by Pastor Cecil | Feb 14, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
When I hear the date, February 14th, there are three people who immediately pop into my mind. The first is my precious wife of more than 60 years, Joyce. That is because it is the celebration of Valentine Day—the day of expressing love to the one most dear to you. (She is, and I do!)
The second person that comes to my mind on this day is my precious dad, Cecil Frank Thompson. It was on this date that he went to be with the Lord February 14th, 1982. The realization that dad is rejoicing with those who have gone before is a comfort that takes away the pain of his departure from this old sin sick world. I eagerly look forward to seeing him again!
The third name is that of our grandson, Jeffrey Thompson. He was born on this date just two years following the death of his great-grandfather. It is a reminder that life follows death. Rather than focusing on the death of our loved ones we can rejoice that there are new lives being born to replace those who have departed.
It is a reality that life changes dramatically. From the love of husband and wife, the loss of a beloved parent, to the birth of a delightful grandchild, things are moving at all times. It is a comfort to know that the Lord knows what tomorrow holds. We can glorify His holy name and enjoy His provision for what lies ahead.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 13, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
On a regular basis I receive messages from readers who are encountering trials and tribulations. The things they are encountering seem so overwhelming that there is no answer. I always pray for the individuals involved and the Lord usually directs my mind to the Scripture for today.
Several years ago one of the members of our fellowship and a dear friend shared with me that several of the people she works with were jealous of her and had been treating her with contempt. She just sent me an encouraging note that has lifted my spirits. I called her and asked if I could use it and she agreed, so here we go!
Cecil, Here is a personal story about loving the unloved:
Last week we had a consultant come to our office to teach us a new database system. The consultant was from India and spoke very broken English. Everyone in the office treated him poorly and nobody wanted to work with him. They quickly unloaded him on me and they took off to (supposed) meetings and other obligations.
They made themselves busy all week so they did not have any time to spend with him. I spent the week with him. At first I admit he was hard to understand and I did not want to put forth the extra effort to have meaningful communication any more than anyone else did but on the other hand I could not stand the way he was being treated so I tried my hardest to have good communication.
It only took about a half day and then we could easily understand each other. The more I worked with him, the more I liked him. By the end of the week, he told me he knew my co-workers treated me badly (by making me work with him). He also pointed out many other ways they treated me badly.
He had been asking our information services person to provide me a new mouse for my computer all week because mine was not working properly. I never did get a new mouse. He said he could not believe they expected me to do days and days of data entry with a non-functioning mouse. Here is the part that blew me away: He said the next time he comes, he will bring me a new mouse!!
We were not only able to work with each other but we became friends!!!
What a great story! When we live our life as unto the Lord, He will open doors that we never dreamed possible. In the process we will find that His ways are pleasant and rewarding. Rather than whimpering and feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to rejoice that we are worthy to face the painful situations of life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 12, 2013 | 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
Some of you who are reading the Daily-E-Votional for today feel that you are at the end of your rope. The pressures of life have been crushing in on you from all directions and, one after another, your safe havens have disappeared. You may even feel that there is no place to go for help.
Hope is more than mere wishful thinking that things may get better. That concept of the meaning of the word hope seems to be all too common. It is thought of as wishing for something that probably will not happen, but we know the likelihood is very slim.
Let me correct that idea for us once and for all. The Greek word for hope as used in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 is the word elpis. It carries with it the meaning of confident expectation that God is the answer. Do you hear that? It is confidently waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us!
Please read that last sentence over one more time. It is not what we desire for ourselves, but what God wants to do in and through us. I think the greatest joy in life is to be used of God.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 11, 2013 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
I recently read a comment by a Bible teacher to the effect that Satan is not so much interested in getting us to fight with God as he is convincing us to forget about God. Either way, Satan wants to break our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
As we read the Scripture for today, we observe the powerful words that Paul addresses to the church, but which are equally appropriate for us today. He gives us a list of things with which to fill our minds. Things that are: TRUE, NOBLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT. So says the Lord!
Satan is never pleased with the ways of God. He creates an opposite pattern with which to fill our minds. Satan whispers in the ears of all who will hear him to fill their minds with things that are untrue, ignoble, unjust, impure, unlovely, of bad report. No one is perfect, so just go with the flow and do what feels good and is the best for you. This is the devastating change Satan makes to the true Word of God! Whose interpretation will we accept?
The question immediately arises about what we place in our own minds. It is of vital importance for us to carefully examine our thought life. Are the things of God more important than the things of Satan? Choose the Godly thoughts!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 8, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Sometimes we just seem to find ourselves wandering down the wrong path, or at least getting out of touch with the Lord. When we ask ourselves why God is not closer to us, the answer is that He has not left us, we have moved away from Him. Can I let you in on a little secret? God is more interested in staying close to us than we are in allowing Him to remain near us.
In our Scripture for today, David gives us assurance that even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death we need not be paralyzed with fear because the Lord is near us.
The words of Just A Closer Walk With Thee, should be our prayer request for the Lord to forgive us when we fail and allow us to be nearer to Him than ever before. It is my fervent desire to draw nearer and nearer to the Lord with each passing day.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er,
to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
To access Just a Closer Walk With Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/justacloserwalkwiththee/ 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
