by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
Luke 23:42-43
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Last night I was speaking with a dear friend. Our conversation moved to the death of an acquaintance who had passed away a few months ago. He mentioned that he had shared the gospel with her shortly before her death, but she told him that she was not convinced that Jesus was no more than an illegitimate child of a country girl and who had deceived his followers. It makes me shudder just to think of her words so near to her death.
We could only hope that in the last fleeting moments of her life she had repented and confessed that she was a sinner in need of God’s grace. We will never know until we reach eternity, but we fervently hope that she had a change of heart.
We know that one of the thieves who hung next to Jesus changed from a mocking sinner to a trusting believer. What words of comfort the Lord gave the man when he assured him that he would be with Him (Jesus) that very day.
I will never forget my experience at the bedside of a dying man. He seemed to be in a coma and unresponsive. I shared the plan of salvation with him but felt it to be too late. Then I saw a tear form in his eye and roll down his cheek. I fully expect to meet that man in heaven.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, or Pastor Cecil Thompson.
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 8, 2011 | John
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
It is unfortunate that many people have been led to believe that they must do something good to merit salvation. They feel that if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds they will make it to heaven.
There are some religions that teach a doctrine of self-sacrifice. They believe that the more you suffer the greater your eternal reward. Tragically, that is not the case. There is simply no way that we can be good enough to be acceptable in God’s sight. In fact, we read in Isaiah 64:6 that our best righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. If that is what our best is, just imagine what our worst deeds are?
So if we cannot achieve salvation by our righteousness, then how can we be saved? The answer is found in today’s Scripture. It is what God has done for us. He knew that the blood of an innocent sacrifice was required. That meant that God had to send His only Son, Jesus, to offer Himself as the full payment for our sins.
Notice that the purpose of Jesus coming into the world was not to condemn us, but to provide salvation for us. It is in confessing that we are sinners and accepting Jesus into our hearts that we are saved. We either accept Him or reject His provision for our salvation. There is no middle ground. Have you received Him?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations,” or “Pastor Cecil Thompson.”
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 7, 2011 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I once took a class in speed reading. It was interesting and very helpful, but at the same time it lacked something. That something was application. I could scan over the pages of a book and at the end know very little of the author’s intent in writing the book. The same thing is true of our reading of the Bible.
Think of the times you have read a passage of God’s Word and later could recall nothing of what you had read. That is tragic. Think about the lives across the centuries that have been lost and the suffering that has been endured so that we can hold this precious book in our hands. It makes me slow down and consider just how dear these words should be to me.
Even with this thought in mind it is still sometimes difficult to grasp the meaning of certain passages. As I recall it was Henrietta Mears who suggested a manner of Bible study that has been very useful to countless students of the Bible. WHAT DOES IT SAY? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? HOW DO I APPLY IT TO MY OWN LIFE?
As we slow down and drink in the words we need to ask ourselves these questions. At the same time we need to understand that while the words may have been written by human hands the inspiration of the words come from God. God’s Word is living and active. It speaks to us in different ways and at different times to meet our need at just the right time. Above everything else we need the APPLICATION to make it real in our heart and life.
Praise God that He is the One who crowns us with love and mercy!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations,” or “Pastor Cecil Thompson.”
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 4, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”
In recent years kidnapping has increased dramatically. Even huge oil tankers or cargo carriers have been boarded and the ship and crew have been held hostage until the price for their release has been met. THEY HAVE TO BE REDEEMED IN ORDER TO BE SET FREE!
The fact that Fanny J. Crosby wrote thousands of poems, many of which became favorite hymns is amazing. The fact that she was totally blind is even more remarkable. Our hymn this week is Redeemed.
Redeemed
(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.
REFRAIN:
(3) I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
REFRAIN:
(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
REFRAIN:
(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
REFRAIN:
Notice verse four. It strikes me that Fanny Crosby was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed/ 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.
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.”
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
When I was stationed with the US Air Force in Northern Newfoundland, Canada, I was not a Chaplain. I was a Personnel Officer. But more than that, I was a committed Christian and had felt the call of God to preach the Word. I had not served as a pastor, but I had taught and preached many times.
It is one thing to stand in front of a group and open God’s Holy Word, but there are other times that are not so appealing. One of these times was especially testing to my spirituality. The pastor’s wife from town knew that the Officer’s Club owned a large van. She had a class of teenage girls that needed to attend an event at a community about an hour away. She begged me to drive the group. Giggle! Giggle! Giggle! That’s all I heard going and coming.
I have no idea how much spiritual enlightenment might have touched one or several of those girls, but it taught me a lesson in humility. There are times when the greatest ministry we can have is to drive gigglers to their destination. Here am I Lord, send me!
It might have been on that very trip that I spoke with a man from the community who shared their need. They had a small group that met for worship, but no minister. I was asked to come and share God’s Word with them. I did so with great delight. Here am I Lord, send me!
What is the Lord calling you to do? What ministry does He lay across your path? Is it driving gigglers or sharing the truth of God’s Word? Either way be available. Here am I Lord, send me!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.”
