Tag Archives: faithwriters

Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

REFRESHER COURSE

For many, continuing education continues, continues and SEPTEMBER 2014 002continues…

If an employee expects to keep a paid position and earn promotions, they can expect refresher courses. On-line courses are so much better than driving great distances to colleges. When a career person adds time spent in a classroom to time traveling to and from, they have invested many hours. The internet route is advantageous.

Apostle Paul wrote of a refreshing, coursing through his heart.

“If then, you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord (Philemon 17-20 NKJ).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

DARKNESS OF DESPAIR

I can understand why young children are afraid of the dark. I wouldn’t say I have a fear of the dark; it is more of a loathing. I have seldom found myself in total darkness; when I was, I wanted the lights to come back on,  pronto!SEPTEMBER 2014 002

The darkness of despair is traumatic and tragic. Eavesdrop on a conversation with Job…

“Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me; when His lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness (Job 29:2-3 NKJ).”

Job suffered through despair of debilitating illness; alas, he saw no light-only darkness. The LORD did not leave him in the dark. He shed His light of healing and new beginnings. Job would recover and walk in light during his latter days…

“Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:12 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

DAY LABOR

Are you familiar with day-labor employment agencies? My husband worked for one on several occasions. One of the most memorable assignments was shoveling sand out of FL Gulf beachfront condominiums following Hurricane Opal.SEPTEMBER 2014 002

He liked the flexibility of working when he wanted and receiving a payment at the close of every workday. It is not for the slacker. The agency expected a day’s labor for a day’s pay. As God’s children, daily labor reaps eternal rewards!

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

CESSATION OF WARS

When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again SEPTEMBER 2014 002
[1863/Louis Lambert/Public Domain]

When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah, Hurrah,
We’ll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah, Hurrah;
The men will cheer, the boys will shout,
The ladies, they will all turn out,
And we’ll all feel gay,
When Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day, Hurrah, Hurrah,
Their choicest treasures then display, Hurrah, Hurrah,
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior’s heart,
And we’ll all feel gay,
When Johnny comes marching home.
Isaiah prophesied cessation of wars…
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:4 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Marriage

FORD JALOPY

My husband Norm and I have owned many a jalopy [junker] and used them for both local jaunts and long distance trips. I am a Ford by birth; though crank oil does not run through my veins, I have an affinity with Ford Motor Company by name only. Yet, I hadn’t the foggiest idea that I would one day consider myself a jalopy.

Last night before turning in, I was sitting on the edge of the bed. My husband was sitting up and leaning against his pillow at the headboard. Our conversation went something like this…SEPTEMBER 2014 002

He said, “Grandchildren would ask, ‘Were you young once?”

With a thoughtful expression, he continued.

“You were young once.”

Agreeing I replied, “Yes, I was young once. Now I’m old.”

He was too eager to agree. “Yes, now you’re old.”

Of course, I could say the same thing of him. I don’t think either of us are contemplating a trade of our jalopies for newer models.

I am getting older; I hope I will leave behind a legacy of love and faithfulness.

“Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Revelation 14:13b NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

DO VALIANTLY!

Pick your battles.

                                                                                            SEPTEMBER 2014 002

I admit that unknown speaker’s advice was easier for him or her to say than followed by me. Some things are not worth debate, let alone battles; yet, in a lifetime, most of us do become involved in disputes. Personalities clash and our tempers flare. Everyone will not respect our opinions; like it or not, we have enemies. Satan leads the pack.

He is a foe; that’s true enough. What a Mighty God we serve; He vanquishes the enemy!

“Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies (Psalms 60:11-12 NAS).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

STRIP SEARCH

A strip-search inside an airport is humiliating. Today, we hear shocking stories of security agents forcing little old ladies to bare all. Fearing terrorist attacks, national governments have implemented precautionary measures at airports globally. I can only imagine how embarrassing such invasions of privacy could be to those who are innocent of all infractions.                                          SEPTEMBER 2014 002

Jesus was guilty of no crime.

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe (Matthew 27:26-28 KJV).”

Mockingly, soldiers stripped the Savior.

Mercifully, he strips away sinful pride and searches hearts.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

JUST A MAN?

A common man may wonder why he fails to achieve financial success. Living a quiet life, he provides for his wife and children and has a deep love of God and country. Nearing death, he deals with doubts and feelings of inferiority.

He has done nothing of great significance, or so he thinks, and SEPTEMBER 2014 002assumes that people will quickly forget him. He is just a man. I wonder if Noah wrestled with feelings of insignificance before God called him to special service.

Just a man? No, a just man.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and walked with God (Genesis 6:8-9 KJV).”

Noah was not sinless; he was just a man. He found significance in life through worship of holy God. His LORD looked upon him with grace-favor. Today, I remember Noah, a just man. God still seeks the seemingly insignificant to work in His kingdom. Hear and heed his call.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Know, Grow, Go!

A KNOW BLOG

 

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved’/For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (Romans 10:9, 13 NKJ).”

Know…SEPTEMBER 2014 002

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13NKJ).”

Grow…

“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18 NKJ).”

Go…

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Dropped Calls

A BLOG CELL PHONE

 

It happens and is very annoying. I’m in the middle of a phone conversation; the person on the other end is in their vehicle and calling by cell phone and we lose our connection. It is one of many dropped calls experienced daily. Then there is a tossup. Do I hang up and call back or wait patiently for the person to call me? SEPTEMBER 2014 002

At times, it seems my prayers are dropped calls to God. I am talking; He is listening and then I sense a prolonged silence. Will I try to reconnect or listen for an incoming message from Him?

Cell phone users frequently lose their connection when buildings, trees or mountainous terrain blocks their signal. In my prayer life, sin separates me from God, leading to the sounds of silence.

I clear the line and prepare for an incoming call.

“If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9 HCS).”

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