LET THERE BE PEACE!

John 16:33 – Devotional

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

World War I, sometimes called the “Great War,” was a huge waste of human life. It has been calculated that some fifteen million people lost their life in this terrible conflict that ended on this date, November 11, 1918. It was thought back then that peace would prevail and no more such wars would be fought — but it was barely 20 years before the even more devastating World War II broke out.

As the world searches for peace it is important to get a picture of what peace really means. It is the Hebrew word, “Shalowm” (shalom) and means completeness, soundness, welfare and tranquility. The word peace is found 429 times in Scripture and is a concept that is important to understand.

Over the centuries there have been many attempts to secure peace between individuals, families, communities or nations. These human attempts have always failed because it is only the Lord who gives peace.

The wonderful thing is that the Lord gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. His peace comes from the inside out rather than from the outside in. His peace passes all human understanding. May He grant you His “shalom”!

Blessings dear heart! 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 DailyEvotional emails 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.

GOD’S PROMISE OF PEACE​​​​​​!

John 14:21 – Devotional

John 14:21

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

We live in an increasingly frightening world! I am sure you do not need me to remind you of that fact. We increasingly are exposed to twisted human reasoning where right is considered bigotry and sinfulness is exalted as the new normal!

It is in the craziness of this present age that I am reminded of a passage of Scripture I memorized as a boy. It is Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

These two passages: John 14:21 and Isaiah 41:10, give us assurance that it is only the Lord who can give us absolute assurance of peace. It is a peace that the world it can never give and a peace it can never take away. It is God’s promise of peace!

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

– – – 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.

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.

FREEDOM TO SERVE​​​​​​!

John 14:1-3 – Devotional

John 14:1-3

“Listen fellow believers: God has called us to freedom; but be sure you do not use this wonderful freedom to live in the pleasures of the flesh, but to serve each other.”

As a boy I seemed to have had an aversion to do as I was told. Thankfully I grew up in an age when the board of education was applied to the seat of knowledge. It seemed as if I was more skilled at evading responsibility than doing what was required. Discipline resulted!

There came a day (I can’t recall exactly where and when it was), that I had the brilliant idea of doing something beneficial without being told. My parents were stunned by my actions and to see the pleased look on their faces brought joy to me as well. I began to do it more often!

All too often people have the mistaken idea that serving the Lord is burdensome and a drag. In their mind they picture a Christian as someone who is dull, boring and lifeless. That is so sad!

We have been called to serve the Lord with joy and gladness. So why are we so often dragging around like a hound dog lazing in the shade. We need to serve the Lord in the beauty of the new life He has given us. WE ARE FREE TO SERVE!

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

– – – 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.

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.

HIDDEN PEACE!

John 14:27 – Devotional

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“

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

True inner peace is not achieved by our best intentions or some so-called higher level of thinking. It comes from a relationship which is established when we have been born again and receive the assurance of eternal life. The world cannot understand it, but like some “wise” person once observed; “It is better felt than telt!”

Our hymn this week is attributed to John H. Brown. There is very little information known about him, but the important legacy he leaves for us is the truth of his precious hymn.

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

HIDDEN PEACE!

I cannot tell thee whence it came,
This peace within my breast;
But this I know, there fills my soul
A strange and tranquil rest.

Refrain
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
Tho’ the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides, Christ abides.

Beneath the toil and care of life,
This hidden stream flows on;
My weary soul no longer thirsts,
Nor am I sad and lone.

Refrain
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
Tho’ the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides, Christ abides.

I cannot tell the half of love,
Unfeigned, supreme, divine,
That caused my darkest inmost self
With beams of hope to shine.

Refrain
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
Tho’ the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides, Christ abides.

I cannot tell thee why He chose
To suffer and to die,
But if I suffer here with Him
I’ll reign with Him on high.

Refrain
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
There’s a deep, settled peace in my soul,
Tho’ the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides, Christ abides.

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

CLICK HERE to watch the Hidden Peace video devotional from GloryScapes.com.

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 DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

RUST REMOVER​​​!

John 9:4-5 – Devotional

John 9:4-5

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.“

A friend once sent me a group of humorous pictures of items that contradicted their original purpose. One photo showed a can of rust remover that was coated with rust (perhaps that is a vivid reminder that it’s what’s on the inside that counts!).

As I laughed at the incongruity of the photo, I recalled hearing a remark to the effect that it is better to burn out than to rust out.

As I think about it, I really do not recall knowing anyone who worked to death in serving the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am sad to admit that I have known many who became rusty in their work for the Lord. The fire they once had begun to flicker and the oil in their lamp ran dry. Instead of returning to the Lord for a fresh supply, they pressed on in their own strength. Regrettably, it wasn’t long before spiritual rust began to eat away their luster.

How do we insure that we will not fall into the same rusty rut? I think the answer is in staying close to the Lord in all that we are doing. Rather than doing things to please people, we need to always be focused on pleasing the Lord. That means we need to start each day with prayer and the Word.

That is the oil that will lubricate and preserve us for each day, but we need that fresh supply on a daily basis.

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 DailyEvotional emails 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.

TRULY BELIEVE​​!

John 3:12 – Devotional

John 3:12

“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?“

During the Statler Brothers Farewell Concert, Harold (who was always the one with the humorous stories) wanted to tell one of his yarns. He prefaced it with the statement, “I have a story you are not going to believe!” His brother, Don, replied, “Every story you tell I do not believe!”

The word Believe is a powerful word. In the Greek it is pisteuō. As it is used in the New Testament it is the conviction and trust to which man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law and soul. In layman’s terms I would say it means to choose to listen to the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit and then obey.

As you can see, today’s Scripture is a few verses away from the familiar John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” To believe is a choice that each person on the face of the earth must make. It is the only gateway to an eternity with God. TRULY BELIEVE!

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 DailyEvotional emails 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.