by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2018 | Micah
Micah 6:8
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
I am reminded of the little Tweety Bird Prayer that someone sent me. Tweety Bird has a halo over his head, looking very angelic. Here is his prayer: “I want to thank you, Lord, for being close to me so far this day. With your help, I haven’t been impatient, lost my temper, grumpy, judgmental, or envious of anyone. But, I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think I’ll really need your help then. Amen.”
If we pray and ask for His guidance, like the Tweety Bird prayer, He will give it to us. It is there in our hearts and minds. These are not mere suggestions, but are God’s requirements:
Fear the Lord — This is a reverential respect and honoring Him as the Lord of all.
Walk in His ways — Not as the world says or does, but do what God would have you do.
Walk humbly — God hates pride and self-sufficiency – in all your ways acknowledge Him.
Serve Him — Become a slave because of your love of the Lord.
Act Justly — Do what is right and just, even when others are out for their own thing.
Love Mercy — Love the world with the mercy that Christ has shown to you.
Obey His Commands — You can’t obey them if you don’t know them. Search, find, then obey.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 5, 2018 | Micah
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Some of life’s truths come very naturally to us, but others are harder to learn. Years ago when I was a police officer, there was a sergeant who was extremely cynical. He would stride into the police department with his pipe clenched tightly between his teeth, shaking his head and declaring, “The more I see of people, the more I think sheep are smart animals!” I think sometimes he was right.
It grieves me that we have entire churches filled with believers who have not grown one bit spiritually since they experienced New Birth. They may come, sing, pray, smile, appear contented, but then go out to live pretty much the same way they did before their new birth. God has given us His Word to guide us and prepare us for not only this life, but for the life to come.
Micah 6:8 gives us three of God’s requirements for believers. Do justly: Do what is right and just, even when others are out for their own thing. Love mercy: Love the world (others) with the mercy that Christ has shown to you. Walk humbly: God hates pride and self-sufficiency — in all your ways acknowledge Him.
How would you rate yourself in response to what God requires of His disciples? Where are we falling short and what steps of action should we take?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 27, 2017 | Micah
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
I can still recall my days in college and graduate school when I was faced with completing required subjects. It always seemed that the required subjects were the ones that were the most difficult for me. I could never figure out why the optional classes always seemed easier.
There are many people in some churches today that feel they have a “right” to pick and choose which of God’s commands to follow. I find that offensive to the truth of the Word of God and in conflict with His nature. God has given us some imperatives that must be followed. They are His requirements.
I love what the Old Testament prophet, Micah makes clear to us. He points out that God has made clear what is good and what he requires of us. So what are these requirements? TO DO JUSTLY – TO LOVE MERCY – TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD.
How would you rate your fulfillment of God’s requirements? What will you have to change in your life to be in compliance with them? When will you begin the process? Remember His burden is light when He is at your side.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 16, 2015 | Micah
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
My thoughts wander back to the time when I was a small boy—(believe me . . . trying to remember that far back at my age is a task!). I can still hear the echoes of my mother telling me to be good. But no matter how hard I tried, I just seemed to get in more and more trouble.
Back then, corporal punishment was not the rank of a military member. It was the rod of correction applied to the seat of learning! This was very evident in our old church building. There was a wood furnace in the basement with a stack of kindling always next to it. It was years before I learned that the kindling was used to start a fire. I was convinced it was there for my mother to use in spanking me.
One Sunday evening stands out clearly in my memory. I had tried my mother’s patience to the breaking point and, with a swoop, I was in her arms and we were heading for the basement and the familiar kindling pile. As I looked over her shoulder at the smiling congregation I cried out, “PRAY FOR ME!” I received extra licks for that outburst!
So what does the Lord require of each and every one of us? It is really quite simple: “ . . . to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” As we examine our life and walk with the Lord, it is essential that we keep that focus in mind. It is not what we can get away with, but what pleases the Lord that matters. Are you meeting God’s requirement?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 2, 2009 | Micah
Micah 6:6-8
“With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As we stand on the cusp of 2009, many people across the world will be making resolutions. The problem with making resolutions is that they seldom last much longer than the time it takes to make them.
I received an e-mail message from my dear friend, Kenny McClinton, who lives in Northern Ireland. He had the most remarkable suggestion that I intend to follow for the coming year. I am including Kenny’s comments:
“I’m convinced more and more that what we need are not our own New Year’s ‘Resolutions’, but New Year ‘Revelations’ from God. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. Instead of pronouncing our own resolutions, let’s ask Him what He has to reveal to us this year. What do you have for me this year, Lord? In what ways will you restore life in me? What purpose will you draw out of my heart? What fires will you stoke?”
Wow! What a wonderful direction for 2009!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
