by Pastor Cecil | Jul 7, 2016 | Psalm
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Careful, your attitude is showing! Many times I have had to remind myself of that spiritual truth. It seems that every time I stop to consider my attitude, Psalm 51:10 comes to mind.
It is not an easy process for us to change our attitude. We may know what the Bible says about living a Christ-like life, but it is not so easy to put it into practice. There always seems to be too much of “us” and too little of Christ in us.
How do we move from knowing about a Christ-like life to putting it into practice? I think the answer is to be found in today’s Scripture. It is not what we do, but what Christ has done for us. Too many times we struggle and strain trying to be good enough to change. It does not work!
There is only one way to have a RIGHT SPIRIT. That is to acknowledge that we are incapable of making the change in ourselves and yield our self will to His will. Jesus paid the price for our salvation, and He also has sent the Holy Spirit to do what we can never do. So what is our part? YIELDING!
The next time we sense our self-centered attitude rising, let’s commit ourselves to admitting that it is only by the Lord’s help that we can change.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2016 | John
John 9:32
“Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.”
God has blessed me to come into contact with many people who have little or no eyesight. I hesitate to call them blind for they often have better vision than sighted people. It is just that they “see” things differently.
One of my dear friends is Bill Hadden, a faithful subscriber to the Daily-E-Votional for many years. Last week I received an e-mail from Bill to tell me that he had lost his wife of 68 years.
I called Bill to share my sympathy for his loss. He knew I had recently traveled that same road with the loss of my Joyce after 62 years of marriage. It was a most refreshing conversation as we encouraged each other with the certainty that this world is not our home and we will soon see our beloved mates.
Over the years I have been encouraged by Bill Hadden. His spiritual sight has illuminated my life in a significant manner. In a world where so many stumble in spiritual darkness, here is a blind man who sees clearly spiritual truths that lift and encourage. He is a brother beloved and a SIGHTED BLIND MAN!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 5, 2016 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
There was an old Vaudeville stunt in which a contest was held to see who could crack the largest number of boiled eggs over the contestants’ heads. Unbeknownst to the one to be duped, one of the eggs was raw. When he smashed that one over his head and the raw egg flowed over his head and face they would call out, “The yolk’s on you!”
I don’t know why I remember silly things like that and not the more profound things that really matter. As a matter of fact, I do try to bring my mind into submission and meditate on the verses of Scripture I have memorized.
I know that there have been, and will be in the future, things that make me feel foolish. Regardless, it is my desire to use this precious verse that Paul sent to the saints at Philippi as a guide for my meditation. I want to use Scripture as the source of my motivation.
The next time Satan tries to lead you into temptation, quote Scripture and tell him, “The yolk’s on you, Satan. You have lost and have egg on your face!”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 4, 2016 | Romans
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Those of us who have raised children, and even those of us who have ever been around children, have no doubt heard the words, “I do it myself!” It does not matter that the little one may be completely incompetent, he or she wants to do it by themselves.
When my precious wife began to demonstrate signs of dementia, we had to make many decisions for her welfare. I still remember her declaring, “I know my own body!” The problem was that she didn’t. In many ways it was like dealing with a young child all over again.
Spiritually speaking, we are very much the same way. We think we know more than God when it comes to running our own lives. Let’s get serious! There is no way we can even come close to understanding what lies ahead for us. God knows!
On this date we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States. Many nations celebrate a certain day when their country became independent. I want to celebrate this day as a day when I proclaim my utter Dependence on the Lord. I can’t. He can! That’s all I need to know! LET’S GO!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 1, 2016 | Matthew
Matthew 6:27
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
True Christian character is certainly seen in our biblical heroes, but it may often be seen in those of more recent times. Hope is a character quality that looks beyond our immediate circumstances and shows what we as believers have waiting for us.
In the Sweet By and By is one of the most enduring songs written after the Civil War. It was composed by Sanford Bennett who was the owner of a drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He had just returned from the war. A friend, Joseph Webster, a gifted musician trained formally in composition, came to the store each day to talk and play chess. Often Webster would be depressed and down.
When asked what was wrong, Webster would often reply; “It will be alright by and by.” That idea hit Bennett like a flash of sunlight! As Bennett later described the incident, he took out a pen and it was all over in thirty minutes. A new hymn was born. In short order he was singing the words along with Webster and two other friends. That hymn was perfect for the post-Civil War era because it conveyed pathos with a mixture of comforting warmth. It came to typify the virtues of spiritual hope.
Sweet By and By
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore,
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise,
For the glorious gift of His love,
And the blessings that hallow our days.
Chorus: In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
To access Sweet By and By, this week’s inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweetbyandby 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
