by Pastor Cecil | Aug 23, 2013 | Romans
Romans 6:22-23
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I usually devote my Friday E-Votional to a selection of beautiful music from Gloryscapes.com. Very early this morning I was roused from slumber with the thought of responsibility and how it is related to the wages of sin. What kept nagging at me was how the wages of sin leads to responsibility.
It is such a new concept that I am stretched to wrap my mind around it. The more I meditate on the idea, the more I can see spiritual truth. Sin will always require a payment of some sort. It is never free. Some may feel that they can sin without any consequences, but that is not the case, either from Scripture or in practice. Not only is the responsibility to deal with sin a reality for the offender, but it has consequences for others as well.
Let me illustrate with a much milder example. In sending out my Daily-E-Votionals, the format is accepted by most subscribers, but there are some that will not receive quotation marks, apostrophes or other symbols. I have had to deal with the problem. It has become my responsibility. I could just go ahead and use these which means that some recipients would have garbled symbols where I have used these. The other option is to carefully word things in such a way, or by using other wording, to prevent it. It is a constant reminder that my action—may in fact result in others having a responsibility to deal with it.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 22, 2013 | Romans
Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
I was just reading an account of a young boy that started school back in the early west. The School marm (as she was called then) noticed that he was left-handed. She was not going to allow that in her classroom, so she tied his left arm to his side and made him use only his right hand.
I am sure that she felt she was using the best wisdom of her day in forcing him to be like all of the right-handed people, but it was a tragic method. Thank the Lord we do not live in such an atmosphere today—or do we? How many times do we force others to conform to ourselves rather than being like Jesus?
When you read the title of this E-Votional, I hope you do not get the impression that I am suggesting for you to be like me. Each of us is born in sin and it is a constant battle to be more like Christ each day. My desire is to be like Christ, and it is a personal struggle to conform to His likeness. We must urge people to be Like Jesus, rather than imitating some human being.
Take time to evaluate your own life. In what ways are you attempting those around you to be like you rather than taking their eyes off of you and instead focusing on the Savior? Point them to Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 21, 2013 | Psalm
Psalm 118:22-24
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
From time to time I have experienced harsh rejection, but nothing remotely compared to the rejection Jesus encountered. It started with snide remarks and innuendos. Comments became accusations with no basis, so it was hard to endure. Have you ever been there? False statements were made and I suddenly found myself feeling like an animal being pursued by hunters ready for the kill.
My reason for writing about it is to give you a hope and a confidence. Even though you may be rejected by men, you are never rejected by our heavenly Father. Jesus experienced the rejection of the religious leaders of His day, and many of us experience rejection in our life. My desire is to offer some encouragement when we face rejection.
When we encounter rejection in our lives—whether in the home, at church, at work, or wherever it may be—turn it over to the Lord. Write down on paper what you are encountering and present it to Him in prayer. Keep your eyes fixed steadfastly upon Him and know that He will never, ever reject you.
I pray that there may be one or two of you out there who are able to relate to this, and I hope that this will be God’s way of sending you assurance. I had those who gave me assurance during my ordeal and it was a blessing. Since God has given us this day—BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 20, 2013 | Romans
Romans 8:18-19
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Last week I called a classmate from our high school days. We had not talked for quite a long time, so it was enjoyable catching up on the things that had happened in our lives in the years since we graduated over 60 years ago. I still have a hard time believing it has been that long. In our conversation he asked if I heard that Jerry Williamson had died.
I was shocked by the news. You see, Jerry and I had been friends since we were both babies. Our families lived side by side in Camas, Washington, and then close together when we moved to Nampa, Idaho. We have had limited contact over the years and I had no idea that he had a medical problem.
Jerry had drifted away from the Lord in his adult years and this was always a concern for those of us who knew him. Each time we visited I tried to inspire him to turn back to the Lord, but he was not receptive. I think it was only about a year ago that Jerry indicated that he had made a new commitment to the Lord.
I just spoke with his wife, Joyce, this morning. She brought joy to my heart when she said that Jerry had a close relationship with the Lord in his last days. He knew where he was going to spend eternity and was praying for others to be ready to meet the Lord. I can hardly wait to see Jerry once again. This time it will be for eternity! Until then, Jerry!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 19, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 16:25-26
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
I was stunned to watch an auto auction from Monterrey, California. As I understand it, the auction lasted at least three days. As the cars were rolled into the arena the bids were astronomical. At least one of the autos was sold for over three million dollars. WOW!
I have recalled reports of people who pay huge sums of money to purchase some rare item. The reality is that regardless of the value of the item they now own, it is not going to bring eternal satisfaction.
I always recall the story a fellow minister, Dr. E., from Shelton, Washington shared with me. He and his family lived in Sweden during the dark days of WWII. Toward the end of the war the local German commander was enraged about many of the civilians committing acts of sabotage. He issued a decree that all ministers were to be executed in a few days as an example to the people. (The German officer was transferred and the execution was cancelled.)
Dr. E said that there was a valuable vase that had great value to the family. They had been very strict in preventing their children from playing near the vase. When the death notice had been sent, he saw the vase from a different perspective. It had very little value in relation to what he now faced.
What is important in your life? What will you give? The Lord expects us to give Him everything. In return He gives us peace that surpasses all understanding.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
