JESUS THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE​!

Philippians 1:21 – Devotional

Philippians 1:21

“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.“

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During a time that history calls the “Dark Ages” the church was in confusion. Christianity had become degenerate and corrupt. Moral standards of the people were a disgrace and shame. But God always has for Himself a remnant of true believers. One of those was Bernard of Clairvaux.

God used this man to pen the words to some devotional poems that have become some of our finest hymns, and today’s hymn “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.”

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JESUS THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far Thy face to see,
and in Thy presence rest.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
nor tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is,
none but His loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
as Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
and through eternity.

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CLICK HERE to watch the Jesus the Very Thought of Thee video devotional from GloryScapes.com.

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

– – – Pastor Cecil

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THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS!

Philippians 4:8 – Devotional

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.“

There used to be series of capital letters that seemed irrational until you grasped the meaning: GIGO. These letters meant: GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT! What we fill our minds with will result in the actions we take.

We live in a world that is like a cesspool of sin and depravity. That means we must be on guard constantly lest we be swept away with the ugliness that is so prevalent that it seems to have become the norm rather than the exception.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul is giving them practical advice to be able to contend with the sin that surrounds. He stresses that our thought life determines our actions. What we choose to put into our mind will determine how we act.

What about your thought life? Are you making an effort to spend time in God’s Word and edifying things? Do you set aside time each and every day for your personal devotions and communion with the Lord? THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become 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.

DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE?

Philippians 2:3 – Devotional

Philippians 2:3

“Let each of you value others above yourselves.“

If your kids are anything like our kids, they went through a stage of independence. They wanted to do things themselves, even when they were not able to accomplish the task they were attempting. Kids are not alone in acting independently.

I once went golfing with my father-in-law and two of his regular golfing mates. I had never been on the links before, but since I was far younger than the others, I felt that I could hold my own. I stood at the first tee and gave a mighty swing! I missed the ball completely! On the next mighty swing I struck the ball, only to have it dribble a few feet from the tee. It was a very long and humiliating day. The others enjoyed the day as I was providing them with great entertainment.

On this day, July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day. While we may rejoice in the freedoms that our forefathers fought to assure us, it is vital that we remember that we never are to live independently. WE NEED EACH OTHER!

Not only do we need each other, we must have the Lord in control of our lives. In Acts 17:28 we are reminded; “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Our independent attitude ends with our total dependence on Him. HAPPY DEPENDENCE DAY!

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 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.

HUMBLY CONFIDENT​!

Philippians 4:12-13 – Devotional

Philippians 4:12-13

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.“

As improbable as it may seem, I once played football. I played center on offense and linebacker on defense. As a matter of fact I scored one touchdown as a center during my high school years. For those of you who are not familiar with the rules of football, the only eligible receivers are those at each end of the line of scrimmage or in the backfield.

So how did it happen? Our team was ahead and we had a silly play that we had worked out. Everyone on our team was lined up to the left of me, which made me eligible. As the other team went for the receivers on the other side of the field, I was wide open. The ball fluttered to me in the end zone and it was a touchdown. Even the referees had to have it explained to them before they allowed the score. We all laughed at the absurdity of the play.

In the modern world of college and professional football, it has become such a spectacle of strutting and showing-off after a score that a penalty is now assessed. This display of pride is actually ugly and repulsive to just about everyone except the one who is flaunting his score.

So, is pride ever appropriate for the believer? I think it is, but there is a huge qualifier. It is not pride in ourselves, but pride in how great and mighty the Lord is. He is worthy of adoration and praise! We have nothing for which we can take pride. According to Isaiah 64:6: “All of our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Our pride is not in anything we do ourselves, but in what a God does in spite of us.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely 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.

RELAX AND GIVE THANKS!

Philippians 4:6 – Devotional

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be covered with anxiety about your situation, but in every detail of your life, with prayer and supplication, with thanks in your heart, let your requests be lifted to God.“

Listen to today’s Message of the Week, “Relax and Give Thanks!” followed by Pastor Cecil’s Prayer 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.

OUR TRUE CITIZENSHIP!

Philippians 3:20 – Devotional

Philippians 3:20

“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.“

I reside in Tumwater, Washington, however my zip code is the same as Olympia, Washington. There are instances where a person’s place of residence is in an area that shows a different location than where they actually reside.

There are certain localities in the world where a person’s residence is nearer a town or city in another nation. One road, river, or railroad can make a distinction as to how an address is determined.

When I was stationed in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada, I had a mail box with a Canadian address. Mail sent to that address came to me, but I was not a Canadian citizen. I was only a temporary resident.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we are citizens of heaven. We may have a temporary address here in this world, but our forever home is celestial and eternal. I frequently find myself homesick for a place I have never been, but I will reside there forever and ever. That is my real citizenship!

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.