Daily Devotional Sunday 2-18-07

The Prayer Journal

I Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

Recently I went through my books to see what I had accumulated. I ran across a prayer journal I kept in 2002-03. I glanced over the pages and found them very interesting. I’d written down my requests in a daily order. Each request was listed with the name and details of why itt was on my list.

Looking back through these entries, I observed occasional praise items or “prayer answered” notations. Some folks were healed; others were taken home for that ultimate healing. One family purchased a home; two others found jobs. I found entries of praise and thanksgiving to my heavenly Father who listens when I talk to Him. The book was filled with precious information about those who’d asked me to pray for them. My journal kept me organized. In my daily prayer time, I knew exactly who and what to pray for that day.

I closed the book and sensed a longing—for another journal. I need the discipline and joys of keeping a prayer journal. Today, I purchased two new prayer journals to begin this amazing journey for me once again. Start your journey today.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Pray for young women who will be mentors to teenagers.

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Daily Devotional Saturday 2-17-07

My Beginning

I Corinthians 3:9

“For we are laborers together with God…”

As a very young girl, I went with my mother to Auxiliary meetings. I loved the business; I loved the missions reports; I loved the projects. Most of all, I loved the fellowship these women enjoyed with each other. Sometimes, there would be as many as 30 women at a meeting. I saw their eagerness to be Women Active for Christ. They were never afraid of giving or being used for the glory of God. I was young, but what I experienced has stayed with me for more than 45 years.

This month as we meet together, why not encourage younger girls to join and take part? Maybe they will observe and perpetuate our passion for WAC ministries.

LaCrecia McFaddin

Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

The Arizona district meets today at Desert Springs FWB Church, Sierra Vista. Let’s meet with them in our prayers.

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Daily Devotional Friday 2-16-07

Pre-TV

Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

One of Satan’s best tools is one most of us submit to daily. Today, a massive amount of electronic gadgets take time away from God. The number one time killer is TV.

Go back in time with me, if you will, and see how Christians used their time before TV. When it came to church, Christians were there. They attended each time there was a service, including revivals and business meetings. Most hymns we sing today were written in an age when there was no TV. Folks wrote letters, books and poems. They crafted things like quilts, doilies and beautiful wood works. They shared stories and life experiences with children and neighbors. Music was a must for most children, who sang and played instruments—either homemade or whatever was available. People helped their neighbors and friends in times of disaster and tragedy. Young children were expected to study, learn and behave in school.

Are we redeeming our time? Can we accomplish what the Lord wants us to do in a days time, sitting in front of the TV. Why not turn the TV off and visit a homebound church member? Write an article for WNAC; volunteer some time at a local rest home, Do something for your church; write a letter to a missionary or attempt something good for the Lord. So many of our untapped talents and creative abilities need to be turned over to the Lord. Let Him use us for His glory by redeeming the time.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Do you ever pray for the homeless in your city or town? If not, begin today.

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Daily Devotional Thursday 2-15-07

The Play

2 Corinthians 6:2

“…behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”

In the summer of 1961 I was thirteen years old. I volunteered to help with a play our church was presenting. There were several cast members and singers. The overall idea of the play involved people going through heaven’s gate to enter into eternity. Folks would walk down the aisle singing songs about heaven. When each one got to the gate, an angel shook her head yes, and the person entered. The last person to come down the aisle played the part of a staggering, drunken old man. When he came to the gate, the angel held up her hand and shook her head no. This gentleman’s performance was so outstanding, I was convicted of the sin in my life. I knew if I were to come to the gate that evening, I could not enter. The play concluded with the song, “Standing Outside” and an altar call. I ran to the altar and gave my heart to the Lord.

There are so many avenues youth groups, churches and woman’s groups can take to help the lost see their need for salvation. Maybe God is calling you to lead a project of this kind. Don’t be afraid. Just mind the Lord. Whom He calls He will equip.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Most, if not all of us, have friends or family who do not know Christ. Prayer can melt those hearts.

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Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day…..

I don’t know if I am different than everyone else, but the day that I first met my husband, I certainly did not think that he would end up being my husband. Micah and I met as freshmen at Free Will Baptist Bible College. My first real memory of conversation with him was at one of those first week of school little mixer type things so that the freshmen can all get to know one another and not be homesick. This night was an ice skating event and I remember Micah skating next to me quite a bit and us talking. He was nice enough, I guess, but I don’t remember thinking “that man is going to be mine!” We went through four years of school together and became very good friends. I could share lots of different little anecdotes that contribute to our story, but in the interest of brevity, I will only share a fairly significant one. This story took place one Monday morning in January 1999 during the spring semester of our junior year. We were sitting talking after vocational meetings at school, and I knew that Micah had been contemplating going to a different school the next year and making some changes. So, I asked him, “What are you doing next year, have you decided?” Well, he tells me that he wants to come back to graduate from the Bible college and then, he really wants to go to France to work among Muslims. Well, at that exact moment, I think that a slight breeze could have knocked me off that bench, because unbeknownst to Micah, I had been doing some pretty serious praying and decision making in my own life and I had just recently made the decision to pursue that exact path after college. I remember thinking to myself, “How crazy is this that we want to do the exact same thing!” Did I know then that Micah and I would one day be married and pursuing that calling together? No, God still had a lot of growing and changing in both my life and Micah’s before we were married four years to the day after having that conversation. Every time I think back on our story of how God brought us together, I smile and think “How could I ever question God’s sovereignty?” He brings people and situations into our lives that we would maybe have never asked for or known to ask for, yet He uses them to lead us and guide us into His will. On this Valentine’s Day, I am thankful not only for the wonderful godly husband that I have been blessed with, but also for the wonderful Father who knew when I met this skinny eighteen year old guy that night on at the skating rink that one day we would be man and wife serving Him together.

-Written by Becky Derby, one of our international missionaries

PRAYER CORNER

Now lets intercede for students, teachers, and administrators in our local public school systems.

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Daily Devotional Tuesday 2-13-07

Put Your Love To Work

I John 3:18

“My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

My daughter-in-law and I were in a retail store and as we were walking along we came upon a woman with a large armful of clothing. I said “Could I get you a cart?” She said no but looked up at me and said; “Would you do that for me?” I replied with a phrase I use often, “it would be my reasonable service.” I proceeded to get the cart and bring it back to her. She unloaded her bundle and was quite taken back that someone would help her. It was such a little thing, but it made both of us feel good about the experience.

The Lord’s ministry was filled with loving deeds and kindness. Jesus is always the perfect example of word and deed. Today is a great day to put our love to work.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

Do you homeschool? We’re praying for you and your children today.

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Daily Devotional Monday 2-12-07

Choose The Good

Isaiah 7:15

“Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”

My three-year-old grandson is quickly learning there are bad cartoons and good cartoons. I explain why the bad cartoons are not good for little eyes and ears. When I scan the stations he now says; “Not good.” There is so much evil on TV and electronic devices these days a parent has to keep up with the evil their children may encounter. Often we have to choose the good for them, but they will soon learn to make these choices on their own. Jesus preached against evil. He made it clear there was no room for good and evil to dwell together. Our parental guide is the Holy Bible—Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures that can help us raise our children and grandchildren. Let’s read, read, read, because the days are evil. And we are responsible to provide the good God has in store for our precious little ones.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAYER CORNER

It takes a special person to work in Restrictive Access Areas. Can these individuals count on your prayers and support?

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