by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2011 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
A few days ago I received an encouraging word from our dear friend Mary Ellen Bouren who is working in Qatar. She has been a tremendous source of blessing to our troops and workers from other nations who are serving there. Her recent update was especially poignant for this season of remembering those who have served. Let me share a portion of her message:
Memorial Day is the day set aside when we take time to remember all of our Fallen Warriors, who made the ultimate sacrifice. I would like to dedicate the remaining portion of this update to my friend, Becky Mizener, her husband Jim, and their family. On January 7, 2004 the Mizener family received the devastating news that their young son, with a family, and a soldier in the US Army, had been killed in action outside Baghdad, Iraq. Through this dark period of time, God lifted Becky and gave her the strength to focus on a mission that would honor their son, Jesse. The family has taken this tragedy and poured their lives into the lives of hundreds of other soldiers. God has opened many doors for Becky to speak, visit the White House, spend time with President George W. Bush, participate in the Gold Star Moms, and many other adventures. Becky started an organization called “Packed With Pride.” She sends supplies, goodies, toys, etc., to the troops. Our son, Kevin, has been the recipient of some of her “care packages.” He even shared one with me after I arrived in Qatar :) This lady inspires me every time I think about her. Please take some time and visit her website to “feel” the heart of this amazing woman. You will be blessed! Thank you, Becky, and family for ALL you do and for such a BIG heart toward our troops!!!!!
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 1, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 1:20
“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
From time to time I recall my days when I was working as a Juvenile Probation Officer. I worked for a Judge who was noted for his unique wisdom. In his early days he was a lawyer in a wild-west town and saw his share of gunfights that led to the death of one of the antagonists. But that is another story.
I had the rare opportunity to share a ride to work with Judge Ben Riordan and in addition would visit several times a day during one of the recesses he called. He was quite candid in his estimation of some of the attorneys who appeared before him to argue a case.
Two expressions stand out in my mind. The first: “He was so stupid that every time he opened his mouth he subtracted from the sum total of human intelligence!” The second: “He could remain silent and look stupid or open his mouth and remove all doubt!”
Judge Ben taught me that it is not necessary to have a huge intellect to do a good job. It was necessary to study a situation carefully before expressing an opinion. In fact it is often better to remain silent and simply watch.
As I walk through this life I want to have the wisdom that God desires for each of us. I find James 1:5 to be a verse to live by: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” I think Judge Ben would like that verse!
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. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 1, 2011 | Philippians
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.
