by Pastor Cecil | Sep 24, 2013 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 32:29
If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!
When I became the pastor of a church in central Oregon, I was informed that the custodial services were performed by a young woman who lived with her mother and brother. For some reason they did not attend the church, but strange as it may seem, when they had visitors they would show them through the church with pride.
After I had been there for a few years, two members of our congregation told me that the young woman had been hired by the lumber mill and, if she gave up the church custodial job, they would like to assume the task as part of their ministry.
I phoned the young woman with the intention of congratulating her on the new job and to ask if she still wanted to do our custodial work. Her brother answered my call and I heard him say, “It’s the preacher. He probably is going to fire you.” That seemed to set the idea firmly in her mind. She ignored my congratulations, and when I asked about her intentions for continuing at the church, she said she quit! Wow! I tried to explain that my reason for calling was only to find out what her plans were.
A short time later, she (along with her mother and brother) came to our home and read me the riot act about not having the decency to come and fire her in person. I was never able to convince them of my true intentions all the time I was there.
There are many people who will misunderstand us and even oppose us. The only thing we can do is keep our eyes on the Lord and allow Him to direct our path and deal with those who choose to misunderstand our words and actions.
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 3, 2013 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 14:2
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
The date that appears on this issue of the Daily-E-Votional is different than when I am actually writing it. Many subscribers live on the other side of the International Date Line, thus I send them out one day earlier than it is here at my home. That means I often write the material two days in advance.
I hope you are not as confused as I am! That being said, I am composing this issue on July 1, which as many of you may know is Canada Day. When I was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, we were surrounded by many wonderful Canadian friends. I can recall attending one of their gatherings on July 1, 1967. When they stood and sang their National Anthem, I sang along with them. A few days later on July 4, some of them attended one of our celebrations and sang along with us in our attempt at the U.S. National Anthem.
I suppose every nation has a day of celebrating. It is a time to reflect on the good things that make the nation unique. Men and women of past generations have hacked out a special place in the wilderness to pass down to those who would someday call it their nation. So hats off to Canada, and tomorrow to the United States, and for the other nations around the world. Congratulations!
That being said, we have a nation of believers that transcends all national borders. This spiritual nation is made up of those who have been born again. We have a citizenship that qualifies us for eternity with Jesus. CONGRATULATIONS!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 24, 2013 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
This day I call the heavens and the 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.
Over sixty years ago I picked up a small newspaper and read the words of a poem. I have forgotten the words of that poem, but the meaning and implication has remained with me over the years. Here is my attempt at reconstruction:
When all the world is bright and gay,
When skies are blue, instead of gray,
When health and wealth are close at hand,
It does not take a lot of sand to sing and shout to beat the band.
BUT- – –
When all you around you turns to gray,
When family and friends seem to slip away,
This is now the time to take your stand!
In faith reach out to God and take His hand!
My prayer is that you may choose the life giving power and Spirit of Jesus to flow through you at all times, whether on the mountain tops or in the valleys of life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 8, 2013 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
When I was a kid we would occasionally dare one of our friends to do something that required special effort. It was usually something that we would have a hard time doing ourselves and as often as not, something that was dangerous and really should not have been attempted.
I am not sure if the same dares take place today, but they probably do. As I read the closing words of Deuteronomy chapter 30, I see that Moses challenges his readers with perhaps the biggest dare anyone could make – life or death!
Any rational person would think that this challenge was a no brainer. Who in their right mind would not choose life? The sad answer is that the majority of people then, as well as in our own day, choose death instead of life.
We choose death when we fail to respond to the written Word of God. We choose death when we opt to follow our own way and reject the offer of life that the Lord offers all who will receive it. The challenge is still there before us – will you choose life or death. I beg you to choose life!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 5, 2012 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 34:7
Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.
It is shocking to consider all of the things I used to be able to do that at my age I do not have the strength to do. It seems such a short time ago when I could hardly wait to be a part of the youth group. That passed quickly and then I entered the age that was often referred to as the young people.
Consider such well known organizations such as YMCA or YWCA. I hope you recall that they are the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Young Women’s Association. Changed over the years and the Christian aspect has been discarded as well as the young emphasis. A visit to the local “Y” will reveal that many well past the age of youth or young people make use of the facilities.
Even though my mind still considers me a young person, my body says I am not. There is no set time when we stop being young and become old. I have known thirty year old people who acted like they were ninety and ninety year old people who considered themselves young.
I choose to be a part of that second group! It is my desire and intent to remain active in the Lord’s service until He chooses to call me home. Until then you can find me with a young people’s group somewhere. That’s where I belong!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2012 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 32:10-12
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. The LORD alone led him; no foreign god was with him.
From time to time I have found web-cam sites that show nesting eagles. I am a lover of eagles and we even live on Bald Eagle Lane. As I watch the eagle-cams, I marvel at the way God has created these feathered parents to nurture their young. They take turns tending the nest all through the incubation period. When one leaves to search for food the other stays to keep the eggs warm.
After the chicks are hatched, the eaglets find warmth and safety under the strong wings of the parent bird that is on duty. There are times when they venture out to have bits of fish or small animal placed in their beaks, but before long they are safely hidden under those strong arms once more.
In 1896, following the death of his beloved wife, William Cushing devoted himself to write hymns of encouragement and hope to those in the storms of life. He wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings, this week’s featured hymn from GloryScapes.
Under His Wings
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I?m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings/
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
