Glory, All Day Long

By Hally Franz –

The antique wagon wheel came with the house. When we moved in eight years ago, it rested against the trunk of the formidable oak tree that is the highlight of our front yard. The rough and ragged wheel has remained there since that time, its center and spokes positioned within the metal frame, but no longer actually attached to it.

Our wagon wheel is an interesting piece, but it’s never really seemed complete as a design or landscaping feature. There are no similar artifacts complimenting it in the yard, so it appears random in its positioning next to the stately oak. It seems without purpose, aside from just hanging out with our tree, and it makes no real statement.

The tree/wheel arrangement was long overdue for a little attention, so after planting my spring flowers, I scattered some stray morning glory seeds at the base of the oak. As is generally the case with my gardening projects, this was experimental, because I didn’t know the attributes of morning glories. I simply hoped for a bit of color around the decrepit and destitute wheel.

Over the next few weeks, I watched stems begin to sprout from the ground. We carefully mowed and trimmed the space hoping these flowers might be just the thing to brighten the area. Soon, I saw the stems turn to vines that stretched skyward and attached themselves to the spokes of the wagon wheel. As weeks turned into months, the morning glories weaved in and out through the wheel’s wooden limbs, eventually seeming to connect the broken center piece to the outside of the wheel that merely rested around it. Red and blue flowers bloomed on the vines, adding color and life to the wheel, now not merely a random object, but a perfect trellis for the climbing morning glories.

While the selection of morning glories was accidental for me, God’s work in a life never is. When seeds of faith are planted in new believers, lives are changed. As we grow in our Christian belief, God weaves strands of His word and His works throughout our being. Lives that once seemed meaningless and without purpose are filled with a mission, desire to serve and message to share. God’s presence in our life brings a connectedness between our inside and outside, our thoughts and deeds. Broken spirits and lonely lives are made new again through Him.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for coming into my life and providing meaning and purpose for my days. Help me Lord to serve You by fulfilling that purpose each day.

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) Zumba classes.

Survivor Junkie

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

Okay, I admit it. I’m a Survivor junkie! There’s just something about the challenges presented, as well as the rewards—and the raw nature of humanity—that piques my interest. Of course the beautiful scenery of the island also allures me. I’ve learned a lot about what makes people tick by watching this show.

Sadly, the baser sorts of humanity are sometimes represented in this series. We can see how people, left to their own devices, can turn on each other. On this show, competition and strategy are more important to the winning outcome than living by the Golden Rule. And it’s amazing how blind folks can be to their own faults, when viewers at home can plainly see their virtue deficits. Who do they think they are fooling?

In life, do you consider yourself a survivor? A real survivor finds a way to become stronger going through the same trials that might make someone else weaker. On the show, only those who forced themselves to eat, unappetizing as the food choices might be, competed strongly during the challenges. As Christians, we must make sure our power food comes in the form of God’s Word. Sometimes it is sweet like honey, but other times it is bitter like medicine.

Only by allowing God to not just be a part of your life, but be your life can you survive the harshest consequences. God will make sure you are provided for when you completely trust in Him. Technically, trust isn’t trust if it isn’t completely placed. There is no such thing as partial trust!

AUTHOR QUOTE: When it comes time for your tribal counsel experience, it won’t matter who votes you off the island. It won’t matter what you’ve done in the sun, but what you have done with the Son!

“But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him” (1 John 2:5 TLT).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, Christ-servant, wife to Russ, editor, publicist, certified CLASSeminars speaker and faculty member. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence—Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Schedule Kathy for a speaking event or contact her firm for promotional assistance. KCWC gets jazzed shining the light on God’s writers and speakers.

The Power of Thanksgiving

By James H. Pence –

Have you ever been in a flood? Thankfully, I have not. But I have witnessed the destruction they can cause. Hurricane Katrina caused great devastation several years ago, but what nearly destroyed the city of New Orleans was not merely wind. It was a flood. When the levees broke, flood waters swept through the city. Five years later, New Orleans is still recovering from the damage.

A few weeks ago, the city of Dallas experienced a brief, torrential rain. Some parts of the city received nearly a foot of precipitation in only a few minutes. Entire neighborhoods were flooded by the late summer storm. That evening, the local TV news broadcast footage of the flooding. One of the most amazing images was of a Volkswagen Beetle floating away.

Think of it. A small car floated down the street as if it were no heavier than a child’s toy.

That’s power.

And it’s the power of a flood that I think of when I remember Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians. He tells them that they should “overflow” with thankfulness.

Over the years of my Christian life, I have discovered that when I give thanks, there is a power that I don’t fully understand. I can be facing a difficult problem, trial, even a tragedy that threatens to overwhelm me. But when I stop allowing my problems to crush me and begin to praise and thank God—when I “overflow with thankfulness”—God pushes those problems out of the way just as the Dallas flood moved that Volkswagen Beetle.

Don’t get me wrong. The problems don’t automatically go away just because I give thanks; however, my attitude changes. It’s as if God empowers that thankfulness to flood away all the things that are distracting me and pulling me away from Him. There is power in a flood.

Perhaps that’s why Paul also reminds us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

PRAYER: Lord, when trials, difficulties, and tragedies weigh me down, help me to overflow with thankfulness, and by that thanksgiving to flood away all that would take me away from You.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by James H. Pence. James is an author, speaker, singer, and gospel chalk artist, but prefers to be known as a storyteller. To learn more about James and how he draws the stories of your heart, visit his Web site at: www.jamespence.com.

How Beautiful

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

When praise songs sing of Christ’s beauty, the words draw me in to imagine just how beautiful Jesus must have been while on this earth, and how beautiful He is to me today. And when I am drawn to a beautiful Christian, it is their radiant glow (which must be reflecting the beauty of Christ) that attracts me. Physical features fade in comparison. I want to be with a person who cherishes the Lord in a personal way!

I think this is what also draws me to Jesus. He is the one who can bring me to the Father. While on this Earth, He was completely focused on what the will of the Father was for His life. He knew what His purpose was—His special design. I gravitate toward believers who know what God wants for their lives; those willing to sacrifice everything else in pursuit of godly direction.

How beautiful is the sweet glow of mercy on the face of Jesus. How special are the arms held open wide, to welcome me to His side. How piercing are His eyes, penetrating me with His love and understanding. The mouth of Jesus shares both laughter and smiles of contentment. His Words beckon me.

I desire to worship Jesus in all of His beauty. We often forget how to truly worship. May we make our adoration known to Him. We must not hold back for fear of intimacy! Only when we are drawn to Him can we know Him. When we are drawn to new friends in Christ, we must drop our walls of inhibition to really know and be known of them. Equally so, when we seek Jesus, we must throw aside any weight that hinders our journey, and run to Him.

I can scarcely fathom what it will be like when I see my Savior face to face. How overjoyed will I be, yet how humbled! I am determined not to wait for my heavenly graduation to worship Jesus.

QUOTE: “Oh, come let us adore Him!” —Songwriter, John Wade c. 1743

“Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord,” (Psalm 89:15 NLT).

Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, worshipper, wife to Russ, editor, publicist, certified CLASSeminars speaker and faculty member. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Kathy’s tagline wraps it all up—Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Schedule Kathy for a speaking event or contact her firm for promotional assistance. KCWC gets jazzed shining the light on God’s writers and speakers.

God is Calling

By Cheri Cowell –

There are days when my phone simply rings off the hook, and it seems as though everyone I know is calling. On days like these I remember my Mother saying, “I’m going to change my name” in response to my sister and me calling her for the fifteen-millionth time. How many times were you called today? One thing is certain; God was calling you. God is calling each of us every day, and He patiently renews that call day in and day out until we finally hear His voice and answer the call. What is He calling you to? The call is different for each of us. For some, He is calling them to accept Him as Savior; for others, He is calling them into a deeper relationship. He might be calling some, asking whom shall I send, and still for others He may be calling them into a new mission and purpose for their life. And for some, He’s calling them home. God is calling, and He is calling you by name.

Chapter 42 of Isaiah ends with a description of God’s sorrow over Israel becoming blind and deaf to His calling. Then Chapter 43 begins with God saying, in spite of Israel’s great sin, He will show them His grace and love by restoring them to a place of honor—calling them by name as His chosen people. If God can do this for the very people He had chosen to bear His Son’s birthright, and who were turning their back on Him, He can do the same for you. No matter what you have done, God is still calling you by name, making you His own child, and giving you a special purpose to fulfill in His name. Wow! What a call.

PRAYER: I Praise You, God, for Your tender mercy toward me. Thank You for giving me a special role to play in advancing Your kingdom here on earth. Help me hear Your voice more clearly and to answer Your call with a hearty send me!

“But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com

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