by Pastor Cecil | Apr 16, 2013 | Mark
Mark 9:33-35
They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them: What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said: If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Did you ever wonder what the disciples of Jesus were like? Were they plaster saints without faults or failings? Did they fall short of being the men of God that they should have been? In this Scripture we have one glimpse into the behavior of the disciples that may often go unnoticed. They were proud and self-seeking! That is so hard to say that I hardly can believe I typed it.
Perhaps it is human nature to desire to be better than others. If so, it is our fallen nature. Pride is sin! I want to repeat that for effect: PRIDE IS SIN! The sin of many believers is going beyond pleasing the Lord—rather it is being in competition with other Christians. In God’s kingdom there is no place for being a Super Saint! He said that the first must be last and the servant of all!
I think the answer to being able to deal with pride and arrogance in our life is to stay close to Jesus. It is when we stray from His presence that we start thinking thoughts that are self-centered and willful. In Psalm 119:133, the Psalmist David directs this prayer to the Lord: Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 15, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Recently I was watching a program where a well known chef was working under horrible conditions to prepare a complete meal for riders on a train. The meal was to be prepared in a very short period of time.
The chef barked orders to his helpers who were preparing various dishes. He chose to prepare a banana sauce himself. He poured milk in a large pot and then peeled and chopped bananas and added them to the pot. After a few more additions he added a large amount of sugar.
It was several minutes later that he finally tasted the sauce to determine if he needed to add additional flavorings. As he dipped in his spoon he made a face screamed at himself. What he thought was sugar was actually salt. They looked the same, but since he had not tasted it before adding it to his sauce, he had to throw away the entire mix!
It made me think of the many spiritual charlatans that disguise themselves as true and godly, yet lack biblical truth. We can know them by testing to see if what they say matches with the Word of God. In Acts 17, Paul commends the believers in Berea in that they searched the Scriptures daily to assure that what Paul taught was in accordance with the Word. May there be more of such faithful believers!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 12, 2013 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
I recall many years ago, listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse. He told of how he had just completed a meeting many miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
Travel at that time was by rail and as Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed. He knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home and that there was nothing he could do but leave his son in God?s hands.
As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, ” . . . but dust will be the serpent(s) food.” Using that passage he asked the Lord to feed the serpent dust, but to please grant him a good night?s rest. He fell fast asleep and the next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia. The Lord had answered his prayer.
If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and to feed the serpent dust.
To You Before the Close of Day
To you before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.
O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through. Amen.
To access To You Before the Close of Day, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday 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 | Apr 11, 2013 | Jude
Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
What do you recall as being the most joyful moment of your life? I heard the old story of a man who proudly boasted that he had been married 35 happy years to his lovely wife, and then added that out of 46 that wasn’t too bad. How sad! My dear Joyce and I have been married since 1952, and one of my greatest joys is to have her by my side.
Frequently I mention the sad faces we see all around us. It is almost impossible to observe people who express joy. In some church services there appears to be great joy. Sadly it too frequently is a copycat joy, where people mimic those around them without really having true joy within.
If you want a reason for joy, please read these three verses from the small book of Jude. By the way, he was a half-brother of Jesus, and brother of James. Here he expresses joy about Jesus in that only Jesus can keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before His presence. That is because Jesus paid a price we could never pay when He died for our sins.
That, my dear heart, is worthy of joy unspeakable and full of glory! If you have lost the pure joy of your salvation, stop and take the time to realize the wonderful eternity we have waiting for us because of our new life in Christ.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2013 | Luke
Luke 21:29b-32
Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
I have no idea what it would feel like to be a horticulturist, but this year I have made a stab at getting a feel for producing plants from seeds. Last fall I saved seeds from a tomato plant and our favorite squash that we had bought at the store. I saved the seeds in an envelope and started them several weeks ago in potting soil. Now they are growing like crazy!
Before long I will transplant them into the garden with every expectation of seeing a crop this summer and fall. It is the law of seed time and harvest. When I first saw the tiny leaves poke through the potting soil, I could visualize a harvest.
As we read this passage in Luke 21, it is with the understanding that Jesus is giving us a prophetic message. I am told that the fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel. On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation in spite of all odds. We might say that the prophetic time clock began on that day.
Notice that Jesus tells us that the generation that observes this birth will not pass away before God establishes His kingdom. There will be a shout and the saints will rise to meet Him in the air. The long-expected rapture of the church! Now is the time to work as we have never worked before to insure that the lost are reached for the Lord. I eagerly look forward to meeting each of you on that great and glorious day!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
