by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 3:8-9
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Yesterday I wrote about God’s Orchard. Since then I have been thinking of other passages with an agricultural theme. In today’s Scripture we read about God’s field. I guess you might describe us as being field hands in God’s field.
The apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth about factions within the church. Can you imagine such a thing? (Right!) It happens all too often doesn’t it? Paul is trying to give the church the larger picture. There are believers who perform one area of ministry and other believers are called to perform other areas.
I am amazed about how God calls people to unique areas of ministry. I attended college with a young man who felt God’s call to mission work in Swaziland. He was so excited about it and even described the personal suffering that would be required to reach people who had never heard the gospel message before. Let me just say that he never felt deprived by enduring hardship for the gospel. On the contrary, he was eager to get at the task.
Paul clearly describes that each of us will be called to perform our own particular ministry. You may plant, you may water or you may reap, but each has its own place in God’s wonderful field of service. Where are you working today?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 16, 2010 | John
John 15:16
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.”
Orchards are interesting places. Almost always the limbs of the trees are gnarled and twisted. During the winter months some trees look more dead than alive. A walk through the orchard in winter is a stark contrast with summer.
During the dormant period an expert orchardist appears with what seems to be instruments of torture: saws, clippers and shears. As the expert passes through the orchard, limbs are sheared off and taken away to be burned. The scene of carnage does not seem to be healthy for the fruit trees. But it is! It is this constant pruning that stimulates new growth and to produce more fruit and better fruit.
Sometimes when we are going through the dormant periods of our life, our Master Orchardist (Jesus) appears in our life to lop off those branches that prevent us from bearing the fruit He desires.
Pruning hurts! There is no other way to look at it. When we experience painful surgery in our life it is never easy ― but it will produce fruit. The Lord has never promised us a life of comfort and ease, but He has promised to make us fruitful when we follow Him. We are called to produce fruit in His orchard.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 15, 2010 | Psalm
Psalm 28:7
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”
Recently I had a rather unique experience. I had been asked to conduct a funeral service for a man I had never met. When I talked with his son a few days prior to the service, he mentioned that several years ago his brother had shot and tried to kill their father. (Scary, huh?) The offending son was not expected to attend the service.
When I arrived at the funeral home I noticed a police car sitting in the parking lot. It was then that I recalled what had transpired earlier and realized that the officer in the car was there to protect us in case there might be trouble.
The officer came inside and we had an enjoyable conversation before the service. Even so he was always on the alert each time someone entered the door to the chapel ― friendly but diligent!
That is the same relationship between us and the Lord only magnified thousands of times. We have sweet communion and fellowship with Him, but He is always diligent to protect us from the enemy of our soul. Thank you Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 12, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Eliza Hewitt was a school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She also was a lay worker in her church’s Sunday School program. Due to a serious back problem her teaching career was cut short. She turned to hymn writing to proclaim the truths of the Gospel.
Eliza collaborated with her friend, Emily Wilson, in writing today’s hymn, “When We All Get to Heaven.” This beautiful hymn has been an inspiration to many of us who eagerly look forward to that wonderful day when we will rejoice with all of the saints who have gone on before us. Wow! What a time of rejoicing that will be!
“When We All Get To Heaven“
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory.
To access When We All Get To Heaven, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 11, 2010 | Numbers
Numbers 32:1 & 5
“The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. ‘If we have found favor in your eyes,’ they said, ‘let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.’ ”
My heart breaks when I recall people who have been presented with the gospel, but choose to remain outside the fold. They somehow feel that there is too much to give up by being a Christian. The things of the world appeal more than possessing eternal life.
In today’s Scripture, we read about the Reubenites and Gadites (later the small half tribe of Manasseh) who saw the fertile fields on the wrong side of the Jordan. It was not the promised land but it was close to it. They convinced themselves that it would be to their advantage to stay outside.
God did not promise this land to the people He led out of Israel, but in their own human greed they thought it would be to their advantage to remain here rather than enter into the land promised on the other side of the Jordan.
Lot had made that same fatal mistake some 465 years earlier. He chose the well-watered plains that promised ease and prosperity. It resulted in his being captured before being rescued by Abraham and eventually the death of his wife. Sad, sad, the bitter wail ― almost, but lost! Please do not make the same mistake. Place your trust in the Lord and enter into your own promised land.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
