by Pastor Cecil | Apr 28, 2014 | Mark
Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
Recently our daughter told us she had seen a report of a couple who had been married 72 years. They were still so much in love that they held hands like a couple of newlyweds. They could not bear the thought of being apart for even short periods of time. The wife became ill and when she died her sweetheart husband told the children that he would be joining her very shortly. He died about fifteen hours later.
The great artist, Vincent Van Gogh once made this comment; “There is nothing more artistic than to love people.” If we were to paint an image of love it would be something going outward to others, rather than inward. It grieves me that we live in a time when love is measured by what satisfies us rather than how we give of ourselves to others.
On a very personal note, for the past several years I have had the blessing of serving my wife as she has increasingly lost the strength to do things for herself. Perhaps some would throw up their hands and refuse to do the menial tasks, but I have gained so much from this expression of love.
I find new meaning when I read in Ephesians 5 that the husband is to love the wife in the same way that Christ loved the church. Christ demonstrated love for us by dying for us. I want to die to myself for my wife as well as others I serve.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 28, 2014 | Mark
Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.
There is a wonderful illustration that goes something like this: “While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink . . . but you can salt his oats!” I cannot begin to tell you the number of times that illustration has come to my mind since I first heard it.
Some of us in Christian ministry wear ourselves out trying to force people to drink when they show no inclination and, in fact, refuse to drink. We heap on guilt or glitter, but there are still no slurping sounds. What is the answer? SALT THE OATS! Right! How do we do that? It is a good question and deserves careful consideration.
Salt is very valuable and has been used across the centuries for many purposes. It was used to preserve foods, season foods, and for its medicinal qualities. In Roman times, the soldiers were paid in salt. That is where the word salary came from. When you hear the expression, “He’s not worth his salt,” it refers to the payment in salt that was received.
With that bit of information in mind, in what way can we become salty Christians? I have two unrelated word pictures that may be of assistance. Have you ever been in a room full of people and pretended to be yawning? Do you know what happens? Others start yawning themselves. Perhaps you could say that you “salted” the yawn reflex.
The second word picture is encouraging reluctant youngsters to eat by eating with great relish ourselves. “Hmmmm! That is so good! I’m going to eat some more! Do you want to try some too?” I want to tell you it works better than saying, “Eat your veggies! There are starving children in the world who would love them!” Our kids used to reply, “Please send my veggies to them.”
In today’s Scripture, Jesus says that we are to have salt in us. I take that to mean that we are to be so full of Him that we are salt to those around us. In Colossians 4:6, Paul admonishes: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
There is no way we can live indifferent Christian lives and be salt and light to those around us. If we do that, we have lost our saltiness and no longer possess the appeal that will draw others to walk close to Christ.
Are you salting the oats of those you come in contact with? Are you creating such a desire that people must drink from God’s well that never will run dry? Spend time in God’s Word and see the thrill that will make you want more and more of Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 2, 2013 | Mark
Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.
I once heard a preacher use a wonderful illustration. He said something like this: “While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink. But, you can salt his oats.” Some of us in Christian ministry wear ourselves out trying to force people to drink when they show no inclination and, in fact, refuse to drink. We heap on guilt or glitter, but there are still no slurping sounds. What is the answer? SALT THE OATS! Right! How do we do that? It is a good question and deserves careful consideration.
Salt is very valuable and, through the centuries, has served many purposes. It was used to preserve food, to season foods, and even for its medicinal qualities. In Roman times, the soldiers were paid in salt. That is where the word “salary” came from. When you hear the expression “He’s not worth his salt,” it refers to the payment in salt that was received.
With this bit of information in mind, in what way can we become salty Christians? Have you ever been in a room full of people and acted like you were yawning? Do you know what happens? Others start yawning themselves. Perhaps you could say that you “salted” the yawn reflex. We need to salt the oats spiritually!
There is no way we can live indifferent Christian lives and be salt and light to those around us. If we do that, we have lost our saltiness and no longer possess the appeal that will draw others to walk close to Christ. Are you salting the oats?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 7, 2013 | Mark
Mark 8:35-36
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
I have known many wealthy people in my life. Some have blessed those around them, while others grasp the things of this world, as if they would bring lasting joy. Today I had the responsibility and privilege of sitting in the living room of a magnificent home. The view from the picture window was breathtaking. You could see a portion of the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier in the distance. The landscaping was something that one would expect to see in a home and garden magazine.
There was one sight that detracted from this idyllic scene. The husband and wife sat across from me and he had an oxygen supply in his nostrils. He shared with me that cancer was rampant in his body and the doctors had given him only a few weeks to live.
All of the things of life become of little value when death is so near. I had the opportunity of sharing the gospel message with him and was able to pray with him. As I drove away from this beautiful home, I realized once again that the things of this world hold no real value when compared with eternity.
It is time for each of us to take time to determine what is valuable in our life. What do we value so highly here on earth that it prevents us from placing our priorities on things that will last forever? What treasures are we laying up in glory that will have eternal value?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 16, 2013 | Mark
Mark 9:33-35
They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them: What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said: If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Did you ever wonder what the disciples of Jesus were like? Were they plaster saints without faults or failings? Did they fall short of being the men of God that they should have been? In this Scripture we have one glimpse into the behavior of the disciples that may often go unnoticed. They were proud and self-seeking! That is so hard to say that I hardly can believe I typed it.
Perhaps it is human nature to desire to be better than others. If so, it is our fallen nature. Pride is sin! I want to repeat that for effect: PRIDE IS SIN! The sin of many believers is going beyond pleasing the Lord—rather it is being in competition with other Christians. In God’s kingdom there is no place for being a Super Saint! He said that the first must be last and the servant of all!
I think the answer to being able to deal with pride and arrogance in our life is to stay close to Jesus. It is when we stray from His presence that we start thinking thoughts that are self-centered and willful. In Psalm 119:133, the Psalmist David directs this prayer to the Lord: Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 16, 2012 | Mark
Mark 10:21
“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’”
Many preachers and teachers of the Word of God have been approached by their listeners about how much to give to the work of the Lord. I would hazard a guess that in most cases the teaching is that we are to give 10 percent. That sounds good, but I do not agree with that view. At least I feel strongly that in the area of giving to the Lord we have tried to get by as cheaply as possible.
Let me use a personal illustration to explain my thinking. I have known my precious wife for almost 65 years. We will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary this July. She is my dearest friend as well as my loving wife. If I gave only 10 percent of myself to her it would be hard for her to truly feel that she was my precious one. It is my intention to give her every part of me. I would gladly give my life for her.
With that in mind, imagine what she would feel if I had a small notebook to keep track of all that I possess—time, talent and treasure. In one column I place the name Joyce. Each morning I check to see how much of me that I will give to her that day. Would she feel loved? I don’t think so! She wants all of me just as I want all of her. That is what makes marriage solid—each partner giving their all.
The Lord is eagerly waiting for us to give Him everything. When we say that we love Him, we need to show it by the time we spend with Him and seeking His face to inspire everything we do. More about this tomorrow.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
