by Pastor Cecil | Jun 23, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
James 4:13-14
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Once upon a time I was a five-year old boy in Camas, Washington. It was June 23, 1939, the day my grandfather Thompson died. He had suffered with cancer for quite some time and it was evident that he had very little time to live. He called for his children to be with him during the last moments of his life.
Over the years I have repeated what my dad told me about those final moments. Grandpa shared how the Lord had been faithful to him across the years. He challenged his children to trust the Lord and walk in obedience to God’s Word. He suddenly looked toward the door and a look of joy lit his face. His final words were; “Well there’s Jesus now.”
Fast forward to 1974—I was working for the State of Idaho. I had to travel to the northern part of the state and asked my dad to travel with me. Along the way he gave me his testimony and told me his heart was right with the Lord. He said that when he died he wanted me to tell everyone not to grieve—that they just needed to be ready to meet him in heaven. It was February 14, 1982 that he unexpectedly slipped into eternity.
Sometimes our loved ones have the opportunity to share their testimony and their love. At other times they are gone before they, or we, speak the words and show the actions that we have intended.
If you knew that you had 24 hours to live, who would you want to speak to and what would you want to say? Are there fences to be mended or apologies to be made? Are there unfinished items on the agenda of your life that you would need to take care of? How do you know that you will have even 24 hours to live?
Now is the time for action. Say the words and take the actions that may very well be the way those people will remember you. Live as if this is your last day on earth. What will you do?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 20, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 28:1-2
“To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if You remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place.”
What happens when God is silent? Is He there? Is He angry with me? Have I done something wrong? It would always be easier to talk about what happens in the lives of other people, but I can only relate what is going on in my life. Some might call it transparency, but frankly, it makes me feel very vulnerable. Over the past seven years I have shared my heart and life as I attempt to follow after the Lord.
I have had far more positive response to these E-Votionals than to anything I have ever done, yet there may be days when I hear nothing. In those periods, I begin to wonder, “Am I doing something wrong? Is the call still there? Should I stop for awhile? Then someone writes and I see that it is not my concern as to the results, but with my faithfulness.
You may be going through a period in your life, when it seems that you are hearing nothing from the Lord. You pray and ask for deliverance, but nothing seems to happen. Are you at that point?
My mind reflects back over Scripture and the many examples God gives of times of His silence. I will mention only two. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a multitude. In actuality, he was far too old to father a son. It was years after the promise, and years beyond the “normal” time of producing off-spring, before the child of promise, Isaac, was born. God desired for Abraham to be silent and trust, rather than see the deliverance immediately. STAND FAST, DEAR HEART! GOD IS THERE IN THE SILENCE!
Joseph was another example of enduring long periods of silence. Not only did he experience the betrayal of his brothers, it seemed as if God had forgotten him. He steadfastly rejected the open demands of Potiphar’s wife to lie with her, stating that it was a sin against his God to do such a thing. Yet for his steadfast trust in God, he was thrown into prison on her false charge against him. Now on the surface, that may seem as if God had forgotten him.
Years later, he was forgotten by Pharaoh’s servant, who had promised to speak to Pharaoh about his innocence. Where was God while this upstanding young man languished in prison? He was there, but the time was not right. God’s timing was absolutely perfect! Just think of the impossible circumstance of Joseph moving from prison to Prime Minister, in just one day.
God might have been silent over the years of Joseph’s ordeal, but God was in control of the situation. Joseph became God’s chosen vessel to save not only Egypt, but also his family. Years later, after he had revealed himself to those brothers who had sold him into slavery, he could say with confidence and victory; “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20).
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 19, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
People are sick of hearing Christians preach sermons but live lives that are inconsistent with what they have just been preaching. There is a word that is used repeatedly for such actions: HYPOCRITE! Here is a wonderful sermon in action.
Carl’s Garden
Carl was a quiet man. He didn’t talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister’s residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, “Would you like a drink from the hose?” The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, “Yeah, sure”, with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl’s arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl’s assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg.
He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn’t get there fast enough to stop it. “Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?” the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. “Just some punk kids. I hope they’ll wise up someday.”
His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, “Carl, what are you doing?” “I’ve got to finish my watering. It’s been very dry lately”, came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.
A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn’t rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.
The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. “Don’t worry old man, I’m not gonna hurt you this time.” The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl. “What’s this?” Carl asked. “It’s your stuff,” the man explained. “It’s your stuff back, even the money in your wallet.” “I don’t understand,” Carl said. “Why would you help me now?”
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. “I learned something from you”, he said. “I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn’t hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.” He stopped for a moment. “I couldn’t sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.”
He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. “That bag’s my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.” And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn’t know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl’s garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, “Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.”
The following spring another flyer went up. It read: “Person needed to care for Carl’s garden.” The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister’s office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. “I believe this is my job, if you’ll have me,” the young man said. The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl’s kindness had turned this man’s life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, “Yes, go take care of Carl’s garden and honor him.”
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl’s memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn’t care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, “My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she’s bringing him home on Saturday.” “Well, congratulations!” said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. “That’s wonderful! What’s the baby’s name?” “Carl,” he replied.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 18, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Since September 15, 2000, I have sent out 2088 issues of the Daily-E-Votional. As the subscriber list has grown, it has expanded from our local area to cover the entire globe. As I pray each day for God’s direction as to what to share, I pray that the words will touch a heart that is in need at the time they read it.
Yesterday I wrote about the turmoil I had experienced several years ago. I had no idea that so many of you have had, or are right now, experiencing conflicts. Many of you have responded that you also are dealing with this issue. It is true for people of all ages and in all parts of the world. Please be assured that God is in control of your life!
It occurs to me that it is possible to rush to help when we see our loved ones experiencing some these problems in their life. Some refer to it as taking up another’s offense. I feel that it is well and good that we consider this vital concept.
It is a natural reaction to rush to the aid of those of our loved ones and friends who are the targets of false accusations. In some instances we are able to give them comfort and assurance. The problem is that we sometimes fail to pray and seek God’s purpose in the matter. God may be allowing these individuals to endure hardship in order to bring about His glory in the midst of their pain. I know that flies in the face of some of those who want every discomfort and pain removed immediately.
I have kept this comment from a dear friend from college days, Roy Croskrey. His words are brief but explode with spiritual impact: “When you cease to bleed, you cease to bless!” Wow! It gives new meaning to the ordeals we encounter in life.
In our Scripture for today, Paul shares that he was given a thorn in the flesh. I have heard some who have tried to guess what that thorn was. If it was important we would have been told. By his not naming the thorn we are better able to relate to the thorn that we may have in our own life. I guess you might say; “The type of thorn does not matter—any old thorn will do! The important thing is not the thorn but the Christ who uses the thorn.”
This is why it is so essential that we spend much time in prayer, asking God how we should pray. We are too guilty of telling God what to do, instead of listening for His voice. Once Paul learned the secret of the thorn, he could see that the Lord’s strength and power was made perfect in his weakness.
We may strive to be perfect and have it all put together, but remember the secret of the thorn. It is in our weakness that the Lord’s strength is demonstrated. Paul was so excited about this discovery that he began to delight in his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties. Why? Because it was then that Christ could be seen more clearly. It is not a call to a persecution complex. It is the presenting of our body to the Lord as a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable unto Him as our normal act of worship.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 17, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 118:22-24
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Sunday afternoon our son and his family stopped by the house to wish me happy Father’s Day. In the conversation my wife, Joyce, mentioned a person who had held bitterness toward me for many years for some imaginary situation. All attempts to resolve the bitterness failed.
There was one ordeal that I experienced in my ministry. It is hard to think about, much less put into words that thousands of you will be reading. My purpose is to give you a hope and a confidence, that even though you may be rejected by men, you are never rejected by our heavenly Father.
The purpose of the rejection is known only to those who inflicted it. It started with snide remarks and innuendos. Comments were more and more accusatory and questioning whether I was too old to continue in the leadership of our congregation. False statements were made and I found myself feeling like an animal being pursued by hunters ready for the kill. Both Joyce and I suffered doubts and uncertainties.
I want to say right here that I am no perfect example. I make more than my share of mistakes, blunders and oversights. Some of the comments had elements of truth in them, so I could agree to a point, but taken out of context, they became a pretext.
I pray that there may be one or two of you out there who are able to relate to this and will know that this is God’s way of sending you assurance. There were many who stood beside me and defended me against the onslaught.
This reminds me that there may be people around you who are passing through a time of trial and turmoil. They need a friend who will come along side of them and listen to the cry of their heart. You could very well be the one who will raise their head up and allow them to gain new hope.
Today’s Scripture is a prophetic passage that Jesus used in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It may be of encouragement to all of us, that our perfect Savior was rejected by those who should have rejoiced at His appearing. Jesus experienced the rejection of the religious leaders of His day. Many of us experience rejection in our life. I hope to be able to give us some encouragement when we face rejection.
Here is my conclusion concerning rejection. Jesus was rejected even though He was perfect in all ways. That being the case I can expect to be rejected in my imperfect ways. I shudder to suddenly realize that my wife and children will read that I am not perfect!
When we encounter rejection in our life, whether in the home, at church or at work, turn it over to the Lord. Write down on a paper what you are encountering and present it to Him in prayer. Keep your eyes fixed steadfastly upon Him and know that He will never reject you.
Now you know a little more about me. I want you to know that I will always try to be here for you. I will pray and intercede for you. We all need that someone who will be honest and share counsel that is based upon God’s Word. That is what I commit to give you.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 16, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Ecclesiastes 9:12
“No man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.”
Have you ever been trapped? There is one incident that stands out in my mind. It was a moment of utter terror that still makes me shudder when I think about it.
It was back in 1967 when I was with the US Air Force, stationed at Whiteman AFB in Missouri. I was also working on my Masters degree at Central Missouri State University. Joyce was also working for the Vice-President.
We were on our way back to the base and nearing the home of one of the members of the church we were attending. I noticed a friend of ours, Captain Terry Pullen, waving his hand frantically. He was having car trouble and had stopped there for assistance. I pulled in the driveway and got out of the car. (It was not a wise thing to do!)
Immediately as I closed my door a huge German Shepherd roared around the front of the car with teeth bared and snarling. It was clear that he meant business! When the dog came after me, Terry jumped in the back seat on the passenger side. (The coward!) He even had the audacity to roll down the window and tell me to be careful because the dog was vicious. (I was so glad that he told me. I never would have known!)
I am not sure how I managed to get the door open and back inside the safety of the car without being eaten alive, but I finally made it!
That incident reminds me that we can easily fall into the trap of the enemy of our souls. Satan knows how to put various kinds of lures along our pathway to heaven. We may have the best of intentions, and one little detour shouldn’t hurt—but it does!
The Apostle Peter knew what it was like to be ensnared by words and actions that resulted in his failing his Master, Jesus Christ. I love the words he writes in 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Peter describes an accurate picture of the devil prowling around looking for prey. Do you notice that he gives specific steps of action when being faced with the traps of the enemy? Let me list them for you:
1. “Be self-controlled and alert.”
2. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
3. “Know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
There we have it! This is a very simple plan to steer clear of the devil’s traps. Can I share something with you? The plan is much easier than the implementation. Read number three again. We are not alone! I want you to know that I pray each day that I send these messages out that it will keep you from falling. I will be here for you.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
