Daily Devotional Wednesday 1-31-07

Gems

Haggai 2:8

“The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Last summer I went with my grandchildren to a gem mine. You are equipped with a sifter and a bag of rock, sand and occasionally a gemstone. You dip your sifter into the trough of water and it washes away the sand revealing either rocks or gems.

We are God’s gems but we let things dim the glow of gold that God wants to see in us. Today let’s sift away the things in our lives that make us lose our value and give God our best.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Our state and local leaders depend on our prayers—Romans 13:1-7

Daily Devotional Tuesday 1-30-07

The Anchor

Hebrews 6:19

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul; both sure and steadfast.”

These new cruise ships are enormous. The Royal Caribbean mega ships weigh 142,000 tons. The anchor weight must be great enough to resist the movement force of the vessel.

Hebrews 6:19 tells us that our ‘hope is the anchor of the soul‘. The strength of our hope decides the strength of our anchor that keeps our soul from drifting from the Lord.

Today let’s strengthen our hope so we can give our anchor the power to firmly hold fast our soul from the undercurrent of the things that so easily beset us.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

We need young women who will lead and be involved in local WAC groups. This is a major concern; let’s pray.

Daily Devotional Monday 1-29-07

Light and Darkness

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”

When we know a storm is coming we make preparations. One of the first things we do is make sure we have plenty of backup light. We check flashlights, candles and oil lamps. We do this because we do not like being in the dark.

One of the first things we do is make sure we have plenty of back up light.. We check flashlights, candles and oil lamps. We do this because we do not like being in the dark.

This world is full of dark places and the Lord is gracious to light our way. He lights our path and leads us in the direction we should go. His light never dims

and makes us feel safe and secure. His light is truly a gift.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…”

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

The effectiveness of Together With God will be determined by the prayers of its readers. Pray today for TWG writers.

Daily Devotional Sunday 1-28-07

It Sure Is Cold!

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

My husband has always said the coldest he had ever been was at a Bengal’s game. The temperature was 12 degrees below zero and the seats were covered in ice.

I thought of my husbands experience and it caused me to wonder. How cold has my heart ever been? I stopped to pray and asked the Lord to keep my heart warm. I know that a cold heart can also be hardened and uncaring. Let’s pray for each other today that God would touch each one of us and torch the flames of love and kindness in our hearts. Then let us purpose to do something for someone—even if it is just a kind word.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Youth directors are a must in our churches. Encourage them through prayer.

Daily Devotional Saturday 1-27-07

Hungry Birds

Psalm 104:12 “By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.”

Lately I have been feeding the birds. I picked out a spot in our front yard and toss a couple scoops of food on the ground. They are gathering in the branches outside the bedroom window and chirp until I appear outside with their food. I have noticed after they eat they sing and play.

The Lord has prepared our spiritual meal in His Holy Word. If we fill our hungry souls it will cause us to sing and have a happy warm feeling through the day. If you have that hungry empty feeling, pull up to God’s table and feast from His Word.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Retired missionaries are vital to our organization. Let’s keep them in our prayers.

Daily Devotional Friday 1-26-07

Destination Heaven

Matthew 25:34 “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of this world.”

How many times have you taken a trip and thought you would never get there? Necessary stops, road blocks, rain and other things can hinder travel and slow you down.

Dear Christian traveler, the trip to heaven is the dearest and sweetest journey we will take. Today, purpose not to let Satan rob you of the joy you can claim through our Lord. He will hinder the trip if we let him.

First, make sure every mile counts. Keep yourself replenished with the bread of life and the springs of living water. Claim the power of the Holy Spirit who will keep you fueled, and obey the road signs of life to keep you out of harms way. Last, read the holy road map and keep in touch with our blessed life guide everyday.
Destination: heaven.
Arrival time: at God’s calling.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER
A neighbor may need some encouragement. Will you be that encourager?

Daily Devotional Thursday 1-25-07

The Broken Dish

Psalm 147:3 “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

During our pastoral years a lot of my treasured things were broken. I kept hoping for a way to fix one thing—my grandmother’s dish. I talked to glass blowers and searched high and low for a mending agent that would hold the broken pieces together. A couple of years ago we were introduced to a glue with amazing holding power. Finally, after 30 years, my husband fixed grandmother’s dish. Although you can see the seams clearly, the dish could not be more beautiful to me.

Today, there are many souls whose hearts and lives are broken. They feel there is no hope for them and no one understands their broken hearts.

Alas, hope is here. Almighty God of heaven, the Healer, can mend your heart and life. He will bind your wounds and help you through your broken situations. Today, now, The Holy One is at your hearts door ready to mend your broken heart. Please know you are beautiful to Him.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER
Personnel in all branches of our military need continual prayer.

Daily Devotional Wednesday 1-24-07

Love Letters

Deuteronomy 6:5
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Tucked away in an old steam trunk are a handful of love letters from a young man to his sweetheart. The letters are faded and fragile but they contain his heart felt love for her. Each letter closes with these words, “I love you with all my heart, soul and might.” After 39 ½ years he still loves me with all his heart, soul and might.”

We have love letters from our heavenly Father. His love is expressed in Genesis through Revelation. Here are some of the words of love:

“But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us.” Ephesians 2:4

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love;” Jeremiah 31:3

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Today, find a favorite love letter and reaffirm your love for Him.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee


PRAYER CORNER
The Lord is good! Two home mission churches (Northwest FWB Church—David Potete, pastor and Desert Springs FWB —Jerry Rayburn, pastor) are now self-supporting works. Many other home mission churches will enter self-supporting status this year. Don’t stop praying; pray harder.

Daily Devotional Tuesday 1-23-07

Psalm 115:1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

“It was nothing.”
”It’s good, if I do say so myself.”
“How did I do?”

How do you accept compliments or praise? What is the proper way to respond? Knowing God hates “a proud look,” yet desiring acceptance and appreciation for our efforts, most Christians find this a difficult dilemma.
In my college days, I attended a global missions conference. The attendance superceded all expectations. Overflowing meeting rooms and overcrowded accommodations could have thrown the college students steering the event. Instead, they rose to the challenge, and God challenged many young lives that weekend—mine included.
In the final service, the crowd gave the student committee leader a standing ovation. She came to the podium, and I will never forget her words. “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.”
No other response deemed necessary, she returned to her seat. But the crowd remained standing for another spontaneous ovation to the LORD and for this humble servant.
I’ve never forgotten this. Each time I read through the Psalms, I’m challenged to consider my responses to praise. Do I seize the glory, or do I humbly direct it to the LORD, who equips and enables me? Is it about accomplishment or about mercy and truth?

O LORD, may we honor Your name and give You glory, today. Amen.

PRAYER CORNER

Many adult children who’ve assumed the role of caregiver for aged parents would appreciate your prayers today.

Daily Devotional Monday 1-22-07

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Awed by the vastness and variety of God’s creation, the psalmist exclaimed, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works.”

I’m awed, too, as I consider God’s creative abilities. He established order in the sun, moon and stars, revolution and rotation, day and night. Yet each night, the moon looks different. Clouds transform before our eyes. No two snowflakes are alike. Every human is an individual masterpiece.

Variety. I love unique, creative, one-of-a-kinds. Routine has its place and sameness is good, but thank God for variety. God’s penchant for variety fuels my creative spirit—not only to fashion beauty through paint or pen, but also to recognize the unique and beautiful qualities He places in each person.

Lord, may we remain awed in the variety and fullness of Your riches here on earth and appreciative of Your handiwork in those with whom we interact today.

Prayer Corner

Pray today for Marjorie Workman as she leads WNAC ministries.
(She and eight other Women Active for Christ returned to the USA yesterday after a jam-packed, emotional 10-day trip, delivering Christmas Joy gifts to children in Central Asia. Ask God to give each one strength, rest and deliverance from jet lag and exhaustion.)

Daily Devotional Sunday 1-21-07

Psalm 111:1

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

“I love the thrill that I feel when I get together with God’s wonderful people….” I remember singing that song as a young teen at youth camp. Yet, reading this Psalm, I’m reminded that the thrill comes not from merely getting together with God’s wonderful people, but from corporate whole heart worship.

Whole heart worship can only come from hearts willing to confess wrong thoughts and attitudes and deliberately avoid distractions.

Whole heart worship involves focusing all our thoughts, attention and adoration on the Holy One. It’s worship with abandon.

Whole heart worship happens not by chance but by choice. Choosing to listen, to participate, to offer a gift of praise to a great and gracious God who’s given us life abundant and eternal.

God inhabits the praise of His people. When an assembly or congregation of His people join together in praise, His holy presence descends and His power is displayed.

May we offer total praise to God in whole-hearted worship today.

Prayer Corner

Let’s back the talented musicians in our churches with our prayers and participation.

Daily Devotional Saturday 1-20-07

YESTERDAY’S BAD START

Colossians 1:28
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Have you ever had a day that started out so bad, you were ready to give up by noon? Usually a bad day starts with no Bible reading and less prayer. This is a good day for Satan. He moves in on our weakness and will eventually have control of our temper and tongues.

I am so thankful for road signs; ‘slippery when wet’, ‘traffic merges into left lane’, ‘beware of sudden stops’. God’s Word is our road sign for the day. His precious Word enables us to have the knowledge of dangers in this sinful world we live. When we are aware of snares we can be ready to meet them head on today. Let our prayer for the day cover us in His protection and guidance. If we read the signs and obey them there will be no bad starts—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

Daily Devotional Friday 1-19-07

WHAT IS MY BEST DAY?

Psalm 118:24
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Several months ago my son, who is losing his sight, called to inform me of his latest doctors visit. I got weepy on him, and he said to me, “Mom if I lose all my sight tomorrow my best day is yet to come.”

Since then I have wondered what my best day will be. It took great faith for my son to trust the Lord in and for his best day. I concluded that my best day lies in the hands of the Lord. But what can I do to assist in making a best day?

My recipe for a best day is to wake up each morning and let the Lord show us through His Word many, many sources of best day ingredients. Let Him show us the wonderful gifts that can make anyone’s day a best day. Then we bow in thanksgiving for the best day He is about to give us, and we start all over tomorrow. Our best days are unlimited in the realm of God’s wonderful love for us.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

Daily Devotional Thursday 1-18-07

SNOW DAYS

Psalm 55:10
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”

Isaiah 1:18a
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

There is nothing more beautiful than a fresh snow, covering the earth like a blanket. The small wisps of flakes glisten in the moonlight as they fall on the soft new covering. Every portion of God’s creation has a purpose; the sun, the moon, the rain and the snow. We, God’s special creation, have a purpose. We are to shine like the sun before mankind to show them the warmth of His love. We are to light the nights dark path like the moon, to show His lost ones the way. We are to quench the thirst of sinners with the water of Life like the rain. And, like the snow, develop purity in our lives to show the “Whiter than snow..” presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

Daily Devotional Wednesday 1-17-07

NOT A WORD

Psalm 139:4
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

We, as humans, will say an off-color word, an idle word, or curse word, and then look around to see who heard us. People will do things around Christians, then apologize for it. But the one who really counts already knows what we’re thinking, knows and hears what we say. “O be careful little mouth what you say; for the Father up above is looking down in love.”

May we pray as the Psalmist states in 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Linda Harvey
Arizona

Daily Devotional Tuesday 1-16-07

OUR FATHER’S POWER

2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I watched a fantasy movie on Disney Channel about twin girls, who on the day of their birth, were given their Father’s power and then he was killed. The twin babies were separated and lived in a different world from their mother. Meeting on their 21st birthday, they began to realize they were twin sisters and soon discovered they had their father’s power and were the only ones who could save their birth mother in her land.

I went to bed thinking, if only I, as a Christian, Had the POWER---what all could be done for God’s Kingdom. Then another thought came quickly: I do have my Father’s power: “But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

May we, in 2007, as our Father’s children, seek His face, repent, and USE OUR FATHER’S POWER to see a lost world come to Christ.

Linda Harvey
Arizona