CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY! – Matthew 28:5-6 Devotional

by | Apr 5, 2026 | Matthew

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY!

Matthew 28:5-6 – Devotional

Matthew 28:5-6

“And the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’“

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The hymn “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” is one of the most beloved Easter hymns in Christian worship, with roots going back to the early 18th century.

The text was written by Charles Wesley in 1739. He was a key leader in the Methodist movement alongside his brother John Wesley.

It first appeared in a collection called “Hymns and Sacred Poems” (1739). The original version had 11 stanzas (far more than what is typically sung today).

The hymn celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and emphasizes:

  • Victory over death
  • Joy and praise (“Alleluia!” repeated throughout)
  • The believer’s participation in Christ’s resurrection

It strongly reflects themes found in passages like:

  • 1 Corinthians 15 (resurrection victory)
  • Romans 6 (new life in Christ)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (lyrics by Charles Wesley, 1739)

[verse 1]
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

[verse 2]
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

[verse 3]
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

[verse 4]
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Sunday, April 5, 2026, we have a $1,948 need for April 2026 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

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The Bible in One Year & Prayer

April 5th: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, and Proverbs 12:18

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

April 5th: Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, and Proverbs 12:18

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SURELY HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEFS! – Zechariah 12:10 Devotional

by | Apr 4, 2026 | Isaiah

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SURELY HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEFS!

Zechariah 12:10 – Devotional

Zechariah 12:10

“They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.“

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Isaiah 53 reads . . .

Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You can enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” from GloryScapes by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/surelyhehathborneourgriefs/

 

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Saturday, April 4, 2026, we have a $1,948 need for April 2026 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Donate to Pastor Cecil's Ministry

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

April 4th: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, and Proverbs 12:15-17

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

April 4th: Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, and Proverbs 12:15-17

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

You can share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

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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.

WERE YOU THERE?! – Matthew 27:54 Devotional

by | Apr 3, 2026 | Matthew

Hear Pastor Cecil's Evotional Read

WERE YOU THERE?!

Matthew 27:54 – Devotional

Matthew 27:54

“Surely he was the Son of God!“

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Matthew 27:35-54 reads . . .

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “Moonlight Sonata & Were You There?” by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/wereyouthere/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Friday, April 2, 2026, we have a $2,000 need for April 2026. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Donate to Pastor Cecil's Ministry

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

April 3rd: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, and Proverbs 12:14

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

April 3rd: Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, and Proverbs 12:14

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

You can share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

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 FAITHFUL PRAYER​! – 1 Chronicles 4:10 Devotional

by | Apr 2, 2026 | 1 Chronicles

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

A FAITHFUL PRAYER!

1 Chronicles 4:10 – Devotional

1 Chronicles 4:10

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

Working for the Lord has never been easy, nor will it ever be. When God enlarges our territory of service we need more and more of His strength. Those who enter the Christian ministry thinking it is an easy endeavor are in for a rude awakening. It is impossible to really do His work without His empowerment.

In his prayer, Jabez asked the Lord to enlarge his territory. The territory was right at his front door. His prayer was not to be sent to some other territory, but that his sphere of influence would be multiplied. The Lord heard that sincere prayer and so will He hear our honest prayer.

It is not what we do for the Lord that makes the difference, but what the Lord does in and through us. John the Baptist was a powerful preacher of truth who called sinners to repent, but his real mission was to announce the arrival of Messiah!

Two thoughts I would like to share from my experiences:

Never look at another person as being insignificant. You may block their ministry for the Lord. Be their supporter and cheerleader to let them know they are not alone.

Realize that nothing is insignificant to Him. Charge into the task He has given you and allow Him to slay the giants that stand in the way of the work of the Lord.

May God richly bless you by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Thursday, April 2, 2026, we have a $2,000.00 need for April 2026. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Donate to Pastor Cecil's Ministry

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

April 2nd: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30, Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, and Proverbs 12:11

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

April 2nd: Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, and Proverbs 12:11

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

You can share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

Enjoy the Song of the Week below created by Russ Hansen
Please send him your feedback at inspiration@thegoodbookcompany.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.

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN​! – Psalm 118:24 Devotional

by | Apr 1, 2026 | Psalm

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!

Psalm 118:24 – Devotional

Psalm 118:24

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

There is something about a new day which gives us a hope of a bright new future. There is a day coming in which there will be no night! There is a day when all our tears and sorrows will be a thing of the past. It will be such a day that we will not even be able to recall any vestige of pain or longing! It will be a day that will be unlike any day before — a day that will never end!

That is what we have to look forward to. It is our hope and expectation as believers. Isn’t it great?! It is what gives us the drive to keep on keeping on. It is a day, unlike all other days. But we must recognize that we are still living in our present-day and age, which may be thought of as “this day.”

If we fail to live “this day” in accordance with God’s will, we will not be prepared for “that day” which is our eternal hope. It is in the decisions we make in “this day” that qualify us for “that day!” Some wag has come up with a cliché about people who are “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use!” God forbid that we ever fall into that category.

Jesus is coming again. He has come the first time to give us a day to be remembered. He has promised that He is coming again to take us to be with Him. We must share the good news of His gospel to those who are lost. We also need to lift those who need a word of encouragement or a helping hand. We have no end to the various ministries which are there for us to perform. A willing heart and a commitment to the Word of God will work miracles. What a day it will be!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Wednesday, April 1, 2026, we have a $2,000.00 need for April 2026. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Donate to Pastor Cecil's Ministry

The Bible in One Year & Prayer

April 1st: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, and Proverbs 12:10

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

April 1st: Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, and Proverbs 12:10

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

You can share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

Subscribe to Daily Evotional

Enjoy the Song of the Week below created by Russ Hansen
Please send him your feedback at inspiration@thegoodbookcompany.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.