by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2011 | Colossians
Colossians 1:5
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”
Anytime I want to get a shot of good news in my life, I read one of the e-mails I receive from Kevin Bouren. This young Army officer is first and foremost a soldier of Jesus Christ, then the US Army. Read what he recently sent.
“Home! Four little letters packed with so much joy. I landed in America on Saturday night, and after one night in Baltimore, I caught an early morning flight to Columbia, SC, where I reunited with my family at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Unspeakable joy!!!
“My wife and children were waiting with signs, streamers, and smiles, and my brother was capturing all of it on camera. What a refreshing reunion it has been these past few days as we have savored the warmth of each other’s embrace and praised God for pouring His grace on us so freely. God used this deployment to bring my family closer together than any previous separation we’ve endured. I am amazed at the spiritual growth and refinement that God orchestrated in us. Thank You, Jesus!”
I am so glad that Kevin has been reunited with his family once more. Can you just imagine the joyous celebration we will have when we reach our heavenly home and see all of our loved ones who have gone on before us. Above all will be the indescribable joy of seeing Jesus our precious Savior. What joy that will be!
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 | Mar 16, 2011 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
My wife Joyce and I enjoy watching the Antiques Road Show, be it US, Great Britain or Canada. A few days ago we were watching the Canadian version of the show when a middle aged woman brought a ceramic tile to be appraised. It was about 4” X 4” and seemed rather trivial.
The appraiser asked her how she came to have the tile in her possession. She related that she had attended an estate sale and bought a box of glassware for $2.00. During the sale a man came by and was asking frantically if anyone had seen a ceramic tile. They all reported that they had not seen it.
When the woman got home, she unpacked the box and there on the bottom, under all of the glasses was the missing tile. The appraiser asked her if she tried to contact the man to return the tile. She boldly declared that she hadn’t.
In my mind I was stunned by her lack of conscience. It reminded me of an adult acting out the childhood chant: “Finders keepers¯losers weepers!” I sensed that the appraiser had the same opinion. By the way, he appraised the tile for $1,000.00.
As believers I feel that we must always live by the “Golden Rule.” That means we must treat others in the same way we would want them to treat us. It would be a good test to see if we are doing that. How about your driving courtesy?!
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 | Mar 15, 2011 | Romans
Romans 10:8-10
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
The entire world was stunned on Friday, March 11, with news of a powerful 8.9 earthquake and tsunami just off Honshu Island, Japan. The devastation was so huge and had such an impact that the world is still coping with it.
The thing that has struck me was just how quickly it happened. Almost every major catastrophe has also happened in a split second. People can be going about their business one minute and in great jeopardy the next.
It is tragic that we have many family, friends and co-workers who fail to make a decision for Christ. They know they need to confess their sins and ask Him into their heart, but they are waiting for a “more convenient time.” That “more convenient time” may never come for some.
The good news is that Jesus has offered eternal life to all who come to Him with a sincere heart to turn from their old way of living and invite Him to be the Lord of their life. The decision cannot—must not, be delayed. Remind those you know who are still outside the fold to remember March 11th!
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 | Mar 14, 2011 | 1 John
I John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
When I was a boy we were different. Those of us who were Christians did not do the things unsaved people did. When we bowed before the Lord and confessed our sins and invited Jesus to come into our heart, it meant leaving the world behind.
Somehow, that all seems to have been changed over recent years. Somewhere along the line it became more important to be accepted by society than to live a sold out life for Christ.
In the New Testament Church, persecution and death were a constant reality for those who named the name of Christ as their Savior. What was worth living for was worth dying for, and vice-versa.
I fail to see that same spirit in today’s typical church. Today we see churches so close to the world in appearance and behavior that it is hard to tell where one leaves off and the other begins. We have been “sold” the lie that we must get with the times and be contemporary in order to draw people in, especially young people.
I want to close with this thought: I may never be called upon to give my life for the sake of Jesus, but I sure want to live in such a way that I will be ready to do so. If Christ is truly real in my life, the things of this world should lose their appeal.
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 | Mar 11, 2011 | 2 Chronicles, Daily-E-Votionals
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Back in the 70’s, I was an associate pastor of a large church. One Sunday, just before the service an elderly lady collapsed in the aisle near the rear of the church. I was just entering and observed one of our members, a medical doctor, doing chest compressions on the little lady.
When he saw me, he immediately called me over and told me to take over while he checked her for vital signs. It was the first and only time I have ever felt my hands repeatedly crush down on a person’s chest to keep the heart pumping blood throughout the body. It is an awesome and fearful experience. (By-the-way, the lady survived this traumatic ordeal after a few days in the hospital.)
There are people around us who seem to be in spiritual cardiac arrest. We see them stagger and collapse. The question is how we are going to respond. Do we wring our hands and cluck of tongue, or do we dive in to give spiritual restoration? Today’s Scripture provides the steps to revival. Back in 1863, William P. Mackey wrote the words to this week’s hymn.
Revive Us Again
We praise Thee, O God! For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died, And is now gone above.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God! For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior, And scattered our night.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
All glory and praise! To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins, And hath cleansed every stain.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
All glory and praise! To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us, And guided our ways.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled, With fire from above.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
To access Revive Us Again, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Hymn Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/reviveusagain 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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