MONDAY: “SHADOWS!” Psalm 23:4 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 1, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 1, 2016

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“SHADOWS!”

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.”

One day last week I was returning home from an appointment. I was a block from my house and gliding along at about ten miles per hour when I noticed an eight-inch long shadow gliding along the pavement. It was then that I saw a two-inch long insect flying closer to me. The sun was at just the right angle to magnify the shadow of the tiny insect.

As I have played this picture over in my mind I am reminded that shadows are always larger than real life. The Psalmist reminds us that as we travel through the valley of the shadow of death, not the valley of death.

What is the difference? The difference is that shadows magnify. That means things we fear tend to be larger than life. Not only that, we have our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who carries a rod and staff to rescue and protect us.

The next time you encounter the shadow of fear in your life, remember who is walking beside you. He knows how big the threat really is and He alone is able to shield and protect you.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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FRIDAY: “JESUS PAID IT ALL!” Titus 3:4-5 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 29, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
July 29, 2016

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“JESUS PAID IT ALL!”
Titus 3:4-5
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

One night, 1886, a group of Christians were singing in a down-and-out part of a large city. A distraught young woman questioned if it would be possible for a sinner like her to be saved. Listening to her heart-cry for salvation, she was taken back to the mission and left with the ladies in charge. The young, wayward woman was brought to Christ that night.

A situation was secured for her in a minister's family. Sometime later she became ill and had to be taken to a hospital. She rapidly failed and it became evident that she would not be long on earth. One of the gentlemen, whom she had met on that night on the street, was visiting her in the ward. After quoting a few suitable verses of Scripture, he repeated her favorite hymn, “All to Christ I owe.” Two hours afterward she passed away.

Of course the greatest payment in our behalf is the gift of eternal life. It cost the horrible death of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He paid what we could not pay. He went to the cross voluntarily because He knew we would never be able to pay the cost.

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small!
Child of weakness watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I, whereby Thy grace to claim
I will wash my garments white, In the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
I will lay my trophies down, all lay down at Jesus feet.

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

To access Jesus Paid It All, this inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to:www.gloryscapes.com/jesuspaiditall/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- - - Pastor Cecil

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
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THURSDAY “FES UP!” 1 John 1:8-9 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 28, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 28, 2016

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“FES UP!”

1 John 1:8-9

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to explain our sin as being something other than sin? We may say it is an error of judgment, an immature response to another person’s actions, or any number of other excuses.

The word “fes” is a colloquialism for the word confession. In certain parts of the country when someone is guilty of something they are sometimes urged to “fes up!” 

In my previous experiences as a police officer and juvenile probation officer, I encountered countless situations when the offender was caught red-handed in committing an offense, but they still refused to FES UP!

We often hear Christians praying for the world to change, but in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we read; “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  FES UP!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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WEDNESDAY: “LOOK UP!” Luke 21:28 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 27, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 27, 2016

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“LOOK UP!”

Luke 21:28

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

It seems that every day we hear of tragedies of every kind. There are natural disasters, but also there are violent attacks that leave scores dead and badly injured. Just when it seems that things could not get worse, they seem to do just that.

What should be our reaction to the violence and chaos around us? I think we have at least two choices: We can look around us and become increasingly depressed, or we can look up and see that God is the Blessed Controller of all things.

In today’s Scripture, Jesus is listing the things that will precede His return and the end of the age. He does not want us to be burdened with the evil that He foretells, but to see the glory that waits for the redeemed of the Lord.

In other words, Jesus is instructing us to focus our attention on what is waiting for us. That means we are to LOOK UP! I frequently have to remind myself to focus my attention in the right direction. I do what I can to fulfill the command of the Lord, and then I LOOK UP and worship the One whom I serve. Where are you looking?

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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TUESDAY: “SHAPE UP!” I Timothy 4:8 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 26, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 26, 2016

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“SHAPE UP!”

 I Timothy 4:8

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

I have never been much of a model of physical fitness. Yes, I recall my high school days (almost) when I was on the starting football team. I was in shape then, but for the most part I have always battled with a weight problem and, more often than not, I have lost that battle!

Therefore, I love it when Paul tells Timothy that bodily exercise "profits a little." I am sure he  wasn't implying that we are not to exercise, but that is never to be our primary focus in life. If it is, we will be faced with dismay when the accumulated years begin to prevent strenuous activity.

So what, pray tell, is Paul saying? I feel that he is making a strong argument that if we place our emphasis on temporal things, we are wrong. I recall many of my classmates who were in much better physical condition than I ever was, but they have preceded me in death. (They have just reached heaven before me). In view of eternity, the things that really matter are the spiritual decisions we make.

As we look down the road of our life, we have no idea how long we have to live. Each of us is only one heart beat from eternity. Paul is saying that Godliness is alwaysprofitable for us. It is time for each of us to SHAPE UP spiritually!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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MONDAY: “GROW UP!” II Peter 3:18 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 25, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 25, 2016

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“GROW UP!”

 II Peter 3:18

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Years ago I heard Dr. W.A. Criswell, who was then the Senior Pastor of Dallas First Baptist Church, tell the story of two men who were sitting at a bar arguing about which of them was the most spiritual. (That presents an interesting picture doesn’t it?)

As both of them became more and more inebriated, their argument became more and more heated. Finally one of the men bet the other man $10 that he did not even know the Lord’s Prayer. His opponent accepted the wager and started out. “Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” As he finished, the first man gave him the $10.00 and said, “I had no idea you knew the Lord’s Prayer!”

It is tragic that many people know so little about God’s Word. The reason is that they spend so little time in reading and studying God’s infallible Word. In order to grow in God’s grace we must grow in the knowledge of God’s word to mankind.

Here is the vital question: What are you and I doing to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word? How much time do we devote each day to reading our Bible? What Bible studies are we enrolled in to increase our knowledge? It’s very thought provoking isn’t it? We need to GROW UP spiritually!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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FRIDAY: “O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST!” Psalm 90:1-2 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 22, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 22, 2016

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“O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST!”

Psalm 90:1-2

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” 

This week’s hymn by Isaac Watts is a paraphrase of Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present day usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas; one, two, three, five, and nine.

The hymn was originally part of; The Psalms of David Imitated in the language of the New Testament, published by Watts in 1719.

It has often been sung for special occasions in England. For instance it was sung in 1941, at a religious service on board HMS Prince of Wales, attended by Sir Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt as part of the conference creating the Atlantic Charter. It was also sung at the Funeral service for Winston Churchill in 1965.

O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

To enjoy this free inspirational video:  O God, Our Help in Ages Past, go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ogodourhelpinagespast/

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- - - Pastor Cecil

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  

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Attachments area

THURSDAY: “GIFT OR WAGES?!” Romans 6:23 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 21, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 21, 2016

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“GIFT OR WAGES?!”

 Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There was once was a popular expression: “A day’s wages for a day’s work.” But I am not too sure that old adage fits our culture's modern-day thinking. Today it's more like “You can afford it, so give me a wage whether I earn it or not.” It appears that it's acceptable to cheat our employers by not giving our all on the job.

In today’s Scripture we have two contrasting words: wages and gift. Immediately we are struck by the differences. Wages come as a result of what we do. A gift is given as an expression of favor from another. It is what they do.

Do you see the difference? It is almost like Satan being our harsh task master. When we yield to sin we are promised wages. It reminds me of the old mining towns where the company owned everything. The wage was not paid in currency, but in company tokens that could only be used to pay for company housing, food in the company store, and medicine from the company clinic. That wage was death!

On the opposite side of the coin, so to speak, God has offered us a gift. It is a free gift. It is an eternal gift of never ending life with Him. It was paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross. However, as with any other gift, it must be accepted. Have you accepted your gift yet?

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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WEDNESDAY: “CROWN ME!” James 1:12 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 20, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 20, 2016

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“CROWN ME!”

 James 1:12

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

I have to confess, I was never much of a checker player. It has been years since I played, but I do remember that when you are able to get one of your game pieces to the row closest to your opponent, that checker is "crowned" with another checker. Once a piece is crowned it can be moved either backwards or forward.

Some people seem to think they are entitled to be treated like royalty here on earth. They almost demand that we crown them. I really do not care if you are king or commoner, the only crown that counts is the one we are promised in today’s Scripture.

There will come a day when we will receive the crown of life. This particular crown is given to those who endure temptation. Every person on the face of the earth faces temptation. There is no sin in being tempted. It is how we respond to the temptation that matters.

For those who yield to temptation there are consequences. You may have experienced some of these failures in your own life. Thankfully, we can remedy the failure by confessing our sins and receiving the blood of Jesus Christ to cover the sin. The other thing is to say "no" to temptation. That is what it means to endure temptation. The reward is the crown of life. CROWN ME!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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TUESDAY: “WHY DON’T YOU?” Galatians 3:2-3 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 19, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 19, 2016

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“WHY DON’T YOU?”

 Galatians 3:2-3

“This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” 

I can almost remember my childhood days. Believe me they are far back in my rear view mirror. One thing I do recall is having arguments with either my brother or other kids and using the phrase; “Why don’t you?” The reply was usually; “Well, why don’t you?”

Unfortunately this same argument is often carried into married life. Many times I have tried to counsel couples who seem to be stuck in the same childhood rut of argumentation. It never seems to resolve their problems.

I have tried to counsel couples who are caught in this whirlpool of conflict to replace the phrase with, “How can I?” What a difference it makes to offer to make a change in one’s own life rather than demanding the other person make a change.

This is even more significant when it comes to our relationship with God. Let’s face it, there many times when we want God to do the changing. We pray that same question; “God why don’t You?” We want God to do the changing to meet our own desires. If we truly accept what Paul is writing in today’s Scripture, we will be prepared to ask Him, “Lord, how can I?” 

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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MONDAY: “GOOD ENOUGH!” Galatians 3:2-3 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson July 18, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 18, 2016

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THE DAILY E-VOTIONAL, CLICK ON THIS LINK: 

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“GOOD ENOUGH!”

 Galatians 3:2-3

“This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” 

I remember working with my dad building houses. Sometimes when we were fitting pieces of framing together, the ends might be a fraction of an inch off. I would hear my dad say, “Good enough.” I fear that many people are prone to apply that same attitude to their spiritual lives.

Just what is good enough in the spiritual realm? The answer is perfection.  The second question is whose perfection? It is certainly not ours. I have known thousands of people in my life and not one of them was or is perfect. There are some who seem to believe that they are perfect, but just spend time with them ... you will see the truth!

My dear friend Mike Keller works in prison ministry in Florida. He always asks his group this question: Do you think you can be good enough to make it to heaven? Most inmates raise their hands to answer "Yes." Then Mike tells them that it is not possible to be good enough and goes on to explain the plan of salvation to them.

It is not our perfection that we need, but the perfection of Christ. He paid it all in our behalf. We can never be good enough in ourselves, but Jesus was good enough for all of us. We need His goodness to provide us with salvation.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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  

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