by Pastor Cecil | Jul 21, 2015 | Acts
Acts 10:15-17
“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.”
Sometimes we get so preoccupied with our own plans and purposes that we forget to ask God what His plan and purpose is for our lives. Perhaps I may be the only one who has that difficulty. If so, please forgive me.
There was a time when I felt that I would be spending at least twenty years in the military and then retire. That was my vision — but it was not what God had planned for my life. It was difficult to accept that my plans had to be altered and I had to surrender my own will to God’s will. My vision had died!
Peter was convinced that God’s plan and purpose was only for the people of Israel. That is what he had been taught and he had practiced it all of his life. To eat anything that was unclean was unthinkable. To associate with the Gentile was unthinkable. And then came God’s vision for Peter, and his preconceived vision of God’s plan and purposes died. He could either obey God, open his heart to the ones that God chose, or walk against the will of God. He chose God’s way! Let us do the same!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2015 | Acts
Acts 7:38-39
“He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.”
My mother often told stories about me that that I find hard to believe (since I am sure that I was a perfect child. Cough! Cough!). She said that she would be so frustrated with my constant talking that she would make me sit in a chair until I would learn to be quiet. Evidently I was like a firecracker ready to explode!
It reminded me of the story of another young boy who found himself in the same situation. His mother would push him down on the seat, but he would soon pop back up. This routine continued for quite some time before the little boy stated, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside!”
Does that sound familiar to you? Many times we encounter people who say things with their lips, but it is evident that something quite different is going on inside of them. Let’s get more personal. We can find that in her own life as well! We go through the motions, but what are we really thinking?
It is interesting to read in today’s Scripture that even though the Israelites had been delivered from the harsh bondage of Egypt, their hearts turned back. Sin has such a deceitful grasp on the human heart that even when set free our heart can once again turn back to the slavery that we were delivered from. If the Spirit has set us free, we are free indeed. Let us live in that freedom. ONWARD TO GLORY!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 24, 2015 | Acts
Acts 5:25-26
“Then someone came and said, ‘Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.’ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.”
Holidays are very special in so many ways. They give us an opportunity to honor either individuals or occasions. We just celebrated Father’s Day, but what about the day after? Do we continue to honor dear old Dad in the days that follow Father’s Day? How about Mother’s Day, or someone’s birthday, for example?
I fear that we frequently live our lives in spurts. We will pay attention only on “special occasions” — then it is back to normal. Many of us who have lost our parents recall the wonderful joyous times we had together. We would like to be able to honor them, but they have already departed and words of appreciation are too late.
This applies to virtually everyone. We might be thinking about a certain person and all they have done and desire to recognize them, but we put it off for one reason or another. Spiritually we do the same thing; we want to thank God for his blessings in our life, but we put off getting around to spending time with Him.
The disciples were consistent in serving the Lord. It was not just when things were going good, but at all times. The disciples in today’s Scripture had been treated harshly, yet the following day they could be found serving Jesus. My prayer is that regardless of the situations we might find ourselves in today, we will still be found serving Jesus tomorrow.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 15, 2015 | Acts
Acts 5:41-42
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
I hate to admit it, but there are obnoxious Christians out there! By that I mean there are people who claim the name of Jesus as their personal Savior, but they live lives that border (one side or the other) on unquestionable practices. I hear from people that are around these types, and they perceive that person has an ugly spirit within them. Often that is what the world sees . . . and that is how they judge all who claim the name of Christ.
The early Christians constantly put their lives on the line for the sake of Christ. Were they all perfect? Absolutely not! None of us are. But those believers were willing to give everything they had, including their very lives, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ who had saved them and given them eternal life.
As I read the story of the Christians in that early New Testament Church, I noticed that they never felt sorry for themselves. In fact, they considered it a spiritual blessing to endure suffering. Today, if we have to endure insults or innuendos, we whimper and cry like babies. It is a far cry from our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for the Gospel.
I want to make a new commitment to live my life with rejoicing rather than trying to feel sorry for myself!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 8, 2015 | Acts
Acts 14:21-22
“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
One of the great joys of my boyhood was riding my bicycle. There was a hill south of town that was difficult to ascend. By the time you arrived there your muscles ached and you were panting for breath. But when you looked out over the valley in the Boise Mountains on the other side, it seemed as though it was worth it all. But the best was yet to come! It was the coast down to the bottom!
When my dear wife Joyce was still alive, we traveled to Maui on the Hawaiian Islands. It was the last vacation we ever took and that was about 15 years ago. One of the popular tourist attractions was the bike tours to the mountain of Haleakala.
For your information, Haleakala is just over 10,000 feet in elevation. Only the bravest riders attempt to bike up to the summit, but there is an alternative. Vans transport the bicycles and their riders to the top of the mountain—from there it’s a full coast all the way to the bottom. What a kick!
Sadly, there are many believers who want to be carried to the top of the spiritual mountain just so they can coast to the bottom with little or no effort. Sorry folks, it just does not work that way! God does not call us to coast. He calls us to commit. Read today’s Scripture once again and hear what Paul says to believers. NO COASTING ALLOWED!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 2, 2015 | Acts
Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
There is something of a phenomenon going on in the Pacific Northwest this weekend. I just returned from the store and was amazed at the vast number of people wearing blue and green. From babies to the elderly and all ages in between, they were wearing these colors. Some also sported a logo of the head of a large bird of prey. You guessed it — it’s Super Bowl Sunday and for the second year in a row the Seattle Sea Hawks are competing. The people wearing these jerseys, caps, and other paraphernalia are showing their support of the team.
I am sure if we were in New England we would see fans wearing colors and logos of the New England Patriots. For those of you in other parts of the world, think of the sport that is popular in your country and think of the fan support of the local team.
In today’s Scripture Paul is describing his life in Christ as a race. It is not enough for him to merely be a fan or spectator — he is an active participant. Being a true “fan” of Jesus Christ is more than wearing team colors or logos, it is getting on the field and giving everything for Him. Are you a player or just a fan?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
