by Pastor Cecil | Sep 8, 2016 | James
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
I never have been a patient man by any stretch of the imagination. I am the type of person that looks for quick fixes. I often think that God has brought delays in my walk with Him in order to teach me that He is the One in charge, not me!
The book of James has held a special spot in my heart for many years. To me it is a practical guide to achieving Godly character. Many of the trials and tribulations that come our way are used by God to develop His character in us … if we let it.
Looking over my shoulder at the experiences of my life, I remember times of loss and pain that seemed agonizing at the time. It was only as I moved through these times with God’s help that I came to realize that He was giving me open doors of ministry to others who faced similar trying situations.
In “Character Building 101” it is time for us to step up to God’s mirror of self analysis. For me, I see the need for patience and more patience. As I learn to wait on the Lord, I find Him using me in spite of myself. Lead on, Lord!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 7, 2016 | James
James 2:8
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.”
Last Sunday, following our monthly fellowship dinner, we were discussing ways in which we could more effectively become a cohesive church family. We do not want to simply come together for worship, but we desire to become more like the New Testament church.
In a short time our discussion led us to the necessity of reaching out to others. That does not imply that we only reach out to our own members, which is okay — but we want to expand our love to those outside our congregation who have legitimate needs.
“Loving our neighbor” is the Royal Law that Jesus plants within the heart and soul of the believer. It is not a burdensome requirement, but more of a bubbling desire to serve Jesus by serving others.
I think the word servant must be stressed more. We need to rise to the challenge that our Lord gives by being aware of those around us and the needs in their lives. We can show our love by helping with groceries, giving a ride, watching the kids, mowing the lawn . . . you get the point. Are we fulfilling the Royal Law?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 20, 2016 | James
James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
I have to confess, I was never much of a checker player. It has been years since I played, but I do remember that when you are able to get one of your game pieces to the row closest to your opponent, that checker is “crowned” with another checker. Once a piece is crowned it can be moved either backwards or forward.
Some people seem to think they are entitled to be treated like royalty here on earth. They almost demand that we crown them. I really do not care if you are king or commoner, the only crown that counts is the one we are promised in today’s Scripture.
There will come a day when we will receive the crown of life. This particular crown is given to those who endure temptation. Every person on the face of the earth faces temptation. There is no sin in being tempted. It is how we respond to the temptation that matters.
For those who yield to temptation there are consequences. You may have experienced some of these failures in your own life. Thankfully, we can remedy the failure by confessing our sins and receiving the blood of Jesus Christ to cover the sin. The other thing is to say “no” to temptation. That is what it means to endure temptation. The reward is the crown of life. CROWN ME!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 16, 2016 | James
James 1:19-20
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Many years ago I was attending a Christian Counselors Conference. One of the speakers related a counseling session he had with a man who was angry at his wife. He ranted and raved about how sloppy she was and how she neglected her duties of keeping the house clean and orderly.
As the counselor listened to the man tear his wife apart, he was silently praying for words with which to respond to the man. It suddenly became very quiet in the room and the counselor realized that the man was finished. Now it was the counselor’s turn to respond.
The counselor surprised the husband by agreeing with him, saying that he was married to the worst wife he had ever heard of. Immediately the husband rose to his wife’s defense. He began to praise her for having a loving nature and spending time loving her family instead of cleaning; he demanded to know how the counselor could think she was such a terrible wife. The husband left in a snit — but with a new view of his wife.
Are you looking for the good in others or are you so focused on their faults that you forget their strong qualities? Go for the gold and look for the best!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 19, 2016 | James
James 3:13
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”
In the eyes of the world he may not have seemed wise, but to my mind and according to today’s Scripture, Ben was a wise man. Ben was an immigrant to this country from a European bloc nation. He spoke with a gravelly voice in an accent that was thick with his native tongue. But above everything else he loved the Lord.
Not only did Ben love the Lord, but he expressed it by the way he served Jesus. He did not teach a Bible class, but he lived his life according to the Word of God. I can still recall watching him mow the lawn around the church on a hot summer day.
One day when I saw Ben mowing, I stopped to talk with him. I thought the church paid him for doing outside maintenance, but he did it because he saw a need. In my conversation with Ben I discovered that he also mowed lawns for several widows in the church who were unable to do it themselves and could not afford lawn care.
Ben was a wise man! His works for the Lord were done with meekness and love. I wish he was still alive today. I would enjoy a long visit with him. It will have to wait for eternity, but he is one WISE MAN I want to see again.
Blessings dear hearts!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 3, 2016 | James
James 4:7-8
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Those of us who have had children are familiar with the words: “I do it myself!” At first it is cute and appealing, but before long we realize it is part of the fallen nature of all mankind.
That same willful attitude is much more distasteful in adults. We sometimes seem to think that we know more than God. With such an attitude we run full speed ahead and never bother to seek the Lord’s help until we run into trouble.
Over the years I have counseled countless individuals who thought they knew enough to make their own decisions without waiting on God. Heartbreak and turmoil was the result.
There is always an answer and that answer is to draw near to God. James is a very practical book in Christian living. James tells us that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. There is the answer to all of our problems. DRAW NEAR TO GOD!
Blessings dear hearts!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
