by Pastor Cecil | May 17, 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.”
I must have been a trial for my mother when I was a little boy. As a matter of fact she told me more than once that I was. I can still hear her frustrated words ringing in my ears, “BE STILL!” She meant for me to be quiet and give her some peace.
I honestly do not remember all of these times, but a few come to mind. As a very young boy I was in church with the preacher, Rev. Webb waxing eloquently. I dosed off and as I woke he was making a grand gesture. He spread his arms wide and roared, “As wide as the ocean!” I had no idea what he had been saying, but I jumped up on the seat and spread my arms and yelled out; “As wide as the ocean!” My mom grabbed me and as the people laughed we headed for the basement furnace room for one of my frequent spankings. (That is why I am so warped. Cough! Cough!)
Across the years I have tried to learn the secret of being still and listening to the Lord. (As a matter of fact I am still learning the lesson.) Many times we fail to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit because we are too busy talking.
The more we speak the more likely we are to become angry, even enraged. At times we try to justify our anger by saying that we are defending God’s honor. Read today’s Scripture once again. Our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires in His children. Being quiet before the Lord does! Are you listening?!
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 16, 2011 | John
John 10:11-12
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.”
Over the years it has been my rich blessing to know many medical doctors and count them as dear friends. Some of you doctor friends of mine may be reading this and it in no way discredits how important you are to me and all of your other patients.
Last week Joyce and I were recalling how difficult it was for her to give our daughter Lori her insulin shot when we first discovered that she was a diabetic. Doctor Quentin Howard asked for Joyce to come by the house and he had her practice on him by using an empty syringe. What a godly and sweet man of God as well as an excellent doctor. That is why I titled today’s E-Votional, “Now That’s A Doctor!”
As I think of the wonderful way he allowed her to practice giving him shots, I think of the greater sacrifice Jesus made for us. He knew we could never do the job ourselves because salvation required the blood of a perfect man. The only one who could ever fill that role was the Man, Christ Jesus. Now that’s a Savior! Praise the Lord for His redeeming work on the cross in our behalf.
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 13, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“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.”
I once read about a forest service worker who was walking through an area that had just been ravaged by a forest fire. He saw a strange mound and stopped to check it out. To his astonishment it was a mother bird that had been killed by the fire. As he knelt to examine the bird, he heard a “peep” from under the pile of ashes. When he turned the bird over he found several chicks.
Instead of flying to save herself, the mother had sacrificed herself in order to protect her brood from the fire that was sweeping toward them. That is what Jesus has done for us. He wants to shelter us under His wings from the firestorm of life.
In 1896, William Cushing wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings, this week’s featured hymn from GloryScapes™.
“Under His Wings“
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I?m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings
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
Check out our website at: www.daily-e-votional.com
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 12, 2011 | James
James 1:1
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
As I have been memorizing the book of James, I have been led to pause and better understand particular words. One of these words is “bondservant.” In some versions the word “servant” is used. I feel that bond servant is much more accurate. Here is the Greek definition for the word: “One who gives himself up to another’s will. Those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.”
A slave never takes care of himself first. No matter how weary or exhausted he may be, he cares for the needs of his master before his own. We need to have more and more of this attitude in our own commitment to the Lord.
Do you have a problem with procrastination? Is it easier for you to delay doing something later than to do it right away? Do you ever find that the things you had the best intentions of accomplishing have now slipped by the board? Over the years I have had conversations with friends and acquaintances who share their best intentions of doing something – – – but later! Then as time goes by it is quite clear that their firm resolve – – – has dissolved.
When I was in college there were numerous students who could not be persuaded to work for the Lord. They wanted to wait until they had graduated and they had more time to serve. Let me let you in on a little secret. There is no such thing as “more time.” If anything, a person is busier following graduation. We must redeem the time!
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 11, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Sunday morning as I went out to leave for church I discovered I had a flat tire. What an ironic circumstance since I have been teaching on the need to find joy in each and every trial that we encounter. (It was time for me to practice what I preach!)
Fortunately I had a tire pump in the trunk of the car that works on power from the cigarette lighter. I was able to get the tire inflated and make it to church and back. The next morning it was low again and I knew I had to get it repaired.
While the car was in the shop I sat at a lunch table reading a good Christian book, but no food in front of me. A young man asked if he could sit at my table. This was very strange since there were many empty tables around us.
I won’t go into all of the details of our conversation, but it turned out that this young man attended the same high school as our granddaughter. It was about fifty miles away, so it was quite unexpected.
It was one of those God directed opportunities that allowed me to speak from my heart as the Lord gave me direction. No decision was made, but hopefully a seed has been planted that one day may bear fruit. Above all I just wanted to be real!
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.
