by Pastor Cecil | Nov 4, 2015 | Colossians
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
In one of the churches I served I was helping to staff Bible classes. One teacher came with high credentials. After the first few weeks I was speaking with a man who attended that teacher’s class. He mentioned that when the Bible material was being taught it was like his head was opened and God’s Word was being poured in!
Wow! I thought that was the highest evaluation that could be given. I have so wanted to labor for the Lord in such a way that the hearts and minds of my hearers or readers would be opened and the pure Word of God poured in!
The first words of today’s Scripture seem to have this same concept: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you….” In order to have the Word of God dwell within us we must spend time in the Word.
How much time do we spend each day with the Bible? How much time do we spend each week? That gets pretty embarrassing doesn’t it? Some people go weeks or even months without reading their Bible.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 4, 2015 | Colossians
Colossians 2:2-3
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
I have been told by my family that I am hard to buy gifts for. I hope that means that I am content with what I have. Perhaps when you reach your 70’s (or in my case, the early 80’s), what in the world can you get for somebody like me that I don’t already have?
The solution that many have decided upon is to give me gift cards. I have a confession to make — I tend to stash gift cards. Not intentionally, but I just never seem to have them with me at the right time or am not sure how to use them.
I recently discovered a stash of five gift cards for Amazon.com. It was ridiculous because I was sure they were given to me some time ago. When I called Amazon to see if the cards might still be valid, I learned they were from 2012. After considerable analysis, I also discovered that they were in my account — all I had to do was place an order and the gift card values would be applied to my purchase. What a pleasant discovery!
How many times do we find ourselves spiritually sitting on the treasures of God instead of applying them? We live like spiritual paupers instead of like the children of the King. I do not wish to imply that we should live extravagantly, but that we should draw upon the spiritual wealth that gives answers to all of life’s problems and situations. Someone has said, “For every sigh there is a Psalm.” That being the case, God has given us the answers to life’s issues. When we search His Word and apply it as His gift card, we will find that there is sufficient balance to cover the charge. Let’s redeem those gift cards in our life!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 12, 2015 | Colossians
Colossians 1:24-27
“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Years ago Joyce and I traveled to a town over an hour away from us. There was a couple who lived there who had once been in a Bible class I taught. For us it was just for a pleasant visit, but God had a different plan. This couple had been praying for God’s direction, and they felt we were an answer to their prayer.
God is the blessed controller of all things! Do we really believe that? I fear that in most cases we behave according to our own purposes. It is only when we come to the end of ourselves that we finally seek God’s plan and purpose.
Let’s face it . . . the ways of God are a mystery to us. We can search His Word and spend time in prayer, yet we still question how He works. In some instances we may never be able to see God’s plan and purpose.
Paul was a man who had experienced much suffering in his life. In spite of this he came to realize that everything that happened to him had a purpose. The true mystery of godliness is that Christ lives in us and that is the hope of glory!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2014 | Colossians
Colossians 1:19-20
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
As a pastor and Christian Counselor, I have been faced with heartbroken parents who had lost a child. In my attempt to bring comfort, I would empathize with them. Unfortunately, when I said that I knew what they were going through, they reacted in a distant manner.
In actuality I could not know what they were experiencing since I had not lost a child. But that all changed on July 11, 1991, when our oldest daughter, Brenda, slipped into eternity. Joyce and I had witnessed others say farewell to a loved one, but now we would know the reality first hand.
The Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) had been One throughout all of eternity. Then Jesus, the Son, was sent to this earth to fulfill God’s prophetic purpose—to bring the offer of salvation to all who would receive it. Jesus shed His precious blood to pay the price for our sins. He became sin for us!
So where did Jesus assure our victory over sin and death? On the cross! The very moment His life faded and the last drop of His precious blood was shed, Satan was a defeated foe. That is why the very last words of Jesus on the cross, as recorded in John 19:30, were: “It is finished!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 1, 2011 | Colossians
Colossians 1:9-10
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
It is amazing how swiftly time flies! It seems that the snow was falling only a short time ago and here it is the first of August. I might add that here in the Northwest our summer has been so cool that some days it almost feels like winter.
That reminds me of how rapidly the years have passed since I sent out my first Daily-E-Votional. That was some 3,000 issues ago and over ten years. There have been many days when I felt more flat than fruitful. I wanted to send words of hope and encouragement, but it was hard to get my inspiration going.
It has been during those “flat” times that I have realized that it is not me putting these words into print, but the Holy Spirit using my feeble attempts to touch someone, perhaps a world away. That humbles me! The days when I feel that what I have written sounds like drivel are the days when the most people are impacted.
This has led me to conclude that it is not necessary for us to have it all together before we minister. We study, meditate, pray and then try to be as real as possible in writing what the Lord has put into our heart. Just remember that there may be someone waiting to hear the words the Lord has put into your heart.
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 | Mar 17, 2011 | Colossians
Colossians 1:5
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”
Anytime I want to get a shot of good news in my life, I read one of the e-mails I receive from Kevin Bouren. This young Army officer is first and foremost a soldier of Jesus Christ, then the US Army. Read what he recently sent.
“Home! Four little letters packed with so much joy. I landed in America on Saturday night, and after one night in Baltimore, I caught an early morning flight to Columbia, SC, where I reunited with my family at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Unspeakable joy!!!
“My wife and children were waiting with signs, streamers, and smiles, and my brother was capturing all of it on camera. What a refreshing reunion it has been these past few days as we have savored the warmth of each other’s embrace and praised God for pouring His grace on us so freely. God used this deployment to bring my family closer together than any previous separation we’ve endured. I am amazed at the spiritual growth and refinement that God orchestrated in us. Thank You, Jesus!”
I am so glad that Kevin has been reunited with his family once more. Can you just imagine the joyous celebration we will have when we reach our heavenly home and see all of our loved ones who have gone on before us. Above all will be the indescribable joy of seeing Jesus our precious Savior. What joy that will be!
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.
.
.
.
