by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I have to confess that all too often I fail to slow down and get a grasp on the full meaning of words. The word anxious in the Scripture for today is a case in point. I have quoted from the New King James Translation. In the King James Version the word anxious is interpreted as careful.
The original Greek word which is interpreted here as anxious, is the word merimna. Here is the expanded meaning for the word: to be anxious; to be troubled with cares, divided or distracted. Wow! That is exactly what Paul says we are NOT to do.
I can almost hear the cries of those who are passing through the valley of trial at this very moment. There may be a lost job, lost home, lost health, lost beloved, or many other tragic events. At this point we must stop and evaluate our behavior to determine if we are allowing the circumstances of misery to control our lives and our worship of the Lord.
Paul immediately gives us the resolution to being anxious. It follows the word everything. Now in my world, everything means the whole ball of wax. It is not partial but complete. So what follows the word is vital. He says that with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving we are to bring our requests to the Lord. In my mind that means we come to the Lord with an attitude of expectancy. He is going to give us what is best for us according to His riches in glory. When we do that He will bring peace in the midst of our storm-tossed life. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 6, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:21-22
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
As I think back across the years of my life, I realize that there were many situations that I found myself in that were not what I wanted. I could say that it was just an act of coincidence that I was at a particular place at a particular time, but as a dedicated Christian I have come to discount coincidences. To me, the situations of my life have been and still are divine assignments. I have been and will continue to recognize that God places me where He wants me to be His agent.
I know of many individuals that find themselves confined in jails or penitentiaries. As we have talked, I have often discovered that their ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ is far richer behind bars than it was when they were on the outside. They have become the agents of God to the incarcerated. Read today’s Scripture and realize that Paul was in prison, but some of the guards had become believers. Paul was the agent of God in a Roman prison.
There are others who have been confined to hospitals with a physical condition that has left them incapacitated. Wait a minute! Incapacitated does not mean that they do not have an opportunity to minister. Some of the most fruitful ministry is done in hospital rooms. Those who are available can become the agents of God to the incapacitated.
We may find ourselves located in rescue missions, senior centers, retirement homes, or any number of places. It really does not matter where God has chosen to place us—He desires that we become His agent right where we are.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 21, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It seems that we all too often replace excellence with convenience. We tend to get by with the least amount of effort, time, or cost. As a result, we fail to encounter excellence. We surely can think of examples in the human family, but why spend the time trying to think of illustrations from mankind, when we can use the life of Jesus Christ as the epitome of excellence and also One who is praiseworthy.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lists four qualities that lead to excellence and praiseworthiness: TRUE – NOBLE – LOVELY – ADMIRABLE. Apply each of these qualities in the life and character of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
TRUE: Jesus is True! His Word is true and His actions are true. All that can be known about truth is to be found in Him.
NOBLE: The Greek word for noble can be defined as “WELL BORN.” It is good to recall the birth of Jesus. He was born of a virgin. That is humanly impossible. He was born of the Holy Spirit. That was the supernatural provision by God to provide the perfect Lamb to be slain for the sins of the world.
LOVELY: Jesus was and is lovely. If we are to think of lovely as being pleasing and agreeable, then Jesus is certainly lovely.
ADMIRABLE: It seems that the world clamors for bad reports and the media works overtime searching for bad news and then glorifies it. We need to see in Jesus the living example of One who was always worthy of a good report.
How is your thought life? Are you getting bitter or better? Think about the bad news and get bitter. Think about Jesus and get better!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | May 1, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Years ago I heard an expression that has stuck with me during some of the most difficult times of my life: I can’t—He can —That’s all I need to know—Let’s go! I just wish I practiced that in each and every situation of my life. It is not what I am able to do for the Lord that counts, but what He chooses to do in and through me. My part is to recognize that all I do spiritually must be done—through Him.
There is an old quote that was attributed to the great American evangelist, D.L. Moody. Some say it was one that he borrowed from someone else, but it is the message that counts: The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.
The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to experience trials and travails. He was treated like a common criminal and suffered beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, cold seas, hot deserts, hunger, thirst and jail. These difficulties meant very little to Paul. It did not matter what he had or what he lacked—he simply wanted to be content in knowing he was doing the will of the Lord and in the strength of the Lord. I want that to be my primary goal in the days I have left before I meet the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 9, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and quoted large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses in addition—he prayed.
In the mid 1800’s, Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer 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 1, 2012 | Philippians
Philippians 5:18-19
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
Christian ministry has all too frequently become a business. There, I have said it and, regardless of the response, I have voiced my sincere feelings. It is almost as if there are some ministries who rely more on a business plan than the Holy Spirit.
I am always thrilled when I read of the life of George Mueller. He lived from 1805 to 1898. Only the Lord knows the full extent of the ministry that he accomplished. He felt called of God to build an orphanage in Bristol, England. That was a great call, but at the time of the call, Mueller possessed only 50 cents. He had no business plan or fund raising committee. As a matter of fact the Lord impressed on him that he should never mention any need, but to pray fervently and allow the Lord to lay the need on people’s hearts to give without any sort of appeal. What a ridiculous idea! How could anyone expect to operate in this manner?
Well, here are just some of the results of the ministry of George Mueller—at the time of his death over seven million dollars were donated to build and staff five solid granite buildings to care for two thousand orphans. Over 122,000 people had been taught using funds he supplied; 282,000 Bibles and 1,500,000 Testaments had been distributed.
Just think what we could accomplish if we truly trusted in the Lord and committed to allow Him to do great and mighty things in our midst. I want to live that life of faith.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
—Pastor Cecil
