by Pastor Cecil | Sep 21, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
I Thessalonians 5:1-4
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”
A few mornings ago at 5:45 a.m. I stirred from slumber and rose to start writing on the Daily-E-Votional. It seemed unusually dark compared to what I had been used to. After about thirty minutes I looked at the time on my desk top screen and realized that I had risen at 4:45 a.m., not 5:45 a.m.
It dawned on me (no pun intended) that autumnal equinox will occur this Sunday morning. This is when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south. This marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. This is interesting since many of our readers are in the Southern Hemisphere and eagerly await the warmth and beauty of spring.
We know that the seasons change on a regular basis somewhere near, March 21st, June 21st, September 21st and December 21st. Each date marks a change in the seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. That is what Paul was indicating in this letter to the church at Thessalonica. We know the seasons of the year, and we also know the spiritual sign of the end of the age, so what are we doing about it?
The sinfulness on mankind is great and seems to get worse with each passing day. Sins that are abhorrent to God are commonly accepted in our modern world. The values of righteousness and godliness are more and more ridiculed as being out of date and made to seem unacceptable to many people.
All we have to do is read Genesis 18 and 19 to observe the anger of God toward the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The sins themselves cried out to God for judgment. The cities were totally destroyed as a result of their sin. How can we think that God will react in a different manner toward the prevalent sins of this age?
All around us we see the signs which the prophets of old have foretold would announce the time of the end. We need to be more committed to doing the Lord’s work than ever before. None of us know when the season will change and the time of the Tribulation will be upon us. Let’s be busy at the task of making disciples of those around us.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 20, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
II Peter 3:13-14
“But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.”
Just prior to this passage, Peter was speaking of the day of the Lord, when heaven and earth would be destroyed with fervent heat and a new heaven and a new earth would appear. In light of this prophecy of the destruction of things as we know them, he asks this question in verse 11: “What kind of people ought you to be?”
We live in a world of conflict, pain and destruction, and the future looks even more bleak. In light of all of this, what kind of people should we be? How would you answer that question? What attitude or behavior do you think would be an answer to Peter’s question?
As I think on the question, the word harmony comes to mind. It is interesting that earlier in this same chapter, the apostle Peter gives us his answer: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” Look at those terms: Be sympathetic. Am I sympathetic? Love as brothers. Do I possess brotherly love? Be compassionate and humble. Do I give freely of myself because others need to be enfolded with unconditional love that comes from the Father?
In a world where there is bickering, arguing, conflict, fights and war, we need peace and harmony. It is vital that in the midst of the stormy seas of life we can know peace and live in harmony with those around us. (Even the knot-heads— no, especially the knot-heads).
God has never promised us that He was going to change our world and give us pleasant, darling people to live with. Don’t expect that to happen! We are stuck with the ones we have.
Jesus prayed to His Father before His crucifixion. He prayed about you and me. His prayer was very significant. He prayed that we not be taken out of the world, but that the Lord would be with us in the world. Listen to His words in John 17:15-17: “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 19, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Acts 7:59-60
“While they were stoning him, Stephan prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.”
I think it was back in 2002 when the world read of the death on June 9th of Martin Burnham, in the Philippines. What was not reported by the world press was the spiritual nature of his sacrifice. I received a message which was from one of the missionaries who served with him.
Martin’s wife, Gracia, who survived the ordeal, told about their abduction and being held hostage for more than a year. During that time, Martin was a living example of Jesus Christ to his captors. Each night as they chained him to a tree, he spoke kindly to them and wished them a good night’s sleep. He was even able to confront, eye to eye, the commander of these rebels, and share that one day he would have to appear before Jesus Christ and answer for his sins. That, my friend, is courage!
On their last day together before his death, Martin was sharing with Gracia about the time they had been held hostage. He said that it was a hard year, but a good year and that even if they did not get out alive, they could still serve the Lord with gladness. Wow!
There are reports from many parts of the world that Christians have been, and even now, called to give their lives for the sake of Christ. It is not something that is easy or that comes naturally, but when the time comes, God is there to supply His grace. Such was the case with Stephan in today’s Scripture.
As I read these comments of one who endured rigors and hardships, I think of the many times we have used excuses to keep from serving the Lord. We are too busy for prayer, too tired to read and study God’s Word, too shy to tell others about Christ, too – – too – – too! Always some excuse not to do for the Lord what He says for us to do.
Here is a chilling report from several years ago about the death of a Christian student in Kashmir. Here is the message:
“With deep sadness we inform you that a student from our GFA Bible school in Indian-controlled Kashmir has been murdered. Details are still sketchy, but our missionaries and field leaders believe that local Muslim extremists are responsible for his death.
The slain brother belonged to a group of GFA Bible school students who are ministering among the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the Pakistan/India border under the threat of war. Although the senior GFA leader who oversees the Kashmir region had instructed all of our missionaries and students to leave the area, 47 of them chose to stay behind and be a witness for the Lord. Even now they are scattered along the border areas of Kashmir, preaching the Gospel to the refugees and assisting them in practical ways.
These students are studying at a GFA Bible school located just five kilometers from the Pakistan border, where there has been much unrest almost daily. Before the Afghan war prompted by 9/11, few Muslim extremists were creating strife in the area. Since then, however, dozens of groups like Al-Qaeda have moved in and are causing much unrest. Recently some GFA missionaries narrowly escaped death when a bus they had just stepped off of exploded.
To date, GFA native missionaries have planted many churches and mission stations in Kashmir, a predominately Muslim area. Please pray for God’s protection for these dear believers and our GFA brothers as they face strong persecution. And continue to pray for peace between India and Pakistan. Millions of lives are at stake.”
We certainly can pray for the situations around the world, but we have our own mission field. That field is right where we are. It is with the members of our family, our friends, the people we work with, our neighbors, the clerks in stores—you name it—if they are near us, we can show the love of Jesus by our actions.
Oh—there is also the matter of worshiping together with fellow believers. How is it that we have time for play, rest, chores, etc., but cannot squeeze in the time to gather with other believers to worship? You will have to come up with an answer to that one yourself when Christ asks you. Good luck!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 18, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Philippians 1:12-14
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
In my mind’s eye I would think that the Lord would make the final days on earth easy for the Apostle Paul. This dear old preacher of the gospel had done so much, I could visualize him spending his final days meditating on the Law and Prophets. But that was not the way it was.
Think about it—here was the most dynamic and powerful preacher in the world shackled to a Roman soldier. This man of God who would shake the entire world with his writing, was subjected to terrible ordeals. In II Corinthians 11:24-25, he enumerates some of his ordeals, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.”
Now that, my dear friend, is a “full plate”, so to speak. Not just one excruciating experience, but ordeal after ordeal. The amazing thing is Paul’s response to these trials in his life. He never complained! Not only did he refrain from crying and complaining, he rejoiced that he was counted worthy to suffer!
Perhaps the greatest potential benefit of suffering is to provide a platform to rejoice. Usually we withhold our praise until we experience something pleasant. In doing so we encounter saints of God who whimper and whine about how hard their life is and how Satan is bringing trials into their life.
I can hardly imagine the impact we would have on the unsaved world if we had the same attitude as Paul in his suffering. He was in chains, but that meant that there was a Roman soldier on the other end of the chain. Here was a new soul with whom he could share the good news of the gospel.
Let’s bring the truth of this message into our own lives. What is our response to pain and suffering? Do we name it as an attack of the enemy or as a golden opportunity to rejoice?
“When all the world is bright and grand, it doesn’t take a lot of sand, to shout and laugh to beat the band; But when the going is getting tough, when deep inside we think we’ve had enough. This is the time to take our stand; to remember the scars on His outstretched hand. Consider Him who suffered for us with an undying love; Look to Him dear friend, who has risen above. This is the time to rejoice and praise; He has died for us to take our place.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 17, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Once upon a time there was a young Christian couple named Phil and Marie. They had been married two years and were so happy that they seemed to radiate the love of God. Their love of God was duplicated in the love that they had for each other. They had plans for Phil to pursue his education in order to become a medical doctor and for them to serve as missionaries somewhere as the Lord would lead.
All of this changed dramatically when Phil took an insurance physical examination. When the doctor asked that Marie be with him when he went back for the results, he had a sense of dread. He was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. It was like a physical blow. Phil’s head reeled as he tried to process what the doctor had just said.
As they went back home, they were unusually silent. The radio in their car was tuned to a Christian radio station. It was no accident that the hymn, “God Will Take Care of You”, was playing. It had been years since they had heard it. The second verse seemed designed just for them; “Through days of toil when your heart doth fail, God will take care of you; when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.”
When they arrived back home they immediately sat down at the kitchen table. Phil took Marie’s hands in his and bowed his head to lead in prayer. He committed all their tomorrows to the Lord and promised to live differently than those who have no assurance of eternal life.
This hypothetical narrative is very true in many lives. Some of you readers are going through life and death ordeals in your life right now. It is critical to understand the purpose of God as we go through these times of trial. In today’s Scripture, James is giving the pattern we should follow: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
You’ve got to be kidding, James! How can we react to terrible calamities with pure joy? The answer is that we do it with the help of the Lord and also with spiritual understanding. In this first look at the subject for this week, I want us to consider that it is the way we react to bad news that our Christian character is developed.
We can cry and scream about how unfair life is, but that will never develop Christian character. The alternative is to go before the Lord with great confidence. That confidence is not a demand that we be healed, but that we be used in the way which the Lord desires to use us, and we do it with “pure joy”.
We attend seminars or read books about how to reach the unsaved, yet when adversity strikes, we often behave as the rest of the world. Our true sermons are preached about how we live our life more than saying words–even spiritually sounding words.
James chapter one teaches us that by finding pure joy to devastating situations in our life we will have a profound witness to those around us. I suggest that we meditate on James 1:2-4. We are to show forth a Christ-like attitude toward the hammer blows of life.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
