by Pastor Cecil | Jan 12, 2021 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 2:15
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
Imagine walking down the street on a warm spring day. The birds are singing and the sun shining through the trees makes dappled shadows on the sidewalk. Your mind is preoccupied with the joy of the day when suddenly everything changes.
There is an enticing aroma wafting across the street that draws you to a small shop with a familiar sign over the door — FRESH BAKED BREAD! You laugh to yourself, “As if anyone would have to tell you it is fresh bread!” That wonderful aroma by itself provided enough of an announcement.
You cross the street and peek through the window of the shop and see row after row of freshly baked bread on the counter. Having great will power you turn and walk away. RIGHT!
As we read today’s Scripture we are told that we are to be the aroma of Christ to those around us. In other words, we are to draw people to Christ.
What fragrant aroma of Christ do people sense when they are around you? Do you think they will want to “taste and see that the Lord is good?” Will they think of you when they desire spiritual counsel?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 30, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:6
“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.”
We never know how close we are to eternity! In 1953 I had completed basic training in California. Approximately fifty of us new Airmen were being flown to Amarillo, Texas in an outdated military transport plane left over from World War II.
One of the flight crew notified us that we would be making a stop in New Mexico. Just as we landed, one of the two propellers stopped. We were stranded there for several hours while the necessary repairs were made. One of the mechanics happened to mention that it was fortunate we were near the airbase when the trouble hit. Yikes!
Thinking about it now, I realize that we could very easily have crashed and I would have been ushered into eternity! I have had other close calls that reveal to me that we are just a heartbeat from eternity!
I want to live in such a way that others will see Christ in me. Not only did Paul express his commitment to live only for Christ, he demonstrated it by the way he lived. If ever there was an example of a sold-out Christian life, it was the apostle Paul. Let me close for today with Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 15, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Sometimes when we come to the end of a busy week, we collapse for a couple of days before returning to work on Monday morning. The activities we participate in during our days of rest are intended to refresh, restore, and prepare us for another week in the rat-race. But, do we really experience true rest?
Each day it is important to consider how much we need the Lord’s strength and love for us. God delights in showering His love on His children. God does things His way and in His timing. We may not understand how or why, we simply trust Him to do what we are never capable of doing ourselves.
Jesus taught the principle of allowing Him to be our strength. It is not our own power or ability that makes the difference, but our willingness to give ourselves fully to Him. Faith demands that we choose to believe without understanding.
When we read what Paul has to say about human weakness, it can be a paradox for us. How is it possible for us to become strong when we are weak? The less energy, stamina, health, muscle tone, endurance, and power we possess, the more God’s power comes into play if we are leaning into Him. Do we understand it? No! Do we need to understand it? No! How do we yield to Him and allow Him to be our power? Say YES!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”
Life never stays the same. That can either be for the good or for the bad. If we are growing and maturing in the Lord, it is good. If we are sinking into the mire of sin and degradation, it is bad. Which direction are you heading?
I served as Pastor of the Summit Lake Community Church, in Olympia, Washington, after over 15 years of ministry. When I resigned to devote full time to the Daily-E-Votional, I had no idea of it growing into a worldwide ministry. You who read this are a part of this unique, cyberspace congregation.
I view this new area of ministry as God’s plan and provision. You are welcome to be a part. The signs are all around us that the coming of the Lord is near. My desire is to keep on keeping on as the Lord gives me the strength.
Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to be more productive in allowing His power and strength to flow through you to others. The time is short and what we do for the Lord needs to be accomplished now! Be that new creature for Christ!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 25, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:7
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
Not long ago there was a strong man competition to determine the strongest man in the world. I only watched it for a few minutes, but several of the contestants seemed to experience a snap in their back and they dropped like a rock.
As I think back on this competition I am reminded that we are all engaged in a mighty battle to show strength. I want to be the first to admit that my strength is limited, but I serve a God that is stronger than any opponent I will ever face!
One of the chief persecutors of the early church was a man named Saul. He seemed to take delight in the arrest, and even death, of believers. I can imagine that many of the believers prayed that God would strike him dead. God had a better plan — He confronted Saul on the road to Damascus and raised up a champion of the faith.
If God could transform a vengeful Saul into the mighty apostle Paul, He is more than able to take our feeble efforts and magnify them for His use. Do not let Satan defeat you by making you feel that he is winning. Remember he is a defeated foe and his fate has been determined. GOD IS OUR STRENGTH!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 29, 2020 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Back in the 1970’s I seemed to have it made. I was Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission. The position paid well and I was offered a similar position with a Federal agency. But God had other plans for me.
I felt God’s call and took a part-time position with my home church. The pay was less and the hours longer, but it was God’s call and I could only obey. Since that time I have felt weak and inadequate, but it is in those times that I have most felt the power of God. It was not what I did, but what God did through me.
There came a time in my life when I felt that retirement was something to look forward to. I actually passed retirement age many years ago and now I am busier and my ministry is more fruitful than when I was young and strong.
Why is that? I think the answer is that it is not my strength or ability, but God flowing through me. The less I am able to do, the more He is able to do through me. “Do you feel me?”
If you feel too weak or too inadequate to do work for the Lord—start praising the Lord. That is when His power and glory can be displayed. It is when we are weak that His strength is revealed! Thank God for the difficulties and watch Him work!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
