The Protective Hand of God

"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."

Psalm 121:8

I've said it before, and I will say it again.  God protects His children.  He protects them every single day.  Sometimes we can see His hand at work, and sometimes we don't.  Yesterday my husband and I both saw the protective hand of God.

We set off to go to town, which is about a thirty-minute drive from where we live.  On most days, we will stop and pick up our mail when we come back home, but yesterday, we just decided to stop and get it before leaving for the day.  As we were driving out of town, we soon came to a stop.  There was a man on the side of the road, phone in hand, looking at pieces of his truck strewn all over the road.  The front of his truck was completely totaled and there was a dead deer in the ditch.  The exact spot we would have been at if we had not stopped to get our mail.

Thank you, God for your protection.

Knowing that the man was ok, and he was already on his phone reaching out to those who would help him, my husband and I continued on our way.  We both realized how evident it was that God had kept us safe.

Friend, it is so important to begin each day asking God to lead and guide us and to direct each step that we take.  When we do, we will see God's protective hand more clearly in our daily lives...

But that's just me!

"Gods' hand is in all things to guide, sustain, and protect us."

Helen Steiner Rice

I voted!

"And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Daniel 4:35

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."    Proverbs 21:1

Today is the Mid-Term Election.  We have been hearing about this day for months. There have been rallies, interview's, political ads on TV, all trying to manipulate the minds or American voters.  What I find sad is that all the 'hype' behind these politicians has caused fear and anxiety among some people, even Christians.  Believer, that ought not so to be.

My husband and I voted first thing this morning when the Polls opened in our small community and we were happy to do so.  We find it a Constitutional Privilege to be able to vote and allow our voices to be heard.  We did our part, and now we leave the results in the hands Whose Purpose and Plan for our Nation will be fulfilled no matter the outcome.

Even if we do not like the results, God is still Sovereign and He is still in control.

There is nothing to worry about and there is nothing to fear...

But that's just me!

Darkness

 "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness." Psalm 18:28

"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." John 8:12

Daylights Savings Time ended last week.  I've already seen the time for daylight getting shorter and the time of darkness becoming longer. I'm not a big fan of the shorter periods of sunlight, but I do know that there are benefits to the darkness.  I only need to look at my Christmas cactus; it's already beginning to bloom, and Christmas is still weeks away.

For the Christmas cactus to bloom, it requires its roots to remain bound in a smaller pot, and it requires a long period of uninterrupted darkness.  Doesn't seem like the ideal growing environment, does it?  Yet it's exactly what it needs to grow, flourish and flower.

Sometimes it takes us being in a tight spot and experiencing some time in the dark in order for us to grow, flourish and flower in our Christian walk as well.  The time spent in such environment is not fun but look what it will produce when we keep trusting in the plan God has for us!

Things may seem a little dark right now...

    but don't worry, the Light is at the end of the tunnel...

        But that's just me!

"In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."

Francis Bacon

        

When Sorry Isn't Enough

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Have you ever offended someone unintentionally?  I have.  

You can tell immediately by the person's body language or expression on their face that you have offended them by the words you have just spoken.  You quickly apologize and explain that the words didn't come out right, what you meant to say was entirely different.

But instead of forgiveness, a grudge begins to take root. Your 'I'm sorry" was not enough.  

Jesus takes forgiveness very seriously.  

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus requires us to forgive others when they sin against us, (intentionally or not) limitlessly; every single day.  There should never be an offence or an occasion where we do not offer our forgiveness towards a person who has offended us.

I'm so very thankful that Jesus forgives me when I tell Him I'm sorry.  He never makes me apologize repeatedly for my transgression.  He never holds a grudge.  He forgives AND He forgets.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:12

"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19

Friend, be quick to forgive.

And if someone is harboring unforgiveness towards you...

        forgive them...

            It's the right thing to do...

                But that's just me!

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."

C.S. Lewis

"Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ."

Oswald Chambers

All Creation Sings

"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."  Revelation 5:13

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice." Psalm 96:11-12

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1

"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light." Psalm 148:3

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19

All creation sings.  Even rocks.  (Luke 19:40) I've often wondered what a rock would sound like given the opportunity by our Creator to cry out.

Our pastor often jokes about how he cannot carry a tune, and yet he sings to the Lord with everything he's got!

I have friends and family who say the same thing: that they cannot carry a tune or make melody.  What comes out of their mouth by way of song should stay in their mouth.  I'm privileged to sing in the church choir, but there are times when I don't hit the right note.  Just ask the person sitting in front of me.

But I never stop singing.

There will always be reasons to stop singing, but there will always be more reasons to keep singing.

I believe with all my heart that when we sing unto the Lord, by the time it reaches His ears, it is a beautiful melody.  Why?  Because we are singing from our heart, praising Him.

I love listening to God's creation and the individual, unique sound that they make.

Our sound is unique as well.  Created by God.  To praise Him.

The next time you hear the croak of a tree frog, imagine it praising its Creator.

Maybe the cry of the loon isn't calling to its mate but praising its Creator.

The next time you hear the wind rustling the falling leaves in a tree, listen more closely, and perhaps you can hear it praising its Creator.

Every crashing ocean wave, every gentle raindrop making melody to its Creator.

The mournful cry of a dove, the hoot of a barn owl, the chirping of a cricket.  All praising its Creator.

And when we hear Creation sing, sing with them!

So, what if you cannot carry a tune....

    keep singing praises to our Creator....

        It's beautiful music to His ears....

            But that's just me!

"Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in glory we continue to sing." Spurgeon

Golden Vials of Prayers

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." 

Revelation 5:8

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." Revelation 8:3-4

Our prayers are kept.  Every single one of them.  Our prayers are an incense to God.  According to Albert Barnes, the meaning of incense is acceptability and ascent.  Just as burning incense produces a sweet, agreeable fragrance, genuine prayer is pleasing and acceptable to God.  And just as smoke wafts upward toward the heavens, our prayers rise into the presence of God.  

Not only our individual prayers, but our unified, corporate prayers.  When church members come together in prayer, unified, they too, are poured out before God creating a sweet smelling savour.

When I read how my prayers are kept in beautiful vessels to pour out before my Lord, I had to ask myself:

-Are my prayers worth keeping?

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives His disciples a blueprint for prayer.

-Do I follow it?

Matthew 6:9-13 says:

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Words of Jesus.

This prayer is commonly called, 'The Lord's Prayer,' but it is actually 'the disciples prayer.' This example of prayer that Jesus gave His disciples contains elements of prayer that are important for all prayer. 

1-Prayer is to begin with worship.  Worship is the essence of all prayer.

2-Reverence is the second element of prayer, for God's name is to be Hallowed.  Revered.

3-The desire for God's kingdom to come is based on the assurance that God will fulfill all His covenant promises to His people.

4-Prayer is to include the request that His will be accomplished today on earth as it is being accomplished in heaven.

5-Petition for personal needs such as daily food is also to be a part of prayer.  'Daily' means 'sufficient for today.'

6-Requests regarding spiritual needs, such as forgiveness are included too.  This implies that the petitioner has already forgiven those who had offended him.  Sins, as moral debts, reveal one's shortcomings before God.

7-Believers recognize their spiritual weakness as they pray for deliverance from temptation to evil.

(Walvoord & Zuck)

So, are my prayers worth keeping?  Do I pray according to God's Will, or do I pray selfishly?  Do I pray for others, or just for myself?  Do my prayers praise my Saviour, or are they complaints and demands? Do I pray because I want to commune with my Lord, or do I only pray when I need something?  Do I only pray in despair and desperation, or are my prayers full of praise, gratitude and thanksgiving?  Are my prayers full of requests asking for more, or am I content with what I already have?

Our prayers are kept in vials of gold.  They are poured out before God...

    are they sweet smelling like they should be...?

        Or do they stink...?

            But that's just me!

"For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone." Psalm 86:10

"I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore."

Psalm 86:12

a And b

 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God:" Psalm 46:10a

"I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10b

I think sometimes when we read this verse, we forget that there is more to this verse than, 'Be still, and know that I am God.'  We see this part of the verse on bible covers, plaques, wall hangings, tote bags, and refrigerator magnets but we never see the entire verse written out.

To 'be still' means to 'cast down, let fall, or hang down,' especially 'slackening the hands.'

I love that!

It means I need to take my hands off of my situation or circumstance and let God completely handle it.  I don't need to make an effort to fix my own problems, I can leave them with God.  When I do that, my anxiety, fear, apprehension, and impatience will disappear.

Albert Barnes compares this verse with Exodus 14:13-14 which says, "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

Moses is instructing the people to 'stand still' with quiet faith and recognize that God will fight for them.

This is the same God Who is telling us to 'Be still' today.

When we read 'I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth' this emphasizes that God has throughly overthrown all foes, leaving no doubt of His supreme rule.' God is all powerful. He has everything under control, and the battle is already won.

In other words, we can 'Be still, and know that I am God' because of the fact that God  is 'exalted among the heathen and exalted in the earth.' 

Isn't it just like God to bring comfort in the midst of turmoil?  Isn't it just like God to remind us that He is in control?

In the middle of hard circumstances and in the midst of situations I don't understand, I will go to God in prayer.  Sometimes it seems like my prayers go unheard, but then I realize that, perhaps, God is waiting for me to accept what is and let Him handle what will be.  It's during times like these when God reminds me to just be still.  He's got this.  God promises to answer all of my prayers; but He doesn't promise to answer them on this side of Heaven.

Child of God...

    Be Still...

        He Will Be Exalted...!

            But that's just me!

Weight Loss

 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

As we enter our Winter months of hibernation, I am more aware of my physical activity. (Or lack thereof) The older I get, the longer the Winters seem to be.  The sun sets before 5PM and sleeps until almost 8AM.  The snow, winds and frigid temperatures prevent me from going outside.  Holidays, Family gatherings and entertaining friends all add up to one thing:  weight gain.  It's good to be aware of and to maintain a good healthy weight.  Not only for our physical health benefits but because we represent our Saviour.  But there are other weights we tend to carry that we were never meant to carry.  

Spiritual weight.

Satan wants us to carry the weight of the world.  The problems of society, anxiety, fears, depression.  The list could go on and on.  But we were never meant to carry this burden.  No, this battle belongs to the LORD. 

And the battle is already won!

"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you," 2 Chronicles 20:17a

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Words of Jesus, John 16:33

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:58

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15

Friend, if you want successful weight loss...

    give your burdens over to the Lord...

        He will carry them for you....

            But that's just me!

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

            

Living Out My Faith

 "For by grace are ye saved through faith;" Ephesians 2:8a

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes our faith is just mechanical prayers. Sometimes our faith is just quoting favorite verses in time of need.  But when was the last time we actually lived out our faith?

My pastor said something the other night as he was preaching and the Holy Spirit smote my heart.  He reminded me that, yes, we are saved by faith, but do we live it out? I had to be honest with myself; I don't.

It's easy to encourage others to live by faith, but it's not so easy to do ourselves.

My son and his family have been visiting us this week, and before they arrived, I determined in my heart that I was not going to allow my chronic illness to keep me on the sidelines of activity.  I was going to step out in faith and live out my faith.  How did I do it?  I trusted in a promise of God.  Instead of just quoting 2 Corinthians, I claimed it; I allowed His strength to be made perfect in weakness and I allowed the power of Christ to rest upon me.  It was life-changing!  When I stepped out in faith, trusting in what God said He would do, He kept His promise.  The result?  My faith grew.  My trust grew.  So, I did it again the next day, and guess what?  God kept His promise and my faith grew even more!

Today is a new day.  I am determined to step out in faith, claim a promise of God and then LIVE IT!  

Friend, put action behind your faith...

    and live faith...

        it will change your life...

            But that's just me!

  

Reconciled

 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19

For over a month, my husband and I could not reconcile our checkbook.  We knew the dollar amount that was off: our Cable payment.  Our bank posted the payment, but the cable company had not accepted the payment.  It was irritating.  We kept wondering why they would not accept the payment because this method of payment was set up as an Autopayment.  So, yesterday, my husband decided to go speak with a Bank Teller to ask what the problem was.  According to the Bank Teller, there was nothing wrong; the payment was made and it had been posted.  My husband graciously pointed out that even though it had been posted, the dollar amount had not been subtracted from the available balance in our checking account.  Again, the Teller said everything looked good.  So, we decided to go over to the Cable company and point out to them that our payment had been posted, but they had yet to accept the payment.  Their response to our dilemma; call Corporate.  So, we did. Problem rectified, problem resolved, checkbook reconciliation.  Peace.

According to Webster's Dictionary, reconcile means to restore to friendship or harmony, settle, resolve.

And that is exactly what God did, in Christ on the cross.  He made a payment we could not make ourselves, to pay a debt we could not pay, and He did it once and for all.

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 10:10

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" Hebrews 1:3

"...It is finished:" John 19:30b

Friend, Jesus paid your sin debt....

    but you must accept the payment to be reconciled back to God....

        Will you turn to Him today?  He is waiting for you....

            But that's just me!

"In the gospel, sinner, you are invited to God, you are assured that God forgives your sins, ceases to angry, and would have you reconciled to Him through His Son. Thus, love is established between God and the soul/ Then it is for laughter for happiness, for joy." Charles Spurgeon 

Poisoned

 

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9

"O FOOLISH Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Galatians 3:1

My husband and I went 'Glamping' this weekend.  It's the posh version of camping.  We were not out in the middle of nowhere, like most camping adventures, but we settled into a State Park that is in the middle of a city. This State Park was built in what was once a residential housing area before a flood destroyed it. Because of its location, I had decided that it would be nice to only take breakfast food and snacks along with us, and that we could eat out for either lunch or dinner, and my husband agreed.  Our first take-out was from a Chinese restaurant that we used to eat in all the time.  We expected it to be delicious, not only in taste, but appearance.  We were very disappointed.  Our dinner looked like yesterday's lunch leftovers.  Needless to say, it didn't sit well in our stomachs.  

Our second day of 'glamping' we decided to take out lunch from a local establishment that we have also enjoyed in times past.  This time, the food was appealing by sight and by taste!  We were not disappointed at all!  We enjoyed every bite.  But what we didn't know while we were enjoying this tasty meal, is that the taste and appearances had fooled us.  Shortly after our meal, my husband and I became sick: Food Poison.

For those of you who have ever become sick from tainted food, you know that it's not a very pleasant experience to go through.  It dampened our glamping adventure even more than the rain did.  We ended up cutting our adventure short, packing up and heading home.

So, what does this illustration have to do with the two verses in Galatians?

The churches in Galatia were poisoning themselves by believing in things that were not true.  They set aside what they had known to be true; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and believed in works.  Rules.  Legalism.

False Religion is the same as Poison.

Are you eating tainted doctrine...?

    I hope not,  it will only cause you pain, discomfort and possibly an early death...

        But that's just me!

        

So Shall We Ever Be

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

I have a friend right now who is getting all of her 'ducks in a row.'  Putting things in order for the 'just in case.'  It's hard to try to figure out the future when we are still trying to figure out what we need to do today.

Sometimes, when I read a book, the middle of the story begins to get intense.  I don't like intense, so I will read the last few pages in the book, just so I know that everything works out OK and to my liking.  lol. (I'm not going to read a book that doesn't end the way I want it to; I believe in Happily Ever After.)

But real life is different.

Things are going great and then WHAM!  From out of the blue something enters our lives that rocks our boat and shifts the solid ground we are standing on.

But if you are a child of God, then you already know the end of the story: Jesus wins, and one day we will be in heaven with Him forever.

If you could know what tomorrow holds, would you want to know?  

I don't think I would.  I think it would ruin my 'today.'

God is already in our tomorrow, and the next day and the next day after that, and He has promised to go before us in all things.  Isn't it nice to walk into the unknown and have our Saviour already there with His arms wide open for us letting us know that everything is going to be OK and that we are not alone? I take comfort in that. God sustains us in all things.  He never fails.

No matter how my life or your life may be right now...

    we can still rest in the fact that we know the end of the story...

            But that's just me!

But for A Moment

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

In Mark 5, Luke 8 and Matthew 9, there is an account of a woman who had a chronic illness, an issue of blood, for twelve years.  She had seen every doctor, and she had spent all the money she had to get help with this illness and instead of getting better, her condition worsened.  I can relate; and I'm sure many of you can as well.  We live with a chronic illness every single day.  We wake up each morning and wonder if this is going to be a good day, or if our condition will flare up and our day will be one filled with pain.  Pain that is often debilitating.

I often read this account and try to imagine the joy this woman experienced at the moment she touched the hem of our Saviour's garment.  She reached out in faith, and 'straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.' (Mark 5:29) This woman found healing.

Then there is the Apostle Paul, who earnestly poured out his heart to God in prayer to be healed from the thorn in the flesh, and God told him that rather than being healed from his infirmity, the Power of Christ would rest upon him. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul woke up every morning with his chronic illness, but was reassured by God Himself that the Power of Christ would be upon him!

Can you imagine?

And it was the Apostle Paul who penned 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 under the power of the Holy Spirit that reminds us that our chronic illness that we wake up with every single morning, is merely a 'light affliction, which is but for a moment.'

Sometimes it doesn't feel that way, does it?

I've been dealing with my chronic illness for 34 years now.  Some days are manageable, and some days are hard to bear, but in the context of eternity, this pain truly is 'but for a moment.' Our afflictions in the here and now, are 'light' and are 'short-lived' compared to what eternity holds for us one day.  

Albert Barnes once said, 'Our trials are not meaningless. The afflictions actively prepare, build, and secure spiritual maturity and heavenly reward for the believer.  While earthly pain is fleeting and weightless, the glory of heaven is substantial, rich and eternal."

The Apostle Paul didn't describe his affliction 'light' because it didn't hurt.  No, he described his affliction as 'light' because of what he compared it with: an eternal reward.

We can look past our fleeting pain today...

    when we focus on our eternal healing in heaven...

        But that's just me!

Until

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Psalm 57:1

These words were sung from a cave. David was hiding from Saul, and in his current position and his current state of affairs, he turned to The Only One Who could help him.

God.

Have you ever been there?  In a cave? Hiding from the enemy?  Have you ever been backed into a corner and realized that there was only one way out of that corner?  

You will have to walk past your enemy.

Is your cave of your own making, or a result of someone else? 

Are you hiding from a person? Finances? Bad news? Health?

Your situation can be anything, but the destination always seems to be the same: The Cave.

I've been in a cave for almost two weeks now, so when I opened my bible and read David's heart cry, I found comfort in his words.  He was in a dire-straight.

But he was not alone.

His prayer was so serious, he asked twice for God's mercy.  He also reminded God that it was in Him alone that He trusted.  But what is so beautiful to me is that in the midst of the cave, David found refuge in the shadow of God's wings. 

We also know, by the words of David's prayer, that he realized that his calamity would eventually end. He knew he was in a cave right now, but he also knew that he would not be there forever.

UNTIL: Up to the time that.

David would remain in the shadow of God's wings UNTIL it was over.

David also knew that this would not be his last calamity.

When David prayed, he asked for God's mercies UNTIL THESE calamities be overpast.

'These' is the plural form of 'this.'

In other words, David was praying, 'God, be merciful to me, be merciful to me, because you are the only One I can trust, and I will remain in the shadow of your wings until this calamity is finished because You are my refuge!'

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a cave, it seems like we will never make our way out; but we will.

But UNTIL then...

    Remain nestled in the shadow of God's Wings...

        He is our refuge and strength and through Him we can overcome our enemy...

            But that's just me!

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." Helen Keller

Fears

 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1 (and in the margin of my bible, I added, 'Or what?'

Turning on the News, every day is enough to make anyone fearful.  The unrest, anger, and hate in our society causes most sane people to want to crawl under a rock. Crime, Food Recall, Viruses and the list could go on. Fear will take hold of your heart...if you let it.

So, what exactly is fear?

Fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, a particular instance, emotion, reason for alarm. (Webster's Dictionary)

Now that we know what fear is, do you recognize it in your own life?  Are you going through a situation right now that is causing you great fear or anxiety?  Is there someone in your life that you are afraid of?

And what about fear itself?

During the Great Depression there was much fear and panic going on in our Nation.  During his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these famous words, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  What he was trying to say was that panic and paralyzing terror are more dangerous than the actual crisis we face because they stop us from taking action."

I believe it.  When I'm afraid, I shackle my mind to my fear and I am rendered useless.

But when I finally calm down by quoting God's precious promises to me, I'm reminded of another definition of fear:  It's the reverential awe of God.  It's amazing that when I focus on God, my fear turns into trusting in His promises, my fear turns into courage, confidence and fearlessness!

When I focus on God, fear runs!

Isaiah 41:10 is one of my all-time favorites.   It says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." 

I can't tell you how many times I have repeated this verse over and over in my mind through different situations in my life.  God's ever presence, comfort and encouragement removes fear and anxiety!

When I fear God, I have nothing else to fear, why?

    Because everything I'm afraid of...

        Is afraid of Jesus...

            But that's just me!

"God's presence brings quietness in the midst of alarm." F.B. Meyer

'Fear not' appears 71 times in the bible.

'Do not be afraid,' or 'Be not afraid,' appears roughly 30 to 40 additional times, depending on the exact wording.  The combined total of similar comfort phrases adds up to around 100 to 145 times in the KJV

 

Pardon the Interruption

 "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

Proverbs 18:13

Has someone ever interrupted you while you were speaking to answer a question, they think you are about to ask?

Has someone ever interrupted you while you were speaking to finish your sentence for you.

Has someone ever echoed the words you are speaking while you are saying them because they think they know what you will say?  

Has someone ever just interrupted you before you finished your sentence at all?

This has happened to me, and guess what?

I've done it to others.

It's annoying, isn't it?  Especially when our spouse does it.  I can't count the number of times I will be telling my husband something and he will finish my sentence before I do, and I have to say, 'That isn't what I was going to say.'

And guess what?

He has had to say the same thing to me just as many times.

Kidner once said, "This is 'a special snare of self-importance.'" 

Matthew Henry notes that a "ready wit is fun, but solid judgment requires patience."

But when you come right down to it, it's pride and it's just plain rude; and when we speak before knowing the full facts, it exposes us to disgrace.

I wonder if I've interrupted my Lord?  Have I been too impatient to fully listen to what He is trying to teach me?  Have I interpreted His Word incorrectly because I haven't read it in context?  Am I hasty in going about my Father's business and doing something He didn't even call me to do?

I'm sorry, Lord.

Do you interrupt the Lord while He is speaking to you...?"

    Let Him finish speaking...

        You might be surprised by what He says....

            But that's just me!

The Network

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." 

Philippians 2:4

There was a storm rolling in.  I could see the black clouds on the horizon.  I could smell the rain in the air.  And of course, I checked the radar on the Weather Channel. (lol) I knew it was coming.  I quickly finished the task I was working on, gave my little dog, Grace, her anxiety calming treat, and we hunkered down on the couch to wait for the storm.  As the thunder crashed, the lightning flashed and the rain came pouring down, I thought of a few people I knew who feared such storms, and I began to text each one.  I asked them if they were okay, and then I reassured them that no matter how dark it may get, or how hard the winds blow, yet there were no tornados predicted.  Each text that I sent out was met with a reply telling me how much they appreciated being thought of and being checked on.

Then a funny thing happened: I got a text from my husband and then my son asking me if I was okay.  I smiled to myself and thought of the wonderful 'Network' we had going during the storm.  The comforts of communication that got sent out to reassure everyone that we would all be okay.

I was reminded of another Network.  A Network that connects each Giant Sequoias tree along California's rugged northern coastline.  These mighty, gigantic, ancient trees that tower over 350 feet tall have a shallow root system.  So shallow that if they were to stand alone, they would not be so mighty after all.  In fact, they probably would not survive a storm.  Standing alone, they would fall.  But because their root system intertwines with the other trees around them, they can stand through any storm; and so can the tree next to it.

I love that!

You don't have to wait for a storm to blow through before you connect with someone...

    Just reach out and let someone know you are there for them...

        You just may have prevented them from falling...

            But that's just me!

My Personal Bible

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." 

Proverbs 11:25

Brother Larry Ingalls recently visited our church and shared a video of his ministry, Baptist Couriers for Christ, with us.  In one picture, it showed a room full of people listening to the Word of God being preached.  Among the hundreds of people in that room, only two bibles were among them.  The two people with the bibles, sat in the middle of the room and when the Pastor referred to a specific verse, those two people would hold their bibles up in the air for all to see. As soon as the bibles were held up, the entire room turned to look at the precious word of God.  You could see the longing in their eyes; to one day hold a bible in their own hands.  

When I saw that picture, I cried.

I have a bookshelf full of bibles that I have purchased and used throughout the years.  When one bible shows wear and tear, I go online and order a new one and place the old one on the shelf with all the others.

Six years ago, I began an email bible study with my aunt who lives in a different State.  She asked me if I had a bible I could mail to her.  Her request made my blood freeze in my veins.  The thought of having to choose one of my personal, precious bibles to give away was like amputating part of my body.  Years of experiences and years of notes written in the margins seemed all too personal to me.  I couldn't believe her request.  Deep down I thought to myself, 'What?  Send you one of my bibles?'  I began to sweat.  Then I thought that maybe I could just buy her a brand new one.  But no.  She wanted one of my personal bibles.   I began to pray.  I prayed and I prayed and I prayed about which bible I should send her.  I ended up sending her one of my favorite bibles that was jam packed with notes, answered prayers, heart-cries and praises.

And do you know what?

I don't regret it for a minute.

Proverbs 11:25 tells us that a generous person will prosper and whoever refreshes others will also be refreshed.

I had nothing to lose.

And everything to gain.

I learned a lot about myself that day, and it also reminded me of something:

The Christian life is all about giving ALL.

The Christian life is giving SELF to OTHERS...and

It's about giving family and strangers the best of what you have in ALL things.

I also learned that giving a bible away...

    whether or not it's one of my own, or one I purchased to give away...

        is the most rewarding gift I can give to anyone...

            for them, and for me...

                  But that's just me!

            

Baptist Couriers for Christ was founded as a Bible smuggling ministry on November 6, 1979, by Donald Stertz.  During a survey trip behind the Iron Curtain in 1978, he made a chilling discovery; in a church of 100, only 2 had bibles. Since then, this ministry has grown to use containers of all shapes and sizes to send Gospel literature and Scripture around the world.  This material is printed in thousands of different languages and sent to churches and missionaries throughout the world. If you would like to help in this ministry, you can find Baptist Couriers for Christ online, or write to them at:

3030 Witzel Ave. Oshkosh, Wi 54904

Always Watching

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

There is a huge debate going on around our Nation.  It's about Flock Camera's, have you heard?  Flock cameras are automated license plate readers, (ALPRs) made by the private company Flock Safety that capture and log vehicle details like the license plates, makes, models, colors, and unique markers. They read plates, log details, build databases and track movement.  Like any debate, there are two sides; the Pro and Con.  The upset among most Citizens is that this is a Mass Surveillance.  They track everyday citizens who have broken no laws.  Privacy is at risk because Police can track a person's history and location data without needing a warrant.  All Officers are not good.  Some Officers have used the system to stalk or even look up romantic partners, and like any technology, it makes errors.  The Flock cameras have led to false accusations against innocent people.  There was one such incidence in the State in which I reside when a woman was arrested and jailed for up to 6 months because her facial recognition was identified in a robbery that she did not commit.  In fact, she had proven that she was out of State at the time, but that didn't matter.  During her 6 months of incarceration, she lost her job, her house and even her pets.  Her life will always be affected by this false accusation all because of error.  That's the Con side.  On the Pro side, it has been used to rescue kidnapped children and to arrest true criminals.

But what it really comes down to is this: People don't like to be watched.  What they don't realize is that we have always been watched.  We are watched by our family members, the people we work with, the people we attend church with and we are being watched by our neighbors.  

We are also being watched 24/7.  Day and night.  We are being watched when we are sleeping and when we are awake.  We are being watched when we are doing good and when we are doing bad, and I'm not talking about Santa Claus.

No, we are being watched by the One True God.

Some people might feel uncomfortable knowing that we have a Creator God that sees everything we do, even in secret.  I actually find comfort in knowing that my Saviour sees me.  He knows where I am at all times.  He is my Protector, my Help and My Stay.  He is my Constant.

If you were to watch a recording of your day made by a Flock camera, what would it show?  Would you be embarrassed by the things you did or said?  Would you be ashamed?  Or would the recording show that you lived a life that is honoring and glorifying God?  Is it showing you lie to your neighbor, or does it show extended kindness to your neighbor?

The bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."  There will be a time when we stand before the Lord and be shown everything our life consisted of, the good and the bad.   "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Revelation 20:12

I don't think it matters too much that we are being watched by the world...

    I think what matters most is that God is watching...

        But that's just me!

God sees everything even when no one else does.

Endurance or Indulgence?

 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

True or False:

-This has never happened to anyone else; False.

-There is no way out of this temptation; False.

-I can entice myself in my strongest temptation and still deny myself; False.

-I can search the Scriptures to help me, BEFORE and AFTER my temptation; TRUE.

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3

-Jesus is the answer.  He is my Rescuer and Deliverer, and He has made a way of escape for me; TRUE.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Whenever I read 1 Cor. 10:13, the first person I think of is Joseph.  In Genesis 39 we read of how Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph to lie with her. This woman had set her eye on Joseph and literally threw herself at him.  When she first approached Joseph with such a scandalous request, he told her no.  He also reminded her that by doing such a wickedness that he would sin against God.  Joseph thought this situation had been dealt with, but the bible tells us in verse 10 of Genesis 39, that Potiphar's wife enticed Joseph daily!  She eventually even had the audacity to grab a hold of Joseph when there were no other men in the house.  What did Joseph do?  "...he fled and got him out." He RAN!

Sometimes the only way to escape temptation is to run.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, "Paul pointed to the One on whom the Corinthians could rely. The temptations that seized the Corinthians were like those that the people had always faced. They could be met and endured by depending on God, who is faithful.  Part of the Corinthian problem was that some in the face of temptation were not looking for a way by endurance, but a way in for indulgence." Walvoord & Zuck

Which brings me to another example.

"At a market, a little boy stood by a candy display, looking as if he was going to take some without paying. A clerk watched the boy and finally said, 'Looks like you're trying to take some candy.' The boy answered, 'Mister, I'm trying to NOT take any.'"  Anonymous

This may be a cute example of temptation, but it also shows that the longer you look at your temptation, the greater that temptation becomes!

It's our choice.

We can be like the little boy in the candy store and keep our temptation ever before us, or we can be like Joseph and RUN.

The way of escape isn't necessarily an easy way...

    but it's available...

        But that's just me!