by Pastor Cecil | Aug 12, 2009 | James
James 4:1-2
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
This week marks the 150th anniversary of a memorable (if not humorous) incident that occurred here in the State of Washington. The “Pig War” is the name commonly given to the 13-year standoff between the American Army and British Royal Navy on San Juan Island that began in the summer of 1859 after an American settler shot a British pig on the island that both nations claimed.
The “war” is celebrated because it was ultimately resolved by negotiation and compromise instead of by guns and force, and there were no casualties except the pig. The confrontation and its resolution are also significant in Washington history because the award of the San Juans (San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, and many smaller islands) to the United States instead of Great Britain led to the creation of Washington’s San Juan County and finalized the borders of the state that exist today.
Thirteen years of uncertainty and an uneasy peace kept the Islanders on their toes and the military men of both nations in a state of readiness. All for the appetite of a greedy hog that had a taste or spuds!
Perhaps there have been more insignificant reasons than this for nation to go to war with another nation. The real cause is the result of our original sin. When Adam sinned, the result is still felt today.
In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied that one of the signs of His return would be an increase in wars and rumors of wars. All it takes is a quick scan of any newspaper to see that hundreds of groups are at war with each other right now. Only Jesus can bring lasting peace. Praise the Lord for His sweet peace!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 22, 2009 | James
James 1:5-8
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
Recently I received an e-mail requesting prayer for a “prayer worrier.” I am sure the writer meant “prayer warrior,” but, as I have done so many times—misspelled and thus changed the meaning.
I have been thinking about the difference between the two. I went to the dictionary and found this definition for “warrior”: One who is engaged in or experienced in battle. One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict. That sounds like someone you would like on your side, right?
Here is the definition for “worrier”: One who thinks about unfortunate things that might happen. One who is of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), unstable and uncertain about virtually everything. Whoops! That is certainly not the person I would feel confident to have in my corner as a prayer partner.
The thing I find about a true prayer warrior is that the circumstances have nothing to do with how he reacts. Job had lost all of his earthly possessions, his ten children, his health and his reputation. He was on an ash heap surrounded by friends who accused him of some secret sin that caused all of these things.
How does Job react? Job 19:25-26: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Those are the words of a prayer “warrior” not a prayer “worrier.” Which are you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 5, 2009 | James
James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Attending grades 6 through 12 on a Christian college campus was an education in itself. I later graduated from that same college (now a university), but I think I learned as much by observing the students as I learned from my professors.
I must confess that there were times when I struggled academically, but I was able to squeak by and even attain a Masters of Arts degree in Sociology. (This proves that miracles still happen!)
Most of my real education was gained through my parents. They were raised on the Oklahoma panhandle and endured the rigors of much of the dust bowl years. Families had a tough time back then and an eighth grade education was considered to be the norm.
The wisdom that both of my parents possessed, was not something that can be taught in a classroom. They reasoned things out and became practical in ways that many in our modern day world lack.
One of the things they engendered in me was a love of people. Since money was always scarce we needed to make our own brand of entertainment. One of the most enjoyable things we did as a family was to drive the mile into town, park the car and watch people. It is amazing what you can learn about human nature by simply observing people.
In yesterday’s Daily-E-Votional I made a mess of relating a humorous story. What can I say? Some people can tell a joke and some people can’t! Anyway, I mentioned something about how differently waiters behaved when they left the dining area and entered the kitchen.
In graduate school I read a book by Erving Goffman called, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. One summer he observed waiters at a prestigious hotel and the difference in their behavior as they served guests and how they reacted with the kitchen staff. There was a world of difference and not for the better!
In today’s Scripture, James defines heavenly wisdom—the kind of wisdom that we need to pursue. Consider the adjectives James uses: Pure; Peace-loving; Considerate; Submissive; Full of Mercy and Good Fruit; Impartial and Sincere.
That is the wisdom that the believer should be striving to attain. Students often carry study notes with them to prepare for an up-coming test. Wouldn’t it be a great idea for each of us to write the adjectives down and make a concerted effort to gain heavenly wisdom? I have just written mine down—please join me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 26, 2009 | James
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Last week Joyce and I were following a car that was dragging his anchor. You know what I mean—driving several miles below the speed limit and delaying traffic—of which I was one.
Joyce began to laugh and reminded me of my prayer for patience. I was attending a conference in Salt Lake City. The day before the conference started, I was stuck in one delay after another. By the time I reached my room I was very agitated. Well maybe a few clicks beyond agitated.
When I tried to study my Bible and pray I kept thinking of my lousy attitude while driving into town. I confessed it before the Lord and then asked Him to help me to become more patient. I prayed that same prayer before going to breakfast.
I wanted to get to the first session early, so when I went into the coffee shop I sat at the counter. Everyone knows that you receive faster service when you sit at the counter—right? WRONG!!
I waited and waited and waited some more. It did not take me very long to realize how the Lord was teaching me a lesson. I began to thank Him for giving me the chance to exercise patience so soon after praying for it.
The next thing I noticed was how upset my waitress was. People who came in long after I did had finished their breakfast, paid and left the cafe—but I was still sittting in a relaxed manner at the counter. It was hilarious to see her back in the kitchen arguing with the cook. They began to look around and suddenly became excited. They had found my ticket!
My poor waitress apologized over and over. She said, “I’m so sorry, your order ticket had dropped down behind the cook’s counter and that was the cause for the long delay.” I simply smiled and said, “No, that was not the reason. The real reason is that I prayed for patience and this was my test.”
The Greek word for “perseverance” in today’s Scripture is the word, Hypomonē. It is defined as: patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance. God’s people across the ages have been called upon to exercise this discipline that can only be developed during trials and ordeals.
The next time you encounter an attack or fiery trial (you may be in one right now) use the God given pattern that James presents in today’s Scripture: “Consider it pure joy!” Why? Because God is at work in and through you! Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 23, 2009 | James
James 4:7-10
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
What cross do you bear in life? What hardship or difficulty prevents you from being what God wants you to be? Fanny Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915. Because of a medical error to her eyes, she was blinded. That did not stop her, or suppress her spirit.
Here is a poem she wrote at age eight:
“Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be!
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
So weep or sigh because I’m blind, I cannot – nor I won’t.”
Over her 95 years she wrote something like 8,000 hymns, many that have touched and blessed the hearts of countless people. One of those hymns is our inspirational video for today, “Draw Me Nearer.”
Here are the words of the chorus:
“Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord
to the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious bleeding side.”
I want that to be my own prayer. I pray that it will be yours as well.
To access Draw Me Nearer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/drawmenearer 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 | Dec 22, 2008 | James
James 1:13-15
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Here in the beautiful State of Washington we have been hit by two snow storms and another is on the way. I was called out to meet with a family in preparation for a funeral service. The snow had stopped, but there was at least six inches covering the roads. I have driven on snow and ice enough to not fear driving in the white stuff, except to be concerned about other drivers who may lose control.
As I returned home and drove into the garage, I happened to notice that snow had caked on the tires and was starting to build up in the wheel wells. I smiled at the reality that I had seen such a build-up several times before.
Those of you who live in warm and sunny climates may not have had the experience I am about to relate, but try to picture this scenario. There are two times I have had it happen. After driving for several hours in very snowy conditions, I began to notice difficulty in steering. I was gradually able to steer off the roadway to see what the problem was.
It was then that I saw that the front wheel wells were almost completely packed solid with snow. The snow was packed so solidly that I had to use a sharp iron bar to break it away. After awhile the same thing occurred, and I had to stop to clean out the problem again.
Perhaps you can guess where I am heading with this. Sometimes in our spiritual walk we start picking up things (even good things) that prevent us from being able to steer in the right direction. Most of the time, this build-up is caused by questionable decisions or conduct.
It is possible for us to pack our life so full of worthy activities that we lose control of our steering. Even spiritual activities done in our own strength and without the Lord’s calling will so clog our “wheel wells” that we lack the ability to steer.
The way we can clear the blockages in our steering system is to humbly bow before the Lord and ask Him to direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
