by Pastor Cecil | Jan 24, 2011 | 1 John
1 John 4:7-11
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
I am sick to death of the self-centered, self-seeking concept of love that is to be seen all around us. True love is a love that costs us dearly without the expectation of receiving something.
In my pre-teen years, the school teacher was our ultimate authority. I can recall one teacher who walked around the room with a ruler in her hand. If she was unhappy with something you were doing, she would bring the ruler down across the back of your hand. One day she hit my hand for something and the ruler broke. She went into a tantrum as she blamed me for the broken ruler.
Some years ago I recall reading the illustration of a male teacher who was punishing a class bully. He made the boy go outside and cut a switch and bring it back. The teacher asked the class (most of whom had been bullied by this boy) how many lashes he deserved. It was a significant number.
The teacher called the boy to the front of the room. He was trembling with dread at the thought of his punishment. Instead the teacher leaned across his desk and demanded that the boy give him the punishment. Soon the boy, as well as the entire class was sobbing. They begged the teacher to have the boy stop, but he demanded the full punishment.
Why did the teacher do that? It was to teach his class a lesson about the high cost of love. He explained to them that this was the same love that God demonstrated in sending His precious Son, Jesus, to take our punishment upon Himself. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Have you received God’s greatest gift?
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.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 21, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 53:12
“. . . He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
I recently received an e-mail from one of our subscribers, Ed Thornhill, who passed on some information that I found interesting and inspirational. It has to do with the town of Reed City, Michigan. I visited Reed City’s website to check what Ed had shared with me. They have a museum there called the Old Rugged Cross Museum.
Back in 1913 a Salvation Army officer, George Bennard, passed through a trying experience which caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
Bennard spent the last years of his life by the “side of the road,” a few miles north of Reed City, Michigan. At the age of 85, on October 9, 1968, he passed away. Near this home there still stands a twelve foot high cross with the words “The Old Rugged Cross – Home of George Bennard, composer of this beloved hymn.”
“THE OLD RUGGED CROSS“
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see, for ’twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Hymns, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross 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
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.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2011 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
I really feel sorry for other men in the world. Back in 1948 I met a girl who was to become my wife some four years later. She was a beauty that made my heart skip each time I was near her. But that was just the outer appearance.
Early this morning, Joyce turned on the light and quietly said that she felt like she might be having a heart attack. In the quiet moments waiting for the paramedics to arrive, she quietly shared her love and that she was prepared to go and be with the Lord if she didn’t make it. It was not the time to argue, but quietly share our love and that each of us knew our hearts were right with the Lord. Praise the Lord! It was not a heart attack and she is back home.
There have been several times this day when I have been all alone and reflected on my wonderful blessing to have a wife like Joyce. Over and over my mind went back to this passage in 1 Peter 3. The words, “Gentle and quiet spirit,” echoed in my mind. She is my idea of what a woman of God should be.
My prayer is that the women who read this will commit themselves to be what God desires a true woman of God to be. Strive to have a gentle and quiet spirit. I urge you husbands to love your wives as Christ loved His church and gave Himself up for her. Tell her of your love and show it by the things you do in her behalf.
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.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 19, 2011 | Luke
Luke 12:19-21
“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
When I was young I seldom, if ever, thought about my life ending. In my 20’s I laughed at my brother and his friends when they reached the ripe old age of 30. He was seven years older and it would be a long time before I got that old. I should not have laughed, for in what seemed like a blink of the eye I reached 30, then 40 and . . . and here I am almost 77. Time has flown by. Many of my friends and classmates have died, and we never know what lies ahead for any of us.
On Saturday, January 8, 2011, a man went on a shooting rampage at a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. This horrific event took place at a meet-and-greet event held by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Six people, including a 9-year-old girl, were killed—and 13, including Representative Giffords, were seriously wounded.
Stop and think about it for a few uncomfortable moments. Here was a crowd of people and a Representative, happy and very much alive. I can imagine that some had come to shake her hand or to implore her about a particular issue. Then, in a moment of time, everything changed. Suddenly several people are wounded, and just as suddenly, several others are forever thrust into eternity as their time here on earth ends.
Regardless of age, we never know when our time will come. Are you ready?
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.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 18, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 15:57-58
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I attended a small Christian high school in Nampa, Idaho, and played on the football team. Our school, being small, played eight man football with other small schools in western Idaho.
The big school in town was Nampa High School, home of the Nampa Bulldogs. The coach was the legendary Babe Brown. He led Nampa High to many championships and his teams were always a football powerhouse in the state.
From time to time, a few members of our team would go out to the Nampa High Stadium to watch the Bulldogs practice. Babe Brown was a hard driving coach and drove his players to levels they did not know they possessed. Once he was running along the sideline near a player who was supposed to be blocking for the runner. I can still remember Babe yelling out to the blocker, “If you can’t block for him, at least cheer for him!”
What is your spiritual mission in life? Has God placed you in a position to carry the ball, as it were? Or has he equipped you to be one who blocks out interference so the “ball carrier” can effectively present the gospel message?
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.
.
.
.
