RUN TO WIN​!

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 9:24

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.“

There are many types of races: Car races, horse races, foot races, just to name a few. It is interesting that in many races one competitor may lead throughout the race and victory is almost assured … but then comes the finish line!

It is not uncommon for one driver to lead almost all the way only to experience the heartbreak of an accident near the end lap and lose the race. The one who leads for most of the race is not declared the winner, but the one who crosses the finish line first.

I have watched foot races where the competitors have Down syndrome. These precious jewels run with such joy and excitement. Many times they are just as excited about someone else winning as themselves.

When they cross the finish line each one is awarded a prize. I somehow think that is what Paul wants us to understand. Every person in the world is entered in the race, but only those who have Christ in their heart will receive the prize. At the end of our race, the Lord will meet us and reward us for running for Him.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.

DO NOT BE FOOLISH!

1 Corinthians 3:18 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 3:18

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.“

The first day of April has long been recognized as April Fool’s Day in many countries around the world. It was in 1392 that Geoffrey Chaucer introduced it in his Canterbury Tales. It is a day when practical jokes are the order of the day.

There are many foolish people in the world and the most foolish are those who fail to make the choice to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It is also very foolish to spend our time and talents on the things of this world that will quickly pass away.

The question for this first day of April is; are we wise or foolish? Have you made that eternal choice to confess your sins and invite the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and become the Lord of your life?

It is imperative for everyone to accept the ultimate reality that this world is temporary. What seems solid and unshakable is not what it seems. “We only have one life and it soon will be past. Only what is done for Christ that will last.”

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS​​!

1 Corinthians 1:18 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.“

The second verse of the hymn, Beneath the Cross of Jesus says, “Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess: the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.”

Here are all the lyrics for verses 1 and 3:

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty Rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss;
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.

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

You can enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” from GloryScapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/beneaththecrossofjesus2/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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FACE TO FACE!

1 Corinthians 13:12​ – Devotional

1 Corinthians 13:12

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Can you imagine what it will be like to see Jesus face to face? To embrace Him? And witness His glory first hand? He is our Mighty Savior, Almighty God, and Friend.

Here are the lyrics to today’s featured hymn, Face to Face with Christ, My Savior by Carrie E. Breck.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?

Refrain:
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.

Refrain

What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
Death is swallowed up in vict’ry,
And the dark things shall be plain.

Refrain

Face to face—oh, blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.

CLICK HERE to enjoy this week’s video devotional, Face to Face by pianist Linda Hightower.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.

OUR NEW HOME​!

1 Corinthians 5:1 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 5:1

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.“

I have enjoyed many nights camping out in a tent, but I must confess that I was always eager to return to my own home and comfy bed. The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. I can almost visualize his calloused fingers and hands. They would almost certainly have been the marks from years of stretching and stitching the fabric to create or repair tents.

In today’s Scripture, Paul uses his profession as a tent-maker to illustrate a spiritual truth: This human body of ours is not going to survive. There are those who try to reverse the aging process in various ways, but nothing is going to keep us from coming to the end of our life and entering eternity.

It is sad that most of us spend far too much time and effort on things that will pass away. By spending so much time on earthly things we neglect the things that really count—those things that have eternal value.

Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word will prepare us for that heavenly home that will never pass away. What home are you spending your time and effort to build?

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.

THE EYES OF FAITH!

1 Corinthians 2:9 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 2:9

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.“

We live in a world that has come alive with many things that have been invisible until now. Giant telescopes are revealing the vastness of space far beyond the comprehension of our forefathers. Microscopes on the other hand, have opened our eyes to the world of microbiology that is a universe in itself.

The satisfying thing to me as a believer in God and His Word is that God has revealed much of this mystery long before the scientists claim to have made their discoveries. To me it is far more logical to believe the God who created all things than to trust scientists who often are more interested in having a paper published than in honestly supporting the claims of the Bible.

I do not want to discredit sincere scientists, but it is more common for the scientific community to spend a majority of their efforts in disproving the Bible than in reporting with integrity what they discover.

Interestingly, many scientists have become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ after finding that what was taught in the classroom was contrived and lacked the support of true scientific evidence. It was most often based upon what others claimed, not on the actual evidence! True faith sees the truth!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.