Category: Protection

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Beating the Odds

Stand Still!

These are not the words you’re wanting to hear when in a situation like the Israelites were. They had just left Egypt during the middle of the night. They had the clothes on their backs, some provisions, their flocks and herds and the gold,silver and clothing the Egyptians had given them as they were leaving.

Moses and Aaron told them to be ready to go at a moments notice and that moment was now. The Bible tells us about 600,000 men with their families left Egypt. It was as if an entire city packed up and moved over night.

No GPS to set their route. Something better – the Lord led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Follow the pillar and you won’t go wrong. They had only been gone a little while and someone noticed that the entire Egyptian army was following them. Pharoah wasn’t giving up, he was in hot pursuit.

That’s when they began to cry and complain and that’s when Moses said “Stand Still”.

“The Egyptian army had many horse soldiers and chariots. They chased the Israelites and caught up with them while they were camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hahiroth, east of Baal Zephon. 10 When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his army coming toward them, they were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did you bring us out here in the desert to die?… 13 But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 14 You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” Exodus 14:9-14 ERV

An army behind them and the Red Sea ahead of them – it appeared they were doomed. But when the Lord does the fighting you can beat the odds.

The Lord had promised to take them to a new land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t say He would take them out into the desert to die. God is bigger than an attacking army and He’s greater than a sea. He’s also mightier than any enemy or devastating circumstance that we may face.

He is the Lord who provides; He is the promise keeper!

The Lord placed the cloud between the Egyptian army and the Israelites, the army could proceed no further. Then the Lord gave Moses the command to hold his staff in the direction of the sea. When he did the wind blew and the waters parted leaving a path for them to follow to the other side.

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today.“

I have no idea what circumstances you may be facing; physical, emotional, financial, relational, however, I do know the God who delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He is still the same powerful Lord that He was then.

“All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people. But you have done much more than I could possibly know. 16 I will praise you, Lord God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save.” Psalm 71:15-16 CEV

Our God is trustworthy. He is mighty to save!

We can beat the odds when we place our trust in Him!

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Protection & Sleep

How did you sleep last night?

Mine was interrupted with dreams and not all of them were pleasant. That doesn’t happen very often but when it does my first thoughts after waking are filled with prayers for the people who were in my dreams and then I pray for restored peace in my own heart.

I was a child who was plagued with nightmares. My sleep was anything but restful. In my twenties I read this verse and it became mine.

“When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 ERV

That really put an end to bad dreams. Now, when I have a dream that unsettles me I pray. As I said the primary focus of my prayer is for those who were in the dream with me. I can’t know if they are having a difficult time and are worried or afraid so I pray for them to be wrapped in peace and then I pray for my own peace to be restored.

Rest is from God. It is His way of “rest”-oring our strength for the day ahead.

I spend quite a bit of time reading Proverbs. I love the nuggets of wisdom and instruction for daily life that I find there. Chapter three is one of my favorites and the first few verses of that chapter have been my primary focus. They give instruction on trusting and following the Lord’s leading and not depending on my own knowledge and understanding.

But this morning these verses lept from the page:

“My son, don’t ever let wisdom out of your sight. Hold on to wisdom and careful planning. 22 They will bring you a long life filled with honor. 23 As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful. 25 You have no reason to fear a sudden disaster or the destruction that comes to the wicked. 26 You can trust the Lord to protect you. He will not let you fall into harm.” Proverbs 3:21-26 ERV

Wisdom, honor, safety, sleep, no reason to fear, trust, protection! These verses are packed with expressions of the Lord’s loving-kindness.

I don’t know what situations I will face today, neither do you, but whatever may come these verses promise us the Lord’s protection.

Safety thoughout our day and peaceful sleep. Those are promises I can hold on to!

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A Safe Place

Dave and I enjoy spending the evenings on our patio. It’s a busy place.

We watch the hummingbirds scooting in for their last drinks of the day. Flittering here and there at high speed. Up to a tree branch, down to the feeder and in just a few minutes they are gone.

About this time we hear the cooing of the doves who are roosting in the mesquite trees. Then comes the lone call of the quail. Quail are very vocal birds and Dave and I will make up conversations when we hear them calling at dusk.

“Hurry up now. It’s almost bedtime. Don’t delay, you need to come in before it gets dark.” And then there will always be an annoyed chatter…”But I don’t want to go to bed yet, can’t I stay out just a little longer”.

It’s amazing the natural instinct God has gifted to the different animals. They all have a desire to protect their young, keeping them safe from danger.

Is it no wonder that the Scriptures talk about us being safe, under the wings of Almighty God?

“Your love is a treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You give your guests a feast in your house, and you serve a tasty drink that flows like a river.” Psalm 36:7-8 CEV

“God will save you from hidden dangers  and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:3-4 ERV

We don’t need to beg the Lord for protection. He is the One making the offer. He wants us to come to Him for help and safety. He has given us an open invitation to utilize His protection.

Shortly before His death, Jesus was on a hilltop looking over Jerusalem and He was heart broken. He was praying for the Jewish people and their leaders. He had been preaching and teaching for three years and still there were many who refused to accept His message, a message of salvation and protection.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me. ” Matthew 23:37 ERV

Do you hear the heart ache? I wanted to gather you in, under my wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

Coming to the Lord for help in times of trouble isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s an action of wisdom. Come to the Lord’s safe place!

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Practicing My Preaching

Yesterday after I posted my blog I picked up my journal and pen. I opened it to a clean page and found that it had been several days since I had written any of the things I am thankful for. I had also neglected to record the prayers of my heart.

Lots has been going on. Although, I have been praising the Father for miracles large and small and I have also been pouring my heart out to Him with specific requests, I had failed to write them down. Now to some of you that may not seem significant but to me it was a true sign that I had become overwhelmed in the circumstances.

So…I stopped, almost mid sentence and asked the Lord for a verse or verses that I could live out. Remember what I said yesterday? It’s better to read one verse and live it than to read chapters and not have it make any impact on what we do.

I wanted and needed to practice what I preach.

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

These are the words that jumped out at me – when my heart is overwhelmed. What do we do when we’re overwhelmed? Answer: Cry out! That’s exactly what I did.

I practiced what I was preaching.

Then next words that caught my attention were rock of safety, safe refuge, safe beneath your wings. Key thought here – when we cry out to the Lord, when we are overwhelmed, He will lead us to a safe place.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name,  and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me and your shepherd’s rod  makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life,  and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Life will always have circumstances and situations that will try to unsettle us. We will have many opportunities to be fearful and overwhelmed. However, when we are following the Lord we can choose not to take them.

I found a place of safety and peace. I can trust my Father. I don’t need all the answers because He has them. If I follow His lead I will come to a place of rest.

I will practice what I preach.

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Renewal by Fire

I read those three words yesterday while we were visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings. We had walked the trail from the base of the mountain, up past the dwellings and were on our descent when we rounded a bend and saw that the entire side of the mountain and down into the canyon had been destroyed by fire.

The Forest Service had placed an informational sign that was headed by those three words “Renewal by Fire”. The placard went on to explain how the grasses, flowers, trees and even the wildlife are renewed after a fire.

The area was scorched. The trees were downed and charred but beneath them new life could be seen. I was saddened by thoughts of fire burning this massive landscape. But then these words popped into my thinking.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV (emphasis mine)

Beauty for ashes! Renewal by fire.

Life’s fires seem devastating. Things we feel are important can be destroyed. However, we have God’s promise that He will give us beauty to replace the ashes and joy to replace our sorrow. The trials and sorrows of life can deepen our faith as we draw closer to the Lord. He is the one we should turn to; He is our source of strength.

“When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior. I gave Egypt to pay for you. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to make you mine.” Isaiah 43:2-3 ERV

Renewal by fire.

New growth. New life. New purpose.

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To Err Is Human…

…to forgive divine!

That is a saying I heard many times growing up and I’m not really sure where it came from. I just know those are the words that were forefront in my heart this morning.

Have you ever made comments or had thoughts like this; “I just don’t think God could ever love me, forgive me, use me, want me, etc, like He does someone else”? “If people knew who I was or the things I have in my past they wouldn’t love me or want to be my friend”.

Ever had those thoughts? I have and guess what, so did the Apostle Paul.

“But our Lord gave me a full measure of his grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them. 16 But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.” I Timothy 1:14-16 ERV

Paul felt that he was the worst sinner to have ever lived, he arrested and had Christians murdered. But God forgave him, changed his life and used him to reach the world with the Gospel.

Jesus was all about forgiving. He forgave Zacheaus, the woman in adultery, the thief on the cross, the soldiers and religious leaders that were crucifying Him. He forgave Paul. He has forgiven us too!

I shared these verses with you the other morning. They are some of my favorites on the presence and protection of the Lord. Take a hard look at the first part of verse one.

“…Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you… 4 You are of great worth in My eyes. You are honored and I love you… 5 Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east, and I will gather you from the west.” Isaiah 41:1-5 NLV

God isn’t holding our past against us! Our past is that – past!

In Hebrews, we are told that God won’t remember our sins and trespasses. He puts them as far as the East is from the West.

If you are being held captive by your past brreak free by accepting the Father’s forgiveness!

He has ransomed you. He has redeemed you, He is walking through life’s hardships with you and protecting you. You are precious to Him!

God isn’t mad at you. He hasn’t rejected or disqualified you. He loves you!

Thank you Father for your amazing love. Thank you that my past is past and thank you that I have been redeemed and that I am Yours!

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Too Many To Count

When our youngest daughter was in first grade I had a job where I had to be clocked in my 5:30 a.m. That, of course, was way to early for her to be up getting ready for school so Dave would get her off to school each morning.

I would have her clothes laid out and her lunch made but he had to make sure she had breakfast and her hair brushed before he took her to school. Breakfast was no problem but the hair brushing was something entirely different. She had long blonde hair, almost to the middle of her back and she liked to wear it in a pony tail or a single braid.

The hair brushing routine is something they still laugh about to this day. Dave’s big hands were clumsy as he tried to pulled up all that hair and smooth it into a pont tail with no lumps or bumps. They finally fell upon a plan that worked for them both. Our daughter would lay down on the dining room table bench, hair hanging over the edge. He brushed it, gathered it together and got the pony tail holder in place.

Success!

A labor of love! A time a father and daughter will never forget. Something special for just the two of them.

Did you know that our heavenly Father wants times like that with us? Special times – initimate times – times that only the two of us can share. He knows the very number of hairs on our head; He saw us as we were being formed in our mother’s womb and considered us perfect. He has been there every day of our lives and has been as intimately involved as we have allowed Him to be.

“But now the Lord Who made you, O Jacob, and He Who made you, O Israel, says, “Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you. I have given Egypt as pay for your life, and have traded Cush and Seba for you. Isaiah 43:1-3 NLV

“but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book  everything I would do. 17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. 18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.” Psalm 139:16-18 CEV

A friend and I were talking at breakfast yesterday morning about the goodness of God. Our Father is always working on our behalf, even when we don’t see it. His plan is for our good and our benefit. We can trust Him!

We don’t need to be looking at others and wishing we had what they have because we have our Father’s promise. He will never leave us or forsake us. Our help comes from the Lord so we should be “fear free”; our God is greater than any man.

When we ask the question “where is God now, does He know what I’m going through?”, the answer rings clear.

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” Psalm 139:7 NLT

What is your situation today? Are your eyes filled with tears? Is your heart breaking? Do you feel lost and alone? Your Father knows the number of hairs on your head and He is with you in every situation. He has good thoughts of you – so many that they are to numerable to count!

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In the Middle of the Night

I am so done with allergy season!

The last few days have been windy which keeps the pollen stirred up. I haven’t been bothered like this in years. The last two nights I have laid awake staring at the ceiling while trying to breathe.

So what do you do in the middle of the night?

Well, I pray. There are many needs of family and friends that can be carried into the Father’s throne room, laid at His feet and left there. It’s important to remember that – don’t carry them back out. Leave them all at His feet. He can handle them much better than we can.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Another thing that fills those night hours is song.

“I will honor the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. 2 My soul will be proud to tell about the Lord. Let those who suffer hear it and be filled with joy. 3 Give great honor to the Lord with me. Let us praise His name together.” Psalm 34:1-3 NLV

My song of choice last night was “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. I have a large repertoire of praise songs and hymns stored in my head but last night I kept circling back to these lyrics.

Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased, and that I’m never alone

You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, It’s who you are, It’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, It’s who I am, It’s who I am

Oh, I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I’ve known we’re all searching
For answers only you provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, It’s who you are, It’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, It’s who I am, It’s who I am

Join me as I continue in my praise of the Lord.

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Everyone on this earth, sing praises to the Lord, 2 sing and praise his name. Day after day announce, “The Lord has saved us!” 3 Tell every nation on earth, “The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things! 4 The Lord is great and deserves
our greatest praise! He is the only God worthy of our worship. 5 Other nations worship idols, but the Lord created the heavens. 6 Give honor and praise to the Lord, whose power and beauty fill his holy temple.” 7 Tell everyone of every nation, “Praise the glorious power  of the Lord. 8 He is wonderful!” Psalm 96:1-8 CEV

Oh…He is such a good, good Father! He dearly loves us and has only the best planned for our lives!

In the middle of the night praise Him!

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It’s a Blustery Day

“I don’t mind the leaves that are leaving. It’s the leaves that are coming.” a quote by Piglet from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.

That’s how I have felt the last few days. We’ve had a lot of wind in the Southwest and I’m not a fan. One of the things I was glad to leave behind when we moved from Montana was the wind.

I am so thankful that we don’t live in an area where tornados are prevalent. I pray for those of you who do.

One of the most comforting stories I’ve read in the Bible is about the wind.

“Jesus got into a boat. His followers followed Him. 24 At once a bad storm came over the lake. The waves were covering the boat. Jesus was sleeping. 25 His followers went to Him and called, “Help us, Lord, or we will die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then He stood up. He spoke sharp words to the wind and the waves. Then the wind stopped blowing. 27 Then men were surprised and wondered about it. They said, “What kind of a man is He? Even the winds and the waves obey Him.” Matthew 8:23-27 NLV

The winds came. The disciples were afraid. Jesus was asleep. “Wake up Jesus”. He spoke. The winds ceased. They were saved!

There is never a time that we will go through a storm alone. Jesus has committed His life for our salvation. The winds stopped because of His word.

Just a day or so before Jesus got into the boat with his disciples He had been preaching to the crowds on a mountain top. He spoke these words to them.

“Whoever hears these words of Mine and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain came down. The water came up. The wind blew and hit the house. The house did not fall because it was built on rock. 26 Whoever hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down. The water came up. The wind blew and hit the house. The house fell and broke apart.” Matthew 7:24-27 NLV

Jesus told them that His word was the foundation of strength that would keep them secure in life’s storms.

When he finished teaching he came down the mountain and with His word He healed a leper. Then He spoke and a centurion’s servant was healed. He went to dinner at Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law. After dinner Jesus healed many more people who had come to Him and He delivered many who were demon possessed. All of this is recorded in Matthew chapters 7 and 8.

Great crowds of people were gathering and Jesus told His disciples “Let’s go to the other side” of the lake. So they got into the boat. Jesus didn’t say “Let’s go half way across and drown”. He gave them His word to be a solid foundation for what was to come.

His disciples had seen him cleanse the leper, heal the sick and cast out demons; they really didn’t need to be afraid of a storm.

When life’s waves try to swamp us and its winds try to blow us off course that’s the time to hold tightly to what God has said, to confidently trust in His power and remember that our foundation is securely planted in Him.

The wind and the waves will cease and we will be safe in Him.

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Life Giving Water

The weather is warming up and everyday in the desert is beautiful but even more so when it’s blooming and the trees are budding.

It’s important to remember to take plenty of water when you go out hiking or exploring. It doesn’t take long in the desert sun to dry out or feel the effects of dehydration.

Every hiker knows to take life giving water.

As a girl we never went on a car trip without having at least two gallons of water in the trunk of the car. If the car overheated we would add it to the radiator and we would have some to drink in case of an emergency. Water is a necessity of life.

But what about our soul? How long does it take for the soul to dry out and become parched? How many emotional dry spells can it endure?

Since the soul is more fragile than the body the withering takes place more quickly. It isn’t always as visible as physical dehydration but it is just as devastating.

Have you had those times? Times when you say I just feel like I want to shrivel up and die?

King David spent quite a bit of time being pursued by King Saul in the desert of Israel. He knew what it was like to thirst both physically and spiritually.

“God, you are my God. I am searching so hard to find you. Body and soul, I thirst for you in this dry and weary land without water. 2 Yes, I have seen you in your Temple. I have seen your strength and glory. 3 Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you. 4 By my life, I will praise you. In your name, I lift my hands in prayer. 5 When I sit down to satisfy my hunger my joyful lips hunger to praise you! 6 I remember you while lying on my bed. I think about you in the middle of the night. 7 That is because you are the one who helps me. It makes me happy to be under your protection! 8 I stay close to you, and you hold me with your powerful arm.” Psalm 63:1-9 ERV

Body and soul desire life giving water. Physical water refreshes the body and praise refreshes the soul.

We are waiting patiently for the Spring rains. Nothing smells better than rain in the desert, nothing brings signs of life like a desert rain.

“Let’s do our best to know the Lord. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.” Hosea 6:3 CEV

Life giving water restores the soul.

I pray that you will know what it’s like to be spiritually thirsty, to have soul-thirst, and then to be completely refreshed by the falling rain of God’s amazing love!

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