JOY! – Isaiah 61:3 Devotional

by | Sep 17, 2026 | Isaiah

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JOY!

Isaiah 61:3 – Devotional

Isaiah 61:3

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

I would like to share an important secret with you: JOY IS A CHOICE! But some people seem to think that one is joyful by nature. In other words, we are born with either a ray of sunlight over our head or a thundercloud.

It is also thought that the circumstances of life determine joy or sorrow. As we read the words of today’s Scripture, we quickly notice that it is directed to those who grieve in Zion.

Think of that! For those who are experiencing grief, the Lord promises the oil of joy. Not only that, He provides a garment of praise in place of a spirit of despair. I think that James might have been thinking of this when he wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

What are you experiencing in your life at this moment? It really does not matter what the circumstances are, but it does matter whether you are appropriating the joy of the Lord in order to display His splendor.

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 September 17th, we have a $1,916 need for September 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

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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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.

I WANT IT! – Matthew 5:14-16 Devotional

by | Sep 16, 2026 | Matthew

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I WANT IT!

Matthew 5:14-16 – Devotional

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

My wife Joyce and I used to enjoy together the comic strip entitled, Pickles. The main characters are Earl and Opal. They are like some of us who are in the golden years of life. I remember one of their strips that showed the two of them sitting on the sofa watching television. Opal complained that they had just wasted time watching a stupid commercial that made no sense and she didn’t even know what they were selling.

The punch line was delivered by Earl when he responded that he might not know what they were selling, but he wanted one. Wow! That hit me like a ton of bricks. There is spiritual significance here that we can apply from that comic strip.

All day long we are surrounded by people who are lost and on their way to a sinner’s hell. They seem to be unaware of their hopeless condition and the wonderful plan of salvation that God has provided through Jesus Christ. On the other hand, as Christians it seems that we are often oblivious to the great harvest field we are walking through.

We have all known Christians that look and act like they have been baptized in vinegar . . . the farthest thing from a glowing example that would draw a lost person to the faith.

But like the commercial Earl and Opal watched in the comic strip, the Christian lives we lead should be so appealing that people who have no idea about our faith will want what we have.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely 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 September 16th, we have a $1,916 need for September 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

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

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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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.

FLAT TIRES! – Psalm 37:23-24 Devotional

by | Sep 15, 2026 | Psalm

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FLAT TIRES!

Psalm 37:23-24 – Devotional

Psalm 37:23-24​

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”

When Joyce and I were first married in 1952, our first car was a black 1948 four door Chevrolet sedan. It was a good reliable automobile with one glaring exception, the tires.

I cannot recall ever having engine troubles of any kind, but the tires were another story entirely. It seemed that we had more flat tires than you could shake a stick at. We were living hand to mouth, so even when a tire was beyond repair we could not afford new tires, so we purchased re-caps. The process back then was less than desirable and we paid the price.

There was one trip that we made from Idaho to South Dakota where I was stationed in the US Air Force. My dad bought us a set of re-cap snow tires to insure that we would be safe. The first tire blew out about 100 miles on our 900 mile trip and the second at the 500 mile marker. We had a wonderful time. Ha!

Life seems at times to be just like that. We experience blow-outs of all kinds. Just when we think all is going smooth, we feel that sickening thump, thump, thump that indicates a flat. But I want to let you in on a little secret. It is in those times of stress and failure that the best memories are made. I believe that our marriage was strengthened as we endured the “flat tires” of life together. With the Lord beside us and His Word to guide us, what more could we ask for?!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely 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 September 15th, we have a $1,916 need for September 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

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 2:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, and Proverbs 23:13-14

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.

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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.

WHAT GOD BLESSES! – 1 Corinthians 1:27 Devotional

by | Sep 14, 2026 | 1 Corinthians

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WHAT GOD BLESSES!

1 Corinthians 1:27 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 1:27​

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and He has chosen the weak things of the world to shame things which are mighty.”

If you ever feel that you are not smart enough, or popular enough, or from the right kind of family to do God’s work in an effective manner, read today’s Scripture passage once again. Who does God choose? The foolish and the weak — that describes me!

Jesus did not teach on a theological level, yet His clear and simple teaching has confounded doctors of theology across the centuries. He was the creator of the world, yet His ministry was extremely simple.

He did not intend for people to be mentally brilliant in order to know Him personally. It was and always has been this simple: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

We should never demean one another with words that insult. Rather, we should always encourage each other with words that convey love and respect! Look for the good in others and always encourage others by telling them you notice what they are doing.

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 September 14th, we have a $1,916 need for September 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

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

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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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.

A NEW APPEARANCE! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Devotional

by | Sep 13, 2026 | 2 Corinthians

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A NEW APPEARANCE!

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Devotional

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.“

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

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 September 13th, we have a $1,916 need for September 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

September 13th: Isaiah 12:1-14:32, 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Psalm 57:1-11, and Proverbs 23:9-11

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

September 13th: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Psalm 57:1-11, and Proverbs 23:9-11

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.

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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.