By Bro. David Mathis

David's Daily Devotion for February 3

February 3, 2023 - Good Morning. It’s Friday, February 3.

I lost a good friend a few days ago. Her name was Portia. I’ve never known anyone else named Portia. And I’ve never known anyone else quite like Portia Gaines.

Miss Portia was a faithful reader of these little daily devotions. And time and time again, more than any other reader, she would respond with an email of thanks and encouragement. Or she would share her thoughts about what I had written. Or sometimes she would tell a story of her own.

David’s Daily Devotion for Feb. 2

February 2, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, February 2.

Happy Groundhog Day! Later this morning, that little varmint, Punxsutawney Phil, will emerge from his burrow, and if he sees his shadow, there’ll be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, then we’ll have an early spring. It is, without a doubt, the silliest holiday on the calendar! So, in the spirit of the day, here’s some silly questions.

*How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? (364)

David's Daily Devotion for February 1

February 1, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Wednesday, February 1.

A former pastor of mine would often say that there were three ways that God answers prayer - “Yes,” “No,” and “Wait.” When people say “God didn’t answer my prayer,” they’ve forgotten that third kind of answer.

David's Daily Devotion for January 31

January 31, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, January 31.

My cat leads a busy and interesting life. There’s the two hours of eating and grooming. There’s the one hour of demanding to either go out or come in. And then there’s the 21 hours of deep sleep that she needs to build up the strength to do it all over again the next day.

David's Daily Devotion for January 30

January 30, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, January 30.

The Library of Congress is the official library of the United States. It was started in 1800, but during the War of 1812, the British burned it to the ground. On January 30, 1815, 6000 books from the personal collection of Thomas Jefferson were purchased to restore the library. Today it boasts over 170 million books. You can visit your national library in Washington D.C. - in the Thomas Jefferson Building. But, unless you’re a high government official, you can’t check anything out.

David's Daily Devotion for January 27

January 27, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, January 27.

We’re getting preoccupied with prayer at First Baptist Center. Three groups of men are meeting weekly to pray, our women are in the midst of a Bible study on prayer, our new prayer coordinator is getting our prayer ministry back on track, and this coming Sunday, our interim pastor, Dr. Tim Watson, will be preaching on the subject of (you guessed it) PRAYER! I think God may be trying to tell us something. Here are some great quotes on this great subject.

David’s Daily Devotion for January 26

January 26, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, January 26.

We’re working to restore the Prayer Ministry at First Baptist Center. It had become dormant and inactive over the last few years. With God’s power and the leadership of our new prayer coordinator, Jan Morris, we pray that prayer will, once again, become a foundation of our church.

David's Daily Devotion for January 25

January 25, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, January 25.

On this date in 1858, the daughter of Britain's Queen Victoria was married, and the princess requested a special piece of music be played at the ceremony. It was called "The Wedding March" and was written by the classical composer Felix Mendelssohn. It was the first time it was used for a wedding, and we still hear it at weddings today. It's the lively tune that, after the "I do's" and the kiss, the bride and groom usually walk out to.

David's Daily Devotion for Jan. 24

January 24, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, January 24.

I John 5:14 is one of my favorite scripture verses on the subject of prayer. You’ve heard it before - “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”. That’s from my favorite translation - the NIV - the New International Version. But listen to how it sounds in the New Living Translation - “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him”. Anything that pleases Him!

David's Daily Devotion for January 23

January 23, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, January 23.

Yesterday, at First Baptist Church of Center, Texas, we welcomed a special guest - a representative of the organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. Actually, for the last ten years, it’s gone by the name “Cru”. Started in 1951, as a ministry to college students, Cru has worked, for over 70 years now, to spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ around the world.

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