by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2017 | 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
A story is told of a very poor man who lived in ancient times. It was a time when powerful kings dominated all who lived in their kingdoms and who had the power of life and death. It was a time when many sons and many horses were a sign of wealth and prosperity.
This poor man had only one son and one horse. As he grew older, the son used the horse to plow the fields, to haul produce to market, and ride from place to place on various errands. People pitied the poor man and often made disparaging remarks about his poverty.
Things went from bad to worse when the son was returning from the village on the horse and was thrown to the ground, breaking his leg. The people clucked their tongues and wondered what evil thing this poor man had done to have such bad fortune befall him. He would just smile and reply, “The Lord knows what I need. I will trust Him to give me what He wants me to have.”
Not long after the son’s accident, the king sent messengers to each village and demanded that every able-bodied young man report for battle immediately. The only one in this age group who was not conscripted was the poor man’s son because of his broken leg.
In a short time the sad news was relayed to the village that the battle had gone very wrong and all of the men had died in the fray. Now the poor man who had once been pitied was considered to be the one who was blessed.
When we trust in God, it makes no difference what people think or say—Romans 8:28 is true in any and every circumstance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
As a child of God we should place ourselves under His control daily. He may delay the answer to our prayer, or He may deny it as He did with Paul. Whatever the Lord determines for our lives—to delay or deny—we can know that His grace is sufficient.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 7, 2017 | Psalm
Psalm 145:9-12
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.”
The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.
In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis’ love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.
Probably because he lived such a simple life, he “noticed” things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth’s creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.
All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Enjoy this free inspirational video, from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodand king/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 6, 2017 | James
James 4:3
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Many of us have been standing in the check-out line at some store when a small child decides to throw a temper tantrum. They want something and their parent says “no” — and the battle begins. It is an embarrassment to the parent and uncomfortable for other people in the store.
We seem to have quite a few “spiritual children” who throw “spiritual tantrums” when God fails to respond in the manner they feel they deserve. Their behavior is just as embarrassing for other Christians as it is for the parent of the child having a temper tantrum in a store.
James makes it very clear in today’s scripture as he explains the reasons we fail to have some of our prayers answered. It is because we want things that will bring us earthly pleasures. There are times when it is far more beneficial for God to say “no” than to say “yes.”
None of us has any idea what tomorrow will bring — but God knows. Not only does God know what lies ahead for us, He also knows how we can fit into His divine plan of action to bring us good and bring glory to His name. The next time you experience a “NO!” from God, examine your motives.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 5, 2017 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 8:13
“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
Last Saturday, family and friends gathered for the birthday party of my youngest great-granddaughter, Kourtney. As we entered through the front door we saw a pile of shoes in various sizes and colors. It was evident that we were being invited to remove our shoes to keep the floors clean.
It reminded me of the time I spent in Newfoundland, Canada. I think every home I entered they had slipper socks available and there were usually several pairs of shoes from those who had entered.
Over and over I heard protests from the lady of the house to keep my shoes on, but I was equally aware that to be socially sensitive meant that I observed their custom. I always removed my shoes upon entering any home I was invited to, and I received many return invitations. Other men from our Squadron did not heed this custom and were seldom invited back.
Sensitivity (or the lack of it) seems to identify a person’s character. We can damage our Christian image by being unconcerned about what other people find important. To be a true witness we need to sharpen our Christian sensitivity!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 4, 2017 | 1 Timothy
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Years ago my dad and I were fishing on a small lake in Idaho. We had been contentedly trolling along in his boat when we heard a sputter … and then silence. We suddenly found ourselves adrift in the middle of the lake and not a soul in sight. We drifted for more than an hour before we saw a passing boat whose owner graciously offered to tow us to shore.
I have often heard people mention that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil. That is not what it says. It says that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
People stray from the narrow way for a variety of reasons. The sins of the eyes, the sins of the flesh, and the pride of life are pretty inclusive. Getting our eyes off the Savior and on the flash and glitter of worldly things is usually gradual, but lethal.
I pray that each of you who read or listen to this Daily-E-Votional will take stock of where you are at this moment. Make sure that you do not find yourself drifting away from the things of eternal importance. The things of this world will only satisfy for a season, but the things of God have eternal value. Don’t drift away!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
