by Pastor Cecil | Aug 23, 2011 | Romans
Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
My brother Harold was several years older than me so I grew up listening to things my folks would say to him in the way of correction. Some of it good and, shall we say, some of it not so good.
Don was a boy in our church about Harold’s age who was a bully, always demanding his way — if he didn’t get it, Don would resort to punching or kicking. He wore heavy boots so his kicks were painful. From time to time Harold would complain to my mom that Don had kicked him. Finally mom told my brother that the next time he should just kick the bully back.
A few weeks later when several families were together, Don ran in crying to his mom that my brother had kicked him. Mom called to Harold and asked him to explain why he had kicked Don. He simply replied that he was doing what she had told him to do. Ooops! It took some explaining to Don’s mom what she had said and why.
Sometimes our good intention at getting even with someone falls far short of what God expects of His children. I know it feels that we need to take matters into our own hands, but that is not God’s way. My Grandpa Shubert told about his family being oppressed by an evil man when he was a boy in Germany. His family and others began to appeal to the Lord for help. A gigantic storm swept through the area and a bolt of lightning struck this man’s palatial dwelling killing him instantly. God’s vengeance was powerful and final.
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 22, 2011 | Romans
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Earlier today Joyce asked the question that perhaps many of us have asked at one time or another; why doesn’t God step in and stop the suffering in that person’s life? It’s a great question that comes with a difficult answer; because He’s God and He alone knows what He is doing. It’s God’s business and His alone!
I just looked at something someone sent by e-mail. It was a huge picture on a street and was a depiction of the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci. It looked a little strange from a distance, but a closer view showed that it was all composed of cups of coffee with differing amounts of cream to change the coloring.
I imagined a group of workers that might have been hired to assist an artist who was duplicating the work. Trip after trip they would bring the artist a cup of coffee only to watch as it was placed on the concrete. Over and over this must have driven the workers mad as they felt that what they were doing was futile. Not one sip was taken of the coffee, but it was just placed next to the other cups. How useless all of the efforts might have seemed.
Even when the work was done and they were told to look at the finished work they might have felt a bitter sense of disappointment. All they could see was hundreds of cups of coffee. Then the artist took them to a pedestrian bridge a short distance away. As they looked down from above they were amazed. Their work had not been useless after all. Only from above could the real purpose come to light.
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 12, 2011 | Romans
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
A few nights ago I seemed to be singing that old favorite hymn, “Living For Jesus” all night long. In the morning as I was doing my exercises and the time flashed by as I meditated on the words and inspiration behind the song. Thomas Chisolm, who wrote the words, desired honesty to God’s Word be of prime importance to him.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place, Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading and give Him my all.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus, wherever I am, Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while, My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem, Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
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 | Apr 22, 2011 | Romans
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As we consider how much God loves us, we often find ourselves incapable of truly putting it into words–at least, that is the way I feel. We certainly do not deserve the wonderful love of God, but, oh how much we need it!
I cannot think of a better way to express the majesty of God’s love for us than the old hymn by L.M. Lehman, “The Love of God.” Here is what Mr. Lehman wrote about how he came to write the hymn: “One day, during short intervals of inattention to my work, I picked up a scrap of paper, a stub pencil, and seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, wrote the first two stanzas and chorus of the song.”
Sometime later the words that became the third stanza came from a Jewish poem that had been found penciled on the walls of a patient’s room in an insane asylum after the man had been carried to his grave. Prayerfully read his words in the third stanza.
The Love of God
The love of God is greater far,
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain: O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain: O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain: O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Click on the following link to access The Love of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos.
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 help! Please consider encouraging one other person to subscribe to our devotionals by going to the Daily-E-Votional.com website and clicking on the “Subscribe” button. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 15, 2011 | Romans
Romans 10:8-10
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
The entire world was stunned on Friday, March 11, with news of a powerful 8.9 earthquake and tsunami just off Honshu Island, Japan. The devastation was so huge and had such an impact that the world is still coping with it.
The thing that has struck me was just how quickly it happened. Almost every major catastrophe has also happened in a split second. People can be going about their business one minute and in great jeopardy the next.
It is tragic that we have many family, friends and co-workers who fail to make a decision for Christ. They know they need to confess their sins and ask Him into their heart, but they are waiting for a “more convenient time.” That “more convenient time” may never come for some.
The good news is that Jesus has offered eternal life to all who come to Him with a sincere heart to turn from their old way of living and invite Him to be the Lord of their life. The decision cannot—must not, be delayed. Remind those you know who are still outside the fold to remember March 11th!
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.
.
.
.
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 24, 2011 | Romans
Romans 10:15
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”
Each Thursday we feature an item of good news that will lift our hearts above the dirt and grime of the normal “stuff” that is presented in the media. Good news comes in a variety of forms. Enjoy what Kevin shares about good news:
A blessing in disguise. Mom got injured last week from a fall and scraped her hands and knees pretty badly. After a visit to the hospital and some antibiotics and pain medication, she seems to be recovering well. This incident, however, kept Mom from playing the piano at church last Sunday which left a huge void during worship. Her fingers were swollen and her right hand was very sore. Many people lifted her up in their prayers and the Praise Team decided to present Mom with a special homemade certificate that had the Purple Heart printed on it, which reads: “From the Victory Chapel Praise Team: For wounds received in combat! We love you, Mom!” We signed the certificate and presented it to her last night at Praise Team rehearsal.
Mom still has a swollen hand and cannot yet play the piano. So, after presenting the certificate to her, Mom and I realized that her night off was a blessing in disguise—a time for us to enjoy a little Mother-Son date. I must say, it was one of the richest and most enjoyable experiences I have had during this deployment. Mom and I spent nearly eight hours in conversation late last night and we didn’t finish until 3:30 a.m. this morning!!! (That part was kind of rough since I had to be up bright and early because I have been very busy training eight new warriors this past week. These new guys are coming in to replace the guys who are preparing to return home to their loved ones.) My losing sleep was well worth the enriching and rejuvenating conversation that Mom and I enjoyed as we treasured every minute of this blessing.
God continues to provide ample opportunity for me to share the love of Christ in so many unique circumstances. Thank you for your prayers to that end. I continue to stand in awe of God’s grace and the forgiveness He offers me as I constantly find areas of my life that need refinement. Your prayers in this regard are greatly appreciated and I count it pure joy to face these trials with the strength and hope of our Lord.
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.
.
.
.
