ONLY ONE LIFE​!​​

Isaiah 55:6-7 – Devotional

Isaiah 55:6-7

“See the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.“

Charles Thoms “C.T.” Studd was a missionary to China, India, and Africa in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
His devotion to serve God in the far flung areas of the world can be summed up by one of his quotes: “Forward ever, Backward never! Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I wnt to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell.”

One of his quotes has frequently been mistaken to be from Scripture, but it is actually from one of his poems.

Only One Life “Twill Soon Be Past

Two little lines I heard one day, traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
The, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, gently pleads for a better choice;
bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its say, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose dep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

Oh, let my love with fervor burn, and rom the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
and when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.

We have a new year stretching out before us. My prayer is that this year I may make this phrase a reality in my life.

Final Thoughts

Many, many years ago when I was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. John Hall became my spiritual mentor. I am still frequently reminded of this little anecdote he shared with my during that time: While on his rounds one day, as was his usual practice he asked a certain elderly patient how she was doing.
On that particular day the woman looked at him and insightfully answered, “Life is so daily!”

What a great reply. We often forget the truth of that simple observation. We spend so much time grieving over the past or worrying about the future that we neglect what we should be doing today.

C.T. Studd penned a poem that contains a line that many people have become so familiar with thtat they think it comes from the Bible. It is a truth that should direct our path as we walk through this journey of life: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.”

I constantly ask myself this question: “What am I doing for Jesus Christ this day that will last for eternity?” After all that He has done for me, I know that I will never be able to do enough.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for your generosity and partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, we have a $1,631.00 need for December 2025 (was $2,000.00). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

Enjoy the Song of the Week below created by Russ Hansen

Please send him your feedback at inspiration@thegoodbookcompany.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.

IMMANUEL–GOD WITH US!

Isaiah 7:14 – Devotional

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

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

This Friday we have a special treat for you. Russ Hansen has combined AI and Scripture to produce an original song entitled, “Immanuel!” inspired by Scripture from John 1, Matthew 1 & 28, Philippians 2, Romans 8. Russ would appreciate your feedback at inspiration@thegoodbookcompany.com.

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

Immanuel (God With Us)

The Word became flesh and dwelt with us
We beheld His glory, full of grace
The only Son from the Father came
God revealed before our eyes

No one has seen the Father’s face
But the Son has made Him known

Immanuel, Immanuel
God with us, God with us
Immanuel, Immanuel
The Word made flesh, God with us

Though He was in very nature God
He humbled Himself, a servant King
Walking with us, bearing our grief
Heaven stepped into our need

Faithful to every promise spoken
Love has come in Jesus’ name

Immanuel, Immanuel
God with us, God with us
Immanuel, Immanuel
The Word made fles h, God with us

By His blood we’re brought near
Reconciled, no longer lost
Born again by His Spirit
Christ in us, our living hope

Immanuel, Immanuel
God with us, now God within
Immanuel, Immanuel
Nothing can separate us

“I am with you always”
To the end of the age
Immanuel

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

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Friday, December 26, 2025, we have a $1,631.00 need for December 2025 (was $2,000.00). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can 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 WALKING​​​​​​​!​​

Isaiah 41:10 – Devotional

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, I am with you, and do not be depressed, I am your God.
I will give you strength, help you and hold up with My righteous right hand.“

I know I have used this verse before. Not only that, I will use it again and again! As a matter of fact, it was one of the first verses I ever memorized when I was a small boy in Camas, Washington.

I am always reminded of the story of an older gentleman who called his wife such endearing names that it was very noticeable — “Honey,” “Sweetie,” “Dearie,” “Love,” and such like. A friend remarked about it and complimented the older man on the sweet names he called his wife. The older gentleman replied, “I have to. I haven’t been able to remember her name for ten years.”

Jesus, in His earthly ministry, spoke often of the “Kingdom of Heaven.” In His parables He would typically begin: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . .” As we think of God’s wonderful Kingdom, there are two elements: The here and now, and the future glory awaiting us.

We have both a present reality and a brilliant future hope. Our challenge and purpose should always be to walk by faith in God and live according to His Word. That my precious friend is – – FAITH WALKING! Try it!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Wednesday, November 19, 2025, we have a $1,704.00 need for November 2025 (was $2,000.00). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can 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.

WILLING TO SERVE​​​​​​​!​​

Isaiah 6:8 – Devotional

Isaiah 6:8

“I heard the voice of the LORD saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’
Then I said, ‘Here am I send me.’”

I was blessed to have wonderful and godly parents. My dad was especially adept at doing just about anything that needed to be done. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and, any other specialty when the need demanded it.

My mom on the other hand was more the director of operations—Dad’s operations that is. When someone needed something done, Mom would quickly volunteer poor ole Dad and say he would be glad to do it! Dad would just smile and moan and get busy doing it.

Christians all too often are like my mom. When God has a task to be accomplished they start thinking about someone else who could do the job. While the words may not be spoken, their message is this: “Here am I—send someone else!”

Matthew 9:37-38 tells us that we are to pray for the Lord to send out laborers for the harvest. When you ask the Lord to use you, don’t question your assigned part, just take joy in your participation.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, we have a $1,704.00 need for November 2025 (was $2,000.00). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can 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.

HELD SECURELY BY THE LORD​!​​

Isaiah 41:10 – Devotional

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God – – I will hold you securely in My righteous right hand.”

The comic strip character, Snoopy, was always trying to write the great American novel. As he pecked away on his typewriter, he imagined himself to be a world-famous author. His opening line never changed: It was a dark and stormy night.

I recall a dark night that was not stormy as far as the weather was concerned, but stormy with danger and injury. Our car had over-turned while being towed behind a wrecker. Our son was badly injured and the tow truck driver took my wife and three kids to the hospital, leaving me behind with our wrecked automobile.

In the darkness I only had a flashlight to warn on-coming traffic that they were approaching an accident scene. It was just a short time later when two shady looking characters stopped — not to assist me, but to help themselves. As they circled around the damaged vehicle, I overheard one say that there was nothing of value to them. They went back to their car and quickly drove off into the night.

I am convinced that the Lord was holding me securely on that dark and potentially stormy night. He always has been there when I needed Him. Thank you Lord!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Thursday, November 6, 2025, we have a $1,870.00 need for November 2025 (was $2,000.00). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can 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.

JUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!​​

Isaiah 41:10 – Devotional

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear thou not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yea I will help you, yea I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

One summer when I was a young boy, we were challenged to memorize key verses in Scripture. One of those verses was Isaiah 41:10. I cannot begin to tell you how many times across the years this verse has been with me.

In today’s world of GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, there is a voice that gives instructions of where to turn and how far to go before giving the next instruction of where to turn and how far to go. I have known drivers that turn their GPS off just to silence that voice.

I come from a day and age where we learned to read maps. When I worked as a milk man it was necessary to use a code to tell how many intersections to cross, when to turn left or right and which house was to receive the home delivery (I am a very old man!).

God gives us assurance that His voice will always strengthen, help, and uphold us as we obediently follow His word and His way. Do not silence His voice . . . JUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News–Please CLICK HERE or on the Donate Button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of Monday, October 13, 2025, we have a $1,696.00 need for October 2025. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button below.

You can 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.