by Pastor Cecil | Feb 7, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
I Peter 4:15-19
“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
“God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s time, will never lack God’s blessing!” But what is God’s will? Very often what we say is God’s will is nothing more than our attempt to justify our wants by saying: “It’s God’s will.” In Romans 8:5 we read: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Where do we set our minds?
It saddens me to hear some Christians—ministers and laymen alike—who presume to say something is God’s will even when it is contrary to Scripture. For instance they will claim that healing is always God’s will. A very brief search of God’s Word will reveal that this is not always the case.
Paul was not healed from his thorn in the flesh. Timothy had a stomach condition that required medication. Stephan was stoned to death. Each of the disciples except John, were killed for their faith. John was dipped into a vat of hot oil but survived.
In the Old Testament, Joseph endured years of lonely imprisonment. Job experienced financial loss, physical pain, the loss of all ten of his children and was subjected to false accusations. Daniel spent almost all of his life separated from his beloved Jerusalem.
Across the centuries of time, God’s people have been subjected to torture and death. In Hebrews 11:36-38, we read of what many believers have had to suffer: “Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.”
James was the earthly half-brother of Jesus. He did not come to faith in Christ until after the Resurrection. Tradition says that he was stoned to death for his faith. That being the case, it is important to see what he said about the trials and sufferings of God’s people. In James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Doing the will of God will not always result in good jobs, good pay, good looks or good health. Sometimes the Lord will lead us through “the valley of the shadow of death” in order to show forth His glory in the midst of pain and suffering. Even in our darkest hour the Lord has promised to bless us in heavenly places.
I am saddened by recent reports of some prominent ministers. They present the faces of starving children in order to have people give money to help feed them. It all sounds wonderful and that the funds will be for a worthy cause. Perhaps it is, but all too often we receive reports of the ultra extravagance of these ministers. Wouldn’t God’s will be furthered if more of the money that was sent went to the cause of the children instead of buying million dollar estates or private jets?
Jesus made the issue very plain in Matthew 25:40: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Remember, “God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s time, will never lack God’s blessing!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 6, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Timothy 1:3-5
“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
It seems like an eternity ago that I was a kid who lived near a Christian college campus in Nampa, Idaho. That narrows it down for those of you who are familiar with the area. Back in the day (I think that is how they now refer to the good old days) meals were served in a dining hall, family style.
My mom was one of several women who cooked in the dining hall kitchen. These were not just cooks, they were women who loved the Lord and were godly “mothers” to students who were far away from home attending college. It was not uncommon to see students sharing their joys and sorrows with one or more of these precious women.
If the truth were known, these wonderful (cook-mother-confidant-spiritual advisors) probably did as much or more to shape the spiritual lives of many of the students than their professors. Why? Because they were the real thing! The cooks did not simply serve up home cooked food, they served up the reality of God’s Word in action.
The apostle Paul, was very much aware of the powerful influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had in him being shaped and molded into a man of God. The faith of these two women was passed along to Timothy.
Sometimes it is hard for men to admit that their mother or grandmother played a significant role in their spiritual life. They would rather take all of the credit themselves and even belittle these precious women who loved them enough and loved Jesus enough to point them to Christ.
It really does not matter who has touched your life for Christ. The important thing is to fan the flames of faith in your life and get busy helping others. The one or ones you help may be family or friends. It really does not matter who they are–just share Jesus with the one nearest to you.
If you are a bit reticent about whether you are qualified, let me share what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-29: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
You may be a mother, grandmother, father, grandfather, educated or uneducated, wealthy or in poverty, young or old, native born or another race—there is no excuse for not sharing and caring. Commit yourselves to be God’s FAITHFUL SERVANTS!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 5, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Hebrews 11:4
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”
In Matthew 21:28-31, Jesus told the parable of two sons. He asked both to go and work in the vineyard. The first refused but later changed his mind and went. The second son said he would go but he did not go. He asked the hearers which of the two did the will of his father? The answer from His hearers was the first.
Doing what is right in the sight of God is more than mere words. That does not mean that we are not to speak words of faith, but we certainly must follow them up by faithful action. The book of Hebrews presents a gallery of men and women who were faithful to the Lord by their lives. They are true heroes and heroines of the faith and we need to spend time considering what they did, or were, that makes them examples of faith.
Abel was the second man born in the world. Adam was created by God, Eve was fashioned from a rib taken from man, and Cain was their firstborn son, followed by his brother, Abel. We need to stop, close our eyes, and think what it was like at this early stage of man’s life on the planet that God had prepared for them.
God had created a paradise for man that was beyond anything we can imagine. Just think—no weeds, perfect weather, harmonious relationship, animals were no threat, no sickness and no death. Got the picture? But then Adam and Eve sinned and were forced out of the Garden of Eden, weeds began to grow, work was essential to survive, sweat poured from the brow, pain was experienced, and death became a reality, both physically and spiritually.
In chapter four of Genesis, we are told that Adam lay with his wife and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Cain. Later she gave birth to a second son named Abel. We are not told very much about life during those early days, but a number of things may be inferred.
Each of these two sons of Adam and Eve had their own occupations. In the second part of verse two, it is Abel, the younger son that is mentioned first. We are told that he kept flocks. He was a shepherd of the sheep. David realized in Psalm 23, that “- – the LORD is my shepherd.”
It was possible that in the times alone with his sheep, Abel communed with God and gained a knowledge of what would be pleasing in His sight. Abel seems to have developed a sweet attitude and a desire to do what was right in the sight of the Lord. He must have considered what he could offer to the Lord that would be acceptable.
After Adam and Eve had sinned they were aware that they were naked and tried to deal with their guilt by fashioning aprons made from fig leaves. After pronouncing judgment on them and their seed, God made garments of skin. That implies the shedding of blood to cover the sin of Adam and Eve, and foreshadowed the shedding of the blood of His own dear Son, Jesus Christ, to cover our sin.
Abel was a keeper of the flocks. In some manner he knew that the sacrifice of the most dear and precious of the flock would please God. In contrast, Cain was a worker of the soil. We might refer to him as a dirt farmer. There were no John Deere tractors back then, and his work was hard and laborious. We have no idea of the type of plants he planted, weeded, and harvested. It appears that in the day to day labors of life, that Cain developed a bitter, resentful attitude. There is no mention as to why he brought his offering of “SOME” fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. Not the first and best, but just “some” of the fruits of the ground.
The words describing Abel’s offering start with the word “BUT” in contrast to the offering of Cain. Abel brought the fat portions of the firstborn of his flock. Again this is a foreshadowing of the Firstborn of the Father who would be sacrificed as the supreme payment of sins. Abel demonstrated faith in God. He knew somehow what would be pleasing to God and he gave his best.
God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, but not with Cain’s. The result of Cain’s bitterness and resentment was the murder of his brother. That is how his faith speaks to us today. We do not need others around us to hold our hand and try to map out our life—we need to spend time with God.
Abel is a true hero of the faith. He was close enough to God to know what would be pleasing to Him. Hebrews 11 says his life of faith still speaks, even though he is dead. Will your life still speak of faith after you are dead? Does it speak of faith while you are still alive? Trust, believe, and act in faith!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 4, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
II Samuel 12:4-7
“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him. David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’ This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.’ “
It was either in high school or college that I memorized a portion of a poem by the famous Scotsman, Bobbie Burns. It was the last stanza of his poem; “To A Louse”. This humorous poem was composed upon seeing a louse on a ladies bonnet at church.
Here is the portion I still recall: “O wad some power the Giftie gie us to see oursels as ithers see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us an foolish notion: What airs in dress an gait wad lea’es us, an ev’n devotion!”
Here is my attempt at a loose translation: “Oh that I would have the power that God gives us, to see ourselves as others see us. It would from many a blunder free us and a foolish notion. What snooty airs in dress or strutting would leave us and bring us to true devotion.” (Very loosely paraphrased)
How do people in the world see you? Do they see you as one who is true and authentic, or one who lacks integrity and dependability?
I have shared in the past about a young man who was referred to me while I was a Juvenile Probation Officer in Idaho. This young man had been arrested and convicted before I was hired by the county. The judge sentenced him to a long term in the State Juvenile Correction Center.
One day I received a letter from the Superintendent of the Correction Center. He related how totally incorrigible this young man was. He said that he was such a disruptive force that he was being returned to the community. It was his suggestion that I notify the police to keep a watch on him and if he committed another offense, to try him as an adult.
I was stunned by the candid nature of the letter. I had just finished reading it when this young man knocked on my door. He wore a smile and acted enthused about me setting up a schedule for his supervision. Not knowing what to do, I asked him if he had any idea what people thought of him?
He said that he thought they probably had a good opinion of him. I passed the letter from the Superintendent across the desk for him to read. The smile disappeared from his face and a look of shock appeared. It was very obvious that it was a shock to him. (By the way–it was a turning point and he never re-offended).
So what things do we cover up in our life? What secrets do we “sweep under the carpet” rather than cleaning them up with the help of the Lord? It is only as we confess our sins that Jesus is able to give us His forgiveness and cleanse us through and through. We may be able to fool ourselves, but He knows the truth.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 1, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Romans 8:1-3
“Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.”
THEREFORE! What in the world is the “therefore” there for? I love the therefores in Scripture. Therefores are like foot stompers to get our attention. Something has just been said that sets the stage for what is to follow. I regret that I have all too often neglected to heed this word.
In the chapter that precedes today’s Scripture, Paul shared his confession about the sin that is a constant source of conflict in his life. He wants to do what is right and godly, but his old sinful nature rises up and tries to control him. He feels like he is in the middle of a great battle between good and evil. Have you ever felt that way?
I want you to know that when I was growing up, I was a good boy. I always tried to be good, but it often did not work out that way. You may think that I am making this up, but I can remember lying in bed in the morning trying to imagine what I would get a spanking for that day.
That was back in the day when spanking was not considered child abuse. It was simply applying the board of knowledge to the seat of learning! It was a painful lesson—but effective. The old saying; “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” has certainly been proven true in our day and age. We are paying the price for our neglect to discipline.
Paul closes chapter seven with this shout of victory in verse 25: “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin and death.”
Isn’t it satisfying to know that God has provided our deliverence? He knew that we would never be able to be good enough to merit salvation. Blood was required for the atonement for sin, but there was a catch—it had to be the blood of a spotless lamb.
Year by year Israel sacrificed a lamb as a substitute, but it still was not enough. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the totally innocent Lamb of God to be slain for the sins of the people. Our salvation comes as we confess our sin and need to the Lord. We invite Him into our heart and immediately become “born again” children of God! Praise the Lord! I think that is why Paul shouted—“Thanks be to God”.
If you are dealing with sin in your life, confess it. I do not mean a half-hearted—“I’m sorry”, but a deep seated sorrow for your sin. According to I John 1:9, we have assurance that our confession will be heard: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 31, 2008 | Daily-E-Votionals
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’ “
Today’s Scripture is a strong passage that contains both promises and a condition. In addition it gives us an insight into the heart of God. He tells us that He has specific plans for us and that they are good plans. He explains that His desire is for our good.
All too often we are presented with an image of God who is out to get us and to cause us harm and discomfort. That is not the case. God is a holy and righteous God and desires that we be holy and righteous. Thank the Lord, He forgives us when we fall short of His plan and purpose for us.
I once heard someone quote something that Chuck Swindoll had said. Chuck was commenting on the memories he desired to have fixed in the minds of his kids. He said that he would much rather have them recall their dad as the one who threw their mom into the swimming pool fully clothed, (and lived to tell about it), than a stern faced preacher who looked down his nose at those who did not measure up to his standards of conduct. ME TOO, CHUCK!
My heart aches for the openness that we need in our world. It is my desire to be vulnerable rather than safe! I would rather be misused than never to be used at all. I hope that makes sense. If it doesn’t to you, it does to me. The reason is that I was a kid, who for most of my early years, considered myself as being just a little slower than others.
I was told by teachers in my early grades that I was below normal, so I lived up to their expectations of me. God had another plan! He brought a girl into my life at age 14, who turned me inside out and upside down. She let me know in no uncertain terms that I was what God wanted me to be and to strive to be my best. I married that dear sweetheart of mine when we were both 18—just six weeks after graduating from high school. That was back in ’52, so you smart ones can figure out our age.
What does this have to do with the passage in question? Everything! It means that we can do—and should do things as God leads us. We need to be convinced that God has special things in store for us who call upon Him and seek His will and His way. NEVER, NEVER, try to tell God that you are not qualified to do what He calls you to do. He knows you better than you know yourself, and will enable you to do His work in His way.
Our Scripture indicates that the first step in the process is to recognize that God has good and prosperous plans for us. This is not a prosperity gospel, but an awareness that it is for His glory and honor. As we are faithful in His service He will give us the sense of fulfillment that satisfies far more than the wealth of this world.
After we are convinced that God is leading us, we are then ready to draw near to Him. We do this in a conscious way by spending time in his Word and in our prayerful conversations with Him. God promises that He will listen to us. You may feel that no one hears your heart’s cry—but the Lord does. You can pour out your deepest thoughts, hopes, desires, disappointments, and anything that you are holding in, and He will listen to you.
There is also an addendum in the passage. He says we will seek Him and find Him (when) we seek Him with all of our heart. That, my dear friend, is total commitment! It is not simply a little now I lay me down to sleep type of prayer, but a deep and sincere call to the God who loves us and has provided His Son as the ultimate payment for our sinful condition.
Wherever you have come from—wherever you are right now—God calls you to come to Him. Regardless of your situation in life He calls to you right there. He heard Joseph from the pit back in Canaan, from Potiphar’s house, from the prison, and from the palace. His location did not determine whether God would hear him or not. Even when it seemed that God did not hear him—God heard and He directed Joseph’s steps to be a blessing to many. The same goes for you. SEEK HIM!
Let me share something that a dear friend has shared: “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” The “prosperity gospel” is better identified as a “generosity gospel” – because HE is generous. (Isaiah 65:24).
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil
