OUR PURE JOY!​​

James 1:2-3 – Devotional

James 1:2-3

“Count it pure joy when you experience various trials. Understand that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

You are either in the midst of a painful trial, getting over one, or there is one in your future. Every person on the face of this earth has to face the reality of ordeal. I do not want to sound morbid, but if we do not realize the fact that we will pass through times of trial, we may be stunned when they come. Troubles may be the loss of a loved one, financial reversal, a disturbing medical diagnosis, or any number of other issues.

How is the believer to respond to the adversities of life? James says that we are to consider it pure joy. That is impossible to do in our own strength. Only with the help of the Lord are we able to look beyond the trials and see our eternal reward.

You may have heard the expression; “That person is so heavenly minded that they are no earthly use.” While I do not agree with the idea that we are no earthly use, I agree that we should be heavenly minded.

We know that the things of this world will all pass away. The trials and tribulations of our present life will pale and fade when we slip the bonds of this earth and are with the Lord. What a day that will be!

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.

WATCH YOUR MOUTH!​​

James 3:10 – Devotional

James 3:10

“Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Dear believers, these things should not be!”

When I was growing up, I sometimes – well actually it was frequently – heard the words uttered that I have used for today’s Daily-E-Votional. Perhaps that is why I observed my parents smile when I had to correct the sassy mouth of one of my own children. What is it they say? – – “What goes around, comes around!”

I wonder how often that same observation can be found in the degree to which our walk matches our talk. When people spend time around us do they discover a walk that matches our talk?

When we are born again, we become renewed and redeemed creatures. The problem is that all too often people fail to live like new creatures. Instead they continue with the habits and language of the past. Like James says in today’s Scripture; “… these things ought not to be so.”

Start today with a new determination to spend more time in God’s Word and seeking His hand to draw you into a closer walk with Him that will give you clean lips that come from a clean heart.

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.

SEEK THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!​​

James 1:20 – Devotional

James 1:20

“The wrath of mankind never produces the righteousness of God.

When I was in the US Air Force, stationed in Missouri, our oldest daughter had a grade school principal, who displayed a disturbing temper. He would at times become so angry that he would bite his finger.

His students failed to change their misbehavior in response to his outburst, and in fact it seemed to have just the opposite reaction. Many of them tried to do just enough to rile him up without getting into too much trouble.

I fear we may often be guilty of trying to misbehave just enough to irritate the Lord without suffering too many consequences. What a miserable way to behave! We serve a Savior who died for us and we have the audacity to irritate Him!

I for one want to dedicate myself to please the Lord to my utmost with the time He gives me to serve Him. None of us have any idea how long we have to remain on this earth, but we can purpose to serve Him by seeking His righteousness for our life!

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.

REAL LIFE!​​

James 4:14 – Devotional

James 4:14

“We are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

I survived another Christmas with only a few pangs. At this season I always recall being with my wife Joyce and our family on Christmas as being a very special day. Joyce and I spent every Christmas together except in 1966 when I was on a remote assignment in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada.

During that Christmas season I was broken up by one song lyric that went; “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” The year 2016 was my first Christmas without Joyce, but her first Christmas with Jesus. SHE HAD A BETTER CELEBRATION THAN I DID!

I recall the days before Joyce went to be with the Lord. Joyce had just been placed on Hospice Care due to her dementia. She was in a hospital bed in our living room. I was not sure if she understood about her condition, but I spent hours beside her bed holding her hand and sharing my love with her.

When my precious wife took her last breath it was her entry into everlasting life. No more confusion or pain for my sweetheart. She received the reward of eternal life — IT IS REAL LIFE BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION. I can hardly wait!

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.

COME NEAR TO GOD!

James 4:7-8 –  Devotional

James 4:7-8

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you who sin; and purify your hearts, you who are double minded.”

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.

BE PATIENT!

James 5:7-8 – Devotional

James 5:7-8

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

We are living in such an instant age that the mere mention of patience flies in the face of our way of life. We have instant cash machines and instant check-out counters. So many things in our modern world are designed to save time, effort and energy, but they have failed!

Even with all of the short-cuts and labor saving devices at our disposal, we seem to have less time for the important things in life than ever before. Not only that, but these time and labor saving devices leave us more tired and exhausted. By the end of the day we often walk and talk like robots. The time-saving gadgets and gizmo’s leave us running at a break-neck pace to get from appointment to appointment. What has happened?

The answer lies in the Word of God. In all of our efforts we have totally failed to develop the proper discipline of patience. We do not desire to wait or slow down for anything. In all of our hectic, fast-paced schedules, we are so busy making things happen that we leave no room for that all important “quiet time” of waiting to see what God is going to bring into being.

Blessings dear hearts. 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.