by Pastor Cecil | Aug 3, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 20:14
“‘It’s no good, it’s no good!’ says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.”
Years ago I happened to stop by an auction that was being held on the front lawn of a house that was being vacated. I watched while furniture and appliances were being sold until finally it was simply boxes of assorted glassware.
We had very little money (that sure hasn’t changed), and I felt pressed to pay a dollar for one of the boxes. When I arrived home, my wife, Joyce, and I sorted through the contents. Below the top layer of every-day dishes were several valuable items. We were thrilled to have some very nice pieces.
I knew the auctioneer and happened to mention our discovery to him. He stopped by the house and was shocked to see what we had found. He never was quite convinced that I had not seen the “good stuff” in the box before I bid on it. From time to time he wanted my “expert” advice on such items. What a kick! By the way, someone once reminded me to be careful when someone calls you and expert: “ex” is a has been and “spurt” is a drip under pressure! Yep!
I shudder to think of the possibility that someone might think of me as an “expert” in spiritual matters. I would rather call myself a student who has determined to continue my lessons until Jesus comes. If I share what I have just learned with someone, that makes both of us students in the Lord’s classroom, not experts!
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 | Jul 30, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:24
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
“You can count on me. I will be there for you.” I was counting on a friend to stand by me in a very important project. It was the first day of the anticipated endeavor when my friend dropped the “bomb” that he was leaving town and good luck.
Perhaps most of us have had people make promises to us and say that we can trust them, only to have them break their promise. Trust has been broken. The result is a feeling of emptiness and loss.
It may also be the loss of a dear one that leaves us forsaken and alone. In 1879, Louisa M.R. Stead experienced the tragic loss of her husband who drowned trying to rescue a young boy. In her time of loss she wrote the words to a hymn that brought comfort to her, as well as millions of others.
“‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus“
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
How I love to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood. Just in simple faith to trust me, ‘neath the healing cleansing flood.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, and from sin and self to cease. Now from Jesus simply taking, life and rest and joy and peace.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, precious Jesus, Savior, friend; and I know that He is with me, He’ll be with me to the end.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
To access ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/tissosweettotrustinjesus 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 | Jul 21, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 20:24
“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?”
After my brother’s funeral, I was visiting with friends and family members. One of our friends had been a high ranking Air Force officer. Joyce and I visited a few times in their home when I was a Second Lieutenant, stationed at a nearby base.
As we visited after the service, he asked if I had retired. I told him I had not stayed in that long since I was assigned to Strategic Missile duty and 90% of the career oriented officers in that field did not remain on active duty.
When I mentioned this, he asked why I had not contacted him. He said that he had been in a position to have me assigned to the area of my choosing. (Now I discover this interesting bit of information!)
As I have thought over our conversation it has come to my attention that the Lord was in control. Each and every step I have taken has been directed by the Lord. If it had been the Lord’s will for me to use this man to orchestrate my transfer, he would have come to mind and I would have called him immediately.
I can honestly say that it is my desire to live by Proverbs 3:5-6; “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.” Wow! What a way to live!
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 | Jul 6, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“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.”
I have just responded to a reader who is passing through a deep valley. I guess we have all passed through those valleys, haven’t we? As Mark Lowry of the Gaither Vocal Band would say, “We have gone through the valley, we are in the valley or we will be going through the valley.”
Your trial will be different than mine and mine from others, but we can be certain that we will be faced with trials at one time or another in our life. Here is the thing we need to remember God knows what we are experiencing and He desires to make us more mature and strong by what we endure.
Modern thinking tries to convince us that we need to rely on ourselves and increase our self-esteem. Can I let you in on a little secret? —reliance on self usually means that we leave God out of the equation.
I am committed to being totally dependent upon God. He alone knows what is around the next corner and what will be for my good and His glory. He is never surprised what happens to me. I will trust in Him and allow Him to lead.
Be blessed dear heart and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 22:6
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
I was driving down a local street when I noticed a father standing beside his young daughter, waiting for the school bus to arrive. I felt a sense of foreboding that he was entrusting this precious child into the hands of others who may or may not teach the things that would agree with his beliefs.
Since that time I have meditated about the awesome responsibility of parents in training their children. The immediate question arises; “How do I train my children in the way they should go?” To me the answer is to discover what interests them.
Too many times parents attempt to train their children in what interests them and not in discovering what captivates the child. A parent who is an avid sportsman will find it hard to drag his “book worm” child to athletic endeavors.
I have heard some interpret today’s Scripture this way: “Train up a child in his own way, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Believe me, this is real work! I often wish I could go back and start over again with our own three kids. I am sure that we would go the home school route, but also I would spend far more time listening before I began to develop the training at their level. Forgive me Brenda, Dan and 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
by Pastor Cecil | May 13, 2010 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“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.”
The story is told (probably something someone invented) about a young minister who became pastor of his first church. The arrangement of the sanctuary seemed to be all wrong. In his mind the piano needed to be moved to the opposite side of the room — so he moved it.
Immediately there was an emergency meeting of the ruling body and the young pastor was on the hot seat. As a matter of fact, his bold action could not be tolerated and they asked him to resign. With a heavy heart he departed.
Several years later he was visiting in the area and stopped by to visit with the pastor who had succeeded him. To his shock the piano was on the opposite side of the sanctuary in the very spot he had moved it when he was there.
He asked the new pastor, “How in the world did you convince the board members to approve the move?” His reply was classic: “One inch a week!”
This silly illustration hides a deeper meaning. We have been so mesmerized by the society in which we live that we no longer know what God’s standards are. We have been lulled into allowing unclean things like music, books or whatever to become the norm. Instead of inquiring of the Lord to determine what He desires in our life, we look to worldly counselors to lead us down the wrong path. Now is the time to stop – look – and listen to God’s voice.
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
