by Pastor Cecil | Oct 17, 2019 | Luke
Luke 10:36
“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
There is a well-traveled path we encounter in life—it is called “the other side.” Those who travel this well worn highway will inevitably encounter those who have been beaten and robbed. The victims are all around us and, frankly, they are in a pretty deplorable condition. Do you stop to help or do you pass by on “The Other Side?”
A young man had been going through a time of trials in his life. He felt led to visit a local hospital. He stopped at the nurse’s station on the floor that treated cancer patients and asked one of the nurses if she had any patients who were close to death and might like to have someone pray with them. She suggested a few that he might drop by and visit. Three men were openly eager to listen to the plan of salvation and they each prayed to invite the Lord into their heart. The result of his choosing “The Right Side” were three names written down in glory!
It is easy to become like the priest or the Levite. We can get so caught up in our own circumstances or in our ministry that we stay far away from those who are in great need. There are people on their way to hell and we spend our time and energy doing nothing other than staying as far away from the needy as possible.
I pray that our eyes may be open as never before and that our actions match those of the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 10, 2019 | Luke
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Whenever I read today’s Scripture, I have to ask if the hairs of our head are numbered before or after we lose most of them? That is meant to be humorous, but I know that the words are intended to show just how intimately the Lord knows us.
I love birds and enjoy a varied collection of birds that visit the feeders I have for them outside my window. Some of these precious creatures have become accustomed to me and stay close when I fill their feeding stations.
It always bothers me when I hear Christians speak as if the Lord was not aware of the details of their lives. Perhaps our problem is that we lack a proper understanding of God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we read of God’s intimate knowledge of us and our surroundings. In Psalm 139 we read: “You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.”
The next time you are tempted to feel alone and abandoned by the Lord, start looking around for the nearest sparrow (or any other bird). The Lord knows that bird by name and cares for it. If He does that, be assured that He will also take care of you.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 18, 2019 | Luke
Luke 8:14
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”
I have read Jesus’s parable of the sower so many times I imagine it would now be in the hundreds. This portion speaks of the seed that fell among thorns. It was choked by three things that the Lord mentions: worries, riches and pleasures. I notice that the plants are not destroyed, but they certainly fail to mature.
Repeatedly the Word of God charges us to not worry. To worry is the opposite of to trust. We seem to have the idea that there are certain things in our life that are too big for God to handle, so we have to worry about them ourselves. Here is a revealing question for you: How has your worry helped any situation in your life?
Riches and pleasures can easily be considered together. We are prone to feel that if we have riches, then the pleasures of life will follow. Sorry to break your bubble, but that is just not the way it works.
Neither the riches nor pleasures of this world will ever satisfy. Only Jesus can fill that void in our hearts. Jesus says that the seeds sowed on good ground are those with, “A noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Which ground are you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 14, 2019 | Luke
Luke 19:1
“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY till I come.”
I love the way Jesus used parables to teach spiritual truths. A parable may be described as an illustration that is designed to teach a lesson. Jesus used them frequently and cited the common culture, norms, and situation of the time He was in so as to teach the listeners in terms they would understand.
In the Parable of the Ten Talents (or a certain sum of money) the master’s servants are told to OCCUPY until he returned. The word OCCUPY can also be defined as doing his business for him until he returns. Wow! That really hits home for me.
None of us know how long we will have to be engaged in our Master’s business. We may be one heart beat from eternity or we may have many more years. The amount of time is not relevant — it is the faithfulness to do His business in a way that profits Him.
In order to OCCUPY for the Master we need to know what His business is and how we can accomplish the best for Him. We will find what His business is in His Word as we dedicate our efforts in serving as the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Are you OCCUPYING until He calls you home?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 12, 2019 | Luke
Luke 24:29
“But they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to tarry with them”
If you knew that you were very near the end of your life, what would you write? The author of this week’s hymn, Henry F. Lyle, was preaching his final sermon to the small congregation he had served for over 20 years. He was so weak that he had to be helped to the pulpit.
He encouraged his parishioners to rely on the Savior who loved them enough to die for them. His prayer, reflected in this hymn, is a prayer that each of us can breathe when we approach the valley of death.
Abide With Me
Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. To access Abide With Me, this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/abidewithme/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 3, 2019 | Luke
Luke 6:30-31
“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
It is easy to become so preoccupied with our own life that we forget about those around us. When we pause to recall a time in which we were treated unfairly or given an insult of some kind, our natural reaction is to retaliate.
The person who treated us unfairly may not even be aware that they have done so. Perhaps they may have been given a promotion that you felt you deserved. While they celebrated their promotion, you felt rejected and betrayed. Reliving such a situation you may have felt justified in showing a bitter attitude toward them. The other person may be bewildered by your negative reaction toward them.
This type of behavior is certainly not the way a Christian should behave. There will be times in our life when we will be treated in a cruel fashion. The way we react will say more about our spiritual maturity than hundreds of sermons.
My prayer is that you and I will start living the way the Lord desires. That means giving up our tender feelings to the Lord and refusing to show a contrary attitude, even when we are hurt to the core. SHOW A CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
