by Pastor Cecil | Dec 30, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:6-8
“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Back when I was eight or nine, my parents owned a café in Camas, Washington, called Kelley’s. I have many fond memories of spending time in and around that place. I would sometimes help the dishwasher, but in reality was no doubt more hindrance than help.
Years after we had moved away from Camas, I always wanted to drive by and see if Kelly’s was still open. I had told my wife Joyce about it enough times she was no doubt tired of hearing my stories. A day came when I took a trip down memory lane with Joyce. I was able to find our old house and our old church where I had given my heart to the Lord, but my heart was sad when we saw the building where Kelly’s had been. It was now an insurance agency. Rats!
There have been other instances where we have tried to find some favored spot only to discover the use has changed and it is entirely different from the way we remember. It is disappointing to have the buildings of our past change, but it is heart breaking to discover people have changed for the worse.
In today’s Scripture we are urged to stay the course and walk in such a way that our life will be an example to others. Jesus is always the same and that is the rock upon which we are to build our life.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Faith! What is it? How can you put into words a concept like faith? The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews may be described as the Faith Chapter in the Bible. In much the same way that 1 Corinthians 13, is described as the Love Chapter in the Bible. When you read the passage given above, it almost defies logic. It is as though it doubles back on itself, and leaves us gasping for true understanding.
How do we go about to grasp the meaning to the beautiful concept of grace? Most would immediately began to recite Hebrews 11:1 from the King James Version: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
To get some grasp about faith I think it is useful to use word pictures. We have to visualize what we have faith in as has already become reality. Imagine that it is 100 degrees outside and you and I are going to our favorite ice cream store to buy a cone. When do we start to enjoy that luscious cold treat? That’s right, it is the time we visualize having that delicious cone in our hand.
That is the word picture that we need to paint of believing in those things that we have not yet seen. It is based upon the Living Word of God. God says it, and we begin to visualize God being faithful to what He has promised!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 4, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
From time to time there are health scares that cause people to fear for their lives. They rush to receive inoculations or use face masks. There are precautions taken in washing our hands and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze. As a boy I can still remember when families were quarantined because someone in the house was diagnosed with a contagious disease.
In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the US that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dread disease and the others in the house were quarantined. In his hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and had the college choir sing outside the house.
If you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death right now (I know that I am), let these words bring that quiet assurance we need.
Near to the Heart of God
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
To access Near to the Heart of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 19, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 3:12-13
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
There are a few things I have been aware of across the years. The first is that we need encouragement and the second is that we need to encourage each other. We might think of it as the ministry of encouragement. You do not need a degree in divinity to minister to those around you. You just need to remind them of Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews starts this passage by giving a personal challenge: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Looking at that passage from a different point of view we see that turning away from God results in a sinful and unbelieving heart.
How tragic to see the shipwreck of people who turn away from God. What are we to do about it? The writer is very clear; “Encourage one another daily.” We have a purpose in life and that purpose is a daily purpose.
Having spent time in police and military work, I know what it is to be given an assignment to be completed that day. Failure to accomplish the assignment could often result in lives being lost. It is a far greater responsibility to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. That is OUR ASSIGNMENT!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 1, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:11-14
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
May first is celebrated in different ways. As a boy it was a sweet way to welcome the first warmth of summer. May baskets were left on the doorsteps of people’s houses as a way of showing friendship.
Over the years it has become a rallying cry for environmental causes and quite often it is accompanied by civil disobedience. It always confuses me how these protesters demand to be allowed to misbehave, but deny the majority the right to stop them from their unlawful actions.
Well, with that being said, I will get back to my subject. It seems that many people feel a sense of pride in announcing that they are not religious. It is as if they were the ones in the know-how, and believers are somehow naïve.
Prior to conducting funerals I have at times been informed that the family is not religious. As I have met with them I have tried to be as friendly as possible. Almost without fail when I say a prayer at the end of our meeting, there are tears in their eyes. At the funeral I use God’s Word as a source of hope and they comment that it was just what they wanted. So much for I’M NOT RELIGIOUS!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 17:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am not sure what the driving regulations are in your area, but here in the State of Washington, a right turn is permitted when the light is red, but only under certain conditions: (1) After coming to a complete stop, and (2) No approaching traffic.
That is the law, but we frequently see flagrant violations. I just observed a pickup coming to an intersection at a speed that was too fast for the conditions. I knew he had a red light, but he made a right turn without even trying to slow down. It is at these times that I wish I was still on the police force.
Human nature is opposed to laws of any kind. We like to do things our way and in our own time. We can read what God says in His Holy Word, but when we approach the intersections of our life we tend to ignore what we know to be right.
Now comes the time for honest soul searching. This is just between you and the Lord. How many times have you violated His laws for your life? What is the Holy Spirit convicting you about at this very moment that you need to deal with? How will you conduct yourself in the days ahead?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
