by Pastor Cecil | Aug 31, 2011 | Acts
Acts 17:11
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Back in the dark ages when I was a Juvenile Probation Officer, juvenile cases were under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court. The work of handling juvenile offenders was just one additional function. The primary work of the court was to handle the final disposition of a deceased person’s estate.
At that time there was no such thing as computers and spell checkers on the old electric typewriters. That’s right—we were advanced and had electric typewriters, not those old manual contraptions!
After receiving and processing the many documents in these cases, two people would proof each document. It was usually Ruby and LaRue. I can still hear the drone of one reading while the other followed along on the court document. Now Ruby was getting up there in years and it was not uncommon to see her head drop down and her eyes close. So LaRue had to insure that she was awake while they were proofing the text at hand.
I fear that many Christians today are like little Ruby. Their eyes grow heavy and heads droop as they are lulled into a stupor by the word of some ministers who twist the Word of God out of context in order to support their own agenda. It is our responsibility to always be alert to check what they say with what the Bible says. If it is wrong, run, don’t walk, away from the false teacher. Proof is essential!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 30, 2011 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
In yesterday’s Daily-E-Votional, I described the couple sitting in front of my desk engaged in a big argument. The reason was based on the fact that each was asking the other questions prefaced by the words Why don’t you?
Prayerfully I told them I felt that the Lord had given me the answer. They were to have another conversation, but this time they could not use those words, Why don’t you? This time they could only use the words, How can I? Again it did not matter what they talked about—they just had to be unconditional in their willingness to meet the needs of the other. In a few minutes they were in each other’s arms and professing their love for each other.
In like manner, the Lord is anxious for us to have that same attitude toward Him. Rather than having our own way and wanting Him to satisfy our slightest whim, we need to love Him and seek to find ways in which we can serve Him. How can I serve you better, Lord? should be our constant prayer.
The Lord is seeking believers who look beyond the trials and tribulations of this life and, through the eyes of faith, see the glories that are awaiting us when we see His face in glory. This life is too short to focus only on those things that make us feel comfortable. We need to get out of our comfort zone and give, give, give!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
From time to time I recall the scene of a couple sitting in front of my desk. They had come for counseling as a last resort to save their marriage. They said they fought over just about everything. I had them face each other and start talking. In a matter of minutes they seemed to have forgotten where they were and became engaged in a heated argument.
I had been praying for divine wisdom on how to help them, when I heard what each was saying to the other. “Why don’t you . . .” It really didn’t matter what the issue was, they were incensed that the other person was not doing what they wanted them to do.
What was happening to this couple is the same thing that happens to so many of us. We are consumed with how things will benefit us. We place conditions on what we do for others to insure that it will be a benefit to others. If that were all we do it would be bad enough. The tragic thing is that we treat God the same way.
Stop and think about it for a minute. How many times have we bargained with God? We agree to follow and obey Him IF only He will grant the request we make. IF He heals! IF He provides a job! IF He gives us whatever it is that we think we must have in order to be happy and content! That, my dear friend, is placing a condition on God. Don’t do it. I’ll have the solution tomorrow.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 26, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Sometimes we just seem to find ourselves wandering down the wrong path, or at least getting out of touch with the Lord. When we ask ourselves why God is not closer to us, the answer is that He has not left us, we have moved away from Him. Can I let you in on a little secret? God is more interested in staying close to us than we are in allowing Him to remain near us.
In the words of today’s Scripture, David gives us assurance that even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death we need not be paralyzed with fear because the Lord is near us.
The words of Just A Closer Walk With Thee, should be our prayer request for the Lord to forgive us when we fail and allow us to be nearer to Him than ever before. It is my fervent desire to draw nearer and nearer to the Lord with each passing day.
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee“
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er,
to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
To access Just a Closer Walk With Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/justacloserwalkwiththee/ 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. Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 25, 2011 | Hebrews
Hebrews 5:12
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
I am sorry to keep referring to my early morning exercise regimen, but at 77 years of age, to begin working out is a major undertaking. Following my triple by-pass heart surgery the doctors told me that if I did not take on such an undertaking, the Undertaker might take me under! Just kidding! They did, however, strongly suggest that I get serious about my exercise and diet.
When I first began my workouts I had little stamina and was limited in how long and strong I could endure. I have found that over the weeks I have been able to do more and more.
This morning I was meditating about how God works in our lives. It seemed to be a natural thing to relate it to my time and efforts. The more I stretch myself the more I am able to accomplish as days go by.
Spiritually we are in very much the same category. If we spend little time meeting with the Lord in prayer and feasting on His Word, we remain spiritual babies. The more time we spend searching out the hidden truths of His Word, the more we will be able to draw deeply from its vast resources and the more mature we will become. It all starts with commitment and determination. Each morning I have to roll out of bed to get busy on the various exercise equipment. Likewise, each day I have to carve out segments of time to meet with the Lord. I am getting stronger!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
