by Pastor Cecil | Apr 8, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:15b
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
There has to be a beginning for everything. That is also true for preachers who have to deliver their first sermon. For me it was while I was still in the Air Force and stationed at Rapid City, South Dakota. The pastor asked me to bring the message in the Sunday evening service. I spent many hours in preparation and wrote my notes on a small sheet of paper. I was ready ― or so I thought!
The song service ended and I walked nervously to the pulpit and gave the congregation a big smile as I opened the Bible to my notes. I could not believe my eyes. “Bread-milk-eggs-lettuce.” I have no idea how it had happened, but my sermon notes got mixed up with the grocery list Joyce had given me.
Now if that would happen at this stage of my life, I could preach a sermon on the bread of life, desiring the milk of the Word, the hatching egg of spiritual maturity — though I’m not sure how I would cover the last one except to say, “Lettuce pray!”
It has taught me that we need to be prepared at all times to share the precious Word of God. We never know when the opportunity will arise, and we may be all that stands between some poor soul and eternity. I want to be ready! How about you?
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 | Apr 7, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:15b
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
There has to be a beginning for everything. That is also true for preachers who have to deliver their first sermon. For me it was while I was still in the Air Force and stationed at Rapid City, South Dakota. The pastor asked me to bring the message in the Sunday evening service. I spent many hours in preparation and wrote my notes on a small sheet of paper. I was ready ― or so I thought!
The song service ended and I walked nervously to the pulpit and gave the congregation a big smile as I opened the Bible to my notes. I could not believe my eyes. “Bread-milk-eggs-lettuce.” I have no idea how it had happened, but my sermon notes got mixed up with the grocery list Joyce had given me.
Now if that would happen at this stage of my life, I could preach a sermon on the bread of life, desiring the milk of the Word, the hatching egg of spiritual maturity — though I’m not sure how I would cover the last one except to say, “Lettuce pray!”
It has taught me that we need to be prepared at all times to share the precious Word of God. We never know when the opportunity will arise, and we may be all that stands between some poor soul and eternity. I want to be ready! How about you?
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 | Mar 23, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Joyce and I had just picked up a special speaker from England at the Boise Air Terminal. We had been assigned the privilege of transporting him to a conference site a few hours north of Boise. This distinguished minister with more ministerial degrees than I even knew existed suddenly shocked us to our roots.
“Do you know that the Bible teaches nudity?” How do you respond to a question like that? After allowing us to squirm for several minutes he opened his Bible and read the verses in today’s Scripture. We had a great laugh.
The real essence in these two verses is the concept of real beauty. There are many people who are deceived by the shallowness of physical beauty. I wonder how many young men would be shocked if they saw their “beauty queen” before she put on her make-up. Sad, sad the bitter wail. Who is this strange creature?
True beauty is an inner quality that has very little to do with physical appearance. It is, as the Apostle Peter says, “- – – the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. I hope that is the quality we all seek to develop.
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 | Mar 19, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Fanny J. Crosby was a remarkable woman. There are so many accomplishments in her life that it is hard to comprehend them all. She lost her eyesight because of the treatment of a careless doctor. In spite of her loss she memorized huge portions of Scripture just by listening to her grandmother read them to her. She is credited with writing over 10,000 hymns during her life.
Fanny began writing poetry at an early age, but another amazing fact is that she did not accept Jesus as her personal Savior until she was 31. She was attending a service on November 20, 1850. The congregation was singing a hymn by Isaac Watts; “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light.” She knew she needed the Lord and that very night He became her Savior and Lord.
Her desire was to always stay close to Jesus who had paid the ultimate price for her salvation. Her desire was to remain near her Lord. She immediately wrote the words to this week’s hymn, “Near the Cross.”
“Near the Cross“
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o’er me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
To view the GloryScapes inspirational music video Near the Cross please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/nearthecross 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 | Mar 12, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Eliza Hewitt was a school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She also was a lay worker in her church’s Sunday School program. Due to a serious back problem her teaching career was cut short. She turned to hymn writing to proclaim the truths of the Gospel.
Eliza collaborated with her friend, Emily Wilson, in writing today’s hymn, “When We All Get to Heaven.” This beautiful hymn has been an inspiration to many of us who eagerly look forward to that wonderful day when we will rejoice with all of the saints who have gone on before us. Wow! What a time of rejoicing that will be!
“When We All Get To Heaven“
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain: When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory.
To access When We All Get To Heaven, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whenweallgettoheaven 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 | Jan 8, 2010 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:17
“Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”
Over the centuries, there have been many souls who faced trials and tribulations on every side. The ordeals tried their very being. In the midst of their pain and agony they cried out to God in heaven who became their greatest source of solace.
Think of slaves who were bought and sold like cattle. They were branded, banded and forced to endure hardship that is beyond description. The common element that has always held suffering saints steady is the realization that this world is not their home. They may be a stranger here on earth, but they will be at home in heaven.
“Wayfarin’ Stranger“
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
A travel’n through this world of woe.
But there’s no sickness, no toil nor danger
In that bright world to which I go.
Refrain
I’m goin’ there to see my father;
I’m goin’ there no more to roam.
I’m just a-goin’ over Jordan,
I’m just a-goin’ over home.
I know dark clouds will gather ’round me,
I know my way is rough and steep;
But golden fields lay just before me,
Where God’s redeemed no more shall weep.
Refrain
I’m goin’ there to see my mother;
I’m goin’ there no more to roam.
I’m just a-goin’ over Jordan,
I’m just a-goin’ over home.
I want to sing salvation’s story,
In concert with the blood-washed band;
I want to wear a crown of glory,
When I get home to that good land.
Refrain
I’m goin’ home to see my Savior;
Who shed for me His precious blood;
I’m just a-goin’ o’er Jordan,
I’m just a-goin’ o’er home.
I’m just a-goin’ o’er home.
I’m goin’ home.
To access Wayfarin’ Stranger, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wayfarinstranger 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
