by Pastor Cecil | Feb 15, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
I John 4:9-12
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
Joyce and I were blessed to attend a Christian high school together. We were talking about our classmates the other day and in fact we are now in the process of making contact with as many of them as possible to be able to get an update on what has happened to them since we graduated in 1952.
Last night I was going through the Annual and trying to find current addresses for as many of our classmates as possible. It was somewhat of a shock to realize how many of them had passed away. I guess it is easy to forget just how fragile these bodies of ours are and how quickly time passes.
As seniors in high school, we selected a hymn that would be our class hymn. We were encouraged to take it with us as we graduated and left our teen years and beyond. I am not sure how many of the class remembers the hymn, but it has been one of Joyce’s favorites across the years.
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
by Walter and Civilla Martin (1905)
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. (Refrain)
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you. (Refrain)
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you. (Refrain)
What comforting and reassuring words these are. We need to understand just how much God loves us. In today’s Scripture we are told how great that love really is. God loved us with and everlasting love. He sent His own dear Son to express His love. We can do nothing to deserve it or to earn it. We believe, receive and become born again into His kingdom of righteousness. Then we rest in the reality that God will take care of us.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 14, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
I John 4:9-12
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
It was a Sunday evening, Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1982. The church we were attending was having a service to honor our music director who had served faithfully for many years. The spirit was happy and lighthearted. We had been looking forward to the service and it was all we had anticipated.
Joyce and I were sitting on the second row from the front. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. One of the ushers said I had an emergency phone call. It seemed like every eye was on me as I walked to the back of the church and into the Pastor’s office.
It was our oldest daughter who said that my Dad had collapsed and was being rushed to the hospital. Joyce had sensed that something was wrong and had entered the office. We immediately got in our car and rushed the ten miles or so to the hospital.
When we entered the Emergency Room, they said that my Dad had not arrived yet, but that the ambulance was bringing him in. I walked outside the ambulance entrance and stood looking up into the night sky. I wondered if my Dad was alive or dead. I knew if he had died, he was with the Lord.
I listened to the sirens as the ambulance drew nearer and nearer. As they opened the door and wheeled my Dad past me, I touched his arm, but I knew that he was already with the Lord. Nothing could be done for him, but I needed to be strong for Mom and the rest of the family.
Fast forward three years to February 14, 1985. Our daughter-in law, Donna, was expecting her second child. The phone rang and the joyful news was relayed—our grandson, Jeffrey David Thompson, had been born! The date that marked the earthly end of my Dad’s life marked the beginning of our precious grandson.
February 14th is celebrated as a day of love. It is certainly that! As I think back on the events of February 14th, 1982 and 1985, I am aware of God’s wonderful love. It was hard saying goodbye to Dad, but I know he is with the Lord. He told me a few years earlier that when he died, I was to encourage others by reminding them that he was with the Lord. What joy to know, according to 2 Corinthians 5:8, that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Across the years we have enjoyed Dad’s replacement. Jeffrey has grown into a fine young man who graduated from college with a degree, majoring in youth ministries. There are goodbyes in life, but there are also greetings. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 13, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
On September 15, 2000, I sent out my first Daily-E-Votional. It started with a desire to have contact with members of the congregation and give a spiritual uplift during the week. At that time I had no idea what would happen and to what extent it would grow. Since that time the subscriber list has continued to grow and reach virtually every continent on earth. To God be the glory!
So why mention all of this today? Well, it is because of a significant milestone. Today’s Daily-E-Votional is the 2,000th issue that has been sent. I want you to know that it is not within my power to accomplish this. It is entirely the work of the Lord.
Many people have asked me how I come up with the topics. My response is that I really do not know. It may be a Scripture that I read or hear, an illustration, a suggestion from a friend, or just quietly waiting at the keyboard and praying that the Lord will give me the right words to touch just one heart that day out of the thousands on the subscriber list that will receive it that day.
Today I would like to dedicate this issue to my mom and dad who so greatly influenced my life. They did not have advanced degrees or fancy titles. I am glad! They were simple people who loved the Lord and taught my brother Harold and I values to live by.
You know, when our parents were growing up on the panhandle of Oklahoma, an eighth grade education was considered to be about as well educated as one could expect. I am amazed at how much they knew with that amount of education.
My mom tried to teach me how to behave. (I was never very good in that subject). That was back in the days when my dad shaved with a straight edged razor and used a razor strop to hone the blade. I was almost grown before I realized that the strop was for the razor and not for the south end of my anatomy. The fear factor was greater than the pain, (almost). The strop had two pieces, one leather and one canvas. When it struck my posterior, the two would slap together and I would be sure that a compression fracture had happened to me. BUT I LEARNED TO MIND! Thanks, Mom and Dad!
Dad taught a lot by example. He had a strong work ethic. We have all heard the story from parents who told of how hard they had it when they were young. How they had to walk five miles in the snow to get to school and it was up hill both ways! Well I can still remember when we had an ice storm when we lived in Camas. At the time dad worked in the paper mill. He would not stay at home as many did. He fashioned some ice cleats by taking two pieces of leather and putting steel pitons of some sort through them and then strapping them to his feet. He walked two miles to work and back while the ice remained. Thanks, Dad!
My folks were never rich by any means, but they were frugal and made an effort to get the best deal. Mom worked in the college dining hall and she would bring gallon buckets of food that was left over for our meals. Not the best gourmet meals, but it was free. She also would share this food with the friends we knew who also had to pinch pennies. Thanks, Mom!
My dad taught me to Love God’s Word. I can remember when I was just a little boy and dad shared that our grandpa Thompson had died and gone to be with the Lord. But he didn’t just say that, he told about grandpa’s last moments. He said that grandpa had been sharing with his eight children how good The Lord had been to him throughout his entire life. Grandpa was in a lot of pain, but suddenly it seemed as if the pain had left and he looked at the door and said, “Well, there’s Jesus, now!” With that he was gone. Thanks, Dad and thanks, Grandpa!!
Matthew 7:9-11 says, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
Before I close today, I want to add one more thought. Each of us is leaving memories for those who come after us. These are not only our physical children, but also our spiritual children. It is not just what we say (or what we write) that will have an impact. Are we living is such a way that our “children” will say thanks to us? I pray so!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 12, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
John 14:21
“Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.”
Several years ago my mother was living in an assisted living facility. My pastorate was over 500 miles away so our visits were infrequent. She had a strong constitution and seldom complained about any ailments she might have had. It was like pulling a hen’s tooth to get anything out of her.
That was not the case with some of the other residents. I had known some of these people across the years and was glad to see them again. It was a joy to see them after many years and I was anxious to speak with them. I have an expression that comes very natural when I greet someone: “Hi ______! How are you?”
Years ago I was told by a visitation pastor that this is not the statement to use when you are visiting nursing homes, because they will want to share each and every ailment that is bothering them. I thought he was being funny until I greeted someone in Mom’s building in that manner. I thought I would never get away!
There are times when we ask that question with a sincere desire to find out if the other person is getting along well, or if there is some situation we can pray about. Most often however, it is just small talk. I guess my gifting is not to listen to medical complaints—so I am the small talk guy.
Feelings are important, but they can be so subjective and hard to describe that it is almost as if they control even our social and spiritual life. Let’s face it, if we have the flu, virus, infection, broken arm, ingrown toe nail, or what have you, we will not be on top of the world with joy. Be that as it may, I wonder if we have a true interest in the spiritual condition of the people we meet on a day to day basis?
In the little booklet, “Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?“, there is an illustration of a train. The engine is labeled Fact, the second car is labeled Faith, and the caboose is labeled Feeling. Three key words, Faith, Fact, Feeling all have a part in our Christian walk, but getting them in the wrong order can create problems in our life.
God has given us His Word, the Bible. as the basis of our stability, apart from our feelings. We need something other than the way we feel to give meaning to our life, and that something is the Word of God. From the Word of God we understand that God has established the plan for this world and even sent His own Son to pay the price for our redemption.
The second car in the illustration is the payload. It is why the engine is pulling the train and remember it is labeled Faith. We choose to believe and to put our trust in the authority of God’s Word even when our feelings are down in the mud. It is interesting that most (if not all) freight trains now operate with no caboose. Fact (God’s Word) and Faith (our total reliance on God’s Word), are the two requirements. The Feeling part just tags along behind – – or should!
Is your spiritual foundation based upon the shaky ground of “feelings”, or do you place your “Faith” on the solid, never changing “Fact” of the Word of God?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 11, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 11:3
“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.”
Think back to the loneliest time you have ever experienced. It may have been moving into a new community, a new school, a new job, being rejected—or perhaps it was just that the situations of your life had changed and you were all alone. How did you feel? What could have helped relieve the loneliness?
JESUS IS THERE
Is your heart filled with anguish longing and care?
Look up dear pilgrim, Jesus is there!
Do life’s problems seem more than you can bear?
Take heart dear servant, Jesus is there!
Do friends forsake you and leave you in the air?
Open your eyes dear child, Jesus is there!
Have business ventures left you with debts and doubts?
Look up dear sad one, Jesus is there!
Does the loss of a loved one leave you with grief?
There is One who can comfort, Jesus is there!
The enemy of our souls is eager to bring defeat and doubt. He knows that the more he fills us with loneliness and pain, the less effective witnesses we are for the power of Jesus Christ. This is why we must turn to Jesus in the midst of our trials and praise His dear name.
There is a valid rationale for this action. When we turn to Jesus, we will begin to realize that He endured far more than we will ever endure, and He did it for us. It was His love for us that caused Him to leave the joys of heaven and come into this old sin sick world and bring salvation.
Please listen carefully to what I am going to say: Not only did Jesus suffer and bleed to redeem sinners who come to Him for salvation, but He suffered in order for believers to live in victory. When we walk around with a hang dog expression and complain about all of our problems, we fail to be a witness of His wonderful plan and purpose for our life.
Jesus left us with a fantastic way to deal with everything that comes our way. Read His comforting words in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is always there!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 8, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 11:3
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
This morning at men’s Bible study, we were talking about how deceived the world has become. I wonder if most of us realize that we live in a time of deception? The enemy of our souls, Satan, has so blinded the eyes of the world, that millions have been convinced that what is false is true and what is true is false.
If you keep calling a blue item pink long enough—people will start to believe it. In fact they will become so convinced that it is pink that they will ridicule you for calling it blue! I hope you understand what I am trying to get across.
Just because many people have twisted the truth for as long as you can remember, it does not make it so. That is what has happened to the Biblical view of creation. It has been attacked so long in our schools and by the scientific community, that even with incredible scientific discoveries recently, the evolutionists still hold firm to their FAITH.
That’s right—I said FAITH. Evolution is not science, it is faith. It is not supported by recent scientific discoveries, and yet is still held firmly as the belief system that the world teaches as a fact. It is reasonable to conclude that the reason for holding on to what has been unsupported scientifically, is that it would require believing in the Bible. It would mean an adherence to the biblical view of creation, and believe me, that is not what they want!
Some of you may be thinking that the old boy has fallen off of his rocker. While that may be closer to the truth than I want to admit, let me just give one proof (out of a multitude) for the Biblical accounts of creation.
At 8:32 a.m. on Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. There was an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale. The whole north face of this beautiful and symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried beneath volcanic deposits. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments.
The devastation was so complete that almost immediately scientists began to hypothesize that it would be decades before any life would appear. WRONG! Almost immediately life began to appear. Plants and animals began to replace death and destruction.
One indication is that the elk herd at the Mountain has swelled to over 12,000 animals. In fact it has grown so much that the wildlife department had to develop a plan to transfer some of the herd to other areas. HELLO! I thought the scientists said that it would be decades before life would reappear.
Our faith does not rely upon scientific discoveries, but recent findings in fields of astronomy, geology, micro-biology and numerous other disciplines have supported the Biblical view of creation. Many sincere scientists, after considering many new discoveries, have become believers in Christ and have turned away from their former evolutionary view.
It is not necessary to be able to understand how God works. In fact it is impossible to understand it! God spoke it into being. The passage above confirms that God created the visible out of the invisible. It is beyond our dimension of understanding. When we get to heaven, we will have a new understanding and it will be plain then. For now we can simply trust in God’s Word! We believe because we choose to believe.
This applies to the critical area of creation, but it has to do also with salvation. It is by faith and trust in the completed work of Jesus Christ. He has given us a new birth and an assurance of eternal life through faith and reliance in Him. That is better than anything the world can offer!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
