Sheila’s Faith

By Judy Davis –

“Our attitude as a saint to sorrow and difficulty is not to ask that they may be prevented, but to ask that I may preserve the self God created me to be through every fire of sorrow.” Oswald Chambers

Sheila had been a nurse when diagnosed with aggressive hepatitis. Through the years of suffering, she continued to shine with the love of Jesus Christ. And on the morning she went home to be with her Lord, it was as if a light had burned out. She had gone to her heavenly home-no more tears, no more pain. Sheila was finally set free from the suffering that had been such a part of her life. Her sister softly stated, “Everyone grieves when they lose a loved one but we feel like we lost an angel.”

Her neighbor said, “Sheila was one-of-a-kind. She had a certain flair. Her walk, her talk, even the way she batted her eyes were in her own inimitable style. She was unlike any other person; completely charming and one-of-a-kind; fun loving and playful. A wisp of a girl, Sheila was beautiful, with big expressive eyes that lit up her entire face. But more than the beauty of her face was the sweetness of her heart.”

During the holidays Sheila’s church was involved in sending “shoeboxes” full of needy supplies to Bosnia. Even though she was barely able to carry her own weight, it did not stop her from getting her sister to drive her all over town so she could fill her “shoeboxes.”

There were times in her last few years when her pain was unbearable. She would lay in bed listening to Christian music while holding her hands up toward Heaven. This would ease some of the pain. The love the sisters had for one another had shown throughout their lives. Sheila’s sister mentioned, “One of the symptoms of liver failure is forgetfulness. I’ll never forget her calling, waking me up in the early morning crying, ‘I can’t remember the Lord’s Prayer.’ I assured her that God remembers her and I said a prayer for her. The next day, she wanted to get out of the house, so we went to the grocery store. As we were riding, we recited the Lord’s Prayer together. Sheila passed away soon after.”

Her pastor shared a part of the eulogy: “Sheila fought the fight of faith as a valiant soldier. She was always smiling and refused to give in to adversity. The peace of God that passes all understanding was upon her countenance, even though her condition was desperate she never complained and if someone had a problem, she was more concerned for them than herself. She was always doing something to make others feel better. If asked how she was feeling, she would say, ‘I’m fine,’ even though her condition was serious.”

Heavenly Father,
We praise you from whom all blessings flow. We know heaven is rejoicing for a warrior has gone home.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV).

Women of Great Faith

By Judy Davis –

For over 30 years our church has had a powerful ministry each Sunday at the nursing home in our community. Several members of our church meet there in the afternoon for worship, a devotional, message and prayer. The head of this ministry has a list of those in our church who are willing to speak.

Last Sunday, I spoke to these special ladies and gentlemen. After much prayer and seeking the Lord, I asked for a message that would be pleasing to Him. What would God want me to share? I knew in my heart the message would be on Women of Great Faith.

After searching the Scriptures and commentaries from various leaders, one example in the Bible I shared was about the woman of great faith in Proverbs 31. This woman is of noble character and worth far more than rubies. She is a hard worker. She gets up early in the morning and provides for her family and servants. She purchases land. She feeds the poor and helps the needy. She makes clothes for her family. She speaks with wisdom and knowledge. And her children and husband praise her. Many Christian women today love to model this woman.

Another example of a woman of faith is about the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15. She did several things that made Jesus take notice of her.

1. She pursued Jesus.
2. She revealed her problem to Him.
3. She worshipped him.
4. She prayed a simple prayer: Help me.
5. She disregarded discouraging words.
6. She persevered through testing.
7. She humbly received from Jesus taking the scraps.
8. She received a promise from the Lord.

And Jesus said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”

After speaking at the nursing home several women came and told me how much they enjoyed hearing this message. It is my prayer God will use what I speak and bless souls for His Kingdom.

Dear Lord,
We come boldly before the King of Kings seeking you with all of our heart. It is our desire that our children arise and call us blessed and we bring our husbands good, not harm, all the days of our life.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30 NIV).

Are You Born Again

By Judy Davis –

To be born again we must accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as Lord and Master of our lives. We will no longer desire the things of the world such as those things we did before accepting Christ. It may take time for those desires to leave, as it is a process. Change will come as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us.

I have been a born-again Christian for over 30 years. I knew God had touched my heart and life supernaturally when I called out to Him in the midst of pain and suffering. Rebirth had come! Everything was brighter, grass was greener, the sun was brilliant and the moon had a glow of light bursting forth in the darkness. It was as if I had been seeing through a dark glass and had put glasses on for the first time after going to an optometrist.

After being reborn, I could not read and study enough of God’s Word. I was thirsty for the things of God. My life started changing. Today I still have not reached where I would like to be in my walk with Christ, but know in my heart He is leading me beside the still waters.

You may ask, “How I can be reborn?” God loves you and it is His desire for everyone to receive salvation.

First, admit you are a sinner. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV).

Second, believe in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

Third, confess your sins and ask God to change your life. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

PRAYER:

Father, change my heart O God, make it new. Help me to lean on you every day so that my life will be pleasing to you. Giving thanks for the changes you have already made and the ones you plan to make.

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8 NIV).

America, Land we Love

By Judy Davis –

If there were ever a time in history, now is the time for our beloved America to be healed.
Our founding fathers knew the value of the Bible as the foundation of morality.

George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.”

Patrick Henry: “The Bible is worth all books that have ever been printed.”

Our current leaders need to wake up and move forward ruling under the admonition of the Lord. America is beautiful, but has many problems. What can we do? We can start where we are by taking it back to basics, back to truth, back to honor, back to character, back to integrity, back to morality, back to work ethics, and back to the Bible.

A mother wrote the following letter to our soldiers and had it printed in the newspaper: “My sons are my world. I want you to know that they are two of the many you are fighting for. They are too young to fully understand, but one day they will know. I will do my best to make sure they know what you have sacrificed for their future. You should know that I am so very grateful for your loyalty, pride and love for America. I can only pray that my children never have to face such evils as you have to face. I’m sure your mothers prayed the same. But if my children do have to face evil, I hope they will walk with their shoulders square, their heads held high and their hearts filled with the same determination that you have. You are in my thoughts and prayers each day. I am praying for your safe return and a great victory over our foes. God bless you all. From, a mother.”

PRAYER: Father, as we look at our nation today may our leaders wake up and move forward ruling under the admonition of the Lord. Help our country to come back to morality, back to work ethics, and back to the Bible.

“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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).

A Good Father

By Judy Davis –

June is the month to celebrate Father’s Day. Some of us have had good fathers here on earth and some of us not so good. My father was an alcoholic and he and my mother divorced when I was about 8 years old. My mother never remarried so I did not grow up knowing the love of a father.

Since receiving Christ into my heart at the age of 13, I have felt His love. I was in my thirties before I really started reading and studying the Bible and could understand it. This is when I started knowing God in a deeper way. Praise Him for He is the greatest father of all. Looking through my notes I found this piece about fathers:

What Makes a Father

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majestic of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
And there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it–father
– Author Unknown

I can relate with this piece because my husband has been a wonderful father to our children. They have such a love and respect for him. He has always been there for his family.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are Jehovah Jireh, our provider, Jehovah Rapha, our healer, and Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner. You are the one who guides us under the direction of your holy name. Thank you for watching over each day and protecting us in all circumstances.

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding” (Proverbs 4:1 NIV).

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