by Pastor Cecil | Jan 30, 2014 | Hebrews
Hebrews 3:12-11
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
One of the most feared words in the English language is the word cancer. Many of us have lost loved ones to that dread disease, and even though tremendous improvements have been made in treatment, it still is our enemy.
One of the members of our church family is a team captain for the Relay for Life. Here is her report: “We have only had 10 members for the past two years, and in our first year we raised $4,670; and our second year we raised $7,387! That makes a total of $12,057 we have raised to help destroy the MONSTER I CALL CANCER.” The loss of her sister-in-law to cancer a year ago motivates Cheri to continue the fight.
Many of us know friends or family members who have been impacted with this foul malady. But there is an even greater disease that affects the entire human race . . . SIN! We were all born with it, and without treatment, it is always fatal!
The only treatment for sin is salvation, which is not received by being good, attending church services, or giving money in the offering. While those may be good things, they do not treat sin. Salvation is found ONLY by the blood of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our redemption on the cross. If you have never done so before, please confess you are a sinner, and accept Him as your personal Savior. The treatment is 100% successful!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 13, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
“Back in the day” (Where did that expression come from) I was married with two children and attending college full time. Back then the normal work week was 48 hours and I was taking a full 18 credit hour load. Each Spring I eagerly anticipated the goal of finishing the year. Then came the ultimate goal of completing all of my undergraduate work and receiving my degree.
Years later when I was separated from my family on a remote assignment with the United States Air Force, I had the goal of being reunited with them. Those were a very long twelve months and I counted the days until we would be together once again. What is a goal you are attempting to complete?
For each of us believers, there is a heavenly home that is waiting for us. Jesus promised it to us and we know that His promises are always sure and true. But that does not mean that we are to be idle while we wait for that wonderful day. While I was stationed in Newfoundland, I threw myself into the work of the Lord in all ways possible. My prayer is that somehow I made a difference in someone’s life.
Our Scripture for today urges us to; “—spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” How are you doing in that regard?
Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 4, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
From time to time there are health scares that cause people to fear for their lives. They rush to receive inoculations or use face masks. There are precautions taken in washing our hands and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze. As a boy I can still remember when families were quarantined because someone in the house was diagnosed with a contagious disease.
In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the US that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dread disease and the others in the house were quarantined. In his hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and had the college choir sing outside the house.
Near to the Heart of God
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
To access Near to the Heart of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod 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 | Mar 6, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 3:13-14
But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
Last week our dear friend who is employed at a retirement facility, shared a heartache. One of the residents who had been a radiant inspiration to her, passed away. This man who had brightened our friend’s day was no longer there, and it made her feel such loss that it was difficult to go in to work.
As I officiate at funeral services I frequently hear people comment about what an inspiration the deceased had been to them. Sometimes there will be tears in their eyes as they remember how that person made their life bearable.
Perhaps most of us have someone (or perhaps more than one person) who was such an inspiration to us that they changed the direction of our life. If that person is still alive, they are still being a tremendous inspiration to you. If so, please let them know what a difference they have made in your life.
Paul encourages us to exhort (another word for inspire) those around us on a daily basis. That means that we are to be a constant inspiration to others. Not only will it be a blessing to them, but it will prevent us from having a hard heart and protect us from being open to the deceitfulness of sin. BE AN INSPIRATION! NOW!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 22, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
From time to time there are health scares that cause people to fear for their lives. They rush to receive inoculations or use face masks. There are precautions taken in washing our hands and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze. As a boy I can still remember when families were quarantined because someone in the house was diagnosed with a contagious disease.
In the early years of the 20th Century there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the US that claimed many lives. In 1903 Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dread disease and the others in the house were quarantined. In his hour of grief he wrote the hymn NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD and had the college choir sing outside the house.
Near to the Heart of God
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
To access Near to the Heart of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod 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
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 19, 2013 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:7-9
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them RESPECT. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
I think it was the actor, Rodney Dangerfield who continually complained that he received no respect. This complaint has not been limited to Dangerfield, but is shared by many people. Many assaults and even murders have been committed because someone thought they were not given the proper respect.
In my experience with the criminal justice system, as well in private counseling, I have discovered a one way street. Those people who are so adamant about receiving respect are most often the ones who show little respect to others.
The word respect as used here in Hebrews 12, is the Greek word entrepȏ. It may also be interpreted as reverence. Wow! That is a quality that is rarely seen in our modern world!
We may think of the lack of reverence and/or respect to those in authority around us such as parents, employers, or elected officials, but that is nothing in comparison with the reverence and respect that is due to our Lord Jesus Christ. When was the last time you honored Him with the respect He deserves? Now is the time to act!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
