NO FEAR OF SHADOWS!

Psalm 23:4 –  Devotional

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear of evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.”

I have experienced the walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Many years ago I was being examined by a cardiologist when he suddenly asked if there was anyone in the waiting area that could drive me to the hospital. My wife drove me and within a few hours I had endured heart by-pass surgery. Yeah! Only try it if you require it!

Enduring my own surgery and recovery period was nothing compared to holding watch as my oldest daughter and years later, my beloved wife slip free of the bonds of this sin-sick world into the loving arms of the Lord who loved them with a love far greater than my capacity to love.

If you have walked through, or about to walk through the valley of death, remember that for we believers it is just the shadow of death. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior we passed from death to life. We need have no fear of death for we have received eternal life through Him! Praise the Lord!

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.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!

Psalm 29:2​​ ​ –  Devotional

Psalm 29:2

“Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

There have been times in my life when I have worked in dirt and grime. By the time I had finished my work it seemed that I had been coated with the filth. I could hardly wait to take a shower and clean myself up. In this sin sick world we often need to come near God’s cleansing shower and experience His holiness.

Reginald Heber was born on April 21, 1783 in Cheshire, England, to a heritage of wealth and culture. By the age of five, he had read the Bible so thoroughly that he could give chapter and verse for many chance quotations.

He composed many hymns, but served his entire life without seeing them published. It was only after his death that as many as 57 of his hymns were recognized. It was to the Lord that he dedicated his works. Such is the case with this week’s hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy!

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! tho’ the darkness hide Thee
Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Enjoy this free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. To access Holy, Holy, Holy! Please go to: https://gloryscapes.com /holyholyholy/

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become 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.

BORN SINNERS!

Psalm 56:5​ –  Devotional

Psalm 56:5

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”

In my photo collection is a small black and white photo. It is a little creased, wrinkled and faded (so am I). It is a photograph of me at about the age of four. I am dressed in shorts and casual shirt, standing on a wooden porch.

Even after so many decades I still remember that porch. I had slipped a butcher knife out of the kitchen drawer and sat on the porch whittling away on a piece of wood. Mom saw me and yelled for me to get that knife back in the house. I said I would, but I didn’t. After the second warning I quietly took the knife back in kitchen and then returned to the porch. I took a piece of shingle that was about the same size as the knife and acted like I was still carving.

Suddenly the cloud descended and my mother’s wrath poured down on me. I acted innocent and showed her that it was just a piece of shingle and I was doing nothing wrong. I was wrong and the seat of my pants felt the wrath of my mother whom I should have obeyed.

Even as adults we may try to act innocent when we sin, but in our heart of hearts we know that we have sinned and need forgiveness. Rather than to continue whittling away, we need to confess our sin and receive newness of life.

Blessings dear heart! 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.

BE GLAD IN THE LORD!

Psalm 64:10​ –  Devotional

Psalm 64:10

“The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.”

When I was a boy (a very long time ago) we attended a church that had many colorful members. Some were happy and others usually looked like they had been baptized in vinegar!

I must confess that I tried to stay as far away from the vinegar people as possible. Come to think about it, I seldom saw anyone spend time with them. It was usually just them standing alone and looking mad at the world.

I think it was at that time that I determined I would try to emulate the joyous and happy Christians. As much as I could I would look like I was on my way to my glorious home in heaven, rather than the other way around!

It is question and answer time! What image do we project to those around us? Do we live a radiance that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven and we are on our way to heaven, or are we vinegar people and cause others to wonder where we are headed? BE GLAD IN THE LORD!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become 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.

HIDING IN THEE!

Psalm 18:2 ​ –  Devotional

Psalm 18:2

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

We are told that the persecution of believers around the world is increasing. Many are tortured for their faith and some killed. It has been estimated that there are over 100,000 deaths each year at the hands of the enemies of the cross.

Ira Sankey was a singer and song writer who ministered alongside evangelist D. L. Moody. He had experienced an extended time of trial and tears in his own personal life. It was during this time of agonizing prayer that the song Hiding In Thee was born. I am so thankful that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. It has ministered to many people across the years.

About twenty years after Sankey wrote his beautiful piece, Sergei Rachmaninoff was experiencing many problems in his life. He had a mental block, could not write, and felt useless. After several years of emptiness he broke out of his doldrums and composed his Second Piano Concerto. It is a joy to feature a blending of both works this week. ENJOY!

Hiding in Thee

1. O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

2. In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power,
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

3. How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

Refrain: Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

To access this week’s free inspirational video, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee/

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

– – – 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 LORD IS WORTHY!

Psalm 18:3​ –  Devotional

Psalm 18:3

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.​”

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

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.