by Pastor Cecil | Oct 6, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
Last week I was reading a book by Don Piper, entitled, “90 Minutes In Heaven.” It was wonderful to read about the sights and sounds he encountered, but I was greatly impressed by the ordeal he encountered when he returned to earth and faced excruciating pain to survive.
In the days that followed his miraculous survival of his horrendous crash, family, friends and people from his church were eager to see him and almost always asked if they could help in any way. He always refused their offer.
One of the most insightful parts of Don’s story of recovery was how he fought through self-sufficient depression. As a pastor he had been on the ministry end of things. He was encouraging and helping those who were going through an ordeal.
Suddenly the situation was reversed and he was forced to rely on others for just about everything. It struck at the very heart of his pride. A pastor friend confronted him and told him directly that he had to get his act together and allow people to give him assistance. His failure to do so robbed them of a blessing.
Pride may disguise itself in many forms. It is deceitful. We must realize that pride when we can honestly pray Job 1: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Watch out for sneaky pride!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 31, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 51:6-7
“Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
James Nicholson was a true servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived in Washington D.C. back in the 1800’s. He was a born again believer and a committed evangelistic and Sunday school worker in the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1872 he wrote the hymn, “Whiter Than Snow.” He also wrote the hymn “I Love To Tell the Story.”
The music for this hymn came from William G. Fischer of Philadelphia. Mr. Fischer was a well known musician who led music for many evangelistic meetings during that era.
“Whiter Than Snow“
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain: Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,
By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
To access Whiter Than Snow, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whiterthansnow 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
by Pastor Cecil | May 29, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
Matthew 24:10-13
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Jesus is coming soon! One of the prophecies concerning His return concerns the rise of false prophets and even those who claim to be the Messiah. Since 1891, when the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby wrote this week’s hymn, there have many false leaders who claimed to be the promised Messiah. Each of these charlatans lacked the required proof—the prints of the nails in his hands! Read carefully the words the words of this old hymn:
“My Savior First of All“
When my life work is ended,
and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer
when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the soul thrilling rapture
when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him
for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.
Refrain:
Oh, the dear ones in glory,
how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden they
will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain:
Through the gates to the city
in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages
I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain:
To access My Savior First of All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/mysaviorfirstofall 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
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 10, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
In recent years piracy on the high seas has increased dramatically. Huge oil tankers or cargo carriers have been boarded and the ship and crew have been held hostage until the price for their release has been met. THEY HAVE TO BE REDEEMED IN ORDER TO BE SET FREE!
The fact that Fanny J. Crosby wrote thousands of poems, many of which became favorite hymns is amazing. The fact that she was totally blind is even more remarkable. Our hymn this week is “Redeemed.”
“Redeemed“
(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.
REFRAIN:
(3) I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
REFRAIN:
(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
REFRAIN:
(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
REFRAIN:
Notice verse four. It strikes me that Fanny Crosby was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed 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
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by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Moses was in the midst of his “upper desert discourse” as some have called it when he pronounces these words. The book of Deuteronomy is a vivid recounting to the people of all that the Lord had done for them in the days of aimless wandering for the past 40 years.
As they stood there listening to this powerful man of God who delivered God’s word to them, they must have been in awe. Over the 40 years the generation of the fighting men who had refused to trust God and possess the “promised land” had died. Only Joshua and Caleb—who had returned with a good report—remained alive to cross over and possess what they had seen 40 years earlier.
Think of all of the miracles that the people witnessed in their deliverance from Egypt. You wonder how they could ever turn their back on God. One of the great miracles that we often overlook is the condition of their attire. After forty years walking in the desert sand, neither their sandals nor their clothing had worn out. How long does the life stay in your clothing and shoes?!
Moses challenges the people to accept the life and blessings that the Lord offers. It was a choice that they needed to make—God’s way or the way of death. It seems impossible that they would choose the way that leads to death, but they did.
We are offered the same option. In Christ we have life and blessings. But there are so many who refuse to go God’s way and instead continue along the path that leads to death. Here is the way Paul sums it up in Romans 6:22-23: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I urge you—choose life!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 20, 2009 | Daily-E-Votionals
Psalm 103:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
“Bless—affectionately, gratefully praise—the Lord, O my soul, and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! Bless—affectionately praise—the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all [one of] His benefits.”
The concept of blessing has come to hold more meaning to me than ever before. We either bless or curse with our mouths. At times I have talked about how actions speak louder than words. That does not mean we are to be silent—rather we are to speak blessing into situations and then act in the manner that is consistent with our words.
When performing wedding ceremonies, I present this challenge to the couple: “Will you listen to (her/his) inmost thoughts and be considerate and tender in your care of (her/him)?” That is a very good challenge for every couple. Listen to other people’s inmost thoughts! Be considerate! (That means doing to others as you would have them do unto you – that is the Golden Rule!). Be tender! Care for each other! Think of the difference it would make if we all put that concept into practice.
Many of us are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Jesus introduces a godly lifestyle. He does this by presenting the Beatitudes. Each of the Beatitudes begins with the phrase, “Blessed are you.” The phrase sounds good, but do we really have an understanding of its meaning?
I am captivated by the meaning of words. Each day I delight in solving the crosswords in the newspaper, which I supplement with books of former crosswords puzzles from the New York Times. Believe me, they are mind zingers. The nuances of words can determine several different meanings. Just as the word bless in the above passage means to affectionately praise, so the term blessed in the Beatitudes has more depth of meaning. In the Amplified Bible, it is rendered this way: “Blessed — happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions].”
Throughout Psalm 103 we read of conditions that we tend to complain about, instead of blessing the Lord for. You will notice that it is far beyond our normal understanding of the term blessed or blessing. It is not just saying, “Have a nice day, if you can work it into your busy schedule.” On the contrary, it means, “Keep your eyes on the Lord and not on the circumstances.
A humorous story is told of two boys who had totally different views of life. One was a complainer who never was satisfied—the other was a kid who loved life and loved people and was always looking for something positive in every situation.
As the story goes, a team of sociologists wanted to put the two to the ultimate test. The first boy was placed in a room filled with wonderful toys, games, and pleasant things. He did nothing but gripe and complain about first one thing and then another. He demonstrated his outlook on life, and it was not a blessing to him or those around him.
The second boy was placed in a dismal room filled with nothing but piles of horse manure. After a time the researchers returned and found him happy and joyous, grinning from ear to ear. When they asked him why he was so happy he replied; “With all of this horse manure, there just has to be a pony somewhere!” He was looking beyond what he could see and visualized what was possible. That, dear friend, is the concept of blessing that Jesus was teaching.
Where do you fit into the concept of blessing? When someone asks, “How are you doing?” and you respond, “Pretty good—under the circumstances.” ask yourself: What am I doing under the circumstances? Get out and above them. Begin to be a blessing by blessing people in a meaningful manner.
I will continue to sign my letters and correspondence with a blessing. My deepest desire is that you now will know what I mean when I bless you!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
