by Pastor Cecil | Feb 21, 2011 | John
John 12:16
“His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.”
Last week I was talking with a friend who had attended a church I used to pastor. He told me that he wanted to share something that had happened those many years ago. I had delivered a message on humility. He said that I made a comment to the effect that if we think we are on the top of the mountain, watch out, you are about to take a fall.
Sometime after hearing this message, he and his family were enjoying a day on the ski slope. He was watching an inexperienced skier fall time after time. He laughed to himself that he was sure glad he was better than that. Just then his ski’s crossed and he tumbled over and over, far worse than the beginner. He said the first thing that entered his mind was my comment to watch out, you are about to fall!
That wasn’t me folks. That was the Holy Spirit taking my words and delivering the full meaning at the appropriate time. I would much rather have people, “live” my words rather than just “hearing” the words.
We live in a day of instant everything. Patience is a commodity that is seldom sought after. We are so pre-occupied with immediate results that we often miss seeing that the Lord is in no hurry. He will use our stammering words to hit home in a life that needs it. Remember to say to yourself; “That wasn’t me, it is the Lord doing His work in His own good time.” Thank you Lord!
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 . . . 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.
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by Pastor Cecil | Jan 12, 2011 | John
John 12:24-25
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
You may have heard of the story of a young girl with a rare blood type who was dying of kidney failure. After checking with various family members, only her brother was a match to donate one of his kidneys for his sister to live.
The doctors asked him if he was willing to donate his kidney and he quietly replied that he was. As the day for the transplant surgery drew near, the boy became more quiet and introspective. He was to enter the operating room first as the doctors would remove one of his kidneys before transplanting it into his sister’s body to give her new life.
As he lay on the operating table, the doctor asked him if he was ready. He said that he was, but he had a question: “Doctor, how long before I die?” This brave little brother had not understood that he had two kidneys and that both he and his sister would be able to live normal lives after the transplant surgery. That poignant story is especially meaningful to me since our granddaughter, Jenna, donated one of her kidneys to save the life of our youngest daughter, her Aunt Lori. (Some of you may recall that Jenna’s mother was our daughter, Brenda, who died when she was only 35.)
Jesus came into the world to die! He did not come to save His life, but to offer it as a sacrifice that all who will may receive eternal life. Jesus offers us the ultimate transplant. Our old sin-sick heart replaced by a new heart and a new life. What a wonderful gift! New life in Christ, abundant and free! Receive it!
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 . . . 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.
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by Pastor Cecil | Nov 12, 2010 | John
John 14:27
“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.”
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 bombings in Iraq to kill Christian worshipers.
The words of today’s Scripture come from the lips of our precious Jesus. He foresaw a time 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.
What a fantastic day it will be when there is eternal peace. Today’s featured hymn from GloryScapes™, is Wonderful Peace.
“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 . . . 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.
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by Pastor Cecil | Sep 21, 2010 | John
John 14:2-3
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
As I write this, the weather channel is reporting on Hurricane Igor, a major hurricane that is striking the Island of Bermuda. This huge storm was expected and for the past week it was projected to impact Bermuda about this time.
When these major storms approach, warnings are issued to residents and visitors to take extreme caution. Some of the most deadly threats are rip tides. These are generally not seen, but they can sweep someone in the water out to sea in a matter of seconds, even when wading in waist deep water. Some are rescued, but sadly others who ignore the warnings do not survive.
God’s precious Word repeatedly warns us that we must be prepared at all times to be with the Lord. At any moment the trumpet may sound and we will be called to meet the Lord in the air.
Some discount the reality of the “rapture” of the church, but I feel there is more than enough Scripture to support this truth. Even if we are not called to meet the Lord in the air while still alive, we go to be with Him when we breathe our last breath here on earth.
Take time to visualize what it will be like when we are called to be with the Lord for eternity. There will be no more suffering, separation or sobbing. We will know peace and joy forever. It is coming! Are you prepared?
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 13, 2010 | John
John 3:30-31
“He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.”
I sat with a family at the bedside of their wife and mother. She was gasping for her next breath of air and then would be silent for a time before repeating the process. Many times the pauses were so long we were sure she had slipped into eternity.
Her husband of many years whispered to me, “I wish I could help her or even take her place.” We both knew this was impossible. I took her feeble hand and prayed for her, asking the Lord to give her peace that we could not even imagine. I had no idea if she even heard my prayer, but a few minutes later she opened her eyes and with a look of joy she declared: “I’ve seen them!” Shortly after this went to be with the ones she had seen.
God has given me the spiritual gift of encouragement. The result is that many people who feel the need of encouragement and help have called on me to help. I must confess that many times I feel helpless, and yet I am glad that I do. You see I am not the one who brings lasting help. It is far better to remember that only the Lord can help and so I need to point them to the real source of help, Jesus!
Do you feel that you at the end of your rope? Is your world seemingly crumbling down around your shoulders? Go to the Lord in prayer and lay your heavy burden before Him. He loves you more than any human being and He is able to help!
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 9, 2010 | John
John 3:30-31
“He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.”
It has been so long since I was in high school that I forget many things. Yesterday I recalled my high school football days. There was another thing about those years that just came to mind – the “letter!” If you played in a specified number of games during the season, you were awarded a letter. It was a heavy embroidered letter of the first name of your school.
Now, if you received one of these coveted awards you needed a place to display it, so there were garment companies that were eager to sell you a heavy cardigan sweater. The letter would be sewn on the left side, just below the heart.
I am ashamed to admit that the wearing of your letterman’s sweater was a source of pride. It made the players seem more important than the other students. Oh, yes! There was another bit of tradition. When a player started dating a girl, he gave her his sweater to wear. Now it was the girl’s turn to exhibit pride.
When I started writing about the “letter” I had intended to focus on the way we are identified with Christ. The fact of the matter is that we can take pride in just about anything. We can wear the letter of our denomination, theology, self-righteousness or any other seemingly spiritual thing. God hates pride in any form! My advice to all of us is to take the “Letter” off and walk in humility before Him.
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
