AUTHENTIC LOVE!​​

1 Corinthians 13:13 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 13:13

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

There is a page in my wife’s diary that she had written way back in January 2012. That was three years before she went to be with the Lord. Joyce was always better at expressing her feelings in her notes and letters than in speaking. She wrote the following note dated January 28, 2012. I want to share it with you.

“My precious husband, how I love you! You captured my heart when I was just a teenager, and it has lasted for over 60 years. How good God has been to us, to be with the dearest love of your life that long. Please know how deeply you are loved — – now and forever.”

As I read these poignant words I realize that words never end when a person dies. I only wish that more couples could experience the deep love that Joyce and I shared.

If you have not done so before now, I urge you to take the time to write your own love letter to that special person in your life. You may be gone when they read it, but like me, it will be like a gentle kiss from one who is waiting in that land where we will never be parted again.

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 Thursday, October 16, 2025, we have a $1,696.00 need for October 2025. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

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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.

GOD’S GIFT OF LOVE!

1 Corinthians 13:13 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 13:13

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I was blessed to have discovered my precious life partner when I was just a boy of 14. Joyce and I knew the joy of walking together, finally holding hands, the first kiss, and the consummation of our love on our wedding night. (I wish couples would depart from the liberal idea that sex before marriage is the norm.)

Our love continued to grow across the years as we experienced the birth of our three children and the establishment of a Christian home. It was easy to love my wife and my children. It was also easy to love my friends and neighbors — but what about others who were not lovable?

That’s where the rub comes, doesn’t it? We can be self satisfied that we are being the loving Christians that God wants us to be as long as we love the lovable people in our life. Think of the people that are near to you that are totally obnoxious. Can you show true Christian love to them?

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said we are to love those who are hard to love. Listen to His words in Luke 6:35: “- – love your enemies.” That, my dear friend, is true love! I want that for my life.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, we currently have a $1,763 need for July 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can view Pastor Cecil’s Evotionals on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and/or on Rumble at https://rumble.com/user/DailyEvotional

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

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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.

REDEEMED!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit.“

In 1969 the U.S. Embassy in Iran was overpowered and the Americans inside were held hostage for 444 days. They lived in terror for over a year not knowing if they would live to see another day, be it prisoner or free. They were finally redeemed and allowed to go free, but what scars they carried with them into freedom!

Forgetting that particular incident and thinking of our redemption from sin, what is the worth of the human soul? The Lord Jesus paid the price for our redemption, and I am so grateful that we have been set free from the penalty of sin!

The writer of this hymn, Fanny Crosby, was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!

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

REDEEMED

(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.

REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

(3) I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.

REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

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

You can go to https://gloryscapes.com/redeemed/ to watch the Redeemed video devotional.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Friday, July 18, 2025, we currently have a $1,863 need for July 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

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LEARNING TO WALK!

1 Corinthians 11:1 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 11:1

“Imitate me as I purpose to imitate Christ!”

There is a time for everything in this life. I think all of us can recall days when we were immature and clumsy in just about everything we did. A toddler learning to walk has more falls than steps. Adults cheer those first struggling steps.

In the Christian walk there are many slips, slides and tumbles. The last thing that is needed is a critical attitude that mocks those painful struggles as a new believer learns how to walk with the Lord.

Rather than being critical, we need to be helpful. That means knowing when to lend a hand and when to take our hands off and watch with joy as the new believer walks on their own. It is hard to keep from cheering when they walk on their own.

Walking on our own does not mean we abandon the One who has given us our spiritual life. We need the nearness of Christ and also the steadying hand of those who have just been learning to walk. Learn to walk on your own and then assist others who also are learning to walk!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Wednesday, July 3, 2025, we currently have a $1,948 need for July 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can help us by viewing Pastor Cecil’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and subscribing to it. Thanks so much!

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

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

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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TEST YOUR LOVE!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Are you ready for the love test? Do you consider yourself a lover of God and a lover of the members of the family of God? Do you love the lost and dying enough to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord? It is time for the love test!

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 once more but with a difference. Replace the word love with the name Jesus: JESUS NEVER FAILS!  Now read it once again and replace the word love with your own name. This is your personal love test. It is rather embarrassing isn’t it? There may be a few attributes that we come close to achieving, but for the most part we receive a low grade.

It is amazing how perfectly Jesus fits into this passage. Jesus was the Father’s expression of love to a lost and dying world. Where we fail, He succeeds. He reaches down and draws us close to Him. We are not saved by passing the test, we are saved because Jesus loved us enough to die for us. If you have never opened your heart and received Jesus as your Savior, do so now before it is too late!

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 DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.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.