by Pastor Cecil | May 17, 2010 | Psalm
Psalm 127:3-4
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.”
Today is a very special day for Joyce and I. It is the birthday of our son, Dan. He was born two years after his sister, Brenda (who went to be with the Lord in 1991) and his younger sister, Lori, who is three years younger.
When Joyce was ready to deliver our baby in the early morning hours of May 17th, we had no idea if it would be a girl or boy. I was on the Police department at the time and arrived at the hospital in my police uniform. The doctor announced to me that it was a boy and said that he was afraid to say anything else since I was carrying a gun.
It would have been okay either way, but we rejoiced in the birth of a son. Dan has been a joy to us across the years and as a father of three children of his own, he has made us proud to call him our own dear son.
Today’s Scripture calls children a reward from the Lord. We certainly consider that to be the case in our own life. But there is another aspect about children ― some are unwanted and face alienation from their natural parents. They need to have someone step in and be a dad and mom to show them the love they so desperately need. Are you willing to step forward? Look around you and if there is a need, be the parent that is needed.
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 | May 14, 2010 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
There are good dreams and there are bad dreams. Unfortunately we humans are prone to judge the good times as what God desires for us and the bad times as some sort of punishment from the Lord.
The apostle Paul endured trials beyond what most of us will ever endure; beatings, shipwreck, hunger and much more. Here is what he writes concerning these “bad times” of life. Philippians 4:12: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Franz Liszt’s great work, Liebestraum, means “Dreams of Love.” For the believer it should mean the dreams of God’s unfailing love for us and our love for Him.
When Horatio Spafford lost his children, an accident at sea, he could have become bitter. Instead he penned the words of the beautiful hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
I pray that God’s love touches you with the words of this hymn as you delight in the inspired arrangement of Liebestraum & It Is Well With My Soul.
“It Is Well With My Soul!“
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
To access It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/liebestraum 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 | May 13, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
The story is told (probably something someone invented) about a young minister who became pastor of his first church. The arrangement of the sanctuary seemed to be all wrong. In his mind the piano needed to be moved to the opposite side of the room — so he moved it.
Immediately there was an emergency meeting of the ruling body and the young pastor was on the hot seat. As a matter of fact, his bold action could not be tolerated and they asked him to resign. With a heavy heart he departed.
Several years later he was visiting in the area and stopped by to visit with the pastor who had succeeded him. To his shock the piano was on the opposite side of the sanctuary in the very spot he had moved it when he was there.
He asked the new pastor, “How in the world did you convince the board members to approve the move?” His reply was classic: “One inch a week!”
This silly illustration hides a deeper meaning. We have been so mesmerized by the society in which we live that we no longer know what God’s standards are. We have been lulled into allowing unclean things like music, books or whatever to become the norm. Instead of inquiring of the Lord to determine what He desires in our life, we look to worldly counselors to lead us down the wrong path. Now is the time to stop – look – and listen to God’s voice.
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 | May 12, 2010 | Mark
Mark 13:31
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
I once was asked to teach a Sunday School Class of the founders of our church. Most of them had been Christians for years, so I was faced with the task of giving them some spiritual challenge. On my first Sunday I asked the group if they would like to learn the basics of God’s Word? They seemed to thunder out that this was exactly what they needed. It especially is important for new Christians.
I fear that I failed to really fulfill the task. Perhaps it was because I needed to learn for myself before I could challenge others. In the last few weeks I have once again been stirred to prepare something to draw people to fall in love with the Bible.
I recently read something that Howard Hendricks had written. He said that when we refer to Bible study, we lose our students. They think of study as being dull and boring. So why don’t we call it Bible Discovery?
The meaning of the word “eureka” is “I have found it!” I seem to recall the gold miners in California shouting the word when they discovered gold. The sad thing is that the “eurekas” of this world never last. Many people wear themselves out seeking fortune and fame only to end up disillusioned.
If you are looking for a new way to discover the treasure in the Bible, please feel free to reply to this Daily-E-Votional and I will send you a discovery guide. I pray that it will lead you to find such treasure that you will shout, “Eureka!”
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 | May 11, 2010 | Ezekiel
Ezekiel 33:8
“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.”
The following is from a dear friend. Enjoy!
A few years ago I met a young man, Robert, who had just arrived in Olympia to go to a vocational college. He was from Reno, Nevada, and had never been to the Northwest. My family lived in the beautiful green countryside of South Puget Sound, Washington, at that time. One of my sons was about Robert’s age and invited Robert to go mountain bike riding on some of the many trails we had in the surrounding woods.
We had an extra bicycle, so Robert happily followed my son through the winding trails for about an hour. It was a hot day and a great day for a cool ride in the woods. During the ride, the two passed through patches of stinging nettles that grew alongside the trails. Each time they came near a patch of the nettles, my son, who was leading the way, yelled back to Robert, “Watch out for the nettles!”
Robert was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and when they returned about an hour later, he was feverishly scratching both of his arms that were covered with little red swollen bumps. Seeing Robert in his discomfort, my son teased, “I warned you about those nettles.” Robert innocently replied, “What are nettles?” My son hung his head down in shame when he realized his error.My son had warned Robert each time about the approaching stinging nettles, but Robert had no clue what he was talking about. There are no such plants where Robert was from and he had never heard of them before. After coming into contact with a Stinging Nettle it can take a few minutes before your skin becomes irritated, so poor Robert had no idea that the tall soft green leaves he had been brushing up against would eventually become pretty annoying.
As believers we sometimes forget that not everyone has an understanding of what God has revealed to us. We are given a new set of eyes when we are born in Christ, and as God leads us in understanding Him more, our spiritual eyes grow stronger. Let us remember those around us who we hope to give a good witness to — and also for those with young spiritual eyes so that they can clearly understand what the message is.
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
