by Pastor Cecil | Aug 2, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 18:8
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
I once heard the humorous story of three ministers who were out on the lake fishing. Since they were not having any luck they soon became very bored. To break the monotony one of them suggested that they might feel better if they secretly confessed their greatest sin which would, of course, be held in strict confidence. The first minister confessed that his secret sin was alcohol consumption. The second confessed that he was a secret gambler. The third remained quiet until the first two pressured him to confess. He finally blurted out, “I am a gossip and I can hardly wait to get back to shore!”
In almost every segment of society (probably every segment) there is the problem of gossip… and contrary to the old stereotype, it is not just women either. If you doubt it, just listen in at a men’s morning coffee klatch and you will discover the truth that men gossip too.
I wish that gossip was not to be found in our church circles but, sad to say, that is not the case. Gossips in the church seem to feel they are the protectors of spiritual purity, when in fact they erode the foundation of trust and confidence.
What damage are your words causing? Are you building up the body of Christ by the things you share with others? Are you committed to always give a good report about others? Speak the good openly and pray for the sinful silently. Give no cause for the enemy to use our tongues to do his work.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 31, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
I have had the wonderful experience of building houses a few times in my life. I also have been involved in the construction of church buildings. The one thing that I was always cognizant of in construction were the detailed floor plans. They showed where the critical components were to be located. If the plans were not followed, chaos and confusion would destroy our construction efforts.
Just as we are mandated to follow specific building plans, so are we called to follow God’s plan for our life. God never calls us to live our life in a haphazard manner. That does not mean that we are to live in rigid conformity.
I have counseled a few people who have forgotten who was in control of their life. They have made grandiose plans for their future only to discover that accident or disease had radically changed what that future would look like.
Not all plan changes are bad. God’s plans for our life always are for our good and His glory. We need to give our best effort to prepare for what is ahead for us, but at the same time be alert to God’s Superior Planning.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 29, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Military recruits in basic training are taught (and not too gently) to stand and sit erect. There is no leaning allowed! A few dozen push-ups and two laps around a quarter mile track will solidify the command of not to lean.
Leaning on our own understanding is the opposite of trusting in the Lord and is a giant step into the pride of human knowledge. Unfortunately, it seems that too many people elevate academic achievement. In speaking with them, it doesn’t take long to discover that their thinking is wrong.
I want to mention here that we are to rely on the strength and power of the Lord. In a way that may be described as leaning. It is the same as depending on and relying upon the Lord to have control of our life.
As we honestly look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word, are we leaning on our own understanding? Do we presume to know more about our future than God knows? We need to decrease leaning on ourselves and increase our trusting in Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 15, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Many of us remember being at summer camp and hearing the announcement that there was a snipe hunt scheduled for that evening. Only later were we to discover that a snipe hunt was a practical joke that sent unsuspecting newcomers into the woods to hold a sack to catch a non-existent creature. Many waited for hours before giving up.
As a newly commissioned officer I was serving my first duty assignment in the Personnel Processing Squadron. The ranking enlisted man was a Senior Master Sergeant who became a friend and mentor. We had one enlisted man, however, who drove us all to distraction. He was slow and always seemed to do as he pleased without following directions.
One day the Sergeant and I decided to send him on a fake assignment that would keep him occupied for an hour or so. To our chagrin we did not see him the rest of the day. The next day he reported that he was not able to complete his task. I think we were the ones who had been duped!
The enemy of our soul wants to dupe us into seeking after things that are false and destructive to our walk with the Lord. The only way we can be certain that we are not on one of Satan’s snipe hunts is to stay in God’s Holy Word.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 9, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:20
“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”
I have known many people who lived as if the world revolved around them. They seemed to be more concerned about their image than things that really mattered. There was a man in our town who proudly drove his out-dated luxury car around like he was a wealthy tycoon. Instead of waving at friends, he would simply nod.
My mother worked at the college dining hall and would often bring home leftover food. Somehow Mom discovered that the “tycoon’s” family was not able to afford food, so she began making it a practice of providing them with some of the leftovers she brought home.
Pride is an ugly thing! It prevents the proud one from realizing his need of the Lord. When God is in control of our life, He will provide. As a young married couple Joyce and I once found ourselves dining on beans and rice until the next payday. Someone brought us several pounds of calf’s liver. It might make some people shudder, but to us it tasted like the finest steak. From that time on we relished liver and onions because it brought back memories of how God had provided for us.
When we heed the Word of God wisely we can rest content that He will make a way that will be a blessing to us and bring glory to His name. All we need to do is heed His word and we will succeed!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 18, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
My daughters would sometimes groan when I spoke of their mother as a Proverbs 31 woman. They would say, “Not the Proverbs 31 woman again!” But they would eventually confide that our precious Joyce fit the description.
We are constantly exposed to glossy depictions of very attractive men and women modeling to promote one product or another. The implication is that if you use that particular product, you too will look like the model. Beep! Ain’t gonna happen!
Many celebrities undergo multiple plastic surgeries to prolong the impression of youth, but in many cases they end up looking like they have just bit into a sour lemon. The beauty they seek is at best skin deep, and at worse an ugly scar.
True beauty is from within. When a person has true peace with God they will have the beautiful glow that no earthly cosmetic can duplicate. The next time you look into the mirror and observe more wrinkles or sags, slip into an easy chair and open God’s Word. Spend quality time with Him and allow Him to shape you into His glorious image that will never fade.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
