by Pastor Cecil | Jul 11, 2016 | Ephesians
Ephesians 5:20
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sometimes people listen and act when you are least expecting it. One Sunday morning I preached a sermon on the attitude of gratitude. I tried to stress the need to be thankful for everything. I am not sure where I came up with the illustration, but I suggested that it would really show how thankful we were if we were thankful for a gift of zucchini squash.
That evening when I arrived for the evening service there were bags surrounding the pulpit area. You guessed it ― the phone had been busy and all of our amateur gardeners unloaded their excess zucchinis on the pastor.
I had to say “thank you” and really mean it, but it was a strain to graciously share the wealth with others. It seems that when nothing else will grow, zucchinis will.
It taught me a valuable lesson — all too often we choose what to be thankful for and what not to. We searched out new recipes and sought out friends who could use a bag full.
What has God given you that you feel is more trouble than it is worth? Please do not try to take it into your own hands to determine what is good and what is not good. Even calamity can be used of the Lord when we thank Him for it and seek to see how He can use it for His good and our blessing.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 8, 2016 | 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 | 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
