by Pastor Cecil | Feb 28, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
I will never forget a story my cousin told me many years ago. One of his favorite after school snacks was bread and butter with sugar spread on top. I have never tried it and to tell you the truth I doubt that I ever will!
Gene came home from school and no one was there. He went into the kitchen and prepared his favorite snack, making sure that there was plenty of sugar. He noticed a dish full of “sugar.” (Actually it was salt that his mother had set aside to make pickles). As he took a giant bite he was struck with an awful taste. He suddenly realized it was not sugar, but salt!
Had he taken a little more time to insure what was in the dish, he would not have been treated to this shocking experience. They both were white and both were granular, but the taste told the difference.
Sadly, there are many people in our modern world who rush after teachers and preachers who appear to be the real thing. They seem to be real, but are they? First and foremost we should always check their teaching with the Word of God. If what they teach does not measure up to God’s Word–get away from them, they are false teachers. It will take hard work on your part to search the Scriptures, but that is what God expects of us. “You will know them by their fruits.”
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 | Feb 25, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav?n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
To access All Creatures of Our God and King, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking 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.
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by Pastor Cecil | Feb 24, 2011 | Romans
Romans 10:15
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”
Each Thursday we feature an item of good news that will lift our hearts above the dirt and grime of the normal “stuff” that is presented in the media. Good news comes in a variety of forms. Enjoy what Kevin shares about good news:
A blessing in disguise. Mom got injured last week from a fall and scraped her hands and knees pretty badly. After a visit to the hospital and some antibiotics and pain medication, she seems to be recovering well. This incident, however, kept Mom from playing the piano at church last Sunday which left a huge void during worship. Her fingers were swollen and her right hand was very sore. Many people lifted her up in their prayers and the Praise Team decided to present Mom with a special homemade certificate that had the Purple Heart printed on it, which reads: “From the Victory Chapel Praise Team: For wounds received in combat! We love you, Mom!” We signed the certificate and presented it to her last night at Praise Team rehearsal.
Mom still has a swollen hand and cannot yet play the piano. So, after presenting the certificate to her, Mom and I realized that her night off was a blessing in disguise—a time for us to enjoy a little Mother-Son date. I must say, it was one of the richest and most enjoyable experiences I have had during this deployment. Mom and I spent nearly eight hours in conversation late last night and we didn’t finish until 3:30 a.m. this morning!!! (That part was kind of rough since I had to be up bright and early because I have been very busy training eight new warriors this past week. These new guys are coming in to replace the guys who are preparing to return home to their loved ones.) My losing sleep was well worth the enriching and rejuvenating conversation that Mom and I enjoyed as we treasured every minute of this blessing.
God continues to provide ample opportunity for me to share the love of Christ in so many unique circumstances. Thank you for your prayers to that end. I continue to stand in awe of God’s grace and the forgiveness He offers me as I constantly find areas of my life that need refinement. Your prayers in this regard are greatly appreciated and I count it pure joy to face these trials with the strength and hope of our 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 | Feb 23, 2011 | Malachi
Malachi 4:2
“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.”
It has been just over two weeks since the doctors opened my chest and by-passed three, very clogged arteries. When the anesthesia wore off and I was able to have a first look at myself, I was amazed. I had more wounds than a battlefield soldier. There were bandages and tubes all over my body. I soon developed bruises that looked terrible, but hurt no more than before.
Over these past fifteen days I have been aware of a remarkable circumstance–my wounds were being healed. The dark bruises faded significantly, the bandages all were removed and the incisions healed nicely. Wow! That is the power of healing!
I have experienced different types of healing across the years. Some were instantaneous and others were gradual, but it was a miracle of healing regardless. I have made it a priority to remind folks of how far they have come in the healing process. This is because when it is us, we often fail to be aware of the healing.
I know that all physical healing is only temporary–we must not forget that. All of those that Jesus healed or even raised from the dead eventually died. Scripture is very clear that all of us will die and face eternity, either as believers who enter into everlasting bliss, or unbelievers who will agonize in Hell forever and ever.
There is a spiritual healing that brings the wounded heart into right relationship with Christ and insures we will spend eternity in Heaven. It is both easy and hard; it requires our all. It requires confessing our sinful condition and asking the Lord Jesus to come into our heart. If you have not done so before, I implore you to bow right now and invite Jesus to come into your heart. That is our miracle of perfect healing. I hope to see you in Heaven!
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 | Feb 22, 2011 | Ephesians
Ephesians 6:17-18
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
When I was a young teenager, our family went to Yellowstone National Park for a vacation. We took along my best friend at the time, Penny my Cocker Spaniel. Penny was like one of the family, but he was the closest to me since I had raised him from a pup.
It was a few days into our trip and we were comfortable in our rustic cabin. Most of us were in front of the cabin when we heard a commotion out back. We ran around the corner just in time to see Mom hitting a black bear with a stick with one hand and grabbing Penny with the other. The bear had been going through a garbage can and Penny had charged out to defend his family.
If it were possible, I can imagine that black bear telling all of his family and friends, “DO not mess with that little 5 foot ball of fire that is staying in cabin seven SHE’S MEAN!” All too often we live fearful lives dominated by the black bear of what might be. It is time we recognize that the Lord has equipped us for battle. Read Ephesians 6, to see what He has given us. LOOK OUT BEAR!
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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