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

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry–and thanks for partnering with us to help spread the Good News. As of today, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, we currently have a $1,436.00 need for August 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can view Pastor Cecil’s Evotionals on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and/or on Rumble at https://rumble.com/user/DailyEvotional

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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 RIGHT GATE!

Matthew 7:13 – Devotional

Matthew 7:13

“Enter by the narrow gate; but wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and most people enter that gate.”

It is imperative for us to rely upon the infallible Word of God to give us a reality check. There is so much garbage in today’s media that it is often hard to breathe. The most important reality check is that everyone is on the way to an eternal destination. It makes a critical difference as to our destination.

First and foremost we need to understand that we are offered a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid! There are many people who discount the harsh reality of hell. The fact of the matter is that Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of that place of eternal pain and suffering. All that is required to go there is to do nothing.

Jesus came into the world to offer a glorious alternative to the eternal flames of hell. He suffered and died for us to give us an eternal home that is beyond our wildest imagination. The requirement is to be born again and have our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

We do not gain access to heaven by trying to be good, but by being covered by the blood of Jesus. He came to shed his blood to cover our sinful nature. I beg you not to take the broad and easy way that leads to eternal damnation, but choose God’s way that leads to life beyond imagination. Take the right gate!

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, we currently have a $1,863 need for July 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can help us by viewing Pastor Cecil’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and subscribing to it. Thanks so much!

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button b.

You can 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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER!

Matthew 6:9-13 – Devotional

Matthew 6:9-13

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory, for ever.

Amen.“

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

You can go to https://gloryscapes.com/thelordsprayer/ to watch the The Lord’s Prayer video devotional.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Friday, July 11, 2025, we currently have a $1,863 need for July 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

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.

CALL A HALT TO WORRY!

Matthew 6:27 – Devotional

Matthew 6:27

“It is impossible for anyone to add a fraction of an inch to their height by worrying. So call a halt to worry.”

Listen to Pastor Cecil’s Message of the Week & Prayer by clicking above on the play button.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Please CLICK ON the Donate button below if you feel led to help us financially with Pastor Cecil’s ministry. As of today, Sunday, June 22, 2025, we currently have a $1,524 need for June 2025 (was $2,000). To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can help us by viewing Pastor Cecil’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and subscribing to it. Thanks so much!

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.

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD!

Matthew 26:39 – Devotional

Matthew 26:39

“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.“

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

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD!
Lyrics by Adelaide A. Pollard (1862-1934) & Music by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945)

Have Thine own way, Lord,
Have Thine own way;
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mould me and make me
After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord,
Have Thine own way;
Search me and try me,
Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord,
Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence
Humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord,
Have Thine own way;
Wounded and weary,
Help me, I pray.
Power, all power,
Surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me,
Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord,
Have Thine own way;
Hold o’er my being
Absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit
Till all shall see
Christ only, always,
Living in me.

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

You can go to https://gloryscapes.com/havethineownwaylord/ to watch the Have Thine Own Way, Lord! video devotional.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Thank you! As of today, 5/30/25, our needs are met for May 2025 (was $2,000). If you wish, you can help us get a head start on June 2025. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

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YOUR GREATEST TREASURE​​​​​​!

Matthew 6:19 – Devotional

Matthew 6:19

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

At times it seems the entire world is on the verge of financial collapse. Retirement accounts that once seemed to be adequate for the golden years melt like a snowman in 80 degree weather! Those of us who possess the least seem to be the least concerned. Why is that? According to today’s Scripture, it has to do with where our heart is.

Over the years I have heard excuses from people who fail to honor God with their giving. They say that they want to wait until … the house sells … they get a raise … they receive their inheritance … they receive their income tax refund … and on it goes. They claim that when their circumstances change they will have more to give to the work of the Lord.

Do you recall the incident when Jesus was in the temple courts? You can read about it in Luke 21:1-4. Jesus saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a widow put in a very small amount. Jesus observed that the woman had put in more than all of the others. They gave out of their surplus, but she gave out of what little she had to live on.

It is a tragedy that many individuals (even some churches) place more confidence in the treasures of this world that will pass away than in heavenly treasures that will last forever and forever. What is your greatest treasure?

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

P.S. – Donate – Thank you! As of today, 5/27/25, our needs are met for May 2025 (was $2,000). If you wish, you can help us get a head start on June 2025. To read about how the money is used, please go to https://DailyEvotional.com/donations/

P.P.S. – You can help us by viewing Pastor Cecil’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyevotional/videos and subscribing to it. Thanks so much!

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s DailyEvotional emails by clicking on the Subscribe button b.

You can 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.