by Pastor Cecil | Oct 5, 2010 | James
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
It was over twenty years ago that the incident of the “Old Grouch” occurred. We were enjoying a picnic in our friend’s backyard. The younger kids were playing a game of baseball. An uncle of one of the boys kept coaching his nephew about how he should stand, how he should hold his bat and a few other pointers.
We kept hearing the boy saying something repeatedly under his breath. One of the adults slipped over close enough to hear without being seen. She started laughing uncontrollably at what she had heard. Each time Dick gave one of his pointers, Matt would mutter, “Old Grouch!”
You know, it is often hard to accept instruction, especially when we have not asked for it. It is equally hard to keep silent when we feel that we can offer instruction to someone.
What is the answer? Remain silent as long as possible. This will allow us to have more time to observe in case we are asked for advice. If we are listening, our mouth will not get us into trouble. This will often prevent conflicts from arising. It will also prevent someone from calling us an old grouch.
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 | Jul 9, 2010 | James
James 4:8
“Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Joyce and I passed through a very difficult time in our life as our oldest daughter came closer and closer to passing into the arms of Jesus. We knew that her heart was right with the Lord and that the moment she took her last breath here on earth, her next would be in glory, but it still was a time we needed the Lord nearby.
Fanny J. Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915. This remarkable lady never let problems keep her away from the Lord. Her blindness as an infant meant that she spent her entire life without physical sight, but was blessed with a keen spiritual sight.
When she was only eight she wrote the following poem: “Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world contented I will be! How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t! So weep or sigh because I am blind, I cannot—nor I won’t.” The hymn, “Draw Me Nearer” seems to express her desire toward her blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Draw Me Nearer“
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
To access Draw Me Nearer, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/drawmenearer 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 | Jun 1, 2010 | James
James 4:13-14
“You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
When I was a rookie police officer in Caldwell, Idaho, there was a sergeant who was near retirement age. He worked on the front desk and dispatched the officers whenever there was some sort of emergency.
The thing I remember most about Old Bill was his anger. This anger was usually directed at his playing cards. He played Solitaire hour after hour during the night shift. Now playing Solitaire may not be bad, but Old Bill would explode in anger when he lost, which was most of the time.
The officers who were on duty during the night shift laughed about how Bill would become so upset about a silly game of cards that he played with himself. It seemed to be foolish to feel so strongly about something so insignificant.
As I reflect on the actions of Old Bill, I wonder about the things in our life that we tend to become upset about. What are the vital things that have eternal value? According to today’s Scripture, this life is like a mist that will soon pass away. That being the case, why do we place so much value on temporal things but neglect things of eternal value?
I want to make my life count for the Lord. It is my desire to give myself fully to serve Him in all I say and do. I never want to be like Old Bill who spent himself on the foolishness of a game of cards.
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 | Sep 30, 2009 | James
James 1:2-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Someone has said that happiness is the result of something good or pleasing happening. Joy on the other hand is the choice a person makes in spite of what happens.
Unfortunately I have counseled many people across the years who behaved as if they had been “baptized in vinegar.” Some of these people have been Christians. I know that their demeanor has been a terrible witness to non-believers.
I have said it before and I will say it again; “The way we live is far more vital than what we say.” I do not want to imply that we are not to share our faith with others, but it needs to be reflected in how we live.
Sadly, we have recently seen prominent religious figures that were vocal proponents of holy living, only to be exposed as participating in the various sinful practices they have preached against.
Cutting to the chase, I would like each of us to prayerfully answer the following questions: If Jesus was standing beside us, would He be pleased with the things we say? The music we listen to? The programs we watch on television? The things we read? The activities we engage in? The people we associate with? This could go on and on couldn’t it? I pray that we will expose our actions to His scrutiny.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 23, 2009 | James
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
A number of years ago I was attending an Advanced Basic Life Seminar. It was being held on a major university campus, which at that time boasted the top-ranked football team in the nation.
A group of us were walking back to the arena following the lunch break when we recognized the head coach and members of his staff walking in the same direction. The coach asked one of his staff what was going on for so many men to be present. The staff member explained that it was a Christian seminar. The coach scoffed and said, “I don’t have time for God today!”
From time to time across the years, I have thought about this famous football coach and his cynical comment. It was heartbreaking to hear such a firm rejection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately there are many who reject the Lord, even if they do not make such a bold statement. Even believers may become so pre-occupied with the things of the world that they simply do not have time for God.
Our Scripture for today gives us the answer. We are to make the time for God and draw near to Him and resist the devil. As we do this, He draws near to us and gives us the power to live a victorious life. Do you have time for God?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 14, 2009 | James
James 1:22 & 25
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
In a few weeks we will be seeing mallard ducks flying low over the house. There is a whistle to their wings as they fly and they are extremely graceful in flight. On the ground is another matter. They waddle in an awkward manner. I think many of us have seen films of Penguins walking, versus the magnificent way they swim. The difference is that these creatures were created by God to be more at home in their natural element. Ducks in flight—penguins in water.
It is not difficult to determine what the pattern of this world is. Pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, listen to the radio, or talk with unregenerate people and we will immediately discover the pattern of this world. Simply stated, it is that which is not in complete harmony with God’s Word, God’s plan and/or God’s purposes. God has designed us to soar with Him in obedience.
In refusing to be conformed to this world, we need to recognize that we will be seen as “different.” I guess that is what it is all about, isn’t it? We are called to be children of the King and as such we are not to be conformed to the ways that define the ways of the world. Instead we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. It is like the waddling ducks lifting into the sky. We are meant to fly—not waddle. I hope you understand what I mean.
We are to approve what God’s will is. It is not enough to test the Word to discover God’s ways—we are also to approve God’s will. By approving God’s will, we are to get in step with His will. This means doing and approving what others are doing to fulfill the will of Him who has given us new life. Stop waddling and start soaring!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
