Category Archives: Devotionals

Devotionals

Portrait of My Love

 

Pam Ford Davis

What does Jesus look like? We each form a mental picture shaped by our culture and personal experiences. Likely pictures or paintings of Christ we viewed at an early age contribute to our character sketch. Some are drawn to pictures that portray Christ as a rugged man of the outdoors. My favorites are Jesus with children on his lap or crowed around his feet. Others that I find very moving are Jesus carrying a lamb on his shoulders and one where he knocks at a door with no outside latch. It represents our hearts which we alone must open to His saving grace.

The truth is we have no pictures or paintings that give us an accurate portrait of our loving Lord. I’m quite sure He would not resemble those in circulation. “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not (Isaiah 53:1-3 NIV).” The portrait of my love reveals a suffering Savior!

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Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

This Too Will Pass

GUEST AUTHOR: EMILY SWANSON

John 14:1-3

The Psalmist said, “The troubles of my heart are enlarged”, and he cried out to God to deliver him. (Psalm 25:17) We have all felt that way at sometime. Our hearts become heavy with the trials that come upon us. The Book of Job records “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble”. (Job 14:1) If anyone knew about troubles, Job did.

But Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.” What an admonition that is. And it is coupled with the promise in verse 2 of John 14 as Jesus assures us that He is making provision for our eternal comfort and security.

“When things aren’t doing right in life”, it does help to cling to this precious passage for it comes from the lips of our Savior. He is faithful to keep His promises. My mother would always tell me in times of trouble, “This too shall pass away”. Remember, dear one, all things in life will pass away…whether it be good or bad…it will pass away. Enjoy the good things of life, family, friends, they will be fleeting. Endure the trials of life; they too will be gone in time.

“Father, Thank You for your blessed promise that You are gone away for awhile to prepare a place for us to be with You. That is such a comforting thought and such a blessed time to look forward to. Amen”

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Devotionals, Family, Marriage

He’s A Rebel

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Pam Ford Davis

Are you a Rebel or a Yankee? Geographical boundaries largely influence your choice of label. Most are pretty proud of that distinction. I don’t reside at the Mason-Dixon line, but I’m from the Northeast and my husband is from the Deep South. Before I ever saw his face I was very aware of his homeland. A Syracuse radio station hired him for the graveyard shift, and promoted him heavily before he arrived.  The Rebel would soon be on the air.

Rebellion against God is not a slogan or promotional stunt. It is very serious to rebel against our Creator. “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:5-6 NAS).”  

Paul urged his co-laborer to choose church leaders wisely. As believers, we can not make children serve the Lord. We can guide them in hopes of stopping rebellion before it starts. Billy and Ruth Graham lived out their faith before their children. Yet, Franklin confesses to rebellion in his heart in early years. That rebel is now a humble servant.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

Lord, I’m At The End Of My Rope

GUEST AUTHOR: EMILY SWANSON

Hebrews 13:5

It seems that when I get to the end of my rope I find God is already there.

The promise goes way back to Genesis 28:15, when God spoke to Jacob. His promise then was that He would not leave Jacob. He would take care of him. The writer of Hebrews reiterates this promise to them as he is referring here to the Genesis passage.

We all come to a place in our lives that we sometimes feel is the end of our rope. When that happens we feel all we can do is tie a knot in it and hang on. Go ahead; tie the knot…help’s a ‘comin! Our Father, Himself, has promised that He has not moved and left a “no forwarding address”. He is right where He has always been…just a prayer away.

We have all had offers from well-meaning people who say, “If there is anything I can do, just let me know.” Sometimes the need arises at the midnight hour and you are not about to call on such a one. But, our Father neither slumbers nor sleeps; He is available and He is able.

“Father, help me when I feel lonely, abandoned or helpless to know that You are there. Let me know that I am protected in the refuge of Your mighty arms. You are there to hear me, to help me, to protect me and to love me. I thank You and praise You. Amen”

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Devotionals

Soft Touch

How would you describe your personality and witness for Christ? Do you use high pressure and hard sell tactics comparable to a used car salesman? Do you twist the arm of a contact and demand a response? Have you decided you will not take no for an answer, and pressure those who cross your path?   

If this description fits you to a T, some may give you an A for effort, but likely few will respond to your appeals. Even our military runs more smoothly with an all volunteer recruitment than a draft system. Our freedom of choice brings resistance to any efforts to rope and brand us. We prefer to see all sides of an issue and decide for ourselves.         

Maybe you seem to fall in line with a soft approach when sharing your faith. With compassion you see the needs of others, feel their concerns and want to share how the Lord helped you in difficult times, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NAS).” Our deepest desire is that they would come to a saving knowledge in Jesus Christ. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation (Romans 10:1 NAS).” We may plead and share the sense or urgency; but a person can not be forced to follow. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20 NAS).”        

Love is a powerful force and is difficult to resist. If we love others as Jesus loves them, we will be soft, pliable and an instrument of service. When others are drawn to love in us, they are ready to receive the source of all love, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17-18 NAS).” 

There is a choice for each we touch with the gospel; they must each personally decide what they believe. God holds His children accountable, for the use of all blessings He has lavished upon us. We have a story to tell; will we cram it down the throats of resisting rebels, or will we spoon feed it to those hungry for the bread of life? “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1 NAS).” Lord, make me a soft touch. When I open my mouth, teach me to first open my heart and draw from your living waters of salvation.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

The Family Resemblance

GUEST WRITER:Emily Swanson

In my quiet time of worship I said to God, “I want to enter your presence with praise. Sometimes I long to know what you look like. I know you are holy and attended by angels; but I long to know you!”

My Father replied, “I sent my Son that you might know me. ‘He who has seen the Son has seen the Father’, and you can see my character in My Son. Remember His commitment in the temple as a little boy; His commitment as a man when He ‘set His face toward Jerusalem and the cross’. Also remember His communion with others; His disciples, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the wedding feast, Nicodemus, the many people who stopped Him along the way to talk. He was never too busy; neither am I.”

Healing is another attribute of God as expressed by Jesus on many occasions. The gentleness of those strong hands that made a “mud-pack’ with clay and spittle and applied it to the eyes of a blind man. See his compassion for the woman in adultery as she was dragged before Him. I see His forgiveness even to the cross as He looked upon His accusers and His own disciples who had forsaken Him. He knows rejection…the families and friends of Nazareth rejected Him; there was a moment on the cross when He felt rejection of the Father as He took on the sin of the world. Still He is rejected of men even after His sacrifice. He is the ultimate of love (AGAPE). He laid down His life willingly. He is patient and longsuffering. I see Him teaching His disciples and yet see their misunderstanding of what He was really about. (They squabbled over first place in the kingdom like children squabbling over “who’s first at bat”.)

He was gentle and kind as He took the little children to Him and as He fed the hungry multitudes. He was powerful as He called Lazarus forth from the grave and when He calmed the story sea. He cast demons out which recognized Him as the Son of God. He was concerned as He gave His mother over to John’s care at His death on the cross. He was sorrowful and compassionate…He wept. He showed righteous anger as He ran off the moneychangers from the temple. He showed grace even on the soldier whose ear was cut off by Peter. He was totally unprejudiced. He ate with publicans and sinners; communed with Sadducees and Pharisees, Roman Soldiers, Jews and Greeks. He was merciful…see the widow whom Jesus gave back her son. He was faithful to keep His promises,

The Father said, you have seen My Face in the person of Jesus. My Character is there in My Son. See ‘Family Resemblance”.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Rainy Days

 

Rainy days get a bad rap. Just the sound of those words often paints a picture of gloom. In days gone by, before clothes dryers, rainy days were a source of real frustration. Large families with piles of dirty laundry would have to postpone wash day. For children it meant being shut in the house, restless, with their nose pressed up against the window pane. A farmer knows he needs to be out in the field; nervously he keeps checking the latest forecasts. Yes, I can see why a rainy day is not always desirable. Even then it gives you a good excuse to curl up with a favorite book.

At times a rainy day is a source of jubilation, when your area is experiencing drought. Rain becomes the motivation for prayers of gratefulness. There will be rainy days, just as those with sunshine. We need both. What was that old saying, something about into every life some rain must fall? See Matthew 7:24-27. When the rain becomes a storm, having torrential rains and flooding, accompanied by damaging winds, then we have cause for alarm. Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson, about the foundation we choose to build our lives upon. If we construct upon temporary things, we will collapse, like the house built on sand.

 If our decision for the foundation is Rock, the Rock of Ages, we will stand firmly in life’s storms. One very important fact found in this scripture is a real eye opener. We all go through storms. They are not just a punishment for the wicked, though at times they face God’s judgment. We as believers are strengthened through our storms, just as the eagle flies best when fighting the winds. The next time the forecast predicts rain don’t repeat the words of Karen Carpenter, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” Instead borrow the phrase from another old song, Let a smile be your umbrella!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Easter Egg Happening”

Easter egg decorating is fun for toddlers and a challenge for moms.  Easter egg dye can be pretty messy and getting it on the eggs instead of the children, is a balancing act. Easter eggs are not only for children. Artists create masterpieces on fragile empty shells after carefully blowing out the contents of the egg through a pin point hole. Beautiful pastel colors and intricate designs are breath taking. An Easter tree makes a beautiful center-piece and brings sunshine to a dreary home, following a long winter.  

Do you want to be a designer Easter egg? You can, you know. Pretend you are an egg, grouped with eleven other eggs in a box, all in neat little rows. The box represents your closest relationships, including both family and friends. Easter time comes and every egg desires to change from a sunny side up breakfast to an Easter egg. You are chosen for boiling by the cook. Wow, this water will scald me! I don’t know how much more I can take! You are relieved when that is over. Wait a minute, now I am in cold running water! Talk about extremes, this is ridiculous!  What is that terrible smell? Oh, I see; that is the coloring dye I have heard about.  I am getting sea sick, twirling around and around in this solution! Stop the world; I want to get off! I wish I could find a mirror; I wonder what I look like…Good, I see my reflection in that toaster on the counter. I am beautiful! I have been transformed!

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please? If you trust Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord you can be His very special Easter egg, every day of the year. The boiling process involves the trials you are faced to endure. They are painful; but they are temporary, resulting in a surface with great strength. Your life even has more weight- God’s glory. Why the cold water? Life is filled with extremes; one moment you have mountain top faith and the next you are hurled into the valley of despair. Don’t try to escape; there are others who need your strength and comfort. God will lift you out soon; “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you (1 Peter 5:10 NAS).”           

The dye may be compared to the circumstances we individually go through, each unique and varied, to suit us best. These are not crisis times, just daily routines and relationships that at times keep us stressed, feeling tossed around like a ship at sea. They help to shape our lives, giving us the personality we are gifted with. The final result is a transformed life, a beautiful creation made by the Masters hands. He will not use you as a centerpiece; He will put you back in the box, to influence the eggs around you. You can prepare them for the time God will reach in, take them out, and create another very special Easter egg.

 

 

 

 

               

 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Grandpa’s Magnifying Glass

I never grew out of my childhood name of Pammy Sue to Grandpa Ford.  I remember happily bouncing on his knee as  He sang, Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy, Jig! Grandpa delighted in checker games with all of his grandchildren.  He used his talents as a craftsman, weaving cain seats in chairs, and constructing wood crafts, such as a rooster weather vane. Honey, fresh from the honeycomb gave him great pleasure.

I saw devotion to Grandma, his bride of sixty five years, at the time of her death. Grandpa enjoyed the peaceful times of rocking in a favorite chair on the back porch.  A cherished memory I now recall is of Grandpa sitting in his favorite living room chair, reading his Bible. He could no longer read the small print. So, he read the scriptures with a large magnifying glass. In my family photos I have a snapshot of him with Bible and magnifying glass.  It is also in safe deposit, hidden in my mind with other cherished memories. My desire is to always be as dedicated to Gods’ word. Open my eyes, Lord. (Psalms 119:18)

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

People Will Say We’re In Love

It is impossible to hide your feelings. Sooner or later the truth is revealed. If you fall in love it is affects your thoughts, speech, actions and even your appearance. It likely even changes your health. Our blood pressure may drop with a sense of well being. In excitement our pulse speeds up a bit. We are changed and love is the reason. If it is contagious start mingling. We all need to be exposed.

God is love. He loves each of more than we can ever understand. The Lord loved us before we even noticed Him. “But Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In this way God shows his great love for us (Romans 5:8 NCV).” Have you received that love? We each need to admit our sin, seek His forgiveness, and make our decision public. New believers will notice many changes in their lives. Some are instantaneous; others come gradually. One we experience right away is never ending. We love our new family. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Heavenly Father loves His children. It gives Him great joy to see us love one another. Outsiders also recognize that love. “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know you are my followers if you love each other (John 13:34-35 NCV).” Don’t try to hide it. Admit it; you are in love.

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