by Pastor Cecil | Dec 4, 2019 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
When Paul was writing these words in his second letter to the church at Corinth, he mentions “light and momentary troubles.” Right! Go back a few verses and see what these light and momentary troubles were. In verses 8-9: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Isn’t it amazing that he calls these just light and momentary troubles? In comparison, what are our big complaints?
We certainly may be encountering trials and troubles, but it is nothing by comparison. We have become such whimpering babies about living out our faith that it is no wonder the world does not see Christ in us. It is essential that we look beyond the stress and see that a blessing is waiting for the believer.
Here is the bottom line: While we may encounter stress in many forms and in varying degrees, it is easy to get our eyes focused on the stress. Rather than seeking blessings, we are to look only to Jesus and constantly seek to please Him in all we do. Seek to have THE RIGHT VIEW.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 3, 2019 | Luke
Luke 12:19-20
“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’”
There once was a young couple who were on fire for the Lord. They read their Bible, prayed, attended church, and even were a part of a couple’s Bible study group. Sadly, over time they became discontented with their own home. They began searching for a new house that would be just right for them. Then the new house grew more important than just about anything in their life. They stopped their prayer life, Bible study, and even church attendance. Conflicts erupted between them and their marriage suffered.
What was the cause of it all? Was it the house? The answer is to be found in today’s Scripture. The man in the parable that Jesus taught was focused on the things of this world as if they would last forever—they don’t!
What a tragedy that some people spend their entire life striving for things that are temporary and have little or no eternal value.The chorus from an old hymn gives us the proper perspective of what is temporal and what is eternal: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 2, 2019 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:1-2
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
From time to time I rack my brain to know what to share with you each day. I have a wealth of past experiences, but there are also current sources of inspiration. There are many inspirational Christian radio stations that provide wonderful and edifying music and solid Biblical teaching.
On the internet I have used a Bible search program for many years that provides exhaustive concordances, dictionaries, commentaries and word search. Many of these can be accessed free of charge at certain websites.
Television offers selective programs that are true to the Word, but care must be taken to insure that the messages presented are Biblically based and not a way to solicit income from listeners.
The greatest source is your own personal Bible. Spend quality time reading and studying it and then make it a habit to share what you learn with others. PASS IT ON!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 29, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Those of us who have said farewell to beloved family and friends experience the pangs of separation. The pain of separation is eased with the assurance that there is a bright tomorrow waiting for us when we will be united with those who have died in the Lord.
Fanny J. Crosby was visiting the home of a friend, Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe was playing a new melody she had just composed and mentioned to Fanny that she called it Assurance. Fanny responded, “Blessed Assurance.”
Fanny returned home and quickly penned the words to the hymn that has become such a favorite since it was published way back in 1873. It is just as much a blessed assurance today as it was back then.
Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angles descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Enjoy this free inspirational video of, “Blessed Assurance” by going to: https://gloryscapes.com/blessedassurance/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 28, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians
I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Being thankful is not, or at least it should not be, a once-a-year thing. As members of God’s family we are to be thankful at all times. It is not our prerogative to choose when or what we will be thankful for.
In today’s Scripture, Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica (as well as all of us) that we are to give thanks in everything. Do you frequently look as though you have been baptized in vinegar? That, my dear friend, is not being continually thankful.
Paul also encourages believers to pray continually. That brings us to another embarrassing question: How is your prayer life? Are you continually speaking to the Lord in prayer? It is a discipline that we need to pursue.
The last admonition in line with today’s theme is that the Lord expects us to thank Him in all circumstances. Chew on that while you are munching on your sumptuous dinner. What if you had little or nothing to eat? Would you still give thanks? That is exactly the Lord’s will in any and every circumstance. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
May God richly bless you by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
