EVERYONE IS WELCOME!​

Matthew 11:28 – Devotional

Matthew 11:28

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

At this time of year many invitations are given. Some of them are restricted to employees or family members. In order to respond to the invitation you must in some way be related to the one giving the invitation. Some invitations come with an RSVP that requires a response of your intention to accept or decline.

There are other invitations that may be described as open invitations. Congregations often have Christmas programs that are announced as “Every One Is Welcome!”

Today’s Scripture an invitation is extended directly from Jesus. In a way it is an open invitation. I think each of us have gone through, or are right now going through a time of labor and being heavy laden. We are invited to join Him by taking His yoke upon us. It may seem like we are adding more load, but it is Jesus who will be bearing the burden that we are now carrying alone.

The Lord’s promise is that we will find rest for our souls. In the midst of the pressures of life, we vitally need rest for our souls. We will find it in accepting His open invitation.

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

– – – 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.

ASK-SEEK-KNOCK!

Matthew 7:7-8 –  Devotional

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you: For everyone who asks receives; and all who seek find; and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

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

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional 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.

FACING HATRED!

Matthew 5:11 – Devotional

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

I once had a man from our congregation drop by the parsonage and ask to talk with me. I was delighted and hopeful that he wanted spiritual counsel of some sort. We enjoyed a light lunch before going into my office. Suddenly, out of the clear blue, came these words: “I hate your guts!” Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Prior to this outburst there did not seem to be any hint of a conflict between us, so his statement was a blow.

With my mind reeling, I prayed silently for God’s wisdom and strength. With as much sincerity as possible I answered, “I am so glad that you feel free to share your feelings with me.” From that incident I would like to suggest a few ways to respond to and love the unlovable.

1. Rely on God’s wisdom in dealing with the person.
2. Realize that these unlovable people need love—perhaps more than others.
3. Remember how unlovable our sins are in God’s sight.
4. Rejoice that we are counted worthy to encounter persecution.
5. Respond with love rather than retaliate with resentment.

What happened on that Sunday evening so long ago? We spent time together as he poured out his heart. As he was leaving he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Pastor, I love you so much!” Wow! That was a dramatic change from the comments he made earlier. God is so good!

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 Daily E-Votional 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.

ALL WE NEED WILL BE ADDED!

Matthew 6:33 – Devotional

Matthew 6:33

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

We live in a world that is obsessed with THINGS! Throughout the days of my life and ministry, I have witnessed many situations where people seem devoted to achieving the sensual pleasures of life.

In most cases, I believe it is safe to say that most of the things people obsess over have nothing to do with the essentials of life, rather, they are the toys of human pleasure and pride.

In our human experience we may endure periods of hunger or thirst. It is in these times of need that we can receive sustenance through the gifts of God’s servants. The needs of others allow us to see how the Lord provides, not only for our needs, but also how He allows His children the opportunity to be used to meet the needs of others.

As believers, we are encouraged to make seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness the top priority in our life. When we do that we can be sure that the Lord will use us as givers or receivers. Either way, we will be doing His will.

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 Daily E-Votional 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.

FROM PITY TO PRAISE!

Matthew 5:11 – Devotional

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

When I hear of believers who are experiencing persecution, I am reminded that we all are destined to encounter times of trial of one sort or the other. It is in times of trials and testing that we need to show the power of God to rejoice!

Why on earth would someone who is experiencing lies, persecution, and insults rejoice? To show forth the power of Christ to shine brilliantly is a sin darkened world! One reason we encounter harsh treatment is to demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

It is essential to examine our persecution to determine if the cause is the result of faith in Jesus Christ or because of some sort of misconduct on our part. We cannot claim to be persecuted for Christ’s sake if we are guilty of doing something wrong.

Here is the bottom line—if we encounter ordeals in our life that are not the result of our sinful actions, we are blessed. We are told to count it joy and even to rejoice in our trials. We don’t need pity, we need to praise!

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 Daily E-Votional 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.

JESUS ONLY!

Matthew 17:8 – Devotional

Matthew 17:8

“When they lifted their eyes, they saw only Jesus.”

Please click on the “Play” arrow in the above box to hear Pastor Cecil share today’s Evotional.

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 Daily E-Votional 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.