by Pastor Cecil | Jul 18, 2011 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 34:7
“Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.”
It amazes me to pick up a newspaper or watch a news report on television where they mention an elderly man who was in an accident, had a fall, was the victim of a crime or some other happening. Then the report mentions the age. I am jolted when they mention that the man was ten years younger than I am.
What is going on here? I am not old. My steps may be a little slower than they once were, but at age 77, I certainly do not consider myself as an elderly man. I just like to think of myself as “mature.”
That reminds me of the joke about a man who was rather proud and pompous. After a speaking engagement someone mentioned that he was so mature. He was so pleased that he could hardly wait to get home and look up the word in the dictionary. To his chagrin it said; Ripe and getting rotten.
I don’t know about you, but I am not interested in being ripe or rotten. I want to do everything I am able to accomplish to further the work of Jesus Christ. The very idea of curling up in an easy chair and doing nothing is not in my plan. I want to keep on going with every ounce of enthusiasm I can muster.
Can I let you in on a little secret? I am doing more now than ever before. My mind is full of ideas that I am trying to get done. My eyes are fixed on the goal of being a faithful servant that pleases my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ!
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 Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 13, 2011 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 32:46-47
“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”
I am sure that most of you know that on February 5th of this year I had my chest opened and the surgeon performed a triple by-pass on my heart. Just hours before the surgery I had no inkling of the condition of my heart. In the follow-up with the doctor, I was told that I was very lucky. I could have had a fatal heart attack at any time. Boy, that gets your attention quick!
For years I have used the expression that each of us is just one heartbeat away from eternity, but I discovered that I was in the “zone.” I hasten to add that the surgery was a great success and you should have me around for as long as the Lord wants.
Moses was drawing to the close of his “upper desert discourse,” better known as the book of Deuteronomy. He gives challenge after challenge to the Israelites who are poised to possess the land of promise.
One of the most stirring declarations made by Moses is found in today’s Scripture. He leaves no option, but commands the people to pay attention to his words and teach them to their children. Parents are to command their children to obey the law of the Lord and to recognize that they are not mere idle words, but their very life. I wonder how many parents in today’s society are diligent about teaching God’s Word to their kids. I wonder how many of us are patterning those words in our life?
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
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by Pastor Cecil | Mar 30, 2011 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 9:12
“Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go down quickly from here, for your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly; they have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them; they have made themselves a molded image.’”
It is sad to witness people who once professed a fervent desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, gradually slip into the ways of the world. At one time they devoted themselves to read and memorize the Word of God, but over time they replaced this discipline with the easy life of self-indulgence.
Let me ask you a few questions that are both personal and revealing:
1. What is the most important thing in your life?
2. Do you know for certain where you will spend eternity?
3. What will be the most important thing when your life on earth is over?
4. How easy is it for you to replace devotion to the Lord with recreation?
5. If Jesus were to call you home tonight, would He be pleased with you?
As you ponder these five brief questions, what changes do you feel you need to make in your life? I think we need to start right now.
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 | Mar 9, 2010 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 30:19
“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.”
Why do people make the choices they do? For that matter, why do I make the choices I do? Some choices are wise and prudent while other choices we make are unwise and detrimental to us as well as others.
There is no way we can force people to make the right choices. Across the years of my ministry I have shown people God’s absolutes. Sadly I have observed some who felt they knew better than God what was best for them. The result of going against God’s law always results in chaos.
Moses was delivering his “upper desert discourse” (better known as Deuteronomy) and leaving a ringing challenge to the Israelites. He had faithfully delivered God’s perfect plan for them. If they obeyed they would experience life and blessings. If they disobeyed they were sure to find curses and death.
That challenge is still true for us today. We are promised life (eternal life) and blessing after blessing if we obey God. Just as true, we are facing curses here on earth and an eternal death in a sinner’s hell if we reject God’s commands. Which choice should we make? To me it’s a no-brainer. I choose life and blessing!
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
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 11, 2010 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 23:20-21
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since My Name is in him.”
Years ago I heard the story of a man who had strung a wire over Niagara Falls. He then went back and forth on the wire as the crowd cheered his excellent sense of balance and daring. He called out to the adoring crowd, “Do you think I can push a wheelbarrow across the falls with a 175 pound weight in it?” The crowd all agreed that they believed he could.
The tightwire walker placed a wheelbarrow on the ramp leading to the wire. He walked to the crowd and asked one of the spectators to get inside the wheelbarrow. The man refused saying he was too afraid. He was confident that it could be done until he was asked to be involved.
Do you see where this is leading? We often have the utmost confidence in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to do great and mighty things, but when He asks us to be involved we cower back in fear and refuse His invitation.
In my study of God’s Word I have discovered that the Lord is more interested in our availability than He is in our ability. He wants us to place our total trust in Him and allow Him to “push the wheelbarrow.” When we trust Him and obey His commands, He takes over and brings the victory. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 18, 2009 | Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 5:21
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
“If I only had that job I would be content!” “If I was good looking and talented like her I would be popular and have no problems!” “If I was young and full of energy I would be able to conquer the world!” “If I was older and more mature I would have no problems!” “If I had something more I would be content!”
Learning to be contented with what we have is sometimes a difficult task. All too often people feel that just to possess something additional will satisfy that lack in their life.
The Apostle Paul experienced many ups and downs in his life and ministry. He suffered many things from his persecutors, but also had periods of plenty. In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul has this to share with believers of all ages: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Are you content? Do you find satisfaction with what the Lord has chosen to bless you with? Can you sincerely agree with what Paul wrote in I Timothy 6:6-8? “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
