by Pastor Cecil | Jul 23, 2009 | Colossians
Colossians 1:25-27
“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
I am so glad I grew up in the days of radio. The radio dramas were something that we constantly looked forward to. They allowed the listener to use their own imagination to the unfolding story. One such program was, “I Love A Mystery.” As the title suggests, it was a mystery program. It was thrilling to listen as the characters read their lines and sound effects gave the impression of reality.
In today’s Scripture, Paul reveals a spiritual mystery for us. It is a mystery that was hidden from those who lived before the time of Christ. They may have had some suggestion of this mystery, but it was only in a veiled manner. It was a mystery that would have to wait for its fulfillment in Jesus.
It is obvious that people have been searching for the mystery of how God chooses to work. The answer Paul gives is that it is from the inside out. Wow! There it is once again—not what we do to prove we are righteous—but the indwelling presence of God to work in and through us.
Are you trying to do what God alone can do? Read today’s Scripture once again and realize that the answer to the mystery of mysteries is that it is Christ within us and that is our eternal assurance. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 26, 2009 | Colossians
Colossians 3:1-4
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Imagine that we are preparing for a major move from Seattle to Miami. We have sold our house, packed our belongings and are just waiting for the movers to come and start the 3,300 mile trip to a new home that was purchased for us.
Should someone call and offer to take us on a tour of homes in Seattle I am sure we would show very little interest. On the other hand we have collected as much information as possible about the Miami area.
What makes the difference? We have a new home just waiting for our arrival. We have never seen this home, but the person who purchased it in our behalf, has given us a clear description of the home and community. Why should we preoccupy our thoughts with Seattle when Miami is going to be our new home?
Are you getting the spiritual application here? Paul is urging us to stop paying so much attention to the things of this world and start spending more time with our hearts tuned in to heaven. Those of us who have truly been born again are on the way to our new home that the Lord has prepared for us—heaven! What a wonderful place that will be!
There is no pain, turmoil or trial in our life that does not fade into nothingness when compared to the glories of heaven. That is why we need to follow the admonitions Paul gives us in today’s Scripture: “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Where is your heart and mind?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 9, 2009 | Colossians
Colossians 1:19-20
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
As I recall my professional counseling days, I was sometimes confronted with parents who had lost a child. In my attempt to bring comfort, I would empathize with them. Unfortunately, when I said that I knew what they were going through, they reacted in a distant manner.
It dawned on me that I could not know what they were experiencing since I had not lost a child. That all changed on July 11, 1991, when our oldest daughter, Brenda, slipped into eternity. Joyce and I had witnessed others say farewell to a loved one, but now we knew that reality first hand.
The Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit had been One throughout all of eternity. Then Jesus, the Son, was sent to this earth to fulfill God’s prophetic purpose—to bring the offer of salvation to all who would receive it.
God had a perfect plan from the very beginning. Many prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to the cross and Jesus’ atonement for our sins. He had never known sin throughout all eternity or during His life here on earth—yet He became sin for us.
Where did Jesus obtain victory for us? Often people point to the Resurrection as the point of victory. I would have to disagree. When we recall the very first Passover in Egypt, it was the blood applied to the lintel and doorposts that gave protection from the angel of death.
The occupants of a home might have been prominent, righteous and full of good works, but if the blood was not applied—the first-born would die! In like manner we may hold an important position, do many wonderful things and even appear to be religious, but without the blood applied—we are lost.
So where did Jesus assure our victory over sin and death? On the cross! The very moment His life faded and the last drop of His precious blood was shed, Satan was a defeated foe. That is why the very last words of Jesus on the cross, as recorded in John 19:30 were: “It is finished!”
Have you experienced the “finished work” of Jesus Christ in your own life? Do you know for certain that if that muscle in your chest, called the heart, stopped beating—you would be prepared to meet the Lord? Please pray the following prayer:
God be merciful to me a sinner! I believe Christ died for me and that His precious blood will cleanse me from all my sin. By faith I now receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Help me to do your will each day. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 28, 2008 | Colossians, Proverbs
Proverbs 16: 18-20
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”
I have many embarrassing moments in my life. Years ago I was teaching a class of young professionals. It was deep and profound biblical truth and the class seemed to be very interested in everything I was saying. That is until I noticed that they were not looking on my face, but down at my feet.
Finally one of the young women raised her hand to ask a question. “Yes, Dorinda,” I said. In trepidation she asked, “Is there a reason you are wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe?” I dreaded looking down knowing that in my haste I had made a blunder. The class exploded in laughter at my expense. I finally recovered and told them “As strange as it may seem—I have another pair at home just like this pair!”
One of the things I have learned from these “red faced” situations is that pride needs to be dealt a blow. It is hard to act proud and aloof when you have on one brown shoe and one black one.
I earnestly pray that the Lord will continue to bring the “shoes” into my life any time I start to think more of myself than I ought. Colossians 1:25-27 says it best: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” NOT ME—BUT CHRIST ONLY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
