by Pastor Cecil | Aug 24, 2011 | Romans
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
My first assignment as a US Air Force Officer was as Personnel Officer for the Personnel Processing Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Our Squadron was responsible for receiving and processing young men and women from civilian life into the military.
Back in the sixties there was a radical movement in society. I looked up the definition of radical and found the following: Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions. This attitude could be seen in the new recruits who arrived at our Base for processing.
It was fascinating to observe a line of young men waiting to receive their first military haircut. The barbers had a wry sense of humor and quite often would enjoy having fun with those who had long, well-styled hair. As the young man would seat himself the barber would ask how he would like it cut. There was surprise on the young man’s face that he could actually request how it was to be styled. In a moment the barber made three passes with his clippers over the top, two along the sides and suddenly there was a pile of hair on the floor. Welcome to the military!
Some of these young men had been classified as radicals. They had tried to walk in new ways that screamed in the face of tradition. Now they were about to be molded into airmen who would learn to become REAL. They were poised to become a valuable asset to their country.
I long for true Christians to undergo a radical change in their lives—a transformation so great the world could not help but notice. Not a show or sham, but radically real in our walk with the Lord.
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 23, 2011 | Romans
Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
My brother Harold was several years older than me so I grew up listening to things my folks would say to him in the way of correction. Some of it good and, shall we say, some of it not so good.
Don was a boy in our church about Harold’s age who was a bully, always demanding his way — if he didn’t get it, Don would resort to punching or kicking. He wore heavy boots so his kicks were painful. From time to time Harold would complain to my mom that Don had kicked him. Finally mom told my brother that the next time he should just kick the bully back.
A few weeks later when several families were together, Don ran in crying to his mom that my brother had kicked him. Mom called to Harold and asked him to explain why he had kicked Don. He simply replied that he was doing what she had told him to do. Ooops! It took some explaining to Don’s mom what she had said and why.
Sometimes our good intention at getting even with someone falls far short of what God expects of His children. I know it feels that we need to take matters into our own hands, but that is not God’s way. My Grandpa Shubert told about his family being oppressed by an evil man when he was a boy in Germany. His family and others began to appeal to the Lord for help. A gigantic storm swept through the area and a bolt of lightning struck this man’s palatial dwelling killing him instantly. God’s vengeance was powerful and final.
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 22, 2011 | Romans
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Earlier today Joyce asked the question that perhaps many of us have asked at one time or another; why doesn’t God step in and stop the suffering in that person’s life? It’s a great question that comes with a difficult answer; because He’s God and He alone knows what He is doing. It’s God’s business and His alone!
I just looked at something someone sent by e-mail. It was a huge picture on a street and was a depiction of the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci. It looked a little strange from a distance, but a closer view showed that it was all composed of cups of coffee with differing amounts of cream to change the coloring.
I imagined a group of workers that might have been hired to assist an artist who was duplicating the work. Trip after trip they would bring the artist a cup of coffee only to watch as it was placed on the concrete. Over and over this must have driven the workers mad as they felt that what they were doing was futile. Not one sip was taken of the coffee, but it was just placed next to the other cups. How useless all of the efforts might have seemed.
Even when the work was done and they were told to look at the finished work they might have felt a bitter sense of disappointment. All they could see was hundreds of cups of coffee. Then the artist took them to a pedestrian bridge a short distance away. As they looked down from above they were amazed. Their work had not been useless after all. Only from above could the real purpose come to 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 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 19, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This Daily-E-Votional is something different than I have sent out before. I have never asked for funds for our ministry but God has provided. This appeal is not for us but for another ministry. I share this with you and ask that you consider being a part of a ministry that is taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
We want to let you know about a proven Christian ministry called JESUS Film Harvest Partners (JFHP). If you take about 4 minutes to watch the above video (click on the image above) or go to: http://www.Harvest120.org I think it will challenge you to become a Harvest Partner as well.
The return on investment with JFHP is incredible. For every $3 given to their ministry, one person makes a decision for Christ as the result of seeing the JESUS Film in their own language (showing the JESUS Film is more effective than giving them a Bible to read because only one third of the world is literate). JFHP is a great way for you personally, your church or youth group to participate in the Great Commission.
We have a goal of getting others involved with us, each giving $30 a month to JFHP through Harvest 120 Sponsorships. If you decide to join us, at the end of twelve months, you’ll be personally responsible for 120 people making decisions for Christ around the world. What a blessing that would be! Would you consider joining us? It’s easy. It’s proven. It’s effective and we guarantee you’ll love being involved like us.
Be sure to watch and enjoy this JESUS Film Gamo Language Premier video (about 4 minutes long). It’s like being at a JESUS Film showing in person. If you’re unfamiliar with the JESUS Film, you can watch JESUS in your own language. JESUS is the most accurate film on the life of Jesus ever made (based on the Gospel of Luke).
Wow! One decision for Christ for every $3 given. Please feel free to pass this email along to anyone you think may be interested in helping fulfill the Great Commission. Or in your conversations with friends and family you can simply tell them to visit Harvest120.org. You can also contact JFHP at:
JESUS Film Harvest Partners
15055 West 116th Street
Olathe, KS 66062 USA
Phone: (913) 663-5700
Email: info@JFHP.org
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. Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 18, 2011 | 1 John
1 John 2:16
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
A young woman in one of my Bible Study classes was the daughter of an ordained minister. She shared with us about one church her father served as pastor. In his former church it was customary for a group to stop by a café for a time of food and fellowship. Following his first Sunday evening service he mentioned that he and his family were going to stop a local café for a bite to eat and they would be glad for anyone to join them.
It was almost as if he had thrown a bomb in the middle of the floor. In that group they had established that it was a sin to eat out on Sunday and here was this new preacher encouraging the people to transgress the law.
This incident may be an extreme illustration of the things people consider sinful, but it is safe to say that a great number of people have a list of the dirty dozen or the nasty nine sins. Most are wrong actions—actions that have been committed.
In reading James chapter four we find another sin. It is not what we have done but rather what we have not done. James 4:17; “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” So it is not just doing bad things that is sinful, but also failing to do good things. When was the last time you felt the Holy Spirit nudge you to do something for the Lord and you held back? Have you confessed it as a sin? According to James 4:17 we are guilty as charged. Let’s start obeying when we feel the Spirit urging us to act.
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 Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
