Oct 22 R-E-S-T

Father, I claim “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”. You are the Most High and the Almighty God, and You allow me to dwell in Your shelter and rest in Your shadow.   The picture here is one of complete protection; safe from the elements, and safe from enemies.

It is not just a place I run to in times of trouble, but because You are my God, I can live there all the time. I always have a place of safety and security.

What I find there is rest. As I have spelled out before, I find elements of:

R- relaxation

E- enjoyment

S- security and

T- triumph.

Your shelter. Your shadow protects me in every way possible.  It includes the physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual; every way I need to be shielded. I am protected from entrapment and disease. In daylight and in darkness, I need not fear, I am covered.   Weapons, epidemics and mass death will not touch me. I will not be overcome by disaster or harm.

But I will see the wicked punished. I will receive help from Your angels. You promise to protect me, rescue me, answer my call, and always be with me. I have received Your salvation. I could not ask for more. Thank You. Amen

Psalm 91:1-16

Oct 22 R – E – S – T

Father, I claim “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”. You are the Most High and the Almighty God, and You allow me to dwell in Your shelter and rest in Your shadow.   The picture here is one of complete protection; safe from the elements, and safe from enemies.

It is not just a place I run to in times of trouble, but because You are my God, I can live there all the time. I always have a place of safety and security.

What I find there is rest. As I have spelled out before, I find elements of:

R- relaxation

E- enjoyment

S- security and

T- triumph

Your shelter. Your shadow protects me in every way possible.  It includes the physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual; every way I need to be shielded. I am protected from entrapment and disease. In daylight and in darkness, I am covered.   Weapons, epidemics and mass death will not touch me. I will not be overcome by disaster or harm.

But I will see the wicked punished. I will receive help from Your angels. You promise to protect me, rescue me, answer my call, and always be with me. I have received Your salvation. I could not ask for more. Thank You. Amen

Psalm 91:1-16

Apr 24 God’s Protection

“Simon, Simon, satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail.”

Father, this reminds me that although satan seems to have power on this earth, his power is temporary and limited.

He must ask permission to have access to even one of Your children.

So I can know, if there is oppression in my life from the evil one, (which I have not invited) that it is limited, and that it has first been filtered through Your fingers of love.  And that You, Jesus, are interceding, praying for my faith to be strong and sufficient, so I will not fail.

To do my part, I will praise Your name and Your character.  I will sing and make music, proclaiming Your love and faithfulness.  Your godly ability to be with me wherever I go and at all times has been a comfort so often.  Knowing that You will never leave me and that Your love is everlasting has brought me through difficult times.

I will remember Your deeds in my life and the lives of others.  The peace You have given me in times of stress and hardship have defied understanding.  You have calmed me down when circumstances were not calm.   You have shown me wisdom when I could not think of a solution.   You have encouraged me with visions that brought understanding and reassurance when I was afraid.

You have the power to create a universe and destroy it.  The beauty of Your imagination is seen in every sunrise and sunset.   The deafening crash of the waves is like a whisper of Your voice.

You are exalted, lifted up forever.  And yet, You bend down to me.

Even in Your unlimited power, You are gentle with me.   You nourish me to become like a strong palm or a tall cedar.

O Lord, let me flourish in Your court.  Let me still bear fruit in my old age; maintaining my knowledge and memory of You so that I may always proclaim that You are My Rock.  My Fortress,  My Deliverer.  My Salvation.  My God.  Amen

Luke 22:31-32; Psalm 92:1-93:5

Oct 22 Holy Spirit fills with power and love and a sound mind

Father, thank You that You, as the Holy Spirit are alive in me.  And thank You that the Holy Spirit fills me with “power and love and a sound mind.”  Father, help me live this Spirit-filled life.  Show me how to use these gifts the way You intended.

The Amplified Version of this scripture, tells me this power will keep me from being fearful, from cringing and behaving cowardly.  It tells me I will have boldness, courage, and authority that comes from You.   I will have access to Your love to treat people compassionately and caringly.   And I will have a well-balanced mind with discipline and self-control.

Father, remind me in times of decision making and stress, that You have given me a sound mind for figuring things out.  And that I can trust those thought processes when I ask for Your, the Holy Spirit’s help.

Father, I claim “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  You are the Most High and the Almighty God, and You allow me to dwell in Your shelter and rest in Your shadow.   The picture here is one of complete protection.  Refuges and fortresses are defensible places where one can be safe; safe from the elements, and safe from enemies.

It is not just a place I run to in times of trouble, but because You are my God, I can live there all the time.  I have a place of safety and security to operate out of, always.  There I can live, and there I can find rest.  Your rest includes elements of:  R- relaxation  E- enjoyment   S- security  and T- triumph.

Psalm 91 pictures this place as a mother hen protects her young chicks by sheltering them literally under her feathered wings.   And Your refuge protects me in every way possible.

Your protection includes the physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual; every way I need to be shielded.  I am protected from entrapment and disease.  In daylight and in darkness, I am covered.   Weapons, epidemics and mass death will not touch me.  I will not be overcome by disaster or harm.

But I will see the wicked punished.  I will receive help from Your angels.  You promise to protect me, rescue me, answer my call, and always be with me.

I have received Your salvation.  I could not ask for more.  Thank You.  Amen

2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91:1-16

Sept 18 Always Your child

 

Father, thank You for making me Your heir.  Thank You for sending Your Spirit into my heart so I can call out “Abba, Father”.

 

 

Just like with my earthly parents, my position as their child will never change.  I may move far away, or be upset with them, or they with me, but I will always be their child.  The quality of our relationship may have its ups and downs.  So the closeness of our interaction may fluctuate, but my position as their child remains the same.

You have given me the full rights of being Your child and Your heir.  As such; “My salvation comes from You…My soul finds rest in You alone…You alone are my Rock, my fortress…I will never be shaken.”

Things may happen to me that shake my confidence in other people, in circumstances, in things I have come to depend on, even in myself.  But in You I will always find hope.  I will always be able to rest in Your abundant provision and security.  I will always know that even if I cannot understand, that Your purpose and Your plan will not be thwarted.

Many words describe safe places here on earth: refuge, fortress, tower, stronghold.  These are solid, unshakable places people run to for safety.  These are the exact words scripture uses to describe You!  Father, You are all these and more.  In You I can be shielded. I am protected, I am safe.

When needed, I can pour out my heart to You.  You listen.  And You comfort.  You give me wisdom.  And encourage me.  Lord, give me Your wisdom now.  Let me see Your perspective on the difficulties and challenges in my life right now.

I am resting in You, and I am hopeful.  Show me the next step I should take.  Do not let me get ahead of Your plan or Your timing.   Give me the patience I need to see Your blessing come to fruition.

I trust You.  I know that “You are strong, and that You are loving.”  I will wait with You, my Father.  Amen

Galatians 3:23-4:7; Psalm 62:1-12

June 26 You are my God

“Praise be to You Lord! You are my Rock. You train my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” And I am in a battle Lord. A battle between good and evil rages in my country, my society, and even in myself. Help me stand firm for godly values amidst the onslaught of evil influences that elevate greed, selfishness, lust, envy, pride, laziness, murder, and all sorts of immorality.

“You are my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. My shield, in whom I take refuge…Part the heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightening and scatter the enemies; shoot Your arrows and rout them. Reach down Your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.”  

Father, You never promised I would not have to face difficulties, but You have promised to always be with me. You have said “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you…”. Help me take hold of Your hand and stand strong against the rushing waters the enemy sends to sweep me off my feet. Let me see through the veil of lies and deceit the enemy would use against me.

Make my sons “like well-nurtured plants”.   As plants need water, light and soil, let them grow strong and walk in the light of the “Son”.   Let them be watered by the Holy Spirit to revive and refresh them with Living Water. Give them a rich faith to nourish and feed them so they will produce fruit in season as a fruitful vine in Your care. Father, prune them to increase their fruitfulness so their lives bring honor and glory to You.   Make “my daughters like pillars”: strong and straight, beautiful to adorn a palace, of resilient character to stand for and display godly values.

Father, in rescuing me, You have “filled my barns with every kind of provision.” You know what I need to meet the coming challenges You allow into my life. Meet those needs in a way that I know without a doubt that You have done it.

Prepare me to face challenges in faith and strength of character so I will be a strong witness for You. Meet my physical and economic needs. Bless my household out of Your abundant provision.   Show me how to share with others from the bounty You provide for me.

You have my thanks and my praise. “I will sing a new song to You.” You are my God. And I am blessed. Amen

Psalm 144:1-15; Isaiah 43:1-13

June 3 Jehovah-Jireh = My Provider

Lord, thank You for this reminder to commemorate Your works in my life by writing about it.

Whether in a song like David, or poem, or letter form in a journal, it is important that I not only give You recognition, credit, and thanks, but that I leave a record for others to see and know of Your involvement in my life. So that others know how You love, rescue and deliver those who belong to You.

I may not fight battles with six-fingered giants, but there are forces acting against me today. In this fight, You are also my rock which I can rely on as immovable to stand on or hide behind. You are my fortress where I can find protection within.

You are the One by whose power I am delivered from the enemy. You are my shield that deflects the arrows and blows aimed at me. You are the source of my strength, and the place I can pull back to, to find rest and refuge. Your power and strength save me.

Thank You that I can call on You when I need help and have become exhausted. Thank You that You are faithful and trustworthy and come to my aid. As the Psalmist says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.” I can look to the beautiful, often snow capped mountains where I live. Their beauty and stability speak to me of Your strength and faithfulness.

But the Psalmist wrote this to be a song all the Israelites would sing either as they made their way up to Jerusalem from their hometowns, lower in elevation; or as they ascended the steps on the south wall of the Temple mount. This was Mount Moriah, where You blessed Abraham and provided the ram to sacrifice in place of his son.

As the Israelites looked up to the hills of Jerusalem, towards the Temple, they would be thinking of You, the offerings they brought, and the forgiveness, celebration and protection they would experience there.

Thank You that I am also reminded You watch over me, that You are my shade and my protector. Thank You that You keep me from harm and watch over my life. I am so grateful. Amen

2 Samuel 21:15-22:20; Psalm 121:1-8

 

Oct 22 R – E – S – T

Father, I claim “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”. You are the Most High and the Almighty God, and You allow me to dwell in Your shelter and rest in Your shadow.   The picture here is one of complete protection; safe from the elements, and safe from enemies.

It is not just a place I run to in times of trouble, but because You are my God, I can live there all the time. I always have a place of safety and security.

What I find there is rest. As I have spelled out before, I find elements of:

R- relaxation

E- enjoyment

S- security and

T- triumph.

Your shelter. Your shadow protects me in every way possible.  It includes the physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual; every way I need to be shielded. I am protected from entrapment and disease. In daylight and in darkness, I am covered.   Weapons, epidemics and mass death will not touch me. I will not be overcome by disaster or harm.

But I will see the wicked punished. I will receive help from Your angels. You promise to protect me, rescue me, answer my call, and always be with me. I have received Your salvation. I could not ask for more. Thank You.

Amen

Psalm 91:1-16