BY FAITH ALONE​! – Romans 1:16-17 Devotional

by | Aug 28, 2026 | Romans

BY FAITH ALONE!

Romans 1:16-17 – Devotional

Romans 1:16-17​

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'”

This week we have a special new song for you created by Russ Hansen entitled, “By Faith Alone.” He’d appreciate your feedback on this song–please send it to him at inspiration@thegoodbookcompany.com.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Colossians 3:16, emphasis added) and “Sing a new song to the Lord!” (Psalm 96:1).

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

By Faith Alone (inspired by Romans 1:16-17)

[Verse 1]
I’m not ashamed to tell the world,
The gospel is God’s saving word.
His power reaches every heart,
Giving every soul a new start.
To every nation, every race,
God has opened heaven’s grace.
All who trust His Son today
Find the life that never fades away.

[Pre-Chorus]
This is the good news, loud and clear:
God is drawing His children near.

[Chorus]
The righteous live by faith alone,
Standing on Christ and Christ alone.
Not by works or what we’ve done,
But by the mercy of God’s Son.
Grace has written heaven’s claim,
Now I’m covered in His name.
Declared righteous in Your sight —
By faith alone, through Jesus Christ.

[Verse 2]
I stood guilty, stained by sin,
With nothing good to bring to Him.
Yet Jesus took my debt away,
Paid the price I could not pay.
When I believed, You called me Yours,
Opened wide salvation’s door.
In that moment, by Your grace,
You clothed me in Christ’s righteousness.

[Pre-Chorus]
Not because of what I’ve earned,
But the grace for which I yearned.

[Chorus]
The righteous live by faith alone,
Standing on Christ and Christ alone.
Not by works or what we’ve done,
But by the mercy of God’s Son.
Grace has written heaven’s claim,
Now I’m covered in His name.
Declared righteous in Your sight —
By faith alone, through Jesus Christ.

[Bridge]
Though I stumble, though I fall,
Your grace is greater than it all.
You declared what I could never be,
Righteous through eternity.
Your perfect life now stands for mine;
Your obedience is now my sign.
Nothing added, nothing owed,
Jesus is my only hope.

[Breakdown]
Grace alone.
Faith alone.
Christ alone.
My salvation stands secure.
Grace alone.
Faith alone.
Christ alone.
Forevermore.

[Final Chorus]
I’m not ashamed, I’ll testify:
The gospel is the power of life.
From faith to faith, from start to end,
Faith sustains me ’round each bend.
Now I stand redeemed and free,
Christ’s own righteousness on me.
This is why my heart will sing:
Jesus is my everything.

[Outro]
From faith to faith I’ll walk each day,
Trusting every word You say.
The righteous live by faith alone;
Jesus Christ has brought me home.

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

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 August 28th, we have a $1,787 need for August 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

August 28th: Job 28:1-30:31, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalm 42:1-11, and Proverbs 22:7

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

August 28th: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalm 42:1-11, and Proverbs 22:7

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.

GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD! – Job 1:20-21 Devotional

by | Aug 27, 2026 | Job

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD!

Job 1:20-21 – Devotional

Job 1:20-21

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”

Over the years I have come to appreciate the book of Job. It is amazing that this very righteous man could lose all of his wealth, most of his servants, and worst of all, his ten children. Having lost two daughters and a wife, I know something of the heartache that must have seized him.

It brings us to consider what is important in life. We know that the things of this world, even the people of this world, will pass away, but there is a glorious eternity waiting for all who will receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior.

It is not what we do that merits that wonderful home in glory that is waiting for us. It is only by the precious atoning blood of Jesus that we have the confident assurance that our name is written down in glory.

Job could look beyond the horrible losses in his life and see that God is good. Some people wait for health or wealth in order to praise the Lord. Job could not have known what was going on in heaven between God and Satan that resulted in his pain. The one thing he did know: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” I want that kind of faith!

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 August 27th, we have a $1,671 need for August 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

August 27th: Job 23:1-27:23, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalm 41:1-13, and Proverbs 22:5-6

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

August 27th: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalm 41:1-13, and Proverbs 22:5-6

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.

LOVE ‘TIL IT HURTS! – 1 John 4:10-11 Devotional

by | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 John

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

LOVE ‘TIL IT HURTS!

1 John 4:10-11 – Devotional

1 John 4:10-11​

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

I remember a few years back when I really enjoyed working until I felt very fatigued. It was at times like these that I was able to give myself in sacrificial love to my wife and family. There were times when I felt totally exhausted and forced myself to do something for Joyce that really challenged me.

As I reflect on those times, I realize that sacrificial love produced the most joyful times in our marriage. It gave me a feeling of truly demonstrating my love that is far more than mere words. At the same time, it has made Joyce feel that she was cherished and adored.

Sacrificial love is not an option, especially for husbands. In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are commanded: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

Sacrificial love is not restricted to husbands. To live a Christ-like life means that each of us must give freely of ourselves with no thought of return. It is giving unselfishly in the same manner that Christ has given Himself for us.

How would you rate your level of sacrificial love?

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 August 26th, we have a $1,671 need for August 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

August 26th: Job 20:1-22:30, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalm 40:11-17, and Proverbs 22:2-4

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

August 26th: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalm 40:11-17, and Proverbs 22:2-4

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.

FORGET IT! – Philippians 3:13-14 Devotional

by | Aug 25, 2026 | Philippians

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

FORGET IT!

Philippians 3:13-14 – Devotional

Philippians 3:13-14​

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It was in August 1989 that I received a call from our oldest daughter who lived a few hundred miles from us. She started the conversation by asking if I was sitting down. I told her I was. She said she was in the hospital in Boise, Idaho, with a very rare heart condition.

Those words gripped me and caused me to immediately go to the Lord to seek wisdom, guidance and strength. When we arrived in Boise, the doctor informed us and Brenda that the only possibility of saving her life was a heart and lung transplant. The prognosis of a critical condition struck like lightning. In spite of all of the efforts of medical science, Brenda had her perfect healing on July 11, 1991, as she was ushered into the presence of the Lord.

There are sometimes traumatic moments in our lives that will change us completely. We may be able to go on, but we will never be able to go back. With a broken heart I read many of your messages that tell of defeat, deceit, divorce, disaster or death. As I read and pray for those of you who have written, there is one certainty—you will never be the same.

When Brenda called on that momentous day, our life and her life changed dramatically. We were not the same family as we were before. She changed dramatically from an indifferent follower to a sold-out soul winner. She accomplished far more for the Lord in the few months she was given than many do in an entire lifetime.

So, how about you? Are you wasting your time and effort to try to get things back the way they were before your traumatic occurrence? If you are, the object of your efforts is YOU! Instead of reaching out to others, you may be self absorbed and introverted.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery. That was certainly a momentous moment for him. What did he do about it? He must have learned the Egyptian language so well that he became the head over his master, Mister P’s house. Then he was falsely accused by Mrs. P and thrown into prison for many years.

Joseph’s refusal to wallow in self pity opened the door for him to develop keen organizational skills that became essential when he was promoted to the second highest position in Egypt, and to become the means of salvation for his family (even the brothers who had treated him so cruelly and sold him as a slave).

To me, one of the most revealing aspects of Joseph’s life is to be found in Genesis chapter 50, verse 20. Jacob had died and his brothers feared that Joseph would now retaliate for the evil they had done to him so long ago. They concocted a story that Jacob had told them to forgive his brothers and not harm them.

Joseph gives us words that show his total dependence upon God in the good times or the bad times. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

If you’re in the time of your pain and trial, look to the Lord and be busy about His business. God is able to use our painful trials to do His work. Look to the Lord and find hope!

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 August 25th, we have a $1,671 need for August 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

August 25th: Job 16:1-19:29, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, Psalm 40:1-10, and Proverbs 22:1

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

August 25th: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, Psalm 40:1-10, and Proverbs 22:1

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.

RESTART YOUR MIND! – Colossians 3:2-3 Devotional

by | Aug 24, 2026 | Colossians

Hear Pastor Cecil read today's Evotional

RESTART YOUR MIND!

Colossians 3:2-3 – Devotional

Colossians 3:2-3​

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Do you sometimes have a hard time keeping things straight? The thing you want to do next is shoved aside because something else suddenly came up that seemed more important or demanding.

It seems that the more labor saving devices that are introduced to us the more pressed we are for time. It would seem that most people are operating on over-load and it is close to power failure.

When it comes to my computer I feel far beyond my personal capability. I seem to be calling people on a regular basis to assist me when I encounter problems.

Many times my experts advise me to restart the computer. It is amazing how many problems are resolved by a restart. If you need a closer walk with the Lord try a restart of devotion and purpose to be closer to Him.

A good place to start may be our daily Bible reading plan that we have at the bottom of each DailyEvotional. Commit to reading God’s Word on a regular basis and join us.

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 August 24th, we have a $1,671 need for August 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

August 24th: Job 12:1-15:35, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, and Proverbs 21:30-31

New Testament Scripture & Prayer

August 24th: 1 Corinthians 15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, and Proverbs 21:30-31

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.