by Pastor Cecil | Sep 16, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
A few weeks ago it dawned on me that I had been preparing the Daily-E-Votionals for a long time. I went back to the files and was stunned to realize that my very first Daily-E-Votional was sent out on September 16, 2000. That means today is the tenth anniversary. Wow! How time flies.
For the first two years I sent them out seven days a week, but then reduced the mailings to five days a week. That means that over these past ten years I have sent out almost 3,000 issues of the Daily-E. I know that it is not within me to have accomplished this — and it is all to the glory of God.
Several readers have suggested that I publish a book of my past Daily-E-Votionals. Ha! Can you just imagine a book over 6,000 pages long?! I have, in fact completed a book called “100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.” It will be published in the next month and ready for distribution.
One of the lessons that I have learned over these past ten years is that God can use anyone who is willing to be used. Many people aged 76 are doing nothing but sitting in their lawn chair watching grass grow in the cracks of the sidewalk. I have no desire to do that and have no desire or plans to stop writing five days a week.
I want to send a special thanks to you readers who have been so kind in sharing your words of appreciation. Also my heartfelt thanks to my wife Joyce, Cathy Baker and Alex Villeneuve for searching for my typo’s, Russ Hansen for being our faithful webmaster and to ReachOne Internet, our generous server.
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 15, 2010 | Romans
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Living near a Christian College, it was rewarding to meet and fellowship with college students even when I was in high school. One of these dynamic Christian collegians was named Herby Geller. He was a committed believer and had felt the call to become a medical doctor and serve as a medical missionary.
Herby met a young lady who felt called to serve as nurse on some mission field. The two fell in love and were engaged to be married. It seemed to be God’s perfect will for their lives. Then tragedy struck. Herby was killed in an automobile crash.
Students were stunned by the news of his death. The funeral service for Herby was a time of celebration even through tears. Student after student stood and committed themselves to go into full-time Christian service. A few months later I was talking with Herby’s mother. She said that over fifty students had made that commitment.
Over the years of time, God’s people have suffered, bled and often died. Their hope was not in the things of this world, but in reaching a lost world for Jesus. When we hold tightly to the things of this world we will lose everything. When we let go and let God have His will and way, we will be able to observe Romans 8:28 in action.
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 14, 2010 | Psalm
Psalm 89:46-47
“How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? Remember how short my time is; For what futility have You created all the children of men?”
In my lifetime I have had only one brand new car. In fact, when I was a pastor in Burns, Oregon, I drove all the way to Detroit, Michigan, to pick it up. Somehow Joyce and I were able to purchase it at a reduced price, so we now had our first (and only) brand new vehicle.
Just a few weeks after we had bought our new car, someone walked into the church following the morning service. He said, “I have some good news and some bad news.” I asked for the good news first. “The church bus did not go over the hill and hurt someone.”
With a sense of trepidation I asked for the bad news. The man sadly said, “The reason it didn’t go over the hill is that it ran into the side of your car.” I laughed at his sick joke until I saw that he was not smiling. Sure enough, the side of our new car was caved in. A young boy had slipped into the bus and took the emergency brake off. I did thank the Lord that no one was injured . . . but my new car . . . it was now ready for the body shop!
Looking back I can laugh about it. It was one of those memories that illustrate that this life we live is filled with “dents,” “bangs,” and “trials” of every sort. It teaches us over and over the truth that we must never hold too tightly to the things of this world.
At age 76, I realize that there are many things I will never be able to do. There are many “things” I will never possess. But I want to let you in on a little secret. The thing that really counts is already mine: a new life in Christ, abundant and eternal. Praise the Lord!
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 13, 2010 | John
John 3:30-31
“He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.”
I sat with a family at the bedside of their wife and mother. She was gasping for her next breath of air and then would be silent for a time before repeating the process. Many times the pauses were so long we were sure she had slipped into eternity.
Her husband of many years whispered to me, “I wish I could help her or even take her place.” We both knew this was impossible. I took her feeble hand and prayed for her, asking the Lord to give her peace that we could not even imagine. I had no idea if she even heard my prayer, but a few minutes later she opened her eyes and with a look of joy she declared: “I’ve seen them!” Shortly after this went to be with the ones she had seen.
God has given me the spiritual gift of encouragement. The result is that many people who feel the need of encouragement and help have called on me to help. I must confess that many times I feel helpless, and yet I am glad that I do. You see I am not the one who brings lasting help. It is far better to remember that only the Lord can help and so I need to point them to the real source of help, Jesus!
Do you feel that you at the end of your rope? Is your world seemingly crumbling down around your shoulders? Go to the Lord in prayer and lay your heavy burden before Him. He loves you more than any human being and He is able to help!
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 10, 2010 | 2 Kings
II Kings 6:17
“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The first time I flew into St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada, I was scared spitless! The pilot flew an ancient DC-3 aircraft that had seen years of service and I wondered if it was going to make it. Suddenly as we approached the runway the pilot banked sharply at low altitude. I wondered how they could use such an incompetent pilot . . . that is until I looked out of my window and saw a horse amble off the runway and onto the grass.
You see, what the pilot saw from his cockpit was the only horse within miles. This horse always seemed to make his resting place in the middle of the runway. The pilots knew about it and would always make a low pass to get the horse to move so they could land safely.
There are so many dangers that lurk ahead of us and I am so grateful that we have the Lord as our Pilot to see what lies ahead and keep us safe from any danger that lurks in our pathway. Clara Fiske Scott wrote this week’s featured hymn; “Open My Eyes.” Think of it as our prayer to the Lord.
“Open My Eyes“
Open my eyes, that I may see,
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my ears, that I may hear,
voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare,
love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
To access Open My Eyes, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/openmyeyes 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
