LABOR TO RECEIVE REST​​​​!

Matthew 11:28 – Devotional

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“

It seems that this call of Jesus to come to Him and we will receive rest is what we long for when we feel crushed by the cares and burdens of everyday life. That is until we read further in this passage and discover that He calls us to become yoked with Him. Some cleaver jokester has commented; “Is this a yoke?”

I assure each of us that being yoked with Christ is not a laughing matter. The fact of the matter is that to take on the yoke of Christ actually is finding a deep and enduring rest that assures us of eternal rest.

Not only can we be assured of eternal peace and rest, but we also find a peace here on earth that passes all human understanding. In the midst of the storms of life we can find rest for our souls.

If you are struggling beneath the crushing cares of this world, I urge you to join with those of us who have found that the yoke of Christ lifts our burdens and brings joy that is abundant and exhilarating.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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VALUABLES​​!

Matthew 6:19-21 – Devotional

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, were moth and dust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for your yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

It is sad to observe people work themselves into a frenzy trying to amass a nest egg that will provide them with ease and luxury when they retire. The problem is that many work so hard with such singleness of heart that they destroy their closet relationships and sacrifice those closest to them in their frantic efforts.

Occasionally we hear about a famous and wealthy person who becomes so despondent when their fortune slips away that they resort to suicide. The things of this world will always fail to bring the contentment that so many pursue so passionately.

Jesus was well aware of the fickle nature of the human heart. He knew that wealth never brings peace and harmony. Solomon was a classic example of how cheap and hollow the accumulation of worldly riches really is. He seemed to have it all but concluded that it was all vanity.

Jesus teaches us that we are not to devote our efforts to attain the things of this world that will vanish. The Lord will provide us with what we actually need, and when we surrender our will to find and follow His will, we will lay up treasures in heaven that will last for eternity. Treasure in heaven equals peace here below.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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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.

WALKING IN VICTORY​!

Matthew 28:17-20 – Devotional

Matthew 28:17-20

“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.“

In high school I played on the football team, and in my senior year we were very successful—UNDEFEATED, IN FACT. I recall coming home after practice so tired an sore that I could hardly move. All of the hours of exercise and practice, however, resulted in each victory we achieved.

It was rather humorous to hear the shouts of victory from the sidelines, “WE WON! WE WON!” our supporters had not experienced the pain we endured, but they shared the victory. We gladly welcomed their joyful shouts of victory.

On the cross Jesus won the victory over the hold that Satan had over fallen man. The moment His life’s blood flowed from His precious innocent body the price was paid for our redemption! It is nothing that we have done or ever could do that won the victory over the enemy . . . but Jesus gained the victory.

Following His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the tomb and appeared to hundreds of people. Some of His followers identified with His victory, but there were some who doubted. Amazing! He had foretold what He was going to do and He did it!

They still question the reality of His resurrection. I don’t want to be a part of that doubting croud. I WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE VICTORY IN JESUS!

It’s interesting to note that many who enter into serious research to disprove Jesus’ resurrection end up becoming believers.

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

– – – 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.

THE SWEET BY AND BY​​!

Matthew 6:27 – Devotional

Matthew 6:27​

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.“

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

True Christian character is certainly seen in our biblical heroes, but it may often be seen in those of more recent times. Hope is a character quality that looks beyond our immediate circumstances and shows what we as believers have waiting for us.

In the Sweet By and By, is one of the most enduring songs written after the Civil War. It was composed by Sanford Bennett who was the owner of a drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He had just returned from the war. A friend, Joseph Webster, a gifted musician trained formally in composition, came to the store each day to talk and play chess. Often Webster would be depressed and down.

When asked what was wrong, Webster would often reply; “It will be alright by and by.” That idea hit Bennett like a flash of sunlight! As Bennett later described the incident, he took out a pen and it was all over in thirty minutes. A new hymn was born. In short order he was singing the words along with Webster and two other friends. The hymn was perfect for the post-Civil War era because it conveyed pathos with a mixture of comforting warmth. It came to typify the virtues of spiritual hope.

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

Sweet By and By

There is a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by;
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore,
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise,
For the glorious gift of His love,
And the blessings that hallow our days.

Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

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

You can enjoy this inspirational video by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/sweetbyandby/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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WELCOME THE LITTLE ONES​​​​!

Matthew 19:14 – Devotional

Matthew 19:14

“But Jesus said, ‘Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’“

Listen to today’s Message of the Week, “Welcome the Little Ones!” 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 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.

BLESS THE LORD ALWAYS!

Matthew 24:35 – Devotional

Matthew 24:35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.“

In my mind’s eye I recall our family gathered around the dinner table. All three kids are still at home and we are enjoying a sweet time of sharing. Across the table from me is Joyce, my precious wife. To her right is our oldest daughter, Brenda. Next to Brenda and to my right is our youngest daughter, Lori. On my left and to the right of Joyce is our son, Dan. It is a wonderful picture … but it did not last.

In the blink of an eye it seems, the kids marry and leave home. Grandbabies are born and illness takes many loved ones. My daughter-in-law’s father, Dave Shenk went to be with the Lord a few hours ago. Those loved ones who know the Lord have soared into Paradise. We will never be able to sit around the table with them on this earth, but oh how we look forward to that day when we will see all of our loved ones. More than that, we will see the Savior who loved us enough to die for us.

C.T. Studd lived from 1860 to 1931. He composed a poem that is now so familiar that many think it is a part of scripture. Here is a verse from that poem:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” 

That is the moment in time I fervently anticipate! What a day that will be!

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.