THURSDAY: “NIGHT AND MORNING!” Psalm 30:5 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson September 1, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

September 1, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “NIGHT AND MORNING!”

Psalm 30:5

“His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Last evening I was taking my little dog, Izzy, outside to do her final duties for the night. I noticed how much darker it was than earlier in the summer. Here in the northern hemisphere the days are getting shorter, but in the southern hemisphere the days are getting longer.

As I was meditating on the changes in seasons I was reminded that our lives are very much the same way. There are times when it seems that everything is looking brighter, while at other times it seems the night is encroaching in on us.

As I pondered on this I came to realize that from God’s perspective there is no morning or night. He is the Light of the world. Even in times when we seem to be going through the darkest night of our life . . . HE IS THE LIGHT!

I want to encourage you in the Lord. Whatever is happening in your life, keep your eyes fixed on God’s eastern horizon. As the Psalmist writes: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals to help you in your walk with the Lord at: www.Daily-E-Votional.com 

WEDNESDAY: “WHY?!” Philippians 1:21 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 31, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 31, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “WHY?!”

Philippians 1:21

“ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

A proud father, and city employee, was introducing his four-year-old daughter to his boss, the Mayor of the city. The young girl was known to be precocious, but her father thought she would be awed to be personally introduced to such a high city official.

As the Mayor bowed down and politely extended his hand to the young girl, he said, "Hi, I am the Mayor.” The young girl looked straight into his eyes and asked, "Why?” The Mayor was stunned by the question and quickly moved on to the next group of constituents.

Back in his office the Mayor mulled over the girl's innocent question. He was a Christian and was left to ponder the wisdom that this young child had confronted him with. Whywas he doing the things he did? He always tried to be the best person and the best Mayor he could be, but was that enough?

As he bowed and begin to pray, today’s Scripture crossed his mind. That was the answer! He had to live for Christ in everything he spoke and in the things he did. In that quiet time in his office, the Mayor determined that he would have an answer to why he did what he did . . . it would be to honor and glorify Jesus. Why do you do the things you do?

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

TUESDAY: “FRESH FRUIT!” Galatians 5:22-23 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 30, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 30, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “FRESH FRUIT!”

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law”

It is that special time of year when the fruit ripens on the trees ... sweet, delicious, and ready to eat. It makes my mouth water just thinking of a perfectly ripe and juicy peach! I know, however, that in just a few short weeks the weather will turn bitterly cold and throughout the months of winter, this tree that now produces such tasty fruit will stand stark and bare, naked of its delicious produce.

God promises us a fruit of the Spirit that never passes away! The fruit that we read about in today’s Scripture is a fruit that meets the deepest needs of the human soul. It is fruit that produces life.

Years ago I was teaching a Sociology class at Boise State. With about 120 indifferent students staring at me, I gave them their first assignment -- to write the three things they desired most in their life. To be sure, there were a few ridiculous answers, but a wide majority listed the first three fruits of the Spirit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE.

People seek these attributes in many different ways, and quite a few of those ways are detrimental to themselves and others. The fruit that God promises, however, will always produce a spirit that brings comfort and healing to ourselves as well as others. Get God’s fresh fruit!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

MONDAY: “WEARY!” Jeremiah 31:25 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 29, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 29, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “WEARY!”

Jeremiah 31:25

“For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.”

In my 82 years of life I have experienced a lot of physical weariness, especially through the labors of mixing and hauling concrete, digging ditches with a shovel, and pounding hardwood floors until I felt my arm would drop off. I have also labored mentally in college and graduate school while working full time. Do you feel sorry for me yet? HA!

There have been times of deep emotional sorrow in the loss of family members and dear friends. The loss of father, mother, brother, daughter, and dear wife, was more draining than any day of physical labor I ever experienced.

We all go through a mind-numbing weariness at some point in our lives. That is part of the human experience we were born into. Some may try to tell us that we can use mind-numbing drugs to cope, but that never works, does it?

There is an answer. It is drawing close to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah provides us with a glimpse into the promises of God. Here we have the comfort that God brings rest and peace to our weary souls. If you feel you are at the point where you are ready to drop, call on the Lord. He will replenish you through His inexhaustible supply.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

FRIDAY: “JUST AS I AM!” Ephesians 2:8-9 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 26, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 26, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

“JUST AS I AM!”

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

I suppose many of us have heard humorous stories about someone approaching the gates of heaven and being required to prove that their actions on earth merited entry into God’s heavenly kingdom. Beep! Wrong answer!

A person may do amazingly good works here on earth and still miss heaven. It is not what we do for God that determines where we will spend eternity---it is what He has done for us. When we repent of our sins and accept Him as Savior and Lord then---and only then---is our name is written down in glory.

The writer of this week’s hymn, Charlotte Elliot, was offended when someone asked her if she were a Christian. She told him to mind his own business. Later as she was contemplating his question, she began to wonder what it took to become a Christian. She called him and he explained to her the plan of salvation which she accepted. It was then that she wrote this hymn, “Just As I Am.”

“JUST AS I AM!”

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Enjoy this week’s free inspiration video, “Just As I Am” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://gloryscapes.com/justasiam/

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

THURSDAY: “ALERT DUTY!” Psalm 37:34 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 25, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 25, 2016

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “ALERT DUTY!”

Psalm 37:34

“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.”

When I was in the military there were times when I was assigned to “alert duty.” What that meant was that those of us who were on duty could not sleep, but were in a constant state of readiness. We would be the ones who would alert the other members of the unit who would spring into action.

In today’s Scripture, the psalmist is calling us to take on the assignment of being on alert. We are to be the watchmen (watchwomen) who keep our eyes open to the threats of the enemy.

Not only are we called to be alert to spiritual danger, but we are also to be aware of the leading of the Lord. When He is working in our midst, we need to rush to His side in order to respond to His call.

Are you on Alert Duty for the Lord? Are you spiritually aware of what God is doing in your midst in order to join with Him in bringing about His purposes? Now is the time to shake off the spiritual slumber and be alert.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

WEDNESDAY: “WATCH YOUR STEP!” Psalm 37:23 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 24, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 24, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “WATCH YOUR STEP!”

Psalm 37:23

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

A number of years ago my wife Joyce and I took the train from Olympia, Washington, to Washington D.C. (the other Washington). As we prepared to board the train at the local depot, the conductor cautioned us, "Watch your step!"

During the trip that lasted several days, we had to make our way to the dining car for our meals. Frequently, the porter would remind us to "watch our steps" as the train would be a little unsteady as it rumbled along the track.

As we make our way along life’s pathway, we will encounter situations that cause us to become unsteady. It is during these times that we hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit reminding us: “Watch your step!”

The sad thing is that there are all too many times when we refuse to listen to that still small voice of warning. We think that we are able to handle things by ourselves without obeying anything God has to say. When our life suddenly "jumps the track," we wonder how we ended up in a mess.

God has given us His precious Word to lead, guide, and direct us in such a way that we are able to watch our footsteps through the uneven pathway of life. We encounter unsteady times when fail to spend time in prayer or reading our Bible.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

TUESDAY: “FAMILY!” Ephesians 3:14-15 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 23, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 23, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “FAMILY!”

Ephesians 3:14-15

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”

A few weeks ago my granddaughter’s husband was quizzing me on our family history. Off the top of my head, I was able to share what I could remember back several generations. That started me thinking about spiritual families.

To me, a spiritual family is more important than a physical family. It is not that our earthly/biological families do not matter, but they are temporal and exist for only a short period of time. Our spiritual family is from God and will remain for all of eternity.

Our spiritual family tree goes back to God Himself. We are not the result of some primordial sludge that somehow evolved. Our roots go back to the hand of God who is the Creator of all things and for Whom all things are named.

Since we have such a noble family tree, we need to live in such a manner that will bring honor to the family. We do that by spending quality time with other members of the family and encouraging each other to keep on keeping on until we reach that wonderful family reunion in heaven!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

MONDAY: “WRONG APPEARANCE!” I Thessalonians 5:22 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 22, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 22, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

 “WRONG APPEARANCE!”

I Thessalonians 5:22

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Anytime a believer compromises with the world there is an appearance of wrong. It may be easy for the believer to argue that no sin was actually  committed,  but what signals are being sent?

The Apostle Paul spoke about weaker believers who were struggling with the issue of eating meat offered to idols. If these baby believers had been a part of some group that worshipped idols and considered the meat offered as sacred, they would carry that stigma along with them once they had become believers.

Paul says that the meat had no such stigma for him, but if in eating it the weaker brother was made to stumble, Paul would abstain from eating it. I wish each of us would have that same sensitivity for others. We need to evaluate our actions in relation to the impact they have on those around us. We should be walking and talking examples of what true believers are to be.

Here are a few things to evaluate in your life that may give a wrong appearance: The way we dress, the words we use, the places we go, the things we listen to, the people we associate with, the things we watch ... just to name a few. Here is the question: Are you giving any appearance of sin or evil in your life?

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil 

You can also find previous Daily-E-Votionals 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

THURSDAY: “ALL THINGS!” Philippians 4:13 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 18, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

August 18, 2016

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

https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com 

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

“ALL THINGS!”

Philippians 4:13 

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Self sufficiency is a constant battle for most of us. When we are called upon to serve the Lord, we frequently focus our attention on what we are doing rather than what God is doing through us. 

If you doubt what I am saying, just let someone else get the credit for something you have done for the Lord. How do you feel? Is there a spirit of resentment and even jealousy in your heart? Ouch!  That hurts, doesn’t it?

In order to get a good grasp of today's passage of Scripture, it is essential we recall who is writing it. It is none other than Paul. He is the one who has been beaten, starved, stoned, ship-wrecked, and accused falsely. That is hard to equate with “... do[ing] all things ...”

I think what Paul is trying to say is that he stays doing as the Lord directs him to do. If in that process he is allowed to observe the results, great! If he experiences only the rejection and persecution, that is great as well. It is not his reputation that is at stake, but the Lord’s. When we do all things through Christ we rest in His strength.

What are you doing for the Lord? Are you doing it in His strength or are you relying on your own ability? Remember, He is the One who strengthens us!

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    

Attachments area

WEDNESDAY: “GOD’S SUFFICIENT GRACE!” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson August 17, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
August 17, 2016

TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THE DAILY E-VOTIONAL, CLICK ON THIS LINK:  
https://pastorcecilathompsondailye-votional.blogspot.com
TO HEAR PASTOR CECIL READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR, CLICK ON THIS LINK: 
https://pastorcecilthebibleinoneyear.blogspot.com

“GOD’S SUFFICIENT GRACE!”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
 “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Have  you  ever asked  that  question? Have you ever prayed for God to answer your prayer for a specific thing and fail to see it answered? If so, join the crowd.

As parents of three young children, we often heard their pleas for one thing or another. They would try every trick in the book in an attempt to get their parents to relent. There were times when we decided that it would be okay to grant their requests, but at other times we had to refuse.

Why did we refuse? It was not that we did not love them. Of course we did. Was it because we wanted to see them suffer? Of course not! Why did we turn a silent ear to their pleas? Simply because we felt that it was for their welfare not to grant the request.

They might not see it at the time, and in fact, they may never know fully why we turned a deaf ear. We knew and sometimes it was better not to let them know the reasons. That is the way it is with God. He knows what lies ahead and when He fails to grant our request, we need to trust Him. His grace is sufficient!

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  

Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family.