by Pastor Cecil | Jan 10, 2011 | Luke
Luke 6:48
“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”
In the past year we have heard of severe floods around the globe. One report said that flooding in Australia covered an area the size of Texas. Now that’s a big piece of real estate, Pardner!
Here in the United Stated we have seen pictures of streams tearing out river banks and houses being swept away by the current. It certainly makes me think of this parable of Jesus.
I can recall watching the construction of a new building at our radar site in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. The workmen dug down to expose bear rock. Then they drilled deep holes in the rock. Into each hole they screw long rods to grasp the rock. The building would then be anchored to the rods. When we experienced gales of over 100 miles per hour, I was very glad we were attached to solid rock.
Jesus wanted His listeners to hear and understand what He was saying. This life is no place for a namby-pamby or wishy-washy faith. It is only the solid rock of God’s Word and His completed work on the cross that will hold us firm in this life and assure us of a home in heaven for all eternity. There is coming a time when everyone will believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The tragedy is that for some it will be everlastingly too late!
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 7, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Some time ago I was talking with an acquaintance when he blurted out, “Oh, my God!” Immediately I said, “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were praying. Let me know when you finish your prayer.”
He looked at me like I was out of my mind. “What do you mean,” he said, “I had no idea I had said that.” He asked me to let him know if I ever heard him utter such a phrase again, unless it truly was in prayer.
Profanity and vulgarity have become so common place in our modern world that today it is often rare to hear a conversation without someone taking the Lord’s name in vain or using ugly gutter talk.
The tragic thing is that many Christians have fallen victim to this habit. “Oh my God” has been shortened to OMG, but it is still taking the Lord’s name in vain. We are instructed in today’s Scripture that we are to watch our words and the things that go into our minds.”What we speak and what we think.”
I have mentioned before and will repeat it once again: I want Psalm 19:14 to be one of my key verses for 2011. It is my desire to be acceptable in God’s sight!
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 6, 2011 | Ephesians
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
I try to keep a supply of “Four Spiritual Laws” with me at all times. Over the years I have been able to lead many people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by using the “Four Laws.”
Last Sunday at church we were discussing the little diagram found toward the end of the small booklet. That little choo-choo train diagram illustrates what we need to remember after a person becomes a born again believer. There is a small engine, a coal car and a caboose.
The little engine, Fact, represents the promise of God’s Word for salvation to those who believe. God says we must be born again to obtain an entrance into God’s heavenly kingdom.
The little coal car represents our Faith to receive God’s promise of salvation. It is not by doing good things or being good that saves us, but having the trust in what His Word says. God said it, I believe it, that’s good enough for me!
The last car in the diagram is the caboose. It represents Feeling. The train can run with or without a caboose. Actually, most trains stopped using a caboose over 20 years ago. We may experience a wonderful feeling when we trust Jesus for salvation, but it is not essential. We thank Him with or without a warm and fuzzy feeling.
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 5, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 6:33-34
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
As I write this it is just 1:15 on the morning side of the clock. I usually would be asleep at this hour, but I am not feeling too well and decided it would be better to get up rather than toss and turn in bed.
I suppose most of us have experienced these wakeful nights when we just didn’t feel up to par. It has made me think about what it would be like if I had a serious illness and was facing the end of my life. I have a list of things that I need to get done tomorrow . . . who would do them? Who would assume my responsibilities if I were to go and be with the Lord?
What foolish thoughts, and yet many waste their time with such issues. It is the Lord who gives us the strength to meet each day with its joys and sorrows. Yes, there will come a time when our earthly life will end, but heaven awaits those of us who have been born again.
What if our life was to suddenly end? People will not remember us by the things which we possess, but by the love of Jesus that they see in us and the way we live as citizens of the heavenly realm, not the earthly one.
C.T. Studd wrote a poem that many of us have heard and some even think it is from God’s Word. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” What legacy are you leaving for those who will follow your footsteps?
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 4, 2011 | 1 Peter
I Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
It is the time of year when those of us living in the northern climates are faced with slick roads. When it has snowed, we are somewhat prepared and drive accordingly. But I recall one time when I was completely caught off guard.
Back in the early 50’s (sounds like the dark ages, doesn’t it?) Joyce and I were living in Rapid City, South Dakota. It was late one night in mid December and we were starting a trip back to be with our families living in Idaho.
Just before the trip I had purchased snow tires and this was the first opportunity to try them on the open road. We had driven about a hundred miles when I felt like something was wrong with the tires. I stopped to check, praying it was nothing serious. As I stepped out of the car I almost fell flat. The problem was not the tires, they were working perfectly―the pavement was covered with ice! Knowing that the roads were icy meant that I drove differently. There were no sudden stops or quick turns—just steady and cautious travel.
In our spiritual life we are driving over treacherous roads. We can never allow ourselves the luxury of being at ease. The enemy of our souls is making our road ahead as slick as possible. Thank the Lord we have a Savior who has promised that He would lead us and guide 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
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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