by Pastor Cecil | Mar 1, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:2-3
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Joseph is another of my favorite Bible characters. From the very beginning of his life until his death, he was a man who followed the Lord. Bill Gothard identifies the character quality of availability this way: Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.
Wow! That really pops my cork. In essence it means that not only am I content with second place, I strive to make others more successful. That runs contrary to the self-centered demand to always be number one and get the biggest and best.
Joseph did everything his father, Jacob, told him to do even when it made him hated by his brothers. Little did he or they know that there would come a day when this despised brother would save them as well as their families.
I guess that is true with all of us. We will never see the BIG picture until we get to heaven. We may catch a glimpse now and then, but only the Lord has a clear view of how we are making ourselves available to His plan and purpose for our life. Are you willing to be second, third, or way down the line to make others succeed?
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 26, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:2-3
“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
Canadian James D. Black lived from 1856 to 1938. He was a dedicated Christian who had a concern for the souls of others. He taught a Sunday-School class and was always looking for young people to invite to his class.
One young girl came from a very poor family. Her father was a heavy drinker who wasted what little money there was on his liquor. Mr. Black invited her to attend church with his family. Sometimes the class roll was called and as each name was read the student would recite a Bible verse. When it came time for this young woman’s name to be called, she did not know any verses so she could be counted.
James Black went home following the service and began to meditate on how horrible it would be to have your name missing from the Lamb’s Book of Life. He wanted to be absolutely sure his name would be called.
Over the next few days he began to put words to music and composed words and music to this week’s featured hymn from GloryScapes.com.
“When the Roll is Called Up Yonder“
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright, and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather
over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning
when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather
to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
Let us labor for the Master
from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then, when all of life is over,
and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
To access When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/whentherolliscalledupyonder 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 | Jan 14, 2010 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12
“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.”
When I was pastor of a church in Burns, Oregon, over 30 years ago, I was intrigued by the wild-west influence of the area. One picture that still stands out in my mind, were the brush or branch fences that could be seen in some of the rural areas. It was hard to imagine the tremendous labor required to construct them. I can almost hear the huge sigh of relief when the final piece was woven in and the job was done. No barbed wire available, but do with what you have!
The Lord has given us the rich blessing of serving Him. At times we do not have the most modern equipment, so we make do with what is at hand:
- If we have a Bible — share it.
- If we have a testimony (we better have) — share it.
- If we have a piece of bread — share it.
- If we have an encouraging word — share it.
True contentment is resting in the knowledge that we have done the job as best we know how. Paul was looking back on the days of his service to the Lord where there had been days of victory and days of defeat; but he had learned a secret that each of us needs to learn—how to be content!
If you are not feeling content, it may be that you are trying to do work the Lord has not called you to do. You may be doing for Him in order to gain His approval. It is important to remember that He is only pleased when we simply listen when He calls and do what He says to do. So easy to say, but seemingly so hard to do!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 28, 2009 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
It was in August 1989 that I received a call from our oldest daughter who lived a few hundred miles from us. She started the conversation by asking if I was sitting down. I told her I was. She said she was in the hospital in Boise, Idaho, with a very rare heart condition.
Those words gripped me and caused me to immediately go to the Lord to seek wisdom, guidance and strength. When we arrived in Boise, the doctor informed us and Brenda that the only possibility of saving her life was a heart and lung transplant. The prognosis of a critical condition struck like lightning. In spite of all of the efforts of medical science, Brenda had her perfect healing on July 11, 1991, as she was ushered into the presence of the Lord.
There are sometimes traumatic moments in our lives that will change us completely. We may be able to go on, but we will never be able to go back. With a broken heart I read many of your messages that tell of defeat, deceit, divorce, disaster or death. As I read and pray for those of you who have written, there is one certainty—you will never be the same.
When Brenda called on that momentous day, our life and her life changed dramatically. We were not the same family as we were before. She changed dramatically from an indifferent follower to a sold-out soul winner. She accomplished far more for the Lord in the few months she was given than many do in an entire lifetime.
So, how about you? Are you wasting your time and effort to try to get things back the way they were before your traumatic occurrence? If you are, the object of your efforts is YOU! Instead of reaching out to others, you may be self absorbed and introverted.
In the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery. That was certainly a momentous moment for him. What did he do about it? He must have learned the Egyptian language so well that he became the head over his master, Mister P’s house. Then he was falsely accused by Mrs. P and thrown into prison for many years.
Joseph’s refusal to wallow in self pity opened the door for him to develop keen organizational skills that became essential when he was promoted to the second highest position in Egypt, and to become the means of salvation for his family (even the brothers who had treated him so cruelly and sold him as a slave).
To me, one of the most revealing aspects of Joseph’s life is to be found in Genesis 50:20. Jacob had died and his brothers feared that Joseph would now retaliate for the evil they had done to him so long ago. They concocted a story that Jacob had told them to forgive his brothers and not harm them.
Joseph gives us words that show his total dependence upon God in the good times or the bad times. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
If you’re in the time of your pain and trial, look to the Lord and be busy about His business. God is able to use our painful trials to do His work. Look to the Lord and find hope!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 22, 2009 | Philippians
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
If someone asked you to describe who you were, what would you say? Without using titles, educational degrees or financial standing, what are the qualities that describe you? What makes you the person you are?
Some people feel if they attain a particular objective, they would have arrived. It usually is only a short period of time before they realize that “arriving” is not what they had expected. Yes, they had met their objective, but it only left them feeling empty. They do things for other people in order for them to return the favor. If the response is less than expected, they are crushed.
I love the way Paul explains it in today’s Scripture. He boldly suggests that it is possible to do things for selfish motives. They strive to accomplish things so people will think highly of them. If they are not appreciated they feel that they are failures.
But Paul gives the solution to the problem: “Humility!” It is the attribute of considering others more important than one’s self. It often will involve doing for others who will never be able to return the favor.
Now is the time for self examination. “Who are you?” Are you doing acts of righteousness only to please the Lord or in order to gratify yourself?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 14, 2009 | 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.”
Each Saturday morning, Joyce and I go to a favorite spot for coffee or tea. It gives us a chance to reflect on what the Lord is doing in our lives. Each week we observe a young father who is there with his three children. The family is a delight to watch. The kids seem to reflect the peaceful nature of Dad.
In today’s Scripture, Paul lays himself out as a living example. He asks the church to use his life as an example of living for the Lord Jesus Christ. It was certainly not from an attitude of pride, but a confidence that his faith would never waiver.
He uses four adjectives for the believers at Philippi to emulate: Learned, received, heard and seen. These four words might also be taken in reverse order. They would have seen his life and actions before they heard his message. It is true for us as well. People will see what we do before they hear what we say.
Having seen the way Paul lived, they were open to hear his words. That is true for us as well. You may recall the old saying: “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear your words!” What are people seeing and hearing in your life?
Just because we live an exemplary life and speak a true message of salvation does not insure acceptance. The hearer must receive and learn. We can only live and speak it. Having done our part, we pray for fruit from our labors.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
