by Pastor Cecil | Mar 15, 2013 | James
James 1:22 & 25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Luther Bridgers attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He began preaching at age 17, and was ordained a Methodist minister. He served as an evangelist in the American South and in mission work in Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Russia. He pastored in Georgia and North Carolina before retiring in 1945 in Gainesville, Georgia.
We sing it with joy and happiness, but it was written with a heavy heart. Bridgers wrote this song after a tragic fire killed his wife and three sons. He wanted those who sang this song to know that Jesus brings a song, even when our hearts are crushed.
HE KEEPS ME SINGING!
1. There(s) within my heart a melody Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still, in all of life’s ebb and flow.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
2. All my life was wrecked by sin and strife, Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings, Stirred the slumbering chords again.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
3. Feasting on the riches of His grace, Resting -neath His sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face, That is why I shout and sing
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
4. Though sometimes He leads through waters deep, Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep, See His footprints all the way.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
5. Soon He(s) coming back to welcome me, Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown, I shall reign with Him on high.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2013 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.
I look at the date above and it causes me to bow in humble adoration before the Lord Jesus Christ. It is on this date that I celebrate my 79th birthday. Our kids used to tease that you have already lived one year before your first birthday so I you need to add one year to that total and say that I have lived 79 years and am now entering my 80th year. Kids can be so cruel about things like that. At least they were before they reached their 50th year. HA!
As I write this Daily-E-Votional I am in awe of the way the Lord has answered my prayer. I had never imagined that I would still be involved in active ministry at this age, but the Lord had other plans for me.
It was several years ago when I first saw this prayer of Jabez and made it my prayer. I was anxious for the Lord to expand my territory of ministry. Little did I realize that He had a world-wide ministry in which I would write daily encouragement that would reach hearts of people I have never met and will probably never meet until we are gathered together in Heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
On the other extreme, He has allowed me to have a ministry with a small group of believers who are like family. God has used our tiny group to grow spiritually in fantastic ways. The love reaches all who enter and causes us to feel like we are having a family gathering each week. As a matter of fact, that is what it is. A FAMILY OF GOD!
I want to thank each of you who write from time to time and share how God has used a particular E-Votional to meet a need in your life. Keep me in your prayers!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 13, 2013 | Job
Job 19:25-27
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Recently I had the opportunity to see photographs of a person who was young healthy and full of vitality. You could visualize that they were full of fun and excitement. They were the kind of person you would like to know and have as a friend. Included was another photograph showing the same person following a catastrophic accident. The once attractive features were now twisted and swollen.
Accidents or severe illness can so alter the appearance of an individual that it is hard to imagine that it was the same person. Although not as dramatic, the aging process also has the same effect. It is safe to conclude that our outward appearance can and does change, whether quickly or gradually.
Having a background in Law Enforcement, I have been shocked to compare mug shots that are taken of a person who has been arrested. Those who are repeat offenders and especially those addicted to alcohol or drugs change in appearance in a relatively short period of time—and always for the worse.
What does this all mean? I believe that it reminds us that our outward appearance is destined to change. No amount of cosmetic surgery will help. The vital thing is what is taking place within our heart and soul. When we are born again our new life in Christ begins. We have started the wonderful journey to eternity that assures us of a new and eternal body that will never grow old. Wow! The ultimate make-over!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 12, 2013 | Ezekiel
Ezekiel 47:9
Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh, so where the river flows everything will live.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Fed by the Jordan River and other streams, the Dead Sea has no outlet but evaporates rapidly in the desert heat, leaving heavy, caustic, mineral-laden water behind. Fish that flow in with the fresh water instantly perish. People enjoy floating effortlessly on the surface, but must immediately and thoroughly rinse away the corrosives. Mounds of salt line the shores of the Dead Sea, and a nearby pillar is named for Lot’s wife.
Recently, the Lord has impressed upon me the principles of Ezekiel 47—which we may now receive by faith and later witness by sight when Jesus returns. He promised springs of living water to the woman at the well, and to the celebrants in the temple, and “By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive” (John 7:39a).
Each of us is surrounded by Dead Sea people, and—if we are honest—we recognize that we ourselves are much more briny than the fresh flowing water that gives life. This is no way to serve in these last days. Yet we have a better hope that comes by faith. The Lord on His throne is ready to answer even one person’s humble, earnest, faith-filled prayer for revival.
“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12).
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 11, 2013 | James
James 1:22 & 25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
I love to watch mallard ducks flying low over our house. There is a whistle to their wings as they fly and they are extremely graceful in flight. On the ground is another matter. They waddle in an awkward manner. In an odd way it is the same with penguins. They waddle as they walk, but in water they swim like – – – fish. The difference is that these creatures were created by God to be more at home in their natural element. Ducks in flight—penguins in water.
It is not difficult to determine what the pattern of this world is. Observe any form of modern media and we will immediately discover the pattern of this world. Simply stated, it is that which is not in complete harmony with the plan the Lord has for us. God has designed us to soar with Him in obedience.
Any time we conform to the pattern God gives us, we will be seen as different. In a way that is what we are meant to be, different. We are called to be children of the King and as such we are not to be conformed to the ways that define the ways of the world. Instead we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. It is like the waddling ducks lifting into the sky.
We are meant to fly—not waddle. I hope you understand what I mean. We are to approve what God has planned for us. It is not enough to test the Word to discover His ways—we are also to approve His will. By approving God’s will, we are to get in step with His will. This means doing and approving what others are doing to fulfill the will of Him who has given us new life. Stop waddling and start soaring!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
