by Pastor Cecil | Sep 16, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 24:10-13
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Jesus is coming soon! One of the prophecies concerning His return concerns the rise of false prophets and even those who claim to be Messiah. Since 1891, when the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby wrote this week’s hymn, there have been many false leaders who claimed to be the promised Messiah. Each of these charlatans lacked the required proof—the prints of the nails in his hands! Read carefully the words the words of this old hymn:
My Savior First of All
When my lifework is ended,
and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer
when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture
when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him
for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the dear ones in glory,
how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden
they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Through the gates to the city
in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages
I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
To access My Savior First of All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/mysaviorfirstofall 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. – Check out our website at: www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 15, 2011 | Acts
Acts 2:40-41
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
This afternoon we were thrilled to have a visit from our newest great-granddaughter. She is only five days old but here she was bringing her parents along with her. I am sure you believe that she had the idea and ability to do this by herself. Hee! Hee!
In a few weeks we will have an extra special blessing when three of our grandchildren will be visiting, and we will be able to see all four of our great-grandchildren together. This will be extra special since one family lives in Austin, Texas, one in Berlin, Germany, and one about two hours north of us. What a joyful gathering we are anticipating.
As I was thinking about how our family is growing, it led me to think about the growth of the church of Jesus Christ. It may be only a few huddled together in a mud hut or it may be thousands gathered in a magnificent place of worship—but His family is growing.
I recently read an e-mail message reporting that a new believer had been beheaded for becoming a Christian. As I reflected on this report I thought of how across the ages, there have been many who have been willing to lay down their lives rather than turn their backs on the Lord Jesus who laid down His life for each of us. My prayer is that all true members of the family of God will be willing to die rather that recant. If Jesus is worth living for, He is worth dying for. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!
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 | Sep 14, 2011 | Acts
Acts 18:26
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Have you ever met the Yesbuts? It is not a family that lives down the block or the next street over. As a matter of fact this is not a family at all. It is a defense that many people have used to reject the truth that has been presented. Excuse me—I have made a terrible mistake (intentional, by the way). We need to have a space in the name; it should be read: Yes, but.
Now I am sure that you have come into contact with this defensive maneuver. The truth is presented as clearly as possible and it is hoped that the person or persons listening will receive it. But instead, there is this look of desperation in their eyes and you hear those words that are so frustrating, “Yes…but…”
It is so sad that even when the blessed Holy Spirit speaks to a person they often rely on “yes…but…” to justify their reason for not yielding. God is never impressed with our feeble excuses for rejecting His appeal for us to become obedient to His direction.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you right now? Is God saying there must be a change in your life? Are others seeing inconsistencies in your life that you refuse to acknowledge? Are you willing to surrender your will to His will?
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 | Sep 13, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 40:12
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
When I was a Juvenile Probation Officer, I had a close relationship with my probationers. They were often guilty of acting out in criminal ways that would cause them to be confined in our juvenile holding cells. It was there that I tried to get close to them and fill a gap they lacked in a positive role model.
One day I received a call from the Sheriff’s Department that one of my delinquents was creating a serious problem. The boy had somehow secured a razor blade and was cutting up things in the cell. The deputies were fearful that he was dangerous to himself or others.
I prayed about what to do and it seemed that the Lord wanted me to take a chance. At noon I went to his cell and asked if he would mind if I lay on one of the steel plate bunks. I lay with my back to him and he seemed stunned. He asked if I knew about the razor blade. I told him that I knew. When he asked if I was afraid I let him know that I believed in him and that he would not harm me. Instantly he went to his hiding place and gave the razor to me.
For 30 minutes or so this young man confessed offense after offense that he had committed. The fantastic part of the story is that once he had confessed these things it marked a turning point in his life. Following his release he got a job and was never in our court again.
It is very likely that some of the health and behavior problems you are experiencing are the result of unconfessed sins. The only way to gain a clear conscience is by confessing your sins and transgressions to the Lord, then walking in obedience to His Word.
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 | Sep 12, 2011 | Luke
Luke 22:45-46
When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
For several years I served on a pastoral staff with a most delightful individual, Vernon Wilcox. He was the most dignified of all of the other staff members and delighted that for the first time in his life, he was given a nickname—Rocky. I cannot recall why that name was given to him, but he would always smile with delight when the name was used.
Rocky once shared an embarrassing incident in his life. He was attending a service at a camp ground where the auditorium was attached to the kitchen area. The speaker for the morning session was rather long-winded and the lunch being prepared filled the auditorium with fragrant smells. Unfortunately Rocky had nodded off during the message. He suddenly heard his name called to pray. Instead of pronouncing the benediction for the service, he prayed a blessing on the food they were about to eat. It was evident to everyone that he had made an error.
All too often God’s disciples allow their eyelids to become heavy and we slip into a drowsy haze rather than being awake and alert to hear the voice of the Lord speaking to us. If ever there was a time for God’s people to be alert and awake, it is the day in which we live. But sad to say, there is probably more lethargy now than ever before.
It is my fervent prayer that we will discipline ourselves to remain awake and expectant for the Lord to reveal Himself to us. There is a lost world around us and we need to be prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, even one person at a time, while there is still time remaining. Awake, O sleepers!
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.
