by Pastor Cecil | Feb 21, 2011 | John
John 12:16
“His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.”
Last week I was talking with a friend who had attended a church I used to pastor. He told me that he wanted to share something that had happened those many years ago. I had delivered a message on humility. He said that I made a comment to the effect that if we think we are on the top of the mountain, watch out, you are about to take a fall.
Sometime after hearing this message, he and his family were enjoying a day on the ski slope. He was watching an inexperienced skier fall time after time. He laughed to himself that he was sure glad he was better than that. Just then his ski’s crossed and he tumbled over and over, far worse than the beginner. He said the first thing that entered his mind was my comment to watch out, you are about to fall!
That wasn’t me folks. That was the Holy Spirit taking my words and delivering the full meaning at the appropriate time. I would much rather have people, “live” my words rather than just “hearing” the words.
We live in a day of instant everything. Patience is a commodity that is seldom sought after. We are so pre-occupied with immediate results that we often miss seeing that the Lord is in no hurry. He will use our stammering words to hit home in a life that needs it. Remember to say to yourself; “That wasn’t me, it is the Lord doing His work in His own good time.” Thank you 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 18, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1-5
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Let me tell you a little story. Two weeks ago when I prepared the Daily-E-Votional for Friday (I do this a few days earlier), I chose the old hymn Abide With Me. By the very title you can gather that this is a prayer. At that time I had no idea how much I really needed the Lord to abide with me.
On February 3rd I met with my doctor to review the results of my tread mill stress test. He did not allow me to return home. He sent me to the hospital immediately for a heart catherization the following morning. That test revealed three blockages, and the following morning I underwent by-pass surgery for the three arteries. My prayer through all of this was for the Lord to be with me, and He was! It was only later that I saw the significance of the hymn to my need.
Praise has been on my tongue for the mighty way God has used this episode in my life to bring about His power and glory. I want the majestic praise found in the words of this week’s hymn to become more and more a reality in my life.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who with marvelous wisdom hath made thee!
Decked thee with health, and with loving hand guided and stayed thee;
How oft in grief hath not He bought thee relief,
Spreading His wings for to shade thee!
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
To access Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/praisetothelordthealmighty 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 17, 2011 | Acts
Acts 8:34-35
“So the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”
Good news brightens the heart and lifts the spirit. On this “Good News Thursday,” I want to share a glimpse of good news from the Middle East. Kevin is a young U.S. Army officer that has served in several combat areas.
His present assignment has a very unique twist. Kevin’s mother applied for and was accepted to work at the same location. Mary Ellen is an accomplished pianist and has provided music for worship services for the men. Let me allow Kevin to share a special time he and his men experienced:
“So we’re standing in this circle of prayer, Alberto is thanking God for His goodness, and there was not a single dry eye. For me it had even more meaning. You see, I was holding Alberto’s hand in my left hand and I was holding the piano player’s hand in my right. The moment washed over me as I realized the unbelievable reality that I was standing in front of the piano and standing behind it was my mom. When Alberto finished praying, I looked up to see our guitar player, Steve, in tears. Mom was in tears. Alberto was in tears. I was in tears. I immediately said, “This is terrible. We’re all crying.”
Then came the laughter. Of course tears are not terrible. As a matter of fact, those tears spoke volumes. God is moving in powerful ways here, my friends. The laughter went to another level when I leaned in to give Alberto a one-armed hug and his head fit snugly under my armpit. But don’t be fooled, what he lacks in stature he certainly makes up for in heart.
I cannot even begin to convey the joy I have as I treasure every moment of worshipping alongside Mom. The entire Praise Team asked if they could call her “Mom.” I told them that she already raised 44 boys, so what’s six more? And she gets a “daughter” to boot! One of the other civilians here is a backup singer and is elated to have “Mom” on the team.”
Praise the Lord for good news!
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 16, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
I receive many e-mails requesting prayer for the unfair treatment people receive. In a way, it is difficult or even impossible to resolve the issues they face. On the other hand, it is easy to give godly counsel: Always seek God’s answer in His Word and then put it into action.
The above verses close the section which we commonly call the “Beatitudes.” It is perhaps the most difficult one to make a part of our life. It is easier for us to try to gain support from friends and family on how we can make the “bad guys” stop being mean to us. Wrong direction!
As we read the two verses of today’s Scripture, we immediately see that being treated harshly by others is not a bad thing, but a good thing. In fact we are told by the Lord: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” Are you kidding?
The vital thing is to examine our actions. Are we truly being persecuted for following Christ’s example, or are we at fault?
Jesus gives us a reason for rejoicing. He reminds us that His own special people (the prophets) were persecuted. Many even paid for their faith with their own blood. At this point it seems logical to conclude that it is in the darkest time of trials and persecution that people will see Jesus in us. Remember how horribly He was treated, yet He always responded with love. I want to live that way!
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 15, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 103:1-5
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
What constitutes authentic praise? You see a picture of a congregation of people with their hands raised, eyes closed, heads looking to the heavens, with a look of rapture on their face. Is this authentic praise? Possibly yes—possibly no.
Visualize another scene of a couple standing silently in a cemetery as they gazed down at the casket holding the lifeless body of their baby girl. Is this worship? Possibly yes—possibly no. How about a lone man with his head between his knees shaking with uncontrollable sobs? Possibly yes—possibly no.
Unfortunately, I have observed that praise can be orchestrated. There are leaders who will go to great lengths developing formats that, while they may appear to be spiritual, are more of the flesh. It is almost like there is a competition to see who shows the most praise.
Let me cut to the chase. I believe that true and authentic praise takes me out of the picture. It is God directed and not what makes me feel good, but choosing to give praise to the God of the universe who stands near me at all times. I praise Him for giving me far more than I deserve. PRAISE YOU 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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