by Pastor Cecil | Apr 2, 2012 | Isaiah
Isaiah 46:9-10
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
In 1967 I was a Captain in the US Air Force and had just been transferred to a radar site in northern Newfoundland, Canada. As soon as I was settled into the new assignment I applied for an assignment to Germany. I was too late. The powers that be had issued orders for me to report to Whiteman AFB, Missouri, where I would become a Missile Launch Officer. I felt powerless to do anything about the new assignment. It did not matter what I wanted . . . I was going.
It was at my brother’s funeral in 2010 that I was talking to a friend who had been a high ranking officer back in 1967. He asked me why I had not called him as soon as I was notified of the new assignment. He said he could have easily changed the orders. I HAD NOT REMEMBERED HIM!
It is a sad commentary about the lives that many Christians live. By that I mean that it is far too easy for us to operate in our own strength rather than asking the Lord for assistance. God never calls us to be supermen or superwomen. He much rather desires that we rely on Him for everything.
Think about the greatest trial you are facing at this moment. It may appear to be so large and imposing that you are sure that even God cannot deal with it. That, my dear friend, is ridiculous. The God who created the earth and everything in it is certainly able to do what seems impossible for us. It may not be in our timing (it seldom is), or in the manner that we think is best, but it is in His mighty hands and when we rest in Him, we can be sure that He will do it. Just remember Him!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 8, 2012 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Ben was an immigrant from Russia and spoke with a heavy accent and a raspy voice. I was very good at imitating his loveable speech, not in mockery, but with deep love for this man of faith. He was a member of a church I had once served as interim pastor. One day I was driving by and noticed Ben, mowing the church lawn.
Later I asked him if the church paid him to mow the lawn. He laughed and said, “Naw, dat’s just someting I can do for da Lord.” On a hunch I asked him if he mowed any other lawns. He said, “Oh, Ya, dere is a few little widow ladies dat can’t do much, so I juss go by and mow da lawn for dem.”
Wow! Here was a precious man who was not a minister of the gospel or a teacher in one of the Bible Classes, but he was doing the work of ministry in his own unique and precious way. The Lord spoke to him about the practical needs and Ben responded, “Here am I, send me!”
It is very easy to use our lack of formal training as an excuse for not doing the work of the Lord. I am a firm believer that if we have a sincere heart’s desire to work for the Lord the door will open. I have frequently heard people mention that they’ve learned there is a particular need. My immediate response is to let them know that those to whom the Lord reveals a need are the ones to get involved. May our attitude always be, here am I send me!
Blessings dear hearts. Give obediently to the Lord and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 22, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “ Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
When God’s Word says our sins are forgiven, does that mean we are free, or does He still hold them against us? We might say that we are set free, but do we actually walk away from our sinful past and have victory in our life?
I want to use a Bible character as an example of this process. In the book of Joshua we are introduced to a “lady of the night” from Jericho. If we were to approach our study like a police officer, we might use this method: Name: Rahab. Address: Jericho. Occupation: Prostitute.
We know nothing of the background of this woman of ill repute. Rahab is the first person that the Israelite spies encountered in the land of promise that God had led them to possess. Two spies had been sent out by Joshua to spy out the land, and especially Jericho. She not only spared their life, but gave them some inside information. She said that she knew that God had given them land, for the whole land was in fear of them. She asked that when they took the land, she and her family might be spared.
The woman followed their orders and the Israelites kept their promise to her. In Joshua 6 we read that Joshua sent the same two spies and rescued Rahab and her family. But the story does not end there, my friends. She was saved, but God had not forgotten her faith. In Hebrews 11:31 she is mentioned along with the faithful of the ages. In James 2:25 and 26, Rahab is mentioned as one who was considered righteous for what she did.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 11, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
I recall listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse many years ago. He told of how he had just completed a meeting many miles from his home in Philadelphia, when he was given a telegram that his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.
Travel at that time was by rail and as Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed. He knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home and that there was nothing he could do but leave his son in God’s hands.
As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, ” . . . but dust will be the serpent’s food.” He prayed for the Lord to feed the serpent his dust and to give him a good night’s rest. The next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia. The Lord had answered his prayer.
If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and to feed the serpent dust.
To You Before the Close of Day
To you before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.
O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through. Amen.
To access To You Before the Close of Day, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday 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 | Nov 4, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”
In recent years kidnapping has increased dramatically. Even huge oil tankers or cargo carriers have been boarded and the ship and crew have been held hostage until the price for their release has been met. THEY HAVE TO BE REDEEMED IN ORDER TO BE SET FREE!
The fact that Fanny J. Crosby wrote thousands of poems, many of which became favorite hymns is amazing. The fact that she was totally blind is even more remarkable. Our hymn this week is Redeemed.
Redeemed
(1) Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
REFRAIN: Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
(2) Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence,
With me doth continually dwell.
REFRAIN:
(3) I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
REFRAIN:
(4) I know I shall see in His beauty,
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
REFRAIN:
(5) I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
REFRAIN:
Notice verse four. It strikes me that Fanny Crosby was eagerly looking forward to that day when her Redeemer would appear and her blinded eyes would be opened and she would behold the most beautiful sight she could ever imagine—Jesus!
To access Redeemed, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/redeemed/ 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.
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.”
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 3, 2011 | Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
When I was stationed with the US Air Force in Northern Newfoundland, Canada, I was not a Chaplain. I was a Personnel Officer. But more than that, I was a committed Christian and had felt the call of God to preach the Word. I had not served as a pastor, but I had taught and preached many times.
It is one thing to stand in front of a group and open God’s Holy Word, but there are other times that are not so appealing. One of these times was especially testing to my spirituality. The pastor’s wife from town knew that the Officer’s Club owned a large van. She had a class of teenage girls that needed to attend an event at a community about an hour away. She begged me to drive the group. Giggle! Giggle! Giggle! That’s all I heard going and coming.
I have no idea how much spiritual enlightenment might have touched one or several of those girls, but it taught me a lesson in humility. There are times when the greatest ministry we can have is to drive gigglers to their destination. Here am I Lord, send me!
It might have been on that very trip that I spoke with a man from the community who shared their need. They had a small group that met for worship, but no minister. I was asked to come and share God’s Word with them. I did so with great delight. Here am I Lord, send me!
What is the Lord calling you to do? What ministry does He lay across your path? Is it driving gigglers or sharing the truth of God’s Word? Either way be available. Here am I Lord, send me!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
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
My book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations, is now available on Kindle books. Just go the Kindle store and type in “Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.”
