by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.
It was February 14th Valentine Day – and we received word that my dad had collapsed. We left the evening church service and rushed to the emergency room, arriving before the ambulance. I stood outside the emergency entrance and listened to the eerie sound of the approaching ambulance, knowing that my precious dad was inside.
I looked up into the sky and prayed that the Lord would give me the strength to deal with what the next few minutes would reveal. As the gurney was wheeled past me I saw the lifeless shell of my dad. I knew immediately that he was not here, but he had risen to be with the Lord. What a loss for us but what a victory for him!
The Apostle Paul was in a dark and dreary prison and knew that his life on this earth was almost over. Rather than being fearful or discouraged, he was filled with victory and joy. Earlier he had proclaimed that if he lived it would be to serve Christ and when he died it would be gain. Either way he had joy and contentment.
I found contentment in my dad’s passing as I have with other members and cherished friends who died, but who had been born again. Yes, I was grieved to know that I would not see them again for a little while, but I have the confident assurance that we will meet again never more to suffer separation. What comfort that is!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 27, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
It is important for us to evaluate what we do with the gifts God has given to us. It reminds me of an incident almost 40 years ago. I was the Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission. It was our responsibility to allocate State and Federal funds to criminal justice agencies across the State of Idaho.
In order to receive these grants, the individual agencies were required to write a proposal of why they needed the funds. This would be followed by an evaluation at the end of the first year to show how effective the program had been.
One small community requested funds to upgrade their police department. The Chief of Police who wrote the proposal left the department during the year and it was difficult to get the new chief to submit the required evaluation. After many letters and phone calls we received his evaluation: Hired one man. He done good!
That evaluation was good for a laugh, but it strikes me that each of us needs to take the time and effort to evaluate our service to the Lord. I am hopeful that it could be said of us that we have done good. The grammar may be lacking, but the meaning is spot on. Our Lord is watching how we live our life for Him. There will come a day when we stand to give our report to the Lord. I want to hear the Lord say, “Well done!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 9, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.
There are certain people in our life that have made a significant impact. One was an old man by the name of Ernest. I say old, but that was from the point of view of a boy of four or five. In fact, he was only in his 60’s. Now that I have passed into my late 70’s, that seems pretty young. He was one of those precious souls that loved the Lord from the depths of his being, and was not afraid to demonstrate it in his actions. He used an old Bible that was as worn and battered as he. The cover bore scars from excessive use.
Ernest used to sit in his old rocking chair and read his Bible. He would read silently, but his lips would move as he read verse after verse. He would sometimes hold the younger grandchildren on his lap as he read the life revealing Word of God. One could only wonder if he realized he was impacting those young lives by his quiet devotion.
There came a day in his life, when things just did not feel right. He consulted a doctor and learned that he had cancer. There were many days of pain and exhaustion. He lived at a time when medical treatment was limited, and Ernest realized that his days on this earth were very limited. He sent word to his eight children that he would like to see them all one more time. They came from Texas, California, and those who lived near him in Washington State.
In the final hours of his life he shared from his heart all that God had done for him, and how much he loved the Lord. As his children gathered around his bed in that small living room, he encouraged those of them who were not serving the Lord, to do so while there was time. For those who did know the Lord, he challenged them to be faithful in their walk. His breathing became easier, and it seemed as if the pain had been removed from his body. He sat up and looked toward the door and spoke these last precious words: “There is Jesus now!”
I cannot begin to count the number of times I have told the story of Grandpa Thompson. It is nothing compared to the countless times I have thought of these words. It has given me a hope that there is a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned. It has been a constant beacon to direct my way through the storms of life.
What about you who have not had such an example? I was not in that room when grandpa died. His words and the scene, was related to me by my dad. I have been living the glory of Grandpa Thompson’s death from what my dad had seen and heard. I pray that it may inspire you to accept it by faith and allow it to give you a light in your darkest night.
Paul encouraged Timothy to recall those meaningful words and the actions that he had observed in Paul’s life and pass them on to the faithful who could in turn pass them from one to the other. It might be said that the Gospel was the first and greatest multilevel marketing strategy in the world. It only takes one who will duplicate himself in the lives of others, who in turn will repeat the process, until the world realizes the presence of Jesus.
None of us knows for sure where and when we will die. The only certainty is that each of us will die, unless the Lord raptures His church. I have a driving ambition to be faithful in teaching and living as Jesus has instructed. As I mentioned earlier, I am older than my grandpa, Ernest Thompson when he died. I have many precious spiritual children and grandchildren. I want them to see my battered Bible, and watch as I read those precious words, and also watch as I live a life that is committed and real. Regardless if I die surrounded by people, or all alone, my desire is that my last words will be; THERE IS JESUS NOW!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 22, 2012 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
The answer to the title of today’s Daily-E-Votional—CAN GOD USE ME?—is a resounding YES! Not only can He use you, He wants to use you. The only thing standing in the way is—are you ready?—YOU!
As I allow my mind to wander across the years, I am struck by those who have been able to minister under dire circumstances. A missionary I knew was rushed to a hospital with a ruptured appendix. While recuperating in a two-bed hospital room, he was able to share his testimony with the patient in the other bed and lead him to the Lord.
During the cold war years there were many Christians who were imprisoned due to their belief in Jesus Christ. Rather than collapsing in a heap and feeling sorry for themselves, many used prison as an opportunity to preach the gospel.
In our own life we have endured occasional tests and trials. As we surrendered our situation to the Lord, He opened doors of ministry that we could never have entered in any other way.
It is not necessary for us to be perfect before He can use us—just forgiven. It is not necessary for us to complete a course of study to be used—just available. It is not necessary for us to be of a certain age to be used—just willing.
Many of you are enduring trials and tests right now. Please do not allow what you are experiencing to paralyze you from being used. Step forward and volunteer to serve in God’s army. Neither age nor physical limitations will disqualify. “God doesn’t just call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 2, 2011 | 2 Timothy
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
I am just listening to the notes of that wonderful sacred song, “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked.” I have never visited Israel to walk over the same paths that Jesus walked, and because of my age it is unlikely I will ever be able to do so.
I have, however walked in the footprints of many godly saints who have gone on before me. I have held their personal Bibles in my hands and even read the notes they have penned in the margins.
It has occurred to me that just following the steps of Jesus or other precious saints does not make us more spiritual. All too often people like to attach some special honor to themselves by merely being in the same places Jesus ministered. I may stand behind a pulpit where a great preacher has proclaimed the Word in a mighty fashion. That does not mean that I will be able to deliver such a sermon.
We note that Paul was trying to impress upon his son in the faith, Timothy, that it was his task to remember what he has heard Paul teach and share those words with others. It is essential that we seek to discover spiritual truth from God’s Word and share these with others.
It is time for each of us to examine our own walk. Are we faithfully searching for precious nuggets of truth? If so, are we faithful in following in the footsteps of those who have gone before us? Will they be able to know Jesus better as we pass?
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 14, 2011 | 2 Timothy
II Timothy 2:1-2
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Back in 1968-69 I was assigned to a remote radar site on the northern tip of Newfoundland, Canada. There were many hours that I spent in my room studying or listening to sermon tapes. Among my favorite ministers was Major Ian Thomas. His refreshing look at Scripture was a real blessing.
Recently I have re-read one of his books, The Indwelling Life of Christ. I was brought to attention when he gave this definition of the church: “This is the true church in action, the right people in the right place at the right time, saying the right things to the right people. The church in action is where the Lord Jesus is still at work clothed with the humanity of healthy members of His body.”
That still makes my head spin as I read what I have just typed. I know that not everyone in our congregations will be able to measure up to this definition, but just think how we could impact our world if just a majority would strive to approach the aim of this definition.
Now is the time for soul-searching. Are you associated with a congregation that strives toward these standards? Are you personally committed to reach the right people at the right time by saying the right things? I pray that you are.
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
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