Month: November 2017

Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals

I Rightly Rejoice!

Pam Ford Davis

photo credit: TheRevSteve <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/8767316@N08/34784832192″>Nativity, Farcet</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

Have a Holy Jolly Christmas!

Worship the newborn King. Will we keep Jesus’ birthday holy? The LORD desires to fill His children with peace and joy.

In contrast, when multitudes refrain from worship and desecrate the day; it becomes “mass” hysteria and confusion.

I fall to my knees; giving worship and adoration to God the Son.

Jesus is sinless, holy God. The Word became flesh.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14 KJV).”

Away with gloom; God in His glory fills contrite hearts with contentment and joy.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11 KJV).”

I have read of a right jolly old elf in ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ (Clement Clark Moore). In the Bible; I reverently read of the birth of the King. I rightly rejoice!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

WISHBONES

Pam Ford Davis

photo credit: Steve Corey <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/22016744@N06/38582927741″>Invited to Dinner !</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

 

“Make a wish!”

As a youngster, I made many wishes on turkey wishbones.

Evidently those bones failed to fulfill the wish of the turkey. His fondest wish to avoid capture and death did not come true.

Paul, with faith in the Lord and love for his people wished to see the salvation of his kinsmen.

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites (Romans 9:1-4a NASB).”

Israel’s orthodox Jews were in need of conversion and confession. Paul made their salvation his heart’s desire.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-3 NASB).”

Our salvation, our forgiveness of sin is ample reason for thanksgiving and praise.

“He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB).”

Wishing on bones from a turkey carcass is foolish. I do pray for the salvation of many I hold dear. May God’s Spirit break my heart and give me a heightened sense of urgency to persevere in prayer.

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Why Thanksgiving?

Pam Ford Davis

photo credit: Elvert Barnes <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/95413346@N00/30845855320″>HappyThanksgiving2016</a&gt; via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

It is not merely an American legal holiday. It is a celebration of life. We have received countless blessings.

Who deserves our gratitude?

Jehovah God is our benefactor. We give Him thanks.

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near (Psalm 75:1 NKJV).”

 

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Remembering Our Military Veterans

Pam Ford Davis

photo credit: Official U.S. Air Force <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/39513508@N06/10998424605″>Veterans Day parade</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://www.usa.gov/copyright.shtml”>(license)</a&gt;

 

Remembering our military veterans…

“And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army.  For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God (1 Chronicles 12:21-22 NKJV).”

Offering words of appreciation for those who served in the past and also to those in active duty…

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV).”