DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 27, 2015

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“FULLY COMMITTED!”

 Second Chronicles 16:9a

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

You may have heard the story of the young man who was ardently pledging his love to a young woman. He wrote to her: “My dear, I would climb the highest mountain for you! I would cross the widest river for you! I would fight a cage full of lions for you! That is how much I love you. I will be by to pick you up on Friday, if it doesn’t rain.”

We might be amused at the inconsistency of one that professed much but demonstrated little. I am sad to say how very much like that we are with the Lord. We are quick to proclaim our undying love for Him, yet spend virtually no time in prayer or reading His Word.

The passage of Scripture today concerned Asa, the king of Judah who had experienced unexpected victory over his enemy when he relied upon the Lord. However, later on when a new emergency arose, rather than returning to the Lord and asking for His help, King Asa took silver and gold from the temple and sent it to the king of Aram to ask for his help against the forces attacking Israel. The emergency was averted but God’s judgment fell; Asa would always be at war.

We may be critical of King Asa, but think of the number of times we rely upon lending institutions, counselors, or helpers of all sorts rather than calling upon the name of the Lord. God calls us to trust in Him and let Him bring the victory!

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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DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEARTPastor Cecil A. Thompson
July 24, 2015

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DOES JESUS CARE?1 Peter 5:6-7

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

There have been times in my life when I felt isolated and alone. It seemed that I was alone and could not sense the nearness of God in my life. When I experienced these times of spiritual drought, I was prone to wonder if Jesus really cared, even though I am usually happy and optimistic. It has been in these times that I have felt the enemy of my soul attack. I rush to God’s Word for comfort.

Frank E. Graeff was known as the "sunshine minister." He had a cheery disposition, a winsome personality, spiritual optimist, and was a great friend of children. He was known to have a child-like faith. That being said, he did pass through times of deep trials. It was then that he turned to the Scriptures as his guide in the darkness.

As I read the words of this hymn that he wrote, I can see the change from gloom and despair to hope and victory. That is what I want in my life.

Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain: Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

To view the GloryScapes inspirational video Does Jesus Care? please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/doesjesuscare/ 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

P.S. - 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.

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 23, 2015

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“PROVISION!”

 Genesis 42:25

“Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them.”

It is a miracle that I am alive today. As a matter of fact it is a miracle that any of my family survived a trip home from a visit with my grandparents in Oklahoma. My grandma Shubert was a fantastic cook even though her kitchen looked more like a closet and a working kitchen.  

When we were ready to leave for home grandma would prepare the most delicious fried chicken you could wrap your lips around. She would also make a wonderful potato salad to go along with it. That sounds good doesn’t it! We had no refrigeration and didn’t see the need of it. The lunch was placed in a nice paper bag and at noon we would stop and enjoy a fantastic meal. Today you wouldn’t think of doing such a thing because of food poisoning or whatever. Believe me we survived!

As we traveled we had a vision of what waited for us and our noon meal. We had a vision and grandma and provided the provision. God gives us visions of what he has for us to do for Him. With every vision he provides his supernatural Provision.

As you kneel down to pray this day ask God to give you a vision. Keep your heart and your eyes open for what he has for you to do. It may seem as simple as taking a meal to a neighbor. But if God gives a vision he will provide the provision to make a difference in someone’s life.

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 

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 22, 2015

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“WALKING!”

 First John 2:5-6

“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

On a lonely stretch of road on the northern peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada, there is the small community of Flowers Cove. The Newfoundland Department of transportation has installed a traffic camera facing north. All you can see is a long stretch of deserted road. For a number of years at mid-morning there would be an image of a man walking north.

Having been stationed with the Air Force not too far from that location I could picture the topography. I tried to wonder where this man was walking at the same time each morning. I guess I will never know. I do know that when I was stationed in Newfoundland it was very common to see people walking instead of using a car.

Spiritual walking should be the common mode of transportation for a true believer. We do this by keeping God’s word and showing our love for God by the way we love others.

We are told to walk just as Jesus walked. How did Jesus walk? He walked in constant communion with His Father. We walk in communion with the Lord by reading His word and talking with him in prayer. Have you walked with God today?!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

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DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 21, 2015

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“DEATH OF A VISION!”

Acts 10:15-17

“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.”

Sometimes we get so preoccupied with our own plans and purposes that we forget to ask God what His plan and purpose is for our lives. Perhaps I may be the only one who has that difficulty. If so, please forgive me.

There was a time when I felt that I would be spending at least twenty years in the military and then retire. That was my vision -- but it was not what God had planned for my life. It was difficult to accept that my plans had to be altered and I had to surrender my own will to God's will. My vision had died!

Peter was convinced that God’s plan and purpose was only for the people of Israel. That is what he had been taught and he had practiced it all of his life. To eat anything that was unclean was unthinkable. To associate with the Gentile was unthinkable. And then came God’s vision for Peter, and his preconceived vision of God’s plan and purposes died. He could either obey God, open his heart to the ones that God chose, or walk against the will of God. He chose God’s way! Let us do the same!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

“DEALING WITH LOSS!”

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 20, 2015

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“DEALING WITH LOSS!”

Philippians 3:7-11

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,  if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

In a split second of time a life can change dramatically. Nothing ever remains the same and we all deal with loss of some type. Death may take a loved one, an accident may cause amputation or loss of capability, or abandonment and divorce may devastate. It is safe to say that loss is inevitable for each of us. I don’t think that is being fatalistic but realistic.

My wounds are still extremely sore from the loss of my wife just over six months ago. From time to time I will pick up something and it will bring back vivid memories. We had sixty-two years of making memories together. Seeing a note that was written, handkerchief that was folded, or just recalling something that we shared together wrenches my heart.

I know that those who have lost limbs, sight, or other faculties experience that same moment of recall when things were normal and good. But what do we do with these heart rendering moments?

I think we have two choices. In fact I know we have two choices. We can either allow them to dominate our life, crush our spirit, and make us emotional invalids, or we can choose to keep our eyes on the prize that awaits us.

Paul knew what it was to experience loss after loss. He seemed to have it all together and was on his way to become one of the Jewish leaders. But when Jesus met him as he was on his road to Damascus, he lost his sight and his vocation. He was given a new assignment directly from the Savior.

Across the years that Paul ministered he experienced loss after loss. Rather than feeling sorry for himself and curling up in a ball he recognized that he could use the losses to strengthen his ministry.

I would encourage each and every one of us to look beyond the loss that we experience and see the opportunity that each loss can provide.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEARTPastor Cecil A. Thompson
July 17, 2015

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ALL CREATURES!Psalm 145:9-12

"The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom."

The older I get (and I am getting up there), the more disturbed I am about senseless killing. This is true of attacks on other people, but also on killing animals just for the sport of it. In my hunting days I did shoot game, but it was for food not for sport. Now there are many that hunt for bragging rights, not for food. God meant for us to be keepers and protectors, not killers.

In 1225, when he was feeling ill and losing his sight, Francis of Assisi wrote about what was always on his heart: the praise of God. In All Creatures of Our God and King, Francis' love for God and the world He made comes out very strongly.

Probably because he lived such a simple life, he "noticed" things that we, in our busy-ness, overlook. Francis believed that all earth's creatures get their life from God and that we all depend on Him for our continual existence.

All Creatures of Our God and King

1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O, praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Let all things their creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O, praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

To access All Creatures of Our God and King, this week's inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Inspirational Music Videos, please go to:http://www.gloryscapes.com/allcreaturesofourgodandking/ 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

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 16, 2015

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“BURDEN BEARERS!”

Galatians 6:1-3

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”

All too frequently we are confronted by people who have fallen into deep sin. Immediately it seems that tongues begin to wag, fingers began to point, and lives are turned upside down. Sin is a tragic thing. It contaminates and destroys not only the one who has committed the sin but often those who are innocent victims.

Paul was certainly no stranger to people who said one thing and did another. Many of those who treated him with bitter hatred claimed to do so with spiritual intent. We still see that same vindictive attitude today. Instead of restoring the fallen we often parade there sinful activity in order to make ourselves appear righteous. We might call it a self-righteous attitude.

People who condemned quite often picture themselves as defenders of the faith. Unfortunately many times there is sin in their own life that has never been dealt with. Paul says that we are to restore the sinful person.

How do we restore someone who has sinned? It certainly is not by sharing their sin with other people. Our Scripture for today says that we are to restore them gently and help bear each other’s burdens. We need more burden bearers than tale tellers. Which are you?!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

P.S. - 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 and friends

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 15, 2015

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“PROMISES!”

Psalm 85:8-9

“I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly.  Surely his salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”

You may have heard the story of a young man that was writing a love letter to his precious sweetheart. He was trying to express to her the depth of his commitment and his undying love for her. He wrote something like this: “My Dearest Darling, I love you with all of my heart and my being. I would climb the highest mountain for you or swim the deepest ocean. I would work my fingers to the bone to demonstrate my love to you! P.S. I will see you tomorrow if it doesn’t rain."

Wow! I think that expresses some of the failures we see in romantic relationships. We can be very committed just as long as it doesn’t interfere with our own agenda. It is difficult for me to recall all of the weddings that I have officiated across the years. Through the premarital counseling sessions and standing at the altar of the church to promise and make a covenant with one another, it would appear that the marriage would last throughout the lifetime of the couple. Sadly that is often not the case.

We can make all types of promises to other individuals or to God. But the promise means nothing if we fail to follow through on that promise. It is heartbreaking to have people make promises to us and then have our confidence shattered because they failed to fulfill their promise. One thing we can be certain of is that God’s promises never fail! While God’s promises are sure and certain, they must be claimed. It is almost like receiving a gift from a precious friend but never opening it. Just think of all of the blessings that God has offered but have never been received! Let’s claim God’s promises!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

P.S. - 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 and friends

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 14, 2015

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“CONTENT!”

Philippians 4:12

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Let me ask you a question. What is the level of your contentment? Are you satisfied with your present situation? Are there situations that you feel would make you more content? If you could change anything in your life, would it make you more contented?

One of the Ten Commandments is to not covet. The word "covet" is the Hebrew word châmad. Strong’s Concordance defines it as: to delight, desire, goodly, lust after. Let me ask you once again: Are there things that you find delightful, desirable, goodly, or that you lust after and do not possess? If you answer yes, you need to find contentment.

Perhaps it has always been like this since the creation of Adam and Eve, but it certainly is true in our day -- there is a general lack of contentment. All too often people think that if they had something else, or someone else, they would be contented. Homes are fractured; lives are destroyed -- all because there is no contentment.

Paul says in Philippians, chapter four, that he has learned contentment. He goes on to say that he has learned it by having need and suffering without. How in the world can you find contentment when you’re suffering? I think the answer lies in where we are looking. Are we looking at those things that we think will make us feel better or are we looking to the Lord who is able to use those trying situations to bring glory to His name. I choose to glorify God!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil

P.S. - 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 and friends

PASTOR CECIL’S, DAILY-E-VOTIONAL, 

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

MONDAY, July 13, 2015

TODAY SCRIPTURE, “JARS OF CLAY!”

Second Corinthians 4 VERSES 6 THROGH 7.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

TODAY’S E-VOTIONAL. “JARS OF CLAY!”

Back when I was in graduate school at Central Missouri State University, I took a class in Archeology. One of the assignments was to work on a mound that had been constructed hundreds of years ago. Finds at the site sometimes revealed a few broken shards of pottery.

The next step was to search for any fragments from what had been stored inside. A few bone fragments would lead to the conclusion that the jar had been used to store meat.

Underwater archeology has discovered clay pots used to transport oil, wine, or other food substances from as far back as the time of Christ or even before. Clay pots were never thought to be more valuable than what was inside.

This is especially true in the spiritual sense. Our human bodies may be likened to clay pots. Some of our pots are larger than others and we may even be said to have a “pot” belly, but that is a different matter altogether.

When we are filled with the Spirit of Christ, it does not matter what our vessel may look like. It is the treasure inside that counts. We need to constantly be aware that we are carrying a precious treasure within us. We need to live aware of it! 

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

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEARTPastor Cecil A. Thompson
July 10, 2015

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ABIDE WITH ME!Luke 24:29

"But they constrained Him, saying, 'Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' And He went in to tarry with them"

There are days when it seems we have more need for the Lord abide with us. July 10th is one of those days for me. It was on July 10, 1952 that Joyce Elaine Harper became Mrs. Cecil Adrain Thompson. If you are counting, that was 63 years ago. My precious wife is not with me to celebrate our anniversary this year since she went to be with the Lord on January 13th of this year.

In 1991 it was just one day after our anniversary, July 11th that our dear daughter Brenda Joy made her journey to be with the Lord. I know they are rejoicing in the presence of our Jesus right now, but for those of us who are left behind, (for this old pastor), there is a need for the Lord to abide with us. I want the words of this old hymn to be our prayer and bring comfort.

Abide With Me

Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Enjoy this week’s free inspirational video from Gloryscapes.com. To accessAbide With Me, this free inspirational video from GloryScapes™, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/abidewithme/

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

---Pastor Cecil

P.S. - 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.comPlease feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 9, 2015

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“LOOKING UPWARD!”

 I Timothy 6:13b-16

“I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal

and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.”

There have been many situations in my life where it seemed as if I could hardly wait. Being old enough to drive, graduating from high school, graduating from college, graduating from graduate school and certainly between high school and college was that momentous event when I married my precious wife Joyce.

But life passes so quickly that the things of this earth pale in comparison to the glory that awaits those of us who have received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. That above everything on this earth should hold our highest priority.

Paul was leaving his last wishes for his son in the faith, Timothy. What do you say when you feel it will be the last words that your loved ones will hear? I cannot believe that we would encourage loved ones to make more money or be more popular. Those things pass away the things that last are spiritually obtained. It is not by how good we are or how many good deeds we perform it’s a relationship that can only be achieved by personal invitation as we ask Jesus into our heart.

Paul instructed Timothy to live without spot or blame until the end. That same charge applies to us as well. We need to be constantly looking toward the skies as we wait for the Lord to return. Look up dear hearts, the best is yet to come!

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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You may also reach Pastor Cecil via postal mail, please contact us at:

Pastor Cecil Thompson

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Tumwater, WA 98512
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
360-570-0074

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BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

July 8, 2015

“LOOKING OUTWARD!”

 Philippians 2:1-4

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

There is a word that describes the process of looking outward. It is the word…OTHERS! I admire the concept of being others-minded. That may not be an acceptable word, but it certainly is an acceptable trait. 

When I read the words of today’s Scripture, I am tempted to stop and say nothing more than the Scripture itself says. This passage from the book of Philippians sums up the entire concept of looking outward. Makes me want to give more of myself than I ever have before.

Looking outward frees us from dealing with the pain in our own lives. The early Disciples were willing to sacrifice everything they owned and all that they were for the sake of Christ. It makes me bow in humility.

This Daily E-Votional may not have an effect on you, but it does on me. Here and now I make a new commitment to make others a higher priority than myself -- to put my feelings in the hands of the Lord and devote myself to helping those in need.

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

- - - Pastor Cecil