by Pastor Cecil | Feb 25, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Isaiah 41:9-11
“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”
There is a humorous story that I heard many years ago. It seems that a new pastor moved to town. One day he went out to visit some of his parishioners. All went well until he came upon this one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he had knocked several times.
Finally he took out his card, wrote on the back “Revelation 3:20” and stuck it on the back of the door. Revelation 3:20 says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
The following Sunday he was looking over the Friendship In Worship cards following the morning service. There was one card that was from the lady who lived at the house where he had left his “Revelation 3:20 card.” On the card there was only a scripture reference given; “Genesis 3:10.” Looking up the reference he howled with laughter. It reads: “And He said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked: so I hid myself.”
Sometimes we feel exposed by the indiscretions in our life that separate us from the Lord. Instead of confessing our sin, we try to deny it, mislabel it or cover it with our seemingly good works. None of those reactions are correct. As a former police officer I have heard countless excuses. For instance, someone would be so intoxicated that they could hardly stand up, but they would say that they only had two beers. Right!
Spiritually we tend to react the same way. God is not interested in our excuses but in our confession. If there is something that the Holy Spirit convicts us about, we need to confess it immediately. Not justify—but confess it. As we read so clearly in I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
As often as I read that verse I realize that it is not an option but a requirement. We do not come before the Lord by our good works or superior standing. Just as Adam and Eve hid themselves from God after they had sinned, so we hide from God in our own way. But we know all too clearly that it is impossible to hide from Him. He knows where we are and what we have done. He is waiting to hear our words of confession so He can forgive and cleanse us.
Is there anything in your life that is separating you from God? I urge you to honestly examine your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is hidden away from public view. Once you are aware of it, confess it to the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 22, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Think of that! God has breathed His breath into the precious Word of God. That being the case, how in the world can we neglect it, disobey it and/or treat it with the same disregard as we would a book written by a human author. May God forgive us if we ever do.
Remember that Paul is writing to his son in the faith and sharing the things that are important to Timothy’s spiritual growth and maturity. As we read the words in today’s Scripture, it should cause us to feel a sense of awe. The very Word of God has been given for our benefit.
Paul instructs Timothy that this supernatural Word of God has specific value:
It is useful for teaching
It is useful for rebuking
It is useful for correcting
It is useful for training in righteousness
These four purposes of the Word of God should always be in our mind while we are reading. They should take the form of questions that could even be written down. What is this passage teaching? Am I one of those that needs to be rebuked for things I am doing, or am I to do the rebuking? (Be very careful on this one – it is easy to become judgmental in the flesh rather than rebuking under the direction of the Holy Spirit). In what way does the Word of God correct human thinking and reasoning? What discipline is appropriate to achieve righteousness? Remember that it is speaking of God’s righteousness rather than man’s righteousness.
Just taking time to read and study this third chapter of 2 Timothy will yield results. It reveals to us the things that Paul felt were necessary for his disciple, Timothy, to know in order to be a mature servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we follow the same principles and directions, it is bound to take the spiritual pacifier out of our mouth and make us strong, vibrant Christians, growing in the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 21, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Sunday evening I was watching “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” It highlighted the Hughes family from Louisville, Kentucky. The oldest son in the Hughes family is Patrick Henry Hughes, age 19, who is a college student at the University of Louisville.
Nothing unusual so far—right? Wrong! There certainly is something unusual about Patrick Henry. You see, Patrick Henry was born to two wonderful parents, Patrick John and Patricia Henry. Patrick Henry was born blind and could only reach his hands and arms out a short distance from his body.
He was nurtured in a home that saw potential instead of pity. Patrick Henry learned from an early age to play the piano. In fact he was placed in front of the piano at about nine months of age. By the time he was two, he was able to play selected tunes upon request.
As he was interviewed, Patrick Henry said that he did not consider being born without eyes as a handicap. “I see blindness, not as a disability, but more of an ability, and sight actually as more of a disability. Some people with sight tend to judge others on what they see on the outside. I don’t see that way. I just see that which is within a person.” FANTASTIC!
John Henry is now a member of the marching band for the University of Louisville, where he is a student. His dad has had to learn the formations and he wheels Patrick Henry around the field while his son plays the trumpet. Another item that I almost missed was the fact that he can hear music one time and be able to play it.
I am reminded of those who have virtually no disabilities and limitations, yet whine and bemoan there sad condition. It is enough to make you want to get up and give them a boot in the afterburner! This whiney attitude is applicable both to believers as well as unbelievers. Wake up! We need to have a different attitude than the world.
I once heard a celebrity try to be funny by warping today’s Scripture. They said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty—having plenty beats being in need any day!” I am sure that Patrick Henry would not agree with that negative statement.
The Apostle Paul experienced unbelievable hardship and pain during his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, he lists many of his ordeals. It was not to glorify these or to take credit, but rather to show that the power of God surpasses all of the trials of this life. He gloried in the pain for it was through his suffering that the beauty of Jesus could be seen.
Paul had a secret. The secret was the key to be content in every disappointing situation. He sure had many of them. You may have a few of them yourself. Do you want to know what the secret is? It was in today’s Scripture. It would be a fantastic verse to memorize. Phillipians 4:13: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 20, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
John 19:28-30
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on the stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.”
It is finished! The work has been completed. I recall the story that is told about Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He was repeatedly being asked by his superiors: “When will it be finished? His reply was: “When it is done!”
Jesus has given us a completed work of salvation. In Hebrews 10:11, we read that the priests made daily sacrifices for sins. “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” The writer notes that those sacrifices could never take away the sins. It was only in the work of Jesus on the cross, that the work was finished.
In just a few weeks, March 23rd, we will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Very often we point to that event, His resurrection of being the point of victory. Certainly, that was the point that we visualize Jesus in His victorious form, but the real work of atonement was done on the cross.
When Jesus was on the cross and within seconds of His death, John records that Jesus knew that everything was completed according to Scripture. The work of atonement was done and victory had been won on the cross of Calvary. The very last words that Jesus spoke were the words, “It is finished.” This was not a statement of resignation, but a statement of victory. Satan had opposed Him and tempted Him and tried every means to subvert the work of God, but the cross defeated him for all eternity.
I want to be sure that we understand that the work of Christ on the cross did not give a blanket coverage for the sins of everyone. It was for those who have experienced the new birth. Through the completed work of Jesus we have complete victory over sin. In Hebrews 10:17b-18 we read: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”
Charles Wesley penned words to a poem that became one of the old hymns of the church, which speak graphically of the finished work of Christ:
“Arise, my soul, arise; Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears. Before the throne my surety stands; My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above for me to intercede, His all-redeeming love His precious blood to plead. His blood atones for all our race, And sprinkles not the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers; They strongly plead for me: “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry, “Nor let that ransomed sinner die.”
My God is reconciled; His pard’ning voice I hear; He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear. With confidence I now draw nigh, And, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 19, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Romans 10:8-10
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Over twenty years ago, three young men from our church had given their hearts to Jesus Christ. They made a firm decision to accept Christ as their personal Savior and walk with Him. Each of them had experienced emotional scars that left them very vulnerable.
The entire congregation was overjoyed by the commitment they had made. I was concerned to know if they were receiving any spiritual follow-up. I was distressed to discover that they were pretty much on their own. I could see that without follow-up, these young men could become stunted spiritually.
I told Joyce that if someone did not step in and work with the three young men, they would be in for very serious testing and trials. Joyce said that I was the one who thought of it, I was the one who should do something about it. Me and my big mouth! Not really.
I knew that my burden for them was from the Lord. I prayed about what would interest them in meeting together once a week for at least three months. All three were single and I knew that their skills at cooking would not make the “Chef’s Digest” or anything of the sort. I called each one of them and asked if they would like to come over to the house once a week and I would prepare them a gourmet meal and we would then spend a couple of hours in the basics of the Christian walk. They grabbed the offer like a large mouth bass inhaling a minnow.
Here were the first three questions that I presented them with at our first meeting. It may be well for you to make this personal and meditate on each question:
- What were the events that led up to you accepting Christ as your personal Savior?
- Since that time have you had doubts as to whether or not you were really a Christian?
- Would you like to get rid of these doubts?
Three simple questions and I felt a little silly asking them since they had so recently accepted Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. Bill Gothard, of the Institute In Basic Life Principles, shared them at one of his seminars. They are a very effective and non-judgmental way to determine if a person knows the Lord personally. If they cannot recall the events that led to their accepting the Lord, it is just possible they have never made the choice, and you can present the plan of salvation.
This is a good time to go back in your mind and recall what events led you to Christ. Was there a time? If you have not accepted the blood of Jesus Christ to cover your sins and make you a new creation, I urge you to take the time right now to read John 3:5-21 and receive Him. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”
That is a promise directly from Christ to everyone who will open the door to Him. Just think of it! The God of the universe has sent His own Son into the world to each of us and then takes the initiative to actually knock on the door asking to come into our heart. That is awesome!
How about doubts? The thing that I learned from the three young lads, as we called them, is that the enemy of our soul starts casting doubts of our salvation just as soon as we accept the Lord into our life. The answer is quite simple. Make yourself a spiritual birth certificate. Indicate the time and place you became a newborn child of God. The next time Satan causes you to doubt your salvation, show him your “Birth Certificate”!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 18, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Joshua 1:6-8
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Many of you know that I am fascinated by the space program. It is a delight to watch flights of the Space Shuttle from the time of its lift-off until touchdown. But throughout the mission there is a function that might completely by-pass most people, but it is of particular interest to me—the checklist!
In my colorful past, I once was a missile launch control officer for the Minuteman Missile program. Each of our capsules controlled ten missiles. Our control centers were located deep underground and over ten miles from even the closest missile.
Before we were ever allowed to serve as a missile crew member, we had to go through a considerable amount of training. We also had to spend time in a training capsule that simulated the real thing. Through all of this training we had to learn to follow the checklist. Each crew member carried a large briefcase with our checklist notebooks. We were never allowed to do things on our own, but always did things in sequence and checked them off the list.
As I watch the space crew on the shuttle and the space station, I notice that they are always following their own checklists. Many times you will hear the controllers on ground calling out pages and numbers for them to take actions in the correct order.
In today’s Scripture, God is speaking directly to Joshua about his new position as leader of the Israelites. He is not to rely upon his experience of serving as an assistant to Moses, but rather rely upon the law which Moses wrote down and left for Joshua. It was not simply Moses’ words, but the inspired words which God gave for him to write.
The Lord is saying to Joshua—Follow the checklist! Let’s take a little visit to the list God gave Joshua:
_____ 1. “Be strong and very courageous.” Things may seem to be threatening and overwhelming, but we read the checklist and see that we are to react with His strength and our courage to believe what God says, not simply what we see.
_____ 2. “Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left.” Not part of God’s law, but all of His law. It is not a selective process, a pick and choose which of His laws we will obey. We are to have a totally obedient heart.
_____ 3. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth.” Not only are we to read God’s Word and obey it, we are to make it a part of our conversation.
_____ 4. “Meditate on it day and night.” It is impossible to meditate upon God’s Word if we have not spent time reading and studying it.
You will notice that I left spaces at the beginning of each item to check. How many of them can you check off on a daily basis? As a motivation, look at what God promises for following His checklist: “That you may be successful wherever you go… then you will be prosperous and successful.”
God has provided us with checklists throughout His Word. May we be careful to obey and check them off!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
