THE WINNING SIDE!

1 Corinthians 15:57 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 15:57

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“

People like to be on the winning side. I have yet to hear anyone cheer when their team is losing. For those applying for a certain job, it is a cause for celebration when they win the position over the other applicants.

In this old sin-sick world it may feel like we believers are on the losing side. The forces of evil seem to become stronger and more violent with each passing day. It may even appear that God is not concerned when we encounter suffering and loss.

When we read today’s Scripture, however, we discover that we are on the winning side. It is not because of what we do, but what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. It may be compared with relaxing in the stands while your team struggles on the field. When your team wins you stand and cheer, “WE WON!” You may have done nothing more strenuous than eat a bag of popcorn, but you share in the team’s victory.

As believers we have been assured of victory. It is not because of anything else we have done to merit the victory other than trusting in Jesus for salvation. Victory!

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.

BE STEADFAST!

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 15:58

“My dearly beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.“

I think we all have heard the expression; “When going gets tough, the tough get going!” Do you think that is true? What do we do when we are weak and are forced to confess our weakness? That my friend is when we let go and let God be God!

Sometimes people fail to act because they feel they are unqualified. The fact of the matter is that many great people are not that different than anyone else. The only difference is that they remained steadfast at their task.

Thomas Edison experimented with over 10,000 substances before discovering the answer in tungsten. A reporter asked him that after 9,999 failures was he ready to give up. His response was that he had not had any failures. He only found 9,999 substances that would not do the job.

Being steadfast for the Lord does not focus on the results which are evident to us. It is in being the faithful servant who keeps on doing the work God calls each of us to do and then leaving the results up to Him. Are you steadfast?

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.

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.

WE WILL UNDERSTAND IT THEN​!

1 Corinthians 13:12 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 13:12

“Now we only see in a mirror dimly, ultimately we will see face to face. For now we know only in part, but in that day we will know just as we are also known.“

As a pastor I have been called upon to officiate at hundreds of funerals. In most cases I was not acquainted with the deceased individual prior to their death. In order to make the service meaningful and personal, I always meet with their families before the service to “get acquainted” with the deceased through the family’s memories.

Interestingly, after the service people have asked me how long I had known the deceased person since it sounded like we were friends. They said they knew very little of the information I shared about the person.

At times I’ve read the obituary of someone I have known for years, but had no idea the things they had experienced. I have often wished I had known that information while they were alive so we could have discussed it.

Thinking about this makes me long for a time in heaven when we will be able to know every individual who has ever lived and rejoice about the steps that brought them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a day that will be!

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.

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.

WE WIN!

1 Corinthians 15:56 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 15:56

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

People delight in being on the winning side. I have yet to hear anyone cheer when their team is losing. It is a cause for celebration when a person wins a position over the other applicants who have also applied for a certain job.

In this sin-sick world it may feel like believers are on the losing side. The forces of evil seem to become stronger and more violent with each passing day. It may even appear that God is not concerned when we encounter suffering and loss.

As we read today’s Scripture, we discover that we are on the winning side. It is not because of what we do, but what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. It may be compared with relaxing in the stands while your team struggles on the field. When your team wins you stand and cheer, “WE WON!” You may have done nothing more strenuous than eat a bag of popcorn, but you share in the team’s victory.

As believers we have been assured of victory. It is not because of anything else we have done to merit the victory other than trusting in Jesus for salvation. Victory is ours! We win!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

WE ARE GOD’S WINNERS​!​​

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 9:24

“All who run a race all run; but only one receives the winner’s prize. Let us run in such a way that we will obtain God’s prize He promises for all who run.”

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 and another takes first place!

Years ago I used to take our kids to watch automobile races at a local race track. It was not uncommon for one driver to lead almost every lap of the quarter mile track only to experience a problem on the final lap and lose the race. Only the one who crosses the finish line first is the winner not the one who leads the most laps.

I have been thrilled to watch foot races where the competitors have Down Syndrome. These precious jewels run with 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 eternity’s 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. We are God’s Winners!

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.

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.