by Pastor Cecil | Dec 8, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 13:12-13
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Where in the world did modern behavioral scientists come up with the idea that “self-esteem” was the answer to our personal problems? Some of the most violent criminals I have known had great “self-esteem.” Many of the greatest achievers seemed to lack any “self-esteem.” Consider Moses as one example.
In 1967 I was stationed with the US Air Force in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. One day two civilians arrived at our Radar Site and one was talking to some of our electronic technicians. One of them had just purchased a boat and was interested in having our men help him with some of the equipment. He was flamboyant, and I guess you could say that he had an extra dose of “self-esteem.”
The other man seemed rather withdrawn and shy. I went over and began to talk to him. Upon discovering that we both enjoyed fishing, I brought out some of the new fishing equipment I had just bought. He showed real interest in it and then asked that when I completed my assignment to have my wife meet me in Montreal. He gave me his card and asked me to give him a call, stressing that it was really something I should do.
I cannot take the necessary space to describe what awaited us when Joyce met me in Montreal. Suffice it to say that this man was a multimillionaire and owned a private lodge high in the Laurentian Mountains. We were the guests of a man who was one of the most self-effacing men you could imagine.
It is not how highly we esteem ourselves that matters—it is the amount of surrender to Christ and allowing Him to fill us with His purpose that counts. As we surrender our lives to Him, He takes us (warts and all) to become His disciples.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 27, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 6:20
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Imagine that a terrorist band burst into your hotel room two weeks ago, bound your wrists behind you, blindfolded you and drug you into a waiting vehicle. You had no idea where they were taking you. They led you into a small room with no windows. They removed your blindfold and bonds, but threatened you if you tried to free yourself.
You crept to the door and heard the terrorists calling your loved ones to inform them that you were being held captive and would not be set free until the price was paid. It was such a high price that you just knew it could never be paid.
Now after two weeks your captors enter the tiny room where you have been confined to inform you that the ransom price had been paid. You had been redeemed! They mentioned the name of the man who had redeemed you and had a paper that you were to sign agreeing to serve Him the rest of your life. The signature of the Man who had redeemed you was signed in blood. “Jesus!” As you signed you sang this song:
“Redeemed“
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
with me doth continually dwell.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing for I cannot be silent,
His love is the theme of my song.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I know I shall see in His beauty,
the King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
and giveth me songs in the night.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
in yonder bright mansion for me;
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
at home with the Lord I shall be.
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Thank the Lord for this wonderful hymn by Fanny J. Crosby. I know she is singing for her Redeemer right now.
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 5, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
I Corinthians 1:26-27
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
I once had a friend. I know it is hard to believe, but it is true! His name was Roscoe. He was developmentally disabled and had several physical problems. But there was one thing that made up for any problems he had—it was his smile!
I am not sure how it happened, but one Sunday following the service, Roscoe took out a tiny black book and proudly opened it up. He was not able to speak well enough to tell me what it was, but I sensed that it was his bowling scores.
I took great delight in showing enthusiasm over how well he did. The next week he ran across the foyer after service to show me how well he had done that week. It was not long before I looked forward to our meetings.
One Sunday I happened to be speaking with an acquaintance named John. When Roscoe rushed up with his book he handed it to John who had no idea what it was. John placed it in his packet and started to walk off with Roscoe calling out pitifully after him.
When we retrieved the little book, John was filled with regret. He thought it was a small portion of scripture verses. From then on, Roscoe was very careful to not hand his book to others. You know, as I think about it, we have been given the Word of God as a precious thing. We can use it for the glory of God and His purposes or we can prayerfully allow the Lord to bring it into the hands of those who will find eternal life in its pages. Even more important is to allow His Word to live through us.
Be blessed dear heart and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 3:8-9
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Yesterday I wrote about God’s Orchard. Since then I have been thinking of other passages with an agricultural theme. In today’s Scripture we read about God’s field. I guess you might describe us as being field hands in God’s field.
The apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth about factions within the church. Can you imagine such a thing? (Right!) It happens all too often doesn’t it? Paul is trying to give the church the larger picture. There are believers who perform one area of ministry and other believers are called to perform other areas.
I am amazed about how God calls people to unique areas of ministry. I attended college with a young man who felt God’s call to mission work in Swaziland. He was so excited about it and even described the personal suffering that would be required to reach people who had never heard the gospel message before. Let me just say that he never felt deprived by enduring hardship for the gospel. On the contrary, he was eager to get at the task.
Paul clearly describes that each of us will be called to perform our own particular ministry. You may plant, you may water or you may reap, but each has its own place in God’s wonderful field of service. Where are you working today?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 8, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:12
“Now we see but a poor 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.”
What a wonderful day it will be when all of the questions of life are removed and we see clearly the reality of God’s plan and purpose for us. At times we may catch glimpses in this life, but in glory we will have perfect understanding.
Last week I mentioned the apprehension as we descended through the thick fog in an attempt to land at the Boise airport where I was to deliver the message at my brother’s funeral. I really was not in fear as to any danger we may encounter since I knew there was radar and our altimeter to keep us from flying into the ground. My real fear was that at any moment we might hear the pilot apply power which would indicate that we were returning to Seattle and I would not be able to deliver the words the Lord had intended for me to speak.
There was a round of applause as we touched down and taxied up to the gate. As the plane stopped, I quickly stood in order to leave the plane as quickly as possible. The door had not yet opened, when the husband of a couple that had been seated in front of me looked up and asked; “Are you Cecil Thompson?”
Can you imagine what a shock that is to have a complete stranger call you by name? As it turned out, my niece’s husband was there to pick up this couple. They had also flown over for my brother’s service. In fact the husband was speaking with Alan on the cell phone who asked if they might have seen me. I shudder to think how he described me so the husband would ask if I was Cecil. (Slanted forehead and beady eyes? Nah!)
One of these days, those of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior will pass through the fog bank we call, life, and enter into the heaven God has prepared for us. We will know each and every person who has ever lived. What joy it will be to see clearly without the sin clouded fog of this world. What a sight we will see!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 3, 2010 | 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 13:12
“Now we see but a poor 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!”
I want to give a special thanks to my dear friend and our webmaster, Russ Hansen for taking over for me these past three issues of the Daily-E-Votional. He truly is a brother beloved!
I was preparing to board the plane that would take me from Seattle, Washington to Boise, Idaho in order to deliver the funeral message for my brother, Harold. This was going to be a difficult task, but it was also a privilege. I had prayed for the message that the Lord would have me to deliver, and really felt the strong desire to fulfill this responsibility.
Shortly before the announcement to board, the Customer Service Agent delivered an unsettling bit of information: “May I please have your attention? We have just been informed that the conditions for landing in Boise are marginal. At this time we are within limits, but things could change by the time you arrive. It may not be possible to land, so the flight may have to return to Seattle.”
With this cheery bit of news we boarded our flight for the 90 minute flight to Boise. Ninety minutes later we felt the plane bank to the left and began flying in large circles. After ten or fifteen minutes the captain announced that, in fact, the conditions were not favorable for landing, but that we would continue circling the airport and hoping for a break in the fog.
We circled for about thirty five to forty minutes when the captain again gave us more words of encouragement: “Folks, we are running a little low on fuel. Two other planes have attempted to land and were unable to do so. We will just have enough fuel for one attempt to land before we will return to Seattle.”
As we entered the bank of intense fog there was nothing to be seen from the windows but white nothingness. Where were we? How high above the earth and were we heading in the right direction? The pilot might know (we certainly hoped so), but we had no idea where we were.
As we make our way through life, we may think we know where we are, or wonder where we are or have no idea where we are, but thank God we have the Captain of our faith who is never in doubt about our location. He is the one we must trust in to bring us to a safe and secure landing.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
