Tag Archives: Christmas

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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Devotionals

Rocking Chairs

I began writing this article sitting comfortably in a rocker glider. I have been a rocking chair fan most of my life. My mom placed one in our living room; and there were rockers on my grandparent’s porches. I believe babies are to be loved, fed, diapered, bathed, and ROCKED! I started babysitting at age eleven; and I have happily rocked many babies.

After our first child’s birth we picked up an old wooden rocker. A couple of years later I gave birth to our next child.  One Christmas my husband’s parents gave me a beautiful small white rocker, with a cushioned back and seat. I could not have been more thrilled! In the past forty years there have been many rockers, some holding special memories. I enjoy old movies, especially from the 1930-1950’s era. One of my favorite Christmas classics is “Christmas in Connecticut,” starring Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. In one scene he demonstrated different methods and reasons for rocking. It’s a keeper!

The “Britannica World Language Dictionary” explains rocking in ways such as: “moving back and forth, to sway…to soothe, as to put to sleep.” We sing “rock-a-bye lullabies!” Now I understand the appeal of rockers; it is soothing to rock! The dictionary defines soothe: “to restore to calm, to a quiet or normal state.” Jesus, who “calmed” the raging sea, (Mark 4:39) is my Rock. He soothes me as He rocks me in His arms!

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Devotionals

Audit the Books

The holiday classic “It’s a wonderful life” pulls at our heart strings each Christmas. We can identify with the life problems and the characters involved. The crisis at the family operated savings and loan mushroomed with the arrival of the bank examiner. The audit of the books revealed missing cash. If the books don’t balance every penny must be accounted for!         

Many times we feel like our entire life is under the scrutiny of an audit. Do we add up? Have the stresses of life subtracted from our plus column? In a ledger do we show up in the red or in the black? It can be very unsettling to imagine the books opened for inspection!

A good auditor uncovers even small errors, if recorded intentionally or in carelessness. If we were to audit the open books of others, what would we find?…   (Love) “does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered (1 Corinthians 13:5 NAS).” The accounts would balance; and no errors would be found! In love we would not keep track, or take into account any errors against us! Love not only looks over errors; it covers them up! “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8 NAS).” Dust off the books and begin a new chapter today!

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