God's Perfect Design

God's Perfect Design

I found myself thinking this morning as I was blowing my hair dry,  about self image.   Sometimes we put too much stock in what others say or think about us... sometimes we put too much stock in what we think they think.   I know, how it is, to feel like you will never be a beauty queen.  I've had moments in my life, okay more than moments.. more like years of my life,  when I thought no one could possibly find me beautiful.  I allowed those thoughts to cause me to believe that I really wasn't beautiful.  

Over the past ten years or so,  God has been so faithful to point me to some very great truths, from His Word, that speak to us (me) on a deep level about the lies I allowed myself to believe for so long.

 Here is a list of some scriptures that have changed my focus and helped me to see things from God's eyes,  I hope it touches you and maybe helps you to see yourself as He sees you too!



Psalm 139:13-15

13 "For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."

This scripture tells us that God created us,  pieced us together, He chose our hair, eyes, and body, but more than that, He created us with a style, personality, likes, dislikes, quirks and all.   

Genesis 1:31

31 "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."

God didn't make mistakes when He first created the world.  He looked at all He had made and saw that it was good.  And God didn't make mistakes when He made you!  God looks at you,  His precious and dearly loved creation, and once again He says, "It is good, very good!"

Ephesians 2:10

10 "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Just think about this verse for a minute... you are God's handiwork.  God created the heaven's and the Earth,  yet when He talks of His handiwork,  He thinks of you. Not only that, but this verse also tells us, He has prepared great things for you before you were ever born.   

Such an incedible thought... God loves us and made us the way we are for a reason and a purpose.   I encourage you to stop thinking of what others think and start listening to what God says, when we see through His eyes,  we will realize that we really were made to shine! 

God truly loves us!  God is so good! 

Where a Desolate Soul Finds God - Francis Frangipane

Here is a excerpt from a book written by Francis Frangipane...I thought it was so good, I just have to share.  To find more from Pastor Frangipane please visit www.frangipane.org

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Where a Desolate Soul Finds God
By Francis Frangipane
(En Español)

In spite of breakthroughs in several regions, many Christians have grown weary. Their love is growing cold; their passions, lukewarm. The prophet Daniel warned of a time when the enemy would "…wear down the saints of the Highest One” (Dan. 7:25). To emerge victorious in this day, we must climb into the reality given to us by God in Psalm 91. There is a place of replenishing life, a fountain of light, wherein we can abide. The Bible calls this place the shelter of the Most High.

Elijah: A Man Like Us
Elijah was a man with passions like ours, and he fought in a spiritual war similar to ours. In his battle for the soul of Israel, he stood against the wiles of Jezebel and her husband, King Ahab. Yet his most intense battle was not against visible foes but against personal discouragement.

As bold as Elijah was, he lived as a fugitive moving in and out of caves and places of hiding. Jezebel had murdered nearly all of the Lord's prophets, replacing their godly influence with the dark, satanic oppression accompanying the priests of Baal and the Asherah. A new initiative, however, had come from the Lord: Both Elijah and the prophets of Baal were to build altars, each to the deity they each served. The God who answered with fire would be acknowledged as Lord over the nation.

King Ahab and all Israel came to the confrontation. Try as they may, the priests of Baal could draw no response from their demonic idol, Baal. In dramatic contrast, at Elijah's prayer, fire immediately fell from heaven and consumed his sacrifice. This was Elijah's greatest victory. And when the Israelites saw the display of God's power, they bowed to the ground saying, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God" (1 Kings 18:39).

But the Lord was not finished. After Elijah had the priests of Baal executed, he went to the top of Mount Carmel and, kneeling face down, he prayed seven times for rain until the Lord brought a great downpour that ended a devastating three-year drought. On this one day, both fire and rain miraculously fell from heaven!

Perhaps if this tremendous day had occurred at any other time in Israel's history, the nation would have repented, but it did not. Baal worship should have ended, but it continued. In fact, nothing changed. Instead of the revival that Elijah envisioned, the opposite occurred: an enraged Jezebel vowed to kill the Lord's prophet, spurring Elijah to flee into the wilderness. There Elijah collapsed, exhausted and despondent, beneath a juniper tree. "It is enough; now O Lord," the weary prophet prayed, "take my life, for I am not better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4).

Elijah had offered the Lord his very best effort. This day had been the culminating event of his life. Elijah had prayed that Israel would know the Lord was their God and that, in response, the Lord would turn Israel's "heart back again" (1 Kings 18:37). Yet, like the prophets before him, Elijah could not trigger revival for Israel.

Discouragement overwhelmed him. He had had enough.

Have you been to the point of spiritual or emotional exhaustion where you too have said, "It is enough"? Perhaps you were frustrated by your own inability to effect positive change in your family; or, you've fasted and prayed for your church or society but no visible change occurred. You gave your all but found little success. Disheartened and weary like Elijah, all your resources were spent.

Elijah lay down and slept. As he did, an angel touched him and said, "Arise, eat" (1 Kings 19:5). At his head were bread and water. Elijah, weary with life itself, ate and withdrew back into sleep.

Once more the angel touched him. "Arise," he said. "Eat, because the journey is too great for you" (v. 7). For all our visions, plans, and programs, the journey before each of us is also "too great." Indeed our journey will always, at various points, be too great for us. For life is so constructed to drive us closer to God.

Back to Our Foundations
“So [Elijah] arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8).

The Lord gave Elijah strength, not to send him back to battle but to bring him back to basics. If we become more consumed with our task than we are with our love for God, our lives will eventually become brittle and desolate. To restore our souls, the Lord brings us back to the essentials of our faith. Indeed, He might even stop our labors completely and direct us to the simpler realities of prayer, time in the Word, and worship. He reminds us that, of all He calls us to accomplish, His greatest commandment is to love Him with “all our heart" (Mark 12:30). Without this focus, we lose touch with God's presence; we are outside the shelter of the Most High.

The Lord brought Elijah to "Horeb, the mountain of God." In Hebrew, Horeb means "desolation." The barren environment mirrored Elijah's soul. Yet to God, Horeb was actually a place where the issues of a man's heart were flushed to the surface. There is no theater at Horeb, no acting. It is the place of unembellished honesty and core-to-surface transparency.

How Did You Get Here?
Perhaps Elijah's greatest virtue was his zeal. Indeed, twice in his communication with God, Elijah speaks of having been "very zealous" for the Lord. But zeal unattended by wisdom eventually becomes its own god. It compels us toward expectations that are unrealistic and outside the timing and anointing of God.

To remain balanced, zeal must be reined in and harnessed by strategic encounters with the living God. Otherwise we become frustrated with people and discouraged with delays. We step outside our place of strength and spiritual protection.

Elijah had come to Horeb and lodged there in a cave. Soon the Word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (v. 9). This is one of the most important questions God will ever ask us. His question probes the reality of our spiritual state: "How did your service to Me become dry and desolate?" God wants us to know that when we fail to esteem Him as our first love, we will always find a desert awaiting us.

Our primary purpose in life must be to abide in Christ. Otherwise we can become so consumed with the deteriorating condition of the world that we fail to see the deteriorating condition of our own soul. In His love, the Lord stops us and forces us to look honestly at our heart: Is this existence that I now live the abundant life promised me from Christ?

Let's speak candidly. We have nothing to prove and no need to pretend. We can abandon the internal mechanisms of defensiveness and pride. If we are disappointed, we are free to express it; if frustrated, we can admit it. We must simply and truthfully evaluate, without rationalization, our true spiritual condition.

Transparency is the outer garment of humility; and, humility draws the grace of God to our hearts. Is not intimacy with God the very thing we most neglect? And is not the Lord alone our source of strength in battle? If the enemy can distract us from our time alone with God, he will isolate us from the help that comes from God alone.

Let us approach the living God without any garment, but with transparency.

A Fresh Anointing
As the pressures of this age escalate, we will soon discover that yesterday's anointing will not suffice for today's battles. The Lord brought a new beginning to Elijah's life at Horeb---one that would ultimately release a "double portion" of power to Elijah's successor, Elisha. Under this new anointing, Jezebel would be destroyed, Baal worship abolished, and the only period of revival the northern tribes ever experienced would begin.

To reach a similar place of breakthrough, it will take more than the momentum of our own zeal. We should not be surprised if God calls us to pass through our own Horeb.

How will we recognize this place? Horeb is the voice of personal desolation; it is the desperate compelling of our heart to possess more of God. We must now listen carefully to the voice of God. For it is at Horeb that He brings us deeper into Himself. It is here, under the canopy of His compassion, that we discover the purpose of our brokenness: our desolation is in fact a time of preparation.

The Lord is about to bring a new beginning to you. When you return to the battle, you shall war from the shelter of the Most High.

Lord Jesus, apart from You, my life is dry and desolate. Forgive me for trying to do Your will without abiding in Your presence. I desperately need You, Lord. This day, I commit my heart to return to my first love. Teach me, Lord, to consider intimacy with You the greatest measure of my success. Let me see Your glory; reveal to me Your goodness. Guide me, Oh Holy Spirit, into the spiritual fortress of the presence of God. Amen.


---adapted from a chapter in Francis' book,
The Shelter of the Most High
published by Charisma House

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Unshakable Faith - Day 42:Jealousy And Murder

Unshakable Faith

Day 42:Jealousy And Murder

1. Have you had bouts of jealousy?

Yes, there have been times when I've found myself feeling jealous of another person.  It always seems to stem from an area of insecurity I have, that someone else seems to excel in. Whenever I find myself feeling this type of emotion, I pray and ask God to forgive me, and I ask Him to help me see things from His perspective.  We all have areas we excel in and we all have areas that need some work...God loves us just as we are, it is not a competition...there is no need to allow jealousy to cause division because of our own insecurities...We just need to be who God created us to be!

2. Do you agree that it was "inevitable for man to become a murderer"?

Man was made in God's image, we were meant to be just like God.  When Adam chose to disobey God, and listen to and obey the devil, man no longer naturally is like God, but naturally is like the devil.  The devil is the father of lies, and is a murderer, so yeah, once sin entered the picture, it was just a matter of time. 

3. Will you be standing among those in the Church who are standing together in unity because they love one another?

Yes, I know how easy it is to allow small simple things to divide us, and I pray daily that God would help me to see sin for what it is and help me to not allow it in my life.  I want to grow daily to be more like Jesus, and I want His love to fill my heart and life, flowing out to touch the lives of those around me.  

Unshakable Faith - Day 41: Sin and Depression

Unshakable Faith

Day 41: Sin and Depression

1. Have you suffered from depression?

No, I've never had to deal with depression, though I've had family members and friends who have dealt with it at times.

2. To be delivered from depression is not by having someone accept you the way you are, but by someone loving you enough to correct you so you can do what is right.

Loving someone enough to take a stand and tell them the truth even if it is not what they want to hear is one of the greatest ways you can love someone...Just remember to always speak the truth in love, if it is not said in and with love, it will do more harm than good.

3. Do you know of someone, or the family of someone who committed suicide?

I have heard many stories but I don't know anyone personally who has committed suicide.  It breaks my heart every time I hear about someone who thought the only way to make things better was to end it all...If they only knew that they could turn to Jesus and that God would help them work through the troubles and issues, if they only had the hope that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus, it would have made a huge difference in their life and the lives of their loved ones.  If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, please tell a loved one, a pastor or a counselor, get into the Word of God, talk to God, tell Him your doubts, your hurts, your troubles, ask God for guidance, healing and provision...start working on making good choices and decisions...There is hope, and it is found in Jesus!!

Unshakable Faith - Day 40: The Offering

Unshakable Faith

Day 40: The Offering

1. Are you giving to God from your own works or through the blood of Jesus?

No matter how hard we work, nothing we could ever come up with on our own would ever be a good enough gift for The King of Kings...It is easy to get into the mind set of trying to fix things and make things right before turning it over to God, but this never works.  We must come to Him just as we are, and let Him do the work for us.  When Jesus went willingly to the cross, and His innocent blood was shed for us, the price was paid.  It is only through His blood that we can dare to stand in the presence of a most holy God. 

2. The true root of almost every division within the Church is jealousy. Have you seen this happen?

Yes, I have seen jealousy cause great divisions, even close friends turn on each other when jealousy takes root.  We all need to be careful, to recognize jealousy for what it is...and ask God to work on us, to help us to find our worth in Him, not in how we see ourselves compared to others.  We can not go through life trying to be exactly like other people...we need to get to the place where we know who we are in Christ, and we live our lives to please Him, not to compete with someone else.

3. Do you trust in the cross for the ultimate victory?

Most definitely YES! I know myself well enough to know that without the cross, I would be a complete mess.  There is no way I could ever succeed without the work of the cross in my life.  Victory will only come through Jesus!!

Unshakable Faith - Day 34: The Fall Deepens

Unshakable Faith

Day 34: The Fall Deepens

1.  Have you been known to slip into self-centeredness?

It is in the human nature to be self-centered...the scriptures say that there is nothing we face that is not common to all man...so if one person deals with self-centeredness, we all deal with it at one point or another.  The important thing is realizing our natural tendencies towards being self-centered, and to continually ask God to help us to love others and to put others before ourselves.

2. Have you been know to hide you sins?

We all want to look good to other people, we all have a certain amount of pride that makes us want to cover up or hide our faults from other people.  But we all have to come to the place where we realize that all the hidden sin in our lives is hindering us from living the abundantly blessed life God has planned for us.  No matter who you are, where you've been, or what you've done...it is always better to acknowledge your mistakes, take responsibility for your actions and to be completely honest about them.

3. Have you been known to shift the blame?

I remember as a kid getting in arguments with my sister. It was just about always over something insignificant, but we always made a huge deal out of it.  And before the issue was settled, we would always try to blame each other, "She started it!" or "She hit me first" or the classic "she touched me!" I think all children have times when they cast blame on someone else, and we might think we as adults have out grown this childish game of blame.  But the reality, is that we all are guilty of playing this game everyday.  We might disguise it as some mature adult way of thinking, but really it is the same as what we did as kids.  We need to realize that trying to blame others, the environment, our school systems, or the government, etc. for our problems only makes our problems worse.  The only thing that will make our problems better, is for us to realize that we can not control everything else, but we have the ability to control ourselves, and if something needs changed we should start with changing ourselves! 

Unshakable Faith - Day 25: Openness

Unshakable Faith

Day 25: Openness

1. You can have love, and you can have forgiveness, but if you do not have trust, it will be a shallow relationship.

Trust is such an important part of all relationships.  I know that in my walk with Christ, there have been times when God has required me to step out in faith, and lean fully on Him even though I knew the answer might not be what I wished or hoped for, but I needed to trust that God knew what was best for me.  Trust is part of what makes a relationship work, without trust you really don't have much!

2. Is there something you are ashamed of?

Here is the deal, we all make mistakes, John 3:16 says, "ALL have sinned"... So we need to realize that to be ashamed of our mistakes is just what Satan wants...his goal is to make us feel like we have done something worse than anybody else, and that everyone would condemn us for our mistakes, but God looks on us with love, and Jesus came to give us life, not to condemn us. If there is something in your life that you are ashamed of, ask Jesus to forgive you, and stop doing that thing...repentance isn't just saying you are sorry, but turning away from the sin all together.  


"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1

3. Is there something in your life that you are afraid will be uncovered?

The truth will set you free! Talk with a close friend who you can trust, be open and honest ask them for their support and prayer.  Trying to hide a mistake will keep you in your own prison, but getting the truth out in a trusted environment will set you free...Satan can only hold over you the things you have hidden, once the truth is out, it takes all the wind out of his sails.

Unshakable Faith - Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

Unshakable Faith

Day 24: Leaving and Cleaving

1. Are you "the man of his own home" or did you "establish her own household"?


When my husband and I got married, it was at the young ages of 18 and 19, so it was difficult for our parents to let go and know that we would be okay...But I am proud to say that my husband learned how to be "the man of his own home" and I learned how to "establish my own house".  I think it helped us to live a ways away from both sets of parents, it forced us to depend on each other, and not on them.


2. Are you guilty of interfering in your married children's lives?


At this point in life it is hard to imaging having my girls fully grown and married...I find the idea of trusting someone else to care fully for them hard...but I pray that by the time that stage of life arrives, God will help me to let go. I find myself thinking about those two boys who will one day win the affections of my daughters, and I pray for God's guidance, and protection over them, for God's will to be done in their lives, so that when that time comes, I'll know that God has been working in their lives, just as He has been working in my girls' lives. I hope that will make it is easier to let go, when I know it is all orchestrated by God, and His loving hands are working in all of their hearts and lives.


3. Are you having trouble honoring your parents yet not allowing them to interfere in your marriage?


When JC and I were first married, we immediately moved about 6 hours away from my family and about 5 hours from his.  This helped us to break the ties, but we still had issues with parents wanting to know everything about our finances, or wanting to give advise when we didn't want or need it.  I understand now looking back, I see kids who are 18 and 19 and I think, "Wow, we were married at that age?!?"  So, I know why it was tough for our parents to let go.  But sometimes the interference made it difficult, we had to sometimes just not answer a question or tell them that it wasn't their business.  It always made us feel bad, but we knew that we had to do it on our own and that there was just somethings we weren't going to share with other people.  Over time our parents grew to know and understand that we were adults and that we weren't going to share everything with them, and we also grew to realize that there are times when it is okay to go to our parents for help.  I think we all grew in the process, and we have a good relationship with both sets of parents.  Which is a huge blessing! 

Unshakable Faith - Day 6: The Day

Unshakable Faith

Day 6: The Day

1. Great saints have gone through periods of darkness before they were brought forth into the purposes of God. Can you say the same?

Yes! In various forms, situations and circumstances...God has allowed trial or times of darkness to surround me.  But He has always been faithful to bring me out stronger and better than before.  Sometimes the trial brought about a change in the way I look at things, which then prepared me for the next task God had for me.  And other times, it brought out a compassion in me, so that I could understand a little more what someone else might be going through.  Always it was with a purpose, and always God was in control and working things out for good!

2. If you would go to the cross daily with all that you are and have, in what ways would your life change?

If we could learn to go lay down everything at the foot of the cross, everyday, even multiple times a day...it would change just about everything.  We would be free to love without worrying about being let down or hurt.  We would give without needing someone to give back to us.  We would be free! 

Rick Joyner said it like this, and it is just so good, I have to copy it here for you: 

"We are also assured that there is a way of escape with every trial. The way of escape is always the same, and that is the cross.  If we would go to the cross and die to ourselves, our own ambitions, and the cares of this world, which are usually the roots of our trials, we would immediately find a peace that goes beyond human understanding,  We are called to be dead to this world (see Gal. 6:14). What can the world do to a dead man? It is impossible for a dead man to feel rejected, abused, taken advantage of, or be concerned with loss.  If we would go to the cross daily with all that we are and have, we would be the freest people the world has ever seen."

3. Do you see every test as a great opportunity?

No! I know that every test has the potential to be a great opportunity, and I wish I could say that when the testing comes I always see it as that...but the truth is I don't always see it as an opportunity. Here is the great thing is...even though I may not see it for what it is, God is always faithful to work it out for good...as long a I continue to obey, trust and have faith in Him.

Psalm 91 - Chapter 15: God Is My Deliverer

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 15: God Is My Deliverer

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him..."

Psalm 91:14a

What do you need deliverance from today?  Are you trusting God in your circumstance?  Are you telling God how big the issue is or are you telling the issue how big your God is?  

Whenever we find ourselves dealing with things that seem too big, to horrible, just too much for us to handle on our own; that is when God is walking with us asking us to cast our care on Him. He is waiting for us to fully hand the situation over to Him and let Him have complete control...and then He will follow through with this promise.  God is faithful to bring us out of the valley of shadow of death, He is strong enough to not only handle our huge problems, but to carry us through them.  Scott Krippayne sings a song that talks of God's deliverance from the storms in life...as you listen to this beautiful song, let your faith arise, put your hope and trust in God...Remember that "Sometime He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child"! 

Psalm 91 - Chapter 12: Angels Watching Over Me

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella Of Protection

Chapter 12: Angels Watching Over Me

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands,

That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11-12

I have told the story many times, but I'm not sure if I've shared it on this blog before, so I'd like to share a story of how God sent His angels not only for my protection, but also let me get a glimpse, so that it brought peace to my troubled mind.  

To tell the story properly I have to give a little history...all my life I have dealt with bad dreams...terrible nightmares.  Being raised in a christian home I learned at a young age that there was power in prayer, and that we could know and trust God to protect us, I've heard countless stories of times when God caused someone to change their plans only to find out later that if they had continued with their original plans they would have been involved in a major catastrophe. Or of times when someone came to a family members rescue, only to disappear without any one seeing where they went.  

So when as a young married person I found myself alone overnight for the first time, and all the thoughts of horrible things that could happen started to come in to try to cause fear, I decided the only way I was going to get any sleep, was to proclaim God's Word, and then specifically ask God to place Angels around the house...I asked Him to place one at every door, at every window, one at my bedroom door and then one at each corner of my bed.  I figured I was alone and scared, I could not have too much protection.  So I grabbed my bible read some scriptures, and laid my bible and the phone right next to the bed in case I needed it.  

I was able to go to sleep without much trouble but then the dream started.  I had one of the most terrible evil dreams ever...I don't really remember all the details, but it was dark, demonic and just evil...I remember sitting straight up in bed, as soon as my eyes were open, and I was trembling, and sweating profusely.  All I could do was call on Jesus, and that is when God opened my eyes, and I could see the sword of an angel standing at my bedroom door...I didn't see the angel itself, but I saw the most incredible, intricate and beautiful sword I've ever seen.  It was gold, and silver and had beautiful stones and gems of all different colors laid in it, and it looked to be on fire.  But not only was this sword beautiful it was gigantic...seriously, the top of the handle was up in the ceiling and the tip of it touched the floor. The cross part where the handle and the blade meet (not sure what that's called) but it was as wide as the door frame. I remember sitting in my bed staring at this beautiful sword, and feeling God's peace flood the room. 

Now you need to know that I have terrible vision, and I cannot see the details of anything more than a foot away from me without my glasses, but here I was without any glasses or contacts, sitting across the room and could see it in perfect condition...no blurring, no double outline, my vision was perfect.  As I sat there I did a double take,I looked around the room and then back to the door, and I watched the sword slowly fade, and the room was dark again.  As I'm writing this, I realize something I never fully grasped before...the room was dark before, the room was dark after, but I could see clearly everything while the sword was visible...It acted like a light...it made the room as if it were broad day light...Amazing, I don't know how I missed that before! 

Anyway, it was clear to me that not only had God heard my prayer, He did just as I asked and put the angels in their places around the house.   I had always seen angels in my minds eye, as human looking, you know in shape and size.  But no more, not after seeing that sword!  I can tell you the angel holding that sword had to be at least 10-12 feet tall if not taller...The sword itself was at least 8-9 feet tall. Are you getting the picture? This was no small angel and no small amount of protection.  This promise of having God's angels protect and watch over us, is so amazing and just shows how much God really cares for us.  He didn't send out a weak small little angel to protect me, no He sent a Goliath sized, strong and powerful angel...God goes above and beyond to protect and provide for us.  I am so thankful for that...He never gives us just enough, but always over and abundantly more than we ask or even imagine.  

Psalm 91 - Chapter 11:No Plague Comes Near My Family

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 11: No Plague Comes Near My Family

No evil will befall you, 

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

Psalm 91:10

As I read this chapter, I find myself battling with doubts...Really will we really be able to protect our families just by believing this one simple promise? Is it really that simple?  It just doesn't seem like it would be enough.  But then I am reminded, that God only had to speak to bring this whole world into existence, His Words are full of life, and power.  So, if God has promised it, and His Word declares it, who am I to question what God says?  His ways are so much higher than mine. His thoughts are so far above my thoughts.  The future is a clear picture to Him, while I sit and wonder, and have no clue what tomorrow may hold...when I think of these things I realize it would be foolish to not believe what God says.  God's Word is powerful and living and active, we need to read it daily, memorize it and quote it....but even more important we need to believe it! Today I choose to put my faith in God and His Holy Word.  In 1 Corinthians 1:18 the Apostle Paul wrote "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Here is my own version of this verse as it would relate to God's Promises... The promises of God are foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who believe, it is God's protection at work.

My prayer is that today you would make the choice to believe even if everything around you tells you it would be foolish...Because even God's foolishness is wiser than man's wisdom!

Psalm 91- Chapter 7: I Will Not Fear The Arrow

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella Of Protection

Chapter 7: I Will Not Fear The Arrow

You will not be afraid of...the arrow that flies by day.

Psalm 91:5

For the last couple of weeks I have read over and over again about the Whole Armor of God.  In my daily Bible reading, in a book I'm reading, on another blog, and now here in this chapter.  Time and again I am reminded that all of us are in a constant battle...Those flaming arrows are not something that might happen...they are guaranteed! Satan will not let you just stand by, no one is exempt from his constant devices, traps, arrows and schemes.  But we can take comfort in the fact that just as being in this battle is not an option, victory in this battle is guaranteed as well. Satan's schemes and arrows are no match for the powerful promises of God, and the Whole Armor of God - the thing is we have to choose to believe and accept those promises and we have to choose to put on that Armor!  


When I was in High School, my Youth Pastor  and his wife advised us to physically put on the Armor of God each day...read Ephesians 6:10- 18 and as each piece of armor is mentioned and described go through the actions of actually putting on a belt, a breastplate, shoes, a helmet, hold up your shield, and your sword...going through the motions may seem silly, but something about doing this makes your faith grow as the invisible spiritual armor  is connected to a real physical action. 


God is so good.  I know I say that a lot, but sometimes we forget, and we start trying to do things on our  own...but if we really knew the goodness of God we would trust Him in everything and never feel the need to try things on our own...so repeat it out loud, over and over again...until you believe it with all of your heart, your soul and mind...GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

Psalm 91- Capter 6: I Will Not Fear The Terror

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 6: I Will Not Fear The Terror

"You will not be afraid of the terror by night..."

Psalm 91:5a

Here are a few quotes from this chapter to highlight the things that stood out to me from this chapter.

1. "Long before man discovered biological weapons, God made provision for the protection of His people - if they believe His Word." - Wow, this just shows how great God is, He knew we would one day face these horrible biological wars, and He made provision for us, so we can have protection from them, way back thousands of years before the threat even existed. That just makes me want to jump with excitement!!
2. "No evil has been conceived by man against which God has not provided a promise of protection for any of His children who will choose to believe it and act on it." - Once again, GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
3. "We have to choose to believe God's Word more than we believe what we see." - This one is something we all need to really get...whether or not we receive God's protection is a choice we make...Are we willing to believe and have faith??
4. "Over and over Jesus tells us, 'Do not fear!'  Why do you think He continually reminds us not to be afraid?  Because it is through faith in His Word that we are protected-and since fear is the opposite of faith, the Lord knows fear will keep us from operating in the faith that is necessary to receive." - God knows how fearful we tend to be...just like sheep we get scared and run so easily! But God our great Shepherd, knows His sheep, and that is why He tells us and warns us not to fear!
5. "The Protection is already there. It has already been provided, whether we receive it or not." - Once again, receiving God's protection is a choice!! 

Today, I encourage you to look at your life and see the areas where you are fearful, or have anxiety.  Those are the areas that Jesus is calling to you to trust Him, and put your faith in Him; He will provide and protect you.  My prayer today is that we would choose faith over fear, choose God's protection over trying to do it on our own.  The best way to start building your faith is to get to know the God you are trying to trust.  It is terribly hard to trust someone whom you really don't know.  Get a bible sit down and read it, asking God to show you who He is.  Trust me!  You will be blown away with what He shows you! 

Psalm 91 - Chapter 4: Under His Wings

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 4: Under His Wings

He will cover you with His pinions, 

And under His wings, you may seek refuge.

Psalm 91:4a

Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel like you need a hug?  A day full of stress, pain, fear, or loss...a day when no matter what you do, you feel like the only thing that is going to help is to have someone special, someone who really cares, give you a long hug and protect you with their warm arms.  

That is what God is offering here, in this verse His sheltering arms and caring embrace are compared to the feathers and wings of a mother hen.  

Peggy Joyce Ruth tells a story in this chapter about a mother hen and her baby chicks, who were all scattered across the yard, when a large hawk flew over, threatening the chicks.  The hen didn't run and try to gather all of the chicks to her...no she just hunkered down and raised her wings, all the while clucking to the chicks telling them to come.  Then the chicks all ran to the hen and she covered them safely and securely under her wings...the hawk would have to go through her to get to her chicks. 

I love the picture this makes...I can just see God with His loving arms spread out calling, "Daughter, daughter, come! I'll protect you from all of Satan's schemes and evil plots. Come to Me daughter, for I love you and will be your shelter from the storm!" 

God has His arms raised, He is calling, now will you choose to run to Him for shelter and protection, or try to do it on your own?

Gloom Despair, and Agony on Me...

Gloom Despair and Agony on Me...

As we go through life there are those times when the things that surround try to get you down, and if you let them succeed, it won't be long before you're singing this old song...

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me"

I'm fairly certain none of us want to get to that point, but when we let our focus drift off of Christ and we settle for looking at the things around us, we very quickly sink into the pit so well described in the lyrics of this song.  I encourage you today to look to your Heavenly Father and the promises He has given you in His Word, and then those very things that have gotten you down will become insignificant compared to how great and good and mighty our God is.  Here is my own version of that chorus to show the difference Christ makes in a life given to His leading.

Peace, prosperity, and blessings on me
Bright, golden Son light and hope for eternity
If it weren't for Jesus Christ, I'd have no hope at all 
Peace, prosperity and blessings on me


Here are a few of God's promises to ponder...

"The Lord is faithful to all of His promises." - Psalm 145:13

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret..." - Psalm 37:5-7 


"And my God will meet all of your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11


"As for God, His ways are perfect: the Word of the Lord if flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 18:30


As you look through God's Word there are many great promises...please share with us some of your favorites.

Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

Breaking Free - Chapter 39: A View From the New

Breaking Free - Chapter 39: A View From the New

1. Can you describe a stronghold you have struggled with in your life?
Fear 

Fear of bad things happening, fear of bugs and spiders, fear of failure, fear of losing the people I love...
Fear is a terrible stronghold, and I've dealt with it in many different forms.


2. How did the stronghold gain strength in your life?

During the time in my life when I was fearful that bad things would happen, simple things that many people wouldn't think twice about like watching a TV show about crime, would make it so that I couldn't get to sleep.  Seeing the drama played out was enough to fuel the fear and get it from a small flicker to a roaring fire.  I had to stop watching certain TV shows and then I spent that time reading God's Word and praying.


3. What part does insecurity play in strongholds?

It is our insecurities that make us susceptible to the lies and thoughts that become strongholds.


4. What kind of excuses have you made for not surrendering some area of your life to the authority of Christ?

I tell God I'm giving it to Him, but I tend to hold on as if I think He won't notice...I don't really give excuses, just reach over at the last minute and grab a hold of the very thing I just promised to give Him.  When I think about it, it seems so crazy for me to even think I could get away with it, but somehow, I regress and start to think like a 3 year old trying to hide something in plain site from a parent. I adamantly shake my head, saying, "no, I'm not holding on to it, I gave it to you."