Category: Protection

Posted on

Lagging Behind

Yesterday I had two different conversations with friends about following the Lord’s lead and not worrying about the things we can’t change.

One is selling her home and she said, “I know God has a buyer so I’m not going to worry about it. I’ll just do what I can and be ready for the move.”

With the other we were talking about life in general and our trust in the Lord to take care of us each and every day. Even when the electric is out and the washing machine dies.

The Lord refers to us as “the sheep of His pasture”. A good Shepherd will keep is sheep moving together, none running ahead, where they could face unforeseen danger and none lagging behind.

“lag behind: To fail to maintain the pace or progress of someone or something; straggle”

Stragglers are susceptible to attack. When moving sheep from one pasture to another, the Shepherd will lead and he usually has 2 or 3 good dogs working with him to keep the flock moving in a forward motion.

I consider some of our preachers to be like these sheep dogs. They bark a little and even nip at our heels but their job is to keep us in step with the shepherd.

This morning, I was reading some of Paul’s admonitions, barking if you will, to us as followers of Christ.

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. 3 You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together…17 I have something from the Lord to tell you. I warn you: Don’t continue living like those who don’t believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing. 18 They have no understanding, and they know nothing because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives. 19 They have lost their feeling of shame and use their lives to do what is morally wrong. More and more they want to do all kinds of evil. 20 But that way of life is nothing like what you learned when you came to know Christ. 21 I know that you heard about him, and in him you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus.” Ephesians 4:2,3, 17-21 ERV

Sometimes, in our eagerness we run out ahead of God and try to “do” things for Him. At other times, we resist His leading and lag behind. I had one pastor friend who often said, “I never try to work for God. I always want to work with Him”.

My encouragement today is don’t run ahead or lag behind; follow close to the Shepherd. He has us headed for greener pastures.

Posted on

Lighted Path

Recently I sent out a memo reminding our neighbors to take a flashlight if they were out walking after dark.

Living on the edge of the desert there are many animals that live nocturnal lives and it’s necessary that we are aware of our surroundings. We have javelina, coyote, and even snakes. Our home is backed up to a wash so have a series of solar lights lining the back edge of the property. We wouldn’t want to fall off in the darkness.

Light is good. At times, the darkness can be scary.

Have you ever been in a situation when you knew there was something out there – something out there in the dark – and you were afraid? However, when you saw it in the light of day it was only a tree branch or a strange rock formation or a small animal, something insignificant. Maybe you didn’t wait till light of day but instead you got out your spotlight or turned on the flood lights on the porch – when you could see things clearly, it wasn’t scary at all.

Well, that’s how I feel looking at things through the light of God’s word. It tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation, whom shall I fear?

When we let God light our circumstances, we see that His light is bigger than our fears. We can trust Him and not be afraid!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;  he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27 NLT

God’s word will light our path and keep us safe!

Posted on

Reach Deep

I want you to reach deep this morning – reach deep into your pocket or your purse, possibly you’ll have to go out to your car and reach deep into the cup on your console but reach deep.

For it’s there you will find the message that God asked me to deliver, “In God We Trust”.

Are we truly trusting God? When our currency was first minted, our nation’s founders wanted everyone to know where we placed our trust. It wasn’t in the strength of our new nation, instead it was in the goodness and providence of Almighty God!

Listening to the news will either make us cynical or fearful or it can be an opportunity to build our faith. There seems to be very little truth. Truth has been replaced with speculation and accusation. No wonder the Bible says that in the last days men’s hearts will fail them for fear!

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-27 NLT

We need to have our trust in God’s word that than of the news commentators, the financial experts, the medical experts and the military experts. Trust the One who knows the beginning from the end. Trust the one who knows the number of hairs on our head and the One who sees a sparrow when it falls.

Every one of us have a Bible in our pocket or purse; it’s small, round, and shiny. Take it out and read it – read it several times each time and remind yourself “In God we Trust”.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 NLT

These verses are a promise from our heavenly Father – In God we Trust!

Posted on

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Yesterday morning there was a horrible attack on Israel. This morning I felt it was appropriate to share King David’s prayer for safety.

“I come to you for protection, O Lord my God.
    Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!
2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion,
    tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong
    or am guilty of injustice,
4 if I have betrayed a friend
    or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 then let my enemies capture me.
    Let them trample me into the ground
    and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude

6 Arise, O Lord, in anger!
    Stand up against the fury of my enemies!
    Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7 Gather the nations before you.
    Rule over them from on high.
8     The Lord judges the nations.
Declare me righteous, O Lord,
    for I am innocent, O Most High!
9 End the evil of those who are wicked,
    and defend the righteous.
For you look deep within the mind and heart,
    O righteous God.

10 God is my shield,
    saving those whose hearts are true and right.
11 God is an honest judge.
    He is angry with the wicked every day.

12 If a person does not repent,
    God[b] will sharpen his sword;
    he will bend and string his bow.
13 He will prepare his deadly weapons
    and shoot his flaming arrows.

14 The wicked conceive evil;
    they are pregnant with trouble
    and give birth to lies.
15 They dig a deep pit to trap others,
    then fall into it themselves.
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them.
    The violence they plan falls on their own heads.

17 I will thank the Lord because he is just;
    I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7

Posted on

Sunset – Son Rise

It’s been five days since I was able to get a picture of the sunset. When we came to Greece I promised myself that I would try to capture each day’s passing with a picture. While we were in Crete for those five days, our hotel room window didn’t provide me with the ability to capture it.

But last night was a real joy! I was able to photograph it as it dropped down into the sea. Not long after, the lighted cross appeared again, it was across the harbor on a hill.

It made me think.

Quite often, when things change in our lives we see it as a final step or a “last time” and we begin to murmur in the darkness. But if we just wait, we will see the Son Rise.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” Malachi4:2 NLT

Christ is our source in every situation; there is no lack of power when we are connected to Him.

“It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!” Amos 5:8 NLT

This has been a wonderful vacation for Dave and I but it is quickly coming to an end. When I was a child Mom would tell us “Only four more sleeps”. Well, we’re down to only two more sleeps before we get on our flight home.

We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and our abilities. We’ve done things we weren’t sure we were able to do, and we’ve spent hours talking about the future. The Lord still has many wonderful plans for us, and we will follow His lead. (but that’s for another blog)

This morning I can see the sky beginning to glow and I know that the sun is rising but I’m more confident that the Son of righteousness is rising, bringing hope and life to the nations.

“Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. ” II Peter 1:19 NLT

Posted on

The Little Things

We’ve been on Paros for a week now. Everyday has been a new experience – fun and beautiful!

When we first arrived, we thought we would be renting a small car, a quad bike or even a scooter to assist us in our site seeing adventures but that one drive from the airport to our hotel was more than enough to convince us that we should stay on foot.

I know our kids were glad we showed wisdom in making that decision. Yesterday was an interesting day to be afoot.

As long as we are in the city center with the shops and restaurants the only traffic is an occasional scooter but more commonly the vendors making deliveries with overladen hand trucks.

We had gone to some shops down by the harbor and were on our way back to the hotel when we saw that a small church in the heart of town had its doors open. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit it. So ornate and brightly painted. Christ is always at the center of these Greek churches and then they also give honor to the saints and priests who have led the community in worship. An amazing place to stop and pray.

Coming from the church back to the city center we were walking, in the road with other tourists, when a couple of motor bikes came up behind us. We stepped to the side and around the bend from the other direction came a small car. There was hardly room enough for the motorbikes and the car. As the little car past us both the elderly woman driving and her equally senior husband were making the sign of the Cross.

We couldn’t help but laugh. But then we said there was no way we would get out in that traffic without praying either. It’s always best to have the Lord’s guidance in difficult situations.

“You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.” Psalm 143:10 CEV

Sometimes we forget to involve the Lord in the small parts of our day. It’s in those little things that we often see the largest miracles.

I remember the days when money was tight – very tight. We had two small children to feed and often no more than $20-30 for the groceries that week. I would pray over the grocery list asking the Lord to direct me in my shopping. I asked Him to multiple my “loaves and fishes”. Once I got to the store, I would find that most all of the things on my list were on “sale”. Two for the price of one. BOGO.

“Lord direct my path to the right store and to the right products”. He did and we ate well.

As a young shepherd, King David, learned how to lead and how to be led. He trusted the Lord in the same simple way that His Good Shepherd led him.

“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.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

The couple in that little car with be a reminder to always trust the Lord in circumstances that seem hard to navigate. It’s like I’ve told you before, the Lord will give us examples of trusting Him with our everyday lives if we just look for them. It’s in the little things!

Posted on

Tornado Warning

Strong as a brick house!

I never understood how true those words were until my second summer working in Iowa. We were living in an RV Park. Dave and I were both working for our friends’ who had an aerial application service. I was in the office and Dave provided ground support for the planes and helicopters.

The winds were picking up and we knew a storm was coming but then things increased in severity, and we went from a summer storm to a tornado warning. I had lived in Arizona most of my life and more recently had moved to the Northwest. I knew how to handle extreme heat and 30 below temperatures but a tornado warning was something else entirely.

A local business had specified their basement area as a storm shelter but since we, and several other RV’ers, had pets we couldn’t shelter there. Health Department regulations. We would have to stay at the RV Park in the brick shower house.

Solid as a rock!

I think that was one of the most frightening experiences I have been through. Thank God I was there with three other women, two I found out were Christians. We prayed! We prayed for safety for not only us but for our families and all who were in the tornado’s path. We prayed for the crops and farmhouses, business and schools. We prayed that the tornado would miraculously dissipate. We prayed for our pets to be calmed. We prayed!

And when the praying was done, we began to sing! We gave praise to God for the promises of His word, for His faithfulness, His protection, His greatness!

We were living the teachings of the Bible. Everyone was safe, there was very little home and farm damage, thank God!

“You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. 21 The whole building is joined together in Christ, and he makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22

The cornerstone or foundational stone for our lives as believers is Jesus Christ. We are in Him! And in Him and the Spirit of God dwells in us empowering us for victory.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.

26 “Whoever hears these teachings of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 ERV

Jesus is called the Word made flesh so when we accept Him as our chief cornerstone we will be secure in our position, founded on the rock able to stand against the storms.

Posted on

Outside the Box

Do you have a tendency to compartmentalize your life? Family, work, health, friends, finances, social activities? Do things have to be kept in their own little box, not touching or interfering? Like vegetables on a dinner plate, don’t let them blend.

Some people do that with the Lord.

It’s ok for Him to have their Sunday and even occasionally, when times are tough, to be brought into the areas of career or life’s passions but they aren’t ready to allow Him to permeate all the areas of their life.

I found an interesting assessment of the Lord in the book of I Kings. Benhadad had attacked King Ahab of Samaria. The Israelites had gone to aid in the fight. King Benhadad was defeated and look what he was told by his advisers.

“King Ben-Hadad’s officers said to him, ‘The gods of Israel are mountain gods. We fought in a mountain area, so the Israelites won. If we fight them on level ground, we will win.'” I Kings 20:23 ERV

Our God won’t be limited. He won’t be kept in a box. This was the Lord’s reply to their limiting of His involvement.

“A man of God came to the king of Israel with this message: ‘The Lord said, ‘The people of Aram said that I, the Lord, am a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys. So I will let you defeat this great army. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’” I Kings 20:28 ERV

The same holds true in our lives. God wants to be involved in every aspect. He has the knowledge, the plan and the power to bring us through in victory.

He wants us to depend upon Him for everything, not just the things we think are too big for us to handle on our own. I’ve learned that trusting the Lord with all I do has a better result.

“ All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God. 3 Good will come to you in the city, and good will come to you in the country. 4 Good will come to your children, and the fruit of your ground, and the young of your animals. Your cattle and flock will have many young ones. 5 Good will come to your basket and your bread pan. 6 Good will come to you when you come in, and when you go out.” Deuteronomy 28:2-6 NLV

When we farmed alfalfa, we prayed over the crops and the weather. When we travel, we pray for safety on the roads both in the city and the country. We believe the Father to be involved in our home life and our work life – coming in and going out. Our Father wants to be the leading participant in our life’s story.

My question is this, where have we limited God? Isn’t it time to let Him have it all? Learn to live outside the box, “Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’”

Posted on

Never Abandoned

While looking through some pictures yesterday I was reminded of a dog we rescued. He is such a sweet boy but for whatever reason he had been abandoned in the desert near our home.

We found him on the local Humane Society’s website and adopted him. Such a loving nature and he fit in well with the dog we already had. After a few months he seemed to be fitting in perfectly, from all outward appearances things were going great.

One day Dave and I loaded both the pups in the truck, and we took off for a scenic ride. We stopped frequently, getting out to enjoy the view, take pictures and stretch our legs. The first couple of stops went off without a hitch. But then we began to notice a change. He became more reluctant to get out of the truck and didn’t want to wander too far from where we were parked. If Dave headed back to the truck before me, he ran ahead and waited worriedly by the door, anxious to get in. Each stop he became more and more reluctant to get out.

That’s when we realized he must have thought we were going to abandon him like he had been before. We took extra time to love on him and show him that he would be ok.

Remembering that day’s ride got me to thinking about how we react in certain circumstances. What is it that triggers things in our memories that make us insecure? What causes us to worry unnecessarily?

“Lord, don’t leave me. My God, stay close to me. 22 Come quickly and help me. My Lord, you are the one who saves me.” Psalm 38:21-22 ERV

Have you ever prayed a prayer like that before? I think we all probably have.

We can overcome those fears of abandonment and loneliness when we experience the Father’s love. He promises to never leave us and He never breaks His promise.

“…God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’” Hebrews 13:5b ERV

“Lord, those who know your name come to you for protection. And when they come, you do not leave them without help.” Psalm 9:10 ERV

I’m not really sure why the Lord put it on my heart to share these thoughts with you this morning but I do know that He must have someone who needs to hear this message. You aren’t alone. There is Someone who loves you enough to die for you and He won’t abandon you now!

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” Romans 8:21-32 ERV

God the Father is with us! We are never alone.

Posted on

Get Some Rest

I’m aware that some of you are in a rough place right now. Some are dealing with heartache; others are facing the biggest physical challenges of your lives and still others have financial struggles that are eating away at your peace of mind.

Do like Daniel!

“So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May the God you serve save you!’ 17 A big rock was brought and put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the king used his ring and put his seal on the rock. He also used the rings of his officials and put their seals on the rock. This showed that no one could move that rock and bring Daniel out of the lion’s den. 18 Then King Darius went back to his house. He did not eat that night. He did not want anyone to come and entertain him. He could not sleep all night.

19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.’

21 Daniel answered, ‘King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.’

23 King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:15-23 ERV

The king was the one who was worried and lost sleep that night but Daniel was safe in the lion’s den.

I had a Bible teacher in college who told us that the safest place we could be was where God put us. He said if God called us to be on the freeway at 5 p.m. we would be safer there than sitting in our dorm rooms. He told us to always live in obedience to God’s calling and trust the Lord’s protection and faithfulness.

“I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel. Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end. 27 God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions.” Daniel 6:15-27 ERV

You can rest securely when you are obedient. Your test will become a testimony of God’s power and love to the world!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress