by Pastor Cecil | Nov 16, 2009 | John
John 14:1-2
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
One of the benefits while serving in the US Air Force was base housing. It was nice to know that when you arrived at your new assignment, you would have a nice place to live. Each base had different styles, but they were always adequate.
We were reminded that they did not belong to us and were only for us to use while we were assigned to that particular base. We were required to leave the units spotless when we left so the new officer’s family would feel welcome.
When we were searching to buy a new home of our own we were in a far different frame of mind. The things that we wanted in our own home were often beyond what we could afford. Then there was the maintenance issue. Even in the finest home, there were things that needed to be repaired from time to time.
In today’s Scripture, John describes a home that will be our final home. It will be a mansion of beauty that is beyond our imagination. God knows us inside and out and knows what will satisfy us completely.
As born again Christians we are part of God’s family and the mansion is now being prepared for us. Not only that, we are going to have resurrected bodies that will be able to enjoy our new home to the fullest. Spend time thinking about it!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 11, 2009 | John
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
World War I, sometimes called the “Great War,” was a huge waste of human life. It has been calculated that some fifteen million people lost their life in this terrible conflict that ended on this date, November 11, 1918. It was thought back then that peace would prevail and no more such wars would be fought — but it was barely 20 years before the even more devastating World War II broke out.
As we honor this day of peace it is important to get a picture of what peace means. It is the Hebrew word, “Shalowm” (shalom) and means completeness, soundness, welfare and tranquility. The word peace is found 429 times in Scripture and is a concept that is important to understand. [The Hebraic concept of shalom is ‘nothing missing-nothing broken’ but figuratively it points to completeness.]
Over the centuries there have been many attempts to secure peace between individuals, families, communities or nations. These human attempts have always failed because it is only the Lord who gives peace.
The wonderful thing is that the Lord gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. His peace comes from the inside out rather than from the outside in. His peace passes all human understanding. May He grant you His “shalom”!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 10, 2009 | John
John 13:15-17
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
It is impossible to change people by preaching at them. That may sound like a strange comment coming from a preacher, but I find it to be true. You cannot line people up and preach them into doing anything. Unfortunately, that is what we have been trying to do for years, both in our homes as well as in our churches. It just does not work!
Perhaps this is a carry-over from how we deal with our children. We yell and scream at them to quit yelling and screaming! Please read that last sentence over and over until you get the drift of what I am saying. It doesn’t work with our children or other people.
The reality is that we teach others by what we do much more than by what we say. We can quote Scriptures about the importance of telling the truth—but if those around us observe that we are stretching the truth, then we have revealed more by our actions rather than by our words. That is not good!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 15, 2009 | John
John 12:24
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
I have the privilege of living in the Pacific Northwest where salmon go through their life cycle. For many species of salmon, they spend several years at sea before returning to spawn…after which they die.
Think of that! They go through extreme ordeals to return to the place they were hatched where the female lays hundreds of eggs. The male fertilizes the eggs and then both parents die. Through death there comes new life.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus is teaching a positive lesson about death to selfish ambitions. It is possible to hold tightly to one’s life rather than giving ourselves for others. He was about to lay down His own life in order that others may inherit eternal life. He died that others may live.
We have family and friends who are observing our actions as well as hearing our words. Sadly they often see us living more for ourselves than for others. What does it mean to spiritually die for others?
- Always put Christ first in your life.
- Live beyond your comfort zone.
- Be willing to give until it hurts.
- Repeat over and over: “Not my will, but Christ’s be done,” then do it!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 2, 2009 | John
John 3:18
“Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
Sunday I received this thought-provoking message from my dear friend, David Sutton. I hope you are as impressed with the truth and simplicity as I have been.
“THREE TRAGIC STEPS”
1. DESERVE “THE DEATH SIN-PENALTY.”
2. AVOID “BEING BORN AGAIN.”
3. EXHALE “YOUR LAST BREATH OF AIR.”
– – – TRULY YOU ARE “IN HELL” – – –
“THREE SALVATION STEPS”
1. DESERVE “THE DEATH SIN-PENALTY.”
2. BE “BORN AGAIN.”
3. EXHALE “YOUR LAST BREATH OF AIR.”
– – – TRULY YOU ARE “IN HEAVEN” – – –
Where are you going to spend eternity? Repent and be born again and I will see you in heaven!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2009 | John
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We have a liberal college in our community and from time to time we see bumper stickers from this group that read, “World Peace.” Some jokesters have made a play on this sticker by coming up with one of their own; “Whirled Peas.” I suppose the second sticker is much more easily achieved.
From the day that Adam and Eve sinned and were evicted from the garden there has been strife, conflicts and wars. For all of the rhetoric about attaining peace we are no closer to world peace, nor will we ever be until Jesus comes again to establish His “Wonderful Peace” over all the earth.
What a fantastic day it will be when there is eternal peace. Today’s featured hymn from GloryScapes™, is “Wonderful Peace.”
“Wonderful Peace“
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain: Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain:
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain:
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain:
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain:
To access Wonderful Peace, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wonderfulpeace 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
