OTHERS!

Philippians 2:3 –  Devotional

Philippians 2:3

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

We live in a dog-eat-dog world that glorifies individual desires above the concern to serve others. Self-help gurus stress the importance of glorifying self regardless of what others think or feel. The message of the cross is one of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.

It is interesting that we do not have to learn self-centered behavior. We come into the world kicking and screaming to be fed or changed at any and all hours of the day or night. We can tolerate that behavior in infants, but sadly we have grown adults that still express that same behavior.

I am sad to say that we have Christians who also display this pattern of life. They are not so much interested in serving others but in having others serve them. I am always impressed by Stephen who was chosen to serve tables set for widows and orphans. That did not restrict him from preaching the cross and led his being able to give his life for the sake of Christ. May we all live for Christ and for others!

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.

I CAN DO IT!

Philippians 4:12-13 –  Devotional

Philippians 4:12-13

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I can recall many years ago when I was just a lad, thinking that I could accomplish some feat that was actually beyond my boyish ability. When my dad offered to do it I would refuse his help and say, “I can do it!” I was usually wrong!

I fear that many times we find ourselves in the same spiritual quandary. We try to do things our way, on our terms, and on our schedule. We fail to wait for the Lord to give us the approval and seem to feel that we can wait until we make a mess of things before we call upon Him to help us.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi and to us in our day, what he has experienced in his ministry. There has been good times and desperate times. The vital lesson that he wants to share with us is that God uses both the good times and the not so good times to get the glory and accomplish His purposes.

If you have not discovered the power God brings as we go through the tough times, get prepared for a rich blessing! God always gets the victory!

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.

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER!

Philippians 4:4-6 Devotional

Philippians 4:4-6

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and also was able to quote large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses as the Lord laid the words upon his heart. Above all—he was a man of prayer.

In the mid 1800(s), Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.

One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

1. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief; and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, of those whose anxious spirits burn, with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place, where God my Savior shows His face, and gladly take my station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

4. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, to seize the everlasting prize; and shout, while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!

Enjoy this free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. To access Sweet Hour of Prayer, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer/

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.

OUR THOUGHT LIFE! – 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.”

As a Juvenile Probation Officer I used to ask my probationers what in the world they were thinking when they committed the offense that led to their arrest? The answer was usually that they were not thinking. That was actually not true. More accurately they were thinking they could get by without being caught. BEEEP!

In similar fashion we often make excuses to the Lord as to why in the world we commit the sinful acts that we do. The answer is that we were thinking worldly and fleshly thoughts rather than those of a spiritual nature. Paul encourages the church at Philippi as well as all of us today to redirect our thought life to the things that are of spiritual value and that will last for eternity.

Let me briefly leave you with this question. How does YOUR thought life compare with what we read in Philippians 4:8? It is time we start directing our thought life to the things of the Lord!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil