by Pastor Cecil | Sep 10, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I enjoy building a fire. I guess it started when I was a Boy Scout in my teens. One summer during a week-long camp, our scoutmaster taught us the fundamentals of building and maintaining a good fire. It was a thrill for us to use our shoe laces, a bow, a drill, and in a few minutes have a flame erupt from our dry shavings. He taught us to always have dry wood near at hand so we would be able to keep the fire burning.
In the cold winter months I build fires in my small wood stove. When I first ignite the fire I use plenty of paper and kindling to ignite the flames; and then I have to keep the fire growing by placing larger and larger pieces of wood in the flames.
If you place too large a piece of wood, however, it could be too much too soon — the fire will simply smolder and begin to die out. Then it is necessary to place smaller kindling back in the flames to allow the larger pieces to burn again.
In the spiritual realm we sometimes fail to learn the lessons from the fire box. We must insure that we light the fire in new believers. Then we need to provide just the right amount of kindling to get their flame burning bright. As we prayerfully add more and more solid wood, we need to watch for the moment when they are burning on their own and producing fire in those around them. GET BURNING!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 4, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 7:13
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
There is so much garbage in today’s media that it is often hard to breathe. That is when it is good to rely upon the infallible Word of God to give us a reality check. The most important reality check is that everyone is on the way to an eternal destination. The vital difference is where we are headed.
First and foremost we need to understand that there is heaven to gain and hell to avoid! There are many people who discount the harsh reality of hell. The fact of the matter is that Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of that place of eternal pain and suffering. It is very easy to get there. All that is required is to do nothing.
Jesus came into the world to offer a glorious alternative to the eternal flames of hell. He suffered and died for us to give us an eternal home that is beyond our wildest imagination. The requirement is to be born again and have our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. We do not gain access to heaven by trying to be good, but by being covered by the blood of Jesus. He came to shed his blood to cover our sinful nature. I beg you not to take the broad and easy way that leads to eternal damnation, but choose God’s way that leads to life beyond imagination.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 26, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 24:3
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”
Something that has never happened before will one day happen. The rapture of the saints is something the faithful have been anticipating since Jesus ascended to His Father. We have no idea when it will occur, but it could happen any time.
It is sad that there are many who are quick to quote a single verse from this 24th chapter of Matthew and then look smug, as if their grasp of Scripture had ended all conversation. The verse I am referring to is verse 36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
The truth is that here in Matthew 24, Jesus gives His disciples a precise picture of the end times:
“For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars”“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” “- -you will be hated by all nations because of Me.” “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.” “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree (the restored nation of Israel): As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”
These verses give a graphic description as to what conditions will be just before His return. As far as I can see, all of these things are descriptive of our day and age.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 25, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 11:29
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
If I were to ask you to close your eyes and imagine the most restful scene, what would you see in your mind’s eye? A beautiful beach, a tranquil lake with a mountain view, or perhaps simply a rocking chair?
That is not the scene pictured for us in today’s Scripture. The one burdened with a load of care is the one called upon to take up the yoke of Christ. It seems that taking on more responsibility would be the least desirable thing to do.
Years ago I attended a conference and heard a pastor share that they never sought out volunteers who had no other responsibilities. The ones that could be relied upon were those who were the busiest. They chose to go with the goers!
If you want to find a rest for your soul, please do not escape spiritual retirement. Get in yoke with the Savior and find the place of rest that will fill your soul with peace and rest.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 23, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Occasionally we hear statements from well-meaning but biblically uninformed people that we become angels after we die. That is more Hollywood theology than biblical truth. In fact we read in 1 Corinthians 6:3 that in eternity we will judge angels.
The Scriptures wonderfully assure us that the Lord is going to reward those who have had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That means we have been born again by God’s grace and our faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ.
Please understand that we do not sprout “angel’s wings” because of acts of righteousness. In fact, we are told that all have sinned and fall short of the gospel of Christ. The only thing that qualifies us for heaven is what Jesus has done, not what we have done or not done!
Here is the critical question: Are you bringing false comfort in presenting eternal life? Are you faithful in explaining the one and only way to heaven? The next time someone mentions becoming an angel, just ask them to show you where it says that in the Bible. It will get very quiet!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 5, 2018 | Matthew
Matthew 8:34
“Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”
Sometimes, when we are rejected by others, we take it as a personal failure. We need to remember that Jesus was rejected over and over even when He performed acts of kindness and blessing.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus had just healed two demon-possessed men who had been forced from society to live in the tombs. Instead of rejoicing at the mighty miracle of restoration that Jesus brought them, the people of Gadara asked Him to leave their region. Wow!
The loving heart of our Master must have been crushed by yet another rejection from those who should have begged Him to stay near and show them the way to victory over the power of sin. They could rejoice over the two demoniacs who had been set free, or they could get ticked off about the pigs that were now floating on the water. I guess they valued their pigs more than their souls.
Sad to say, there will always be more who reject our message of salvation than those who accept it. If people rejected our Master, there will be many who will reject us. Our response must always be love and continued service for the Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
