by Pastor Cecil | Sep 28, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
II Corinthians 11:6-7
“I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?”
Several years ago, Joyce and I had just stepped into an elevator on the third floor of a hospital. I had pressed the button for the ninth floor, when a lady rushed in. She looked at me with a broad smile and said, “First floor please.” I laughed and said, I’m sorry but I just pushed the button to go up to nine.” Instead of being disgusted, she quickly replied, “Well then, I will just go along for the ride!”
Life is often like that. We are all prepared to go one direction, when we suddenly find ourselves on the opposite course. We have two choices; we can either go along for the ride and be used where the Lord leads, or we can get off and stand by waiting for the next elevator to come along.
I know that this is a drastic over simplification, but I hope you capture some thread of meaning that will apply to your present situation.
Paul freely admits his lack of training as a speaker—but God used him to become a mighty proclaimer of the truth. His evangelistic fervor elevated people to higher levels. The lost were saved and the weak were made strong in the faith. He may have felt that he was being lowered, but it was so that others may rise.
It is not our “ability” that makes the difference, but our “availability.” When we depend on our ability it is usually more of a handicap than an asset, at least when it comes to serving the Lord. Why? Because we almost always focus attention on ourselves instead of placing our trust in the Lord.
As I prepare these daily epistles, my constant prayer is that you may be elevated and may come to rely more and more upon the Lord. I just checked my log, and since September 15, 2000 I have written 1904 Daily-E-Votionals. The hours each day that are required have not been a burden, but a blessing.
Many of you have graciously written to share how a particular Daily-E was just what you needed to make it through a difficult time. I want to let you know that it is certainly not to my credit, it is God who is responsible. I simply push the buttons.
My challenge to each of us is that we will recognize that we are called to be God’s elevator operators. We are not to take people down, but to elevate them to higher levels of spiritual growth than ever before!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 27, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Romans 8:22-25
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
As I read these words, there are two thoughts which enter my mind. Both have to do with children. The first is a scene of an orphanage. One of the children was a small boy named Billy. He had a twisted leg and was not able to do the things the other children could do.
From time to time prospective parents entered the orphanage to adopt a child to be their own. When these prospective parents arrived at the orphanage, the more gifted children would run and leap. They tried to show how healthy and fit they were in order to be chosen.
One by one the others were taken, but Billy was overlooked. He was not depressed, in his heart he knew that one day he would be selected—but it would have to be a special family who would choose him just as he was. He could only wait!
The day finally arrived. Billy saw a couple walking up the long walk way leading to the orphanage. He was struck by the fact that this couple was not like the others he had seen make that walk toward the building. The man had a cane and was limping. He was crippled just like Billy!
The other children laughed and leaped as they always did, but this time it was different. The man’s eyes swept across the room and saw Billy. Billy was sitting on a stool, but his twisted leg was still very noticeable. The man motioned for Billy to come to him. As Billy made his way across the room, he was struck by the look of sympathetic love in the eyes of the man and his wife.
The man lifted one of his pant legs to reveal a leg which looked just like Billy’s. He took Billy in his arms and told him that many years before he had been in such an orphanage and knew the heartache of not being chosen. He had spent most of his early years in an orphanage because he had been rejected. He vowed that when he was married, he would find a boy who needed someone special. He asked Billy if he would like to come into their home and be their son. Billy could only cry and hug their necks.
The second scene is not so dramatic. I picture a Billy in the back seat of the family car which has been traveling for many hours. He is so eager to see his new home that he can hardly wait. Frequently through the journey, Billy leans forward to ask of his new parents, “Are we there yet?” The reply is, “Just a little while longer. Be patient, it will be worth the wait. You are going to love your new home. We have prepared it especially for you!”
In like manner, we have a wonderful Savior who has experienced everything we experience. He has come to us and invited us to be with Him in His Father’s house. There is no need to be concerned about how long the trip seems to be or the pain that we experience – we just need to rest in Him and realize that our hope is in Him!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 26, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 19:25-26
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked’ ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ “
What had Jesus just said that caused the disciples to be so astonished and question who could be saved? It is evident that Jesus had just dropped a spiritual bombshell on His disciples. We are caught up in the middle of an incident as we read this passage.
To bring us up to speed, let me fill you in on the incident. Jesus had just been speaking to a rich young man who had great wealth and who had lived a righteous life. He asked what good thing he needed to do in order to insure eternal life? Jesus told him to go, sell all of his possessions and follow Him. The young man went away in sorrow because he had great wealth.
Now it is clear that Jesus’ words to this young man in no way excluded wealthy people from heaven. Many who had great riches have been God’s precious saints. The crux of the problem is when people rely upon their wealth to bring them eternal happiness. The disciples had a hard time accepting this. Not that wealth was the issue, but here was a young man who had followed all of the laws of Moses carefully, yet when he was weighed in the balances—he was found wanting.
Do you ever feel that way? Does it frequently seem that you need to “DO” something in order to merit God’s grace and mercy? There are many situations in our lives that almost defy understanding. It is not necessary for us to understand the unknowable, but to obey what the Lord teaches us. What seems to be an impossibility to us, may be God’s plan to show forth His power and majesty.
Moses was a perfect case in point. He was born at a time when boy babies were all to be killed at birth—yet he ended up, not only being spared, but was raised in Pharaoh’s own household. Then having been educated in all of the ways of Egypt. According to Hebrews 11:24-25; “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.”
He turned his back on the “easy” life and chose to place his life in danger to defend his own Hebrew people. After defending one of his own people, he fled and hid for forty years in a far country. But God had not even started using him yet. It was preparation time. In God’s timing he was sent back to Pharaoh’s court to demand the release of all the Hebrew people.
Think about the absurdity of that request. No sane ruler would release approximately 2 million slaves who had been used and abused for centuries. Yet not only did Pharaoh release them, but the Egyptians showered them with gifts and riches before they started their Exodus. I could go on, but I think you get the idea that with God all things are possible.
Are there seemingly impossible situations in your life? Do you despair at ever having an answer to your prayer? I am coming to understand that prayer means to “inquire of the Lord.” It is not our telling God what to do and when to do it–rather it is inquiring of Him what His plans are and how we can fit in to those plans.
The rich young ruler did not see the big picture. He placed his confidence on his possessions and walked away from the Lord in dismay. He wanted immediate answers and was not willing to obey when Jesus called him to follow. Remember how long Moses waited? Inquire of the Lord as you rest in the Him.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 25, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Luke 12:19-21
“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
How would you feel and what would you do if you knew that your life would end today? Would you go about your activities as you do now? What actions would you take with eternity stretching out before you? Who would you contact to make sure their heart was right with God?
When I was a pastor in a neighboring community, I had a dear friend, Dr. Ludwig Eskildsen. He was a former pastor who had been born and raised in Denmark. He shared with me one day about what his life was like during World War II, when the Nazi’s occupied his country. A very wicked Nazi commander in their area became angry at the Christian ministers. He issued an order that all of the pastors were to be arrested the following day and executed.
Word of the commander’s order leaked out and the pastors were faced with about twenty-four hours left to live. Dr. E described his feelings during that dreadful time. Things which had seemed so important before had little importance in view of one’s impending death.
One incident which he related seemed extremely insightful. The family owned a very costly vase which was placed on display on a table in the living room. Dr. E and his wife often cautioned the children if they played too close to the table. That vase was precious and must be protected against accident.
On this dreadful day–thinking it may be his last–Dr. E saw his daughter walking dangerously close to the table. He was about to shout a warning as he had in the past. At that instant he realized that it really did not matter. He very well could be dead by this time tomorrow! Instead he called the child over to him and gave her a warm embrace.
As the Christians prayed, God intervened and in answer to their prayer, the wicked commander was ordered back to Berlin. The order which he had issued was never executed.
I often stop to wonder about the “vases” in my life. What are the things which seem so important to me but upon closer examination hold no eternal value?
It is interesting that Jesus uses the words, “- – – rich toward God.” This is in opposition to storing up things for ourselves. What does it mean to be rich toward God? Many Scriptures may hold the answer, but there is one which is uppermost in my mind.
As a boy growing up a few blocks from a Christian college, I recall the college sign board at the corner of the campus. The body of the sign contained in large letters the name of the college. Across the top of the sign in smaller letters was a Scripture. Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
To me, that sums up being rich toward God. Not seeking Him as an after thought, but as the Scripture says, seeking Him FIRST. I want that to be my aim in life regardless of the time God calls me home.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 24, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
II Corinthians 12:8-10
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me (his thorn in the flesh). But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Pay attention! This is the Apostle Paul writing the words in today’s Scripture. We often hear many say that it is always God’s will for His children to be healed, but we note in this passage that this is not the case. Why is that? I think that there may be many reasons—one of which is pride.
We frequently observe great displays of pride in some who boast of themselves as healing evangelists. Anytime we observe a minister stressing a single issue such as healing, they are not preaching the whole Word of God. Yes, God does send healing, but it is to bring honor and glory to Him. No one is to share that glory with Him.
Paul sets us straight. God’s grace is sufficient for any and every situation. Paul prayed with all of his might for healing, but God said no! Not just once, but three times. The Lord wanted Paul to understand that it is in the weakness—in the thorns of life that His power is made evident.
There is always a question in my mind about the longevity of healing. Our dearest daughter, Brenda who ascended to be with the Lord in 1991, was gloriously healed. Brenda had frequently commented that if she were healed people would rush to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
God graciously touched her and raised her up out of her hospital bed. Her recovery was so pronounced that all who saw her make the turn around were amazed. But it was only temporary. Her temporary healing was so remarkable that the local newspaper did an article of how her faith had given her a reprieve from her imminent death.
But people did not flock to the Lord. As far as I know, not one single person became a believer because of her healing. God’s special touch was a special gift to her and to those of God’s family who could see His power displayed. There came a day when her eyes closed for the last time in this life, to open to sights which we can only imagine. Her homegoing was so rich that we could not help but rejoice with her and for her.
We never want to stand in the way of God’s plan. Across the years since Brenda went to be with the Lord, many still recall her courage and dedication to the Lord. She probably witnessed to more people through her death than through her life.
As believers, in and through, the power of Jesus Christ, it is time to allow God to use us right where we are. We do not need to tell God what to do—He knows what is best! Completely surrender to Him and His will which is far greater than trying to orchestrate our own life.
If you have been waiting for strength, or power, or healing, or special gifts — read again this passage of Scripture. God’s message to Paul, as well as to us, is that we allow our weakness and inability to be the launching pad for God’s grace to pour out to those He wants to touch. Can you do that? Good! That is all he wants of us — not so much our ability, but our availability!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
