by Pastor Cecil | Nov 30, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 2: 9-10
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed it to those who love Him.”
We don’t like to let too many people in on our secret about what a fantastic area we live in here in the Pacific Northwest. The beauty is spectacular. Just to the east of us is the majestic Mount Rainier. On Sunday, one of our members gave Joyce and me a fantastic framed photo showing an early morning sunrise. The sun cast a shadow of the mountain on a layer of clouds that looked like a searchlight only it was dark. But that is nothing!
Flying at night on a commuter airline is especially revealing. Here in the State of Washington; it is a fairly large state, you can virtually see across the entire state. Flying at a relatively low altitude, the lights of the cities, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland, Tri-cities, Walla Walla, Yakima, Moses Lake, Spokane — are all clearly seen. What a view! But that is nothing!
In today’s Scripture, Paul gives us just a hint of what we will be seeing when we are gathered together with the Lord. God has given us a new life that is in Him. His view is never covered with clouds or smoke, or anything else which may block our view. We are new creations! We have been born again when we invite the Lord into our heart. WHAT A VIEW! AND THAT IS EVERYTHING!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 17, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I was listening to a classical music station this morning when I heard the announcer make an announcement about an upcoming play in downtown Seattle. I cannot recall the name of the play, but he said that it was about a young man in the early 1900’s who lived in L.A. and was tempted beyond his ability to resist.
As I heard this announcement I thought of today’s Scripture. Temptation is not a sin, but our yielding to temptation is a sin. There was an old song that we used to sing when I was a boy. Read the words below:
Yield not to temptation, For yielding is sin; Each vict’ry will help you, Some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue, Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.
Joseph is a prime example of how to deal with temptation when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. He made every attempt to avoid her. It was only by deceit that she was able to find the means to be alone with him, but that was not his doing and God used Joseph’s time in prison to raise him to a high position in Egypt and to become a savior of his people. God will always provide a way of escape if we only keep our eyes open and our hearts pure.
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.
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by Pastor Cecil | Sep 26, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Last week I officiated at a funeral service for a lady who was in her eighties. The family lived outside the area and so my only contact with them was by phone. At the funeral home I met the daughter who reacted as if she was shocked. “I know you!” Then she backed off and said that I resembled a well known minister. I think I responded that he is always trying to impersonate me, or something of the sort.
Perhaps most of us can recall embarrassing incidents where we mixed up people. I have to confess that one of my more sparkling blunders was when I asked a certain individual about his mother. He looked at me with a rather strange expression and reminded me that I had conducted her funeral service six months earlier. Bonk!!
Joyce and I try to convince ourselves that the reason we cannot remember names as well as we should is because we know so many people. That may be true, but let’s face it the memory is not what it was when we were younger. I feel like the man who asked someone: Do you know what they say about an old man’s memory? When he replies that he does not know. The first man says: I forget.
There is coming a day when we are assured that our minds will be clear and we will know each and everybody that has ever lived. Our ability to recall will not be limited to those we have met, but we will intimately know each and every saint who has ever lived. No mix ups then. What a celebration we will have!
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 | Aug 15, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Last week I was walking down to the exercise room for my daily workout. It was shortly after 5:00 a.m. and all was quiet except for the sound from the freeway about a mile away. The sound from traffic on the freeway was a steady hum until I heard a huge, BAM!! I immediately knew what had happened.
Several years ago Joyce and I were traveling to Idaho. We were traveling through a canyon whose walls rose high on each side. We were just passing an 18 wheeler when there was a huge BAM! As I looked in the rear view mirror I could see shreds of the truck’s tire that had exploded. Wow! I was thankful that we had made it past the truck before the tire had exploded.
As I walked on toward the clubhouse in the early morning hours I began to think about how quickly things happen. There is no way of knowing when a tire will explode or other accidents will occur. In the same way we have no idea when the Lord will call us home.
I was concluding a funeral service last year. As I was closing my remarks I challenged the congregation to be prepared to meet the Lord at any time. I added that we never know when the Lord will call. Unexpectedly someone’s cell phone rang. It gave me a perfect illustration of how suddenly we may be ushered into the Lord’s presence. We must be ready when He calls.
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 | Jun 17, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 4:10-11
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
This week I have directed our attention to a Scriptural view of the real church of Jesus Christ. It seems to have touched a few sore spots since quite a number have sent messages requesting to be removed from the mailing list.
Back in 1866 a liberal theologian attacked the validity of Scripture, especially the first five books of the Bible. In his egotistical manner he put down any who would believe these words to be the inerrant Word of God.
At that time there was a humble rural pastor, Samuel John Stone, who felt moved to pen words to refute what the theologian had said and to uphold the authenticity of this precious Word that has demonstrated itself to be the power of God unto salvation. Samuel Wesley, a grandson of Charles Wesley wrote the music to a hymn that has echoed in the hearts of true believers ever since.
“The Church’s One Foundation”
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the Word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth; her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder we see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won. O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 1, 2011 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 1:20
“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
From time to time I recall my days when I was working as a Juvenile Probation Officer. I worked for a Judge who was noted for his unique wisdom. In his early days he was a lawyer in a wild-west town and saw his share of gunfights that led to the death of one of the antagonists. But that is another story.
I had the rare opportunity to share a ride to work with Judge Ben Riordan and in addition would visit several times a day during one of the recesses he called. He was quite candid in his estimation of some of the attorneys who appeared before him to argue a case.
Two expressions stand out in my mind. The first: “He was so stupid that every time he opened his mouth he subtracted from the sum total of human intelligence!” The second: “He could remain silent and look stupid or open his mouth and remove all doubt!”
Judge Ben taught me that it is not necessary to have a huge intellect to do a good job. It was necessary to study a situation carefully before expressing an opinion. In fact it is often better to remain silent and simply watch.
As I walk through this life I want to have the wisdom that God desires for each of us. I find James 1:5 to be a verse to live by: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” I think Judge Ben would like that verse!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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