SAVING FAITH​​!

James 2:14 – Devotional

James 2:14

“What does it profit, my brothers and sisters, though a person say they have faith, and do not have works? Can just saying they have faith save them?”

In my storage bank of childhood memories I recall playground disputes that arose when someone would boast about what they were able to accomplish. Perhaps you also can recall such confrontations. Often the conflict would end when the one making the boast would be confronted with: “Put up or shut up!”

Perhaps you would not be guilty of such vulgar talk, but I must confess that I seem to feel that attitude when I listen to people, great or small who make loud boasts, but never seem to live up to their own boasting.

Now I want to be quick to state that we never attain eternal salvation as a result of our good works, but being born-again must of necessity display works of righteousness.

If your walk with the Lord is not exemplified by a life that reflects His image, you need to check your spiritual birth certificate. Are you truly in possession of saving faith? It is only to be attained by being born again! Read John 3:16 and make it your own!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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BE A DOER OF GOD’S WORD​​!

James 1:22 – Devotional

James 1:22

“Be doers of God’s Word, and not simply hearers, deceiving yourselves.”

It is easy to be caught up in the emotion of the moment after reading a moving passage of Scripture or listening to a powerful sermon. The fact of the matter is that it is not what we feel that matters, but what actions we take!

In my dim and distant past I seem to recall reading the phrase; “I would rather see a good sermon rather than simply hear one!” I am sure that I have not remembered the statement exactly, but it is something like that.

The gist of what James is saying in today’s verse, is that God calls us to go far beyond simply hearing or reading the Word of God, we are to take action as a result of what it says and DO IT!

That brings us to a provoking question. In what way are we consistently being a doer of the Word of God? Ask God to allow His Word to come alive and spur you become a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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DO NOT HAVE FAVORITES!

James 2:1 – Devotional

James 2:1

“Brothers and sisters, do not hold the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

I have seen families, clubs, Bible study groups, and even churches decimated because favoritism was shown to one or more of the members. Sometimes this has been unintentional, but at other times it was totally intended.

There is a commercial being aired at present where a young boy and girl were choosing who would be on their team. The choices were a retired professional athlete and another young boy. The girl who selected first chose the professional.

Now let us suddenly change the rules of that commercial and make the competition one of mathematic ability rather than professional sport. The young boy just happens to be a genius in math and the pro athlete flunked beginning arithmetic. Now who would have the edge?

Sadly it is very easy to fall into the trap of showing partiality. We should always treat those around us with the love that Jesus has shown to us. As He has so loved and given Himself for us, we need to love and give ourselves to the world through Him!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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GOD’S ROYAL LAW!

James 2:8 – Devotional

James 2:8

“If you truly fulfill the royal law as it appears in Scripture ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.”

In today’s Scripture, James quotes from Leviticus 19:18 in the Old Testament. It reminds me that the writers of the New Testament were serious students of what Old Testament writers had penned.

In the days in which James lived and penned the book which bears his name, it was no simple task to search the Scriptures. In our modern world we have so many printed and electronic sources to God’s Word that we often take it for granted.

Every time we read the words of Scripture we need to pause and thank our precious Lord that He has given us words of life and vitality. We never should feel as if we are weak and anemic in the spiritual sense.

God’s Royal Law is ours to possess and appropriate in living our life for Him. Never feel that you have nothing to offer others. Share the truth you discover in the Bible with someone near you. It will bring new life to you and the one you bless with the Word!

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.

HEARERS AND DOERS!

James 1:22 – Devotional

James 1:22

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, thus deceiving yourselves.”

Are you more than just a hearer of the Word of God? As I write this I am prone to wonder about those who are so far removed from a commitment to the Lord that they seldom even read even a small portion each day?

There is no way we can do God’s will if we fail to read what His will is for our life. We are easily deceived when we rely upon what someone else says the Bible says without seeking to discover it for ourselves.

As teens we used to intentionally misquote the Bible to make a point. We would say: “The following is directly from the Bible: ‘Judas went out and hung himself! Go thou and do likewise! Whatsoever you do, do quickly!’”

Of course that was an absurd misuse and abuse of Scripture, but it is sad that some will also flagrantly tailor the Word of God to suit their own purposes. I would rather allow the Word of God change me rather than my changing the inspired WORD OF GOD!

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.

GIVING GOD OUR BEST​​!

James 1:12 – Devotional

James 1:12

“Blessed are the ones who endure temptation; for when their actions have been found in favor with God, they will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love and follow Him.”

In my teen years our family lived a few blocks from a Christian College. It was normal for me to spend much of my free time in and around the campus. The track team would spend several hours each day in preparation for competition with other colleges.

One of the students who was faithful in preparing for each meet seemed to be the most unlikely to succeed. He did not have the special work-out clothes of the others. He wore only his well-worn pants and shirt. I often saw other competitors snicker at the sight of him.

They didn’t know what I knew. He may not have looked like or acted like the more polished athletes, but it was who finished the race and in what order that counted. Quite often Jess was in the lead or near the front.

Remember it is not how we look that matters, but how we finish the race that the Lord has set before us. I want to be one who trusts in the Lord and finishes the race knowing I gave it my best!

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 DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

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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.