by Pastor Cecil | Sep 13, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 40:12
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
When I was a Juvenile Probation Officer, I had a close relationship with my probationers. They were often guilty of acting out in criminal ways that would cause them to be confined in our juvenile holding cells. It was there that I tried to get close to them and fill a gap they lacked in a positive role model.
One day I received a call from the Sheriff’s Department that one of my delinquents was creating a serious problem. The boy had somehow secured a razor blade and was cutting up things in the cell. The deputies were fearful that he was dangerous to himself or others.
I prayed about what to do and it seemed that the Lord wanted me to take a chance. At noon I went to his cell and asked if he would mind if I lay on one of the steel plate bunks. I lay with my back to him and he seemed stunned. He asked if I knew about the razor blade. I told him that I knew. When he asked if I was afraid I let him know that I believed in him and that he would not harm me. Instantly he went to his hiding place and gave the razor to me.
For 30 minutes or so this young man confessed offense after offense that he had committed. The fantastic part of the story is that once he had confessed these things it marked a turning point in his life. Following his release he got a job and was never in our court again.
It is very likely that some of the health and behavior problems you are experiencing are the result of unconfessed sins. The only way to gain a clear conscience is by confessing your sins and transgressions to the Lord, then walking in obedience to His Word.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 6, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 37:23-24
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
When Joyce and I were first married in 1952, our first car was a black 1948 four door Chevrolet sedan. It was a good reliable automobile with one glaring exception, the tires.
I cannot recall ever having engine troubles of any kind, but the tires were another story entirely. It seemed that we had more flat tires than you could shake a stick at. We were living hand to mouth, so even when a tire was beyond repair we could not afford new tires, so we purchased re-caps. The process back then was less than desirable and we paid the price.
There was one trip that we made from Idaho to South Dakota where I was stationed in the US Air Force. My dad bought us a set of re-cap snow tires to insure that we would be safe. The first tire blew out about 100 miles on our 900 mile trip and the second at the 500 mile marker. We had a wonderful time. Ha!
Life seems at times to be just like that. We experience blow-outs of all kinds. Just when we think all is going smooth, we feel that sickening thump, thump, thump that indicates a flat. But I want to let you in on a little secret. It is in those times of stress and failure that the best memories are made. I believe that our marriage has been strengthened as we have endured the “flat tires” of life together. With the Lord beside us and His Word to guide us, what more could we ask for?!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 1, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 119:105-106
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws.”
The days I spent as a Boy Scout have left wonderful memories for me. I can still recall our Troop standing at attention with our hands raised as we repeated the words that we had set to memory: On my honor I will do my best, To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Honor is certainly a character quality that is very scarce in our modern world. I guess it is the result of people being programmed to think of themselves first and foremost. There are rare exceptions such as service personnel, police, fire and others who put their lives on the line to serve and protect, but all too many lack the honor that God desires.
True honor starts with our honor toward our God. Notice the sequence of the Scout Oath. It starts with God and country then honoring others around us before finally honoring the bodies we have been given.
I challenge each of us to read the words of this oath and set a standard of honor that we will strive to attain. It would be well to start each and every day with a determination to live by these wonderful principles.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 26, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Sometimes we just seem to find ourselves wandering down the wrong path, or at least getting out of touch with the Lord. When we ask ourselves why God is not closer to us, the answer is that He has not left us, we have moved away from Him. Can I let you in on a little secret? God is more interested in staying close to us than we are in allowing Him to remain near us.
In the words of today’s Scripture, David gives us assurance that even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death we need not be paralyzed with fear because the Lord is near us.
The words of Just A Closer Walk With Thee, should be our prayer request for the Lord to forgive us when we fail and allow us to be nearer to Him than ever before. It is my fervent desire to draw nearer and nearer to the Lord with each passing day.
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee“
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er,
to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee,
grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
To access Just a Closer Walk With Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/justacloserwalkwiththee/ 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
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. Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 10, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 37:7
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.”
TRUST-DELIGHT-COMMIT-REST! The last of this list may be the hardest. The Psalmist does not indicate that the task would be easy, but it is certainly worth pursuing these four qualities. So why is it so hard for us to enter into spiritual rest? I think the answer is to be found in our fallen human nature.
The story is told of a passenger on a trans-Atlantic voyage. The man had barely enough money to secure his passage. He took a substantial lunch to be able to eat on the way. Being as frugal as possible he ran out of food several days before reaching his destination.
He went to the Chief Steward of the ship and begged him for a job to earn enough for his meals. The Steward was shocked. “You mean to tell me that you have not eaten in the dining room during our trip?” The passenger told him about eating his meager supply of food until a day or so ago.
The Chief Steward took the man immediately to the dining room and filled the table in front of him with every sort of delectable food. He said kindly, “My dear sir, your ticket provided you with free meals. This food has been here for you all along. All you had to do was come to the dining room and feast.”
Resting in the Lord means that we need not depend on our own meager bag of beans or whatever. It means relaxing and waiting for the Lord to ring the bell to announce that it is time to dine. REST in the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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 Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 9, 2011 | Psalm
Psalm 37:5-6
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Last week I heard someone comment that it is very hard to find young men who are willing to commit. They said that you can find some young women who are committed, but to find a committed young man is like finding some type of hidden treasure. That is beyond sad—it is tragic!
Let’s get off the “young men” kick and face reality. The reality is that it is hard to find virtually anyone in this day and age who is truly committed. Their word is about as good as nothing. They say they will do something, but fail to follow through on their commitment. I can’t begin to tell you of the countless numbers of people who have assured me that they will be in church next Sunday, but never show up.
This word COMMIT in the Greek is gȁlal’. The essential meaning is to “roll off or to roll away.” I read it to mean that we are to roll control of our life into His almighty hands and allow Him to take over the control of our life.
The promise that is given here in Psalm 37, is that: “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” I love that! When I am in the driver’s seat, bad things are just around the next bend. When I COMMIT my way to the Lord, He knows what is around the bend or over the hill. I can always rely on Him!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
(360) 570-0074
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 Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
