THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS!

Isaiah 34:15​ –  Devotional

Isaiah 34:15

“The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate.”

From time to time I have watched birds. Each type has its own way of caring for its young. Some types seem to pay little attention to the nest. Left on their own most varieties thrive, but with encroaching human habitat some become endangered.

I find it interesting and disturbing that many people show more concern about the welfare of the feathered community than the needy people. There is a world of hurting people near us who are like hatchlings and need the care of someone who will be there for them. It is easy to become indifferent to the needs around us.

I remember when I was a Juvenile Probation officer being called by the local police to pick up a 15 year old girl they had just arrested and take her home. My wife, Joyce and I picked her up and as we drove her home I mentioned that her dad would no doubt discipline her severely for her behavior. She stunned us with this statement: “My dad doesn’t love me enough to discipline me!” WOW!

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 us under the shadow of His wings!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

JESUS HEARS AND SAVES!

Isaiah 59:1​ –  Devotional

Isaiah 59:1

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”

As fallen sinners we often eagerly accept God’s forgiveness of our sins and faults. All too often we hold grudges and resentments against those who have done something to cause us pain or inconvenience. (Recall your reaction when someone cut in line ahead of you rather than waiting their turn!)

It is easy to feel justified in our sinful reactions to the irritations others cause us. The only way that I can think of in dealing with the painful situations of life is to ask ourselves; WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

When we feel resentment when we are insulted and offended, remember that Jesus always forgave when He was treated with cruelty and abuse. Jesus was quick to defend the repentant sinner while just as quick to chastise the self-righteous accusers.

As followers of Jesus we need to be willing to endure insults and hardships in the name of Jesus. That does not mean that we are to be obnoxious pains to those around us and then claim that we are suffering for Jesus. No, we can easily be suffering because we are a pain! Jesus hears and saves. We must be like Him!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 RIGHT THOUGHTS!

Isaiah 55:8-9 –  Devotional

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Why is it important for us to spend quality time in God’s Word? The answer is that it is in the Word of God that we discover the mind of the Lord. He knows what lies before us and prepares us to be used by Him.

I recall working with a young man who desired to be used by the Lord. He had embarked upon the discipline of memorizing Scripture and copied portions of Scripture on 3X5 cards which he always carried with him.

He wanted to be a greater witness where he worked at a potato processing plant. I asked him what was the worst job that everyone else avoided? He immediately said it was cleaning up the rotten potatoes. By the way, the smell is horrendous.

The next week he was delighted to report that he had volunteered for that job and was now able to memorize and meditate as he mucked up the smelly mess. As it turned out, his action so impressed his boss that he was the last temporary worker to be employed as the season drew to a close and the first hired the next year! The greatest reward was not the job but finding God’s right thoughts!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 ARE LIKE SHEEP!

Isaiah 53:6 –  Devotional

Isaiah 53:6

“We have all strayed and like wayward sheep gone our own willful way. But the Lord has laid on Him the sin that is rightfully ours.”

While attending college I worked on the local police department. There was an old veteran officer that frequently could be heard to utter these words: “The more I see of people, the more I think sheep are smart animals.” At the time I thought he was being crass and cynical, but more and more I tend to agree with his assessment.

Our natural inclination is to stray and go our own willful way. The Good Shepherd of our soul has tender love and care for us. No matter how often or how far we stray away from God’s care and protection, He is always concerned about us and tenderly cares for us. It is not what we deserve, but what we need!

How far have you personally wandered away from the Lord? Are you like a lost and wandering sheep that has strayed away from the Good Shepherd to seek the bitter weeds of sin and strife?

The fantastic news is that Jesus came into this old sinful world to save the lost sheep that are lost and are in danger being swallowed up by the vicious wolves of sin and strife. Return to Christ’s fold. He eagerly awaits your return!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

GODLY DISCIPLINE!

Isaiah 38:16 –  Devotional

Isaiah 38:16

“O Lord, Your discipline is for our good. It is kind and gentle and leads us to health here on earth and life eternal. It is by You that we receive health and life.”

As a boy our family moved to a new town and naturally I was enrolled in a new school. I think I was in the fifth grade and my new teacher was much like a Marine Corps drill sergeant. I didn’t realize this until I made some minor infraction and suddenly felt her ruler slam down on my hand.

That was not the end of the matter. The force of her blow caused the ruler to break and she exploded in anger and held me responsible for the broken ruler. I was sent to the principal’s office where I was told to behave myself in the future. (My teacher was terminated at the end of the school year. I think she blamed me.)

I am so glad we serve a God who has lived on earth as a human and experienced all of the circumstances that each of us face. He was confronted with injustice, scorn and pain, yet He endured it all. He died that we might live.

We all face times of godly discipline, but thank God they are not the sort as my grade school teacher dispensed. Godly discipline loves us enough to die for us that we might live for Christ. I like that sort of discipline. No broken ruler!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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 PROMISE!

Isaiah 41:10 –  Devotional

Isaiah 41:10

“Do not fear for I am with you; do not be depressed, for I am your God. I will be your strength and your help in the time of need and will hold you up by the power of My righteousness.”

Did you know that fear paralyzes? Perhaps most of us have heard the expression, “He froze like a deer in the headlights.” Think of the most frightful experiences of your life and you may be able to relate to that poor animal.

Satan uses fear to keep believers from doing the things that the Lord has called us and empowered us to accomplish. Satan causes us to imagine that we will be scorned if we obey the Lord, so we tend to stare into his headlights and do nothing.

In the midst of our fear we are given this powerful verse in Isaiah 41:10. There are two things that we are instructed to do: don’t fear and don’t be dismayed. The Lord promises that He will strengthen us and help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand. The right hand is the symbol of ultimate divine power.

I challenge you to let the Lord fight your battles with the enemy. Trust Him completely and know that He never leaves you or forsakes you but will always be with you.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.