by Pastor Cecil | Jul 15, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrew 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.’ “
Several years ago a man in our congregation asked me to visit a fellow who had worked in the mill with him. The young man was in the county jail for a crime he had committed.
I had no way of knowing what type of response my visit would have, but I was totally unprepared for what I found. The inmate shared with me that in the first few days of his confinement, someone had shared the gospel with him and he had accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Our conversation revealed that his decision was real, not simply a “jailhouse” conversion.
The thing that impressed me the most was this statement he made: “A few months ago it seemed that I had everything — a wife, two children, a new car, a boat and more “things” than I could count. Then the bottom dropped out of my life. Because of my crime I have lost everything. The only things I have to call my own are the sweater I am wearing and the Bible I am holding, but I feel like the richest man in the world!”
What a statement! Things never satisfy—only Jesus satisfies our deepest longings. This man was later released after serving his sentence and continued to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What “things” are you surrounding yourself with in an attempt to fill that void in your life? You may only possess a sweater and a Bible, but I want to tell you that only Jesus will meet your need!
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 | Jun 14, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 9:27-28
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
It is very important for you to read this entire message before reacting. It may come as quite a blow to some of you, but others will be able to understand what I have to reveal to you. I have been informed that my condition is terminal and I do not know how much longer I have to live.
I have been in contact with my primary care physician and I am sure that she would agree with the diagnosis. As a matter of fact she is facing the same thing. Our diagnosis was not based upon findings on medical charts, but in the Word of God. Oh―by the way, you are facing the same destiny!
That is exactly correct―each and every person alive and breathing on planet earth, or orbiting in space is terminal. Read the Scripture for today once more. Do you understand what it says? Everyone is destined to die and face judgment. The wonderful news is that when we receive the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, we pass from death to life.
There is only one treatment for our terminal condition―the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not by how good we are, but His payment to redeem us from the horrible judgment that awaits those who neglect His great salvation.
I may be terminal, but when you hear some day that Cecil Thompson has died, don’t believe it. I will be more alive than I have ever been. Until that day comes, I will remain faithful. In the time we have left, what will we do to redeem the hours?
Be blessed dear heart and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | May 31, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. It is a special day for me for at least two reasons. May 31st is the birthday of our grandson, Jeremiah. In addition to my remembrances of his birthday, I honor an unknown man of courage and devotion. Let me tell you about it.
As a young lieutenant in the US Air Force, I was assigned to a processing squadron in San Antonio, Texas. A chief Master Sergeant, Reuben Luna, worked in our section and became a close friend. He received orders transferring him to Saigon. He was afraid and we prayed for his safety in his move to a very troubled area.
A few months after he left, I received a call from him. He had just returned to the States and was in the hospital. He cried as he told me what had happened. A few days after his arrival in Saigon, he decided to go to a movie a short distance from his room.
The movie had just started when someone shouted, BOMB!” Most of the men fell to the floor as best they could. But there was a true, but unknown hero (at least to me) who did not fall away from the bomb. In a split second this young Marine officer realized there was only one way to contain some of the effects of the blast. He threw himself over the devise and was blown to bits.
Even his heroic act could not save all of the people in the room. Many died and some like Sgt. Luna were wounded, but it was estimated that his action saved many lives that horrible day.
On this day of remembrance I like to think about what I am willing to give my life for. It occurs to me that anything worth dying for is worth living for. Christ died for me and all who come to Him in faith believing. I want to die to self and allow Him to live through me. Join me!
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 21, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 11:1-2
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”
There are so many spiritual songs that have been handed down through the African American culture, that it is hard to count them all. One of them is this week’s focus, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”
In the field of criminal investigation, eye witnesses are extremely important. It is very hard to develop a case without having someone observe the event and giving testimony as to what they saw and heard.
In the spiritual realm we are instructed to live by faith. It is not necessary for us to physically be present at the time Jesus was on the cross and rose from the grave. We can observe these events through the eyes of faith. Were you there?
Enjoy this week’s inspiration video.
“Moonlight Sonata & Were You There?“
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
To access Moonlight Sonata & Were You There?, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wereyouthere 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 | Apr 16, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written 302 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 revival meetings were being held at the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York City.
Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of November 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must indeed come then or never. After a prayer was offered, they began to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give myself away,” her soul was flooded with a celestial light. She realized what her problem had been. She realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.
“At The Cross“
Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head,
For sinners such as I?
Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Was it for crimes that I had done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.
Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
But drops of grief can ne’er repay,
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
‘Tis all that I can do
Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer should be our answer—Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do.
To access At The Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/atthecross 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 | Apr 2, 2010 | Hebrews
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”
Since it was written by George Bennard in 1912, “The Old Rugged Cross” has remained enormously popular. Many of the most famous recording artists or groups have performed this old standard.
At this season of the year when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave, it is important to remember that He is a risen Lord. His blood was shed on the cross to provide for our salvation, but He did not remain on the cross. The cross is empty—the price has been paid! He is now in heaven waiting to welcome us home.
“The Old Rugged Cross“
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
To access The Old Rugged Cross, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross 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
