JESUS LOVES ME!

Luke 18:15-17​​ ​ –  Devotional

Luke 18:15-17

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”

In 1860, Susan Warner wrote a novel titled, “Say and Seal”. She alluded to the fact that Jesus loves little children. After the novel had been published and circulated, she was informed by a Sunday School teacher that a young boy was lying in the hospital near death.

Susan called her sister, Anna, and asked if she could write a hymn for the teacher to sing to the dying lad. Anna wrote the first verse and two years later, William Bradbury wrote the second and third stanzas.

The simple words of this song speak volumes. I heard the story of an old retired minister who had returned to speak at the church he had pastored for many years. He had not been seen by the congregation for a very long time and they were very anxious to hear what his words of wisdom would be. Slowly he made his way to the microphone and spoke in a soft voice: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!” His words were more powerful than the best prepared sermon.

JESUS LOVES ME

1. Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

2. Jesus loves me He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.

Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

3. Jesus, take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly Thine;
On the cross You died for me, I will try to live for Thee.

Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Jesus really does care for you, regardless of your age. In His eyes you are one of His “little children!” Let Him love you and care for you.

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. To access this week’s free inspirational video, “Jesus Loves Me” please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/jesuslovesme/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

DO NOT COVET!

Luke 12:15​ –  Devotional

Luke 12:15

“And He said unto them, ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses.’”

It is interesting to observe how people (including ourselves) are pretty content with what we possess until we see someone obtain something better. We can have joy over something trivial until someone has a trivial thing that is better. RIGHT!

Lack of contentment was displayed in the Garden of Eden when the serpent enticed Adam and Eve that there was better and God was unjust in not giving them that something better. In essence they were coveting God!

What thing or things around you are you coveting? Do you lack a spirit of contentment with what God has blessed you with? The carnal people of the world are always looking for the next best thing but seldom find contentment.

Jesus is always our answer! When we seek more of His presence in our life the less we will be drawn to things of the world. I think of the words of that song we used to sing; “Take the whole word, but give me Jesus!” DO NOT COVET!

Blessings dear heart! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

OPEN OUR EYES!

Luke 24:30-31​ –  Devotional

Luke 24:30-31

“When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

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

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 AND RECEIVING!

Luke 6:38 –  Devotional

Luke 6:38

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Yesterday I was on my way home following church service. As I approached an intersection I noticed people leaving their cars and running into the intersection. As I came closer I saw that a motorcycle was on its side and the rider was receiving help to get his cycle righted. It was way too heavy for him to lift alone and required the assistance of others.

As I have replayed that incident in my mind over the past several hours, I have become aware that there are many people around us who find themselves in need. They may not have a motorcycle lying on its side, but they are just as needy.

When we consider what God calls us to do we need to be aware that there are countless ways of being the Lord’s servants to those around us. At my age I am not able to accomplish many physical tasks that once seemed so simple.

I have had the blessing of giving to others across the years and to tell the truth it is much easier to do for others than it is to humble yourself and allow others to do for you. I guess we might all be like that man who needed help getting his cycle back up once again. There is a time for giving as well as for receiving!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

ABIDE WITH ME!

Luke 24:29 –  Devotional

Luke 24:29

“But they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to tarry with them.”

If you knew that you were very near the end of your life, what would you write? The author of this week’s hymn, Henry F. Lyle, was preaching his final sermon to the small congregation he had served for over 20 years. He was so weak that he had to be helped to the pulpit.

He encouraged his parishioners to rely on the Savior who loved them enough to die for them. His prayer, reflected in this hymn, is a prayer that each of us can breathe when we approach the valley of death.

ABIDE WITH ME

1. Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

3. I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

4. Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

To access Abide With Me, this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/abidewithme/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.

OPEN MY EYES!

Luke 15:20 –  Devotional

Luke 15:20

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

In the parable of the Prodigal Son the wayward son returned to the home of his father. He did not expect to be received as a son, but was in hopes that he could be employed as a servant.

We know the story of how the father was lovingly anticipating the return of his son. He loved the wayward youth and eagerly met him with love and extravagance. It was not because the boy deserved it, but because he needed it. The father was eager to give it to this son who had returned.

Clara Fiske Scott lived from 1841 to 1897 and tragically died after being thrown from a buggy being pulled by a runaway horse. She was a prolific hymn writer, but only this week’s featured hymn is still in circulation. Think of her hymn as it relates to a wayward son who has come home.

Open My Eyes

1. Open my eyes, that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free.

Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee, ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.

2. Open my ears, that I may hear, voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee, ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.

3. Open my mouth, and let me bear, gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare, love with Thy children thus to share.

Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee, ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.

May the words of this hymn become our constant prayer. In the moments when the cares of this world tend to blind us to the mighty power of God unto salvation may our eyes see the open arms of the Savior waiting to receive us home.

To access; Open My Eyes, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/openmyeyes/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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.