God’s Young-ens

The body ages, the memory wanes; yet, we are forever God’s young-ens.’ He holds us accountable for our attitudes and actions. As Father, he corrects, warns and disciplines. When we rebel against his authority, we pay the consequences.

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commendeth all men everywhere to repent (Acts17:29-30 KJV).”

His young-ens’ learn why. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts 17:29-31 KJV).” He lives!

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Name-tags

How do you feel about name-tags?

I attended a high school reunion last summer; I had not seen my classmates since the mid 1960’s. To my disappointment, organizers did not hand out name-tags. I was able to recognize a few people with the help of faces that I’d seen on facebook, but name-tags would have made the mingling much easier.

Mom pinned my first name-tag onto my cardigan sweater before sending me off for my fist day of kindergarten. I guess she wasn’t confident that I knew my own name!

Insert your name in the following scripture passage each time you read the word, “you.”

“May the LORD bless you and keep you.

May the LORD smile down on you

And show you his kindness.

May the LORD answer your prayers

And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26 ERV).”

Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Calls From His Kids

My Dad believed in communication. When working second shift, as General Electric security guard, he faithfully called home. With four daughters and one son, he never knew who would answer the phone. He had difficulty in discerning which of the four daughters was on the other end of the line but we adjusted to his hit and miss hellos.

As he went through his options, he’d get around to the right daughter eventually. As he aged, and we settled in different areas, he looked forward to our spasmodic phone calls to him and Mom. He was hard of hearing and did not always get the gist of conversations but loved hearing our voices. He passed the phone back to Mom, waiting for her summary.

God waits to hear calls from his kids too. Are you at the other end of the prayer line? “The LORD who made the earth, the LORD who forms it to establish it, the LORD is His name, says this, ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:2-3 HCS).” You need never worry; he knows your voice and calls you by name.

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Undisciplined and Hasty

If a parent or guardian calls their child by their full given name, they are in hot water. If the parent repeats the first name with a “disappointed” tone of voice, a reprimand is not far behind. I visualize an accompanied shaking of the head no and pointing of the index finger in the child’s face. In many ways, Simon Peter was like a child, undisciplined and hasty.

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.’ And he said unto him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death (Luke 22:31-33 KJV).” Oh really, Simon?

“And he said, ‘I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me (Luke 22:34 KJV).”

Christian Growth, Devotionals

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.

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).”

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.

Pam Ford Davis

Category Archives: Christian Growth

God’s Young-ens

Name-tags

Calls From His Kids

Undisciplined and Hasty

Heart Healthy

Waiting At the Door

Calling Hours

Standing Room Only

Wish or Worship?

At Home For Christmas

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: