by Pastor Cecil | Mar 3, 2010 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Do you ever feel so tired that you can hardly take another step? There have been times in my life that I experienced these feelings. As a young father I was taking a full college load and working 48 hours a week as a police officer. It makes me tired just to recall those days. I averaged about 5 hours of sleep each day.
As I prayed to find relief, I was struck by the most unbelievable passage of Scripture ― it was today’s passage. I could hardly believe that the Lord would ask me to do more than I was already doing, but in obedience I volunteered to teach a class of teenage boys.
I cannot really explain the feeling, but the one thing I know is that I suddenly felt more energy and strength than I had felt before. The few hours of sleep refreshed more than they had before, and I was able to touch kids that needed to hear about Jesus. In coming obediently to the Lord I received renewed strength.
Humanly speaking, it did not make sense to take more responsibility when I was so tired, but the Scripture is so very plain. Those who are at ease are ignored. It is the weary and burdened believers that Jesus invites to take on His yoke. If you feel that your load is crushing you down, take His yoke and you will feel His refreshing touch in your life.
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 2, 2010 | Ephesians
Ephesians 3:8
“Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Once there was a young boy who was always the slowest and clumsiest on the playground. In the classroom he lagged behind the rest of the students and was more interested in lunch than lectures. He was the brunt of so many jokes and pranks that felt that he was a failure ― that young boy was me!
So how in the world could the Lord use a failure like me? The answer is that I gave my life to Him in total surrender. I invited the Lord into my life as a youngster and never looked back. There was no immediate change, but the path that the Lord had in store for me has been a fantastic adventure.
One of the greatest blessings the Lord brought into my life was meeting the most beautiful girl in the world while we were starting the 9th year of school. Improving grades and being used to touch others increased in God’s own time. Joyce and I were married when we were just 18, almost 58 years ago. After our marriage I not only graduated from college, but also graduate school. (Miracles still happen!)
Here is one of the things I would like to share with you: Never! Never! Never! feel that you are a failure. Sometimes focusing on our failures is nothing but pride. Did you hear that? Pride is often disguised as judging ourselves instead of allowing God to take our brokenness and inability and filling us full of Himself.
Right now you may feel rejected and flattened by the way people have treated you. Do not let this prideful attitude shipwreck you. God knows you better than you do yourself, so confess your preoccupation with yourself and yield to His Lordship!
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 1, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:2-3
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Joseph is another of my favorite Bible characters. From the very beginning of his life until his death, he was a man who followed the Lord. Bill Gothard identifies the character quality of availability this way: Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.
Wow! That really pops my cork. In essence it means that not only am I content with second place, I strive to make others more successful. That runs contrary to the self-centered demand to always be number one and get the biggest and best.
Joseph did everything his father, Jacob, told him to do even when it made him hated by his brothers. Little did he or they know that there would come a day when this despised brother would save them as well as their families.
I guess that is true with all of us. We will never see the BIG picture until we get to heaven. We may catch a glimpse now and then, but only the Lord has a clear view of how we are making ourselves available to His plan and purpose for our life. Are you willing to be second, third, or way down the line to make others succeed?
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
