by Pastor Cecil | Oct 3, 2012 | Psalm
Psalm 118:22-24
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Several years ago I experienced harsh rejection. The only reason for writing about it is to give you a hope and a confidence. Even though you may be rejected by men—you are never rejected by our heavenly Father. The purpose of my rejection is known only to those who inflicted it. It started with snide remarks and innuendos. Comments became accusations with no basis, so it was hard to endure. Have you ever been there? False statements were made and I found myself feeling like an animal being pursued by hunters ready for the kill.
I want to say right here that I am no perfect example. I make more than my share of mistakes, blunders and oversights. Some of the comments had elements of truth in them, so I could agree to a point, but taken out of context, they became a pretext.
I pray that there may be one or two of you out there who are able to relate to this and I hope that this will be God’s way of sending you assurance. I had those who gave me assurance during my ordeal and it was a blessing. God was just beginning with us! People came forward to support and stand along beside us. I realized that I was not rejected, but loved and sustained by the Lord. God still continues to surprise us with His new call to exciting ministry.
For over eleven years the Lord has given me a vision to write this Daily-E-Votional, which is going out to thousands of people all around the globe. Here is my conclusion concerning my personal rejection. Jesus was rejected and He was perfect in all ways. Since we are not perfect we can expect to be rejected or at least not appreciated. Write down on paper what you are encountering and present it to Him in prayer. Keep your eyes fixed steadfastly upon Him and know that He will never, ever reject you.
Since God has given us this day—BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 2, 2012 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 6:13-14
Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, ‘peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.
Last Saturday afternoon, Joyce and I sat down and watched the old movie Brigadoon, starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charise. I have to confess that it has been one of my favorite movies of all times.
For those of you who have not seen it, the plot is that two hunters from New York are hunting in Scotland and stumble across a village, Brigadoon, that has just awakened from a one hundred year sleep. For this village, each night is 100 years long so they will not be contaminated with the evil world around them. As it turns out there is an evil from within that almost destroys them all.
There seems to be a human concept that given enough time, humans will become peaceful and free of strife. Beep! The answer is that this just never has happened and never will happen. Man is sinful by nature and it is not more time that we need, but we need more of Jesus.
Jesus never promised to remove His believers from the storms of life, but He did promise that His Spirit would be with them in the storms. As we look for the peace that passes all understanding, it is the peace in our heart that matters. The storms of life may rage around us, but Jesus has promised His sweet peace.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 1, 2012 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:6-8
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.’ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’
I once was asked to officiate at a wedding ceremony with 400 to 600 guests expected. As the time for the wedding approached there was an alarming sense of silence. Ten minutes before the ceremony there were perhaps twenty people in the church. A few more straggled in at or near the time of the event. All told there was about thirty-five family and guests present. Each one there meant so much to the bridal couple. Those who failed to attend drove a stake into the hearts of this couple who had counted on their attendance.
I just read a statement by a very wise man, Ron Ritchie. He once commented to Chuck Swindoll that three fourths of ministry is just showing up. I love that! It is so basic and true that it is hard to argue with it.
I once heard Howard Hendricks share the story of a Teacher’s Training Seminar he was to lead in a small church. For weeks the pastor of that church had announced the importance of the seminar and begged each and every teacher to be present. When the day arrived, and the time for the seminar began, only two teachers showed up. In utter dismay the pastor sent the two home, rather than waste the time on an important seminary professor, author and conference speaker.
I wonder about what might have been accomplished with those two faithful teachers who were there to learn. I also wonder about those who did not attend and crushed the spirit of a pastor who wanted the best for them and his church. Where would you see yourself in this incident? Are you someone who can be counted upon to just be there?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
