by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2019 | Malachi
Malachai 3:3
“He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
I have often heard the expression; If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen! The same is even more applicable to a refiner of silver. The refiner of silver sits in front of the refining fire to watch the intense heat burn away the impurities.
It is essential in the refining process for the silversmith to stay in front of the fire at all times without taking his eyes off the silver. If the silver were to be left in the intense heat for a moment too long the silver would be destroyed. The only way for the silversmith to know when the silver was fully refined was when he can see his own image reflected in it.
All too often we try to escape the fire of God’s refining oven rather than to allow Him to have control to determine when He is able to see His image reflected back. It is not easy for us to endure the heat of God’s refining fire, but the result is that we will become like Him.
As we begin 2019, may we be yielded to God’s refining fire. Not our will Lord, but Thy will be done in us!
Blessings dear hearts! May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 23, 2011 | Malachi
Malachi 4:2
“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.”
It has been just over two weeks since the doctors opened my chest and by-passed three, very clogged arteries. When the anesthesia wore off and I was able to have a first look at myself, I was amazed. I had more wounds than a battlefield soldier. There were bandages and tubes all over my body. I soon developed bruises that looked terrible, but hurt no more than before.
Over these past fifteen days I have been aware of a remarkable circumstance–my wounds were being healed. The dark bruises faded significantly, the bandages all were removed and the incisions healed nicely. Wow! That is the power of healing!
I have experienced different types of healing across the years. Some were instantaneous and others were gradual, but it was a miracle of healing regardless. I have made it a priority to remind folks of how far they have come in the healing process. This is because when it is us, we often fail to be aware of the healing.
I know that all physical healing is only temporary–we must not forget that. All of those that Jesus healed or even raised from the dead eventually died. Scripture is very clear that all of us will die and face eternity, either as believers who enter into everlasting bliss, or unbelievers who will agonize in Hell forever and ever.
There is a spiritual healing that brings the wounded heart into right relationship with Christ and insures we will spend eternity in Heaven. It is both easy and hard; it requires our all. It requires confessing our sinful condition and asking the Lord Jesus to come into our heart. If you have not done so before, I implore you to bow right now and invite Jesus to come into your heart. That is our miracle of perfect healing. I hope to see you in Heaven!
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 | Mar 4, 2009 | Malachi
Malachi 3:5
“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.”
The story is told of a couple who had just been married. When they arrived at their hotel room on their wedding night, the bride proceeded to prepare herself for her new husband. She removed her wig and placed it on the table. This was followed by her false teeth, which she placed in a jar and set on the table. Next she popped out a glass eye and that went into another jar and, you guessed it, she placed it on the table.
The husband could contain himself no longer. Realizing there was more of his wife on the table than in the bed, He rushed across the room and knelt down beside the table and said: “I love you with all my heart!” What a stupid story! But it points out a reality of the way people are prone to defraud others.
In marriage, business or even in our churches we are in danger of being defrauded. It is the presenting of self in a manner that is not true. It is like the waiters in a fine hotel dining room. In the dining room they are polished, polite and proper— but as they pass through swinging doors into the kitchen area they become pouty, paltry and a pain.
I have come to realize that there is a critical need for spiritual discernment. Just because we are told something does not mean that it is true. How sad that we have been subjected to ministers who should devote themselves to preach the pure Word of God, but then evidence is discovered to prove that greed and avarice is more their goal than being faithful to Christ.
So what do we do to prevent being deceived and defrauded? Slow down and pray! Examine our own hearts to determine if there is sin that needs to be confessed or changes that need to be made. Ask God to reveal His Word—His will—His way! Wait patiently on Him.
I feel that Solomon provides a pattern that each of us needs to follow on a consistent basis. It is found in Proverbs 3:5-6: “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.”
My prayer is that each of us will memorize and meditate on these words on a daily basis. It is only in this manner that we will come under His protection and guidance.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
