by Pastor Cecil | Oct 16, 2009 | Mark
Mark 5:19-20
“Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis (ten cities) how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
The disciples were on the way to the land inhabited by the Gerasenes. Andrew, Peter, James and John were seasoned fishermen. I am sure they had encountered many storms on the Sea of Galilee. But suddenly they were in a storm that was worse than anything they had ever seen. They were certain their boat was about to be swamped and all of them would be drowned.
In Mark, chapter four, we read about how Jesus calmed the storm (another one of His many miracles). When the disciples’ boat finally arrived on the shore, they were greeted by a man with super-human strength because he was possessed by demons. Knowing who Jesus was and recognizing His authority, the demons begged to go into a herd of swine. Jesus granted their request, which demonstrates to us the power He has over demonic forces.
The former demon-possessed man was so grateful that he begged Jesus to allow him to follow Him. Jesus declined, but told him to go home and tell his family. In today’s Scripture we read that the man went far beyond. He began to preach to the ten cities of the region.
We have no idea who this man was, but I eagerly look forward to seeing him in heaven to hear how it felt to be the Unknown Evangelist to the Gerasenes.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 23, 2008 | 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!” I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I have thought of that illustration 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 uses. It was used to preserve food, 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 acted like you were 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 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 are 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.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 17, 2008 | Mark
Mark 9:21-24
“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘From childhood,’ he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
In John seventeen, Jesus begins His prayer by glorifying His Father in heaven and speaking of the things that have been fulfilled through Him, and that the time of His departure and return to be once more with His Father was very near. He then begins to pray for His disciples. Note what He has to say in verse 6 to the first part of verse 8: “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they obeyed Your Word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave them the Words You gave Me and they accepted them.”
As I meditate on these words I think of that group of twelve disciples who behaved so much as we do today. Two steps forward and one step back. It causes me to wonder where our Lord’s confidence in them came from.
Many times when I have questions in my mind of this nature, I read back in Scripture looking for an answer. I think I found it in this case. In the previous chapter, John 16:29-30, we read of the disciples response to His teaching that He was going to be leaving them: “Then Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Now You are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that You know all things and that You do not even need to have anyone ask You questions. This makes us believe that You came from God.'”
As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to quit trying to figure out the impossible things that the Lord wants us to accept by faith. The Lord is the only One who knows our present situation as well as what lies ahead for us. Our greatest problem is looking at the situations of life – – – instead of looking at the One who is in control of our situations.
Our Scripture for today in Mark 9, records an incident in which a man brought his son to Jesus. The boy was possessed by an evil spirit. From a human perspective, there was no hope for the boy. But this father knew that if he brought his son to the Master, he could be healed.
Jesus told the father that everything was possible for him who believes. Watch the words of the father as he responds to Jesus: Mark. 9:24 ” – – I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief.” We are told that Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and it left the boy. Jesus’ healing took place right after the confession of the boy’s father. We can paraphrase it as: “Lord I believe a little bit, but I need you to give me the power to believe totally.”
What is the impossible thing in your life that dominates your life. Let me tell you that you have three choices:
1. You can try to solve the problem with you own abilities and continue with the conflict you now are experiencing.
2. You can place it in the hands of the Lord, but still keep your focus on the impossible situation.
3. You can place it in His hands and then keep your eyes on Him. The choice is yours. I trust and pray that you make the third choice!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 30, 2008 | Mark
Mark 15:33-34
“According to the Lord’s own Word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
We have experienced tremendous major catastrophic events in recent years and it causes even the most cynical doubters to wonder what is happening. Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, terrorist attacks—you name it.
Whenever we experience a tragic occurrence the natural response is; denial, depression or some other type of negative reaction. But in today’s Scripture, Paul is telling us that in these times of trial, we are to encourage one another with these words. What words? The assurance that we will rise to meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever! Praise the Lord!
In Matthew 24:6-8, Jesus told of many things that were signs which would be indicators of the end of the age. Here are just a few He mentions: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom will rise against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these things are the beginning of birth pains.”
Jesus says that not only nation rising against nation, but also kingdom against kingdom. That indicates the upheaval within the borders of nations. Just think of the many conflicts as ethnic groups revolt within a nation.
Killer earthquakes have increased so dramatically in the past twenty-five years that it is hard to deny that a significant sign is revealed. Grant Jeffrey, in his book, Armageddon, lists the frequency of killer earthquakes by decade, since 1890, that register more than 6.5 on the Richter scale: 1890-1899 (1); 1900-1909 (1); 1910-1919 (3);1920-1929 (2); 1930-1939 (5); 1940-1949 (4); 1950-1959 (9); 1960-1969 (13); 1970-1979 (56); 1980-1989 (74); 1990-1995 (125); (Notice this is only half a decade). An update will show a continued increase.
As we observe the calamities (natural or manmade) which are occurring with alarming regularity, it should awaken us to the need for action. Jesus speaks of birth pains. I am sure these pains will increase more and more until the time of the end. We need to work as we have never worked before to share the message of salvation. We never have to work to attain our salvation or to maintain our salvation, but we do need to work to share the wonderful message of salvation.
As we anticipate the trumpet call of God, it is time for us to examine our lives. Do we still have a fervent love of God, or have we lost our first love? I think it is a time for us to make a new dedication to the Lord. May our prayer be, In light of what is happening around us, we need to remember a vital truth. We will give an account for every action (or our failure to act) when we stand before the Lord. We should live as if we will be with Him the next minute. We very well might be!!!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 12, 2008 | 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 today’s 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 Super Saint!
Jesus stopped their arguing by telling them what they had been saying and going beyond to describe who is truly the “great one” in His kingdom: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
That is so far removed from what we would ordinarily think that it is hard to fit it into our thought process. We tend to feel that it is essential to be recognized as being number one on someone’s list. That is not what the Lord desires.
The disciples must have been following at a distance from the Lord when they had this argument. It reminds me that there are things we may hide in our heart that we do not want the Lord to know about. We often deceive ourselves by thinking that God does not know what is going on in our mind. HE DOES!
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.” Lelia N. Morris has written a hymn that reflects that prayer:
NEARER, STILL NEARER
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart.
Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
fold me close to Thy breast,
shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest,”
shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest.”
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring.
Naught as an offering to Jesus my King:
Only my sinful now contrite heart,
grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
‘til safe in glory my anchor is cast;
through endless ages, ever to be,
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 8, 2008 | Mark
Mark 8:16-18
“They discussed this (His warning to beware the yeast of the Pharisees) with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?'”
When I was in the Air Force, I was stationed in areas of the country where we had quite severe weather from time to time. We encouraged the kids to be excited to watch the thunderstorms with delight, and all three of them loved to cheer at the flash-bang displays.
When my mom came to visit she was not a good judge of clouds. Many times when she came to visit she would stand at the window and say; “Cec come and look at this cloud, it looks pretty bad to me.” Most often it was a small cloud with the sun at its back so that it appeared dark.
It reminds me that it most often takes a discerning eye to see and appreciate the wonderful things that God has created. This lack of spiritual appreciation has robbed us of a blessing and God of the praise He deserves. Some people have the spiritual eyes and ears, but cannot comprehend the wonderful things which God has prepared for us.
Even the disciples of Jesus failed to grasp His words. They were thinking about bread to fill the stomach, but He was talking about the self-righteous sin of the Pharisees. They brought down to a human level the words of Jesus, which were spiritual.
Before we become too critical of His disciples, how many times do we fail to see the plans and purposes of God? How many times do we equate health, wealth and happiness as blessing, while sickness, poverty and heartbreak as a curse?
In reality, it is in the trials and tribulations of our life that we become aware of the sweet presence of the Lord. Think back on your experiences of these times and you will remember that He was always with you.
So how can we change? How can we be people who open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our minds to understand? I am tempted to suggest that it is by HABIT! It is doing and re-doing and doing again and again.
It is asking Him to open our eyes to make us aware of His presence. It is paying attention to the words of Scripture we read, the words of songs we hear and the needs we see in those around us.
God’s precious Word is ours for the taking. May we purpose in our hearts to have eyes to see and hearts to be open to comprehend!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and become a real blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
