by Pastor Cecil | Mar 10, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 22:6
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Perhaps we have all encountered a situation such as I experienced a few days ago. As I pulled into the parking lot of a super market, I noticed an empty space across from where I had parked. I noticed a car pause near the space, then drive on. I walked over and sure enough, there was a shopping cart that some thoughtless person had left in the middle of the parking space instead of returning it to the cart storage area a few steps away. (I returned it clear into the store).
My mind began to reflect upon this and other types of inconsiderate behavior that seems to be the norm of our modern life. Someone recently sent a YouTube video of a wonderful rendition of our national anthem. I was enjoying the remarkable talent when I happened to observe the players lined up on the edge of the playing field. They slouched, talked and never paid honor. It was distressing!
What is the reason for this breakdown in respect and appropriate behavior? I think the answer is to be found in today’s Scripture. Parents have delegated their God given responsibility for training their children to the church, school or just not caring enough to take the time to train their children in the way they should go.
So what can we do? If we have children, train them in Biblical patterns of behavior. Try as best as you can to develop godly character qualities. If you do not have children of your own, pray for God to show you kids that need you. Then share from your heart the things that God shows you.
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 9, 2010 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Why do people make the choices they do? For that matter, why do I make the choices I do? Some choices are wise and prudent while other choices we make are unwise and detrimental to us as well as others.
There is no way we can force people to make the right choices. Across the years of my ministry I have shown people God’s absolutes. Sadly I have observed some who felt they knew better than God what was best for them. The result of going against God’s law always results in chaos.
Moses was delivering his “upper desert discourse” (better known as Deuteronomy) and leaving a ringing challenge to the Israelites. He had faithfully delivered God’s perfect plan for them. If they obeyed they would experience life and blessings. If they disobeyed they were sure to find curses and death.
That challenge is still true for us today. We are promised life (eternal life) and blessing after blessing if we obey God. Just as true, we are facing curses here on earth and an eternal death in a sinner’s hell if we reject God’s commands. Which choice should we make? To me it’s a no-brainer. I choose life and blessing!
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 8, 2010 | Romans
Romans 10:13
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Saturday afternoon I was asked to visit the home of a lady who is dying of cancer. Of course we do not know for sure that this is God’s will for her, but the doctors do not hold out any sort of prolonged life for her.
At this stage of her life she was overjoyed to meet me and have some sort of hope for eternity. When I received the call from her husband asking me to come, I began to pray for divine wisdom in speaking to her. God graciously heard my prayer and I felt tremendous freedom as I shared with her.
Here is the prayer that we prayed for her to receive Jesus into her heart as Savior and Lord. It is from the little “Four Spiritual Laws” booklet: “Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”
I thank the Lord that He is always there to hear our prayer. It is never too late to call on the Lord to be saved. Never give up on your loved ones. You may not be the one to lead them to the Lord, but somewhere there may be someone (such as me today) who will lead that special loved one to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
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 5, 2010 | Matthew
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Where is God when I have great need and my heart is breaking? Does He really care about my personal struggles? Does He care that I feel as if I am at the end of my rope? Does He care when the one who is dearest to me dies?
Frank Graeff was a minister who had the reputation for always being happy, optimistic and had a sunny disposition. In the spite of his normally up-beat nature, he was called upon to endure severe trials in his life.
It was while he was going through one of these ordeals that he wrote the words of today’s hymn. The promise he found in 1 Peter 5:7 was especially meaningful to him: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Think of his struggles and finding hope as you enjoy this week’s hymn. The music was composed by J. Lincoln Hall.
“Does Jesus Care?“
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
To view the GloryScapes inspirational video Does Jesus Care? please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare 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 4, 2010 | Luke
Luke 6:38
“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I just returned from delivering a much-needed gift of money to a family that has been going through a very stressful time and have no means to buy the bare necessities. The response of love and gratitude has brightened my soul.
I have asked permission to use the following message I received from one of our subscribers who responded to last week’s Daily-E-Votional on entertaining angels unawares. Here’s their story:
“I am disabled with a severe back condition so my emailing has been curtailed a bit lately. As I read your angels unaware it jogged my memory to a time when my husband and I were first saved. We had gone to a Wednesday night service and on the way home we treated our two young teens to Carl’s Junior for some french fries. We were living on a VERY limited budget so this was a big splurge. We ordered, got our table, sat down to eat and chat about what we all had learned that evening. An older woman caught my attention (obviously what we called in the 80’s a bag lady, now a homeless soul). She was dressed very strangely. Her socks were men’s that didn’t match as were her shoes. Her clothes were layered for the cold and very ratty looking. She looked like she was 100 but was probably much younger. I overheard her telling the manager that if she could cash her check there, she could get a cup of coffee and a small burger. She was cold and hungry. I had a $5.00 bill in my wallet which was for my husband’s gas money for work for the next week, not a dime extra. I heard the Lord clearly tell me to give her the money.
After a brief argument (why I do that I don’t know because I never win), I sent my husband over with the $5.00 to order her a full meal. She did not see what direction he came from, the place was packed with people and so he startled her. When he had ordered her food, given her the change she turned and looked me dead in the eye. With a very loud voice she said, ‘Your God has seen what you have done and he is well pleased.’ I almost fainted! She walked over and told me she came in there on cold nights because they were open 24 hours. The manager had been very nice to let her sit inside. She then walked away. When we arrived home I felt bad that I had not offered her a warm place to sleep that night so I called the manager at Carl’s Junior to see if she was still there. He denied that it ever happened. He said there were no homeless people who came in to stay warm and did remember me and my family but not a conversation about food or a check. It was then that the very Scripture you quoted hit me. In giving all we had (my husband would have to walk to work) we had entertained an angel unaware.
The next thing that happened was another miracle. God replaced the $5.00 with a $20.00 bill I found in my coat pocket. I NEVER put money in pockets so I knew I had not done it. God had provided for my husband’s travel money and some extra to spare! Praise the Lord! I now try to be sensitive to those around me no matter how they look, or who they are. Not because I want to entertain angels but because I want my God to say, ‘I see what you have done and I am well pleased.'”
Just remember, dear hearts, the one you extend a helping hand toward may not be an angel, but in their mind you may be an angel to them!
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
