by Pastor Cecil | Sep 19, 2018 | John
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, 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 lives in this terrible conflict that ended on 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). The Hebraic concept of shalom is ‘nothing missing-nothing broken’ but figuratively it points to completeness. The word peace is found 429 times in Scripture and is a concept that is important to understand.
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 true 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. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 18, 2018 | John
John 13:15-17
“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you 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 than by our words. That is not good!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 30, 2018 | John
John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
With all of the filthy-mouth language in our world today, it is difficult to hear a conversation not laced with profanity. I am deeply troubled by the use of the word “God” in general conversation. I once was talking with a man that repeatedly used “God” several times during our conversation. I asked him if he was praying? He said, “No, why do you ask?” I told him that he used the word “God” so often that I was just sure he was praying. Using the Lord’s name in vain is profanity!
Ulysses S. Grant was the President at the close of the Civil War and a very interesting man. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His roommate was Fred Dent. When he was interviewed about what kind of man the President was, Fred Dent had this to say: “In all the time we roomed together, I never knew Ulysses to use a single vulgar or profane word.” Wow!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people viewed our walk with the Lord as pure and holy? An example of our love for the One who died in order that we might be as little children walking hand in hand with our Lord, in confidence, trust, and total dependence in Him. That would certainly bear the right fruit!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 21, 2018 | John
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
One Sunday morning a young girl stunned me with a very astute question: “Why do we have to give our heart to the Lord?” It was an electric moment and the Holy Spirit seemed to impress me to forget everything and everyone in the room and speak directly to her.
I explained that the Lord tells us that it is the only way we will be born again and be with Him in heaven. One after another questions streamed from her. I blocked out everything else and gave her my undivided attention.
I cannot recall all of the questions she asked, but I do know that I was praying that the Lord would give me wisdom to answer them in such a way that this small girl would know that there is a God in heaven who cares about her.
This exchange seemed to draw us all close together and closer to Jesus who loves the little children. In Luke 18:16 we read of how Jesus felt concern for children: “But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’” I always want to be prepared to answer the sincere questions of either an adult or a little child!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 7, 2018 | John
John 3:14-15
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
When I read the book of Ruth, one of the remarkable things that strikes me is Ruth’s unshakeable devotion. Coming from Moab, she was an alien to Israel. The Moabites were from a nation founded by the son of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter. The Moabites had also refused to give food and assistance to the people of Israel during their exodus from Egypt.
In spite of these handicaps, Ruth threw herself upon the mercies of God and chose Him as her God. In Ruth 1:16 we read these beautiful words she spoke to her mother-in-law, Naomi: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
The major theme of this wonderful book is the necessity for a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz became the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth, just as Jesus Christ is the Kinsman-Redeemer for all who come to Him. Ruth could not do anything to redeem herself and her mother-in-law. She threw herself upon the mercy of Boaz. How interesting that Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David.
Wow! What a woman of faith!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 27, 2018 | John
John 4:13-14
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
Not only is Olympia, Washington, the State Capitol, but there is also another significant claim to fame. In the 400 block of 4th Avenue is an artesian well. People are able to fill containers of this pure cool water. It is a fountain flowing freely.
The composer of this week’s hymn is William Cowper. He was born in England in the year 1731. He suffered many personal losses during his early years that caused him much mental anguish. Loss after loss of those that were close brought him to the brink of despair.
Through all of his ordeals the Lord kept drawing him. He finally received Jesus as his personal Savior and began writing hymns and poetry. It is fascinating that he lived in a small house just behind the home of his pastor, John Newton, who wrote the wonderful hymn,Amazing Grace. Thank the Lord for the fountain of redeeming blood that cleanses us from all of our sin.
There Is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel’s veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more
For since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
and shall be till I die
When this poor lisping,
stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing thy power to save
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “There Is A Fountain” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://gloryscapes.com/thereisafountain/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
