Category Archives: Devotionals

Christian Growth, Devotionals, Uncategorized

Or So They Say

BLOG MEN AT WORK

‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ or so they say.

It isPAM CROPPED 2013 true that determination and diligence mean a great deal when facing insurmountable obstacles.

Is willing something to come to completion enough? I think not.

We need the might of the Master.

When the Master asserts His will, the impossible becomes reality. I want to serve Him faithfully, yet I fail. His power prevails!

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 Scofield Bible).”

He is the workman. I am the work in progress.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Apple for the Teacher

A BLOG SCHOOLMost of us have fond memories of favorite PAM CROPPED 2013schoolteachers. They had the knack of telling stories or sharing pertinent information in an interesting way.

We were learning because they had valuable knowledge and knew how best to share it with others. They were good teachers because they made learning enjoyable.

I consider some pastors as having been among my best teachers. I sat under their preaching as they taught their flocks about the Shepherd, Jesus. Using, the Bible as text book they used illustrations and personal experiences. The messages were not entertaining. Instead, they were convicting, inspiring and comforting. Their lives reflected an intimate relationship with Christ.

Mary had her relationship and service priorities in order.

“While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said (Luke 10:38-39 HCS).”  

Mary’s place, position and apt attention to Jesus teaching pleased Him.

“Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42b HCS).”

Each that makes the right choice will sit at Jesus’ feet in heaven. In love, we will worship and listen to His teaching for eternity.

 

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Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Power Struggle

A BLOG JESUS

‘Power struggle.’PAM CROPPED 2013

Does that make you wince after reading?

Power struggles happen; it’s that simple yet stressful.

We find ourselves in the midst of conflicts at work, home, in civic clubs and sadly even in many churches.

‘Government gridlock’ is nothing more than a politically correct catch phrase for power struggles.

Are you aware that Jesus reprimanded his disciples when a power struggle surfaced?

“Now came an argument among them as to which of them would be greatest [in the coming kingdom]! But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he stood a little child beside him and said to them, ‘Anyone who takes care of a little child like this is caring for me! And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care for others is the measure of your greatness (Luke 9:46-48 Living Bible).”

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer, Uncategorized

Unspoken Prayer Requests

 

HANNAH PRAYER BLOGThe pastor asks the same question every time we PAM CROPPED 2013meet.

Any unspoken requests?

Hands and seeking hearts go up throughout the sanctuary. Some things are just too personal or painful to voice aloud. There may come a time when we feel led by God to share them publicly;  for the present, we label them unspoken prayer requests.

The LORD hears our hearts as well as our lips. Hannah’s prayer serves as an excellent example.

“Making a vow, she pleaded, LORD of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut (1 Samuel 1:11 HCS).”

Hannah prayed in the temple area without voicing a word to anyone else.

“While she was praying in the LORD’S presence, Eli watched her lips. Hannah was speaking to herself, and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk and scolded her (1 Samuel 1:12-14a HCS).”

The Priest, Eli,  could not hear the prayer request of Hannah. He who answered her prayer with a gift of  a son heard every word.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

God’s Young-ens

 

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A BLOG FATHER

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!

 

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Name-tags

PAM CROPPED 2013                         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!       3-1-blog

 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).”

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Calls From His Kids

 

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A PHONE

  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.    

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Undisciplined and Hasty

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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).”  

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Heart Healthy

 

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BLOG HEART

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).”   

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Waiting At the Door

 

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DOGS AT 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.

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