NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD! – James 4:8 Devotional

by | Dec 31, 2021 | James

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD!

James 4:8 – Devotional

James 4:8

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

My Dad was an encourager and was always there to insure that I was striving to be the man God wanted me to be. He stressed that after he was gone I would hold fast to the Gospel and point people in the direction of the cross. I yearn for the day when I will see my Dad once again, but even more so I yearn for the day when I will meet my Savior face to face.

Our current pandemic is not the first such disaster. In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the U.S. that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dreaded disease and the others in the household were quarantined. In Cleland’s hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and brought the college choir to sing it outside the house.

If you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death right now – – I know that each of us will at some time in our life – – let the words of this hymn bring the quiet assurance we need.

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

1. There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

2. There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

3. There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.

Refrain: O Jesus, blest redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.

Enjoy this week’s hymn from GloryScapes.com. To access a video of Near To The Heart of God, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod2/

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for December 31st:

      • Malachi 3:1-4:6
      • Revelation 22:1-21
      • Psalm 150:1-6
      • Proverbs 31:25-3

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

Scripture Reading for December 31st

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for December 31st:

      • Revelation 22:1-21
      • Psalm 150:1-6
      • Proverbs 31:25-3

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

FREE TO CLEAN HOUSE! – Psalm 51:10 Devotional

by | Dec 30, 2021 | Psalm

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

FREE TO CLEAN HOUSE!

Psalm 51:10 – Devotional

Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

A born-again believer has been given a new life in Jesus Christ. That means the Lord gives us freedom from the sins of the past. Freedom from past sins does not mean we have the freedom to continue in those sinful ways. There needs to be a continuous cleansing of our life.

Over the many years that I have served as pastor and counselor, I have been confronted with individuals who hang onto their old sinful habits. Perhaps I should rephrase that and say that the old habits have hung onto them.

Old sinful ways should have no place in the life of a victorious believer and follower of Jesus Christ. In today’s Scripture we are told that it is possible to be shortsighted and even blind to the sins that once controlled us.

It is time for an honest evaluation, regardless of how long we have been saved. What things need to be cleansed from our lives? Here is another way of looking at it; if Jesus returned today would He be pleased with the things we are doing? If not, it is time to get rid of the old. His blood has made us — free to clean house!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for December 30th:

      • Malachi 1:1-2:17
      • Revelation 21:1-27
      • Psalm 149:1-9
      • Proverbs 31:10-24

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

Scripture Reading for December 30th

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for December 30th:

      • Revelation 21:1-27
      • Psalm 149:1-9
      • Proverbs 31:10-24

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

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THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE! – James 4:14 Devotional

by | Dec 29, 2021 | James

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE!

James 4:14 – Devotional

James 4:14

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

During this time of year I recall how very much my dear wife loved being with our family at this very special season. Christmas was always a special celebration for us. In sixty-six years we spent every Christmas together, except one. That was in 1966, when I was on a remote assignment in St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

That year I was broken up by one song lyric that went “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” The year 2015 was my first Christmas without Joyce, but her first Christmas with Jesus. SHE HAD A BETTER TIME THAN I DID!

During the Christmas season in 2014 my precious Joyce was in a hospital bed in our living room. She had just been placed on Hospice Care. With her dementia I was not sure if she understood about her condition. I sat by her bed and held her hand and asked if she understood that Hospice was END OF LIFE CARE? She nodded.

But I was wrong! It was not end of life … it was her entry into everlasting life. No more confusion or pain for my sweetheart. She received the reward of eternal life. For believers it is not end of life! IT IS THE TRUE BEGINNING OF LIFE! I can hardly wait!

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for December 29th:

      • Zechariah 14:1-21
      • Revelation 20:1-15
      • Psalm 148:1-14
      • Proverbs 31:8-9

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

Scripture Reading for December 29th

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for December 29th:

      • Revelation 20:1-15
      • Psalm 148:1-14
      • Proverbs 31:8-9

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

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REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE! – Deuteronomy 11:7 Devotional

by | Dec 28, 2021 | Deuteronomy

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

Deuteronomy 11:7 – Devotional

Deuteronomy 11:7

“But your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did.”

There is no question in my mind that I am better at forgetting than I am at remembering. The older I get, the more efficient I am at forgetting things that once were easy to recall and bring to mind.

I am coming to realize that it is not so much the things that I recall that matter the most, but what I do with the things that do come to mind. The critical question is, do I take action when I see the “light” that the Holy Spirit reveals to me?

In today’s Scripture, Moses is bringing to remembrance the mighty acts that God has performed for the Israelites in delivering them from bondage in Egypt. He challenges the people to recall what God has done and take positive action as a result.

We have seen the way God has acted on our behalf. As a result, it is time for us to take action. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We can trust Him to open the doors of opportunity to serve Him in the days that He allots to us! Are we taking action?

Blessings dear hearts! God is with us today in order for us to be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for December 28th:

      • Zechariah 12:1-13:9
      • Revelation 19:1-24
      • Psalm 147:1-20
      • Proverbs 31:1-7

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

Scripture Reading for December 28th

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for December 28th:

      • Revelation 19:1-24
      • Psalm 147:1-20
      • Proverbs 31:1-7

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

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AN ORDER TO PRAISE THE LORD! – Psalm 103:1 Devotional

by | Dec 27, 2021 | Psalm

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

AN ORDER TO PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 103:1 – Devotional

Psalm 103:1

“Praise the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me praise His holy name.”

I have loved Psalm 103 for many years. It seems to be an intimate glimpse of David in his private time of worship. Do you have a private time of worship? If not I highly recommend that you establish such a time.

In the hustle and bustle of our crazy world we can usually carve out time for things that really do not matter, while neglecting things that have eternal value. Personal praise and worship should be our highest priority!

There are many things that we devote ourselves to that are here today and gone tomorrow. Our praise and worship to our precious Lord and Savior will echo down through the ages of eternity. Praise to God lasts forever!

Start today with praise to the Lord. Stop what you are doing right now and lift your soul in praise. I have just done that myself and believe me when I tell you that that short time of praise still echoes in my soul. PRAISE THE LORD!

Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for December 27th:

      • Zechariah 10:1-11-17
      • Revelation 18:1-24
      • Psalm 146:1-10
      • Proverbs 30:33

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

Scripture Reading for December 27th

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for December 27th:

      • Revelation 18:1-24
      • Psalm 146:1-10
      • Proverbs 30:33

Today Pastor Cecil is reading from the New King James Version (NKJV) if you’d like to follow along in your Bible.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

Subscribe to Daily Evotional
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