GOD'S WAY OF OPENING THE DOOR TO ABUNDANCE

GOD'S WAY OF OPENING THE DOOR TO ABUNDANCE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

GOD'S WAY OF OPENING THE DOOR TO ABUNDANCE



TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, presseddown, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””

(Luke 6:38, NIV)

I have Returned to the God of my Father -
GREAT SONG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KdiNHn7kg4

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

We serve a God of abundance! He wants to pour out His blessing on US until WE are so full that WE are running over with His goodness. 

Notice how this verse starts.  It says, “Give, and it will be given to you.”OUR giving is what sets the blessing of God into motion in OUR LIFE.

GIVING IS LIKE A SEED. WHEN YOU PLANT AN APPLE SEED, IT DOESN'T JUST GROW A SINGLE FRUIT. 

That one seed grows into a tree that has an abundance of apples. 

The same thing happens when we obey God in your giving. We get an abundant harvest in return. We are so blessed that we can’t even contain it! BY FAITH WE HAVE TO KEEP PLANTING (Giving), and then HARVEST CYCLE  WILL keep repeating itself.

Is there something the Lord is telling you to give today?  What do you have in your hand that you can use to be a blessing to someone else? 

Take a step of faith and set the blessing of God into motion. As you do, you will open the door for His abundance to flow in every area of your life.


OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY

FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN, 

I receive Your Word into my heart today. Thank You for choosing to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. 

Show me ways to bless others and teach me to receive all You have for me. 

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video I have returned to the God of my father w/ lyrics

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL  

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 27, 2015

“WHICH TENT?”

II Corinthians 5:1-3

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.”

I enjoy hearing people talk about what they do. I recall listening to fighter pilots talk about the thrill of combat and how close they came to death. I have been enthralled by the stories of the deep sea fishermen in Newfoundland. Police officers share with other officers interesting, sometimes dangerous, incidents.

The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. I can almost visualize his calloused fingers and hands. They would almost certainly have been the marks from years of stretching and stitching the fabric to create or repair tents.

In today’s Scripture, Paul uses his profession as a tent-maker to illustrate a spiritual truth: This human body of ours is not going to survive. There are those who try to reverse the aging process in various ways, but nothing is going to keep us from coming to the end of our life and entering eternity.

It is sad that most of us spend far too much time and effort on things that will pass away. By spending so much time on earthly things we neglect the things that really count—those things that have eternal value.

Spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word will prepare us for that heavenly home that will never pass away. What home are you spending your time and effort to build?     

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

Check out our website at: www.daily-e-votional.com

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 26 2015

“WITNESSES!”

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.”

Since the passing of my precious wife I have had many people mention that she is watching over me. Is she really? I think not. Stop and think about it for a few minutes. If our loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord were able to see the things we do, wouldn’t it break their hearts? Since we are told there are no tears in heaven, that in itself would negate our being watched by them.

There are some who are quick to reference today’s Scripture about the vast crowd of witnesses keeping an eye on us. Does it really? Notice that the passage begins with “therefore." When we see that word we need to find out what it relates to. In the previous chapter, verses 39-40, we read: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

Witnesses testify to what they have seen or experienced. It is not that our loved ones and saints are looking over the parapets of heaven to scrutinize us--it is their faithful and godly lifestyle that we are to remember.

As you read about the faithful men and women in the Bible or throughout all of history, take courage and never give up. God is in control. WITNESS THEM!

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 25, 2015

“ACCEPTABLE!”

Psalm 19:14 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

When I was in graduate school I always dreaded tests or submitting papers. We were expected to do more than undergraduates and so the professors seemed to be very critical of every mistake. At the end of my required classes I had to submit my thesis and sit before a panel of professors for an oral examination. Ouch! It was a tremendous relief to discover that I was ACCEPTABLE and was awarded my Master of Arts degree.

There is no human individual or groups that can ever compare with finding favor with God. Let me be very quick to say that our actions will never earn our salvation. It does not come from our own merits but by the shed blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Being found acceptable before the Lord comes from what we say and what we do. It may sound strange to put our words before our thoughts, but when we read Psalm 139:4 it shows that God knows our heart and words simultaneously; “For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”

The Psalmist is yielding his mind and actions to the Lord and praying for the strength to make his words and thoughts compatible with the will of God for his life. Over and over I make this prayer my own. In those areas where I am weak I ask the Lord to find me ACCEPTIBLE in His sight.   

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 24, 2015

“OUGHT TO!”

James 1:19-20 

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

The word “ought” is a derivation of the word “naught.” In English it is meant to express a zero. Back in the 1970’s I served as Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism at a large church. The camaraderie we had as a staff was wonderful. One day at staff meeting the most distinguished staff member remarked to the Senior Pastor that he always felt under condemnation when he called him. His number ended in 0202 and Vernon said he always thought of it as “ought to! ought to!”

Over the years I have recalled that staff meeting and in my experience as a Christian Counselor and Pastor, I have found that certain phrases are like hidden land mines that explode and cause damage to personal and/or marital relationships.

Many years ago I was recovering from major surgery. It seemed as if many of my friends felt I needed their visit and advice in order to recover. The truth of the matter is that I felt as if I had a relapse after their visit. One exception was a friend of mine who was a surgeon. During breaks he would come into my hospital room and just sit quietly. His silence was like a healing balm.

Rather than giving advice that was not asked for or placing the burden on another person to change, we need to just be available. It is far too easy to ask the question; “Why don’t you?” The better question to ask is, “How can I?”  

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 23, 2015

“THE MINISTRY OF BLESSING!”

I Peter 3:8-9 

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, betenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

It seems as if I spend most of my time on the phone these days. It is hard enough trying to keep the tears out of my eyes thinking of my precious Joyce, but I am forced make the necessary changes that her death entails.

Last week I was speaking to a wonderful lady from San Antonio, Texas. She was very kind and helpful and made the task much more pleasant than if I had been forced to do everything by myself. As we concluded our business I pronounced a blessing on her. She acted stunned and said; “You have no idea how much I needed that right now.”

Blessing someone costs us nothing, but it can mean everything to the one who is the recipient of the blessing. In my mind it takes my mind off of myself and focuses on the person who receives the blessing. I have no idea why that lady in San Antonio needed a blessing at just that time, but it is none of my business. It is God’s business! God is a blessing God and He wants us to share His blessing.

As we look at the mirror of our life can we see the image of a bless giver? That is someone who blesses each and every time the Lord prompts us. My precious Joyce was a gentle and quiet spirit, but she blessed so many by her prayers, her words, and her cards with a special note. I WANT TO ALWAYS BLESS OTHERS!

  

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

Keep Going TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Christ doesn’t want you to settle for mediocrity in any area of your life! His plan is for you to be victorious and filled with joy each day. No matter what has happened to you in the past, God wants you to pick yourself up and keep going on the path that leads to victory. The Bible says that if you will look to God, He will renew your strength and help you soar like an eagle. That’s an amazing promise from an amazing God! Keep pushing ahead even through the tough times, and you’ll be blessed. A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, thank You for Your promise of strength and endurance when I wait on You. Do not allow me to get stuck in a rut or give up on my journey with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEARTPastor Cecil A. Thompson
February 20, 2015

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, in 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 Calv'ry'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'll lay my trophies down,
All 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 week's inspirational video fromGloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/jesuspaiditall/ 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

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 19, 2015

“THE AGONY OF DEFEAT!”

I John 5:16-17 

“If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”

Yesterday I wrote about the thrill of victory. It is foolish to say that defeat is better than victory. A sports team or a nation’s military force never enter combat with the hope of being defeated. 

I received a call of condolence from dear friends who were the pastor and wife of a church in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada, when I was stationed there. They mentioned that they had made a trip back to St. Anthony last year. Their hearts were broken as they observed the lack of spiritual life that had once been so alive when they were there in the 1960’s.

It reminded me of the individuals I have known and ministered to across the years. At one time they had a fervent spirit of service to the Lord...but, little by little, the cares of the world crowded in and the flame of spiritual commitment grew smaller and smaller. It is heart wrenching!

All through the Bible we read of the same thing happening. David allowed sensuality to blind his eyes to his calling. Solomon was granted great wisdom, but he foolishly allowed foreign wives to bring their god’s into his life, and his life became filled with vanities of vanities. Only by keeping our eyes on the Lord and obeying His Word will we maintain the thrill of victory --  not the agony of defeat!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 18, 2015

“THE THRILL OF VICTORY!”

I John 5:2-4 

“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.  In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

When I was in high school I played football. For those of you in parts of the world where soccer is called football, that is not what I played. It is the American game of football. We were a very small Christian School and we could not field an eleven man team, so we played eight man football. I think there were seven or eight teams in our league.

It was a wonderful feeling to be victorious in one of our games. It was even a better feeling to have a winning season. The ultimate was achieved in my last year of high school when we were undefeated. VICTORY was ours!

The reason for our victory had started much earlier than that final game. In early fall we began practice that seem so harsh we wondered if we would survive. We did and by the time of our first game we were in shape and were able to play with stamina and determination, but we still had to practice day after day before the next game. In order to win we had to pay the price of practicing day by day.

In our spirit life we find a parallel. In order to be effective in our ministry for the Lord we must exercise our spiritual muscles until we become competent to serve the Lord as He commands. Are you preparing for the work of God?   

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 17, 2015

“CHRISTAIN LOVE QUESTIONNAIRE!”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

The Wedding Song ( There Is Love )
- Peter, Paul & Mary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZbhrO4IEtI

On Sunday 
I challenged our congregation with I Corinthians 13. It has often been called the “Love Chapter” in the Bible, and rightfully so. Paul gives his readers a clear description of what Christian love should be. How do you rate?

1.  Are you patient -- even when you are forced to wait?

2.   Have you developed a spirit of kindness by looking for ways to help people?

3.   Are you afflicted with the green-eyed monster of jealousy and envy?

4.   Do you like to remind others of your accomplishments?

5.   Do you delight in feeling that you are better than others?

6.   Are you negligent in caring about the needs and feelings of other people?

7.   Are you the center of your universe?

8.   Do you have a “short fuse” and blow up when things do not go right?

9.   Do you remember the wrongs other people have done to you?

10. Do you delight in evil by your actions or in your thought life?

11. Do you sincerely rejoice when the truth is revealed?

12. Are you a protector of the things of God?

13. Do you place your absolute trust in God’s Word?

After prayerfully completing this questionnaire, what changes do you feel God wants you to make in your life?

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 16, 2015

“WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?”

Matthew 5:46-47 

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Every time I think about self-centeredness, I recall Dan, a young man who asked me for advice on how to deal with his work situation. He felt like he was the low man on the totem pole and his efforts were not appreciated by his superiors. It was just a seasonal job processing potatoes, but he still believed that he deserved better.

I asked him, “What is the worst job in the processing plant?” Without hesitating he said, “Cleaning up the spoiled potatoes at the end of the processing belt. They rot and smell terrible. They are a disgusting mess to clean up.”

With a smile I told Dan that I would like for him to volunteer for that job. Not only that, I suggested that he find joy in the task. It would give him an opportunity to memorize Scripture and talk with God since no one wanted to be near the smell of rotting potatoes.

Dan found great joy in that position and, as a result, he was noticed by the managers. He had shown that he was not looking for the easier jobs, but was willing to do the task that everyone else avoided. I could see Dan grow spiritually in a dramatic way, showing humility in serving rather than being served. I pray that each of us will strive to have a servant spirit.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 13, 2015

“MY TRIBUTE TO JOYCE!”

Proverbs 31:10-11

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

I have been asked to share the tribute I narrated at the memorial service for the best friend and sweetest wife a man could ever have. After sixty-six years, this will be the first Valentine’s Day without my precious Joyce -- sixty-two of those as husband and wife.

MY TRIBUTE TO THE VITAL PART OF MY LIFE—MY WIFE!

After all of these years, how can I begin to explain the love I shared with Joyce? I began to discover the meaning of love when we were young and full of life. As near as I can recall, it was Sunday, August 22, 1948, in Nampa, Idaho, when I first saw Joyce. Sunday school class was about to start and, as usual, I was sitting next to my lifelong friend Jerry, when the door of that classroom opened and Joyce stepped in with her sister. She was wearing a white and yellow dress that just set off her pitch black hair. At that moment it seemed like my heart stopped beating. I turned to Jerry and said, “She’s the one!” I didn’t even know what that meant, but I knew that with one look she had stolen my heart.

A few weeks later there was a potluck dinner for several families who had moved from Camas, Washington, to Nampa.  With my heart in my throat, I asked Joyce if she would like to go with me. I was sure that someone with her beauty would never have eyes for a clod like me. Amazingly, she saidyes! I later learned that when we left the house that day, her mother commented, “Look at those two babies!”

At just fourteen years of age we appeared to be too young to know what love was...but we did! Nat King Cole had a hit song back then that became ours. It seemed to perfectly express our situation: “They Try to Tell Us We’re Too Young.”

They try to tell us we're too young, too young to really be in love; They say that love's a word, a word we've only heard but can't begin to know the meaning of. And yet we're not too young to know, this love will last though years may go, and then some day they may recall, we were not too young at all.

Looking back from this vantage point, I wonder that our parents gave us their blessing to our dating. That flicker of tender teenage love only grew stronger through our high school years. Other classmates would date for a time and then part for a new romance. All the while, Cec and Joyce never parted.

I still remember the sweet times we spent sharing our dreams with each other. Contrary to many modern couples, we waited to consummate our love after we were married.

Our wedding night was special in so many ways.  It was blistering hot and our pastor was out of town, so a college professor performed the ceremony. There was an attempt to steal the keys of the car taking us on our honeymoon, but the plot failed and love prevailed. We were now beginning our wonderful new life as husband and wife.

It was not long before we experienced our first taste of military life. It gave us an opportunity to see places and meet people who became dear friends. It was during our first assignment in South Dakota that our dear Brenda was born. Oh, how we long to see her once again. The next time will be in eternity and there will be no sorrow, pain, or separation. We will see her healthy and happy beyond imagining.  Our next two children, Dan and Lori, were both born in Nampa. They also have been such sources of joy. Even in the trials of life they have shown us love and respect and have always commented about the love they saw in their parents.

I am not sure when Joyce and I crossed the line from young people to middle age people, to mature people, to elderly people...but in every age we have passed through, we have loved each other completely.

Sensual love is something that novelists have tried to portray, but our love has been far deeper. During the darkest days of trial and testing, we have known the love of Jesus and the love of each other.

We have shed our tears at the passing of our precious Brenda and then through the transplant surgeries of our dear Lori. What a gift of love from a granddaughter, Jenna, who gave one of her kidneys to her aunt Lori. Not only have we shared our love for each other, we have felt that love surround us.

Across these years I watched the beautiful woman I first saw as a fourteen-year-old beauty who captured my heart on a Sunday morning grow more and more feeble. But her beauty and loveliness has never faded from my sight.

They say that your memory is going to gradually recede as you grow older. With my precious Joyce it was slipping far too rapidly. Many of her comments were just a little out of context. The doctors confirmed that she was suffering from Dementia with Lewy Bodies. We had never even heard of such an ailment before, but were now living with it.

Over these last few months, I knew that we were losing her. As I sat beside her bed I looked over the face of the gorgeous woman who has been beside me these many years. My heart ached.

We both knew the time was running out. In our quiet moments we tried to share just how precious we had been to each other. Not long ago you paid me the highest honor a wife could give a husband when you said, “Honey, you are love personified!” I will always be that for you, Dear Joyce. I LOVE YOU DEARLY. Wait for me I still have work to do here on earth!

Your devoted husband, Cec

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

February 12, 2015

“MEDITATE!”

Joshua 1:8

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Several years ago I had triple heart by-pass surgery. I really did not feel too bad before the operation and was back in front of our congregation in eight days. (Instead of standing, however, I did use a stool for the first few weeks).

Part of my prescription following surgery was to enroll in a cardiac rehabilitation program at the hospital. I was making progress on the various exercise machines and walking, but there came a day when I walked out. That was the day an instructor entered our room and began to teach us how to clear our minds of all thoughts and meditate.

Isn’t strange that the world (or the god of this world – Satan) tries to duplicate the positive methods that God has given us? The "new age" crowd is nothing more than the "old age." Clearing the mind opens the portals for the enemy to enter and occupy. 

The instruction for true spiritual meditation is to be found in today’s Scripture. It begins and ends with Scripture. We need to live in God’s Word and meditate on how it applies to us. Long ago I was given wise advice on how to approach a study of the Bible: Take a portion and ask yourself three questions: 1.What does it say? 2. What does it mean? 3. How does it apply to me? Then meditate on that!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil