by Pastor Cecil | Dec 30, 2011 | Luke
Luke 24:29
“But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And He went in to tarry with them”
Henry F. Lyte was a man who greatly loved the Lord with his whole being. He came up with the saying, “It is better to wear out than to rust out,” and it perfectly described his life.
During the last 23 years of his life he pastored a poor church in England. He always suffered from poor health but during this time his health started to decline even more. When he finally preached his last sermon on September 4, 1847, it is reported that he practically had to crawl to the pulpit.
Shortly before preaching his last sermon he wrote the words and tune to the hymn, Abide With Me. He based his hymn on today’s Scripture that tells the story of Jesus walking with two disciples on the way to Emmaus and their statement, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.” He went to be with the Lord shortly after writing the hymn.
Later William Monk wrote a new tune for the hymn. During a time of personal sorrow, he was inspired by the beauty of a magnificent sunset.
Abide With Me
Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
To access Abide With Me, this week’s inspirational hymn video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/abidewithme/ 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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor. It’s also available at Amazon.com for your Kindle.
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 29, 2011 | John
John 10:9
“I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
One of the most frustrating things is to be locked out of your house. I recently wrote in one of the Daily-E-Votionals on the subject of being locked out and specifically mentioned being locked out of your car. Being locked out of your house is worse. Your clothes, food, books—everything is inside—but you are locked outside.
Back in the day (whatever that means) doors had the old fashioned mortise key locks. As is the case today, it was not uncommon for someone to discover that they were locked out. No problem! There was always someone who had a pass key, most commonly called a skeleton key. It would open virtually any door.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus was relating the parable of the Good Shepherd and His Sheep. He wanted His hearers to understand that we are the sheep and He is the Shepherd. He guards the door to the sheep pen to prevents the enemy from entering.
Jesus wanted the hearers of His day to understand that there is only one entrance to the fold. He means it for us in our day as well. Jesus is the only gate. Our key to unlock the gate is to repent of (turn away from) our sins and by grace, through faith, invite Him into our heart. It is interesting isn’t it? He gives us the pass key into the fold, but at the same time we offer Him the pass key into our heart.
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
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 28, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 16:26-27
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done.”
One of the blessings that God gives to His children is that we can give to Him. Back in the beginning we read that Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. I never read what God had laid upon their hearts give, but it is clear that they knew they were to give freely and generously.
My precious friend and spiritual mentor, Dr. John Hall, once was attending a medical conference in Houston, Texas. As he was there on a Sunday he decided to visit a local church for the morning service. He had not planned on putting anything into the offering, but the pastor announced that the offering was only for God’s people and was not intended for unbelievers. He said that if they were not in harmony with the Lord to please keep their money, but all believers were welcomed to give. Dr. Hall immediately went for his billfold with joy.
Let me share a gigantic truth with you: Giving reaches far beyond our pocket book. There are many people who donate huge sums of money, but are not givers. The reason is that they have not given themselves to the Lord. They may appear to be committed and generous, but they hold onto treasures that the Lord has told them to release.
Prayer should be such a natural thing that we follow the Lord’s direction. We can give a smile, a helping hand, a word of encouragement and any such acts. They do not replace our tithes and offerings, but enhance them. I want to be so used by the Lord that I feel like a messenger delivering His blessings to the ones He chooses.
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
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 27, 2011 | Matthew
Matthew 20:32-34
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.
When I was in the US Air Force stationed in Louisiana, we had a near tragic accident. Our daughter, Lori, was playing with neighbor kids. One of the boys shot a homemade arrow that struck Lori’s eye. A trip to the emergency room confirmed that it was an injury that could cause her to lose sight in that eye.
Following what treatment they could give her in the emergency room, she was sent home and we were told to make sure she remained quiet with a cool cloth over her eye. After a few days we were to return to see just how much permanent damage had been done.
We made a bed on the living room couch and had soothing Christian music playing. (Not today’s bing-bang-bong stuff). I am not sure if it was hours or possibly a day later that Lori asked Joyce, “Mom, did you touch me?” When she told Lori that she was on the other side of the room reading, Lori said, “But mom, someone just touched my eye.” A return visit to the doctor revealed that the damaged eye was restored.
What are the hurts in your life that need the touch of the Master’s hand? It may or may not a physical thing. It may be something that you have not revealed to another person. God’s special touch may be a touch that enables you to endure the thorn in your flesh to affirm that God’s grace is sufficient. Touch me Lord!
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
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 26, 2011 | Revelation
Revelation 19:20
Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, both great and small!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah!” For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Hallelujah! What a word of praise and adoration that is! I have heard that this word hallelujah, or the word, alleujah, is the same in all languages. It is a word that expresses sincere praise. Regardless of the time of year I especially enjoy Handel’s great oratorio, Messiah. One of the best loved parts of the Messiah is the Hallelujah Chorus.
It is interesting that the word appears in only four verses of Scripture and all of them are in the 19th chapter of Revelation. This glorious reverberation of praise is beyond any sound we have ever heard here on earth.
Thankfully I have never been in a tornado, but from what I am told, the noise is like a freight train passing nearby. You might think of the loudest noise you have ever heard and then multiply it by ten thousand. Not a harsh discordant sound, but praise beyond human imagination, all in praise of our God.
With this in mind, it is important that we become people of praise. It is not necessary to be in a large congregation or even have a voice. We can praise the Lord from deep within our hearts and know that our praise is in preparation for the ultimate Hallelujah 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
