It’s Christmas

It’s Christmas and I’ll miss receiving a gift package from Mom and Dad. No longer living, I miss them even more.

Mom worked as a volunteer at a Hospice thrift store in Devine, Texas. Having both an eye for bargains and a generous spirit… she selected clothes throughout the year for her children and grandchildren. We reaped the rewards.

I can almost follow the action in my mind.

Mom bought the clothes; set them aside waiting for special occasions and then packed them in shipping boxes. Dad had a part too; he added duct tape to seal the boxes before mailing. He trusted duct tape.

I trust God the Father and Son. My salvation is secure.

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand (John 10:28-29 NKJV).”

I trust the Holy Spirit. He has sealed me.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV).”

Devotionals

The Devil on a Leash

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My husband and I aren’t dog owners but the majority of my family and friends are.

Many have more than one fur baby to keep them company. Dogs like to run free but leash laws are strictly enforced in many towns and cities.

You might not realize it but God keeps the devil on a leash.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.’The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’ Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.’Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.’ So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:6-12 NASB).”

God holds the leash; He limits the devil’s power.

Restrictions are strictly enforced.

“So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life (Job 2:6 NASB).”

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Liberty

‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ (Declaration of Independence, United States of America)

Life…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).”

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3 KJV).”

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world (John 11:21-27 KJV).”

Liberty…

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1 KJV).”

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32 KJV).”

Pursuit of Happiness…

Trust Him.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1Timothy 6:6b-8 KJV).”

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Crucifixion, Devotionals, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

Three Days; I Believe!

Three days…

“Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.’

Therefore the Jews said, ‘This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?’

But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made (John 2:19-22 HCSB).”

I believe.

“As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is My body.’

Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many. I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God (Mark 14:22-25 HCSB).”

His body, His kingdom…

“Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 HCSB).”

Three days…

“For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40 HCSB).”

Bible Studies, Devotionals

‘If’ You Get My Drift

I recall an incident when our Son, Lee, was two or three years old. We were shopping with his Grandmother and she pointed out a toy Volkswagen, asking him, “Can you say Volkswagen?”

In a matter of fact way, he answered that his mouth wasn’t big enough.

Words do not have to be long or difficult to pronounce to be powerful, “if” you get my drift.

The tempter tried to manipulate Jesus with ifology.’

“Then the tempter approached Him and said, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread (Matthew 4:3 HCSB).”

When that failed he tried to convince Jesus to jump from a temple high place.

“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

He will give His angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone (Matthew 4:6b HCSB).”

You must admit it; the devil is persistent.

Showing Jesus a worldly kingdom, he tempted Him again.

“And he said to Him, ‘I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me (Matthew 4:9 HCSB).”

The master of deception fell in defeat when he challenged the Master.

Jesus reigns triumphant! He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Go away, Satan! For it is written:

Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only Him.

Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him (Matthew 4:10-11 HCSB).”

Devotionals

Heart Murmur

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I’m announcing my candidacy; it is official, I am accepting the nomination for President of the UGA (United Gripers of America).

I have years of experience and am qualified to voice complaints on behalf of my constituency.

My voice carries well and the DNA clearly reveals a heritage of gripers who carried their cutting remarks to the top.

Moses led his nation from slavery to the outskirts of the Promised Land; along the way, he dealt with the daily discontent of his accusers. They maligned him and griped about their living conditions.

“Then they said to Moses, is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt (Exodus 14:11NASB)?”

Pharaoh’s slave drivers had dealt them a cruel blow; Moses had led them out to freedom and yet they murmured against him. The gripes had taken deep root and the Great Physician could make an accurate diagnosis of a progressive heart murmur.

God had His leader in place and spoke through him to the Israelites.

Moses told the gripers to fear not; the Lord would deliver them. (Exodus 14:13)

There was one stipulation.

“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent (Exodus 14:14 NASB).

I don’t think the UGA will miss me…

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Salvation

Gift…Through the Generations

“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:16-18 KJV).”

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Worship

Great is the LORD!

Praise the LORD.

Be glad.

Rejoice.

We are His people.

Give thanks.

Bless His name.

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 100:1-5 NASB).”

Oh, how great is the LORD!

Devotionals, The Church, Worship

Call to Worship

I sang in many church choirs during the last 50 plus years.

Churches had gifted choir directors, choir members and soloists.

Photo by Blue Ox Studio on Pexels.com

Most directors were dedicated, cordial and appreciative. I remember only once being required to audition for a church choir.

Back in the early 1970’s, J. Lamar Alexander was serving as choir director at the First Baptist Church of Lake Providence, Louisiana. He had me sing notes of the scale. I’m surprised that I got up the courage. I’d say he was a master at his craft…

He mastered the traditional form of worship service.

Lamar Alexander believed in call to worship opening selections. To this very day I recall the holy hush following our offerings of ‘The Lord is in His Holy Temple.’

“But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him (Habakkuk 2:20 KJV).”

The lyrics, based on Scripture, called us to worship, submission and praise.

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

In HIM

Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS on Pexels.com

“Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 146:1-2 NKJV).”

My help…

My hope…

My help, my hope is in the LORD; in HIM.

“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;

Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free (Psalm 146:5-7 NKJV).”

Pam Ford Davis

Category Archives: Devotionals

It’s Christmas

The Devil on a Leash

Liberty

Three Days; I Believe!

‘If’ You Get My Drift

Heart Murmur

Gift…Through the Generations

Great is the LORD!

Call to Worship

In HIM

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