by Pastor Cecil | Aug 16, 2018 | James
James 5:7-8
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
We are living in such an instant age that the mere mention of patience flies in the face of our way of life. We have instant cash machines and instant check-out counters. So many things in our modern world are designed to save time, effort and energy, but they have failed!
Even with all of the short-cuts and labor saving devices at our disposal, we seem to have less time for the important things in life than ever before. Not only that, but these time and labor saving devices leave us more tired and exhausted. By the end of the day we often walk and talk like robots. The time-saving gadgets and gizmo’s leave us running at a break-neck pace to get from appointment to appointment. What has happened?
The answer lies in the Word of God. In all of our efforts we have totally failed to develop the proper discipline of patience. We do not desire to wait or slow down for anything. In all of our hectic, fast-paced schedules, we are so busy making things happen that we leave no room for that all important “quiet time” of waiting to see what God is going to bring into being.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 15, 2018 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
I hope you are as blown away by this passage as I am. It is a vital message on the things which God considers important. Perhaps it is better expressed as those things that are meaningless when not motivated by love.
The more I study about God, the more I realize that I need to know more about Him. He wants my heart to be transparent before Him; and only as I do that does He show me more and more of Himself. I think that is why the Christian walk is never dull.
It is possible to do great and mighty things for the Lord only to discover that we are actually doing them to satisfy our own egos, or to impress those around us. Either way those are wrong motives.
It is vital to take time to analyze why we do the things we do. What is our reason for being called a follower of Christ? We may soon discover our shortcomings!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 14, 2018 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Back in the early 80’s I was involved in Christian counseling. A man came to me who was in a state of constant fear. His telephone calls or personal visits were ensconced in a panic of fear and dread. It was such an all-consuming trait that it drove people away from him, which only increased his fear and depression. As a result of working with this man I came to realize once again that fear and depression go hand in hand.
I attempted, with prayer and to the best of my ability, to guide this man to the Lord as the answer to life’s problems which so grievously attacked him. At times I thought he was making headway, but soon he was back to relying upon himself and his own abilities. It was back to “dismal city” all over again. Sometime after leaving that community I received word that he had taken his own life. The end of refusing to trust in God is not pleasant.
As we look at today’s verse, we see that as believers we are instructed to stay clear of two patterns of behavior: fear and depression. We have confidence because: FOR I AM WITH YOU! and I AM YOUR GOD!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 13, 2018 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”
Life never stays the same. That can either be for the good or for the bad. If we are growing and maturing in the Lord, it is good. If we are sinking into the mire of sin and degradation, it is bad. Which direction are you heading?
I served as Pastor of the Summit Lake Community Church, in Olympia, Washington, after over 15 years of ministry. When I resigned to devote full time to the Daily-E-Votional, I had no idea of it growing into a worldwide ministry. You who read this are a part of this unique, cyberspace congregation
I view this new area of ministry as God’s plan and provision. You are welcome to be a part. The signs are all around us that the coming of the Lord is near. My desire is to keep on keeping on as the Lord gives me the strength.
Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to be more productive in allowing His power and strength to flow through you to others. The time is short and what we do for the Lord needs to be accomplished now! Be that new creature for Christ!
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2018 | Luke
Luke 15:20
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
In the parable of the Prodigal Son the wayward son returned to the home of his father. He did not expect to be received as a son, but was in hopes that he could be employed as a servant.
We know the story of how the father was lovingly anticipating the return of his son. He loved the wayward youth and eagerly met him with love and extravagance. It was not because the boy deserved it, but because he needed. The father was eager to give it to this son who had returned.
Clara Fiske Scott lived from 1841 to 1897 and tragically died after being thrown from a buggy being pulled by a runaway horse. She was a prolific hymn writer, but only this week’s featured hymn is still in circulation. Think of her hymn as it relates to a wayward son who has come home.
Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see,
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my ears, that I may hear,
voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare,
love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
May the words of this hymn become our constant prayer. In the moments when the cares of this world tend to blind us to the mighty power of God unto salvation may our eyes see the open arms of the Savior waiting to receive us home.
To access; Open My Eyes, this week’s inspirational video from please go to: http://gloryscapes.com/openmyeyes/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
