DOES JESUS CARE?

1 Peter 5:6-7 – Devotional

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

There have been times in my life when I felt isolated and alone. When I experienced these times of spiritual drought I was prone to wonder if Jesus really cared. Even though I am usually happy and optimistic, I have felt the enemy of my soul attack. It is during these times that I rush to God’s Word for comfort.

Frank E. Graeff was known as the “sunshine minister.” He had a cheery disposition, a winsome personality, spiritual optimist, and was a great friend of children. He was known to have a child-like faith. That being said, he did pass through times of deep trials. It was then that he turned to the Scriptures as his guide in the darkness.

As I read the words of this hymn that he wrote, I can see the change from gloom and despair to hope and victory. That is what I want in my life.

DOES JESUS CARE?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained; Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark; with a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed, to resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief, though my tears flow all the night long?

Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” to the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

To access Does Jesus Care? this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare/

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.

INCORRUPTIBLE BEAUTY!

1 Peter 3:4 – Devotional

1 Peter 3:4

“Let your beauty be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.“

A dear friend once forwarded a prayer request sent to him from a deeply distressed daughter for her mother who was facing serious medical issues. In the message she mentioned that her father was giving loving care to his precious wife of many years. This daughter said that her dad still thought his wife was the most beautiful woman in the world, regardless of her age and physical condition.

As I read those words I thought back to the last days of my wife, Joyce. Her frail little body required much attention. She could hardly move and her mind had difficulty staying focused. In spite of all that, to me she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Why was that? It was the inner beauty that Jesus had given her. Joyce never was one that enjoyed the spotlight. She was shy by nature, but her gentle and quiet spirit cared about people and she ministered in her own quiet way.

Many flashy female movie stars make themselves up to look glamorous, but in a short time that outer façade wears off and they lose their appeal. Godly women get more beautiful each year. Ladies, be such a beauty. (MEN AS WELL!)

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.

GRUMBLING!

1 Peter 4:9 – Devotional

1 Peter 4:9

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.“

We were at a family picnic and one of the younger boys had a frown on his face, and was grumbling under his breath. He looked so miserable that he was making everyone else miserable as well.

Later one of his uncles tried to show him how to hold a bat so he would be better able to hit the ball when it was pitched. The boy’s grumbling increased so I eased closer to hear what he was grumbling about. It was hilarious when I heard his low mumble, “You old grouch!”

How ironic! He was the one who had been an old grouch (even at the age of 10), and yet was calling his uncle a grouch just because he was trying to give him instructions to help him.

I wonder how often we are prone to become grumblers as we go through life. We refuse to accept the counsel of family or friends and instead we grumble and complain. This should not be. As believers we should be the happiest and most joyous people on the face of the earth. Are we? Are you? Just remember — no grumbling allowed in God’s family!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions, without grumbling!

– – – 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.

NEAR THE CROSS​​!

1 Peter 4:12-13​ – Devotional

1 Peter 4:12-13

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Fanny J. Crosby was a remarkable woman. There are so many accomplishments in her life that it is hard to comprehend them all. She lost her eyesight because of the treatment of a careless doctor. In spite of her loss she memorized huge portions of Scripture just by listening to her grandmother read them to her. She is credited with writing over 10,000 hymns during her life.

Fanny began writing poetry at an early age, but another amazing fact is that she did not accept Jesus as her personal Savior until she was 31. She was attending a service on November 20, 1850. The congregation was singing a hymn by Isaac Watts; At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light. She knew she needed the Lord and that very night He became her Savior and Lord. Her desire was to always stay close to Jesus who had paid the ultimate price for her salvation. Her desire was to remain near her Lord. She immediately wrote the words to the hymn for this week.

. . . . . . . .

Near the Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star sheds its beams around me.

Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day with its shadow o’er me.

Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Near the cross I will watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river.

Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

. . . . . . . .

Enjoy the free inspirational video for the week from Gloryscapes.com by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/nearthecross/

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.

TRUST WITH GREAT JOY!​

1 Peter 1:8 –  Devotional

1 Peter 1:8

“Even though you have not seen Christ, you still love Him and place your trust in Him with great joy!”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with 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.

FRUITFUL FURLOUGH!

1 Peter 3:15 – Devotional

1 Peter 3:15

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

As a boy I was exposed to visiting missionaries who were home on furlough from their assignment on some mission station in the world. I had the mistaken idea that they were home for one year to do nothing but rest and recuperate. Beep!

Most of these faithful servants work so hard sharing their mission message with church after church that they return to the mission field exhausted! That may not always be the case, but there is much truth to it.

I had a friend whose family had been missionaries to Swaziland, Africa, for many years. One of these faithful servants had just returned home for his furlough when he was hospitalized with a ruptured appendix. Ouch!

He was complaining to the Lord about his confinement and inability to minister when the Lord drew his attention to the man who shared the hospital room with him. You guessed it! Within a few days a new name was written down in glory!

Wherever you are or whatever you are doing, there is a mission field that is ripe for the harvest! The Lord can use us wherever we may be or in whatever condition we may find ourselves to be, to win souls for Him!

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.