Tag: god’s protection

Soul Insurance

Today’s reading is Psalm 91.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.’”

Psalm 91:1

These past weeks have brought some challenging times and even what I will call tragedy to some who I am acquainted with. As I read on through Psalm 91 about how God will protect those who make God their fortress and their shelter, I will be transparent in that I’m challenged as to why God didn’t seem to “protect” these families impacted by some of these tragedies.  I will also say that most of those affected I don’t know well enough to have any idea where they were in their faith walk and whether they were trusting God with their life and their protection, nor am I to judge even if I knew them well enough to have the slightest idea. I think we can all say though that we’ve seen tragedies affect even very strong believers who we would say are close to God.

Many of us may be familiar with legendary college basketball Jim Valvano’s iconic speech at ESPN’s Espy Awards before he passed from cancer. One of his most famous statements from the speech was this, “Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.” That last part is what resonates with me, no matter what Satan does in physical harm to myself or my family on this side of Heaven…he “cannot touch my soul.”

Scripture is best interpreted when it’s cross reference with other Scripture. In fact, Jesus often did this. As I reflected on Psalm 91, my mind kept pulling me to Romans 8 which is a chapter in the Bible that can be referenced in many of life’s circumstances and challenges.

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

God may not stop Satan from physically harming our earthly bodies, as we saw with Job or even Jesus. But, Satan can never separate us from Christ’s love and keep our soul from living with God for eternity in Heaven when we trust in God and have given our life to Him.

Protection and Rest

Today’s Readings Hebrews 4 and Psalm 12

I write this summary not feeling happy like I usually do. I hope that its ok… I’d rather be real and give you the truth. I do write this feeling comforted, and a little more at peace than usual. I started reflecting on Psalm 12 first. I was feeling the first few verses so much over the past few weeks, maybe even months.

Psalm 12: 1-2, “Help Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts”

I’ve felt lied to and misguided, treated dishonestly, and taken advantage of. I don’t say any of this for sympathy, actually, I just wish I had read this so much sooner. If I would have, I would have read that I will be taken care of eventually. I have the ability to ask our father for help. I wasn’t doing that. I was letting all of this bother me. I wish I had read verses 5 and 6!

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise”, says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them” And, the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

I feel silly when I put God in a box, and forget that he is really the one who can make things better for me. I shouldn’t be surprised at the dishonesty and poor treatment from humans. I should know that we are all a bunch of dishonest, mean people. Myself included! I’m just bummed out because it is happening to me. That doesn’t make it feel any better, but it at least gives me some perspective.
And, that’s when it hit me. These 2 readings are intertwined! I wasn’t letting God be my rest either! Hebrews is about the Sabbath rules and laws. Psalms is completely about rest. God wants us to rest! he doesn’t want us to be lazy, but I really took this as saying, “Trust in me! stop fretting, read about how I want you to rest!” It just put me at peace. I know, it may not even come now, tomorrow, or next week. But, God’s got my back in this! I don’t need to worry about all the negative talk, the unfair treatment. Any of it!

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as Good did from His.
So, I guess, my whole point is, no matter who, or what is getting you down. Take a Sabbath, Let our God protect you. Let God give you rest! Amen

Today’s post is written by my friend and brother in Christ Kris Walker. Continued prayers for us all to Trust God, stay in His word, and pray! God holds it all in His hand.

The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. John 10:11

How great it is to have our shepherd be Jesus? He paid the ultimate price for us and has shared the perfect example of how he will take care of us. The Good Shepherd knows each of us and wants to leads us to green pastures.

In my very short sheep research I was able to read and come to understand the sheep “hard-wire” instinct to follow those around them.  How true is that of us?  As a child, young adult, and into my adulthood many times I would find myself following the wrong crowd or wandering off.  Often of the world and failing the test of listening to God and not the world. 1 John 4:4-6.

My actions of sheepish instincts requires the love of the Good Shepherds staff.   This can be a generous hit by the end to get me back going the right direction or the use of the hook to take me out of a situation.  In both cases his love is provided throughout. John 10 some reminders that represents His love for us.

  1. John 10:3-4 He goes before us calling each one of our names and leads us out of danger.
  2. John 10:7 Jesus is the gatekeeper to an eternal pasture.
  3. John 10:11 He lays down his life for us.
  4. John 10:14-16 Jesus is the shepherd of us all calling us all to one flock with one shepherd.

Dear Jesus, Good Shepherd, you tend over your flock always and know our every need. May your crook and your staff always protect us and guide us through all the troubles of this life. Help us from wandering and allow us to lead others to an eternity with you and your love. Shepherd us to have conversations with others about your glorious kingdom waiting us. Amen

Merry Christmas Bible Journal Family ~ What an amazing year, I pray that reading God’s words of encouragement and guidance has made been a blessing in you and your families lives.  I know it has in ours. We love you.  

Francis Chan: I am the Good Shepherd

Listen to how Francis Chan explains how God has called us to be a shepherd and a sheep. 

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 24; Revelation 11; Zechariah 7; John 10

 

Finders, keepers

Finders, keepers     

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 14; 2 Timothy 4; Hosea 7; Psalms 120–122

My son found a dime on the floor the other morning in the garage.  With a big smile he said the phrase “finders keepers” to me and went to put it in his pocket. He soon realized he was still in his pajamas and didn’t have any.  The coin was then placed in my pocket. Today, as I read Psalm 121 I’m reminded of how just like that coin we are all lost at some time. This lostness is preceded by me with smile that you can’t hide. It is the joy in knowing  you are found. Similar to The Parable of The Lost Coin in Luke 15:8-10. This joy is the begining of a promise made and kept to keep us safe always. 

Psalm 121:7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore.

Knowing how the Lord keeps us is reassuring as we struggle with our earthly desires that can overwhelm and consume us at any moment of any day. Our household can relate to Jillian as we are currently dealing with the same sickness and sleepless nights she mentioned in Qoph from yesterday. Our God promises to keep us thoughout our earthly lives and eternity.

So, no matter your current age, history, or situation God promises to keep us under his protection. Protection keeps us from being harmed or lost.  Protection gives you the faith to handle hardships and challenges. We are told to put on the armor of God so He can keep us. Ephesians 6:10. Don’t let our selfish minds feel like we can do it all alone and allow yourself to get into stress mode.  Lift your eyes and heart to Him and God will provide you with everything you need.lift-up

So as you read through the beautiful song of Psalm 121 face the day in a assurance that He will protect you. We are safe. 

Enter into the day knowing God is our great protector who will keep us.  

2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I Lift My Eyes Up Brian Doerksen