NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD! – Colossians 3:17 Devotional

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NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD!

Colossians 3:17 – Devotional

Colossians 3:17

“‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.'”

The following information on Martin Rinkart was gathered by Greg Scheer:

Martin Rinkart (1586-1649), the author of today’s hymn, was the Bishop of Eilenberg, Germany during the Thirty Years’ War. Since Eilenberg was a walled city it became a place of refuge for fugitives of the war, and also a place of famine and disease due to overcrowding. In 1637 at the height of their misery, Rinkart was the only clergyman left in the city who could perform the 40 or 50 necessary burial services daily — one of which was for his wife. As if that weren’t enough, the city was sacked three times by invaders, one of which imposed a large tribute payment upon the people. During this time, Rinkart managed to find the time to write 7 dramas and 66 hymns.

The hymn “Nun danket alle Gott” was originally titled “Tisch-Gebetlein,” or a “little prayer before the meal.” This humble prayer of thanksgiving is laid out simply and beautifully in the first verse, but it’s the next two verses that expand the hymn’s focus and have given it its lasting appeal. You can see the Thirty Years’ War pressing on his mind in verse two: “And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.”

After a verse of thanks, and a verse that asks for strength during the trials of life, he ends with a paraphrase of the doxology as if to say, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, may the name of the Lord be praised.”

. . . . . . . .

Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

. . . . . . . .

You can watch the Now Thank We All Our God video devotiona by going to https://gloryscapes.com/nowthankweallourgod/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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One Year Bible Scripture for Today

by Pastor Cecil

One Year Bible Reading for July 28th

      • 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21
      • Romans 11:13-36
      • Psalm 22:1-18
      • Proverbs 20:7

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 July 28th:

      • Romans 11:13-36
      • Psalm 22:1-18
      • Proverbs 20:7

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.

DON’T BE FOOLISH!​ – Galatians 3:3 Devotional

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DON’T BE FOOLISH!

Galatians 3:3 – Devotional

Galatians 3:3

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?“

Failing to do things God’s way is foolish and dangerous. Sometimes when builders are fitting pieces of framing together, the ends might be a fraction of an inch off. We often can hear someone say, “Good enough.” I fear that many people apply that attitude to their spiritual lives as well.

Just what is good enough in the spiritual realm? The answer is God’s perfect will for our life. Another question is: whose perfection? It is certainly not ours. I have known thousands of people in my life and not one of them was or is perfect, nor am I – – nor are you!

My dear friend Mike Keller works in prison ministry in Florida. He always asks his group this question: Do you think you can be good enough to make it to heaven? Most inmates raise their hands to answer “Yes.” Then Mike tells them that it is not possible to be good enough and goes on to explain the plan of salvation to them.

It is not our perfection that we need, but the perfection of Christ. He paid it all in our behalf. Don’t be foolish, we can never be good enough in ourselves, but Jesus was good enough for all of us. We need His goodness to provide us with salvation.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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 July 27th:

      • 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
      • Romans 10:14-11:12
      • Psalm 21:1-13
      • Proverbs 20:4-6

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 July 27th:

      • Romans 10:14-11:12
      • Psalm 21:1-13
      • Proverbs 20:4-6

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.

EARLY RISER!​ – Psalm 113:3 Devotional

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EARLY RISER!

Psalm 113:3 – Devotional

Psalm 113:3

“From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.“

Our family made numerous road trips over the years and I developed the habit of starting very early in the morning. When I say “early in the morning,” I mean well before dawn. The lack of traffic in the early morning hours allows you to make much better time. It is almost like reducing the travel time.

I can recall on those trips watching the first hint that dawn was near. The eastern skyline gradually appeared out of the darkness and minute by minute it became more pronounced. Before long gorgeous colors began to emerge and you knew that dawn had arrived.

As we make our way through this sin-darkened world, it often seems as if we are being swallowed up in the inky blackness of depravity. It is during these times that we need to focus our attention on God’s eastern sky . . . dawn is about to break!

Keep your spirits up, dear hearts! In Psalm 30:5 we are reminded: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Never lose heart as you travel through these dark hours — dawn is very near.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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 July 26th:

      • 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
      • Romans 9:25-10:13
      • Psalm 20:1-9
      • Proverbs 20:2-3

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 July 26th:

      • Romans 9:25-10:13
      • Psalm 20:1-9
      • Proverbs 20:2-3

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.

PRAISE THE LORD!​ – Psalm 113:3 Devotional

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PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 113:3 – Devotional

Psalm 113:3

“From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.“

Many years ago I served as an associate pastor of a large church. There was an elderly man in our congregation that delighted my heart. He was filled with such praise to the Lord that it seemed he could not hold it in.

In my mind’s eye, I can still recall as he began to praise the Lord. It began as a soft and introspective praise and gradually increased in volume and intensity. His face would glow with delight as he would stand and praise the Lord.

There have been other people that I observed praising the Lord intensely yet in silence. Their praise was just as intense, but it originated in the heart and was directed to the Lord they loved and served.

Each of us are called to praise the Lord sincerely and frequently. No matter the time of day (or night) we are to praise the name of the Lord. If you have trouble getting up in the morning or going to sleep at night – try praising the Lord! It will give your life new meaning and purpose!

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 July 25th:

      • 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
      • Romans 9:1-24
      • Psalm 19:1-14
      • Proverbs 20:1

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 July 25th:

      • Romans 9:1-24
      • Psalm 19:1-14
      • Proverbs 20:1

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.

A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY!​ – 2 Timothy 2:25a Devotional

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY!

2 Timothy 2:25a – Devotional

2 Timothy 2:25a

“In humility correct those who oppose us. Perhaps God will lead them to repentance so they will find the truth.“

I recall people describe someone who was near and dear to them. Often they try to find adjectives to describe what that person was. It is enlightening to recall that they frequently settled on humility as a defining quality.

It is so important for Christians to be known by our spirit of humility. We need to exhibit such a yielded and broken spirit before the Lord so that the Spirit of Christ within us oozes out to minister to those around us.

As I read Paul’s words to Timothy, I am impressed by his instruction to correct with gentleness the ones who are opposed to us. Those are the very ones we are to be gentle with and never to be resentful, impatient, or short with as we interact with them.

This type of Christ-like living does not occur by reading books or attending self-improvement sessions. It comes about by a constant and consistent walk with the Lord. It demands a love of His Word and time spent communing with Him in prayer. The more time we spend with Him, the more we will become like Him. The Lord is our ultimate example of humility.

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 July 24th:

      • 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
      • Romans 8:26-39
      • Psalm 18:37-50
      • Proverbs 19:27-29

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 July 24th:

      • Romans 8:26-39
      • Psalm 18:37-50
      • Proverbs 19:27-29

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.