by Pastor Cecil | Aug 17, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 1:3-4
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs.”
If you have been reading the Daily-E-Votionals for anytime at all, you will know that I love eagles and watching the International Space Station/Shuttle pass overhead. For the past few days there have been two viewing opportunities. The first is around 9:15 p.m. and the second about 10:45 p.m. (I have a service which provides me with the viewing opportunities for my area).
On the first pass I am able to catch sight of the Station and docked Shuttle low in the western sky. This speck of light becomes brighter and brighter as it approaches, and the angle is such that the sun’s illumination makes it the brightest object in the sky, apart from the moon.
The second pass is very different. This time the sun is farther down in the west and as such, I am able to watch as the Station passes into orbital sunset and then fades into the night. Last night on the second pass, the transformation from light to dark occurred directly overhead. It was an inspiring sight.
As I came back inside the house, I was mindful of a spiritual parallel. The believer’s light source is not in his or her own actions, but what the Lord shines into their life. Just as Jesus was, “- – the radiance of God’s glory,” so we are called to shine forth with the illumination of His presence in our life.
To illustrate what this means, a precious friend and former church member sent this account along to me today:
“You are always telling us to obey the calling of the Holy Spirit. This morning I had to run to town in connection with my work. After I finished my errands I was ready to head back to work when I got a strong feeling to stop at a store and get some pop and popcorn from the snack bar. I wasn’t hungry or thirsty and didn’t really feel like taking another 10 minutes to do that but the “calling” was so strong that I obeyed.
When I got back on the highway, I was the first person at a terrible accident. The driver had totaled his pick-up and had just gotten out when I pulled up. He was bleeding heavily so I used my cell phone to call the police and paramedics. While I was waiting I found a plastic snow shovel that came out of his vehicle so I was able to scoop all the glass off the road and do traffic control.
Had I not made that stop for snacks I would have missed the accident. I guess God wanted me to help out with the accident this morning so the shaken-up guy wouldn’t have to wait for help alone. We never know what is in store for us when we obey the calling.”
It thrilled me to read how God had placed a delay in her schedule to do His work. I can almost visualize the reflection from the Lord gleaming off her. It was not what she had done, (that was noteworthy), but that God had used that delay.
As we sail silently through the dark skies of this old sin sick world, I pray that each of us will turn our eyes upon Him. As we do, His brilliance will be seen in us. We must stay close to Him for He is the source of our light.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 17, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 1:3-4
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs.”
If you have been reading the Daily-E-Votionals for anytime at all, you will know that I love eagles and watching the International Space Station/Shuttle pass overhead. For the past few days there have been two viewing opportunities. The first is around 9:15 p.m. and the second about 10:45 p.m. (I have a service which provides me with the viewing opportunities for my area).
On the first pass I am able to catch sight of the Station and docked Shuttle low in the western sky. This speck of light becomes brighter and brighter as it approaches, and the angle is such that the sun’s illumination makes it the brightest object in the sky, apart from the moon.
The second pass is very different. This time the sun is farther down in the west and as such, I am able to watch as the Station passes into orbital sunset and then fades into the night. Last night on the second pass, the transformation from light to dark occurred directly overhead. It was an inspiring sight.
As I came back inside the house, I was mindful of a spiritual parallel. The believer’s light source is not in his or her own actions, but what the Lord shines into their life. Just as Jesus was, “- – the radiance of God’s glory,” so we are called to shine forth with the illumination of His presence in our life.
To illustrate what this means, a precious friend and former church member sent this account along to me today:
“You are always telling us to obey the calling of the Holy Spirit. This morning I had to run to town in connection with my work. After I finished my errands I was ready to head back to work when I got a strong feeling to stop at a store and get some pop and popcorn from the snack bar. I wasn’t hungry or thirsty and didn’t really feel like taking another 10 minutes to do that but the “calling” was so strong that I obeyed.
When I got back on the highway, I was the first person at a terrible accident. The driver had totaled his pick-up and had just gotten out when I pulled up. He was bleeding heavily so I used my cell phone to call the police and paramedics. While I was waiting I found a plastic snow shovel that came out of his vehicle so I was able to scoop all the glass off the road and do traffic control.
Had I not made that stop for snacks I would have missed the accident. I guess God wanted me to help out with the accident this morning so the shaken-up guy wouldn’t have to wait for help alone. We never know what is in store for us when we obey the calling.”
It thrilled me to read how God had placed a delay in her schedule to do His work. I can almost visualize the reflection from the Lord gleaming off her. It was not what she had done, (that was noteworthy), but that God had used that delay.
As we sail silently through the dark skies of this old sin sick world, I pray that each of us will turn our eyes upon Him. As we do, His brilliance will be seen in us. We must stay close to Him for He is the source of our light.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 16, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
I Timothy 5:1-3
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”
Isn’t it hard to be around people who are ungrateful, perhaps even presumptuous, rather than being thankful? Such people usually complain about anything and everything and are never satisfied. They appear to be greedy and act as if they deserve more than they are given. They are “takers” instead of “givers”.
We need to develop an attitude of thankfulness for all things and in all things. We should keep our eyes peeled for the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love in every situation. In Philippians 4:11, the Apostle Paul could rejoice in his adversity since he knew that the Lord would work all things for His divine purposes. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Some time ago someone forwarded a story called, “The Wooden Bowl.” It shows clearly how easily we replace the value of relationships with the convenience of our lives.
WOODEN BOWL— (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy)
“A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
“The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor………!!”
“So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes they saw a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
“The four-year-old watched it all in silence……….Then, One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
“The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. No word was spoken but tears streamed down their cheeks and both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.”
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. Remember the saying “Children are like sponges, they absorb everything and anything that is put in front of them.”
I pray that each of us will be more giving and forgiving. Make a commitment to be thankful for people and situations around us. Rather that finding fault, let’s find meaning and purpose. Rather than finding affronts, let’s find a fountain of divine provision.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 15, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 139:1-4
“O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.”
Life is a constantly changing scene with countless variables. Over the years I have been aware that God works in many unexpected ways. I once was called by a local funeral director to conduct a service. I thanked the Lord for this cherished ministry. It would once again allow me to minister to a family I had never met, and bring the message of hope to the grieving.
I recall Bill Gothard sharing at an Institute In Basic Life Principles, that one way you can discern your spiritual gift is that you have the ability to perform the task without growing weary. I was thinking about that as I drove to meet the family. I felt the strength of the Lord flow through me.
The other aspect that I have been thinking about is the confirmation of the Holy Spirit. What do I mean by that? It is the unexpected circumstances which almost explode with irony.
It was a delight to the family to learn that my family had originated in the area of the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle region. Before long, the five of us were laughing and recalling many things about that area. It also made the funeral service much more personal. I felt as if I could picture this man I had never met, but for whom I would be conducting a funeral service.
As we talked about the illness which had caused the death, I shared about the passing of our own dear daughter in 1991. I shared how Brenda had been healed many times, but that healing is always temporary. I then made a statement that shocked me. (Now that is something – for me to be shocked!). I said that healing is not the real miracle, faith is the real miracle. It was as if I had slapped the face of a niece of the deceased.
The man’s daughter said, “That is the most fantastic thing!” I was shocked by her reaction. She went on to explain that she had heard the same phrase used in the past few days and was moved by it. Now I had spoken the same words -without planning what I was going to say.
I sincerely believe that there are no coincidences where the believer in Christ is concerned. The Lord knows our life intimately. He knows how we can be used to touch others. How do we do that? It is not us, but the Holy Spirit working through us to say the right thing at the right time.
I have experienced many of these divinely directed encounters, such as I have just related, in my life. As I think back, they all occur when I have been the most actively involved in deep study of God’s Word. I love to study God’s Word, but I also like to investigate the circumstances surrounding the passage I am studying. Having done that, I try to apply it to my own life or the life of others.
The other thing that strikes me is that we must avoid contrivance. It is not necessary or advisable to plot and plan, and then make it appear to be inspired. We have been exposed to too much phony spirituality. People need to see the dynamic and authentic Word lived out in the lives of His people.
Here is my suggestion for us all. Covenant with God (covenants are to the death) to spend quality time in study meditation and prayer. Be natural, talk freely and give yourselves without reservation to the one you are talking with. You may not receive the feedback as I mentioned, but you will bless others!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 14, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 19:1-4
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
What does that mean? So many times we read Scripture and fail to grasp that the God who has made all things is trying to tell us something special. Isaiah 40:26 tells us the Lord knows each of the stars by name. So what is so great about that? Let me tell you just how great that is.
It has been estimated that there are some 100,000 million stars in our galaxy alone – not even considering other galaxies. If we were to count each of those stars, working day and night, no breaks of any kind, it would take some 2,500 years. Yet God knows them each by name.
I am indebted to the ministry of Chuck Missler. In his book, “Cosmic Codes,” pages 201-202, he relates the significance of the Zodiac. Before the twelve stations of the zodiac were perverted by astrologers, they were each assigned to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Chuck points out the false notion that ancient astronomers could see figures in these constellations. There is no way the groupings look like the objects they are named. The star groupings however do send a powerful message.
The zodiac in the ceiling of the Jewish temple is the story of the messiah. It starts in Virgo, with the virgin birth and ends in Leo, he is the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Because the stars move during the month, they create a mini movie or story.
One of those twelve signs is the constellation, “Virgo.” (virgin). The constellation is said to depict a young woman with a branch in her right hand and a sheaf of grain in her left. I urge you to purchase Chuck’s book and go into a much more in-depth study than I will do here.
To greatly simplify things let me just give you some of the stars in the constellation Virgo, along with their historical meaning:
Spica = “Corn of Wheat;” in Hebrew this also is given the meaning – “Seed of Woman.”
Tsemeck = “The Branch.” (The title of the Messiah).
Zavijaveh = “The Gloriously Beautiful.” or “Who Shall Have Dominion.”
Coma = “The Desired One.”
Centaurus = “The Despised One.” In Egyptian, it is “The Desired Son.” and is usually depicted as a woman with an infant. (What is a woman with an infant doing in the sign of the virgin?) It is of interest that there is a double nature embedded in the idea of the sin offering of the despised one and at the same time being a ruling King.
Bootes = “The Coming One.” Bootes also includes the principal stars; Arcturus (He cometh); Al Katuropos (the branch that is trodden under foot); Mirac (preserver, guarding); Muphride (he who separates); and Nekkar (the Pierced One).
Considering this, does God speak messages to us from the stars? The answer is a resounding–Yes! This one constellation (Virgo) speaks volumes concerning the office and work of our Savior Jesus Christ. Chuck Missler adds that the sign of Virgo is associated with the tribe of Zebulun, where Nazareth is located. Jesus was often referred to as “The Nazarene.” A Nazarite was also a separated one.
As we reflect on the incredible order and design of God’s universe, we marvel once again at the idea that He loved us so much that Jesus Christ came to provide our salvation. In the darkness of our world, we may feel overwhelmed. With all of the sin and degradation we may feel there is no hope. It may be a setting sun, but when the stars begin to appear in the sky, it is – – “God’s Twilight Zone!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
