by Pastor Cecil | Jun 27, 2019 | Romans
Romans 7:19
“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”
I once was enjoying a breakfast at a local restaurant where I noticed a father tending his toddler. She was seated in a booster chair but insisted on standing up. Over and over he asked her to sit down and then would have to pick her up and sit her back down, only to have her pop back up once again.
This scenario was repeated several more times before he finally took the time to fasten the safety belt that prevented her from standing. Just then their order arrived so the little one was distracted by the food and stopped fussing.
It reminded me of the story about a precocious young boy that was driving his mother crazy with his antics. (It may have been me). His mother reached the end of her patience and placed him on a footstool with the threat of a spanking if he got up. The boy defiantly stated, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside!”
Many people faithfully read the Word of God and understand what it says. They even know the consequences for failure to obey. Some will finally yield and sit in obedience to the Lord on the outside, but they are still standing up on the inside. God has a special blessing for those who not only obey on the outside, but also on the inside. Which are you?
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 27, 2019 | Romans
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As we observe the world around us we can become overcome or we can be an overcomer. The difference is worlds apart. If we allow the rottenness to overcome us we will increasingly withdraw from the battle of sharing the light of Jesus Christ to a sin-sick and dark world.
I never thought I would live to see the day when good is proclaimed to be evil and evil is proclaimed to be good — but it is happening! People are concerned about allowing sin to have unchallenged freedom at the expense of the unchanging Word of God.
Families and communities have been devastated by the consequences of sinful activities, but many try to silence the voice of God. It is depressing, and if we are not cautious it will cause us to allow depression to silence the truth.
In today’s Scripture we are told that we are not to allow the rottenness of sin to overcome us. That means to give ourselves an attitude adjustment. Instead of allowing ourselves to crawl in a corner and sob, we are to overcome the evil we see by doing good. That means shining bright for Jesus in thought, word, and deed! Are you being overcome by evil or are you overcoming by doing good? I challenge you to do good and become an OVERCOMER!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 19, 2019 | Romans
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Just because we observe others acting or re-acting to a situation in a certain way does not mean that it is true. I once taught a college class and wanted to demonstrate the danger of relying on the response of others. I thoroughly washed a perfume bottle and completely purged it of any odor. I reminded the class that it was dangerous to rely on the responses of others. I was now about to catch them off guard.
I instructed the students to raise their hands the moment they could smell the perfume. Before class I had enlisted several students to assist me in the test. I asked them to sit in the front row and raise their hands after twenty to thirty seconds.
After twenty seconds the students I had enlisted to help me began to raise their hands.Soon everyone on the front row had their hands up, then the second row, and then several in the third row. I stopped the lecture and asked them what fragrance they thought it was? They finally agreed that it was floral and probably lilac.The students were stunned as I passed the bottle of pure water around and they discovered that there was no perfume and that they had responded because others had responded.
There are many religious leaders who are leading the faithful away from the pure Word by their charismatic personalities and the hoopla surrounding a polished production.We must never let this happen! There must never be a compromise with anything or anybody who deviates from the pure Word!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 14, 2018 | Romans
Romans 7:19
“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”
I once was enjoying a breakfast at a local restaurant where I noticed a father tending his toddler. She was seated in a booster chair but insisted on standing up. Over and over he asked her to sit down and then would have to pick her up and sit her back down, only to have her pop back up once again.
This scenario was repeated several more times before he finally took the time to fasten the safety belt that prevented her from standing. Just then their order arrived so the little one was distracted by the food and stopped fussing.
It reminded me of the story about a precocious young boy that was driving his mother crazy with his antics. (It may have been me). His mother reached the end of her patience and placed him on a footstool with the threat of a spanking if he got up. The boy defiantly stated, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside!”
Many people faithfully read the Word of God and understand what it says. They even know the consequences for failure to obey. Some will finally yield and sit in obedience to the Lord on the outside, but they are still standing up on the inside. God has a special blessing for those who not only obey on the outside, but also on the inside. Which are you?
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 2, 2018 | Romans
Romans 12:9
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
I am scared silly by what I observe in the modern church world. Fundamentals are being sacrificed for the sake of fads. The gospel is being replaced by gadgets. Spirituality is being traded for superficiality. Discipleship is being bartered for dependency.
This new wave of Christianity calls for little or no commitment except sending money with the selfish motive of receiving good things in return. Entire groups of churches have adopted the premise that their own decisions hold priority over the infallible Word of God.
I am here to say that if the Bible says something is a sin—it is a sin. No amount of ecclesiastical mumbo jumbo can replace what God has spoken. Now we are being subjected to efforts to form a one-world church. The book of Revelation will open your eyes to the pitfall such an organization presents.
So what are we to do—individually as well as collectively? PRAY! Not in pride but in humility. II Chronicles 7:14 should be constantly before us: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Let’s obey God.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 3, 2017 | Romans
Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
“Play nice!” How many times have mothers given that admonition to their children? The answer is many times. When she was four or five, our daughter Brenda used to stay with my aunt while my wife, Joyce, worked at the college. Aunt Elva also cared for my cousin’s son, Rowe.
For some reason, when there was an argument between the two cousins, Brenda would bite Rowe. I can remember one afternoon we picked up Brenda and the first words out of her mouth were, “I bite a Rowe!” It took stern measures to solve the problem.
We may not have the habit of physically biting one another, but unfortunately we often fail to show forth a spirit of love for others. In today’s scripture the apostle Paul urges us to show brotherly love to one another. That means a deep and abiding care for the welfare of others. In John chapter 13 Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The question we need to constantly keep in our minds is whether or not we truly care about those around us? Are we willing to let go of the things that are done for our own gratification in order that others will be given priority? What are we doing now that will remain for eternity. I want to do for others!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
