by Pastor Cecil | Aug 31, 2010 | 2 Corinthians
II Corinthians 5:18-19
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Do you ever feel hopeless and helpless when trying to help others? Across the years I have been chosen to attempt to reconcile differences between people. As I read today’s Scripture I note that this is a ministry. I have had many situations that I was unable to restore, but some were successful.
There was the couple who, on their way to see a divorce lawyer, decided to stop by my office first. It was almost a hopeless case, and I held out little hope for reconciliation since they said they argued constantly and about everything.
I asked them to turn their chairs facing each other and hold hands and begin to talk. They asked, “About what?” I said, “Anything.” So off they went. It was not over five minutes later that they were raging at each other as if I were not in the room. They turned and said, “See, that’s what we were telling you about.”
I had been praying to know what to say when it dawned on me what I had heard. They had repeatedly said “Why don’t you?!” Then the other would repeat it back. I had them carry on a second conversation, but they could not say “Why don’t you?” . . . this time they could only say “How can I?”
My advice to all who want to be reconciled to another person is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind” and ask the question, “How can I?”
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 | Aug 30, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
When I was a teenager my mother was a cook in the dining hall at Northwest Nazarene College. The cooks would serve the meals family style to the students who were seated at tables.
At the end of the shift the cooks would generally have food remaining, the same food the students had been served. They would fill cans with the leftovers and take them home for their families to eat.
One of our acquaintances was a man who seldom was able to support his family, yet had a huge amount of pride. I can still recall him driving down the street and when he recognized you, he would simply raise his index finger without taking his hand off of the steering wheel. His index finger!
This proud man would quietly ask my mom if she could spare some of the food. It became a regular thing to take food to his family, but he made it clear that he did not want other people to know about it.
What makes us proud? Why do we often try to put on an appearance of something other than we are? Reality of life is very important to a true believer. By that I mean that we should live in such a transparent manner that people will see what we are really like . . . warts and all! Is that the way you are living?
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 | Aug 27, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 6:20
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Imagine that a terrorist band burst into your hotel room two weeks ago, bound your wrists behind you, blindfolded you and drug you into a waiting vehicle. You had no idea where they were taking you. They led you into a small room with no windows. They removed your blindfold and bonds, but threatened you if you tried to free yourself.
You crept to the door and heard the terrorists calling your loved ones to inform them that you were being held captive and would not be set free until the price was paid. It was such a high price that you just knew it could never be paid.
Now after two weeks your captors enter the tiny room where you have been confined to inform you that the ransom price had been paid. You had been redeemed! They mentioned the name of the man who had redeemed you and had a paper that you were to sign agreeing to serve Him the rest of your life. The signature of the Man who had redeemed you was signed in blood. “Jesus!” As you signed you sang this song:
“Redeemed“
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
with me doth continually dwell.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing for I cannot be silent,
His love is the theme of my song.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I know I shall see in His beauty,
the King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
and giveth me songs in the night.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
in yonder bright mansion for me;
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
at home with the Lord I shall be.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Thank the Lord for this wonderful hymn by Fanny J. Crosby. I know she is singing for her Redeemer right now.
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed 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 | Aug 26, 2010 | 2 Corinthians
II Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
I recall once sitting in a dentist’s chair and hearing him say, “You will only feel a little stick and then some burning.” Suddenly there was fire on the mountain! It might be just a little stick to him, but to me it was agony! I would have argued the point but his hand was in my mouth and then it was so numb I could only manage , “Hoennt glub feoee.” Or something like that.
In contrast with that incident was another trip to a dentist in Ontario, Oregon. As he was about to start he asked if I wanted deadening? I thought he was kidding, but he shared how he never used deadening himself when he had his teeth filled. He said the pain was less from the drill than from the needle. I tried it and even though there was pain, I could tolerate it. I could also talk without slobbering afterward. I have never asked for deadening since.
Comfort does not necessarily mean comfortable! Let me say it in a different way. Comfort can often be given even though the pain remains. There is no way we can remove another person’s pain, but we can be there beside them, remaining silent until they speak.
Wow! That is so very important. We often feel that we have the right or even responsibility to speak when silence is called for. Words of comfort can often be rash and brash. Comfort is most often afforded by presence not presentations.
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 | Aug 25, 2010 | 1 Peter
I Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Last week I received a call from a young woman whose sister was attending church camp. She had lost directions to the camp in order to have someone pick up her sister at the designated time.
I went on line and was pleasantly surprised to discover detailed directions to the camp. I called the young woman back and told her I had found the directions. I started reading the directions to her and she had to stop me several times to be able to write them down. I kept suggesting that she simply go on line and follow the directions that were clearly given.
I am sure her sister was given a ride home since I never heard back from them. But it started me thinking about the incident. What spiritual applications could I make from what had just happened?
Are we adequately prepared to give people the directions to heaven when they ask? It seems like a simple question, but stop and think about it. If someone approached you and said they wanted directions in order to get to heaven, what would you do?
Sadly, many would be at a loss for words. Others would tell the inquirer to go talk to the pastor or some other spiritual leader. But the fact is that you may be their only hope. I urge you to make it a high priority to learn how to share your faith and be able to give such clear direction that they will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
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
