiness. Allow Him to be your all in all.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 12, 2013 | 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 people who will also be qualified to teach others.
I fear that many times pastors and evangelists feel that they are called upon to be performers. The show must go on and they are the main attraction to enthrall their congregation. Often they read other sermons and attempt to deliver them in their own words, hoping that it will sound acceptable.
I once was reading a sermon outline in a periodical designed for ministers. It gave several sermons complete with illustrations and humorous stories. A few weeks later I was visiting a church and was stunned to hear the Pastor use one of those sermons and try to make it sound like one of his own. I could only imagine how empty he must have felt following his message.
To be absolutely honest, I frequently feel that my mind is blank when I start to write one of these daily offerings. I know that they are being read all over the world and question what I am going to say that day. It is then that I pray and ask the Lord to give me the words to touch just one person who is in need of such a word at that time.
It has been my experience that it is the very Word of God that speaks for me. When I search the Scriptures and then apply the practical things of life, the Holy Spirit uses my feeble words to minister. It is not what I have done, but what the Lord has done when I open myself to allow Him to fill my heart.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 9, 2013 | 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 be qualified to teach others.
There are certain people in each of our lives who have made a significant impact. In my life it was an old man named Ernest. I say old, but that was from the point of view of a four-year-old boy. In fact, Ernest was only in his 60(s). Now that I have passed into my 70(s), that seems pretty young. He was one of those precious souls that loved the Lord from the depths of his being, and was not afraid to demonstrate it in his actions. He used an old Bible that was as worn and battered as he. The cover of his Bible bore scars from excessive use.
Ernest used to sit in his old rocking chair and read his Bible. He would read silently, but his lips would move as he read verse after verse. Sometimes he would hold the younger grandchildren on his lap as he read the life-revealing Word of God. One could only wonder if he realized he was impacting those young lives by his quiet devotion.
There came a day when Grandpa just did not feel right. He consulted a doctor and learned that he had cancer. At that time, medical treatment for cancer was limited, so he suffered many days of pain and exhaustion. Realizing that his days on this earth were very also limited, Ernest sent word to his eight children that he would like to see them all one more time. They came from Texas, California, and those who lived near him in Washington State.
In his final hours of life, he shared from his heart all that God had done for him, and how much he loved the Lord. As his children gathered around his bed in that small living room, he encouraged those of them who were not serving the Lord to do so while there was time. For those who did know the Lord, he challenged them to be faithful in their walk. His breathing became easier, and it seemed as if the pain had been removed from his body. He raised up on his elbow and looked toward the door. These were the last words of Ernest Thompson, my grandfather: “There is Jesus now!”
I cannot begin to count the number of times I have told the story of Grandpa Thompson. I do know it is nothing as compared with the countless times I have thought of his words. It has given me a hope that there is a heaven to be gained, and a hell to be shunned. It has been a constant beacon to direct my way through the storms of life.
What about you who have not had a Grandpa Thompson? You are stuck with me! Stop that whimpering right now!!!! You see, I was not in that room when grandpa died. His words and the scene were related to me by my dad. I have been living the glory of the death of Grandpa Thompson based upon of what my dad had seen and shared. Now that I have related it to you, it is up to you to accept it in faith and allow it to give you a light in your darkest night.
Paul encouraged Timothy to recall those meaningful words and the actions that he had observed in Paul’s life and pass them on to the faithful who could in turn pass them from one to the other. It might be said that the Gospel was the first and greatest multilevel marketing strategy in the world. It only takes one who will duplicate himself in the lives of others, who in turn will repeat the process, until the world realizes the presence of Jesus.
None of us know for sure where we will be when it is our time to die. We also have no idea when it will be. The only certainty is that each of us will die unless the Lord catches up His church in the rapture. I have a driving ambition to be faithful in teaching and living as Jesus has instructed. I myself am a Grandpa Thompson now.
As I mentioned earlier, I am already older than my grandpa Ernest Thompson was when he died. I have many precious spiritual children and grandchildren. I want them to see my battered Bible, and watch as I read those precious words, and also watch as I live a life that is committed and real. Regardless if I die surrounded by people, or all alone, my desire is that my last words will be: “There is Jesus Now!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 19, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 1:8-9
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
In the Scripture for today, Paul is sending this letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. If I were to send one of my last letters to my own son, Dan, I think I would like to share this thought with him as well. It speaks firmly of standing resolutely regardless of the trials that may arise. But it is much more than that. It is a reminder that it is not so much what our agenda may be, but what the Lord desires for us. It is His purpose that must strive to achieve.
When we stop to evaluate the meaning of the word, purpose, we quickly discover that it entails the reason for doing what we are doing. I like to think of it this way: Ten years from today will the things that I am devoting myself to be worth the effort? How about twenty years from now? How about in eternity?
There are ministers of the gospel who leave messages that have been printed or recorded that bless people years and years after they were first delivered. That is great, but what about a person who simply lives a godly life and is not a professional minister?
My grandpa Thompson was such a man. I was a small boy when he died, but his last words before he died have lived in my heart since my dad shared them with our family. I was only five at the time, but they still resonate across the years. Grandpa looked toward the door and said; “There’s Jesus now!” How will your purpose in life have an effect on future generations?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2012 | 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.
The answer to the title of today’s Daily-E-Votional—CAN GOD USE ME?—is a resounding YES! 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 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 lives we have endured occasional tests and trials. But, 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.” Are you being used?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 2, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.
Much of the world is now focusing its attention on London, England and the 2012 Summer Olympic games. As I recall, there are 205 nations and 10,500 athletes that are competing for medals this year. Only a few of that number will emerge victorious. It somehow seems distressing that just a few will receive the prize they so desperately seek and for which they have devoted so much arduous training.
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles and 385 yards). At the end, the competitors have expended the last ounce of their energy.
My mind goes back to the 1984 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Los Angeles, California. It was the end of the Women’s Marathon and the competitors entered the stadium to complete the race by circling the track one time. One by one they entered and crossed the line. Then Gabriella Andersen-Schiess from Switzerland came through the tunnel and entered the arena. She was in 37th place and no medal would be awarded for her valiant effort. She was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration and could hardly remain on her feet. The crowd exploded with applause during her last painful steps. She crossed the line and was treated as a victor—because she was!!
We are all in a race to win the prize that God has promised to all who are His children and follow Him. It may seem that we cannot go another step, but hang on, dear heart. The finish line is just ahead and the hosts of heaven are cheering for us. VICTORY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
