by Pastor Cecil | Dec 16, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals, Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Sunday morning as our church fellowship gathered, I asked a question that has been running through my mind for several days. Rather than being in the form of a direct question, it is posing a situation that demands a little imagination.
Suppose someone gifted you with a cash gift of $10,000. Try to think of what your reaction would be. What would be your attitude toward the one who gave you the money? Would you have a feeling of elation?
Now—while keeping that thought in mind—imagine what you reaction would be if you learned that the same person who had given you this wonderful gift had just given your neighbor $20,000. What would you feel toward the neighbor? What would you feel toward the one who had been so generous? Interesting isn’t it?
For the remainder of this week I would like to explore Psalm 103. We are instructed to exercise ultimate praise toward God. The Psalmist then mentions at least four things that we are to praise God for. Today I would like for us to consider the matter of forgiveness and healing. In verse 3 He reminds us that the Lord forgives all our sins and heals all of our diseases.
Anytime I consider the concept of God’s forgiveness I immediately think of 1 John 1:8-9: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
That is a fantastic promise, but it also has a dire warning. Anytime we deny that we have sinned we are deceiving ourselves and deny the truth of God’s Word. Without an acknowledgement of our sins and confessing them before the Lord there can be no forgiveness. When we bow before the Lord and confess each and every transgression, He has promised to forgive and heal.
I wonder how many people are experiencing health problems because we have failed to forgive those who have offended us in some manner. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul suggests that failing to confess sins has even led to death.
Years ago I read a fascinating book by Dr. S. I. McMilan called, None of These Diseases. As I recall he mentioned almost 100 diseases that can directly be related to an unforgiving spirit.
We need to forgive others and praise the Lord in the process. If we desire God to heal us from the inside out there is no other way other than doing what His Word commands. Are you praising the Lord for His forgiveness and for giving you the grace to forgive others?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 10, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
1 John 3:18-19
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”
Yesterday I conducted a committal service for a decorated navy veteran. The service was at a National Cemetery a little over an hour from our home. I asked my dear wife to ride with me and keep me company.
It was a lovely day and when we arrived at the shelter where the ceremony was to take place, I was directed to park at just the right location for Joyce to observe the service from the car.
The military members marched forward carrying the folded flag. The rifle detail fired three salvos, the flag was unfurled and as the military members saluted, a bugler played out the somber notes of the taps.
It was inspiring to have four military personnel standing at parade rest while I recited Scripture and made spiritual application about the reality of eternity. The military concluded their portion of the service by presenting the flag to the widow, and then marched behind a wall.
As Joyce and I drove away, she reflected on what she had seen from her vantage point. The military detail had been so polished and regimented during the ceremony, but after they went behind the wall, a change took place. She watched as the stiff formality dissolved into casual laughter and gestures of relief.
Before we say anything about these brave, young service personnel, let us stop and consider our spiritual behavior. How many times have we put on a facade of piousness that was not exactly true? If we face ourselves in God’s mirror of truth—the Bible—what would we see?
If ever there were a time for authentic Christianity, it is now! We need men and women who will quit putting on a spiritual show and begin living as authentic believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are people looking at the way we live—not just when we are in church, but every single day of the week. There are no time outs when it comes to serving Jesus. We should be the same “behind the wall” as we are when we’re called upon to minister. On stage or off stage—we need to be real soldiers of the cross! As the title of this Daily-E-Votional asks; “WHO ARE YOU?”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 3, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
1 Corinthians 15:56-58
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves freely to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
It would appear that the entire world is in a state of chaos and calamity. Just a year or so ago it seemed that all was well, but now the very financial structure of the nations has been shaken to the core. In this atmosphere it is well to read that one sentence in today’s Scripture: “Let nothing move you.”
Change is an inevitable fact of life. Just when we think that things are stable and secure, we suddenly encounter radical departure from the norm and things change direction. Often this is not of our own choice. We feel that in some way we are the victims of circumstances. What do we do when we are done unto?
Let’s face it—we are often guilty of twisting Scripture – (forgive us, Lord). We have changed the Golden Rule from, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” to “Do unto others before they get a chance to do it to you.” As I prayed before, forgive us, Lord!
Change is inevitable. We encounter situations that suddenly arise and create a whole new set of conditions that we have never experienced before. Being reassigned or released in our work place is an unexpected blow, but this now happens on such a regular basis that it is almost the norm.
The loss of a loved one through death or divorce is equally traumatic. The loss of our abilities due to accident or illness can change our life instantaneously and dramatically.
What is the solution to changes in our life?!!! TRUST GOD WITHOUT RESERVATION!
None of us know what will happen in our life from moment to moment. I recall a story that Bob Harrington, who was known as the Chaplain of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, related. A shoe shine boy was on the elevator of a hospital with Bob. He suddenly said, “Sir, you are a preacher—where is heaven?”
Bob had the boy place his hand over his heart, and asked him what he felt? The boy said; “I feel my heart beating.” Bob said, “That is exactly right! You ask me where is heaven, where is hell? The answer is right there in your chest. Where is heaven? Where is hell? One heartbeat away!”
So, let’s get this straight. We have no idea what will happen next, but God knows every heart beat that is planned for us, and every single thing that is going to occur in our life. Are we going to allow the circumstances of life control us or place our trust in God and His Word? Stand firm! When all else fails—Jesus never fails!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 20, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Exodus 3:4-5
“When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called from within the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.'”
There is little concern in our day and age for the sacred things of God. Sloppiness, indifference and a casual approach to the Word of God is of great concern. It almost seems as if many have created a God of their own making which allows or permits people to come into the presence of the King of kings and have no regard for His holiness.
I am not necessarily speaking of worship services, but that would certainly apply. What I am picturing is the contact we have with the Lord. I fear that much of the time we are so preoccupied with what is going on around us that we fail to see and experience the awesome holiness of God. Have we encountered the burning bush in our life?
Following the encounter with the “Burning Bush” Moses was empowered to become God’s instrument in leading the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery. Following his encounter with the “Commander of the Lord’s army”—Joshua led the Israelites to supernatural victory over Jericho and the other cities in Canaan. Are you experiencing victories in your spiritual life?
Today’s Scripture comes from the famous “Burning Bush” encounter in the life of Moses. It was the place where God encountered Moses and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of bondage. After Moses died, the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, were nearing Jericho. Joshua saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword. This was to be Joshua’s “Burning Bush” experience.
Joshua asked the man if he was for Israel or against them. Joshua 5:14-15; “Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for his servant?’ The Commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”
If you must confess that your spiritual life is without victory, the answer may be that you lack a crisis with God’s “Burning Bush.” Following the Day of Pentecost we have new access to the presence of God that those in the Old Testament lacked. We have the blessed Holy Spirit who becomes our “Burning Bush.” He is able to go before us and lead us in becoming all that God wants us to be.
In our personal burning bush we make our altar before the Lord. Let us fall on our face before the Spirit of God. In this holy place we need to recognize that we are in the presence of the God who knows our every thought. It is not a place for us to boast or brag about what we have done, but a place where we acknowledge that without Him we are nothing. Praise Him and adore Him. He is our all in all!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 29, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals, Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
One Sunday, following our evening service, a man in the congregation asked if he might come to the parsonage and talk with me. I was delighted, and when he came we had a small lunch before going into my office.
Out of the clear blue came these words: “I hate your guts!” Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Prior to this there did not seem to be anything of a conflict between us, so his statement was a blow.
With my mind reeling, I prayed silently for God’s wisdom and strength. With as much sincerity as possible I answered, “I am so glad that you feel free to share your feelings with me.” From that incident I would like to suggest a few ways to respond to and love the unlovable.
(1) Rely on God’s wisdom in dealing with the person.
(2) Realize that these unlovable people need love—perhaps more than others.
(3) Remember how unlovable our sins are in God’s sight.
(4) Rejoice that we are counted worthy to encounter persecution.
(5) Respond with love rather than retaliate with resentment.
What happened on that Sunday evening so long ago? We spent time together as he poured out his heart. As he was leaving he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Pastor, I love you so much!” Wow! That was a dramatic change from the comments he made earlier. God is so good!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 2, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Luke 2:51-52
“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
I remember a college student who was incredibly brilliant. He always had an arm load of books and at every opportunity he was reading and studying. It should come as no surprise that he was a straight-A student. There was just one problem—he was a complete social misfit.
It is an interesting project to use the Scripture in order to get a picture of what the teen-age years of Jesus must have been like. Actually we are told nothing of these years. There is something of a twenty-year gap from today’s Scripture and when He performed His first miracle in Cana and began His public ministry.
You may recall that today’s Scripture followed the incident when He remained at the Temple in Jerusalem after His parents had left for Nazareth. He had been asking questions of the spiritual leaders and amazed them with His answers.
After His parents confronted Him with their frustration that they had spent three days searching for Him, He willingly came under their authority. I am sure that He would have preferred to remain in His Father’s House—but He came under their authority and returned with them to Nazareth.
Have you ever known teens who grudgingly followed their parents, but demonstrated an attitude of rebellion? Jesus willingly went with His parents, and we are told something about his development.
1. Jesus grew: “in wisdom.” That indicates that the Son of God studied the written Word of God. I cannot understand that, but it is not necessary that I understand all things. But one thing I know—it tells me that we will never come to the place where we know it all. We should commit ourselves to be lifelong students of God’s precious Word.
2. Jesus grew: “in stature.” This is the physical area of life and we should be aware of the importance of using this body of ours for God’s purposes and not our own desires. Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
3. Jesus grew: “In favor with God.” We find favor with God by being obedient to Him. When we read in His Word that we are to do something or refrain from doing it, we need to obey. Just as obedient human children please their parents, so we please Him by obeying His commands.
4. Jesus grew: “In favor with men.” This is social growth. As Christians we must have a socially pleasing personality. Oddball kooks are not a good representative for Christ. They should see the Jesus in us and feel that we are approachable.
How do you stack up? Are you growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are you producing spiritual fruit? Do you think the Lord is pleased with your growth?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and become a real blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
