by Pastor Cecil | Mar 3, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
As we look around us, we are prone to feel that the youth of our day have lost all touch with godly fervor. They are more enamored by the things of this world than the spiritual things that have eternal value.
Monday evening I saw a beautiful example that the work of the Lord is not done, and that there are young people who are able to discover true spiritual value in giving to others. It was the weekly TV installment of the Duggar family, 19 Kids and Counting.
In this episode, Jim Bob Duggar had taken eleven of the older Duggar kids to Central America. They visited villages that were so poor it was hard to imagine. The family freely gave gifts to the impoverished families in many villages. But the thing that moved me the most was the love that the teenagers demonstrated. It was a pure love that caused real pain to say farewell. One of the comments that I heard was, “I can hardly wait to come back down here for another mission!”
Thank God that there are still young people who have a heart for the Lord and are more interested in giving to others rather than how it will benefit themselves. That to me is very “Good News!”
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 | Mar 2, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 30:4
“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?”
I am fascinated by the space program and try to tune in to NASA TV when there is a shuttle mission. Today there was a spacewalk that lasted just over six hours. Many tasks were performed, but one in particular intrigued me. One of the astronauts had an empty bottle. He opened it with the intent of capturing some of the atmosphere of space. As I understand it, this bottle will be on display in Japan.
I am sure the people who paid for this bottle of space air had to spend an inordinate amount of money. To them it is a valuable commodity. They will no doubt profit from those who will pay to see a bottle of space. That may be, but to me it is simply a bottle of nothing!
Before we get too critical of this venture to bottle “space,” think of the bottles of nothingness in our own lives. We try to bottle youth don’t we? The cosmetic industry sells hope for those who want to be beautiful. Like it or not, the battle with aging is a losing affair.
Get-rich-quick schemes prey on those who are usually least able to afford it. The result is disillusionment and disgust. The bottle of “quick money” turns out to be a bottle of “nothing.”
The real source of reality is Jesus. You can’t put Him in a bottle, but you can put Him in your heart. He has transformed more lives than anyone in history!
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 | Mar 1, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 6:10-11
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
Back in the closing days of WWII, we had a visit from my favorite uncle and his wife from Oklahoma. I was a young boy at the time and yet I recall a special trip we made to Long Beach, Washington. It is a 21 mile long stretch of sandy beach along the edge of the mighty Pacific Ocean.
We parked the car out on the sand and spent hours playing in the sand, looking for shells and anything that might have been washed in by the waves. I heard the adults comment that we needed to get back to the car as the tide was coming in.
When we reached the car, there was a problem. The car was stuck in the sand! No matter what we tried, the car only sunk deeper in the fine sand. We noticed that the waves were coming much nearer to the car than before. Time was running out and it appeared that the sea may win the battle.
Just when things looked hopeless, a military patrol vehicle came by with a squad of Coast Guardsmen. They saw our situation and, in a flash, lifted the car out of the ruts and onto the packed sand. The day was saved!
As I look around us, I see the rising tide of sin and indifference to the things of God. The packed sand that once held us firm and safe is rapidly eroding. Even the Word of God is watered down so it will not offend anyone. I want to tell you, we need to be offended by our lack of trusting God in all things. Trust Him now!
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 | Feb 10, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-8
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
“If”! Such a tiny little word, yet one which holds so much meaning. It is a conditional word that often implies being a little reluctant to respond until certain conditions are met. I will do this or that “if” you meet my expectations, demands or in some way make me feel comfortable.
It is a sad commentary that we often bargain with God by attaching an “if” to our obedience. In doing so, we place ourselves in a position of control. Instead of saying, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done,” as Jesus prayed in the garden, but our telling God what to do and when to do it.
Just recently someone forwarded the following inspirational piece. It explains a little of the reason for God’s actions and reveals why we do not always see His hand at work in our life.
GOD SAID . . .
- If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I’m a Healer?
- If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I’m a Deliverer?
- If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
- If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I’m a Comforter?
- If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I’m forgiving?
- If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
- If you were never in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
- If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
- If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
- If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went through?
- If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
- If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?
- If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
- If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on Me?
- If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?
THANK YOU, GOD! HELP ME TO REMEMBER!
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 | Feb 3, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 25:25-26
“As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country. A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.”
I was wakened very early this morning (about two or three a.m.), and since I could not immediately go back to sleep, I began to pray. One of the prayers I prayed was for guidance about what to write in today’s Daily-E-Votional. The Lord blessed me with a long forgotten memory. It was of the dark days of World War II when people were starved for any report of good news. A radio commentator by the name of Gabriel Heatter became that voice of comfort as he began each broadcast with the words, “Ah, there’s good news tonight!” These many years later I still recall those hopeful words.
Modern reporters or commentators seem to glory in the gory. They search and seek out the most sordid incidents to present. Not so with Gabriel Heatter. Perhaps it was because of the influence his mother had on him. He was the son of immigrants who settled in Brooklyn. His mother woke Gabriel every day at 5AM to deliver baskets of food to poor people in the area. (She wanted to get food to them very early so they wouldn’t be embarrassed by being seen receiving handouts.)
I am sure that the joy Gabriel witnessed as hungry families received “Good News” (in the form of a food basket) marked him for life. As a broadcaster he wanted to deliver a basket full of hope by offering “Good News Tonight!”
It will be my intention to devote each Thursday’s E-Votional to sharing with all of our readers an item that truly is the good news. There is no better news than the message of salvation that God offers to all who receive it. The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
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 | Dec 21, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 31:30-31
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
It is seldom that a man is blessed by two children in one day, but that is what has happened to me. In yesterday’s E-Votional I wrote about the blessing I received in hearing the beautiful and spiritual words our son spoke to calm the fears of his daughter, Melinda, before her surgery.
A second blessing was received from our daughter, Lori, early last evening. She had been on the phone with our granddaughter who had the surgery earlier in the day. Melinda told Lori that she wanted to go home and sleep in her own bed—she did not want to stay in the hospital.
If anyone could relate to her, it was Lori. Our precious daughter had a kidney transplant, a pancreas transplant and a second pancreas transplant when the first one failed. She has spent many lonely nights in a hospital room.
Lori asked Melinda if she would like for her to come and spend the night with her in the hospital. It was a gift of love from an aunt to her niece that money cannot buy. It is worthy of praise. Blessings, dear Lori!
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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