by Pastor Cecil | Jun 8, 2012 | 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 1900’s there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the US that claimed many lives. Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri in 1903. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from diphtheria. In his hour of grief he wrote today’s hymn and had the college choir sing it outside the quarantined 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 | May 15, 2012 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Today we hear young families who live in 2,000 square foot homes wanting something bigger. They have a new baby on the way and there is just not enough room in their present dwelling. Give me a break! Back in November 1954, I had just completed Technical School as a jet mechanic. My first assignment was in Rapid City, South Dakota. Joyce and I were very happy and looking forward to a new and exciting adventure.
We rented a few months before purchasing our first home. It was a 24-foot Terry travel trailer. That meant that we were living in less than 200 square feet. Within hours my precious wife had that little home on wheels looking like a castle.
I think most of us in the over-the-hill gang can remember living in a house with only one bathroom (if we were lucky), and we had to share a bedroom with brothers or sisters. The thought of moving into larger digs was never considered. We were just thankful that we had a place to call home.
Over the years since the 1950’s, we have lived in many fine homes and some not so fine. But our contentment has not come from the size or condition of our home—it is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ that has made us content.
The thought suddenly strikes me—the more our love for the Lord grows—the less importance we place on the stuff of life. All of this is going to pass away and we will find that only what we do for Christ will last.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 9, 2011 | 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 we encounter health scares that cause us to fear for our lives. We may rush to receive inoculations or use face masks. We take extra precautions 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 1900’s here in the U.S., there was an outbreak of diphtheria that claimed many lives. Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri in 1903. As diphtheria swept the area, two of his nieces died from the epidemic. In his hour of grief he wrote today’s hymn and had the college choir sing it outside the quarantined 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
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 | Aug 25, 2011 | Hebrews
Hebrews 5:12
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
I am sorry to keep referring to my early morning exercise regimen, but at 77 years of age, to begin working out is a major undertaking. Following my triple by-pass heart surgery the doctors told me that if I did not take on such an undertaking, the Undertaker might take me under! Just kidding! They did, however, strongly suggest that I get serious about my exercise and diet.
When I first began my workouts I had little stamina and was limited in how long and strong I could endure. I have found that over the weeks I have been able to do more and more.
This morning I was meditating about how God works in our lives. It seemed to be a natural thing to relate it to my time and efforts. The more I stretch myself the more I am able to accomplish as days go by.
Spiritually we are in very much the same category. If we spend little time meeting with the Lord in prayer and feasting on His Word, we remain spiritual babies. The more time we spend searching out the hidden truths of His Word, the more we will be able to draw deeply from its vast resources and the more mature we will become. It all starts with commitment and determination. Each morning I have to roll out of bed to get busy on the various exercise equipment. Likewise, each day I have to carve out segments of time to meet with the Lord. I am getting stronger!
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 28, 2011 | Hebrews
Hebrews 13:1-2
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Monday afternoon I was standing beside a graveside preparing to officiate at the service for an 88-year-old woman. My attention was suddenly captivated by a unique three wheel vehicle that had just arrived. It was more than a motorcycle¯it was like an auto on three wheels and decked out in the color scheme of the US Navy and Marine Corps “Blue Angels,” Flight Demonstration Team. It even had the words “Blue Angel” boldly displayed on the side.
After the service I was talking with the owner who told me an amazing story about how the “motorcycle” got its name—he had been involved in a terrible accident and was hovering between life and death. He recalled that as the paramedics were tending to him, a woman with blue sleeves arrived on the scene and asked to pray with him.
Later, following an extended stay in the hospital, all of those who had been at the accident scene that day, came by to celebrate his recovery and were photographed with him—all that is except the woman with the blue sleeves. In his mind she became his blue angel, and thus the inspiration for the name of his new vehicle.
Since that time, the bike owner has had many opportunities to share his faith by relating his story, to those who stop to admire his unique three-wheeler. What a fantastic blessing this has been to this man who has used his accident and recovery to share the wonderful news of the gospel.
You may not have a “Blue Angel” in your life, but you may very possibly be used by God to touch some life that is in need. “Open my eyes Lord that I may be available to do Your work in Your way and in Your time.”
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 | Jun 29, 2011 | Hebrews
Hebrews 5:11-12
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
When our kids were still babies I was the one who tried to tempt them into eating more adult foods. I can still hear my wife and mom try to stop me, but the kids would smack their lips at their first taste of mashed potatoes and cream gravy.
Why do we lack the dynamic and power of the early New Testament church? We have all of the advantages that the believers lacked in that day, but all too often there has been a shocking immaturity among believers.
I guess one of the main reasons is that we have failed to stimulate their spiritual growth with something that is tasteful and meaningful. We drone our way through a litany of items that are boring to us and somehow expect the new believers to get excited.
Listen carefully¯if discipleship does not excite you it is unlikely to have a positive impact on others. We need to seek to find get so excited about finding new truth in the precious Word of God that we will be like a daddy trying to get his infants to try a nibble of some of the tasty food the adults are enjoying.
If you lack that thrill and excitement that I am writing about, please get on your knees and ask the Lord to help you find the spark that will ignite your fire.
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.
