by Pastor Cecil | Nov 30, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Philippians 1:3-6
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
A small girl was down on the floor, working with great concentration on a drawing of some sort. Her mother was amused at her intensity. She watched for a few moments and then asked her, “What are you drawing, honey?” Her daughter did not look up from her work as she replied: “I am drawing a picture of God!”
Her mother knelt down on the floor beside the little girl and placed her hand tenderly on her shoulder. “Honey, no one knows what God looks like.” Her daughter seemed unmoved by this comment. She looked up at her mother with an excited look and said, “They will when I am finished!”
I heard that illustration years ago, and have used it many times in sermons or classes. It strikes me that we are all drawing a picture of God by the lives that we live. As I have said so many times before, it is not so much what we say, as how we live, that demonstrates the reality of Christ in us. Sometimes it is easy to be overcome by the ugliness of life and fail to comprhend the beauty of the Lord.
Let me share a beautiful picture of God as painted by the life of one of our subscribers and dear brother in the Lord, named Kenny McClinton. In the 1970’s, Kenny was one of the most feared loyalist killers, but now sees himself as a servant of the most High God. He led from the front; he trained many others in the use of weapons, machine guns and explosives. He would send lethal book bombs to key I.R.A. terrorists, and attempted to murder many of the I.R.A. Brigade Staff and their families!
Again his voice drops as he says, “It was at this time, I am ashamed to say, that I shot and killed two men and attempted to murder a number of others.” Within the prison itself terrorist activities did not stop. In fact, there developed a very strong core of militants who were almost as much a threat to the authorities inside the prison, as they had been outside! Kenny was one of the original instigators of the ‘Loyalist Blanket Brigade’ who refused to wear prison clothes nor follow prison rules.
Within one nine month period he was placed in the punishment cell fifteen times. He was referred to by Prison Staff as ‘that Maniac McClinton’! Looking back on this period of his life Kenny likens himself to the maniac of Gadara in Mark’s Gospel whom nobody could tame.
During his times in solitary confinement in the punishment cells – the floor was black, the walls stark white; the cell bare; and a neon light burned continuously – there was absolutely no means of mental stimulation, so to relieve his utter boredom, Kenny decided to start reading the rather decrepit looking prison issue of the King James Version of the Bible.
As the months passed in solitary confinement on the Loyalist Blanket Protest, Kenny reached the New Testament in his Bible readings and there in those priceless pages of God’s Word, he experienced the great love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and “…things were never quite the same after that…” Describing his experience he said: “What could not be achieved by prison bars, batons, concrete and solitary confinement, was quickly achieved by the matchless love of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was nobody to talk at length with me about God; nobody to fully explain the way to become a Christian – no books, no tracts, no strains of ‘Oh Lamb of God I come’ during a Gospel Mission. There was only my black burden of sin and guilt and shame – and that old black book of books, the Bible.”
Today, the former “maniac McClinton” stands before us, fully clothed, in his right mind, a completely ‘new creature in Christ.’ Behold him and give praise and all glory to the Living Lord God. Amen. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
With dark black colors and a smudged canvas, Kenny McClinton has allowed the beauty of Jesus to come forth with a new picture to show us what God looks like. We all too often place people in prisons of suspicion and doubt. We doubt that they have the ability to ever change. By our judgmental attitude we paint a picture of God that is distorted. I count Kenny McClinton as my dear friend!
We are all drawing our own picture of God. People around us will have a picture of God that is based upon what they see in us — that is if we live our life looking at the Lord and trying to live as He wants us to live. What picture of God will they see by your life? I hope it is a lovely picture.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 29, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 41:7-12
“All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. ‘An evil disease,’ they say, ‘clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.’ Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. But You, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them. By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”
I rejoice at all of the friends that I have made across the years. I have to admit that I make friends easily, and naturally, but I never take these dear friends for granted. I consider my many friends as a very a special gift. But this has not always been the case.
When I was a boy, I did not seem to have friends. Oh, how I longed to have had a friend that was close to me! I spent most of my life feeling that I was unique in not having close friends. But as I matured and talked with more and more people, I came to realize that most people feel they lack true friends, especially when they are growing up.
This passage in Psalm 41 certainly is prophetic of Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it also has personal implications. There are those times in life when our closest friends turn their backs on us and we find ourselves all alone. This is the time when we need to experience the friendship of Jesus who will never leave us or reject us.
Several years ago, a friend of ours gave us a letter he had purchased in a restaurant. He said that when he saw it he felt that it was a perfect gift to give to a friend of his. Enjoy!
FROM A FRIEND
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you.
I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me, too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you—- and I waited. You never came. It hurt me — but I still love you because I am your friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight upon your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You awoke and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.
If you would only listen to me! I love you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in quiet green grass. I whisper it in leaves on the trees and breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in mountain streams, give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s fragrance. My love for you is deeper than the ocean, and bigger than the biggest need in your heart!
Ask Me! Talk with Me! Please don’t forget Me. I have so much to share with you!
I won’t hassle you any further. It is your decision. I have chosen you and I will wait — because I love you.
Your Friend,
– – – Jesus
There is an old hymn that goes something like this; “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus, He’s the only One who cares and understands. Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him, and you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.” Jesus is our true friend!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hosea 5:11-14
“Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked by human precept. Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah like rottenness. When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb; yet he cannot cure you, nor heal you of your wound. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.”
Several years ago I was watching an episode of “Cops.” It was extremely interesting in that it was an actual call from a man who called 911 to report a break-in at his house. He had been asleep, when he heard a window break and his security alarm go off.
The 911 operator that he was speaking with was new to the job. In fact this was the first call she had ever taken. Her supervisor was monitoring, and both of them were on the phone with the man. The homeowner said he had a shotgun in his hand, and was on his way to the kitchen to see if anyone had entered. They cautioned him to be very careful. Right! Like he had to be reminded to be careful!
Carrying his gun and cordless phone, he approached the kitchen. He suddenly yelled that “it” was in the house. It was hard to tell what “it” was for a few seconds, until the man calmed down enough to explain what “it” was. “It” turned out to be a bob cat.
The wild creature had been frightened by his dogs and had smashed the window to get away from them. The frightened animal sat growling in a threatening manner from the kitchen counter. When the police arrived they were as edgy as the homeowner. Finally an animal control officer arrived. He snared the animal and removed it from the house. What a great story it was to follow.
This passage of Scripture that I have referenced for today, is found in the book of Hosea. It shows how God deals with His people. Ephraim, mentioned here, refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while Judah refers to the Southern Kingdom. Both were guilty of turning their back on God and forgetting His law.
As often as I read, or think back on this Scripture, I think of how God deals severely with those who stray away from His will for their lives. This was true back then and it applies to us today. When we accept Christ as the Lord of our life, and then drift away from Him into sin and transgression, we are in danger of divine judgment.
It is noteworthy, that God desires to be a moth to us. Earlier this Fall I marvelled at severaI beautiful Monarch Butterflies who were on their migration south. I understand that the Monarch is actually not a butterfly, but a moth. You biologists would know more about that.
Now thank about it—a butterfly that flutters about one’s head may be an irritation, but it causes no harm. It does not bite, scratch, inject venom, or any such thing. It only attracts our attention.
The lion on the other hand, is much more dangerous. A mountain lion or even an angry house cat, can bite and claw. The larger the cat, the greater the injury. Daniel spent the night at “Lion’s Inn,” and lived to tell about it. His accusers were placed in the same accommodations, and were dead before they hit the floor. Daniel 6:16-24.
God desires to attract our attention and draw us back to him. I heard the story of a man who strayed away from God. He was guilty of having an affair with another woman. The elders in his church confronted him, but he told them it was his business and refused to respond to their call for repentance.
He lost not only his wife and family, but went into alcoholism and drug addiction. His life became more and more chaotic. It grew worse as the years passed. After some fifteen years, he came back to the elders of his church and confessed his utter sinfulness and asked to be restored.
These men worked with him and prayed with him and spent month after month studying God’s Word with him. He was sure that he had been fully restored, but he was informed that that he was to meet with the church Governing Council one more time. It was to be at the home of the pastor, at 6:00 p.m. He agreed.
As he entered the house, all the members were there, and smiles were on each member’s face. A new jacket was placed on his shoulders. Someone put a new gold ring on his finger. He was led into the back yard, and the barbeque was fired up with fragrant aroma coming forth–you guessed it—It was a fatted calf!
God sends His conviction, as a fluttering butterfly. He can allow the lions of our own sinfulness tear away at us, but He always is the picture of the Father of the prodigal, waiting for the return. Oh, how I love a God who loves us so much!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 27, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
Luke 8:I6-18
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
A young man in his teens was a passenger in a car driven by his father. They had been shopping for school clothes and were on their way home. Suddenly a car swerved across the middle across into their lane and struck them almost head on. The young man, Bruce, was suddenly cast into darkness.
It was hours later that he regained consciousness in an intensive care unit of a major hospital. The strained looks on the faces of his parents and the medical staff made him feel that there was something drastically wrong. The heavy sedation kept him groggy for many hours, but finally it wore off sufficiently for him to realize that his serious injuries included the loss of his left arm at the shoulder.
Bruce overcame the obstacle and determined to achieve an advanced degree. Following college, he attended law school and was admitted to the bar. As an attorney he went became highly proficient and was selected to serve as a judge for a local jurisdiction.
This is where I came to know Bruce. While I was attending college I held a full time position as a police officer. It was not uncommon for Bruce to appear at the station in the evening and ride around with one of our patrol cars.
On occasion there would be a vehicle driving erratically. After following for a sufficient time to suspect that the driver may be intoxicated, the car would be stopped. Bruce would watch from the passenger seat as a field sobriety test would be conducted, and if the driver failed the test an arrest would be made.
Here is where the interesting part came into play. When the driver appeared before the judge the following day, there was no way for him or her to know that the judge had observed their driving, failure of the field sobriety test and arrest. Some of these drivers plead innocent and say that they had been falsely charged.
I can still remember as Bruce would smile and ask: “What would you say if I told you that I was in the patrol car last night and observed your actions?” Almost always they would hang their head and ask this judge, who had seen them and knew what they had done, for mercy rather than justice.
Please read today’s Scripture again. These are the words of Jesus. He became flesh and was in the world. He was tempted by Satan just as we are, but He was without sin. But there is more—much more.
In Psalm 139:1-4, the Lord, through the pen of David, has revealed to us just how much He knows about us—EVERYTHING: “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.”
Even though the Judge of all the universe knows everything we think and do, He loves us and has paid the penalty for our sin. Imagine standing before the Judge and hearing that our penalty was death. We have just recieved a death sentence and there is nothing we can do! No amount of begging, pleading or reminding the Judge of our good works will change the sentence—we must die for our sins.
But now we see the Judge as He rises and removes His robes of office. He comes and stands beside us. We feel His arm around our shoulders as He whispers in our ear: “I have paid the price! But you must open your heart, confess your sins and believe in Me.”
My prayer is that we will stop and remind ourselves about the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is not free, but Jesus paid for it with His life. I want to praise Him moment by moment for His wonderful gift, and dedicate my life in service to Him.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 26, 2007 | Daily-E-Votionals
I Peter 5:5-7
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Each day I receive many messages. Some of them are filled with pain and anguish because of the troubles they are going through. In many cases I feel totally inadequate in responding. I want to bring hope and comfort, yet at the same time I realize that God may very well choose to lead us through the painful experiences.
Thinking back over the years of my life, I can vividly recall the difficult times, but for the most part, it is hard to call to mind the good times. I know they are there, but they just seem to melt into the background of my recollections. Now when I say that I recall the difficult times, it is not always with great joy. Sometimes it is with a pang of regret.
Joyce and I were fortunate enough to attend a Christian high school. Strangely enough that was the name of our high school: Christian High School, in Nampa, Idaho. Fifty-five years ago, when we were seniors, our class chose a hymn that would be our special hymn. Please take time to read the words of this song. It was that wonderful hymn called: “God Will Take Care of You.”
1. Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2. Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
Refrain
3. All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
Refrain
4. No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
Refrain
How true those words are! We have proved them over and over and no doubt will have the joy of proving them over again. No matter what frightening situation may be in your pathway, be assured that God will most certainly take care of you. It may not be in the way you were expecting it, but it will be in His timing and in His own way. Rest in His mighty arms–God will take care of you!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
