by Pastor Cecil | Dec 29, 2011 | John
John 10:9
“I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
One of the most frustrating things is to be locked out of your house. I recently wrote in one of the Daily-E-Votionals on the subject of being locked out and specifically mentioned being locked out of your car. Being locked out of your house is worse. Your clothes, food, books—everything is inside—but you are locked outside.
Back in the day (whatever that means) doors had the old fashioned mortise key locks. As is the case today, it was not uncommon for someone to discover that they were locked out. No problem! There was always someone who had a pass key, most commonly called a skeleton key. It would open virtually any door.
In today’s Scripture, Jesus was relating the parable of the Good Shepherd and His Sheep. He wanted His hearers to understand that we are the sheep and He is the Shepherd. He guards the door to the sheep pen to prevents the enemy from entering.
Jesus wanted the hearers of His day to understand that there is only one entrance to the fold. He means it for us in our day as well. Jesus is the only gate. Our key to unlock the gate is to repent of (turn away from) our sins and by grace, through faith, invite Him into our heart. It is interesting isn’t it? He gives us the pass key into the fold, but at the same time we offer Him the pass key into our heart.
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 | Dec 19, 2011 | John
John 10:22-24
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around Him, saying, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
The darkest dark I have ever experienced was when we made a trip to the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. We were led by a guide who explained the various formations. The only thing I can recall about our tour was when he extinguished all of the lights in order for us to experience total darkness. I didn’t like it!
At this time of year we pause to celebrate the coming of Jesus into a world filled with the darkness of sin, it is important to consider light . . . not just any light, but the light of the world that takes away our sins.
I regret that as Christians we have failed to consider the biblical meaning behind the Feasts and celebrations. One of those days is upon us; it is Hanukkah. Before you get disturbed about Jews trying to create a holiday that is to replace Christmas, read today’s Scripture once again. Jesus celebrated it! Antiochus Epiphanies desecrated the temple about two hundred years before this visit of Jesus. It was Hanukkah, a time to remember the wonderful miracle when there was only enough oil to light the lamps for one day, but miraculously the lamps burned for eight days.
We need those times of miracle in our day and age. We need a doubting world to see the bright light of God’s power demonstrated. We need to allow the Lord to fill our spiritual reservoir so we will burn brightly and miraculously.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing! Be a light for the world to see!
—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 | Dec 15, 2011 | John
John 17:3-5
Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.
During all my school days (first grade through graduate school) I dreaded taking tests. As I write this, I am sure that I can hear a chorus of “amens.” Tests are one of the terrors students encounter. One of my good friends is a medical doctor and shared with me the ordeal leading up to his boards. He had studied all through the night into the early morning when he heard the sounds of the trash being picked up. Looking out the window my friend saw the garbage man and immediately thought to himself how lucky that man was.
More than one time as I completed a test I would think to myself, “I’m done.” I might just as well have added, “I’m all done for!” Anyway there was a feeling of doing what I could and the results would be determined by the teacher who would be grading the test.
In today’s Scripture Jesus is praying earnestly to the Heavenly Father. The prayer is a fantastic picture of His completed work here on earth. Jesus knew that He would soon die on the cross for the sins of the world. His death on the cross would pronounce victory over Satan and life to all who would receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord.
There is nothing we can do to earn our own salvation. It is only by His shed blood that we are saved. After we have been born again we can learn to know Him better and grow as we do His will for our lives. [but how does one become born again?] He has done it all for us.
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 | Dec 13, 2011 | John
John 9:24
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
I just read a fascinating article from the International Business Times. The article concerns paralympic silver medalist Monique Vander Vorst. She has been paralyzed from the hip down since she was 13. Recently her wheelchair was stuck by a bicycle as she was training.
Instead of it being a tragedy, it has turned out to be a blessing. After the accident, Monique began to notice feeling in her legs. Soon she was able to walk after a period of 14 years. Think about it! The medical community has been in a quandary about the situation. They doubt that such an accident could restore the use of her legs. But now she can walk!
As we read today’s Scripture we come in on the tail end of one of the miracles that Jesus performed. He had restored the eyesight of a man that was born blind. The religious leaders were enraged because the man had been healed on the Sabbath. (What better day for healing to occur?) They questioned the man’s parents and confirmed that the man was indeed born blind.
Instead of rejoicing that a great miracle had taken place, they interrogated that man and called Jesus a terrible sinner for healing on the Sabbath. They hurled insults at him and threw him out of the Temple. Some people in that day, as in our day, refuse to acknowledge the power to open sin-blinded eyes and change lives.
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, or Pastor Cecil Thompson.
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 8, 2011 | John
John 16:4
I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you.
On December 7th, 1941, I was a seven year old boy living with my parents in Camas, Washington. We had been to church that Sunday morning and the service had just ended. As usual, a group of we kids were playing outside the church when several teen age girls began to scream. They had been listening to the radio in one of their parent’s cars.
All of we younger kids gathered around the car and heard the commentator tell of the early morning attack on the Naval Base in Pearl Harbor. We were over 100 miles from the coast, but almost immediately we were required to cover our windows at night so no light would come through. Within a few days WE WERE AT WAR!
That was 70 years ago and yet I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was later that year that I knelt at the altar of our church and asked Jesus to come into my heart. In like manner I remember that day like it was yesterday. That was the day of my spiritual birth and even though I have made mistakes from time to time, I have known since that day that I was a born again Christian. The attack I may forget, but the day of my spiritual birth I will remember for eternity.
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, or Pastor Cecil Thompson.
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 18, 2011 | John
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
We hear of wars and rumors of wars. It seems that every day there is more chaos and strife in this old sin sick world. In recent days there have been attacks that have claimed many lives, including Christians.
The words of today’s Scripture come from the lips of our precious Jesus. He foresaw a when true believers would pay for their faith by their own blood. We do not relish that thought, but at the same time we are given words that bring peace even in the midst of our ordeals.
The United Nations was established back in 1945, following World War II to insure there would be peace in our world. It has not worked. Even member nations of this body become engaged in warfare with each other. For all of the rhetoric about attaining peace we are no closer to world peace, nor will we ever be until Jesus comes again to establish His “Wonderful Peace” over all the earth.
Wonderful Peace
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll! Refrain:
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul! Refrain:
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be: Refrain:
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime! Refrain:
To access Wonderful Peace, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/wonderfulpeace 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.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil or you can order a Kindle version by going online to Amazon.com . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
