CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

Hebrews 9:27-28a – Devotional

Hebrews 9:27-28a

“As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.“

A four-year-old boy sat with his parents as the family dog, who suffered from cancer, was put to sleep. The adults were pleased that the boy was not overly distressed by the death of their beloved pet.

The boy just smiled and said: “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

The reality of death is something which many people like to suppress, but it remains a reality and an inevitable one at that. It is a time of celebration when the person who has died knows the Lord. On the other hand, it is a sad and bitter thing when survivors do not know about their loved one’s relationship with the Lord.

Those that know the Lord can have peace about the home going of God’s saints, but what about children? The question arises about how to tell young children that a loved one has died. I guess the answer would depend upon each child.

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.

OUR PEACE MAKER!

Hebrews 8:6 – Devotional

Hebrews 8:6

“Now God has obtained a more excellent ministry for He is also the PEACE MAKER of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.“

There is a word in today’s Scripture which resonates with me. It is the word mediator, which in the Greek it is defined as: one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.

When I was in graduate school, my final hurdle was to appear before a panel of my professors to defend my thesis and prove that I had the knowledge necessary for the degree.

I was very nervous since I had heard that previous students had been rejected several times before being recommended for the degree. My major Professor told me to relax and that he would mediate for me. In essence, he did all of the defending for the other professors and I only had to smile and try to look intelligent. Ha! (Mine was the hardest job).

Jesus is our mediator before the Father. He knows us inside and out, and Jesus knows those who have been born again with their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I am so relieved that our Great Mediator will silence the accuser (Satan) when he tries to discredit us. Oh, what a relief it is!

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.

FAITH DEFINED!

Hebrews 11:1 – Devotional

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“

Many times across the years I have asked individuals as well as groups to give their definition of faith. In many instances they have recited Hebrews 11:1. That is well and good, but when I pressed them to explain what that means to them on a personal level I was generally met with a blank stare.

The vital element of faith as given in this verse is evidence. Having spent many years in the field of criminal justice I quickly discovered that evidence is essential in order to substantiate the claims for or against the charges. In Hebrews 11:1 we find evidence that is yet to be seen or experienced. How can that be?

I liken that to making a trip to buy an ice cream cone. On the way we begin to think about our favorite flavor. Our salivary glands begin to kick into operation and we start to enjoy the ice cream before we ever arrive at the store.

In like manner we can spiritualize this same concept. Faith is stepping out and trusting God’s promises before they ever come to pass. He says it — we believe it, and that is faith in action!

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.

ALWAYS THE SAME!​

Hebrews 13:8 – Devotional

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

My parents once owned a café in Camas, Washington, called Kelly’s. I have many fond memories of spending time in and around that place. Sometimes I would help the dish washer, but in reality I was more hindrance than help.

I had told my wife Joyce about it enough times that she was no doubt tired of hearing my stories. After many years we were able to travel to Camas and I could take a stroll down memory lane with my wife. I was able to find my family’s old house and the old church where I had given my heart to the Lord, but my heart saddened when we saw the building where Kelly’s had once been. It was now an insurance agency. Rats!

We often encounter instances where we try to find some favored spot only to discover the use had changed and it was entirely different from the way we remembered it. It is disappointing to have the buildings of our past change, but it is heart breaking to discover that some people have changed for the worse.

In today’s Scripture we have the confident assurance that Jesus is always the same and that He is the rock upon which we are to build our life. In this chaotic world stand firm knowing that Jesus is ALWAYS THE SAME!

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.

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 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.

GOD’S GLORY!

Hebrews 1:3 – Devotional

Hebrews 1:3

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.”

As often as possible I love to watch the passage of the International Space Station through the night sky. It takes me back to the time I first observed the passage of Sputnik long ago in 1957. It is a thrill to observe these satellites pass so silently across the dark skies above our heads.

The believer’s light source is not in his or her own actions, but in what the Lord shines into their life. Just as Jesus was “the radiance of God’s glory,” so we are called to shine forth with the illumination of His presence in our life.

As we sail silently through the dark skies of this old sin-sick world, I pray that each of us will turn our eyes upon Him. As we do, people should see His brilliance reflected in us. As Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, so must Jesus be the source of our light.

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.