by Pastor Cecil | Apr 16, 2014 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I have often counseled couples to get over previous failures. The fact of the matter is that the past is past. Wow! That is rather profound even for me. THE PAST IS PAST! If we really believe that, why do we spend so much of our time wondering about our yesterdays.
Leaving that cheery thought aside, I would like to consider another aspect on the topic of WHAT IF? Those of us who have received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior know that He lives and that He waits in Heaven for us. Sadly there are those who deny God and live an atheistic existence. It breaks our heart when they reject our appeal for them to be saved.
But what if there were no God? (Believe me—I have no doubt in my mind), but what if there were no God. If that were the case I would feel more than content that I have had a contented life and have no regret.
But What if there is a God and a Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us and a Holy Spirit who beckons us? One split second into eternity that doubter would be faced with an eternity to deal with their stubborn rejection. Take the time to read Luke 16:19-31. It is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Throughout eternity that rich man would live with the question—WHAT IF?!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 15, 2014 | Acts
Acts 8:34-35
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
If ever we need good news, it is in these days. Today is tax day here in the US, and that is certainly not something to cheer about. I have just turned 80 and therefore enjoy a lifetime of memories—many of which I share with you in the Daily-E-Votionals. I still remember the good old days of radio when our imaginations provided the scenes depicted by sounds.
As a boy we lived near the Pacific Coast and were always on alert for a possible invasion. There were blackouts, rationing and stars in windows to signify that a son or daughter was in the service or had died in the war.
The world had just passed through the great depression and many families were still experiencing hard times. It was a time when we needed to hear words of hope and encouragement. Gabriel Heatter was a news commentator and his report each evening; “Good evening, everyone—there is good news tonight.” Good news was needed back then and it is still needed today.
In today’s Scripture a eunuch from Ethiopia was discouraged by his inability to understand a passage of Scripture from Isaiah 53. It was into this scene that Philip arrived and told him the good news about Jesus.
With every dismal and depressing circumstance in our life we need to hear words of hope from God’s Word; “Ahhhhhh, my friends! There’s good news tonight!” Jesus is the good news and we need to be the ones who hear that good news and also to bring the good news to others.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 14, 2014 | Romans
Romans 7:21-25
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Over the years I have encountered people who had goals for their lives, but just seemed to never get around to doing them. They have the best intentions of doing the things they promise to do, but put off and put off until they no longer remember what their intentions were.
This could be in the area of diet, exercise, giving, attending church, cleaning up the house, and any number of such intentions. During my days of ministry I have had promises from hundreds of people that they were going to be at church, but I am still waiting for them to show up!
Then there is the intention of reading the Bible. People have the best intention of making Bible reading a part of their daily routine, but they just never get around to it. Isn’t it strange that we can always seem to find the time and energy to do the things that are appealing?
What are the good intentions in your life that you have failed to accomplish? In the matter of Bible reading, I challenge you to make a covenant with the Lord to read the Bible ten minutes each day. Do it and stick to it. It will change your life!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 11, 2014 | John
John 4:13-14
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
The author of this week’s hymn is William Cowper. He was born in England in the year 1731. He suffered many personal losses during his early years that caused him much mental anguish. Loss after loss of those that were close brought him to the brink of despair.
Through all of his ordeals the Lord kept drawing him. He finally received Jesus as his personal Savior and began writing hymns and poetry. It is fascinating that he lived in a small house just behind the home of his pastor, John Newton, who wrote the wonderful hymn, Amazing Grace.
As we draw near to the Passion Week of our Lord, it is well and good for us to pause and be thankful for the fountain of redeeming blood that cleanses us from all of our sin.
There Is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel’s veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more
For since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
and shall be till I die
When this poor lisping,
stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing thy power to save
To access There is a Fountain, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/thereisafountain/ 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
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2014 | Ezekiel
Ezekiel 3:27
But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.
Day in and day out I am constantly praying and watching for topics that I can use for the Daily-E-Votional. Let’s face it, after writing over 3,000 issues over the past 12 years you need divine guidance for what to write.
As I think over this issue I am once again reminded that this ministry does not belong to me, but belongs to God. This is confirmed by the large number of people who have responded to something that I sent out months earlier. It was just what they they needed for that day.
So I will just continue to pray and wait on the Lord. He is the One who will open my memory bank to recall incidents in the past or passages of Scripture that come alive with the power of God.
I would much rather stutter and stammer relying on the Lord than proclaiming with great eloquence in my own abilities. For you precious souls who read this I want you to know that my prayer is for God to strengthen you in your walk with Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
