by Pastor Cecil | May 28, 2019 | Jude
Jude 1:3
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
My heart aches as I think of the vast numbers of people who have been deceived into thinking that they have eternal salvation because they were “christened” or “baptized” as infants. A rudimentary study of the Word of God reveals that this is far from the truth.
Jesus Himself informed the spiritual leader Nicodemus that a new birth was necessary. The words of John 3:16 should be enough to counteract the false teaching of salvation through infant baptism: “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Paul echoes this requirement in Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Where does this truth leave the sincere seeker of truth? It leads us to trust in the truth of God’s Word rather than in the deception of false teachers. There is only one way to obtain eternal salvation and that is in confessing that we are sinners in need of salvation and trusting in the shed blood of our precious Savior to make us His own. The repentant thief dying on the cross beside Jesus received eternal life even as his earthly life was drawing to a close. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 27, 2019 | Jude
Jude 1:17
“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
How do you remember things? The answers vary, but they include thinking about them, writing them down, and repeating to yourself those things you do not want to forget, and entering them on a device that will notify you in advance so you will not forget.
About fifty years ago I spent a considerable amount of time faithfully memorizing the book of James. There came a day when I was able to recite the entire five chapters. For several months I would repeat the words that had become a part of my memory bank.
Sad to say, I began to allow other pursuits to occupy my time. They were good things and many of them were involved in ministry, but they disrupted my dedication to the memory work to which I had devoted myself. Today I can only recite very brief portions of the book of James.
There is a phrase in a popular song from the 1940’s —“But you forgot to remember.” On this day when we pause to honor the memory of those who gave so much for us, it should be a time of rededication for each of us. Let us step forward and determine that we will not forget to remember!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 19, 2017 | Jude
Jude 1:23
“Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Cautiousness is a character trait that every true believer should practice at all times. It may be defined as knowing the importance of having the right timing in accomplishing the right actions.
Someone has noted that God’s work done in God’s timing will accomplish great and meaningful results. Unfortunately, too many of us think we have a better grasp of when things should be done than God does.
I often think of Joseph and the years he spent alone and forgotten in Egypt. I say forgotten, but that was only in the minds of his family. God had not forgotten him! Joseph was being prepared to save the very brothers who had betrayed him.
As we live our lives for Christ we must demonstrate caution in the way we deal with the circumstances that confront us. It is far too easy to act rashly instead of cautiously. The question we should always ask ourselves is: “What would Jesus do if He were faced with this circumstance?” Then act accordingly!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 11, 2013 | Jude
Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
What do you recall as being the most joyful moment of your life? I heard the old story of a man who proudly boasted that he had been married 35 happy years to his lovely wife, and then added that out of 46 that wasn’t too bad. How sad! My dear Joyce and I have been married since 1952, and one of my greatest joys is to have her by my side.
Frequently I mention the sad faces we see all around us. It is almost impossible to observe people who express joy. In some church services there appears to be great joy. Sadly it too frequently is a copycat joy, where people mimic those around them without really having true joy within.
If you want a reason for joy, please read these three verses from the small book of Jude. By the way, he was a half-brother of Jesus, and brother of James. Here he expresses joy about Jesus in that only Jesus can keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before His presence. That is because Jesus paid a price we could never pay when He died for our sins.
That, my dear heart, is worthy of joy unspeakable and full of glory! If you have lost the pure joy of your salvation, stop and take the time to realize the wonderful eternity we have waiting for us because of our new life in Christ.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 24, 2011 | Jude
Jude 1:20-23
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Somewhere along the line we have perpetuated the notion that the church is only reserved for saints who have their act together. This is totally false! Not only is it false, it is pride, arrogance and will drive people away from the Lord instead of drawing them to the safe harbor of salvation. Let me explain just a little about what we can see in our churches. There are those who have been in the pews so long it seems as if they have been there since the days of Moses.
It may seem like these old-timers have been there forever. Many are righteous, faithful, humble and have a teachable spirit. But, sad to say, others are contrary and stubborn of heart. Their critical attitude is often as bad or worse than the sins they see and condemn in others. TIME SPENT SITTING IN THE PEWS IS NO PROOF OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY!
Just as there is a danger of people relying on attendance to gain maturity, there is also a danger for new Christians. The new believers have a fervency which may lead them to run ahead of the Holy Spirit in their serving the Lord. FERVENCY IS NO PROOF OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY!
Having a growing personal and spiritual relationship with Christ is essential for our growth. It also prepares us for reaching out to others. In many, if not most cases, people are watching us more than listening to us. They want to see what we believe, more than hear what we believe. If we do not live it, why would they be interested in what we only talk about? We need to remind ourselves that all around us are those who will be eternally lost without salvation which comes by grace through faith. Living our faith is being truly spiritual.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com
