by Pastor Cecil | Nov 1, 2012 | 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.
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord to 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 a little while will ask me how I am enjoying retirement. I have to laugh since I am more active in ministry now than at any time in my entire ministry: Pastor of a dynamic and organic congregation, Daily-E-Votional that is worldwide, writing a book, officiating at many funeral services, and several assorted other activities.
When I began to pray this prayer of Jabez several years ago, I cannot begin to describe how the Lord has answered this prayer. Not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He just keeps opening new doors.
I remember when our grand-daughter began to pray this prayer several years ago. It was a sheer joy to observe the thrill as she shared with me how God brought opportunities for ministry day after day. Praise the Lord!
I challenge you to join in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by God just for you. I can assure you right now, you will never want to retire!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 29, 2012 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.
A few days ago I was on the phone with a young woman who had a new job. Due to health problems she was not able to work for a considerable time. She was so excited to tell me that she had just received her first pay and was thrilled that she would be able to pay tithe this Sunday.
Now I have been in the pastoral ministry for yea these many years and there are far more grudging givers than gleeful givers. I only wish that more people had the same response toward honoring God with their giving as did this precious young woman.
There is no question about the fact that we are to give to the Lord. All through God’s Word we are instructed about bringing our tithes and offerings to the Lord. This began with Cain and Abel back in Genesis. It continues all through the New Testament where Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
That is a perfect description of gleeful giving. It is not a matter of giving because some preacher said to give, but it is a vital part of our worship to the Lord. I find it difficult to say that I am totally committed to Christ and then fail to honor Him with my giving. I give Him my life and I want Him to have control of all I possess. I choose to be a gleeful giver!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 19, 2012 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 4:10
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”
Are you content to creep toward retirement, when you could be catapulted into creative ministry? Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord that He would enlarge your territories?
There was a time in my life that I was considered part of the young crowd. There were the old people that were on the periphery, but WE were young and active and full of life. Those older folks seemed to be content in just biding their time until the Lord called them home in heaven.
When the light finally dawned upon me that I was getting older, I wanted to be used by the Lord more than ever before. I began to pray this prayer of Jabez found in today’s Scripture. I cannot begin to explain how the Lord has answered this prayer, but He certainly has heard and answered. Not only has He given me a worldwide ministry, He keeps opening new doors of ministry. I Pastor a dynamic congregation, send out this Daily-E-Votional that is worldwide, have written my first book, lead a weekly Bible study, counsel individuals and families and several other things.
I challenge you to join in praying this prayer of Jabez. Let the Lord give you a unique ministry that will be designed by God just for you. I can assure you right now, you will never want to retire!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 2, 2012 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 29:14-15
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand. We are aliens and strangers in Your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.”
The second day of February! Ah yes—that day of the year when a groundhog crawls out of his den. Here is what Wikipedia says about the event:
“Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2. In weather lore, if a groundhog, also known as a woodchuck or marmot, emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for 6 more weeks.”
Pardon me if I am skeptical about the ability of the shadow of a rodent in Pennsylvania to forecast the weather here in the State of Washington. As a matter of fact, I seriously doubt the accuracy to predict the weather near his burrow.
Shadows are interesting. They are larger than reality yet they are not the real thing. It is not the valley of death that produces the fear, but the valley of the shadow of death. Shadows will always magnify an object.
At the beginning of the month of February, it is a good time to consider what is important in our life. Are we going to devote our efforts to the shifting shadows of this world, or are we going to lay up treasures in heaven?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 21, 2011 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 28:9
“. . . learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”
It is tragic that some people just do not understand the consequences of their actions. Over the years I have had close contact with those who have violated God’s commands and as a result have found the world crashing down around them. It then becomes my ministry to try to direct them to the only “ONE” who can put their broken life together.
Today’s Scripture is part of the challenge David gave to his son, Solomon, who was succeeding him on the throne of Israel. Oh, how I wish more of us fathers would challenge our sons and daughters to seek after the Lord.
The thing that strikes me is that David wanted his son to know God intimately. All too often we observe people who know about God and feel that this is enough of that “spiritual stuff” for them. How tragic that they will one day stand before the King of kings and Lord of lords to answer why they failed to seek after the Lord.
Knowing God intimately involves worship. Get ready!! Worship is far, far more than standing in a crowd with your arms in the air singing the latest praise song. It is that depth of emotion that reaches out to God at the point of our need and finding Him standing beside us, ready to draw us into a deeper walk with Him. I want to increase that relationship myself and invite each of you to join me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | May 18, 2009 | 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 14:15
“As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
Tradition! Tradition! I recall hearing those words being sung by Tevya in song from the movie, “Fiddler On the Roof.” Before we become too critical, it is well to consider how often we rely on tradition rather than prayerful guidance to determine our course of action. Think of the number of times we have said or heard it said; “We have always done it that way before!”
Just prior to today’s Scripture, David had inquired of the Lord about going to battle against the Philistines. In response to that question the Lord told David to go. The Philistines were defeated because the Lord had gone before them.
In this passage, the answer was not the same as before. Now the Lord instructed Moses to not proceed directly against this new armed threat, but to circle around behind and wait for the sound of marching in the balsam trees. David obeyed and God brought about a great victory.
God does not use the same methods time after time to do His will. He wants us to inquire of Him each and every time there is a decision to be made. Why? It is to demonstrate our total reliance on Him so that He will receive the credit.
In these perilous times we need to faithfully inquire of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 should always be in our heart: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Do not presume to know how God works or what His plans are for your life. Instead go to Him in prayer and stay there until you hear from heaven. Then obey!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
