by Pastor Cecil | May 24, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 24:36
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
As I write this it is early on May 22nd. That’s right, it is May 22nd and the believers are still here on earth. We were not raptured as a certain radio preacher and his station has been proclaiming for the past several months.
As I have read newspaper comments in the past few days my heart was very heavy. This man and his followers have given new ammunition to the enemies of the cross. They have mocked and snickered at all Christians because of the foolish pronouncement of one man and his small group of adherents.
It is interesting that this same man gave a prediction of the rapture several years ago. He should have had enough spiritual sense to keep quiet and just let the Lord do His work on His own schedule. By the way, read today’s Scripture and see that not even the angels or Jesus knows when He will return, only the Father.
One newspaper article quoted an atheist who said that it would really not bother him if the Christians were raptured, since he would be able to buy their used cars and homes for a fraction of the value. How utterly sad!
There will come a day when the born again believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. We do not know when that day will be, but the signs Jesus said would precede His return are all around us. Look up! Our redemption draws near!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | May 23, 2011 | James
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
This afternoon we had a visit from a friend that Joyce once worked with. It was very interesting listening to the two of them as they reminisced about the people they had worked with and what they were doing now.
I was especially interested in a comment this friend shared about a co-worker. It seems that his wife has a serious medical condition. They had found it very hard to attend their church because of the comments made by people in the church. It seems that the people were “talking about her.”
Now they have had the best of motives, but it made the wife feel that she had to constantly explain her situation over and over again and could not feel that there was a true spiritual concern for her condition, but more just being, “Nosy.”
I have tried to examine myself since I heard this conversation. I wonder if I have been guilty of being nosy rather than reaching out in love. How many times have I asked for information instead of dropping by with a home cooked meal or some other means to help ease the load? Rather than pry, I want to ask the Holy Spirit to direct me in taking action under His control.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | May 20, 2011 | Titus
Titus 3:3-5
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Joyce and I are not rich by any means, but compared to others we are prosperous. That being the case, I feel that God has given us the privilege and burden to keep our eyes open to observe needs around us. One of the greatest pleasures is to see a young family with a need and then do something about it.
It is always better if you can do it without being seen, but sometimes it cannot be done covertly. A few months ago I noticed a young mother with several kids in her car filling up at the pump just ahead of me. She stopped the pump almost as soon as she started, and I realized it was financial. Being rather bold, I stepped up to her pump, zipped my card through the sensor and told her to finish filling her tank. There were tears in her eyes as she thanked me. We had been there and knew a little bit of what she was experiencing!
The greatest payment in our behalf is the gift of eternal life that was given us through the terrible cost of a heavenly Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who went to the cross voluntarily because He knew we would never be able to pay the cost.
“Jesus Paid It All“
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I,
whereby Thy grace to claim
I will wash my garments white,
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
To access Jesus Paid It All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please 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. – Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends. They’ll appreciate the encouragement.
by Pastor Cecil | May 19, 2011 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Several years ago I bought a new coffee maker. I was interested in one that would automatically stop brewing if I removed the carafe from the heating element. It has been a joy except for one small problem. Pouring the water into the reservoir is a real hassle since there is very little room to pour the water in while the lid is up. I have learned to live with the problem and just be careful how I pour.
Two days ago I was making a fresh pot when I noticed something. There was a lid over the reservoir. I lifted it and discovered that this is where you pour the water and do not have the difficulty I have encountered these past years. Duh! Why didn’t I just read the directions? I did read them, but felt that I didn’t need to know how to pour in the water, so I just by-passed that portion of the instructions.
Sometimes people think they know the Word of God because they have read a few pages here and there. There are some who may have even memorized a few verses sometime in their life. Just because we have read a verse here and there does not mean that we know the instructions the Lord gives us for living.
In James 1:22 we are told that it is possible to deceive ourselves if we merely listen to the Word. It has to go beyond reading the instructions, as critical as that is, we must do what it says. Are you reading the instructions and then following by obeying what God has to say? Read and follow the instructions, your eternal life depends upon it!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | May 18, 2011 | James
James 1:21-22
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Yesterday I wrote about controlling our tongue and listening before we speak. For some of us that is a full time job. It is so much easier to let our mouth run wild before our spiritual mind is in gear. It is not enough to remain silent, but it is what we do in this quiet time in order to accomplish the will of the Lord for our lives.
One of the things I love about the book of James is the way he gives graduated steps of action¯either positive or negative. In this instance he instructs us to do some spiritual housekeeping. Unfortunately this is an action that is all too often lacking. We live in a day when alternate lifestyles take precedent over biblical truth. Sad!
James admonishes his readers to get rid of the moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent. Wow, is that ever appropriate for each of us! Rather than confess and cleanse, we excuse and tolerate. May God forgive us!
What are the areas of your life that may be described as morally filthy or evil? It may be the things you watch, read or listen to. It may be the activities you participate in that are not edifying or pleasing to the Lord. God calls us to do a spiritual housecleaning to be in harmony with His will for our lives.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
