by Pastor Cecil | Jul 10, 2012 | Genesis
Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
I look at the date on this issue of the Daily-E-Votional and my heart skips a beat. You see, it was sixty years ago, July 10, 1952, that my precious wife and I joined hearts and became husband and wife. It is incredible to think that we are celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary this year.
There was no way we could have known the joys that lay before us when we stood at the altar of our church and pledged our lives to each other. There would be three children, eight grandchildren and four (almost five) great-grandchildren.
To witness our children grow and mature into fine Christian adults has been a real blessing. We had the sorrow of losing our oldest daughter at age 35, but her radiant testimony for Jesus took away the pain of her death. We have the assurance that she will be waiting when we leave this old world.
As I read today’s Scripture, I was struck by the way time flies. It seems impossible that Joyce and I have reached this age and milestone in our marriage. It is because our love has been focused on the one beside us, not the drag of the calendar.
You know, it is the same way with our love for the Lord. The more we love Him and the closer we walk with Him, the faster time flies. Love leaps beyond the daily grind and points us to that day when we will experience eternity with our Lord and all who have gone before us. What a day that will be!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 9, 2012 | Daily-E-Votionals
Acts 16:27-30
And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
There have been times in my life when I found myself confined in a position that seemed very much like I was in prison. Some situations found me cut off from my precious family while other times it was the shadow of death that hung very near.
The more I read God’s precious Word, the more I realize that this world is not our home and we have an enemy that tries to confine us. It is during times of our greatest trials that the Lord gives us the greatest witness. Please read that again. I fear that all too often we spend our efforts trying to escape the prison we are in to become a pulpit to preach the message of salvation.
Paul was a dedicated servant of the Lord. In spite of this he experienced the pain of prison. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he rejoiced in the Lord and as a result he was able to lead other captives (as well as the keeper of the prison) to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Joseph had earlier used his years as a slave and prisoner to become the savior of his own brothers who had sold him.
What is the prison that you find yourself committed to at this time? Is it the pain of personal loss or agonizing pain? Are you allowing it to crush your spirit? Are you defeated as the iron doors slam behind you? I pray that you will ask the Lord to illuminate your prison with His presence and allow you to minister where you are.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I have to confess that all too often I fail to slow down and get a grasp on the full meaning of words. The word anxious in the Scripture for today is a case in point. I have quoted from the New King James Translation. In the King James Version the word anxious is interpreted as careful.
The original Greek word which is interpreted here as anxious, is the word merimna. Here is the expanded meaning for the word: to be anxious; to be troubled with cares, divided or distracted. Wow! That is exactly what Paul says we are NOT to do.
I can almost hear the cries of those who are passing through the valley of trial at this very moment. There may be a lost job, lost home, lost health, lost beloved, or many other tragic events. At this point we must stop and evaluate our behavior to determine if we are allowing the circumstances of misery to control our lives and our worship of the Lord.
Paul immediately gives us the resolution to being anxious. It follows the word everything. Now in my world, everything means the whole ball of wax. It is not partial but complete. So what follows the word is vital. He says that with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving we are to bring our requests to the Lord. In my mind that means we come to the Lord with an attitude of expectancy. He is going to give us what is best for us according to His riches in glory. When we do that He will bring peace in the midst of our storm-tossed life. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 5, 2012 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
While the date of this Daily-E-Votional is July 5th, I am writing it on the 4th. It is a day here in the US where we celebrate freedom. Canada celebrated their day of freedom and birth on the 1st. Mexico celebrates on May 5th. Other nations have their own day to celebrate freedom.
Years ago I heard a wise man remark that freedom is not the right to do what we want, but the choice to do what we ought. My freedom comes to a screeching halt when it imposes on the freedom of another person.
Freedom to do what we want is very self-centered. The craving of the flesh begs for something new and thrilling. When we base our life and conduct primarily on things that will satisfy only ourselves, we are guilty of using our freedom in a selfish manner.
According to the Word of God, we are to constantly keep inquiring of the Lord what He desires for us to do, to go and to be. It is not our own life that we are to live, but His life flowing through us.
I think it is way past time for true believers to stand out from the rest of the world in our freedom to serve Jesus in all that we do and say. My prayer is that we will be in touch with the Lord and truly say, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE THROUGH ME.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 4, 2012 | Luke
Luke 21:33-34
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
In the last week a horrible forest fire has ravaged the area around Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 350 homes were incinerated and only a heap of ashes remains to mark where they once stood. I just watched an interview with a mother who was stunned to finally be allowed on the scene and confirm that nothing was left. Her son, who is on deployment, sent his mom a text that said that they still had their memories. Wow, what a fantastic attitude!
That interview caused me to think of my own childhood home in Camas, Washington. I typed in the address and was rewarded with an aerial view of the present neighborhood. I could see our house and the houses of many of the neighbors who once lived there.
To the west of our old house I could see the field where we once played. It had a slope so we used it to slide on sleds during our rare winter snows. Then I saw it. On the far side of this field were the distinct markings of a small vineyard. The neighbor on the far side of the field grew concord grapes. My friend Jerry and I would make ourselves sick eating those grapes. What wonderful memories.
In the spiritual realm we have memories that we need to visit as often as possible. Think about the day we prayed a sinner’s prayer and invited Jesus into our heart. Spend time strolling down your spiritual memory lane. Realize that these precious memories will never be destroyed. Throughout eternity we will still be thanking Him.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
