THURSDAY: “I CAN HARDLY WAIT!” Revelation 21:4 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson December 1, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONA

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
December 1, 2016

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“I CAN HARDLY WAIT!”
Revelation 21:4
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

At this time of the year I experience the pangs of separation from my precious wife even more than ever. I recall special holidays where we laughed and gave thanks that we shared a love that many others could not imagine.

There was one Christmas where we were separated. It was the Christmas of 1966. I was on an unaccompanied assignment with the U.S. Air Force at St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada. During that time there was a Christmas song that is still a favorite -- “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” One line especially echoed my sentiments: I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams. I was blessed to spend the next 48 Christmas celebrations with my dear Joyce.
As I contemplate another Christmas without her, I recall how excited I was to be reunited with Joyce and our three children after that remote military assignment. I know that I will see my precious wife, our daughter Brenda, and all of our loved ones once again, and when I see them there will never again be the pain of separation. Until then ... “I CAN HARDLY WAIT!”

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

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WEDNESDAY: “LEARNING TO CAST!” 1 Peter 5:6-7 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 30, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 30, 2016

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 “LEARNING TO CAST!”

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

I have never considered myself a fly fisherman, but when I was stationed in the northern tip of Newfoundland, Canada, I discovered that only fly fishing was permitted. My learning curve was pathetic. I had more tangled line and snapped flies than I care to remember. Eventually I was able to do a fair job and caught and released many feisty brook trout.

Humility is a quality that is also difficult to attain. I once heard about a pastor that had preached several sermons on humility. After the third or fourth week a member spoke to him after the service. “Thank you, Pastor, for your wonderful series on humility. I really do not have many gifts, but I do take pride in the fact that I have humility.” BEEP! The pastor felt like gagging.

Peter tells us that humility is attained by casting all of our cares on Him. It is not what we do that matters, but what we allow the Lord to do when we cast all of our cares and concerns on Him.

The attainment of humility is never gained by striving but by casting. It is not focusing our attention on ourselves but on the Lord. My desire is to confidently trust everything I am or ever hope to be in the hands of my loving Lord. 

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

                                                 

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TUESDAY: “IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD!” Psalm 50:12 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 29, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 29, 2016

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 “IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD!”

Psalm 50:12

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness.”

Last week I was having coffee with two friends when one told the story of a young boy who was on his way to Sunday School. His mother had given him a quarter to put in the offering and a quarter to buy candy. As boys will do, he began to play with the quarters when one slipped out of his hand and fell down a drain. He looked up and asked God to forgive him for losing God’s quarter.

Oh, wow! Is that revealing or not? It seems that we tend to separate what we consider our own apart from what belongs to God. In many cases God gets far less than we keep for our own satisfaction.

What truly belongs to God? Is ten percent His and the ninety percent ours? If we were to increase our giving to the Lord to fifty percent and keep fifty percent for our own, would that be enough giving.

When we come to the place in our life where we acknowledge that God owns all that we have or ever will have, blessing awaits us. Rather than telling God what we are going to give Him we need to ask Him what we are to do with what He has entrusted to us. That is when His bountiful spiritual blessings will flow.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

                                                 

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MONDAY: “NO TO YES!” 2 Corinthians 1:20 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 28, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 28, 2016

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 “NO TO YES!”

2 Corinthians 1:20

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”

Our local newspaper circulates an advertising paper called YES, which is thrown onto one’s porch or driveway without prior approval. I know it is not a big thing, but I have never liked receiving this circular in its ugly pink plastic wrapper.

Today there was a note inside the latest issue of YES that gave a number to call if you wanted to be unsubscribed. I called the number and after a delay, a customer service representative came on the line.

When the rep asked if I wanted to be unsubscribed, I told him that I had never been subscribed. His next statement almost made me laugh: “You are saying no to YES, is that correct?” I responded: “Yes, I am saying no to YES.”  It suddenly felt like I was repeating an Abbot and Costello comedy sketch!

As we read today’s Scripture we find directions to God’s eternal YES. All of the promises we find in His word are a resounding YES! This is the YES we must never say no to, but an echoing Yes! Yes! Yes!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions as you say yes to His promises!

- - - Pastor Cecil

                                                 

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FRIDAY: O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL! Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 25, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEARTPastor Cecil A. Thompson
November 25, 2016

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O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL!Luke 2:15

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'"

The beloved Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles). The words were written by an Englishman, John Wade who had intended it as a hymn. The music to “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. In 1841, Rev. Frederick Oakley revised the lyrics of “Adeste Fideles.”

While it would be an appropriate hymn at any time of the year, it has become a cherished Christmas Carol. Let us all come and adore, Christ the Lord.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
Oh come ye, Oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Oh Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Oh Jesus for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord. 

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” from Gloryscapes.com by going to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/ocomeallyefaithful/

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

---Pastor Cecil

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I wanted to send you wonderful Thanksgiving Day wishes. May you have a joyous time of celebration for all of the blessings God has sent us.

I also wanted to send an update on Lori.  She was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She was told she will not be able to put any weight on the leg for about four weeks. (I think I will have to tie her down to make her comply!)

May the sweet blessings of the Lord be showered on each and every one of you. I count it a blessing to have you in my life.

THURSDAY - HAPPY THANKSGIVING “GRATITUDE!” Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 24, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
November 24, 2016

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“GRATITUDE!”
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

In the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday of November. In Canada it is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October. Other countries may have different days set aside for a time of thanksgiving.

While it is wonderful to express thanks for our blessings on these special days, I wonder why we fail to be grateful all through the year. It seems that we find it too easy to take God’s bountiful blessings for granted.

Today’s Scripture is one of the wonderful "3:16’s" in the Bible. Not only is John 3:16 a meaningful verse, many other 3:16’s are notable. Paul writes the Epistle of Colossians while in prison. Facing affliction, he gives words of thanks. He calls upon the Church to sing and express thanks sincerely. This is not a thankfulness given out of duty, but rather a privilege. For the Believers it must radiate with joy.

As we celebrate our gratitude to God for all He has done for us, let us take time to ask ourselves what we can do for Him. Have a glorious Thanksgiving Day with joy in your heart for all the Lord has done for us.

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

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WEDNESDAY: “DIRECTIONS!” Proverbs 3:5-6 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 23, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 23, 2016

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 “DIRECTIONS!”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

Over the years, my precious wife Joyce became more and more terrified of driving a car.  Her worst fear was driving on the freeway. To her that was a one-way path to destruction.

One day Joyce took the car to get groceries and, for some reason, chose to shop at a store where she had not been before. After returning to the car with the groceries and starting back home, she got turned around. All of a sudden she saw signs indicating that the freeway was just ahead.

I received her panicked call for help: “Cec! I don’t know what to do. I am heading for the freeway!” After she told me her location I was able to give her the directions to get back on the street leading to home.

Sometimes we find ourselves heading for the freeway of life, and we know disaster lies ahead if we continue in the direction we are heading. What to do about it? Three steps: (1) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” (2) “Lean not on your own understanding.” (3) “In all your ways acknowledge Him.”Follow those steps and He will get us home.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

                                                 

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TUESDAY: “CHEW THE CUD!” Psalm 1:1-2 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 22, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 22, 2016

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 “CHEW THE CUD!”

Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,    nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

In my book, “Life Is A Blast” I recall a cow our family owned when I was a boy. Her name was Blossom and she was a gentle creature. I was too young to milk her, but I enjoyed spending time with her.

One of the things that I found fascinating about Blossom was the way she chewed the cud. She would chew and chew her hay then swallow it. After a short time there would be a rumble and she would burp up some of the partially digested hay. It is the way with cows to process their food in order to internalize it.

It is interesting that the word (meditate) in the original Hebrew is the word, hagah. It means to rumble or growl but also to muse or think deeply. In my mind as we read these two verses that begin the Book of Psalms, we are called to bring the words up over and over again until they become part of our being.

Here is the vital question---are we spending the time God wants us to spend in allowing His word to dwell in us completely? Do we appropriate the deep meaning of the word to make our life complete? Let us chew the cud of God’s word!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil  

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MONDAY: “THE TRUTH!” John 17:16-17 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 21, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 21, 2016

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 “THE TRUTH!”

John 17:16-17

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

Recently I have been recalling some of the incidents that occurred when I was a Juvenile Probation Officer "a lifetime" ago. One incident that stands out was the arrest of a 14-year-old boy for a rather serious offense. The parents were easily manipulated by their son, which led to his being out of control.

At the court hearing the Judge asked the mother to explain what steps were being taken in the home to control their son. The mother had a speech impediment that became more pronounced when she was nervous. For several minutes she spoke but no one could understand what she was saying. Finally the judge stopped her and asked her husband to tell him what his wife had said. The husband proudly proclaimed, “What my wife said was the truth!” He then sat down. The Judge had to call for a recess to get his laughter under control.

As born-again Believers we are citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom. How do we know that God is real and that we can know what He says to us? It is only from His Word. We must never rely on dreams or visions; it is only the Word of God that will sanctify us and make us honorable vessels.

If you are seeking a closer walk with God and to know what is true, pick up your Bible and spend time alone with the Source of Truth. He will open your eyes of understanding as you open your heart to Him.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

                                                 

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FRIDAY: “AT THE CROSS!” Hebrews 12:1-2 Pastor Cecil A. Thompson November 18, 2016 DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

November 18, 2016

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“AT THE CROSS!”

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This week’s hymn was written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 re­viv­al meet­ings were be­ing held in the Thir­ti­eth Street Meth­od­ist Church in New York Ci­ty.

Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of No­vem­ber 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must in­deed come then or ne­ver. A­fter a prayer was of­fered, they be­gan to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give my­self away,” her soul was flood­ed with a ce­les­ti­al light. She realized what her problem had been. She real­ized that she had been try­ing to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.

AT THE CROSS

1.  Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head, For sinners such as I?

Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

 2.  Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! 

 Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

3.  Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.   

Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

4.  But drops of grief can ne’er repay, The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do.  

Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer is our answer— Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com.  To access “At the Cross”, this week's free inspirational video, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/atthecross/    

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

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