Glorious Light

 

     Jesus is the word of God come to life in the flesh. (John 1) We have read about and imagine His earthly life. We have not seen Him in His full glory. It would be impossible for us to witness His full glory until we arrive in heaven. Right now, we have His very own Holy Spirit within us and we see in part what is to come.

For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthian 13:12

     Jesus, in His full glory, will fill the heavens and the earth with His light. He knows us fully. Someday, we will know Him fully as we meet Him face-to-face!

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5

     Impossible to imagine. No need of the sun or the moon. God’s glory will be shining for eternity with Jesus as the lamp. Anticipate the wonder.

Lord,

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit as we anticipate the wonders of our heavenly home. There are moments we long for Your return. Keep us content while we wait.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Glorious Reunion

 

      The planning for our 50th high school reunion has begun. Where have the years gone? I was blessed to be a part of South Minneapolis and, collectively, we are all still connected with younger and older “kids” from our neighborhoods. My class had over 600 students. Planning for reunions brings anticipation and excitement. Who will be there? Who has changed? What have old friends been up to since the last time we met?

     There will be another reunion for us one day. As we take our final breath, we will be escorted into heaven to be reunited with the believers who have gone before us. I long to see my parents, my friend, Patsy, my grandparents, cousins and other friends who have arrived in heaven first. The thought of that day brings anticipation and excitement. The former things will pass away and everything will be new and exciting and forever. Who do you miss? Do you sometimes long for the day you will meet Jesus?

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create. Isaiah 65;17-18a

But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

    We wait with anticipation for that most glorious reunion.

Lord,

We await the new heaven and new earth where we will dwell together with You and all who have gone before us. Keep us protected and filled with hope as we wait.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Refreshed

 

     May we be refreshed in our spirits this week, as we fill up with God’s word and await a revival, a renewal and revelation for our weary souls.  I had the opportunity to get together with six of my good friends from high school last week. Such a treat to reconnect, to reminisce about our crazy days and to catch up.

     It was a time of refreshing for us all, as we were reminded of the passing of time. 50 years since our graduation. Unfathomable! We have all lived through much, some with health crises , others with tragic loss of loved ones. We laughed and we cried and we were blessed.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

     How wonderful to walk through life with caring friends and family. We need to count our blessings each and every day we have on this short journey on earth. Some days are too difficult and we need each other. Some days are so filled with joy we can’t help but share.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9

The generous will prosper. Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:26

     When you need an encouraging word, reach out. Refresh others when they need comfort. We are in this together.

Lord,

Thank You for our loved ones, our family and friends. Thank You for times of refreshing and renewal. We need each other.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Revelation

 

     A revelation can surprise us unexpectantly or bring something to our attention that was previously unknown. The Book of Revelation is the unfolding of the final battles and the final victory of Jesus Christ against all evil, ushering in a new heaven and a new earth.

     I love the thought of a refreshed and renewed earth. We sure need it! All of the storms, the earthquakes and the wars, were prophesied long before we began witnessing an increase in all of the above. Don’t be afraid or intimidated by this Book.  After all, it is included in the Word of God!  He desires us to find new understanding and comfort even as we see evil increase.

     Pastor Greg Laurie (mentioned earlier this week) has wonderful and easy to understand studies on the Book of Revelation, as does Pastor David Jeremiah. Revelation is the only book that promises a blessing to those who read it!

Blessed is the one who reads about the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3

     In the meantime, God continually reveals new insights and fresh promises to us from Scripture.  Often, even a familiar Scripture seems to jump off the page just for us. Each situation or circumstance, each season of life, each tragedy or joy has a Scripture to feed us, to nourish our souls, to comfort, to guide, to teach, to bring gladness.

All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

     Let’s continue to pray for new revelation from Scripture to guide us through each day as we await the coming of Christ.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Yes, Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people Amen. Revelation 22:20-21

 

 

Renewed

 

     I’m feeling refreshed after reading through the promises of our Lord. How about you? As our faith increases after turning back to Jesus time and again, we can ask for our hearts and minds to be made right and whole, according to His will.

     You may recognize this beautiful Psalm. We sang it every week in our church growing up. I still love it.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Spirit from me. Restore onto me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with Your free Spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

     Such a precious prayer for us to recite! I pray we remain in His presence, with a right spirit and never forget the joy of knowing we will be in heaven one day.

     I often repeat the following verse before I head out the door or am in the midst of a difficult situation.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my mouth be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Father,

Thank You for restoring us again and again. We turn to You this morning asking for our hearts and minds to be continually filled and renewed with You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Revived

 

     As we pray for a revival in our country, let’s pray for an inner revival of the Spirit for each one of us. I know I am in need of a refreshing and a renewal of the Spirit in my life. Filling up with the Holy Spirit’s power is there for the asking! Here are a few Scriptures to invigorate us today. I’m tired and hope to gain some passion and energy from these words as I pray this for you, too.

But they who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40;31

For I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

     Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you. The Father is willing to give. Be refreshed, revived and renewed!

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11;13

Father,

We ask You to give us a refilling of Your Spirit. Please fill us with Your good gifts and revive the spirits within us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Revolution

 

     The movie, “Jesus Revolution,” will be released this weekend. Please pray with me and many others around the world for this movie to begin a revival of the Holy Spirit in our midst. This true story covers the Jesus movement of the early 70’s. Those of us living through those times, will remember a seeking culture.

     The culture was looking for answers in many of the wrong ways, including alcohol, drugs, and sex. But when a heart is seeking, Jesus answers the call. This movie follows the life of Pastor Greg Laurie.

     He grew up with an alcoholic, single mom who would marry seven times. His life was moving in the wrong direction when a “chance” meeting with Pastor Chuck Smith changed his life and the lives of many others. My husband and I listen to Greg Laurie every morning and he is an anointed Pastor preaching the Gospel with passion and love around the world.

     I saw the Jesus movement in action in the early 70’s through a high school boyfriend, along with a large group of friends at his school. A young pastor and the Young Life organization offered the love and the Gospel and for the first time in my life I saw the transforming power of Jesus Christ. This group was lit up and loved talking about faith. I believed and started to read Scripture for the first time. I would stray for more than a decade before truly giving my life to Christ. He hadn’t given up on me. This generation appears to be seeking and waiting, just as we were.

     Would you pray with me for a revival for our youth, for our neighbors, for our country? And God promises:

If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7;14

Father,

Hear our prayer as we humble ourselves, ask for forgiveness and turn back to You. Please let Your Spirit work mightily among us. We pray for this movie to open hearts as the Gospel is offered through this movie. Hear our prayer, dear Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pray, Listen, Do!

 

     Before you get too comfortable being still before God and resting in Christ, there is a purpose for the time spent with Him. Just as Jesus needed time away to pray and sit with His Father, so do we. When we find time to pray, to listen and fill ourselves with the words of our God, we understand there is work to do.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.  James 1:25

     What will Jesus and His word give you?

A prompting to call someone?

A next step to take during a difficult time?

Visions of a fresh dream?

Forgiveness?

Hope?

Food for a hurting friend?

Send a card?

Pray for a loved one?

Go to church?

Change a habit?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

     Resting in Christ and feeding ourselves with the word of God transforms us and renews our minds to be more like His. That freedom allows us to do what the Bible says. It is beautiful. It is a blessing. How do we know Jesus loves us? The Bible tells us so. Forget what the world is saying and telling you to do. Take some quiet time to listen to the Sovereign One. And get up from your quiet time and do it!

Jesus,

Show us what to do for You in the short time we are here. Only faith, hope and love will remain and the greatest of these is love. Reduce us to loving one another.

Amen

 

Quiet Time

 

     This week we talked about being still and knowing God (Psalm 46:10) and the comfort that comes in knowing the final battle has been won. Through Christ we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) Because of Jesus we can find rest in Him.  Rest…do you need some? We all do.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God, my hope comes from Him.  Psalm 62:5

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty.  Psalm 91:1

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast and trust in You. Isaiah 26:3

     He and His disciples had been busy, crowds all around. Imagine Him saying these same words to you:

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Mark 6:31

     He beckons us to come with Him to a quiet place, unburden yourself and get some rest.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving us rest in You. Give us quiet time with You during these busy days and refresh and renew us for the purposes we are meant to do.

Amen

More Than Conquerors

 

    I think we would all agree. Life can be a battle. Nation vs. nation. Man vs. man. Nature vs. earth. Spirit vs. flesh. We get caught up in the turmoil of it all. Anxiety and grief become a part of our days. A spark can erupt into a firestorm of fear.

     And there is Christ. Remember, He has won the ultimate battle. He has won the final war. His words on the cross say it all. “It is finished!” Satan is on a leash and one day the Father will yank him into the firey pit, along with every form of evil. Death has been won. Life over death and we can rest in the finished work of the Messiah.

     Somehow, over time, He takes all of our pain and suffering and grief, the battles we have fought so hard to win, and He turns them into something precious. He collects our tears and works His miracles until the wisdom and comfort He has given us becomes wisdom and comfort to others. And our tragedies become triumphs and our mess becomes a message.

     Whatever battles you may be fighting ,do not be shaken. Your foundation is secure. You are more than a conqueror.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 16:8

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Dear Father,

Jesus won the battle. We will not be shaken. Though we are struck down, we are not destroyed. Jesus conquered evil and death. Let us rest in Him.

Amen

 

Selah

 

     The word, “selah” appears in a variety of places in the Bible, most often in the Psalms. It is a word on its own, tucked between verses.  The meaning used most often for this word is “to pause.”

     Many of the Psalms were sung as songs of praise to God. Journeying each year to their temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish people would sing together praises to their God. The word may have been used as a pause to catch a breath or as a break for the musical instruments. Two other meanings of the word are “to weigh or balance” and “to praise.”

     This winter, as we sit out a storm or two, as we are stuck in traffic, or as we come in early because of diminishing daylight, as we make stew or soup or walk outside in the quiet of a snow-filled day, let’s pause and weigh the words of God as we praise Him. Let this winter be a time to be still and know Him.  Selah

He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

Father,

Give us time to be still before You, to feel Your presence around us. Protect us. Give us strength. Bring us comfort and peace. We pause to praise You this morning. Selah

Amen

White as Snow

 

     Experiencing a February thaw in Minnesota is invigorating.  Warm sunshine, melting snow, birds chirping. Ahhh!  But it’s still winter.

     As we chop ice and clear snow and stretching our aching backs, we can pause and notice the beauty of the snow.  Be reminded of God and His word. Snow will replenish the earth and get it ready for spring. And it will cover the dirt and the dust with a beautiful white. It’s what Jesus did for us!

   “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  Isaiah 1:18

  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10-11

 Dear Lord,

We do thank You for Your word and for Your Son. He cleanses our sins white as snow. Keep our minds on You as You replenish our souls.

Amen

Keep Looking Up

 

     Feeling better this week? I hope so. I know the old strongholds will raise their ugly heads as long as we live on this fallen earth. Our Father is powerful enough, strong enough, protective enough, loving enough, to stick with us. When we are sidetracked from the path, He has chosen for us, He will find a way to get us back on course.

     Keep looking up. Focus on Jesus when things are falling apart. Our help comes from Him. Our Redeemer, our Savior, our Shepherd, our friend, the one and only Son, the perfect man, the one who fills our hearts with all that is good. Focus on Him.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

I will lift up my eyes to the hills-where do I get my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

     Be transformed!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, perfect and pleasing will.  Romans 12:2

     His plans are good for you.

Jesus,

Place our hearts and our minds above all that drags us down. Let our gaze remain fixed on You  Remove us from the perils of this earth as Your children, alive forever, dearly loved.

Amen

 

Sin Out-Righteousness In

 

     Small irritations take control. A bitter root grows in our hearts. Satan’s strongholds in our life appear to be taking over. The world is suddenly or gradually not so sunny and warm. A cool breeze takes hold of our hearts. Someone hurt us. That person doesn’t understand. What is wrong with me? How can I go on without them? It is easy to blame others or to blame our past or our circumstances.

     It is convenient to look at others through the lens of our own lives. Jesus always meets us right where we are. He meets each person’s needs in a unique and glorious way. He tugs at our heartstrings and makes us realize we no longer need to be right. We just need to be loved. When life becomes too difficult, we may realize we are tired of doing it on our own. We need God. We need a Savior.

     That hole in our hearts, the questions about life and death, the search for answers, for truth, can be found in one man. The man who was also fully God. Jesus came in sacrifice and humility. He came to suffer greatly. He came to experience the humanness of life on earth and to show us the way to the glory of eternal life.

     The one and only perfect man took it all.  He took all of our pain and offers us complete forgiveness and righteousness. His righteousness. God allowed Him to become one of us and suffer as if He had committed every one of our sins and in return offers us the holy righteousness of Christ. Wow!

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30

     You are redeemed. Jesus traded place with you and took it all. You are now the righteousness of Christ, forever forgiven, sins washed clean as snow, forever loved, forever alive with Him.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Father,

Jesus changed everything for us, giving us new life. We praise You for giving us Your Son. Through the shedding of His perfect blood our sins are as white as snow, we are forgiven as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12) There are no words perfect enough to thank You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Capture Each Thought

 

     This week we have talked about minor irritations, bitterness and anger and how these negative thoughts and emotions can rob us of peace and joy. When it comes right down to it, the battle is fought most of the time within our own minds. My mind can take off on one tangent after another, winding down roads and valleys that leave me with no way to escape.

     Many times, most times, it is in the middle of the night. I have dealt with insomnia for most of my life. Did I say the wrong thing? What can I do to help her? What will I make for our weekend away? Will I sleep? Should I get up for a while and try to relax my mind? Now it’s 1 o’clock, 2’o’clock etc. etc. etc.

     You get the picture. You too? Praying and reciting calming Scripture often does the trick as I give my roller-coaster thoughts to the God of peace. In fact, there is a wonderful Scripture about capturing each thought. I would love to do just that when my mind is running away from me!

     The Bible calls the difficulties we deal with as individuals as “strongholds.” Satan knows and understands our weaknesses and knows just where and how to aim his fiery arrows, often into our own hearts and minds. Read through these powerful words.

The weapons we fight are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

     Jesus has the answers, the knowledge, the wisdom to demolish our damaging strongholds. He will never give up on finding the way to complete peace and freedom for us. Trust Him. Give Him your thoughts, ask Him for rest and peace. Memorize Scripture verses that are made just for you. And believe He is working.

     I am going to try to sleep tonight, resting in His protective arms and His promises.

Father,

You know what we need and how to provide for us. Capture every thought that does not honor You. Give us the peace that transcends understanding. Guard our minds when they move us in the wrong direction.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Beware the Bitter Root

 

     Yesterday we gave up our worry, our anxiety as well as our small irritations to our Lord. I remember having a discussion with my niece some years ago. I responded to our conversation with the common phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  She immediately replied, “The small stuff adds up.” So true, isn’t it? A day can start off routinely enough, until the small irritations begin to intrude. As we focus on the negative, on the constant noises keeping us away from peace, on the circumstances or the people that bring us down, we will be filled with unrest.

     Many years ago, before studying the Bible in earnest, my brother, sister-in-law and I had a falling out. The argument began innocently enough and slowly escalated as our opinions grew more one-sided and self-involved. This minor disagreement grew until we did not speak for several years. I can remember how it weighed on my heart, but I just knew I was right. I would dwell on their mistakes and have conversations in my head on what I wanted to say to them.

     Sound familiar? My brother was 22 years my senior, and luckily, we made up and enjoyed many more years of closeness before he died from a Parkinson-like disease over 15 years ago. The Bible warns against what we experienced. It is called a bitter root. Don’t let it take hold of your heart.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31

     Easy to see the escalation in the Ephesians verse above. A bitter root can grow into slander, anger and even malice. Sounds a bit like our culture today. Jesus is the cure and He has some good advice in this next verse, again in the book of Ephesians.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

     Be kind. Forgive. Be compassionate. Christ has done so much for us. He has given us eternal life and the abundant life right now.

Father,

Keep us from growing bitter and unkind. Give us hearts to see others as You do, to love, to forgive, to look for the good. You understand how difficult it is for us. We want to be right. We believe we have the answers. The truth in always found in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The "Eesh" In Life

      This week's blogs were written four years ago when our now five-year-old grandson was one. Have a great week!

     Our one-year-old grandson is just learning to walk. You will usually find him crawling speedily around the house. That is, until he spots something that stops him in his tracks. It might be a pebble, a piece of lint, or a small string on our wood floors. Luckily, he doesn’t put them in his mouth (obviously a brilliant child). Instead, he will grasp the tiny item, get on his knees and hold it up for us until we reach over and take it from his tightly pinched fingers. His facial expression turns to one of mild disgust and he says,”eeesh.”

     So adorable. How often do we get derailed and disgusted by the smallest irritations in our day? Another driver cuts us off, or an irritating habit of a loved one drives us crazy, or the personality of a co-worker is becoming unbearable. The list goes on. These little “eeesh” moments in life can move us from joy and peace and contentment and set us off on the wrong track.

     The Bible continually warns us against fret and worry, against bitterness and anger and offers us instruction on how to prepare and avoid them. It isn’t often I use the Amplified Bible. Its wordiness can be burdensome, but today there is valuable emphasis added to these favorite verses from the book of Philippians.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything (every situation and circumstance) by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your (specific) requests known to God. And the peace of God (that peace that reassures the heart) which transcends all understanding stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

     Like Gavin, let’s reach up and hand over our “eeesh” situations and the small irritations in life to someone bigger and more able to handle them. Let’s allow Jesus to lift the damaging emotions from our hearts and our minds and feel His reassurance, as He fills us with His everlasting peace. And once handed over, continue on your merry way.

Lord,

Thank You for the lessons You give us, for the teaching moments that remind us to turn to You over and over again when we need to be lifted up and reassured. We give it all to You and accept Your peace.

Amen

Faith Supports

 

     What have you built your life upon? Does it hold you secure when the first sign of a storm appears? Will you sink when the tidal waves crash into you with force? Or are you built on the firm foundation of faith in Christ?

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds beat and blew against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:25-27

     Our faith provides a firm foundation, built on the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. He will hold you up through the greatest storms in life and will not allow you to be crashed. Rely on Him.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

     Our faith will sustain us through the flames and the waves, through the storms of life. Be assured of Jesus. Find hope in Him alone. Build your spiritual house on the solid rock.

But the Lord has become my fortress and my God, the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

Father,

Our foundation is secure, set, on the Rock of our salvation, Jesus. Our faith assures us of heaven, even in the midst of trials and tests on earth, You are there to protect and provide.

Amen

Faith Protects

 

     Satan is real and active, devious and aware. We have spiritual armor to wear with confidence each and every day. You can read through each piece of armor in Ephesians 6:13-18. For today, we will focus on the shield that protects us from the fiery arrows of our enemy.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

     God provides everything we need. If only we would remember to clothe ourselves with our helmet of salvation, our breastplate of righteousness, our shoes of the Gospel of peace, our belt of truth, our shield of faith, as well as our one offensive weapon; the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, all tied together with prayer.

     Faith protects us from the voice of Satan filling us with doubt, with worry, with temptation, with greed and envy, with pride, with guilt. He knows how to push our buttons and wants us to remain in a weak position, unable to speak truth, until we are unable to bring glory to Jesus with our lives.

     Today, hold up your faith with confidence and joy. You’ve got this! Jesus provides protection against every single arrow pointed at you.

Lord,

We thank You for the weapons of warfare against evil. We lean on You for protection in this world as we await Your coming. The darkness has no power over Your light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Faith Assured

      Have you felt the presence of God in a real way, known that a prayer has been answered, smiled and said, “That was You, Jesus!”

     When I was 28 years old, I was driving down 28th Avenue in South Minneapolis on a bright, sunny day, driving my pale-yellow, stodgy 4-door Dodge K-car, feeling very sorry for myself. My dream in life, from the time I was a small girl, playing with my baby dolls, was to be a wife and a mom.

     At the time,39 years ago, I was dating someone. Someone I knew did not want to be married or to have kids. Many of my friends were married with children and I was filled with doubts about life and what direction mine was going. Out of the blue, a warm, joy-filled, feeling washed over me. I felt it from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I know now it was the Holy Spirit, but at the time, I was not in a deep relationship with Jesus. God begins His work in us long before we open our hearts to Him completely.

     The assurance was real. I knew that I knew that I knew I would be married and have a little girl named Angela one day. (my favorite name dating way back to those baby dolls) A smile of pure joy broke out on my face, driving alone in my car. But I wasn’t alone.

     I never doubted that deep truth, even though I would go through many trials in the next few years. I married my love at the age of 31 and had my first child at 33. Yep, you guessed it. A daughter, named Angela. My husband did have a say in our second beautiful daughter’s name, Lauren, a couple of years later.

     I love to hear stories of prayers answered, of knowing God is real and involved. The Holy Spirit is alive and well and I (and you) have many stories to share. My faith has not wavered. The assurance of   faith is real. I want to share a verse that hangs over my kitchen sink, etched on a sun catcher. It is a good one to memorize. Faith and hope are real. God is there.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance for what we do not see. Hebrews 11;1

Father,

We know You are there. We are assured of our faith in Jesus, by the work of the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the assurance of Your good work in us.

In Jesus name,

Amen