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

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’LL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER BY AND BY!

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.”

Take a moment today to meditate on the lyrics to We’ll Understand It Better By and By (lyrics by Charles Albert Tindley):

We are often tossed and driv’n
on the restless sea of time,
somber skies and howling tempest
oft succeed a bright sunshine;
in that land of perfect day,
when the mists have rolled away,
we will understand it better by and by.

Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
when the saints of God are gathered home,
we’ll tell the story,
how we’ve overcome,
for we’ll understand it better by and by.

We are often destitute
of the things that life demands,
want of food and want of shelter,
thirsty hills and barren lands;
we are trusting in the Lord,
and according to the Word,
we will understand it better by and by.

Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
when the saints of God are gathered home,
we’ll tell the story,
how we’ve overcome,
for we’ll understand it better by and by.

Temptations, hidden snares,
often take us unawares,
and our hearts are made to bleed for
any thoughtless word or deed;
and we wonder why the test
when we try to do our best,
but we’ll understand it better by and by.

Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
when the saints of God are gathered home,
we’ll tell the story,
how we’ve overcome,
for we’ll understand it better by and by.

To enjoy this week’s inspirational video: We’ll Understand it Better By and By, by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/wellunderstanditbetterbyandby/

Blessings dear hearts! 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.

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

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.

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

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.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION!

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

During my high school days, I worked weekends and summers for a concrete contractor. Believe me when I tell you that things were different back then. There was very little pre-mixed concrete that was delivered by large rotating carriers. We were the mixers! We had a pile of sand, another of gravel and sacks of concrete that we had to combine shovel by shovel and bag by bag, water was then added.

In order to get the sloppy concrete into the foundation, we had to deliver it by manual labor. We had large wheelbarrows that we filled then pushed to the point of delivery. In the building process a solid foundation was essential. A weakened foundation could lead to the building falling.

As we travel through this life we often see people that have not laid a foundation that will withstand the storms of life. Sadly when storms strike, their foundations fail. It is during the storms that we need the solid foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep us safe. John Rippon published this hymn in 1787.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2. Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

3. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

4. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “How Firm A Foundation” by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/howfirmafoundation/

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.

WHERE DID THEY GO?

1 Corinthians 15:52 – Devotional

1 Corinthians 15:52

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Many years ago I sat enthralled as I listened to Rev. Tim Lahaye speak on the rapture of the church. It later became the topic of his book series and movie which we know as Left Behind.

I am convinced that there will come a day when the Lord will call His church to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him for all eternity. The signs Jesus said to look for are detailed in Matthew 24. If you study this chapter you will find a description of what our modern day society looks like.

I have personally tried to prepare messages in the form of letters and e-mails for those who are left behind after the church has been raptured. I have urged those who happen to find these messages to read God’s Word to find the answer to what has happened.

The terrible time of trouble and tribulation that awaits those who have been left behind can be eased by the realization that there will still be time for them to repent and accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. Oh, how much better it will be for them to escape the terrible time of tribulation that awaits those who have failed to accept this gift before the rapture. Pass the word!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely 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.