by Pastor Cecil | Feb 14, 2011 | Luke
Luke 12:39
“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.”
Years ago, Joyce and I lived in Boise, Idaho. My parents lived about twenty miles away in Nampa, Idaho. They had come over to have a meal with us and spend a few hours visiting. We were in the living room when we heard a loud “crash.”
We were not prepared for the sight that greeted us. An inattentive driver had been driving too fast in a neighborhood, lost control of her car and struck my parents parked car head on. It was now sitting in the middle of our front lawn.
I recalled that incident when I received news that a dear friend and member of the church I pastored, Dr. Leonard Hays had suffered a serious medical emergency and was in the Critical Care Unit of the very hospital where I had the triple by-pass surgery just one week earlier. In fact, Len had sat with the family while my surgery was progressing. Wow!
It gave me a vivid awareness of how near eternity is for each of us. Each of us is only one heart-beat from that eternity. These, as well as of other such incidents have given me a new determination to live totally committed to our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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 11, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
“O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”, was written by blind hymn writer, George Matheson, on the evening of his sister’s marriage. His entire family had departed for the wedding and had left him alone. He vividly recalled of how years before, he had been engaged until his fiance learned that he was going blind, and there was nothing the doctors could do, and she told him that she could not go through life with a blind man.
He went blind while studying for the ministry, and his sister had been the one who had taken care of him all these years, but now she is gone. His sister’s marriage brought a fresh reminder of his own heartbreak, over his fiance’s refusal to “go through life with a blind man.” It is the midst of this circumstance and intense sadness that the Lord gives him this hymn – written he says, in 5 minutes!
“Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go“
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee,
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee,
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee,
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
To access Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ohlovethatwillnotletmego 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 10, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-8
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
“If”! Such a tiny little word, yet one which holds so much meaning. It is a conditional word that often implies being a little reluctant to respond until certain conditions are met. I will do this or that “if” you meet my expectations, demands or in some way make me feel comfortable.
It is a sad commentary that we often bargain with God by attaching an “if” to our obedience. In doing so, we place ourselves in a position of control. Instead of saying, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done,” as Jesus prayed in the garden, but our telling God what to do and when to do it.
Just recently someone forwarded the following inspirational piece. It explains a little of the reason for God’s actions and reveals why we do not always see His hand at work in our life.
GOD SAID . . .
- If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I’m a Healer?
- If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I’m a Deliverer?
- If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
- If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I’m a Comforter?
- If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I’m forgiving?
- If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
- If you were never in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
- If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
- If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
- If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went through?
- If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
- If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?
- If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
- If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on Me?
- If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?
THANK YOU, GOD! HELP ME TO REMEMBER!
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 9, 2011 | Romans
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
As I understand it, there was once a chicken and pig who loved farmer Brown. Their talking led to a plan to honor this man who showed them such attention. In any kind of weather he would always appear to feed and care for them. By mutual agreement, they decided to prepare a fine breakfast for him. The hen said proudly, “I will provide the eggs for the breakfast, and you can provide the ham!” The pig thought for a minute and then replied, “That does not seem fair. Your eggs are nothing but an offering, but my ham would require a supreme sacrifice!”
When we read or hear of religious zealots who throw their lives away in suicide missions, we question, “Why are they doing this?” The answer is simply that they have the mistaken notion that they will gain heaven by dying for their cause. I shudder to think of their first moment in eternity when they find they have been deceived and will spend an eternity in Hell.
But what about believers in the Lord Jesus who have been called to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord? It is interesting that Paul calls it “living sacrifices!” In Romans 6:11, Paul says we are to “. . . count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
As we go about our day-to-day activities, how many times do we think in terms of eternity? I think that if we were honest, we would have to confess that our goals and objectives have to do with the things of this world–things which will pass away when we bid this world goodbye. Let me try to apply what Paul has written here–steps which will show that we are paying the cost of discipleship:
1. Consciously offer ourselves to God. “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Get all alone where there will be no distractions. Begin by talking openly with the Lord. Tell Him of your love for Him and your desire to be at His disposal. You may even want to hold your hands, palms up, in front of you, as you tell the Lord that you are presenting yourself to Him, to be used by Him in any way He chooses. Ask Him to let you know if you are taking yourself back out of His hands.
2. Recognize that this giving of ourselves to God is the highest form of worship. “- – – which is your spiritual worship.” It is much deeper than singing a hymn, giving an offering, or listening to a powerful sermon. It is the one-on-one time alone with God, in total surrender.
3. Stop conforming to the world. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” Boy! That is harder than it sounds. We have become so accommodating of the world’s value system that we seldom realize what we are doing. Ask God to show you the times you are living under the world’s values, not His. As soon as you see what you are doing, stop doing it!
4. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I remember when my son was young they had “Transformer toys.” As I understand it, there is a new transformer movie as well as toys. A transformer is a small toy, like a car, that you would rotate in such a way that it became a fierce looking robot. That is not the transformation Paul is speaking about. It is the renewing of our mind to know what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is for us.
We can only pay the price of true discipleship by spending quality time in the Word of God, and making a habit of being in prayer continually. If this sounds strange, it only means that we need to sacrifice ourselves to God. The mind is a fantastic thing. We can be talking with someone, and praying at the same time. We can be reading printed material and talking with God at the same time. We can be doing many necessary tasks, and all the while be speaking with the God we have yielded ourselves to.
Sound interesting? Do you want spiritual power that will change your world? Are you interested in being used by God in all you do and say? Follow the steps that Paul gives 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.
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 8, 2011 | Exodus
Exodus 3:10-12
“‘So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'”
I never cease to be amazed at the rich truth which is to be found in the word of God. I sit down to write one thought, and as I read the Scripture, something quite unexpected explodes. I have read this passage many times, but today something unexpected struck me; “And this will be the sign to you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
Picture Moses standing in front of a burning bush, far out in the desert. It was more than a burning bush; he was standing in the presence of the Lord. Moses is receiving the instructions about his mission in life. Nothing much—he is merely to go back to Egypt (from which he had fled for killing an Egyptian), and tell the man on the throne, Pharaoh, that he is to release over two million of his slaves. RIGHT!
God’s call is seldom easy, nor does He expect us to fully understand it. Obedience and trust in Him are all that matters. Stop and think about what Moses had going for him: He stuttered, he was a man who had killed an Egyptian task-master some forty years earlier, he had been isolated from society for forty years as he tended sheep in the desert and as if that were not enough of a handicap—he was eighty years old. Were these valid excuses? Not when it is God who is calling someone to work for Him.
Several years ago there was a delightful article in one of the area newspapers. It told of a second grade student who was challenged by his teacher in a Christian school. She had been teaching a lesson on giving and had emphasized that it means doing with what you have. To make it more meaningful, the teacher gave each student two envelopes. One envelope had the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. The other envelope contained $6.00 that had been given by anonymous donors who wanted each student to use it in a meaningful way to help others.
The second grade students were wonderfully creative in the causes to which they gave their $6.00, but one student, Austin, wanted to help homeless children. He wanted to fill their stomachs with food and their hearts with God’s Word. He made a list: picture books, children’s Bibles and books, bread, cheese, ham, juice – all manner of special treats for those in need.
He went to book stores with his $6.00 and as he told the clerks of his mission, they donated the books and told him to keep the money. He soon had a large bag of books. He went to a grocery market and talked with the manager who took him on a “special shopping spree.” Again he was told to keep his $6.00.
He arrived at the offices of an organization which cares for homeless families. With his bags of books and food, plus his $6.00, it might seem that his task was over. Not so! The director asked Austin if he would like to meet some of the children who would receive the things he had brought for them? He was able to not only meet them, but began to read stories from the books and Bibles which he had delivered. His mother now takes him there each week to read to the children. Only eight and only $6.00! And we make excuses as to why we are not able to serve the Lord?!
God gave Moses a sign to authenticate that it was really God who was sending him. No, it was not the miraculous plagues that Moses called down. It was not the power of his fearless presence before Pharaoh, or the miracles of leading the Israelites across the Red Sea, calling upon God to provide food and water for that mass of people—all of these were spectacular events, but it was not the sign that God was the One who sent him.
The sign was that Moses would return to this very mountain and worship God. We are so guilty of chasing after the signs and wonders, and forget that God’s purpose is to bow humbly before Him and acknowledge that He is Lord. Not our will, but His will be done!
My prayer is that we, like that little eight-year-old boy, will continue to serve the Lord and give of ourselves fully to do the things He calls us to do. But even much more—that we will worship the 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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