by Pastor Cecil | Mar 19, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 148:13
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
During my U.S. Air Force service I was required to spend a one-year assignment apart from my family. There were many wonderful experiences during that year, but I always knew that I was only there temporarily — it was not home. I was homesick for my home and longed to return to my wife and three precious children.
Several years later I went to a hospital in Bend, Oregon, to visit a returned missionary who was a member of our congregation. The reports that we had received indicated that she was in very serious condition. I went intending to read a few passages of Scripture to her in order to cheer her up.
When I entered the missionary’s hospital room it was like an entryway into heaven. This precious saint was so excited about being with her Lord in a few short days that she could hardly contain herself. In the time I spent at her bedside she showered me with praise and hope. I had gone to lift her spirits, but I walked out of that hospital with such a feeling of joy that I almost wished it was me standing on the doorstep of eternity.
I want to encourage each of us to take time and think about being ushered into the presence of our loved ones who have gone on before us; imagine listening to them tell us about our new home that will last eternally. I am homesick for heaven!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 16, 2018 | Psalm
Psalm 107:29-30
“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”
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.
Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “It Is Well With My Soul” from Gloryscapes.com by going to:http://gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 15, 2018 | 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.”
Picture with me a serene lake setting. On the far side of the lake is a high mountain peak with patches of snow from the previous winter. The water is glassy smooth with barely a ripple. As you gaze at the water you can see a perfect reflection of the mountain scene — a mirror image. The more the water is disturbed, however, the less of the mountain you see.
God wants us to have a relationship with Him that reflects His glory. It is not us but Him that matters. The more we are preoccupied with ourselves the less of His image is reflected in us. The more we allow the things of this world to trouble the “waters of our soul,” the less of Jesus they will see.
In today’s Scripture we have the promise of God’s peace. The assurance that God gives us in this verse is that the things we meditate on determine how we view the world and all that is in it. The path to finding inner peace? Our thought life! A computer term fits well here: GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). We need to change that to Glory in, Glory out!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 14, 2018 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“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, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.”
It was several years ago when I first saw this prayer of Jabez and decided to make it my prayer. I was anxious for the Lord to expand my territory of ministry. Little did I realize that He had a world-wide ministry in which I would write daily encouragement that would reach hearts of people I have never met and will probably never meet until we are gathered together in heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
Looking at the date above causes me to bow in humble adoration before the Lord Jesus Christ. It is on this date that I celebrate my 84th birthday. Our kids used to tease that you have already lived one year before your first birthday so I need to add one year to that total and say that I have lived 84 years and am now entering my 85th year. Kids can be so cruel about things like that.
As I write this Daily-E-Votional I am in awe of the way the Lord has answered my prayer. I never imagined I would still be involved in active ministry at this age, but the Lord had other plans for me. I want to thank each of you who write from time to time and share how God has used a particular E-Votional to meet a need in your life. Keep me in your prayers!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 13, 2018 | Mark
Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Salt is very valuable and across the centuries it has had many uses. It was used to preserve and season foods and for its medicinal qualities. In Roman times the soldiers were paid in salt. That is where the word salary came from. When you hear the expression “he’s not worth his salt” it refers to the payment in salt that was received.
I once heard a preacher use a wonderful illustration. He said something like this: “While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink — but you can salt his oats!” I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I have thought of that illustration since first hearing it.
Some of us in Christian ministry wear ourselves out trying to force people to drink when they show no inclination and, in fact, refuse to drink. 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. Are you salting the oats of those you come in contact with? Are you creating such a desire that people must drink from God’s well that never will run dry? Spend time in God’s Word and experience the thrill that will make you want more and more of Him.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
