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.

PEACE IN THE STORM!

Luke 16:10 –  Devotional

Luke 16:10

“Then said Jesus to them again, ‘Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.’”

It seems as if we are always facing a storm of one kind or another as we pass through the days of our existence here on earth. Many of us can immediately recall storms that surrounded us and even threatened our life. When the storm passed we breathed a sigh of relief and went back to life as normal.

How very sad. We should use the storms of life to remind us that those who have never received Jesus as their Lord and Savior are facing a storm that will last eternally.

Jesus gave a vivid account in His parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man based his eternal security on his wealth and position. Lazarus lacked the wealth of this world, but he had received Jesus as his Savior and possessed eternal peace and contentment.

We are not saved by being poor nor are we damned by being rich. It is a matter of claiming the greatest gift available to us, the offer of eternity with the Lord because of His shed blood. Receive and share the fantastic news that there is peace in the storm. Jesus is our PEACE IN THE STORM!

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.

FAITHFUL OR UNJUST?

Luke 16:10 –  Devotional

Luke 16:10

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (NKJV)

In a world that largely perverts justice, it is easy to become jaded in our thinking and prone to be pessimistic. It seems that those who strive to do what is noble and right are punished, while those who sin and sow discord are rewarded. So what else is new? That has been going on since sin entered into the world!

We are not called to be overcome by sin, but to overcome by means of the shed blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! That means that we are to live a life that reflects the indwelling power of salvation that overcomes the world.

The question is; ARE WE FAITHFUL OR UNJUST? Are we just as faithful when we are all alone as when we are surrounded by witnesses? If we are the one lone born-again believer in the crowd, do we behave as a true believer should? I pray that the words of our mouth and the thoughts of our mind will be pleasing to our Savior and Lord!

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.