by Pastor Cecil | Jun 14, 2013 | Genesis
Genesis 9:16
“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Years ago my wife Joyce and I were once driving along the beautiful Columbia River gorge in Oregon. A rain shower had recently swept across the area, and now bright sunlight flooded the area. As we drove, a rainbow kept pace beside the car. I know it was just a refraction of the sunlight, but what an awe inspiring sight.
There are two requirements to produce a rainbow, rain and sun. Without rain there could be no rainbow. Without sun there would be no rainbow. In the rainy times of our life, God’s tender care for us brings His rainbow of blessing. God’s covenant of love did not say that we would be free of rain, but He is always with us in the storms of life.
Back in 1879 Rev. J. K. Alwood was equally moved as he observed a rainbow in the western sky late one evening as he was traveling home. When he arrived at his home, he immediately composed the hymn for this week; The Unclouded Day.
The Unclouded Day
O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,
O they tell me of a home far away;
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,
O they tell me of that land far away;
Where the tree of life in eternal bloom
Sheds its fragrance thru the unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me of the King in His beauty there,
And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold,
Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow,
In the city that is made of gold.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
O they tell me that he smiles on His children there,
And his smile drives their sorrows all away;
And they tell me that no tears ever come again,
In that lovely land of unclouded day.
Chorus: O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded sky;
O they tell me of a home, Where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video The Unclouded Day, from GloryScapes™ Christian Hymns.
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 | Jun 13, 2013 | 1 John
1 John 4:10-11
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another.
Love is a very precious commodity! I have counseled countless individuals who were desperately searching for someone to love them unconditionally. I might add that, for many of these people, it would have to be unconditional love because they were very unlovable. I have come to the conclusion that these people are the very ones who need love the most.
Notice that 1 John 4:10-11 defines love. It is not determined or measured by our love for God, but by His love for us. Let that sink in for a few minutes. Human love is so far removed from the pure love of God that we cannot comprehend it. It can only be experienced to be appreciated.
In some contorted manner we have convinced ourselves that we will please God by directing all of our love toward Him. While that may make us feel good, it is not what we are directed to do. We are to demonstrate our love toward God by the way we love those around us.
Oops! That may come as a big surprise. It tells me that we are to get out of our comfort zone and love others with all of our heart. It is time to take a look at the way we are living and loving. Let others feel the love of Jesus through you!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 12, 2013 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Television has never been known for presenting the sterling qualities of morality or honesty. As a matter of fact, it has been a source of moral degradation. In the past few years there has been an increase in reality shows. In addition to the numerous times the censors have had to bleep the language of those being filmed, there is also a lack of authenticity.
As amazing as it may seem, I possess a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology. When I was in graduate school I studied a book called the Presentation of Self In Everyday Life, by Erving Goffman. It was interesting to learn that people do not respond in a natural way when they are being watched by an audience.
Hello!! If people have a television camera stuck in their face, are they bound to act naturally? I do not think so! They will either put on a show (which most do) or close down and fail to behave normally. It is my humble conclusion that most of the reality shows are…rigged! There, I said it and I am glad.
The tragedy is that many Christians live a rigged reality life. They behave in a manner that seems right on the outside, but inside they are completely different. It should come as no surprise that the Lord knows our thoughts and feelings. The real ones! My appeal to each and every one of us is to be honest and do not live a life that is characterized as RIGGED REALITY!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 11, 2013 | Romans
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Back during my college days I was carrying a heavy load. We had two children at the time. I was working 48 hours each week and carry a full college load of 18 hours. It just seemed as if there was never enough time to study and prepare. When I took a test I always HOPED I would get a passing grade. (I finally graduated!)
The word hope is an interesting word in scripture. It is the Greek word elpis. It means a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. That means when we read passages with the word hope, it is not a stab in the dark and wistfully hoping it will come out okay. It is the strong and confident assurance that our home is an eternal home. This world is going to pass away and what we do for Christ is the most vital task we can accomplish.
Read Romans 5:1-5 once again. In fact, read it over and over. Allow Him to show you that He knows your needs far better than you do and you can place your hope in Him with confidence!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 10, 2013 | James
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Shifting shadows! What a concept. As I started to write this Daily-E-Votional, I was thinking about how shadows are constantly changing. In the warm summer months it is always a treat to be able to park in the shade of a tree when the sun is beating down. I recall the times I have done this only to return after an appointment and discover that the shadows from the tree have shifted and the car is in the blazing sun.
I mention that, and must add something that has just happened. I received a phone call from Midwest City, Oklahoma. It was the wife of an officer I served with while stationed with the Air Force in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Jean related how Billy had been experiencing deteriorating health over the past year and finally passed away several weeks ago.
I know that Billy had received Jesus as his personal Savior and that he is now with the Lord. The shadows of those who once were family or friends here on earth have a new home. Those who have been born again have a home where there are no shadows. Those who have failed to respond will never see the light again but will live eternally in the shadow of darkness. It has caused me to have a new desire to share the gospel message as never before. Let there be light!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
