Heart Healthy

We get a variety of advice from health experts on the best ways to prevent heart disease. Some problems are hereditary; yet, many ailments stem from risky life choices such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity and the lack of regular exercise. We desire heart health and longevity. To achieve rich and rewarding spiritual relationships with God, heart health is mandatory.

“The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him; your heart shall live forever (Psalms 22:26 Scofield).” Feed on the word. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 5:23 Scofield).” I sense the urgency to guard my heart, the seat of my emotions and will. Peace is sentry.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 Scofield).”

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Waiting At the Door

Do you have a dog at your house? Many times the family dog will wait at the door for the owner to let it inside. If the family goes away and leaves their dog outside, they often find the dog waiting at the door when they return. There is a reason for that. The dog loves the family and that is good. It is bad if sin lies at the door! Cain had it at his door.

“So the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it (Genesis 4: 6-7 NKJ).” God gave Cain the opportunity to repent of evil attitudes of envy against his brother. Rejecting the warning, he plotted murder.

“Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him (Genesis 4:8b NKJ).” Sin knocked at Cain’s door and he invited it in. How tragic, that Cain refused to listen to God’s warning and advice to resist evil. Brother killed brother; parents grieved and Cain became an outcast. When sin waits at my door, I am in great danger and will recall God’s command to rule over it.

Short Stories

Cold, Cruel World

We must show the world what it expects to see, avoiding at all costs being different. I followed the crowd aimlessly, seeking approval, unknowingly putting myself in a place of danger many years ago…

Central New York State winters are brutal. Residents endure several feet of snow accumulation, often drifting across roadways, towering snow banks, and sub zero temperatures. On a typical winter day, I went to high school dressed for approval, not for the weather conditions.

At the sound of the final bell, my mind focused on going home. I gathered things from my locker, put on my coat and waited for the school bus. It would be the first of two. I lived in another school district, and linked with a bus from the school I once attended.

The first bus ride only lasted about fifteen minutes, with the driver stopping at a closed restaurant, dropping me off. The wait would not be long. I found shelter near the building, feeling cold, hoping the next bus would arrive soon.

Where is that bus? It never takes this long. I am so cold; I hate the cold!

Even in the summer, I get cold hands and feet. Dad used to pick on me, saying my hands were as cold as Grandma’s.

What can I do?

The phone was inside the closed restaurant. Reality set in. I must have missed the bus; it was not coming. I would have to walk home.

I wore no hat or scarf because that would make me look like a creep! Boots were for old women; I looked sharp in flats. Gloves or mittens were for children and I sure did not bring those. The dress code in school meant just that, girls were allowed to dresses and skirts, no slacks. So, most of my body remained exposed to dangerous below zero temperatures. The walk home on a warm afternoon would have been a long stroll. On that day, it could have been a death march.

My hands and feet are numb.

I’d stop and ask to use some ones phone. Mom could not come to get me; she had no car and Dad was at work. I’d call a friend and ask if her mother could come to take me home.

I knock on a door…

“Hi, can I use your phone? I missed my bus.”

“Sure, it’s right over there.”

The feeling is gone in my hands; somehow, I manage to dial the number.

“Hello Carol… I missed the bus from Fayetteville. Can your mother pick me up and take me home?…. Good, thanks.”

I wanted to cry but could not let anyone know how cold and afraid I was. I hung up the phone.

“You hung up the phone on your hand.”

Oh, no! What must she be thinking?

My friend arrived. I thanked the neighbors for letting me use their phone…

Again, I had to pretend I just needed a ride; I could not let the mother of my friend who was driving me home know how cold I felt. She dropped me off at my door and I rushed in.

I no longer needed to put up a front; I could be honest. I began to cry.

Mom became concerned. “What’s wrong? What’s the matter?”

Sobbing, I answered.

“I missed the school bus and walked. I made it as far as I could and had to stop to use a neighbor’s phone. I called Carol asking her to get her mother to give me a ride. I hung up the phone on my hand! I couldn’t even feel it! ”

“Get over to the sink! Run cold water on your hands!”

“Cold water?”

“You’ve got frost bite! We’ll warm it up a little at a time!”

“It hurts! It hurts!”

“Keep your hands under the water!”

Gradually, normal feeling returned to my body. I put on warm clothing and rested in the security of my home.

Why do we seek approval of others at the risk of our own safety? Sadly, we do not only experience cold temperatures.

We live in a cold cruel world…

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Calling Hours

Hospitals have calling hours enabling friends and family to share brief visits with the patients.

Funeral homes set aside specific calling hours for family and friends to pay their respects to the immediate family of the deceased. Calling hours offer structure in chaotic times. Yet, I am thankful to God for his invitation to call on him at any time.

“…. and his mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ Now Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm, that it may not pain me! And God granted him what he requested (1 Chronicles 4:9b-10 NAS).” The prayer room is open!

Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church

Standing Room Only

It’s the dream of every pastor and faithful church member. The worship hour comes and the congregation and visitors fill the church to the rafters. There is standing room only. The life story of Peter Marshall is fascinating as well as motivational and inspiring.

His dynamic preaching drew such large crowds that many were unable to worship inside the church buildings where he served. Loyal worshipers of Christ stood out in the rain and heard his message through loudspeaker systems. Oh, that today we would take such a stand against evil.

God is not seeking bench-warmers; he has provided armor for protection against wicked forces and his word as sword. (Ephesians 6:10-20) With his armor and the Holy Spirit to empower us, we take our stand.

“This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to persist in the evil day and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand therefore (Ephesians 6:13-14a HCS).” God wants no sitting down on the job, standing room only!

Christian Growth

Wish or Worship?

Wishing upon stars is as senseless as knocking on wood. God alone hears and answers prayers; God, with great disdain notes wishing upon stars. He created the stars to serve as lights in the heavens above, not to grant wishes to those living below. One particular star had the role of ancient GPS, God’s Providential Sensor. It detected the exact birthplace of the King of the Jews.

Wise men did not waste time or energy in wishing upon the star. They followed the light of the star, enabling them to worship Jesus, descendant of King David. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16 HCS).”

Bible Studies, Devotionals

What Twas That Night Before Christmas?

“Twas the night before Christmas.”….

So begins the lovely story told to children of all ages, the young and young-at-heart. I cannot help but wonder what experiences participants shared on that first night before Christmas. The night began like most for the common man, living out uneventful days from the cradle to the grave.

They were seekers of God, yet had no clear purpose in life and little hope for tomorrow. Yes, the devout Jews had heard predictions of a coming Messiah. Did they truly believe they would see the fulfillment? They were afraid to dream. Yahweh had given the promises so long ago. Why had He not fulfilled them?

As deliverer, surely He knew they were in desperate need of His intervention. Did He not care about the Roman government’s inhumane oppression upon them? Had He closed His eyes to their poverty? Surely, He perceived the feelings of emptiness that they had buried deep within their souls.

It was the night before Christmas…. It would be a special night, a supernatural still and “Silent Night.” The King sent out a taxing decree, demanding that the populace appear at their birthplace for counting in a census by Rome, in occupation of Israel.

In accordance to the decree, Mary and Joseph traveled far and long. They viewed the city of Bethlehem, birthplace of King and ancestor David on the horizon. Their donkey, burdened by the weight of this expectant mother, moved slowly. Both Mary and Joseph were weary and worn.

Both keenly aware of the impending arrival of the holy child entrusted to their care, they readied themselves and sought out an inn. Unable to secure a room their apprehension grew. God in his provision worked through an innkeeper who made a stable available.

It would provide a place of privacy not frequently found in a public inn. Unlike most others on this journey, they had found shelter and a place away from prying eyes. Mary, during childbirth, would experience dignity deserved by one highly favored by God. Mary and Joseph waited reverently for the arrival of the Anointed One, Jesus.

On that night, before Christmas….

Fathers eagerly await the birth of their first child. It is a moment of great pride and yet also one of tremendous responsibility. On the night before the first Christmas, God the heavenly Father took great pride in His Son, Whom had emptied Himself, to take on the form of man.

The fullness of time was approaching. Mary would birth Jesus, Son of God into the very world created by the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He made His entrance as an innocent babe. His Father would later use words of endearment, “my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ( Matthew 3:17b KJV ) A star shone in the sky.

It is coming, December twenty fourth, another Christmas Eve…The night before Christmas. Wherever you and I spend that night, we should “Stop, look, and listen.”

Stop rushing long enough to take in the true meaning of Christmas. Immanuel, God with us! Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit is with us.

Look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, what better opportunity could you have than this Christmas? You can celebrate two births each coming Christmas, His birthday and your second birth.

You must be born again.(John 3:7 )

Listen to the children around you; They will tell you the story of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals, and angels. They love to share and act out the story. Take the time to listen. Hear the message of God’s everlasting love. Listen, do you hear the sound of the heavenly chorus?

“Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:10b-12 KJV).”

Christian Growth, Devotionals

At Home For Christmas

Each time I hear the “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” classic, I feel a twinge of the diagnosed homesickness disorder. My thoughts carry me back to my family home in Mycenae, NY. I visualize our living room decked out with tree, lights, mistletoe and gift-wrapped packages. Another family now dwells there….

My parents sold the home place in the nineteen seventies. Though it is no longer the Ford home, it is still the first place that comes to my mind each Christmas. I relive all the Christmas sights and sounds, along with scents of evergreen branches and fresh baked Christmas cookies. A sensation of a warm cozy room is comforting. Time cannot stop my anticipated trip home.

I will be going home for Christmas through the gift of memory. I am saddened in the reality of family and friends facing their first Christmas following the loss of a loved one or a cherished friend. Holidays bring happiness and yet heartache as well. God gives comfort to those in need of renewed joy and hope. The dead, who had placed trust in Christ Jesus, are home for Christmas.

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NKJ).” We will be missing those dear to us terribly, but we find comfort in knowing they are home for Christmas.

Devotionals

A snow-white frame of mind

I’m in a snow-white frame of mind. Gotcha! You think Disney, while I have a White Christmas flashback. It was Christmas time…. I snuggled under my electric blanket, mesmerized by Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. Snow-white scenes were reminiscent of Christmas’ in Mycenae, NY.

As a young girl, living in the rural area outside of Syracuse, I had the joy and excitement of many white Christmas.’ I will be the first to admit that snow is not always joy to residents in that area. Early morning risers must shovel or plow snow covered roads, sidewalks and driveways.

Highways and Interstates become danger zones; travelers are involved in vehicle accidents and easily become stranded in sub-zero temperatures in the midst of towering snowdrifts. Dazzling white snow becomes brown slush and New Yorkers fantasize making Florida their winter home.

A pure heart is no fantasy… “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7 NIV).” I remember my first Christmas after being born again. The Lord gave me the ideal gift, a clean heart and a White Christmas!

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Heightened Anticipation and Appreciation

As the countdown to Thanksgiving Day heightens anticipation, it gives me reason to offer prayers of appreciation. I am prone to pout about what I feel God has left out; instead, I ought to shout for what he has brought in! Christ has rewarded me richly for my daily walk with him throughout this past year.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7 KJV).” I pause to express my appreciation to all pastors who have encouraged and lovingly helped in equipping me for service.

Many have gone on to their heavenly rewards; yet, their works follow them. (Revelation 14:13) I pen a roll call of recent pastors who diligently spoke the undiluted word of God. The Bible passages confronted me with my sins, convicted and challenged me to confess the wrongs to the Lord. They opened my heart to passages of comfort and peace.

Pastor Joe Fain:

Goodwater Baptist

Goodwater, AL

Pastor Donnie Linson:

Bethlehem Baptist

Oak Grove, LA

Pastor Johnny Smith:

Epps Baptist

Epps, LA

Present Pastor, Rayburn McLarrin:

Trinity Baptist

Oak Grove, LA

Pam Ford Davis

Author Archives: Pam Ford Davis

Heart Healthy

Waiting At the Door

Cold, Cruel World

Calling Hours

Standing Room Only

Wish or Worship?

What Twas That Night Before Christmas?

At Home For Christmas

A snow-white frame of mind

Heightened Anticipation and Appreciation

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