by Pastor Cecil | Jan 17, 2019 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 5:11
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
We once had a neighbor in a housing development who was convinced we had reported her shabby and unkempt yard to the manager. She demanded to know why we had not talked to her directly instead of reporting her. Since I had not mentioned anything to anyone about her yard I was dumbfounded by her accusation. Try as we might, we were never able to convince that woman that we had not complained.
We remained neighbors for a year or so following that episode. It made no difference what we did, she considered us her enemies. It soon became evident that we were not the only ones who were the objects of our neighbor’s bitterness. She lacked joy in her life and made those around her unhappy as well.
In reading the book of Job we know that he also faced false accusations from his so-called friends. It became one of his many trials and ordeals. But there is an interesting element in the entire incident. After God had appeared and Job had confessed questioning Him, the Lord dealt with the self-righteous accusers.
In Chapter 42 we read that God required Job’s accusers to make sacrifices before Him and then go to Job and he would pray for them. In verse 8 we read these words: “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” Let’s be that type of forgiving person.
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 16, 2019 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10a
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me.’”
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord asking that He would enlarge your territories? Are you content to creep toward retirement when you could be catapulted into creative ministry?
From time to time people that I have not seen for awhile will ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any other time: Pastoring a small congregation, writing Daily-E-Votionals that are emailed worldwide, authoring several books, counseling, and other ministries as they arise. I just do what God sets before me to do.
Several years ago I began to pray the prayer of Jabez. I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered this prayer. Not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors.
I challenge you to join in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord God give you a unique ministry that will be designed by Him just for you. I can assure you right now that you will never want to retire!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 15, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
During the cold war years many Christians were imprisoned for their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel. Some even died for the faith.
In my own life I have endured occasional tests and trials. As I surrendered my situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that could never have been entered any other way.
Many of you are enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify.
It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us — just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used — just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used — just willing.
God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 14, 2019 | Mark
Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
I once heard this wonderful illustration about motivating someone: While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink. But, you can salt his oats.
Some of us in Christian ministry wear ourselves out trying to force people to “drink” (spiritually) when they show no inclination and, in fact, flatly refuse. We heap on guilt or glitter, but there are still no slurping sounds. What is the answer? SALT THE OATS! Right! How do we do that? It is a good question and deserves careful consideration.
Salt is a very valuable mineral and has served many purposes throughout centuries. It is used to preserve food, to season foods, and even for its medicinal qualities. In Roman times the soldiers were even paid in salt, which is where the word “salary” came from. If you’ve heard that odd expression that someone “is not worth his salt,” it refers to the payment in salt that a soldier received.
With this bit of information in mind, in what way can we become “salty” Christians? Have you ever been in a room full of people and acted like you were yawning? Do you know what happens? Others start yawning themselves. Perhaps you could say that you “salted” the yawn reflex. We need to salt the oats spiritually!
There is no way we can live indifferent Christian lives and be salt and light to those around us. If we do that, we have lost our saltiness and no longer possess the appeal that will draw others to walk close to Christ. Are you salting the oats?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 11, 2019 | Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
I would dare to say that almost all of us experienced some sort of trial in our life. It could be the loss of health, a financial meltdown, death of a mate or child or any number of catastrophic events. It is not whether or not we will encounter these trials, but rather what we will do when they arise.
The phrase, “Praise to the Lord” occurs in at least 155 verses in the Bible. That indicates to me that we need to spend far more time praising the Lord than we do. It would be well to replace our complaints with words of praise to the Lord.
Over 300 years ago, Joachim Neander was a hymn writer for the German Reform church. He was going through a time of trial and testing in his life. He would take long walks and pour his heart out to the Lord. It was on one of these walks that he came to the realization that it was not his strength that would give him victory and peace, but rather the powerful God he served. It was in that state of mind that he composed this week’s featured hymn.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who with marvelous wisdom hath made thee!
Decked thee with health, and with loving hand guided and stayed thee;
How oft in grief hath not He bought thee relief,
Spreading His wings for to shade thee!
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. You may also access it by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/praisetothelordthealmighty/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
