GOD’S LOVING DISCIPLINE​!

Hebrews 12:6 – Devotional

Hebrews 12:6

For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.

I did not consider myself to be an abused child even though there were times when it was much easier to stand than to try sitting on my “seat of discipline”—if you get my drift. Let’s face it—my bottom was sore from the spanking. Did the discipline mean my parents did not love me? Not on your life! They loved me enough to not allow me to continue an action that was wrong.

I recall as a Juvenile Probation officer being called to pick up a 15 year old girl that had been arrested and take her home. My wife Joyce and I met the police and had her in the back seat of the car as we drove her home. I mentioned that her dad would no doubt discipline her when she got home. She stunned us with this statement: “My dad doesn’t love enough to discipline me!”

Sometimes God brings His judgment upon those who violate His commands. Does that mean that He does not love us? Not on your life! As a matter of fact it is proof that He loves us enough to discipline. His discipline is proof of His love!

Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing.

– – – Pastor Cecil

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THE REASON FOR JOY​​!

Hebrews 12:2 – Devotional

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking to Jesus, the designer and creator of our faith, who for the joy that was displayed before Him, endured the cross and the shame that goes along with crucifixion, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week, “The Reason for Joy!” by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – 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.

I AM THINE, O LORD​​!

Hebrews 10:22 – Devotional

Hebrews 10:22

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.“

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

I am Thine, O Lord is one of many hymns written by Fanny Crosby, a prolific American hymn writer. The melody was composed by William Howard Doane.

The former was talking with the latter one night about the proximity of God and penned the words before retiring for the night. Hebrews 10:22 is also reported as being a source of inspiration for the hymn: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

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

I Am Thine, O Lord

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

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

You can enjoy this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes by going to https://gloryscapes.com/iamthineolord/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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BE CONTENT​!

Hebrews 13:5 – Devotional

Hebrews 13:5

“Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

What is really important in your life? When all is said and done, what can you count as your most valuable possession?

There are people who live in massive and opulent homes that cost millions of dollars. It would be easy to think that they have reached the pinnacle of satisfaction, but that is usually not the case. These people are most likely to be miserable.

On the other extreme are those who live in humble dwellings that are in low income neighborhoods. Some who reside there spend considerable time and effort day dreaming about living in the homes of the rich and powerful.

Lack of contentment can be expressed in numerous ways. Some people are never satisfied with their employment, their marriage partner, their appearance, their abilities, or any number of factors that are common to the human existence.

Let’s face it–we covet the things or qualities that others possess. Even some pastors covet larger churches or larger ministries. God calls us to find our true value in Him. He leads us and directs us in the path He has chosen for us. The path may be steep or rocky, but it is the wonderful way God has chosen to allow us to shine brightly in a world of sin.

Rest in the contentment that God knows what He is doing, and by finding joy in your present situation, you may be a true minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – 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.

OUR ASSIGNMENT​!

Hebrews 3:12-13 – Devotional

Hebrews 3:12-13

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

There are a couple of truths that I have become more aware of through the years. The first is that we need encouragement and the second is that we need to encourage each other.

We might think of it as the ministry of encouragement.

You do not need a degree in divinity to minister to those around you. You just need to remind them of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews starts this passage by giving a personal challenge: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”

Looking at that passage from a different point of view, we see that turning away from God results in a sinful and unbelieving heart. How tragic to see the shipwreck of people who turn away from God. What are we to do about it?

The writer is very clear: “Encourage one another daily.” We have a purpose in life and that purpose is a daily purpose.

Having spent time in police and military work, I know what it is to be given an assignment to be completed that day. Failure to accomplish the assignment could often result in lives being lost. It is a far greater responsibility to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. That is our assignment!

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – 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.

THE CANCER OF SIN​​​​​​!

Hebrews 3:12-13 – Devotional

Hebrews 3:12-13

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.“

The word cancer is one of the most feared words. Many of us have lost loved ones to this dread disease. Even though tremendous improvements have been made in treatment, cancer still remains a deadly enemy.

While many of us may personally know friends or family members who have been impacted with this foul disease known as cancer, there is an even greater disease that affects the entire human race…SIN! We were all born with it and without treatment it has a far more devastating consequence – – Eternal death!

The treatment for sin is not by being good, attending church services, or giving money in the offering. While those are good things, they do not result in salvation. Salvation is found ONLY by the blood of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our redemption on the cross.

If you have never done so before, please confess you are a sinner, and accept Him as your personal Savior. The treatment is 100% successful!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – 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.