by Pastor Cecil | May 13, 2021 | James
James 1:2-3
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
I have heard people ask another person why they are so happy. Actually true happiness is only the result of something good or pleasing happening. Joy on the other hand is the choice a person makes in spite of what happens.
Unfortunately I have counseled many people across the years who behaved as if they had been “baptized in vinegar.” Some of these people have been Christians. I know that their demeanor has been a terrible witness to non-believers.
I have said it before and I will say it again; “The way we live is far more vital than what we say.” I do not want to imply that we are not to share our faith with others, but it needs to be reflected in how we live.
I would like each of us to prayerfully answer the following questions: If Jesus was standing beside us, would He be pleased with the things we say? The music we listen to? The programs we watch on television? The things we read? The activities we engage in? The people we associate with? This could go on and on couldn’t it? I pray that we will find our true joy in Him!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 19, 2021 | James
James 3:13
“Is anyone among you wise and understanding? That person should show it by living a good life. A wise person isn’t proud when they do good deeds.”
There was once a humorous skit which depicted guests at an exclusive café being escorted to their table. The person who was escorting them had just sprained his ankle and was limping noticeably. All of the guests followed obediently and all limped.
It is a sad commentary that we all too often follow blindly those who are in effect limping through life. That is the danger of following individuals without the spiritual wisdom that comes from God’s Holy Bible.
God has given us His plan and purpose for our life. Without true spiritual wisdom we are easily led down Satan’s path that leads to heartbreak and ultimate destruction.
We find the pattern of God’s good life only as we have been born again and have His resurrected life flowing through us. Following this new birth we need to grow in the knowledge of God through His WORD!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 6, 2020 | James
James 4:8
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
As I write the words of this Daily-E-Votional, my mind reflects back to the memory of my precious Dad. I cherished every moment I spent with my Dad. He was an encourager and was always there to insure that I was striving to be the man God wanted me to be. He stressed that after he was gone I would hold fast to the gospel and point people in the direction of the cross. I yearn for the day when I will see my Dad once again, but even more so I yearn for the day I will meet my Savior face to face.
In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the U.S. that claimed many lives. In 1903, Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dread disease and the others in the house were quarantined. In Cleland’s hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and had the college choir sing outside the house.
If you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death right now (I know that each of us do at some time in our life), let these words bring that quiet assurance we need.
Near to the Heart of God
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
Enjoy this week’s hymn from GloryScapes.com. To access a Video of Near To The Heart of God, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 21, 2020 | James
James 4:14
“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
Each of us are living one heartbeat away from eternity. We never know when something internally will malfunction or when some accident will occur which will hurtle us into our eternal destiny. One thing of which we can all be certain, this life is but a mist that quickly passes away! Eternity is a certainty! It is only the, when and how which is hidden from us.
But there is another question. What should we be doing while we are still here? The simple answer is that we must be doing the will of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He told all of his disciples (that includes us) that we are to go and make disciples of all nations. We are told that we are to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and then to teach them everything that He has commanded. What is your life?
The most critical decision we have to make in this life, is either accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, or to continue as we are. To not accept Christ is to make the decision to refuse Him. Once we do receive Him, we are given the command to share Him with others. It may be a husband, wife, child, parent, relative, or a stranger. When the Lord opens the door of opportunity, we must be ready to offer others the gift of eternal life. What is your life?
May God richly bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
