CHRIST IS OUR CROWN OF REJOICING! – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Devotional

by | Sep 18, 2024 | 1 Thessalonians

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CHRIST IS OUR CROWN OF REJOICING​​​​​​!

1 Thessalonians 2:19 – Devotional

1 Thessalonians 2:19

“What is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? It is you in the presence of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when He comes.”

Some of you feel that you are at the end of your rope. The pressures of life have been crushing in on you from all directions and, one after another, of your safe havens have disappeared. You may even feel that there is no place to go for help.

Hope is more than mere wishful thinking that things may get better. That concept of the meaning of the word hope seems to be all too common. It is not simply wishing for something that probably will not happen.

Let me correct that idea for us once and for all. The Greek word for hope as used in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 is the word elpis. It carries with it the meaning of confident expectation that God is the answer. Do you hear that? It is confidently waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us! Please read that last sentence over one more time. It is not what we desire for ourselves, but what God wants to do in and through us. I think the greatest joy in life is to be used of God.

Spend time meditating on the fantastic truth found in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, rather than leaning on your own understanding; In everything give Him the credit, and He will direct your paths.”

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

September 18th: Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, and Proverbs 23:19-21

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 18th: Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, and Proverbs 23:19-21

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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.

ANXIETY! – Philippians 4:4-7 Devotional

by | Sep 17, 2024 | Philippians

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ANXIETY​​​​​​!

Philippians 4:4-7 – Devotional

Philippians 4:4-7

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When I think of being nervous my mind goes to the character that Don Knotts played on the old Andy Griffith show. He was the ever nervous and always anxious deputy, Barney Fife. It was humorous watching as Barney’s anxiety over insignificant situations caused even more problems.

I always wanted to put a hand on his should and help him calm down and assure him that everything would be okay (but he was just playing a part).

What about our own lives? What are the things that cause us to tremble, shake, and lose sleep? Do you think the Lord is pleased with us when we allow our anxious thoughts to control our lives?

There are several thoughts I see in today’s Scripture that must be a part of our thinking in order to counteract anxiety:

1. Always rejoice
2. Gentleness that is evident to all
3. Remember that the Lord is near
4. Get rid of anxious thoughts, and
5. Always pray with thanksgiving

The Lord is in control — relax and enjoy Him!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

September 17th: Isaiah 25:1-28:13, Galatians 3:10-22, Psalm 61:1-8, and Proverbs 23:17-18

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 17th: Galatians 3:10-22, Psalm 61:1-8, and Proverbs 23:17-18

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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.

ETERNAL VALUE! – Luke 12:6-7 Devotional

by | Sep 16, 2024 | Luke

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ETERNAL VALUE​​​​​​!

Luke 12:6-7 – Devotional

Luke 12:6-7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

We too often fail to recognize just how valuable a human life is to God. We can be very nonchalant about what our life and witness could mean to those who have not yet made a decision for Christ.

But we carelessly shrug our shoulders, unconcerned whether they do or they don’t — what’s the big deal about one more decision?

Stop for a few moments and try to visualize the terrors of hell. If you need a little help, let me share this passage from Luke 16:23-24, “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”

Can you imagine the torment that was so great that just a touch of water on his parched tongue would bring some relief?

Now get your mind around the concept that this torment would last for eternity!

We are not just playing a game here. We are dealing with eternal values. Our actions must match our words so that we will create a desire in the hearts of the lost to make that eternal choice that will mean heaven!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

September 16th: Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, and Proverbs 23:15-16

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 16th: Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, and Proverbs 23:15-16

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

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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.

HATE THE EVIL! – Romans 12:9-11 Devotional

by | Sep 15, 2024 | Romans

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HATE THE EVIL!

Romans 12:9-11 – Devotional

Romans 12:9-11

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week, “Hate the Evil!” by clicking above on the play button.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

September 15th: Isaiah 19:1-21:17, Galatians 2:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, and Proverbs 23:13-14

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 15th: Galatians 1:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, and Proverbs 23:13-14

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

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

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.

THE CRITICAL TEST! – 1 John 1:5-7 Devotional

by | Sep 14, 2024 | 1 John

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THE CRITICAL TEST!

1 John 1:5-7 – Devotional

1 John 1:5-7

“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare unto you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week, “The Critical Test!” by clicking above on the play button.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

September 14th: Isaiah 15:1-18:7, Galatians 1:1-24, Psalm 58:1-11, and Proverbs 23:12

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 14th: Galatians 1:1-24, Psalm 58:1-11, and Proverbs 23:12

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

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

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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