by Pastor Cecil | Oct 27, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
What is the greatest gift you have ever received? It may not be the most expensive gift, but one that was given as a demonstration of love. I frequently look at the wall above my desk and see a counted cross stitch picture of an eagle and the words of Isaiah 40:31: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
I love the words of that verse, but the gift that was behind it has a deep and lasting meaning for me. When our oldest daughter, Brenda, was nearing the end of her life, she told me she was working on my birthday gift. She wanted to live long enough to complete it. I know it was difficult for her to work on it because of her weakened condition, but she did it for love. You might say that she lavished her love by giving me that precious gift.
Gift giving is not (or at least should not be) associated with the amount of money that is spent on the gift. The gift of ourselves is the most precious thing we can give to a loved one. That brings me to the big question of the day: How are you lavishing your love on those around you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com
Special News! My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, or Pastor Cecil Thompson.
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
I refuse to watch programs on television that deal with repossession of property. I have seen enough of the advertising for these programs to tell that they contain far too much vulgarity and profanity. I have heard that much of it is staged and not a true depiction of the events.
That being said I truly believe in repossession. Let me be quick to say that when I say repossession, I am referring to the spiritual repossession of a lost sinner that has been repossessed by the Lord Jesus Christ. I have witnessed such remarkable spiritual repossessions across the years that I stand in utter amazement.
In God’s Holy Word we have many instances of transformed lives. Perhaps the most notable was the Apostle Paul. He was a persecutor of Christians, but when the Light from heaven knocked him off his feet, he became possessed by the One who had been his enemy a few minutes before. He was repossessed so completely that he went from one who placed Christians in prison to one who was imprisoned himself.
There are many modern-day believers who have had such a vital change in their lives that it is hard to comprehend it. It is not necessary to understand it, it is just wonderful for us to realize that there is no one who is too far gone for the Lord to repossess. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
Special News! My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil?s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the the Kindle store and type in Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, or Pastor Cecil Thompson.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 24, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 107:29-30
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.”
It seems that each of us is called upon to face storms in our life. It may be physical infirmity, financial reversals or the loss of a loved one. It is not the storm that matters, but how we react to the storm.
Back in 1873, Horatio Spafford and his family were scheduled to sail on the French steamer ‘Ville de Havre’ from New York to England where he was to assist the great evangelist, D.L. Moody. Because of a last minute business crisis Mr. Spafford sent his family on ahead and he would follow on a later ship.
Unfortunately the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank. There was a terrible loss of life. Spafford and his wife lost their four daughters. Nine days later Horatio Spafford received a cable from his wife that simply said, “Saved alone.” What poignant words.
Later, as he was sailing to meet his wife, he asked the captain to let him know when they were near where the accident had occurred. It was there that he penned the words of this week’s hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
“It Is Well With My Soul“
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
To access It Is Well With My Soul, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/itiswellwithmysoul in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends. They’ll appreciate the encouragement.
P.P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 10, 2011 | Daily-E-Votionals
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and quoted large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses in addition—he prayed.
In the mid 1800’s, Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 11, 2011 | 2 Chronicles, Daily-E-Votionals
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Back in the 70’s, I was an associate pastor of a large church. One Sunday, just before the service an elderly lady collapsed in the aisle near the rear of the church. I was just entering and observed one of our members, a medical doctor, doing chest compressions on the little lady.
When he saw me, he immediately called me over and told me to take over while he checked her for vital signs. It was the first and only time I have ever felt my hands repeatedly crush down on a person’s chest to keep the heart pumping blood throughout the body. It is an awesome and fearful experience. (By-the-way, the lady survived this traumatic ordeal after a few days in the hospital.)
There are people around us who seem to be in spiritual cardiac arrest. We see them stagger and collapse. The question is how we are going to respond. Do we wring our hands and cluck of tongue, or do we dive in to give spiritual restoration? Today’s Scripture provides the steps to revival. Back in 1863, William P. Mackey wrote the words to this week’s hymn.
Revive Us Again
We praise Thee, O God! For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died, And is now gone above.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God! For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior, And scattered our night.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
All glory and praise! To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins, And hath cleansed every stain.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
All glory and praise! To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us, And guided our ways.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled, With fire from above.
Refrain: Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Revive us again.
To access Revive Us Again, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Hymn Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/reviveusagain in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jul 27, 2010 | Daily-E-Votionals, Psalm
Psalm 30:4-5
“Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Working the graveyard shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. is a grind. I have been there and done that. Driving around town in a police cruiser in the dark hours of early morning was always an ordeal.
One morning one of our officers pulled up to a red traffic light. He put his car in “park” and decided to close his eyes for just a moment. He was not sure how long that moment was, but he was awakened by an early morning newspaper driver who tapped on his driver’s side window and said, “Sir, the light is green now.” How would you like to have been that intrepid young man? HA!
I still recall the wonderful sight of dawn breaking in the east. First there was only a soft aura that grew into a glow and finally increased in intensity even before the sun rose into the sky. It was amazing how much energy it gave us who had labored through the dark night hours.
What are you experiencing in your life at this moment? It is possible that you feel like you are in the middle of a long night. It may be physical, financial, emotional or spiritual. I am here to remind you that joy comes in the morning. Look to Jesus and feel the bright sunlight of His presence fill your darkest despair.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
