by Pastor Cecil | Aug 3, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 37:1-2
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”
Psalm 37 has been a blessing to me for many years. Back in the late 1950’s, Joyce and I had the blessed privilege of sitting under the ministry of Rev. Earl Lee. He preached a series of messages on this beloved chapter. I will not even try to match his wonderful coverage, but I will spend a few days in the chapter.
The two verses I have chosen for today set the stage for what will be covered in the next few days. I hope you will keep them together in order to see the way David uses a logical progression to teach deep spiritual truth.
We are cautioned against getting upset with evil men. The Psalmist uses the word “fret.” We might think of it as the wringing of one’s hands or losing sleep because of these evil deed doers. In the original Hebrew the word “fret” has a much stronger meaning—it is the word “charah” and means: “To be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.” Wow! Sadly that describes how we often feel.
Not only are we urged not to feel that way, but we are not to envy those who do wrong. It just sometimes seems like the bad guys get all the “cream” and we are left with the “skim milk.” So how do we stop our wrong feelings concerning those who do wrong? The answer is in realizing that there is a day of reckoning coming. I hope it changes our attitude from bitterness to concern for their souls. How great it would be if believers forgave in the same way Jesus has forgiven us!
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 2, 2011 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
I am just listening to the notes of that wonderful sacred song, “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked.” I have never visited Israel to walk over the same paths that Jesus walked, and because of my age it is unlikely I will ever be able to do so.
I have, however walked in the footprints of many godly saints who have gone on before me. I have held their personal Bibles in my hands and even read the notes they have penned in the margins.
It has occurred to me that just following the steps of Jesus or other precious saints does not make us more spiritual. All too often people like to attach some special honor to themselves by merely being in the same places Jesus ministered. I may stand behind a pulpit where a great preacher has proclaimed the Word in a mighty fashion. That does not mean that I will be able to deliver such a sermon.
We note that Paul was trying to impress upon his son in the faith, Timothy, that it was his task to remember what he has heard Paul teach and share those words with others. It is essential that we seek to discover spiritual truth from God’s Word and share these with others.
It is time for each of us to examine our own walk. Are we faithfully searching for precious nuggets of truth? If so, are we faithful in following in the footsteps of those who have gone before us? Will they be able to know Jesus better as we pass?
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 1, 2011 | Colossians
Colossians 1:9-10
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
It is amazing how swiftly time flies! It seems that the snow was falling only a short time ago and here it is the first of August. I might add that here in the Northwest our summer has been so cool that some days it almost feels like winter.
That reminds me of how rapidly the years have passed since I sent out my first Daily-E-Votional. That was some 3,000 issues ago and over ten years. There have been many days when I felt more flat than fruitful. I wanted to send words of hope and encouragement, but it was hard to get my inspiration going.
It has been during those “flat” times that I have realized that it is not me putting these words into print, but the Holy Spirit using my feeble attempts to touch someone, perhaps a world away. That humbles me! The days when I feel that what I have written sounds like drivel are the days when the most people are impacted.
This has led me to conclude that it is not necessary for us to have it all together before we minister. We study, meditate, pray and then try to be as real as possible in writing what the Lord has put into our heart. Just remember that there may be someone waiting to hear the words the Lord has put into your heart.
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.
