by Pastor Cecil | Dec 23, 2015 | Habakkuk
Habakkuk 3:18
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
I recently received the following email from dear friend who has given me permission to share it with you. It says it all!
Your evotional once again is right on target. Yesterday, I had a co-worker tell me that just because it is Christmas that is no reason for me to be so cheery! She went on to tell me that there really is no reason to celebrate because there are a lot of unhappy people in the world. I took that to mean that she is one of the unhappy. She lives by herself and maybe she is feeling alone and sad?? Today when she gets to work she will find a lovely flower arrangement waiting for her on her desk. It comes with a prayer that she may find the reason for celebrating this year.
I remember when I was newly divorced and had to remain home on Christmas Eve by myself waiting for my daughter to be returned to me late that night by her father. My family was together celebrating and I was sitting there alone. For a few minutes I began to feel sorry for myself, but then I thought this is silly. Just because I am alone does not mean I can’t celebrate. I fixed myself a nice cup of hot chocolate and turned the lights down and lit the Christmas tree. I put a Christmas special on the television. Being a working, single mom at Christmas means you are a very busy person. I enjoyed being able to sit in quiet and relax and unwind and pray. I began to actually look forward to Christmas Eve knowing I would have that time to myself. I am sure I was a happier mom on Christmas morning because of that.
I know it is difficult for you without Joyce physically by your side. My best friend will be spending her first Christmas without her husband of 35 years by her side. I will be praying for you. I think my co-worker brought that to my attention yesterday so that I would be reminded to pray for those missing their loved ones and those that really need to be saved.
The most important thing I can do this Christmas season is to make time to be alone to pray.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 29, 2014 | Habakkuk
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Why in the world would I choose a title like the one I have chosen for today? Isn’t it natural that everyone would choose joy? Nope! You see, we usually associate joy with the favorable things that we encounter. I think it is appropriate to recall a poem I composed some time ago:
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 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!
Even in the midst of the unfavorable things we encounter, we need to choose to find our joy in the Lord. Things of this world will constantly change between good and bad, but when we choose joy in every circumstance, it opens the door to bless us as well as those around us. Choose Joy!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 18, 2011 | Habakkuk
Habakkuk 3:19
“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” (The Amplified Bible)
A number of years ago I was leaving Portland, Oregon on my way to our home in Olympia, Washington. I was on I-5 that stretches from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific coast. It is a very busy freeway!
About two blocks ahead of me was a wrecker towing a somewhat decrepit vehicle. The truck headed for an exit ramp, but the left rear tire on the old car decided it wanted to stay on the freeway. As it careened into the heavy traffic ahead of me, I saw vehicles swerving to miss it.
I was surrounded by traffic on both the left and right. I suddenly saw that the tire was in my lane of traffic and starting to tumble. There was nothing I could do but to brace for the impact. I prayed for the Lord to protect me in the crash that was due to happen in a few seconds. The tire suddenly flew into the air and I was stunned to see it fly over the top of my car, missing me by inches. Behind me the scene was chaos. I prayed for those who were in the crush.
I know that the Lord does not always lead us clear of trials, but praise the Lord for those times when we can feel His mighty hand protecting us. I want to walk close to the Lord and trust Him to be with me in the dangers that tumble our way.
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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