Tag Archives: faithwriters

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Baggage

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Carrying baggage?

On a guilt trip? 

Been there, done that…

Follow the restoration example of King David.

“Be gracious to me, God,
according to Your faithful love;
according to Your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion.
Wash away my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I am conscious of my rebellion,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You—You alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in Your sight.
So You are right when You pass sentence;
You are blameless when You judge.
Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
Surely You desire integrity in the inner self,
and You teach me wisdom deep within.
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins
and blot out all my guilt.
God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not banish me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
and give me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God,
the God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart (Psalm 51:1-17 HCSB).”

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Devotionals, Family

admin-ajax.php   {Norm Davis at 98.9 KOGQ-lp/Oak Grove, LA}

 

I’m busy doin’ the 3 R’s.

No, not Readin, Ritin and Rithmatic. I do Readin Ritin and Radio!

For most of our adult lives, my husband Norm and I worked together in careers of radio and TV. After selling a Florida community Low Power Television station, we thought we had finished broadcasting. One never knows what the future holds.

After retirement, we returned to his hometown of Oak Grove, Louisiana. We began working as on air volunteers for the local Cable TV access channel. A few years later, we found ourselves working as volunteers with area non-profit community Low Power FM stations.

Today, the 3 R’s are a regular part of my daily routine.

I read the scriptures and write daily devotions. I read community announcements and weather reports on the radio. Our friends at church affectionately refer to me as the ‘weather lady!’

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:1-3 NKJV).”

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Christian Growth

Disarmed

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I’m no authority on the subject of gun control.

I do believe those who intend to inflict harm will find a way to carry out their crimes. The innocent have the constitutional right to protect their families and property.

The enemy attempts to disarm those they oppress…

“No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, ‘Otherwise, the Hebrews will make swords or spears.’ So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles. The price was two-thirds of a shekel for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on an oxgoad. So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hand of any of the troops who were with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons (1 Samuel 13:19-23 HCS).”

Only Saul and Jonathan…

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

True Greatness…

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Great, not second-rate…

“Now the LORD had said to Abram:
‘Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJ).”

Easier said than done?

When God speaks, it is done already. He is eternal and all powerful. It will happen.

True greatness is not easily recognized in our me generation.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me (Matthew 18:1-5 NKJ).”

The family of God is blessed through the humility and faith of Abraham (Abram). 

Yes indeed, God made his name great.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Have You No Shame?

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“Have you no shame?”

The question sounds quaint in our ‘if it feels good, do it’ society. Shame on us! Our sins are harmful to ourselves and others. They break the heart of God.

I can become blinded to my own sinning, erasing shame from my memory banks.

Shame on me…

Two men approached God in prayer. One man felt no shame; the other pleaded for mercy.

“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:9-14 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Your Treasure

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Are you a collector?

The range is wide; from dust bunnies to nick-knacks to dust, we tend to amass collections.

Did your hobby begin with marbles?

Many seek an appraisal of fine art, jewels, coins, stamps, comic books or ball cards. The estimated values are amazing.

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21 HCS).”

We err, and sin against God when placing our trust in treasures.

Will you trust the LORD?

Give Him your heart. Treasure His presence and promises.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Thick-Skinned

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I’ve skinned my knuckles, elbows, shins and knees.

It hurt.

Anyone ever say that you need to be thick-skinned?

I tend to be over sensitive but do I really want to toughen up? In spiritual warfare, I need more than thick-skin; I need armour!

Satan is a tough foe…

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

The Unknown

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On this Memorial Day, let us remember fallen soldiers around the world. We unite to honor the memory of those who were killed in battle. It is more than duty; it is a longing.

It is especially painful to survivors when remains are unidentifiable; there is no closure. This led to resting places in numerous nations for those listed as unknown soldiers. The United States remembers their unknown fallen at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

Apostle Paul walked the streets of Athens and felt sadness as he observed the worship of idols. It compelled him to share his knowledge of Jesus resurrection in synagogues and the market place.

The crowds thought the message was strange but they enjoyed discussions about new ideas. (Acts 17: 15-21) Paul seized the moment as an opportunity for evangelism.

“And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. (Acts 17:22-23 NAS).”

He introduced them to the Creator, the giver of life, calling people to repentance. God does not record a list of unknowns.

“O LORD, Thou has searched me and known me (Psalm 139:1 NAS).”

He knows all about us; He knows me.

“Thou does scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways (Psalm 139:3 NAS).”

There is great comfort in the realization that none is unknown by the One who formed them. Nations may not be able to identify soldiers; yet, God calls them all by name.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Ready, Set… Go!

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Get ready…

Get set…

Go!

No, this is not a footrace.

Not, child play. The first one there doesn’t get to ride in the front seat.

Are you ready?

Beyond that, are you willing and able?

“And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil (1 Peter 3:13-17 HCS) 

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Friday 13th

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It’s bad luck to…
walk under a ladder.

You’ll have seven years of bad luck…
if you break a mirror.

It’s bad luck to…
open an umbrella inside a house.

Step on a crack…
and you’ll break your mother’s back.

Friday the 13th…
is an unlucky day.

Do you believe these statements?

Childish superstitions? Yes.

Believed by many? Yes, again.

Today is Friday the 13th.

“This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 HCS).”

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