Category Archives: Christian Growth

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Come and Adore Him!

Pam Ford Davis

Come! The invitation is given. Come and adore Him! “O come, all ye faithful.” Will we accept the invitation this Christmas? The days are quickly slipping away. Busy schedules and filled calendars crowd out the Christ child. Will we turn our minds and hearts toward Bethlehem? Can God our host count on us to heed His personal invitation?

He rewards those who in personal faith answer His call. “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.” True abiding faith in Jesus results in joy and a triumphant life. We are often down, but we are not defeated.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJ)” Jesus offers victory; we come to Him in humble worship and adoration. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Busy Elves

Pam Ford Davis

Children believe busy elves operate Santa’s workshop. They can easily understand why he would need help. Making toys for children all over the world would be a big project! Even young children learn about cooperation.  Adults teach them to put away their toys. If they have baby sisters and brothers, they can entertain the baby while meals are being prepared, and bring mother diapers when needed. If their parents need assistance, Santa surely would need elves.

The Lord Jesus needs us in His workshop of ministry. When we show kindness to others, He takes it personally. “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’ (John 25:40 NKJ).”

 Perhaps elves would consider their efforts nothing in comparison to Santa’s special delivery service. We also might think we are not capable of anything significant. Jesus said, we can do great things. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:12-13 NKJ).”

 How is it possible for us to do greater works than the miracle-worker? Jesus served in a very limited area. He knew His followers would carry His message of eternal life to all nations. I have no supernatural personal power. Holy Spirit, I surrender to You; touch lives through me. Great things are possible; I want my life to make a difference. Add me to a list of available ministry elves!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Holly Jolly Christmas

Pam Ford Davis

“Have a Holy Jolly Christmas!” When we remember to keep the day holy and worship the newborn King, he fills us with joy. When we leave Christ out of Christmas…   all that remains is “mass” confusion! Fall before the feet of Holy God, come in the flesh. Emanuel will reveal his glory and fill our hearts with contentment.

Why do I wear gloom and doom on my face? Jesus came to give full and meaningful life; he delights in giving his gift of joy. “I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have. I want your joy to be the fullest joy (John 15:11 NCV).”

 We can experience joy unspeakable, because we receive hope. “He is our great hope, and he will come with glory (Titus 2:13b NCV).”  If Santa of “The Night before Christmas” is jolly and laughs coming down the chimney, we can be jolly looking up to our Redeemer and King!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Call His Name Jesus

Pam Ford Davis

In Bible times, names held significant meaning, and often even carried prophetic weight. Examples: Samuel, meaning “heard by God” (1 Samuel 1:20), Jabez, “He will cause pain” because of difficult childbirth (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), Benjamin, “Son of my sorrow” as mother died following delivery (Genesis 35:18), and Simon Peter, Cephas “A Stone” (John 1:42).

Why did Gabriel direct Mary and Joseph to name the Christ child Jesus? His name means salvation. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 NKJ).” To know Jesus is to experience salvation. When we accept the gift of salvation, we personally know Jesus. Salvation and Jesus are inseparable.

At the time of Jesus birth, a godly man looked expectantly for the coming Messiah. The Holy Spirit impressed on him a message of hope; he would see that fulfilled before he died. (Luke 2:25-26) He stood close by as Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the Temple. He rejoiced and gave great praise. God allowed him to see salvation and even hold salvation. “he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel (Luke 2:28-32 NKJ).” Jesus saves lost weary souls.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

A Falling Star

Pam Ford Davis

Do you recall the last time you caught the spectacular sight of a falling star? They are breath taking, but fall so rapidly you hardly have time to notice. I traveled across country for several years with my truck driver husband. We were able to see several falling stars on clear nights, and they were awe-inspiring.

Our fascination with stars begins early with childhood songs and stories. Lovers wish on them and songwriters form rhymes about them. One of my all time favorites is Catch a Falling Star (and put it in your pocket.) Perry Como made that one hit material; it likely made him a very rich man.     

We try to push away one fallen star from our memories. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! (Literally Day Star) How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High, yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit (Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJ).” He planned to ascend in pride and authority. God Almighty tossed him across the heavens… A falling star, that’s what you are!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Broken Cisterns

Pam Ford Davis

BROKEN CISTERNS

I’m a country girl, who grew up in the rural neighborhood of Mycenae, outside of Syracuse, N.Y. Our family used a water-well and pump, and we greatly appreciated the benefits of a large cistern in our basement. My parents thought green before ecology became a global buzzword; they stored rainwater in a cellar cistern for household use.

Mom and Dad complained about the hard-water pumped from the well. We depended upon water softener additives. Rainwater from the cistern far surpassed well water for bathing, cleaning laundry, and especially for washing hair. Our neighborhood offered a fresh water spring. We could always depend on it to provide clear ice-cold water. Wild spearmint grew along the edge; we often picked and chewed the leaves before gulping water cupped in eager hands. Today’s bottled water or tap water cannot compare.

Jeremiah gives applicable teaching, focusing on cisterns. They become useless when broken. “For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13 NAS).” God said His people abandoned Him, their source of fresh living waters, in the foolish exchange for broken cisterns. We do not need to patch up cracks of old leaking cisterns to quench spiritual thirst. Drink from His fountain and find never ending refreshment!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Pop-Ups

Pam Ford Davis

There it is, persistently demanding your attention on the computer screen. It’s a pop up advertisement. A bull drawn to the red cape of a matador could not be more annoyed. Yes; we do have some control over the pop up menace, but advertisers know its appeal. I saw a real clever one the other day; the corner of my screen displayed a peal down here tab. I was tempted to sneak a peek, as a small area opened before me.       

Pop ups do just as described, when you least expect them, they pop up. Here we go again; what is it now? We can ignore them, hope they go away, or we can use a blocker. If not, like jack-in-the box, they’ll pop up everywhere.

I know one pop up we need to block securely. Our peace of mind is at stake. The accusations of Satan pop up when you let your guard down. He gets his kicks from dragging up all the muck and mire of our past; he then drags us through. Sometimes his stabbing remarks are spoken so quickly we are unaware they popped up. On other occasions, he pushes the play, automatic replay button, to pop up over and over and over…

He earns his title of the accuser. “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night (Revelation 12:10 NAS).”

 Not only does he accuse us; he tries to convince God the accusations are true. Grab your weapon, the sword of God, His word, and destroy the accuser’s pop ups.  We hold the victory! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1NAS).” Thumbs down to pop ups!

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Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems

Close To God

GUEST WRITER: VICTOR JASTI

As a Christian,

I understand that when God cleans my heart,

I get closer and closer to Him.

But when sins, selfish attitudes and worldly cares,

Keeps me from getting closer to the Lord,

I lay aside the World’s weight,

For when I lay them aside,

I experience the inspiring joy,

Of a Christian

Who is close to the Lord.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

Don’t Look Down

GUEST WRITER: EMILY SWANSON

Matthew 14: 24-30

When Jesus invited Peter to join Him on the water of the sea, Peter was hoping to meet the challenge. With great faith, Peter stepped out of the boat. He was full of confidence as he faced the Master. I think Peter’s feet were quite dry as long as his eyes were on Jesus.

I can almost hear Jesus calling out with urgency, “don’t look down, Peter. Don’t look down.”

The Big Fisherman made that very mistake. He looked down into the murky waters. His confidence in himself waned. His faith in Jesus wavered. After all, walking on water was impossible.

It is extremely easy to criticize Peter for his failure. Yet it is true of us all. The walk-of-faith is remarkable as long as one’s eyes are on the Master. When one’s gaze wanders into the world, we get swept up by waves of doubt.

Peter was not too proud to cry out, “Master, save me!”

Like Peter of old, we must “Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus”. “Look full in His wonderful face“. It becomes easy to sink into the swirling waters of discouragement. One’s attention can become fixed on the problem rather than the Problem Solver. Discouragement can pull us down into a never-ending whirlpool of despair.

I can almost hear Jesus calling out with urgency, “don’t look down. Don’t look down!”

We, too, must cry out, “Master, save me”.
 
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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Follow That Dream

Pam Ford Davis

Elvis had many box office hits in his movie career. One of his films, Follow That Dream did not have a dramatic plot; it just gave fans the chance to enjoy his music and see him on the big screen. We all need a dream; the challenge to follow that dream motivates us.          

We should seek out goals, those repressed dreams and line them up against God’s plan for our lives. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14 NAS).”

In many ways, a dream and a vision are alike. Search several Bible translations for wording in Proverbs 29:18. The word vision is also shared as a revelation. The tragic results of a lack of vision includes: perishing, running wild, and being unrestrained. It seems that individually, families, churches and nations need a dream, a vision renewed and refreshed in us. I desire that within my mind and spirit.      

I do not want my life to be running wild…  It brings to mind a car on a busy interstate, with loss of control, leading to chain reaction accidents. Take my challenge; follow that dream. Jesus is waiting at the finish line!

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