by Pastor Cecil | Nov 17, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
When I was in high school I had a part-time job working for a large dairy. One of the more enjoyable things I had to do was drive large milk trucks to transport milk from various farms to our processing plant. The enjoyable part was being out in the country. The negative part was lifting heavy ten gallon milk cans into the truck.
One of my first requirements on this job was to learn how to use the rear view mirrors on each side of the truck. Any driver that was not keenly aware of what was behind or alongside would quickly have an accident. Since those happy days of youth I have spent almost as much attention to my mirrors as what is ahead.
I have ridden with drivers who do not know how to use their rear view or side view mirrors. They turn completely around to look behind them, which of course means they lose sight of what is ahead. They scare the living daylights out of me!
Spiritually we need to have just as much sensitivity to our surroundings. If there is a threat from any direction we need to know how to react in an appropriate manner. God is never pleased with an indifferent attitude on the part of His children. That does not mean that we are to be fraidy cats, but to be wise and discerning in order to know how to react, then press ahead!
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 16, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
A few weeks ago it dawned on me that I had been preparing the Daily-E-Votionals for a long time. I went back to the files and was stunned to realize that my very first Daily-E-Votional was sent out on September 16, 2000. That means today is the tenth anniversary. Wow! How time flies.
For the first two years I sent them out seven days a week, but then reduced the mailings to five days a week. That means that over these past ten years I have sent out almost 3,000 issues of the Daily-E. I know that it is not within me to have accomplished this — and it is all to the glory of God.
Several readers have suggested that I publish a book of my past Daily-E-Votionals. Ha! Can you just imagine a book over 6,000 pages long?! I have, in fact completed a book called “100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations.” It will be published in the next month and ready for distribution.
One of the lessons that I have learned over these past ten years is that God can use anyone who is willing to be used. Many people aged 76 are doing nothing but sitting in their lawn chair watching grass grow in the cracks of the sidewalk. I have no desire to do that and have no desire or plans to stop writing five days a week.
I want to send a special thanks to you readers who have been so kind in sharing your words of appreciation. Also my heartfelt thanks to my wife Joyce, Cathy Baker and Alex Villeneuve for searching for my typo’s, Russ Hansen for being our faithful webmaster and to ReachOne Internet, our generous server.
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 | Aug 24, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Sunday morning I was preparing to leave the house for church. We have been spending several weeks focusing on the life of David. Today I was leading our people to consider everything that David had lost when Saul’s maniac spirit caused him to flee for his life.
David lost his spiritual leader (Samuel), his wife, his cherished friend, his position, his dignity ― let’s face it, he lost it all. All around us are people who, like David have hit rock bottom. They need someone to rally around them and rescue them. With that in mind I jotted the following thoughts:
WHAT IF . . . ?
What if I had no pain?
I could not relate to those who are in agony.
What if I had riches untold?
I could not relate to those in abject poverty.
What if I was always cheerful and happy?
I could not weep with those in the valley of despair.
What if I was always loved by everyone?
I could not relate to those who are unloved and rejected.
What if I had never lost a loved one?
I could not relate to the one who had just lost the light of their life.
What if I had full use of my eyesight?
I could not relate to one who had never seen.
What if I was well and strong with full use of my arms and legs?
I could not relate to someone who is maimed and crippled.
LORD, PLEASE EMPTY ME OF MYSELF SO THAT YOU, AND YOU ALONE, CAN USE ME EVEN WITH MY INABILITY TO BREAK DOWN THE WALLS THAT SEPARATE ME FROM THOSE WHO NEED SOMEONE SO BAD. AMEN
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 | Aug 4, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 2:9-11
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
I almost feel like I need to stand at attention. I went online and found this very official looking US Air Force officer with two stars on his shoulders. I did a double-take as I read the caption identifying him as General James E. McCarthy.
Eagerly I pulled open a file drawer and pulled out a photo of eight smiling officers. Seven of these officers (I am one by the way) have either the rank of lieutenant or captain, except our commanding officer who was a lieutenant Colonel. Sure enough, there was Captain James McCarthy, kneeling in the front row. I departed a few years later as a captain, while Jim ended his Air Force career as a general.
Do I regret it? Not on your life! Many of those I served with rose to high ranks, but the Lord had a different path for me—and I am so thankful I chose to follow Him. I would love to talk with Jim again, but I am so happy that the Lord has given me a ministry that reaches around the world.
No, I don’t have an earthly retirement plan with loads of benefits, but I have a home in glory waiting for me that outshines the sun! I pray that each of you who read this will make your own reservation in heaven by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Drop by and visit for a few thousand years. See you then!
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 25, 2010 | 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 everything through Him who gives me strength.”
I wish you could have known my grandma Shubert. She was what might be called a pioneer woman. She and grandpa were farmers out on the Oklahoma panhandle during the dustbowl days. While others quit and moved on to greener pastures, they fought the elements and made a success of their farm.
Both she and grandpa lived into their 90’s and remained active until they went to be with the Lord. After many years on the farm, they passed the load on to one of their sons and moved into town.
It was a small house in Guymon, Oklahoma, but one filled with love. One of the most remarkable things about that tiny house was the small kitchen. It seemed to be more like a closet than a kitchen. But man, could grandma turn out the meals from that tiny space. I never heard her once complain about the size or inconvenience. She just dug in and produced culinary masterpieces.
I fear that many of us complain about the lack of ability, training or opportunity to accomplish the work of the Lord. Spiritually we may have a tiny kitchen, but with the help of the Lord, we can produce what He desires. Are we willing or will we choose to gripe about what is keeping us back?
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 | Apr 20, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:9
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
What impression are you leaving for people around you? When you are not around, what do they say about you? If they were called upon to write a character sketch of your life what would they say? Pause and think about it.
When I was a County Juvenile Probation Officer, I was often confronted with very unique situations. One really sticks in my mind. I once received a letter from the Superintendant of the state Correction Center for Juveniles. He said that in the next few days one of their former inmates would be stopping by my office.
This was not unusual, but the way he described the young man was. He had been so incorrigible that they had sent him to the State Mental Hospital. The staff there was unable to deal with his behavior so they sent him back. Now I was getting him. The Superintendent suggested that I notify the local law enforcement agencies so they could be prepared to arrest him when he offended, and then keep him locked up for as long as possible! End of letter!
I was just finishing the letter when there was a knock on my door. A young man entered ― he was the one I had just been reading about. I asked him to sit down and prayed for wisdom about what to say.
I asked him what he felt people thought of him. It took some prying, but he finally was able to say that he felt people thought he was a good person. I told him that he was about to see what people really thought of him, and placed the letter from the Superintendent in front of him.
As he read, the color drained from his face. He looked across the desk at me and said he had no idea that he was that bad. (For as long as I continued in my position he was never in trouble again).
The thought goes through my mind from time to time about what people think about me. Do they perceive my good intentions or are they more often than not aware of my faults?
There is an even more pertinent question: What does God think about me? We know in reading the book of Job that God was well aware of Job’s behavior and even bragged about him to Satan. What do you think God would say about us?
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
