by Pastor Cecil | Aug 24, 2012 | 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
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 23, 2012 | 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 24:10
David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”
Do you remember the story of Gideon, whom God raised up to deliver Israel from the hand of a mighty army of Midianites and Amalekites? God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle against this mighty army. He could only muster 32,000 men.
What could so few do against so many? But God is not, nor has He ever been interested in numbers. He had Gideon whittle the number down to only 300 men of Israel to defeat that mighty army. Why did God want only a few? The answer is that He did not want Israel to think they were the ones who won the battle.
As a young man David had confronted Goliath with only a sling and five smooth stones. It only took one of those stones to drop the giant! When we follow close to the Lord and rely on His strength, we will see our own giants fall.
So why are numbers so important to so many? Why do we exert so much effort to achieve numerical gain? Pride! Do you want to know a secret? Our desire to be bigger or better than others is repulsive to the Lord.
In today’s Scripture we read of David’s repentance for requiring a census of the number of fighting men. Why David wanted to do this is known only to him and God. He was an old man and his fighting days were over.
We disguise the counting of numbers (people, contacts, giving, etc.) as proof that God is blessing us more than others. Did I just say that? Yes, I certainly did. We need to be honest with ourselves it is God who must bring the increase.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 22, 2012 | Psalm
Psalm 19:7-9
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
For several years I ministered as a Christian Counselor at a large church and, later, in my own counseling service. There was a constant stream of individuals or couples who were facing a variety of problems that seemed insurmountable. I knew that I was not able to come up with the solution, so I was constantly in prayer for divine wisdom in trying to discover an answer.
My prayer was supported constantly by the infallible Word of God. Where man’s wisdom falls short of answers, God’s Word comes through each and every time. Today’s Scripture is an absolutely fantastic guide for us all. Look at the truth we find here:
- God’s Law: It is perfect and refreshes the soul!
- God’s Statutes: They are trustworthy and make even the simple minded wise!
- God’s Precepts: They are right and bring joy to the heart!
- God’s Commands: They are radiant and give light to the eyes!
- Our Fear of the Lord: It is pure and endures forever!
- God’s Decrees: They firm and all of them are righteous!
Read that list over once again. Five of the six are issued from God to us here on the earth: His Law, His Statutes, His Precepts, His Commands, and His Decrees. There is only one thing mentioned that reflects an action on our part, and that is to have a reverential fear of the Lord. That direction on our part takes away a self-centered focus and begins the ultimate healing process. That, my dear reader, is how to resolve the problems you are facing in your life. Try it!
Blessings dear hearts! Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 21, 2012 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
As I reflect back upon my life I am mindful of the variety of positions I have filled at one time or another. I have been a police officer, military enlisted man, then commissioned officer, college professor, and a criminal justice planner. It is almost as if I can say that I have been there and done that!
Many of these positions placed me in temptation’s line of fire. There were many fellow workers who tried to persuade me to violate my conscience and go along with them in their sinful activities.
As much as others try to entice us, there is no way that they can win unless we choose to go with them rather than going with God. It is vital for us to understand that it is not in our own strength that we will have victory, but in the might and power of the Lord who was tempted just as we are tempted and yet without sin.
If you are experiencing pressure in your life to compromise your principles, stop what you are doing and get alone with the Lord. Pour out your Heart to Him and let Him know that you are calling out to Him for help to overcome the enemy. Then find a faithful Christian friend to pray for you to remain steadfast.
Blessings dear hearts! Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 20, 2012 | 1 John
1 John 3:18-19
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence.
Several years ago I conducted a committal service for a decorated navy veteran. The service was at a national cemetery some distance from our home. I asked my wife, Joyce to ride with me and keep me company. When we drove to the shelter where the ceremony was to take place I was directed where to park. It was just in the right location for Joyce to observe the service from our car.
The military members marched forward carrying the folded flag. The rifle detail fired three salvos, the flag was unfurled and as the military members saluted, a bugler played out the somber notes of the taps. It was inspiring to have four military personnel standing at parade rest while I recited Scripture and made spiritual application about the reality of eternity. The military concluded their portion of the service by presenting the flag to the widow. They then marched behind the wall of the shelter. Everything appeared to be very formal.
On the trip home Joyce told me what she had seen from her vantage point. The military detail had been so polished and regimented during the ceremony, but after they went behind the wall, a change took place. She watched as the stiff formality dissolved into casual laughter and gestures of relief.
Before we say anything about these brave, young service personnel, let us stop and consider our spiritual behavior. How many times have we put on a facade of piousness that was not exactly true? If we face ourselves in God’s mirror of truth—the Bible—what would we see?
If ever there were a time for authentic Christianity, it is now! We need men and women who will quit putting on a spiritual show and begin living as authentic believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are people looking at the way we live—not just when we are in church, but every single day of the week. There are no time outs when it comes to serving Jesus. We should be the same “behind the wall” as we are when we’re called upon to minister. On stage or off stage—we need to be real soldiers of the cross! As the title of this Daily-E-Votional asks; “WHO ARE YOU?”
Blessings dear hearts! Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
