Category: Protection

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A Shield of Love

I couldn’t sleep last night so I found a movie to watch, Mountain Top. The main character is played by Barry Corbin who is falsely accused of embezzling $100,000. It wouldn’t be top-rated in any genre but the acting was good and the plot was refreshing.

The lead character had an unwavering faith in God’s provision even when those around him doubted. It was that kind of faith that comes from walking with the Lord for years and depending on Him in all situations.

“The Lord is truthful; he can be trusted. He loves justice and fairness, and he is kind to everyone everywhere on earth.” Psalm 33:4-5 CEV

It gave me pause. I’m not always good when people falsely accuse me of wrongdoing. In fact, I’ve been known to jump in and make things worse. This is one area that the Lord is still helping me with – keeping my mouth shut and letting Him defend me.

“Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, ‘I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.’” Romans 12:19 CEV

Jesus knew what it was like to be unjustly accused. It seems every time He taught someone was there to malign Him. Jesus would redirect the conversation and point His accusers back to the Father. Even at His trial, He stood silent.

I’m really not sure why the Lord put this subject on my heart this morning, but I know I had to be faithful to write it. Maybe some of you are dealing with false accusations; it could be that you are being threatened with losing your job or a relationship because of lies.

“But let those who trust in you be happy forever. Protect and strengthen those who love your name. 12 Lord, when you bless good people, you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.” Psalms 5:11-12 ERV

I want to encourage you to let the Lord fight the battle. Place yourself behind His shield of love!

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Dig Deeper

This morning I found myself praying for those we will be working with this upcoming summer at the campground. I was texting a friend a couple days ago and we agreed that the mountain and the lake are home.

It’s where we are comfortable and enjoy being. It’s a place of peace but not without a few challenges. The month of June we were under a red alert. The fire danger was high and only propane fires were allowed outside. Even generators were reduced in their hours of use. Finally, the order came to evacuate the campground. The fire danger was too high to allow campers to stay. Everyone had to leave. We camp hosts were sequestered in one area that had several routes of ingress and egress. For two weeks we lived with Ready-Set-Go evacuation orders.

On July 7 we were allowed to go back to our campgrounds and prepare for campers’ arrival just a few days later. The weather had changed. We had now gone from dry dangerous conditions to thunderstorms and flooded campsites. But everyone seemed to be in good spirits, hardly a complaint, we were all so grateful for the rains that came each day.

But one day the rain came, and it didn’t stop in a few hours like it normally did. It rained all day and all night and into the next day. We joked that very shortly we would be building an ark. Our campground is elevated above the entrance and there are run off channels throughout the campground which bring the water downhill and to the lake. It was an efficient way to handle the normal run off but not this time, there was too much water.

So, what’s all this got to do with my prayer time? Glad you asked. I was telling the Lord it would be really great if one small issue were remedied. The culvert used to funnel the waters at the entrance is too small in diameter and it isn’t buried deep enough. It needs to go deeper! I was praying that will get fixed this year.

It was then this verse came to mind.

“ I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:47-49 NLT

Dig deep!

Life will have its storms. There will be flash flooding and hurricanes; physical, emotional, financial and spiritual. It’s our responsibility to dig deep and be prepared to withstand what comes. When we have God’s word in our lives, we have a rock solid, immovable foundation that will not be shaken.

The time to prepare is before the floodwaters come. The skies may be blue and sunny and you may have a list of fun things you want to do but prepare your foundation first. Dig deep into God’s word. Find out what He has promised you about joy and peace, forgiveness and grace. Shore your foundation up on hope, kindness and His unconditional love. Line the perimeter with the rocks of protection and provision that He promises to everyone who hears and applies His word.

Dig deep! It will keep your house from falling.

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Not Today!

This morning’s blog came with great emphasis in my heart this morning – no fear, not today!

All through the night a song from Sunday’s worship service kept running through my mind. It was published by Bethel Music, just last year, (I must give credit where credit is due), “No Longer Slaves”.

From my mother’s womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again to a family
Your blood flows through my veins

I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God

Fear can be paralyzing; fear can be demoralizing; it robs the richness of life – an abundant life that Christ came to give us.

“ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“ God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 CEV

Every day we are bombarded with fearful reports. “There’s a storm coming; the crime rate is up; the newest COVID cases; inflation; shortage on the grocery store shelves…and the list goes on.

NO!! Not today! I will not be a slave to fear, I am God’s child and He is my protector and my provision.

Not today! I am with the Shepherd and He uses His rod to beat back my enemies!

“I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.” Psalm 23:4 CEV

Not today! God is with us; He will protect us!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Not today! Christ is in control!

“Don’t be afraid! I am the first, the last, 18 and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead.” Revelation 1:17-18 CEV

Not today, dear friend – you are God’s child and He has promised to never leave you!!

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Protected

Some of you live in areas where the ground has been snowed covered for quite some time but that’s not how it is here. We get colder weather but not for extended periods of time and snow is a rarity.

Before we sold the house and moved into the RV, I had many plants in our yard. Most of them were resilient to the cold but others had to be covered, protected. I loved working with my flowers and plants but had to leave most of them behind. I was only able to bring a few of them with me – our space is limited.

This last week we had freeze warnings and I brought a few of them in and covered the larger, stronger ones. The weather forecast has predicted warmer days this week and night before last was above freezing so yesterday I pruned a few frost-bitten leaves and placed the plants which had been inside back out on the patio.

Much to my chagrin when I got up this morning our thermometer had a reading of 30*. That’s upsetting because I didn’t cover any of them last night. It’s one of those should have, would have, could have situations and frankly, I’m praying that they were protected even though I was neglectful.

I am very grateful that our heavenly Father isn’t caught off guard by anything and He has given us His promise of protection.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.
4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or city wall. 5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.” Psalm 91:1-6 CEV

He cares for us like we would care for a young and tender plant. This is the Lord’s promise for our protection and safety. We can put our hope, our faith and trust in Him; He keeps His word, God does not lie!

“If you honor the Lord, his angel will protect you. 8 Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.” Psalm 34:7-8 CEV

We must not let fear rob us of those things that the Father has promised. His faithfulness is our shield, our covering, our protection!

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Road Trip

Each year about this time I begin contemplating what it must have been like for Mary to make the trip from Nazareth, her home, to Bethlehem.

This morning I searched Google maps to remind myself once again just how long of a trip it is. On the road, it’s only 95 miles; a little over two hours in a car but Mary didn’t have the luxury of automobile transportation. She walked part of the way and road on the donkey part of the trip. Google told me that walking the trip would take 26 hours.

26 hours of walking for a normal person but how long did it take for a woman in her last weeks of pregnancy. Even if she rode the donkey the entire way, they still couldn’t go any faster than Joseph could walk. I figure they really couldn’t have gone more than 5 hours a day so the trip would have probably taken 5-6 days. Think about that!

A few weeks back Dave and I were out on some dirt roads in our side-by-side when it just quit. We tried everything we could think of but still couldn’t get it started. There was only one thing to do – walk. It was a beautiful afternoon; we had on good shoes and also had a well-used dirt road to travel on (although it was rutted and rough). It took this healthy older couple over an hour to walk the 5 miles back to the main road. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be pregnant and doing the same trip.

Mary wasn’t traveling with a medical team or even a mid-wife. She, with Joseph her fiancé were on this trip together. I’m sure there were others on the same road, headed to the same destination since they had to report for the census but theirs was a different journey. And when they arrived, they couldn’t find a place to stay…

“So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. 5 Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) 6 While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.” Luke 2:4-7 ERV

Sometimes the road we are on seems rocky and rough. Conditions are not what we would like them to be – less than favorable. But when God designs the path, we can go forward knowing that He is with us and His plans for us are always good.

“ ‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

When God takes you on a road trip, go, knowing that His plans are good!

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Shield of Kindness

I’ve never thought of kindness as a shield until I read this morning’s Scriptures.

All through the Bible we are told that the Lord is loving, gracious and kind. In fact, the words loving-kindness are linked together to more accurately described the Father’s character. The psalmist said “Thy loving-kindness is better than life – thus will I praise thee, thus will I bless Thee”.

But when I read the words “you shield them with kindness” I had to stop and ponder that image.

I don’t know how many movies I have seen of medieval times but in each one the knight’s are always geared for battle and one of those pieces of armor is a shield. A shield is an instrument of war and a vital piece of a warrior’s protection. Think about that for a moment before you read the following verses.

“Listen, Lord, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan. 2 You are my King and my God. Answer my cry for help because I pray to you. 3 Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply…Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice. 12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right,  and you shield them with your kindness.” Psalm 5:1,2,11,12 CEV

Here, King David is praying for help, waiting on the Lord to answer his prayer. He ends this Psalm singing praise to God for his protection and deliverance. He, a soldier, of many battles, makes the statement that the Lord’s kindness is placed as a shield in front of those who live right. This shield of kindness protects us from the arrows and swords of our enemies.

If you have been in a battle, or maybe are going through one now, let the Lord place His shield of kindness between you and those circumstances. Sing your songs of praise because the Father provides shelter for those who love Him.

Let your faith in the kindness of the Lord be a shield of protection from all that seeks to harm.

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Never Run Out

I found this image of Niagara Falls and it intrigued me. Although, I have never been there and seen it personally I know it’s there – it has never run dry, the waters have never run out.

Each day, all day long, the waters continue to flow – spring, summer, autumn and winter – seven days a week, three hundred sixty five days a year. There are other places where creeks, streams and even rivers have run dry but not Niagara Falls and certainly not an ocean.

That’s the way it is with the ever-present, power and love of God. He brings aid and comfort, peace and goodness, even in our darkest and loneliest days.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

Did you see that – He will not, He WILL not, HE WLL NOT fail us or leave us without support? Our Father is a 24/7, 365 day a year God of support and comfort! We cannot exhaust or deplete His loving care anymore that we can drain Niagara Falls by taking a cup of water from its flow.

Some people get hung up on the first part of verse 5 and lose the impact of the second half of the verse. Let me put it to you this way.

I have two gifts. The first is limited, it’s temporary, it will run out and be used up. The second is limitless, eternal, inexhaustible, constantly renewable. Which one do you choose? Moses said to the children of Israel,” I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose life”!

What this verse is saying is don’t go running after riches. Instead choose God who promises to never leave you because in Him is an infinite supply of whatever we need. God is better than earthly riches, although He does promise to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Now, let’s ask and answer the question in verse six. What can man do to me?

With God on our side as our comfort, our encourager, our helper we have a flow of grace that makes man’s attacks incomparable to God’s power.

The grace of God will never run out!

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Calling All Davids

You are needed for battle!!

There are many today who see a giant in the land and it is causing them to fear. It’s time for a few David’s to show up for the fight.

“The Philistine army had a hero named Goliath who was from the town of Gath and was over nine feet tall. 5-6 He wore a bronze helmet and had bronze armor to protect his chest and legs. The chest armor alone weighed about one hundred twenty-five pounds. He carried a bronze sword strapped on his back, 7 and his spear was so big that the iron spearhead alone weighed more than fifteen pounds…8 Goliath went out and shouted to the army of Israel:…’Choose your best soldier to come out and fight me! 9 If he can kill me, our people will be your slaves. But if I kill him, your people will be our slaves. 10 Here and now I challenge Israel’s whole army! Choose someone to fight me!’ 11 Saul and his men heard what Goliath said, but they were so frightened of Goliath that they couldn’t do a thing.” I Samuel 17:4-11 CEV

We have a few giants in our land that are causing the king and the fighting men to fear. COVID, political unrest in our nation and around the world, personal crises.

“David said to Saul, ‘People shouldn’t let Goliath discourage them. I am your servant. I will go fight this Philistine.’ 33 Saul answered, ‘You can’t go out and fight against this Philistine. You’re not even a soldier! Goliath has been fighting in wars since he was a boy.’ 34 But David said to Saul, ‘There were times when I was taking care of my father’s sheep that wild animals came to take some sheep from the flock. Once there was a lion and another time, a bear…36 I killed both a lion and a bear like that! And I will kill that foreigner, Goliath, just like them. Goliath will die because he made fun of the army of the living God. 37 The Lord saved me from the lion and the bear. He will also save me from this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘Go and may the Lord be with you.’” I Samuel 17:31-37ERV

David knew God had made a promise to fight for the nation of Israel like He did with Joshua at Jericho. He told the king, Goliath is a foreigner – which meant he has no covenant with God – we do! David’s brothers thought he was being impudent, disrespectful and self-centered. The king thought David didn’t understand the gravity of the situation but David knew that they didn’t understand the scope and even the practicality of their covenant with God.

You know the story – David defeated Goliath with a rock and sling. He could have gone after him with a pea shooter because David wasn’t depending on his own strength and power to defeat Goliath, he was depending on the Lord.

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel.'” I Samuel 17:45-46 ERV

God is looking for Davids today. Don’t let what people say or think about you keep you from being used. God isn’t looking for the qualified, He’s looking for the committed!

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Out In the Open

For the last several weeks it has been hunting season on the mountain. Deer, turkey, bear, antelope, mountain lion, elk and now duck. This is an area with an abundance of game.

For several days we traveled the road to town. It is so enjoyable because we would always see game in the open meadows or amongst the trees along the roadside. But about a week ago we noticed that the meadows were empty. It was hunting season and wildlife was scarce.

But two days ago they were back! The danger was gone and they felt safe to come out in the open.

I’m going to miss not being on the mountain! I’ve been reminded of so many of God’s truths in the last four months. These antelope brought another truth to mind. They retreated, they hid in the underbrush of the pine thickets during hunting season – they made it hard for their adversaries to find them.

In the Old Testament we find Scripture telling us that God is our hiding place. He protects us from our enemies.

” Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies. 8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:7-8 CEV

They hid instead of coming face-to-face with the enemy. But in the New Testament, we believers are instructed to “be bold”, unafraid, courageous as we face the enemy. Jesus told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the presence of the Holy Spirit who would fill them with power to be witnesses.

And that they did!

They went from hiding in the days after Christ’s crucifixion to standing boldly in front of the crowds and proclaiming the resurrection and new life in Christ. Their adversaries had them beaten and imprisoned. They were maligned and persecuted. Their response, they prayed for more boldness.

“Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30 Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. 31 After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s message.” Acts 4:29-31 CEV

Our reaction should be the same. When we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have the power of God defending us. There is no reason to hide. Ours is not a defensive battle against our enemy, we are on the offensive – taking ground – enacting the victory!

“Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-14 CEV

We stand at the start of the battle and we will still be standing, victorious, when the battle is over!

Come out in the open and let the power of God bring us to victory!

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Through The Rivers

I needed to share this photo with you from our recent trip to the Catwalk. This is our daughter and son-in-law. What you don’t clearly see behind them is a rushing waterfall. Our daughter has a “thing” for getting in the water. Her husband prefers that she doesn’t take chances like that! He is always there to protect her, I like that!

This morning I am wondering how many of you feel you are in a vulnerable situation, in need of protection.

God’s faithfulness is never ending, and neither is His love, mercy and grace!

A few incidences in the Bible came to mind this morning while I was thinking about some of the rivers we go through. Remember when the children of Israel were being led out of Egypt? They came to the Red Sea and God parted the waters. Then as they were about to entire the Promised Land, the land God provided for them, they had to cross the Jordan River while it was in flood stage. The minute the priests set foot in the river God did a miracle. The waters held back and the entire nation crossed on dry ground.

“The priests carried the Box of the Agreement, and the people left the place they had camped. The people started going across the Jordan River. 15 (During harvest time the Jordan River overflows its banks, so the river was at its fullest.) The priests who were carrying the Box came to the shore of the river. When they stepped into the water, 16 immediately the water stopped flowing and piled up like a wall. The water piled up high a long way up the river—all the way to Adam (a town near Zarethan). And the water flowing down to the sea of Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. The people crossed the river near Jericho. 17 The ground at that place became dry, and the priests carried the Box of the Agreement of the Lord to the middle of the river and stopped. They waited there while all the Israelites walked across the Jordan River on dry land.” Joshua 3:14-17 ERV

Do you think some of the people might have been afraid? I do. However, our Father is always faithful to protect and to guide.

“ Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3a ERV

As I said at the beginning, I’m not sure what vulnerable situation you may have before you but I do know that when we walk through rivers, when we go through fire, when life’s storms seek to capsize our boat, the Father is there – He never leaves us alone!

“The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.” The Lord who loves you said this.” Isaiah 54:10 ERV

Through the rivers, God’s faithful love with never leave us!

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