by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 33:1-3
While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ‘This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Years ago when I worked in the criminal justice system I was attending a training session for behavior professionals. At the get acquainted hour a few of the leaders privately spoke with selected attendees. We were given some inside information that later in the session revealed how vital it was to know things that others didn’t. It was just an exercise, but it gave me a whole new understanding of how important it is to have God’s wisdom.
Back when Solomon was chosen to be the second king of Israel, the Lord came to him in a dream and asked him what he desired as a king. II Chronicles 1:10 is a real eye opener: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
If God appeared to you and offered your heart’s desire, what would you ask for? I fear that many would ask for the things of this world rather than true wisdom to be of benefit to others.
Even while locked in a dusty prison, Jeremiah was given wisdom that went far beyond the trinkets of this world and saw the things of eternal value. God does offer wisdom to us the requirement is that we call out to Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 16, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:11-13
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’
Our daughter recently was going through some old photo albums when she came upon an old black and white photo showing a husband, wife, and their two sons. It took a few seconds to recognize our family. Mom and dad were in their thirties, my brother, Harold about twelve and I was about five.
It really brought back memories. The picture was taken beside the school and church building in Oklahoma. We lived in Washington State so it was taken when we had gone back to visit my maternal grandparents.
As I stare at the picture it reminds me how things change. Of the four, I am the only one still alive. There were many good years as well as a few challenging years ahead for our family, but Jesus was always part of our family and as such, we were more than able to find victory.
None of us know what the future holds for us, but since we know that Jesus holds the future in His hands we can look forward with confidence. The future may give us prosperity or poverty, but either way, when we all get to heaven the good things or the bad things will mean nothing in light of the Lord’s presence. What a future we have to look forward to!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 9, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.
In our kitchen we have a beautiful peppermill and salt shaker set. It is made of oak and has been turned to perfection. It is hard to calculate the hours it took to create this fantastic set. It was a gift from the man who made it and I recall the occasion when it was given.
There was a specialty auction and people had brought all sorts of items to be sold to raise funds for some church project. Nick-knacks that had been thrown together were bringing fairly high bids. When it came to these handcrafted works of love there were very few bids and all were small. In frustration the man who had made them won the bid himself. He commented that the price did not even cover the cost of materials. He gave them to Joyce and me as a gift. We have treasured them since that night.
Pride and boasting have always been a part of fallen man. The things we count as precious in our own eyes may are not necessarily the things that God desires. In today’s Scripture we are told that what counts as precious in God’s sight is for us seek and know more about His nature. That He exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness here on earth.
Have you found the secret of bringing delight to the Lord? Spend quality time looking for the wonders He has performed around us. Then share it with others. It is not what we have done for Him, but what He does for us. DELIGHT GOD!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2014 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 49:16
The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the Lord.
Pride comes in all shapes and sizes. As a young boy during the dark days of World War II, I recall seeing the image of the Italian fascist leader, Benito Mussolini. He had his arms crossed and wore an arrogant expression. He was a proud man! Then I recall another picture of this evil man — it was of his dead body hanging upside down in a public square in Milan. His pride had ended!
As a Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism at a large church, I was assigned a heavy counseling load. I recall a young college student who was so shy and withdrawn that she could hardly communicate. There had been abuse in her life and that could easily have been the source of her problem.
Weeks of counseling sessions seemed to be getting us no where fast. I prayed fervently for the wisdom to help her. At our next appointment I noticed that everything she said was directed at herself. Taking a risk, I stated that I knew what her problem was. She was stunned. I told her that I felt that she had pride in her life and needed to deal with it directly. She immediately confessed her sin of pride and left my office. It was the step that set her free.
You see, pride does not have to be in the form of a dictator or any other public figure. It can just as easily appear in the life of someone like you or me. The more we focus our attention upon ourselves, the greater the pride. Allow God to be the primary object you seek to please. NOT YOU, BUT HIM!
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 28, 2013 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
Over the years I have had heart-to-heart talks with individuals and couples. As I poured my heart out to them I was sure they had received the message. Often it would be only a short time to reveal that they had not been listening, or had possibly rejected my counsel.
Perhaps you have encountered similar situations. You may want to share your wise counsel to someone in the hopes that they would benefit by it. You may have hoped to prevent them from continuing actions that could be detrimental to them, their families, or others.
Working as a Juvenile Probation Officer, I sometimes gave my heart-to-heart talk with a delinquent who I felt was heading for disaster. I can still recall their look of feigned interest. A short time later they would be arrested for another offense, and I realized that my heart-to-heart was not received.
Hold on just a minute. Before we become discouraged about the responses of others, take hope. There have been many instances where the little open-hearted discussions I have had with people (that seemingly fell on deaf ears) have suddenly produced fruit. More than once I have had people express thanks for something I had said months or years before. God is in control!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 8, 2013 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
During church service on Sunday, one of our members was reflecting about how we have had experiences where God has stepped in and revealed Himself in a way that resolved our problems. Then a very short time later we try to handle problems in our own strength instead of allowing Him to meet our need.
It seems that many people have an erroneous view of the Lord. They see Him as a God that is vindictive and anxious to find a fault in our lives for which to punish us. They fail to see the love of God and the provision of God. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they hide from God rather than running to Him for salvation and comfort.
The Lord knows what lies ahead for us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. In the most disastrous times of our life He is there beside us giving us a future and a hope, regardless of how hopeless the situation may seem.
What is the greatest ordeal in your future? Are you trying to deal with it in your own strength? God promises us that He is the One who gives us strength for each and every day. He loves us and has a wonderful plan for our life. Are you actively seeking to discover that plan and purpose that He has designed just for you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
