by Pastor Cecil | Jan 31, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 8:1-3
“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.”
Titles have always disturbed me. Someone bestows an honor on another and suddenly old John now must be referred to as “Sir John.” That may be an exaggeration, but not too far off the mark.
Within church circles various degrees and titles are attached to a person who seems to preen with the new honorific. Someone has said that there are so many doctors in the church today that you would think that God was sick!
I am a solid believer in searching out the deep truths of the word of God. It has always thrilled me to sit under the inspired teaching of someone who has spent time to dig deep into the fertile field of the Bible truth and then freely shares it.
Some of the most humble people I have known have had the highest degrees. At the same time they were the most common and approachable of God’s children. They are a far cry from those who act “uppity” about themselves.
I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be known or remembered by what degree I achieved or honor I received. I want to be remembered as a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ who stayed close to his 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
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jan 28, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 2:13-14
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I am not sure how it happened, but some of you no doubt noticed that you received yesterday’s Daily-E-Votional with some distinctively whiz-bang flourishes that appeared out of the clear blue.
At first I was in dismay, but as I contemplated on the incident I was aware that in accordance with Romans 8:28, “- – – we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” I am sure God wants us to learn something from the gibberish.
Usually on Friday I introduce a hymn from GloryScapes.com. This week I felt led to this passage in I Corinthians 2:13-14. Let’s face it, spiritual things can only be discerned by spiritual minds. To the unsaved, the spiritual truth we share with them is often gibberish in their mind.
Does that mean we should stop sharing? Absolutely not, BUT – – – there is a huge ingredient that we must be aware of. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can do terrible damage by trying to force spiritual principles down the throat of friends and family without the Holy Spirit leading us. Waiting is sometimes the hardest thing for us to do. We must remember that without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, our words will just sound like gibberish in their ears. Lead on 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
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jan 27, 2011 | Ephesians
Ephesians 4:28
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
A group of pastors were having a meal at a cafe in Central California. When they were presented the bill, one of the pastors only had fifteen cents left over for a tip. He was embarrassed by it and slid it under the edge of his plate. They walked up the street, and were gone for about thirty minutes.
When they returned to the parking lot outside the cafe, their waitress rushed out and handed the pastor his fifteen cents saying, “You left this by accident so I wanted to give it back to you.” I am sure the manager would have been very upset if that incident came to light. For little or much, the tip belonged to her. He had given it to her.
I think some of us may have had the misfortune to witness someone pick up and pocket a tip that has been left on the table for the server. My question has always been, “Who does the tip money belong to?” Not for another guest, or even another server. It belonged to the one the donor had intended to have it.
It just seems that we have lost touch with integrity. Larceny of small things such as pens, pencils or other office items has become so commonplace that few even consider it larceny. If Jesus were standing beside you when you were about to take something that was not yours, would you take it? Just remember, as a believer, the Holy Spirit is always there. What are you going to do?
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jan 26, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 6:9-13
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
It seems that virtually all believers struggle with prayer. When to pray? What to pray? How to pray?—just to mention a few questions concerning prayer. Jesus’ own disciples were no exceptions. I am sure they heard Him pray but still wanted some sort of guide to prayer. This prayer, known as The Lord’s Prayer, should more accurately be called The Disciples Prayer. Let’s investigate it.
“Our Father in heaven.” There is no higher authority to call upon.
“Hallowed be Your name.” God’s name is holy, and we must treat it as holy.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We need to devote our energy and resources to build God’s kingdom here on earth while time remains and we enter into His eternal kingdom that will never end.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Not our wants, but our needs!
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” God promises to forgive our sins as we confess them and repent. We need to have the same forgiving spirit toward others who need our forgiveness.
“And do not lead us into temptation.” We know that God does not tempt anyone to sin, so this part of the prayer is for Him to lead us away from anything that may tempt us from serving Him.
“Deliver us from the evil one.” We can’t deliver ourselves, it is only by His blood!
“Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Praise! Praise! Praise!
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jan 25, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
I was born way back in 1934 when, I am told, that radio was not all that common. And, of course, there was no such thing as television. You know, I cannot recall what kind of baby I was (I am sure I was practically perfect in every way! Cough! Cough!), but one thing my mother told me is that I loved to listen to music on the radio. When I was fussy she would find music on the radio and I immediately became quiet.
Throughout my life I have found joy and delight in listening to music. Thankfully it is the good, clean and edifying music. No matter how good the music is, however, it is noise. A few days ago when we were visiting with our daughter, the topic of blocking unwanted noise came up. Lori put her fingers in her ears and made silly sounds.
It struck me since then that we live in a world that is filled with such discordant sound that it is hard to hear the still small voice of the Lord. I have decided to spend more quiet time with the Lord. As a first step, I do not turn on the car radio. I use this time for praying (with my eyes open), quoting Scripture and just having time to enjoy the presence of the Lord. WHAT PEACE I AM FINDING!
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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