​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 7, 2021 - WHAT GOD DESIRES! Hosea 6:6

WHAT GOD DESIRES!

Hosea 6:6​ –  Devotional

Hosea 6:6

“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

Across the years I have endured the anguish of watching my children go through times of pain and suffering, knowing I could do nothing but watch, wait, and above all, pray. I have many times wished that I could take their place.

We serve a Blessed Savior who saw our terrible need and paid the terrible price with His own blood that we might be made whole. We must never forget the great love Jesus has for us that led Him to pay our price.

But just as Jesus gave so much for us, He desires that we show our response by doing for others just a fraction of what He did for us. That means showing mercy to others and striving to study His Word in order to discover His wonderful ways.

God desires mercy – – do we demonstrate mercy to those who need it but may not necessarily demonstrate that they deserve it? Do we spend time reading and meditating on the Word of God as the light in this dark world? It is what God desires!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 6, 2021 "THE REAL YOU!" Philippians 2:3-4​

THE REAL YOU!

Philippians 2:3-4​ –  Devotional

Philippians 2:3-4

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

If you were asked to describe yourself, what would you say? Without using titles, educational degrees or financial standing, what are the qualities that would best describe you? What makes you the person you are?

Some people feel if they attain a particular goal they have set for themselves, they have arrived! It usually is only a short period of time before they realize that “arriving” is not what they had expected. They may have met their objective, but it only left them feeling empty. They do things for other people expecting them to return the favor. If the response is less than expected, they are crushed.

I love the way Paul explains it in today’s Scripture. He boldly suggests that some people do good works for selfish motives. Their objective is to accomplish things so people will think highly of them. If they are not appreciated they feel that they are failures.

Now is the time for self examination. Are you doing acts of righteousness only to please the Lord or in order to gratify yourself? Let the real you do for others who will never be able to return the favor.

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 5, 2021 "A SPECIAL BLESSING!" 2 Corinthians 13:11

A SPECIAL BLESSING!

2 Corinthians 13:11​ –  Devotional

2 Corinthians 13:11

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

Over the years I have sat at the bedside of the sick and dying. I have prayed for and prayed with those who are seconds away from eternity. While I may be a empathetic as possible toward them, I can only entrust them into the loving arms of the Savior who also died, but He died so they can live forever.

That is the special blessing that is reserved for those of us who have died to self and can face the end of our time here on earth with confidence and assurance. We can live with confidence knowing that Jesus has died for us that we may live forever with Him!

What a special blessing and a special gift. I have been reminded of this special gift for the born-again believer who is seconds away from receiving the greatest gift that could ever be given – – eternal life!

Since we have been given such a glorious blessing, we need to share it with anyone who will listen. Some will laugh and call us delusional, but we need to offer them the special blessing of eternal life!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 4, 2021 "GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL!" James 3:13

GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL!

James 3:13​ –  Devotional

James 3:13

“Let the one who is wise and understanding among you demonstrate it by good conduct accomplished with meekness and wisdom.”

In the military there are medals awarded for a variety of reasons. If you were to observe the dress uniform of a seasoned veteran, you would see row after row of medals for various accomplishments. One of these medals is the Good Conduct Medal. It is awarded to all who stay out of trouble for an entire year. Yeah!

I know it is no big deal, but for many that first medal was one of the first positive affirmations they had ever received. Let’s face it; the world tends to be harsh and unfeeling leaving many feeling like outsiders.

The Lord has given those who have trusted Him for salvation the most glorious good conduct medal. It is not because of what we have done or will do for Him, but what He has provided for us. Salvation, full and free!

The eternal salvation which we have in Christ is offered freely to us, but it cost Jesus His sinless life. He who knew no sin took upon Himself our sin and paid the price that we may receive His GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL! Be sure to wear it with honor!

Blessings dear hearts walk with God today and become a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 3, 2021 "TIME FOR GOD!" Deuteronomy 30:19

TIME FOR GOD!

Deuteronomy 30:19​ –  Devotional

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 2, 2021 "THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!" Acts 2:42​

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!

Acts 2:42​ –  Devotional

Acts 2:42

“The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

​PASTOR CECIL · Pastor Cecil's Devotional for October 1, 2021 “WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER!” Revelation 21:27

WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER!

Revelation 21:27 –  Devotional

Revelation 21:27

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

In 1893, James Black was a Meth­od­ist Sun­day school teach­er in Wil­liams­port, Penn­syl­van­ia. As he was call­ing roll one day for a youth meet­ing, young Bes­sie, daugh­ter of a drunk­ard, did not show up, and he was dis­ap­point­ed at her fail­ure to ap­pear. He com­mented to a friend, “Well, I trust when the roll is called up yon­der, she’ll be there.” He tried to find an appropriate song for the situation but could not find one in his song book.

Here is how Mr. Black describes how he came to write the hymn: “This lack of a fit­ting song caused me both sor­row and dis­ap­point­ment. An in­ner voice seemed to say, ‘Why don’t you write one?’ I put away the thought. As I opened the gate on my way home, the same thought came again so strong­ly that tears filled my eyes. I en­tered the house and sat down at the pi­a­no. The words came to me ef­fort­less­ly…The tune came the same way—I dared not change a sin­gle note or word.”

When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

(1) When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

(2) On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

(3) Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain: When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video. To access: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/whentherolliscalledupyonder/

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

– – – Pastor Cecil