by Pastor Cecil | Oct 30, 2012 | James
James 3:3-5
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
A former astronaut had been hired by American Airlines to assist in reducing their costs of operation. This man began to analyze the effect of weight on the amount of fuel used by the planes. Reducing weight conserves fuel. It seems that instead of going to the heavier items he started with rather small things.
He interviewed the Flight attendants about how often the passengers seemed to read the company magazine that was placed in each seat pocket. They said the magazines were almost never read. The magazines averaged about 50 pounds per plane. It seemed like such a tiny amount that it would not make a difference. Not so! Removing the magazines from all of the planes in the American Airlines fleet saved about $1 million dollars annually. That is a significant figure!
Seemingly small but questionable things in our life can place a strain on our spiritual walk. We may exaggerate the truth to such a degree that it comes close to a lie. We take things that are not our own and try to justify it by claiming we do not know who the owner is. (The thing we do know is that it isn’t ours!)
There are positive things that also seem small. Think what a blessing we would reap if we covenant to spend just 10 minutes each day reading our Bible. It may be more, but at least 10 minutes. In one year we would have spent over 60 hours in God’s Word. That, my dear friend, is not a little thing. Will you covenant?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 16, 2012 | James
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James is one of my favorite books in the Bible. I once memorized the entire book. I hate to confess it, but I have forgotten much of it. The joy is that with just a little effort I can still bring those precious words back to mind with very little effort.
Recently I was greatly impressed by a thought that David Jeremiah shared. It was in reference to the words, “- -count it all joy.” I have taught for years that we are to give thanks for everything. It often seems impractical to count it all joy when we are experiencing the tough times of life. There is an interesting passage in Hebrews 12:1-3: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As I read these words I am struck by the thought that Jesus endured the cross with joy. It is clear that the suffering of the cross was anything but joyful. So where did this joy that Christ experienced come from? It came from Him fast forwarding His heart and mind to the glory that was waiting for Him.
An athlete who endures the horrible rigors of training does not find joy in the pain in the stressing of muscles to the breaking point. The joy is in fast forwarding the mind to visualize the race and crossing the finish line as a victor. I choose to count everything I endure in this life as joy, because I fast forward to what awaits me at the finish line. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 8, 2012 | James
James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Years ago I was traveling to a speaking engagement. The roads were thick with a wet snow. Ruts were a constant threat to throw me into a skid. As I came around one corner I realized that it was almost impossible to steer the car. I pulled off the road and discovered that the snow had caked inside the wheel wells and was restricting the front wheels from turning more than a few inches.
Those of you living in warm and sunny climates may not have had this experience, and even in colder climates it occurs very rarely. There are just two times that I have had it happen.
To deal with the problem it is necessary to use some sort of sharp tool to break the build-up of packed snow. On that particular day I used a sharp iron bar to break it away. After awhile, as the snow again built up, I had to repeat the process of breaking it away.
Sometimes in our spiritual walk we start picking up things (even good things) that prevent us from being able to steer in the right direction. Most of the time, this build-up is caused by questionable decisions or conduct. It is possible for us to pack our life so full of activities that we lose control of our steering. Even spiritual activities done in our own strength and without the Lord’s calling will so clog our wheel wells that we lose the ability to steer.
The way we can clear the blockages in our steering system is to humbly bow before the Lord and ask Him to direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 1, 2011 | James
James 1:23-24
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
I was working as a city police officer many years ago. There was a business that had a door unlocked, so I was following procedure and checking the inside to insure that it was not being burglarized. I came around a corner and saw a man with his gun drawn. I just about jumped out of my skin until I realized that it was a full length mirror and I was the man holding the gun.
I thought of that incident this morning when I looked in a full length mirror and saw this old man. It startled me to realize how the 77 plus years of my life have taken a toll. I am not as young as I used to be that’s for sure!
It is good for us to take a spiritual look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word. When we look into the world’s mirror (using the values of this world) we may look pretty good. We may even convince ourselves that we look pretty good.
The real test of our appearance is the mirror of God’s Word. How do we look when we stand before the Word and look at our reflection? Do we measure up? When the Word says to do something do we do it? I encourage each of us to take a look.
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 | Aug 11, 2011 | James
James 4:8-10
“Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Back in the 60’s I was serving as a Minuteman Missile Combat Crew Commander in Missouri. One Sunday our family was attending a church service and heard a man proudly offer a substantial gift for a special missionary project. He seemed so sincere and open that I was impressed.
After a few months of attending that church I happened to mention to the pastor about the generous nature of this man. It was then that I learned that he was not a regular tither or giver. The only time he contributed financially was when he could announce it to the congregation. The man was filled with pride.
Pride is an insidious thing and a quality that God despises. Unfortunately there are many proud people who are to be found in our churches, or at least claiming to be true believers. In today’s Scripture we see what God thinks about pride.
When we come to God, we are to come with a broken and contrite spirit. We are told to make a move toward God and He will immediately draw near to us. It is then that we are to cleanse ourselves and focus our attention on Him. As we do, He will lift us up to be His radiant and faithful servants. Lord, give us a servant spirit!
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 | Jul 19, 2011 | James
James 3:4-5b
“Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”
I recall being in a small fishing boat traveling along the rugged shoreline off the northern coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It was a beautiful day, but I want to tell you that I was glad that the boat was being piloted by a fisherman who knew how to keep us from danger.
He knew how to direct the boat into the waves in such a way that kept us from being swamped. Nevertheless I was relieved when he directed the boat into the sheltered harbor of the small village where we were headed.
I recently thought of this trip as I read today’s passage. As I did so, I was reminded of an old hymn, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me.” Here are two verses:
“Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”
“When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar,
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
‘Fear not, I will pilot thee.’ ”
The words express my prayer to the Lord. I want Him to be my pilot through the seas of life that stretch out before me.
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.
