by Pastor Cecil | Feb 9, 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–which is your spiritual 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.”
As I understand it, there was once a chicken and pig who loved farmer Brown. Their talking led to a plan to honor this man who showed them such attention. In any kind of weather he would always appear to feed and care for them. By mutual agreement, they decided to prepare a fine breakfast for him. The hen said proudly, “I will provide the eggs for the breakfast, and you can provide the ham!” The pig thought for a minute and then replied, “That does not seem fair. Your eggs are nothing but an offering, but my ham would require a supreme sacrifice!”
When we read or hear of religious zealots who throw their lives away in suicide missions, we question, “Why are they doing this?” The answer is simply that they have the mistaken notion that they will gain heaven by dying for their cause. I shudder to think of their first moment in eternity when they find they have been deceived and will spend an eternity in Hell.
But what about believers in the Lord Jesus who have been called to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord? It is interesting that Paul calls it “living sacrifices!” In Romans 6:11, Paul says we are to “. . . count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
As we go about our day-to-day activities, how many times do we think in terms of eternity? I think that if we were honest, we would have to confess that our goals and objectives have to do with the things of this world–things which will pass away when we bid this world goodbye. Let me try to apply what Paul has written here–steps which will show that we are paying the cost of discipleship:
1. Consciously offer ourselves to God. “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Get all alone where there will be no distractions. Begin by talking openly with the Lord. Tell Him of your love for Him and your desire to be at His disposal. You may even want to hold your hands, palms up, in front of you, as you tell the Lord that you are presenting yourself to Him, to be used by Him in any way He chooses. Ask Him to let you know if you are taking yourself back out of His hands.
2. Recognize that this giving of ourselves to God is the highest form of worship. “- – – which is your spiritual worship.” It is much deeper than singing a hymn, giving an offering, or listening to a powerful sermon. It is the one-on-one time alone with God, in total surrender.
3. Stop conforming to the world. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” Boy! That is harder than it sounds. We have become so accommodating of the world’s value system that we seldom realize what we are doing. Ask God to show you the times you are living under the world’s values, not His. As soon as you see what you are doing, stop doing it!
4. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I remember when my son was young they had “Transformer toys.” As I understand it, there is a new transformer movie as well as toys. A transformer is a small toy, like a car, that you would rotate in such a way that it became a fierce looking robot. That is not the transformation Paul is speaking about. It is the renewing of our mind to know what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is for us.
We can only pay the price of true discipleship by spending quality time in the Word of God, and making a habit of being in prayer continually. If this sounds strange, it only means that we need to sacrifice ourselves to God. The mind is a fantastic thing. We can be talking with someone, and praying at the same time. We can be reading printed material and talking with God at the same time. We can be doing many necessary tasks, and all the while be speaking with the God we have yielded ourselves to.
Sound interesting? Do you want spiritual power that will change your world? Are you interested in being used by God in all you do and say? Follow the steps that Paul gives us!
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.
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 11, 2011 | Romans
Romans 2:12-13
“For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified).”
My experience on the snow slopes was limited to one “glorious” adventure while on temporary duty at Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. The Protestant Chaplain invited me to accompany his family on a skiing trip. I had no gear but they assured me that I could rent everything I needed, and since there were no mountains in that area, I was confused.
The day was cold and snowing as we drove across base to a comfy lodge with a roaring fire. I checked out all of my gear, still wondering where the ski slope was. I followed the Chaplain Calvin Roy family in utter confusion. Suddenly we were going downhill. Check that! They were going downhill—I was just going down.
The ski run was into a somewhat steep valley, but to this first-time skier it seemed like a cliff. I have never fallen so many ways in all of my life! I finally had a good run without falling, but my skis were facing up slope and I was sliding backwards.
Graciously the Lord heard my prayer for deliverance and I reached the bottom. It was then that I asked how I could get back up to the top. To my horror I was informed that the only way up was on a rope tow. Did you hear that? A rope tow! They expected me to grab hold of a moving rope tow while keeping my skis pointed up until I reached the top. I think I fell more going up than going down. Fall after fall later I made it to the top. The rest of the trip was spent inside the lodge acting like I had just come inside.
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 | Dec 29, 2010 | Romans
Romans 2:1-2
“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.”
Years ago (I want to emphasize that it was a long time ago) I purchased a radar detector that was mounted on the dash of my car. It was not for ornamentation . . . it was for speeding without being caught. It shames me now to think of how I was able to justify breaking the speed limit. Again I must confess that from time to time I still find my speed over the posted limit, but back then it was an intentional thing.
I was sailing along an interstate highway in Oregon and my little device was on guard for any traffic officers. I suddenly saw one! He was not on the side of the road, but directly behind me with his lights flashing. My device had failed me! The officer chuckled when he saw it on the dash board. “You thought you were safe didn’t you?” They had devised a way to trick the radar detectors. It would have been cheaper to just drive the speed limit.
Just as there are laws that govern our conduct and safety in everyday life, so there are spiritual laws that God has established that we must never violate. The spiritual leaders in Jesus’ day were continually trying to trick Him into saying something that they could find fault with. They once asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. His reply is just as pertinent for us today.
In Matthew 22:37-40 we see His reply: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” How’s your spiritual love life?
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 | Sep 15, 2010 | Romans
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Living near a Christian College, it was rewarding to meet and fellowship with college students even when I was in high school. One of these dynamic Christian collegians was named Herby Geller. He was a committed believer and had felt the call to become a medical doctor and serve as a medical missionary.
Herby met a young lady who felt called to serve as nurse on some mission field. The two fell in love and were engaged to be married. It seemed to be God’s perfect will for their lives. Then tragedy struck. Herby was killed in an automobile crash.
Students were stunned by the news of his death. The funeral service for Herby was a time of celebration even through tears. Student after student stood and committed themselves to go into full-time Christian service. A few months later I was talking with Herby’s mother. She said that over fifty students had made that commitment.
Over the years of time, God’s people have suffered, bled and often died. Their hope was not in the things of this world, but in reaching a lost world for Jesus. When we hold tightly to the things of this world we will lose everything. When we let go and let God have His will and way, we will be able to observe Romans 8:28 in action.
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 | Sep 8, 2010 | Romans
Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Just what does it mean to be “a star?” At this time of year I recall my days in high school. (I confess it is getting harder to remember them all the time). When I was a 9th grade freshman I went out for football, but I was too small and not very good. I do recall our team playing a school from a logging community. All of their players looked as big as trees! My friend and I sat at the end of the bench praying that the coach would not notice us and send us into the slaughter. Our prayers were answered.
Over the next four years I grew and made the starting team on our eight-man football league. Eight-man rules opened the door to many wide open and zany plays. One play was used only once and it was the last game I played in. We had six players line up on the left sideline which left only the quarterback and me near the ball. I centered the ball and all of the others headed toward the goal line. Since I was on the end of the right, I was eligible to receive a pass. The ball fluttered to me and I went into the end zone untouched. Not quite a super star, but it was fun.
There are many ministers and Christian workers who seem to strive to be a super star for Jesus. This saddens me to no end. I would rather see myself as a center putting the ball into the hands of Jesus and watching what He is going to do. He is the only super star and I want to play my best for Him.
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 | Aug 6, 2010 | 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.”
In my times of quiet meditation, I reflect on just how much God loves us. His love is especially pronounced when I realize that I am undeserving of that love. It is at this time I realize that my own children have disappointed me and hurt me, but I never stopped loving them because of what they had done. Why? Because they were my own and I would eagerly give my life for them!
L.M. Lehman penned the words to the old hymn, “The Love of God.” He shares that one day, he casually picked up a scrap of paper and while seated on a wooden crate wrote the first two verses and the chorus of the song. The lines of the third stanza were from a Jewish poem and had been found penciled on the walls of his cell.
“‘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.
To access The Love of God, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/theloveofgod 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
