by Pastor Cecil | Feb 7, 2011 | Mark
Mark 8:16-18
“They discussed this (His warning to beware the yeast of the Pharisees) with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?”
When I was in the Air Force, I was stationed in areas of the country where we had quite severe weather from time to time. We encouraged the kids to be excited to watch the thunderstorms with delight, and all three of them loved to cheer at the flash-bang displays.
When my mom came to visit she was not a good judge of clouds. Many times when she came to visit she would stand at the window and say; “Cec come and look at this cloud, it looks pretty bad to me.” Most often it was a small cloud with the sun at its back so that it appeared dark.
It reminds me that it most often takes a discerning eye to see and appreciate the wonderful things that God has created. This lack of spiritual appreciation has robbed us of a blessing and God of the praise He deserves. Some people have the spiritual eyes and ears, but cannot comprehend the wonderful things which God has prepared for us.
Even the disciples of Jesus failed to grasp His words. They were thinking about bread to fill the stomach, but He was talking about the self-righteous sin of the Pharisees. They brought down to a human level the words of Jesus, which were spiritual.
Before we become too critical of His disciples, how many times do we fail to see the plans and purposes of God? How many times do we equate health, wealth and happiness as blessing, while sickness, poverty and heartbreak as a curse?
In reality, it is in the trials and tribulations of our life that we become aware of the sweet presence of the Lord. Think back on your experiences of these times and you will remember that He was always with you.
So how can we change? How can we be people who open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our minds to understand? I am tempted to suggest that it is by HABIT! It is doing and re-doing and doing again and again.
It is asking Him to open our eyes to make us aware of His presence. It is paying attention to the words of Scripture we read, the words of songs we hear and the needs we see in those around us.
God’s precious Word is ours for the taking. May we purpose in our hearts to have eyes to see and hearts to be open to comprehend!
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 3, 2011 | Mark
Mark 13:30-31
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Have you ever experienced a situation in which what you dread will happen is going to happen and you are helpless to do anything about it? You feel that time is moving in slow motion and the thing you dread is going to happen.
I do not want to be melodramatic, but this came to my mind when I recall a new car I owned that had a temperature gauge attached to the driver’s side rear view mirror. It was amazing how much I enjoyed looking out and seeing a indication of how hot or cold it was.
One day I was driving along when the thermometer dropped off and rolled down the street. I immediately stopped and then saw a car approaching. I tried to wave for him to miss my thermometer, but he did not catch my meaning. You guessed it! I heard the crunch as his wheels made mincemeat of my thermometer. I was able to buy a replacement from the car dealer, but it never worked right. Whoa is me!
In a spiritual vein we see those around us who are making such wrong choices that it is inevitable that there is a crunch coming into their life. We try our very best to save them from the “crunch” but often it is to no avail. What can we do?
I think that the Lord would have us pray before we rush in. If He directs, we can help pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and help them find true meaning to their lives. The crunch may be the thing that brings them to find Jesus as Savior.
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 3, 2010 | Mark
Mark 10:20-21
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Things have really changed over the years. When I attended college I signed up for a full load of eighteen credit hours. I was married at the time and had to work to support the family. In the fifties and sixties, the common work week was 48 hours. That’s right folks, six eight hour days per week. I am exhausted recalling it!
One of the college classes I was signed up for was debate. It sounded a lot easier than calculus or physics, so it appealed to me. I learned that in debates there is always an affirmative and a negative side. You had to be prepared to switch sides in any sort of competition.
Our college had a competition with two other schools in the area and another hard working married man was assigned with me. We were team four, which meant we were rated as the poorest of our teams. (I would agree with that!)
Our first debate was with the number four team from another college. Amazingly we won. Our second debate was with the top rated team in the competition. They had charts, graphs, photos and everything imaginable to support their position. Being on the negative side, I knew we were outclassed. I whispered to my partner to start smirking. Every point they made, we tried to turn into a joke and belittled their contention. Incredibly we won! I have no idea what the judges were thinking! We were the only team from our school to win both debates.
Here is the application I want to make. Do not be deterred when there are negative people who belittle or scorn your stand for Jesus Christ. We need heroes of the faith who are willing to be treated with contempt, yet with unyielding faith in Jesus who loved us enough to come into the world and die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Now that is the Affirmative side!
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 2, 2010 | Mark
Mark 10:20-21
“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
I recall seeing pictures of gold miners back in the 1890’s as they struggled up the Chilkoot pass near Skagway, Alaska. They had missed out on the California gold rush and now were determined to discover wealth untold here in the far north. The men had left family, friends and all they knew to search for the precious gold.
Other pictures crowd my mind of poor laborers in Africa who risk life and limb to discover diamonds that will make the owners wealthy . . . but will hardly provide the laborer a decent living.
George Beverly Shea, the soloist with Billy Graham, used to sing a song called Acres of Diamonds. It went like this: “Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold, rivers of silver, jewels untold.”
All too often people are prone to stop with these words and feel that if they had those, it would satisfy their every need. It is important to consider the rest of the lyrics. “Peace when we’re sleeping or a conscience that’s free. A heart that’s contented a satisfied mind, these are the treasures money can’t buy; If you have Jesus, there’s more wealth in your soul than acres of diamonds, mountains of gold.” What are you giving your life for?
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 17, 2010 | Mark
Mark 9:36-37
“Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.'”
Back when I was a police officer, I had occasion to find a lost child. The tears would flow freely down the little one’s cheeks, regardless of how I tried to comfort and assure him that in just a few minutes he would be back with mom. It was not until mom’s arms enfolded the little lost child that peace came.
Oh, how much we need to rush into the arms of our Lord, as often as possible and know that we are safe. The storms of life may rage and the world may be against us, but in His arms we are safe and secure. Ahhhh! How sweet it feels!
There have been a few times in my life when I felt as if I were the only one in the world. Standing alone for Jesus in the midst of sin and degradation has always been a challenge. Some of you may be experiencing that right now. My counsel to you is to hold on tightly to the Lord – – – near to His heart!
“Near to the Heart of God“
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
To access Near to the Heart of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/neartotheheartofgod 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 | May 12, 2010 | Mark
Mark 13:31
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
I once was asked to teach a Sunday School Class of the founders of our church. Most of them had been Christians for years, so I was faced with the task of giving them some spiritual challenge. On my first Sunday I asked the group if they would like to learn the basics of God’s Word? They seemed to thunder out that this was exactly what they needed. It especially is important for new Christians.
I fear that I failed to really fulfill the task. Perhaps it was because I needed to learn for myself before I could challenge others. In the last few weeks I have once again been stirred to prepare something to draw people to fall in love with the Bible.
I recently read something that Howard Hendricks had written. He said that when we refer to Bible study, we lose our students. They think of study as being dull and boring. So why don’t we call it Bible Discovery?
The meaning of the word “eureka” is “I have found it!” I seem to recall the gold miners in California shouting the word when they discovered gold. The sad thing is that the “eurekas” of this world never last. Many people wear themselves out seeking fortune and fame only to end up disillusioned.
If you are looking for a new way to discover the treasure in the Bible, please feel free to reply to this Daily-E-Votional and I will send you a discovery guide. I pray that it will lead you to find such treasure that you will shout, “Eureka!”
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
