by Pastor Cecil | May 15, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 10:7
“Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.”
I do not like bullying of any sort. In the next few Daily-E-Votionals I would like to focus on some of the evil methods people use to bully others. The first type of bully that comes to mind is the one who uses physical superiority to abuse others — the strong-handed bully.
I know what it is like to be on the receiving end of being bullied by those who were bigger and stronger than I was. In games that required picking sides, I was often one of the last ones chosen when the “strong ones” picked sides. They seemed to delight in making fun of my physical weakness.
Over the years, however, I have come to understand that some of these strong bullies are really unsure of themselves. They use intimidation to make themselves appear to be stronger than they really are.
Paul urges us to never look at things according to their outward appearance. We belong to Christ and as His born-again children, we need to eagerly accept others who are part of the family. DO NOT BE A STRONG-HANDED BULLY!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 12, 2017 | Psalm
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:29-30).
It seems that each of us is called upon to face storms in our life. It may be physical infirmity, financial reversals or the loss of a loved one. It is not the storm that matters, but how we react to the storm.
Back in 1873, Horatio Spafford and his family were scheduled to sail on the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ from New York to England where he was to assist the great evangelist, D.L. Moody. Because of a last minute business crisis Mr. Spafford sent his family on ahead and he would follow on a later ship.
Unfortunately the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank. There was a terrible loss of life. Spafford and his wife lost their four daughters. Nine days later Horatio Spafford received a cable from his wife that simply said, “Saved alone.” What poignant words.
Later, as he was sailing to meet his wife, he asked the captain to let him know when they were near where the accident had occurred. It was there that he penned the words of this week’s hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
To access Liebestraum & It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/liebestraum/ in your browser or click on the image below.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 11, 2017 | John
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
We have all heard of people inheriting vast estates and huge amounts of money. When I was a boy there was a man in our church by the name of Jack. He always said that his dad left him a packet of seeds and a bag of fertilizer with the instructions to grow his inheritance himself. Hmm! Now that advice has a profound ring of wisdom to it!
Jesus has left each of His children with a similar inheritance. He has not chosen to take us out of the world — that would remove the testimony. Nor has He given us super human qualities. But, He has given us His Spirit of peace.
The time we need peace the most is during the storms of life. It is also when we go through those storms with His quality of peace that we show the world our greatest testimony. God does not give peace in a worldly sense. His peace transcends the idea of keeping us away from the storms of life; it gives peace in the middle of the storm.
Are you experiencing the peace that only Christ can provide? It is ours for the taking as we open our spiritual eyes and discover the promises that God has given to those who believe on Him. Claim your inheritance!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 10, 2017 | Mark
Mark 12:27a
“He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.”
My Grandpa Thompson died when I was just five. I remember attending his graveside service in Camas, Washington. It was some 70 years later that I took my wife Joyce to the cemetery to see if I could find the head marker. Incredibly, I walked directly to it. As I stood there I was aware that he and Grandma, who died several years later, were not actually there. They were with the Lord!
From time to time I walk across the cemetery where my precious wife was laid to rest. As I read the words on the head marker, I see not only her name, date of birth and date of death, but also my name with only my date of birth.
As often as I stand there I am aware that she is more alive than I am. There is no suffering or pain or heartache in the paradise of God. She is more alive than she has ever been. I find myself not sorry for her, but eagerly looking forward to being with her and all of the other Saints who have gone ahead of us.
If you have never personally confessed that you are a sinner and invited Jesus to come into your heart, I invite you to do so right now. Experience that new birth that will insure your head marker will be a reminder for others that you are not here, but with the Lord in the place He has prepared for us.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 9, 2017 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:20
“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”
I have known many people who lived as if the world revolved around them. They seemed to be more concerned about their image than things that really mattered. There was a man in our town who proudly drove his out-dated luxury car around like he was a wealthy tycoon. Instead of waving at friends, he would simply nod.
My mother worked at the college dining hall and would often bring home leftover food. Somehow Mom discovered that the “tycoon’s” family was not able to afford food, so she began making it a practice of providing them with some of the leftovers she brought home.
Pride is an ugly thing! It prevents the proud one from realizing his need of the Lord. When God is in control of our life, He will provide. As a young married couple Joyce and I once found ourselves dining on beans and rice until the next payday. Someone brought us several pounds of calf’s liver. It might make some people shudder, but to us it tasted like the finest steak. From that time on we relished liver and onions because it brought back memories of how God had provided for us.
When we heed the Word of God wisely we can rest content that He will make a way that will be a blessing to us and bring glory to His name. All we need to do is heed His word and we will succeed!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
