by Pastor Cecil | Jul 24, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 112:1-3
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in His house, and His righteousness endures forever.
When I was a young boy my father worked for a time as a bus driver. From time to time my mother and I would drive the ten miles to the bus depot and pick dad up after his shift was over.
One of these trips changed my life in a remarkable way. As my mom and I were sitting in the parking lot waiting for dad’s bus to arrive, we saw a young black boy about my age standing waiting for the city bus. He was holding a large ceramic platter, which he was clutching with great care.
My mom kept urging me to go and ask him about the plate he held so lovingly. This white boy (me) had never met and talked with a black boy before. I had no idea how he would respond to me. I finally gave in to her prompting and hesitantly went over and introduced myself. In just a few minutes the color of our skin faded into insignificance—we were just two young boys who were having fun talking with each other.
He told me that he had won the platter at a local amusement park. He could hardly wait to get home so he could give it to his mother. He spoke of his deep love for his mother. I was drawn into his world and felt his eager anticipation to present this trophy of love to his dear mother.
Our reverential love for the Lord is so much more than any earthly love that words can never fully express it. We may express our love and awesome respect for the Lord here on earth, but our humanity can never truly express the honor and praise the Lord deserves. What joy it will be to lay our crowns at Jesus’ feet! I can hardly wait for that day.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 23, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 13:23
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Well, things have changed in the past week. I mentioned earlier about starting tomato plants from seeds that I had saved from last year. The plants grew like, yes, you guessed it . . . they grew like weeds. They looked fantastic and produced many blossoms . . . but no fruit.
Well, all of that has changed. I was astounded to discover several small tomatoes growing among the leaves. To see the small fruit growing on the vines has lifted my spirits, and each day I can hardly wait to check for new produce.
It has reminded me that it is easy to become discouraged in the spiritual realm if we do not see results. Over and over I have counseled people not to base their emotions on the responses people have when we share the Gospel with them. We do not share in order to see the results, but because we are told to be faithful witnesses for Jesus. Many times it will be others who reap the harvest.
I want to encourage each of us. Be faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Share as the Lord moves you and plant the seeds of salvation. Eternity will reveal the fruit of our faithfulness.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 22, 2013 | Romans
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I spend much of my driving time watching my rear-view mirror. It prevents being surprised by what may be over-taking me. The older I get the more I recall things from the past. I guess you might call it looking in the rear-view mirror of my life.
When I mention looking in the rear-view of my life, I do not mean that I long for the good old days. There have been many experiences that I did not consider good at the time and would not have chosen if I had the choice. Yet it has been many of these situations that God has used to bring about His work in my life.
Joyce and I know what it is to stand by the bedside of a daughter who has only a brief time to live. We have waited expectantly outside the operating room while our granddaughter donated one of her kidneys to her aunt (our youngest daughter). We have spent hours in a hospital with our son who almost lost his arm in a horrible automobile accident.
In these, as well as other incidents, God has given us an opportunity to stand beside others who were passing through the deep valleys of their life. We can honestly say that Romans 8:28 rings true—God uses everything for His good and glory!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 19, 2013 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.“
There have been times in my life when I felt isolated and alone. It seemed that I was alone and could not sense the nearness of God in my life. When I experienced these times of spiritual drought, I was prone to wonder if Jesus really cared, even though I am usually happy and optimistic. It has been in these times that I have felt the enemy of my soul attack. I rush to God?s Word for comfort.
Frank E. Graeff was known as the “sunshine minister.” He had a cheery disposition, a winsome personality, spiritual optimist, and was a great friend of children. He was known to have a child-like faith. That being said, he did pass through times of deep trials. It was then that he turned to the Scriptures as his guide in the darkness.
As I read the words of this hymn that he wrote, I can see the change from gloom and despair to hope and victory. That is what I want in my life.
Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
To view the GloryScapes inspirational video Does Jesus Care? please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare/ 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 | Jul 18, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
As you read the title for this Daily-E-Votional, you may be thinking that I made a typo and intended to say gold instead of good. That was not the case, as I fully knew what I had typed and wanted to explore the subject of seeking the good.
From everything I have been told, mining for gold is not an easy undertaking. I recall seeing pictures of thousands of men struggling through snow and horrible conditions, trying to reach the Klondike gold fields. The relative few that made it discovered that the claims had already been staked by those who had arrived before them. Modern day miners still find the task daunting.
It would appear that the aim of gold miners is to discover a way to achieve wealth quickly. Most have their hopes and dreams shattered. Even those who discover gold or other precious items lack satisfaction.
Jesus wants us to understand that the things of this world will never satisfy. Even if we discovered a vein of pure gold, it would not satisfy. Remember that in heaven gold is used for pavement. The real value is in knowing the Lord intimately and striving to serve Him. That is what I call MINING FOR GOOD. As we discover His good and precious gifts, we will find the peace that passes understanding. This world is not our home, we are just passing through!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
