by Pastor Cecil | Sep 30, 2010 | Luke
Luke 6:19
“And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.”
Our kids are a source of joy and delight, but they also bring us to the brink of concern. Such was the case with our youngest daughter many years ago. She and a neighbor boy were playing in the yard. He had constructed a small bow and used a stick for an arrow. He had not been shooting at her, but he accidentally released the stick at the wrong time and it struck her in the eye.
A frantic trip to the Emergency Room followed. A prominent eye specialist examined Lori’s eye. There was a jagged tear on the cornea and he was concerned that she possibly could lose sight in that eye. He insisted that we keep her lying quiet in a darkened room.
A few hours later we took her home and made her as comfortable as possible in the living room. I returned to work while my wife Joyce sat across the room reading under a soft light.
Suddenly Lori asked, “Mom, did you just touch me?” Joyce said that she hadn’t. Lori insisted that someone had touched her eye. We could hardly wait to have her re-examined by the same doctor. He was astonished to find that the eye had healed and there was no loss of sight.
We all need a touch from the Lord. It may be for a physical healing, a spiritual re-birth, an emotional renewal or some other need. All we have to do is remain quiet and allow the Lord to touch in His own way and in His own time.
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
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
Special Note:
I have completed a book, “100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.” They are due to arrive in about two weeks. The cost will be $12.95 plus shipping. Information on ordering copies will be sent out as soon as our order arrives. It may be a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have internet access.
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 29, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:18-19
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Sometimes you are treated to people who are honest enough to really confess their foibles and faults. I once heard a song evangelist share a humorous, but revealing, insight into his life.
He shared that following a service when he had sung his heart out and people were showering him with compliments, one lady commented, “Thank you so much for that wonderful song. You have one of the most mellow voices I have ever heard.” After he returned home he went to his office to look up the meaning of the word “mellow” so he could savor her compliment. To his dismay it read: “Mellow: ripe and getting rotten.”
I only wish that we could all be greeted with that type of definition any time we think too highly of ourselves. As a matter of fact, we should make every effort to pursue a spirit of humility.
How do we accomplish this? It is a life-long endeavor. It is far too easy to accept the praises of others. Both Joseph before Pharaoh and Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar refused to take credit for interpretation of dreams or visions. It was only God who was responsible. It is the same for us. Any little thing that we do should always be done for the Lord. To Him be the glory!
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
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com
Special Note: I have completed a book, “100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.” Information on ordering copies will be sent out in the next few days. It may be a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access.
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 28, 2010 | Psalm
Psalm 33:20-22
“Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”
Last night I received a telephone call that sounded like one of my friends. The caller kept asking if it really was me. As I listened more carefully to the voice, I realized that it was not my friend—I quickly became serious and identified myself.
The call was from a correctional institution in our state and the caller is confined to that facility. A friend of ours volunteers to minister to the young men there, and he has been sharing some of the Daily-E-Votionals with several of them. The young man that called me has been reading them, and his life is turning around.
Since an early age he has been involved in criminal activity that started out as a reaction to the violence he observed in his home. Feelings of hostility and anger have caused him to repeatedly offend, and this young man has spent most of his life in correctional facilities. Now he wants to break that cycle.
How do you bring hope into the life of someone who is faced with hopelessness? The answer is found in today’s Scripture. There are many other passages that offer answers, but as we consider this passage, it is well to see what steps the hopeful one is to take: “Wait for the LORD.” Waiting is one of the hardest tasks, but do it! “Rejoice in Him.” Make praise a vital part of every waking moment. “Hope in Him.” Let this “Hope” be a confident expectation that God is going to change 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 | Sep 27, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1-2
“NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].”
I once was studying about the true meaning of faith, when a co-worker walked into my office. Knowing that he was a Christian, I asked him if he could give me his definition of faith. Immediately he quoted Hebrew 11:1 from the King James Version: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
I then asked him to explain to me what he thought that meant. He paused for a bit and then said with confidence; “It means the substance of things I hope for and evidence of things I can’t see.” I congratulated him on quoting the verse again with a little personalization, but there must be more than that.
I scoured my brain in an effort to understand this passage. Drawing on my police experience I knew that three words: “substance”, “things” and “evidence” all are solid and relating to the senses. So what is the writer trying to say?
It was then I thought of Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors Ice Cream. (Strange how often I think of it!). I asked my friend to imagine a very warm summer day and we were on our way to get an ice cream cone. I asked him to think of his favorite flavor. After he told me, I asked him when he would start enjoying the ice cream. His was classic: “When I started visualizing it!”
There it is! Faith is visualizing what God is going to do in response to our sincere prayer. It will always be in His timing and what will accomplish His best for us, but it is to be seen through the eyes of our faith!
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 | Sep 24, 2010 | Job
Job 42:4-5
“Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.”
After my career in the United States Air Force I worked for the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission as Correction Specialist. One of our functions was to assist local counties in upgrading their jails. I was touring a jail in the northern part of the state. The Sheriff was escorting me on the inspection. The jail was so black that we could see nothing. When we emerged, the light almost hurt our eyes. It took a few minutes before we could see anything.
I have often thought about those blind saints of God and what a joy they will experience when their eyes will be opened in glory to see sights that will be greater than anything they could even imagine. Fanny J. Crosby was blind and wrote a wonderful hymn about what she looked forward to seeing.
“My Savior First of All“
When my lifework is ended,
and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer
when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture
when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him
for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the dear ones in glory,
how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden
they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Through the gates to the city
in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages
I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
To access My Savior First of All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/mysaviorfirstofall 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
