JUST AS I AM! – Ephesians 2:8-9 Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

JUST AS I AM​​!

Ephesians 2:8-9 – Devotional

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

I suppose many of us have heard humorous stories about someone approaching the gates of heaven and being required to prove that their actions on earth merited entry into God’s heavenly kingdom. Beep! Wrong answer!

A person may do amazingly good works here on earth and still miss heaven. It is not what we do for God that determines where we will spend eternity—it is what He has done for us. When we repent of our sins and accept Him as Savior and Lord then—and only then—is our name is written down in glory.

The writer of this week’s hymn, Charlotte Elliot, was offended when someone asked her if she was a Christian. She told him to mind his own business. Later as she was contemplating his question, she began to wonder what it took to become a Christian. She called him and he explained to her the plan of salvation which she accepted. It was then that she wrote this hymn, “Just As I Am.”

Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “Just As I Am” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/justasiam/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 April 15th:

      • Joshua 11:1-12:24
      • Luke 17:11-37
      • Psalm 84:1-12
      • Proverbs 13:5-6

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

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for April 15th:

      • Joshua 11:1-12:24
      • Luke 17:11-37
      • Psalm 84:1-12
      • Proverbs 13:5-6

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.

ALWAYS SEEK GOD’ S DIRECTION! – Joshua 9:14-15 Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

ALWAYS SEEK GOD’ S DIRECTION!

Joshua 9:14-15 – Devotional

Joshua 9:14-15

“Joshua and the men of Israel did not ask counsel of the Lord. Joshua and the rulers of the congregation made a covenant with the deceitful Gibeonites to let them live; and so swore an oath to them without seeking counsel from the LORD.”

Heartbreak and defeat are always the result of not seeking God’s counsel before taking a particular action. Over the years of my ministry I have counseled many people concerning their relationship with God and with individuals. Frequently, people have wanted their own way rather than taking the time to discover God’s way.

When Joshua and the leaders of Israel sought the face of God and then obeyed, there was victory. Every time they failed to seek God’s will, there was always failure and disaster.

The crafty Gibeonites knew that Israel was an unstoppable force. So the Gibeonites devised a plan whereby it appeared they were a group from far away rather than residents near at hand. Joshua and Israel relied upon what they saw rather than calling on the Lord. They were deceived!

In our own lives we can also be deceived by appearances. Rather than taking the time to seek God’s will for us, we think we know enough to make our own decisions. That is never the case! We always need God’s direction.

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 April 14th:

      • Joshua 9:3-10:43
      • Luke 16:19-17:10
      • Psalm 83:1-18
      • Proverbs 13:4

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

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for April 14th:

      • Luke 16:19-17:10
      • Psalm 83:1-18
      • Proverbs 13:4

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.

CARRIED BY ANGELS! – Luke 16:22 Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

CARRIED BY ANGELS!

Luke 16:22 – Devotional

Luke 16:22

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.”

God has messengers that are referred to as angels in scripture. It seems that one of their assignments is to lovingly carry the spiritual bodies of the saints into the Paradise of God. Here in the Gospel of Luke it is described as Abraham’s bosom.

For those who are not born-again believers, they receive no such escort. Their remains are simply carried out and buried. But that is not the end is it? They are still very much aware of their surroundings. In Luke 16 the righteous beggar was now in the most glorious surroundings and his suffering had eternally ended. He would be with his Lord forever and ever.

The rich man also was still conscious of his surroundings — a place of suffering where he not only experienced pain, but observed that the beggar he had treated with such contempt on earth was experiencing eternal bliss.

We need to be aware that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Those around us are destined to one or the other. Now is the time to make every effort to snatch the perishing from that place of eternal suffering. Do it now!

God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 April 13th:

      • Joshua 7:16-9:2
      • Luke 16:1-18
      • Psalm 82:1-8
      • Proverbs 13:2-3

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

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for April 13th:

      • Luke 16:1-18
      • Psalm 82:1-8
      • Proverbs 13:2-3

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.

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE! – Philippians 1:21 Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE!

Philippians 1:21 – Devotional

Philippians 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

You may have heard the following thought-provoking illustration. Supposedly a teacher stood before her and class and extended her arm holding a glass of water. She asked the students to guess how much it weighed. The guesses ranged from 12 ounces to 24 ounces.

The teacher smiled and said the “weight” depends on how long you hold it. If you hold it for two moments it is very light. If you hold it for two hours it becomes heavier. If you hold it for 10 hours it becomes an unbearable burden.

The Apostle Paul carried many burdens in his ministry. The burdens he bore were for the sake of Christ. He had purpose in his life! He did not bear burdens just for the sake of suffering, but for presenting the message of salvation. His real purpose was to live for Christ in everything he did.

Many people carry burdens that God never intended them to carry. In doing so, they lack the purpose that God intends for his children. Many times it seems that heaven is so close that we can almost reach out and touch it. No matter how anxious we are to be with the Lord, our real purpose must be to serve Him with all of our might. My prayer is that you will have a Christ oriented purpose in your life.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 April 12th:

      • Joshua 5:1-7:15
      • Luke 15:1-32
      • Psalm 81:1-16
      • Proverbs 13:1

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

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for April 12th:

      • Luke 15:1-32
      • Psalm 81:1-16
      • Proverbs 13:1

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.

GROWING WITH JESUS! – Isaiah 46:4 Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

GROWING WITH JESUS!

Isaiah 46:4 – Devotional

Isaiah 46:4

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

I once read an article in the newspaper that mentioned something about an elderly man. As I scanned down through the article, I was shocked to read that the man was two years younger than I am. If he was categorized as an elderly man, what does that make me? I guess the answer is in the eyes of the beholder!

My mom used to have a rental property behind her house. A widower lived there and she always referred to him as the old man. One day I challenged her by reminding her that he was three years younger than she was. (That did not go over well with my mom!)

Sometimes I observe people who may be about 35, and wonder, at what point are they no longer considered young people? That is a tough question. It is a fact that many in our modern culture seem to worship the concept of youth.

Can I let you in on a little secret? It is okay to allow yourself to mature (grow old). In Scripture many people were the greatest blessing in their latter years. I have come to the conclusion that age is not a determiner. Regardless of our age we need to put our shoulder to the wheel and grow more like Jesus each and every day.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 April 11th:

      • Joshua 3:1-4:24
      • Luke 14:7-35
      • Psalm 80:1-19
      • Proverbs 12:27-28

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

New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Scripture Reading for April 11th:

      • Luke 14:7-35
      • Psalm 80:1-19
      • Proverbs 12:27-28

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.

Skip to content