by Pastor Cecil | Jul 16, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Sunday morning Joyce and I had arrived for our church service. I happened to glance out the window and saw a city police car traveling at high speed with emergency lights and sirens. I wondered what the emergency was and assumed that it was an accident of some kind.
As people arrived for the service, they reported that there were many police cars surrounding a gas station. Officers were seen with rifles at the ready all around the building. We guessed it was some type of hostage situation, but that was just a guess.
After service we received word that a man was in the station with his ex-girl friend and was holding her against her will. Our route home would take us past the station. As we neared the area, we encountered a roadblock. Our access was blocked! It took us much longer than usual to find an alternate way home.
In life there are many roadblocks to a fruitful spiritual life: The desires of life, pursuits for personal achievement, or pre-occupation with hobbies and interests, to name a few. These may be good in and of themselves, but if they block our access we must evaluate the best route to take that is pleasing to the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 18, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Increasingly I am reminded that I am no longer considered part of the youth generation. My tastes have more and more been termed DATED. I guess that is okay with me, since in the 79 years of my life I have accumulated experiences and memories that are of immense value; perhaps not to others . . . but certainly to me. I wear the title proudly!
There was a time when we kids never used to complain that we were bored. We were too busy playing games outside and felt we were abused when we had to come in the house for meals or for bed. I am sure I am dated.
It used to be proper to wait until you were married to live together. Now it seems to be a rare practice. Not only do couples move in with each other, but friends and family give approval for the practice. It is contrary to the Word of God and not acceptable in His sight! Those who are living in this sinful lifestyle must stop it immediately and ask the Lord to forgive them. I am sure that you will agree that I am dated.
Changes in design, color preferences and tastes might change with no repercussions. But when we begin to change our behavior pattern in conflict with the Word of God, we are in big trouble. WE MUST BE WILLING TO BE DATED!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 25, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Friday I was driving down a street near our home that I travel every time I leave the house. Suddenly a car pulled out from the driveway of a retirement home. I slammed on the brakes to avoid striking the car broadside. When I stopped I saw that the driver was looking the other way. A car had stopped in the oncoming lane and was waiting for her to get situated in order to use the driveway.
The inattentive driver finally backed out of traffic into the driveway. It was then that I saw that she was trying to parallel park, and it was just a little too much for her to handle.
Since that incident I have had a chance to think of the times when I did something equally dangerous and foolish. Ha! I bet you thought I was a perfect driver! Those times I have placed myself and others in jeopardy were the times my mind was not on the task at hand. My task was to drive safely and defensively, but because of my inattention, I became a liability to other drivers.
God has called us to be His servants and representatives here on earth. We may start off with a bang and have great success, but then our mind becomes entangled with the cares of the world and we become less and less effective servants. Now is the time to rouse from our lethargy and be committed to obey Christ and His Word.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 1, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 24:10-13
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Jesus is coming soon! Read Matthew 24 from start to finish and you will see the signs of His coming all around us. One of the prophecies concerning His return concerns the rise of false prophets and even those who claim to be Messiah.
Since 1891, when the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby wrote this week’s hymn, there have many false leaders who claimed to be the promised Messiah. Each of these charlatans lacked the required proof— the prints of the nails in his hands! Carefully read the words of this old hymn.
My Savior First of All
When my lifework is ended,
and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer
when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture
when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him
for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Oh, the dear ones in glory,
how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden
they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Through the gates to the city
in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages
I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.
Refrain: I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
To access My Savior First of All, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/mysaviorfirstofall/ 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 | Feb 28, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 5:46-48
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
As I pulled up to a stop light this afternoon, I noticed a car that had a prominent bumper sticker that simply stated: OTHERS. As I sat there waiting for the light to change, I reflected on just what that word means to people.
I have heard sermons preached and lessons given on reaching out to others, but the words often did not match the lives of the hearers or even those who are propounding the message of concern for others.
There is no secret about the fact that we live in a self absorbed world. People are so focused on what is best for themselves that they tend to be blind to the plight of those around them—the others.
In Matthew 25, Jesus speaks about the final judgment. To the righteous He gives commendation for feeding, clothing and ministering to Him. To the unrighteous He condemns them for failing to do those same things for Him. In both instances the people had no idea they were giving to the Lord. It was then that He stunned both groups by proclaiming that since they did it to the needy, they were doing it for and to Him. That my friend is being OTHERS minded! Are you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 13, 2013 | Matthew
Matthew 5:11-12
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.
On a regular basis I receive messages from readers who are encountering trials and tribulations. The things they are encountering seem so overwhelming that there is no answer. I always pray for the individuals involved and the Lord usually directs my mind to the Scripture for today.
Several years ago one of the members of our fellowship and a dear friend shared with me that several of the people she works with were jealous of her and had been treating her with contempt. She just sent me an encouraging note that has lifted my spirits. I called her and asked if I could use it and she agreed, so here we go!
Cecil, Here is a personal story about loving the unloved:
Last week we had a consultant come to our office to teach us a new database system. The consultant was from India and spoke very broken English. Everyone in the office treated him poorly and nobody wanted to work with him. They quickly unloaded him on me and they took off to (supposed) meetings and other obligations.
They made themselves busy all week so they did not have any time to spend with him. I spent the week with him. At first I admit he was hard to understand and I did not want to put forth the extra effort to have meaningful communication any more than anyone else did but on the other hand I could not stand the way he was being treated so I tried my hardest to have good communication.
It only took about a half day and then we could easily understand each other. The more I worked with him, the more I liked him. By the end of the week, he told me he knew my co-workers treated me badly (by making me work with him). He also pointed out many other ways they treated me badly.
He had been asking our information services person to provide me a new mouse for my computer all week because mine was not working properly. I never did get a new mouse. He said he could not believe they expected me to do days and days of data entry with a non-functioning mouse. Here is the part that blew me away: He said the next time he comes, he will bring me a new mouse!!
We were not only able to work with each other but we became friends!!!
What a great story! When we live our life as unto the Lord, He will open doors that we never dreamed possible. In the process we will find that His ways are pleasant and rewarding. Rather than whimpering and feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to rejoice that we are worthy to face the painful situations of life.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
