by Pastor Cecil | Jul 30, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:24
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
“You can count on me. I will be there for you.” I was counting on a friend to stand by me in a very important project. It was the first day of the anticipated endeavor when my friend dropped the “bomb” that he was leaving town and good luck.
Perhaps most of us have had people make promises to us and say that we can trust them, only to have them break their promise. Trust has been broken. The result is a feeling of emptiness and loss.
It may also be the loss of a dear one that leaves us forsaken and alone. In 1879, Louisa M.R. Stead experienced the tragic loss of her husband who drowned trying to rescue a young boy. In her time of loss she wrote the words to a hymn that brought comfort to her, as well as millions of others.
“‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus“
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
How I love to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood. Just in simple faith to trust me, ‘neath the healing cleansing flood.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, and from sin and self to cease. Now from Jesus simply taking, life and rest and joy and peace.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, precious Jesus, Savior, friend; and I know that He is with me, He’ll be with me to the end.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
To access ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/tissosweettotrustinjesus 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 | Jul 29, 2010 | 2 Corinthians
II Corinthians 5:1
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
One of my most agonizing times was being separated from my wife, Joyce, and our three children for an entire year. I was assigned duty at a radar station in extreme northern Newfoundland.
The days, weeks, and months seemed to drag by during this period of separation. Each letter I received became a prized possession and I relished every word. The phone calls home once a week were fantastic, but left me with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when the call ended. Let’s face it—I was homesick!
Homesickness is a funny thing (except when you are experiencing it). It can blind you to the things that irritated you when you were home, or it can create a determination to not be such an irritation yourself when you return.
When I was in Newfoundland I was busy about the Lord’s business. I was not a minister, chaplain or anything of the sort, but I preached and taught and counseled as the Lord opened the doors. I tried to be the Lord’s faithful servant. But my heart was always on home.
Back when I was a young boy, I knelt at an altar in Camas, Washington, and changed my citizenship forever. From that very moment this world stopped being my home. My permanent home address is Cecil A. Thompson, Heaven, Eternity. I have never been to heaven. Surprise! Surprise! Even though I have never been there, it is my home and I am homesick for heaven!
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 | Jul 28, 2010 | Luke
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
My wife Joyce and I are bird lovers. For many years we have had numerous bird feeders and a bird bath outside our windows. We have a beautiful yellow canary whose cage is next to the window where he can enjoy all of his birdy friends who come to feed and socialize through the glass.
Some of these little wild birds actually come and seem to visit with him. Some of his little birdie buddies have such distinguishing characteristics that we are able to distinguish them from others. One of his feathered friends is a song sparrow who has no tail feathers. We have dubbed her “Stubby.”
“Stubby” is not an attractive bird, but she has shown wonderful qualities. Baby birds of various breeds come to feed. They flutter with their beaks open and sweet little “Stubby” is always willing to feed them as if they were her own.
The Scripture also says He has each hair on our head numbered. Some humorous person remarked: “I wonder if it was before or after mine started falling out?” The important thing is that He knows us intimately. The Lord also knows each tiny bird by name. With such intimate knowledge we can rest in Him. He will take care of us!
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 | Jul 27, 2010 | Daily-E-Votionals, Psalm
Psalm 30:4-5
“Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Working the graveyard shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. is a grind. I have been there and done that. Driving around town in a police cruiser in the dark hours of early morning was always an ordeal.
One morning one of our officers pulled up to a red traffic light. He put his car in “park” and decided to close his eyes for just a moment. He was not sure how long that moment was, but he was awakened by an early morning newspaper driver who tapped on his driver’s side window and said, “Sir, the light is green now.” How would you like to have been that intrepid young man? HA!
I still recall the wonderful sight of dawn breaking in the east. First there was only a soft aura that grew into a glow and finally increased in intensity even before the sun rose into the sky. It was amazing how much energy it gave us who had labored through the dark night hours.
What are you experiencing in your life at this moment? It is possible that you feel like you are in the middle of a long night. It may be physical, financial, emotional or spiritual. I am here to remind you that joy comes in the morning. Look to Jesus and feel the bright sunlight of His presence fill your darkest despair.
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 | Jul 26, 2010 | Romans
Romans 15:4
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Many years ago, a pastor friend had a daily radio program. It was designed to be low keyed and friendly as he presented God’s Word to his listeners. He always started his program with the words, “Hello, may I come in?”
One day a man told him that he had a complaint against him. In fact he said the pastor had caused him to sprain an ankle. The complainant said that he and his wife were in bed for a time of marital fellowship when they heard the friendly words, “Hello, may I come in?” Thinking someone had entered their bedroom he jumped out of bed and sprained his ankle!
That amusing story came to mind when someone recently commented that it seemed as if I received a response to one of my illustrations: “At times it’s as if he is looking in our windows.”
Rest assured that I am not peeking in anyone’s windows, but the Lord is! He knows where you are hurting. He knows your loneliness, your hopelessness and your loss of direction. The words that I type are intended to be from the Lord to you. I can only pray that they will bless you and give you godly counsel.
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
