by Pastor Cecil | Jun 16, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 18:19-20
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.”
My particular ministry has often taken me outside the walls of the traditional church setting. Many funerals, weddings and other ceremonies have thrust me into a world not quite a part of normal church structure.
Many times I have had people come up to me following a ceremony and ask where my church is located. Time after time individuals have said they would like to start attending. The strange thing is that they never appear. If everyone came to our services that promised to be there, we would have to rent an auditorium to hold them all.
I wish I would be astute enough to challenge these people. It has come to me that if I am speaking to true born again believers, according to today’s Scripture, anywhere believers happen to congregate together is the church.
In recent years we have seen an explosion of food trucks on the streets of our cities. It is no longer necessary to go to a café, dining room or diner to get a meal. We can locate a food truck on the street that will supply a fantastic meal that is ready to go.
I am not suggesting that we set up mobile churches that dispense spiritual takeout food. What I am saying is that the church is God’s children meeting and sharing the blessings of the Lord with one another, to be an encouragement to strengthen one another. I challenge you to begin to look at the church in a new and exciting light.
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 | Jun 15, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 16:17-18
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’ ”
As I have been studying the subject of the church, I have been reminded of the many times I have heard (or used myself) the expression, “my church.” Perhaps this is most common among pastors who come to feel that it is their church. May God forgive us for this narrow minded and erroneous point of view.
Can I let you in on a little secret? Pastors are human! Yep! That’s right. We are subject to all of the emotions and failings that everyone encounters. Since a pastor’s ministry is usually wrapped up inside the concept of the church it seems natural for him to assume that it is “his” church. Beep! Wrong answer!
Notice the last sentence in today’s Scripture. Jesus speaking to Peter says it is “His” church. It was then and it still is today! We must never lose sight of the fact that we are members of Christ’s church and we need to treat it accordingly. Those in positions of leadership must always remember that it is not their church and they are merely the serving at His pleasure.
The particular group of believers that you congregate with may vary in size. It may be a large congregation or few in number. The size has no bearing¯it is His church and we need to be in anticipation of hearing His voice whenever we meet in His name.
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 | Jun 14, 2011 | 2 Timothy
II Timothy 2:1-2
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Back in 1968-69 I was assigned to a remote radar site on the northern tip of Newfoundland, Canada. There were many hours that I spent in my room studying or listening to sermon tapes. Among my favorite ministers was Major Ian Thomas. His refreshing look at Scripture was a real blessing.
Recently I have re-read one of his books, The Indwelling Life of Christ. I was brought to attention when he gave this definition of the church: “This is the true church in action, the right people in the right place at the right time, saying the right things to the right people. The church in action is where the Lord Jesus is still at work clothed with the humanity of healthy members of His body.”
That still makes my head spin as I read what I have just typed. I know that not everyone in our congregations will be able to measure up to this definition, but just think how we could impact our world if just a majority would strive to approach the aim of this definition.
Now is the time for soul-searching. Are you associated with a congregation that strives toward these standards? Are you personally committed to reach the right people at the right time by saying the right things? I pray that you are.
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 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. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 13, 2011 | Acts
Acts 20:28-30
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
My heart was crushed recently when I heard of things that had happened in a local church that so disturbed a family, that the husband (who was suspicious anyway) said; “I do not want anything more to do with Christians!” I know his reaction was wrong, but what about the one or ones who had created the injury?
The unfolding of this latest incident has prompted me to devote this entire week toward looking at the church of Jesus Christ. What is the church and what is not the church? I think it is safe to say that it will stretch me greatly as I present this material.
Let me pose this question for all of us to consider: “What do you think the church is?” In the next few issues of the Daily-E-Votional, I would like for us to consider just what makes up a church.
I think it is important for us to consider human nature. (That’s a depressing subject isn’t it)? Think of a huge company with 10,000 employees. Imagine that for years this company has been recognized for friendliness and going out of the way to be helpful. Now one of the 10,000 employees insults a customer. (I hope you see what’s coming next!) Immediately this customer complains how terrible the company treats people. That is what often happens in the body of Christ. One person out of 10,000 (or whatever number) does something ungodly and suddenly all Christians are criticized. In the next few days we will look to see what God desires the true church to 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 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. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 10, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and quoted large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses in addition—he prayed.
In the mid 1800’s, Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer 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 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. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
