Encouragement

Psalm 119:165 NKJV — Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

God’s Word is full to overflowing of encouragement.

It should be the first place we look for comfort and refuge.

Psalm 9:9 KJV — The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 57:1 NKJV — To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

The Lord is not absent, He knows our struggles and trials.

Psalm 142:3a NKJV — When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path…

The Lord Jesus is our soul’s safety and God’s Word brings us life, direction, and shines the light of the way.

Psalm 119:105 KJV — NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

His Word is where we find strength.

Revelation 3:8 NKJV — “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

God is faithful and His Word is true.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV — God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

His love is what sustains through the days of difficulty.

1 Peter 4:19 NKJV — Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

For He truly has all things in His hands and all our needs He knows.

For our very life is His creation and His gifts are continually around us.

James 1:17 NKJV — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

And what joy we have in sharing those things He gives!

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV — As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God is good and greatly to be praised!

Psalm 118:29 NKJV — Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for all the encouragement and blessing we can find in Your Word. Lord, I am so often overwhelmed by the intricate understanding of my emotions and circumstances which lead me to scriptures which pour in comfort and healing to my soul. My very atoms are held together by Your design, I know I can trust You for the details of my day. Lord, for those who are hurting, struggling, grieving, I humbly request that You fill them with Your Word, that they might find all they need in You. Thank You for always being all I have ever needed. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Third day

It’s really good.

This opportunity to have a safe place I can breathe.

It’s really a blessing.

My family who serve me, love me, pray for me.

It’s really humbling.

This taste of confinement, so comfortable and pretty, when others experience poverty, illness, need, displacement, fear, and persecution.

It’s really sweet.

All the texts and prayers of others.

Those who are concerned about me and our family.

It’s really incredible.

To think about how I stopped counting the days of confinement when I was too sick to get out of bed.

To realize how much God has healed me and how blessed I am to have another day.

It’s really an opportunity.

To stay safe in my room and pray for those who are out working to stop the blaze, those who are helping others find safety, those who have left everything behind, and those who are frightened and uncertain what tomorrow will bring.

“Lord, please be with each one.”

To spend time before my Lord lifting up so many.

To praise Him for His faithfulness and His mercy.

To worship Him, no matter what tomorrow brings, because:

He is worthy.

Bless the Lord , O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Psalms 104:1 NKJV

I will call upon the Lord , who  is  worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
II Samuel 22:4 NKJV

And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”
Isaiah 6:3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. It is such a comfort. There is such depth of wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement. Lord Jesus, please stop those who would harm others or put people in danger. Please strengthen those who are serving communities and providing for others. Lord, let those who are struggling find their comfort in You. Please protect the innocent and place a hedge of protection around the weak. Lord, nothing that is done is missed by You. Thank You for watching over us all with such love and compassion, mercy and grace. Thank You for being God Almighty, our place of refuge. Amen.

Where do we go when…

Yesterday, I was surprised as I opened the map on the internet.

Our area is dealing with poor air quality due to the smoke, but I wasn’t prepared for the West Coast to be on fire.

And the fires didn’t improve as the day went on, they grew worse.

Thankfully the air purifier is working well and we still have power.

The kids spent a good portion of their day with me in the bedroom where my air purifier is.

My husband had to work late.

When he arrived home, he informed me that there’s ash in the garage where it has blown in under the door.

The smoke is better today and I was hoping to get to leave the bedroom, but upon inspection, my husband thought it best I stay in our room again today.

Of course, when something like this happens you want to know what the latest information is.

Especially when I received texts all day as to the fires down south near our friends and family.

I wanted to know what the evacuations were for today, so I got on the internet.

To see all the fires burning from California, Oregon, and Washington is sad.

As I was reading the evacuation notices, my heart had to ask:

“Where will everyone go?”

Revelation 1:8 KJV — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God is where we should go.

Yes, there are people who need to change locations, but where will anyone find peace in the midst of disaster is only in Christ Jesus.

Just because things look bad doesn’t mean God is less able than before.

Our perspective is so limited, there is no way for us to truly see all that God is doing during this.

I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalms 91:2 NKJV

My heart looks to Jesus.

I don’t know what is best, nor how this will all end up, but that is all the more reason to look to the Lord.

God is not surprised by any of this.

I’m positive He is working through it all.

Through the Lord ’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They  are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 NKJV

And so, I’m praying.

Because God is still in control, no matter the circumstances.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Please continue to guide and direct us. Please be with our fire workers and emergency staff. Please help people to have compassion, understanding, and wisdom in this time. Lord, show Yourself, reveal Your truth to the people, both in our State and in our Nation. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your loving kindness. Thank You for Your protection and a refuge in times of trouble. May our hearts realize that as long as our souls are safe in You, there is nothing to fear. Thank You. Amen.

My Refuge and Comfort

What do you do when awake in middle of the night, unable to sleep?

At times, fear lurks, tangling my thoughts with needless worry.

Yet, I’ve learned the most important thing to do is pray.

Psalm 46:1b NKJV — God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

To hold out my heart before God and seek refuge in His love.

Psalm 62:8 KJV — Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

To relinquish my ideas and plans into the Almighty’s care and enjoy quiet with Him alone.

Often, He brings others to mind and I stand before Him in prayer on their behalf.

In my times of deepest anguish, in those moments of despair, in the times of desperation, He has been my constant Refuge.

His comfort was encompassing when my father died in a tragic accident.

His presence was my constant companion when my body was so wrecked by pain I could neither eat nor sleep.

He’s been my ever faithful, loving, help in these long days of illness.

His Word is true.

He is my Refuge and Strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

And although I have no idea how He is working this all out for my good, I know I can trust Him to do it.

What an incredible God, He is!

Psalm 9:9 KJV — The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Amen!

Abundance

There’s never an end to the goodness of God.

The Bible is overflowing with description after description of God.

One can learn God for a lifetime and never reach the end of Him.

God is our strength and refuge.

Psalm 46:1 NKJV — “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Story after story is listed in the Scriptures of how God gave both strength and refuge to the people Israel and many individuals.

God sees the heart.

He knows the truth of every matter.

When we are wronged we need not defend ourselves.

Psalm 59:9 NKJV —” I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.”

He is the Judge.

Psalm 50:6 NKJV —” Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah”

His verdicts are always best.

God is the King of all kings.

Psalm 47:7 NKJV — “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.”

He was before them all, and will be here when their histories are forgotten.

God is holding our very lives.

He wants to help, guide, and direct each person.

Psalm 54:4 NKJV — “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.”

Jesus is the Savior.

Psalm 62:7 NKJV —”In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.”

What can mankind ultimately do if one’s soul is safely in the hands of God?

There is no pain which lasts past the grave if the soul is safe with Jesus.

Psalm 68:20 NKJV —”Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16‭-‬17 NKJV

What an incredible picture of God we see in only a few verses.

And there’s so much more.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for showing us Yourself. Thank You for giving us the Word that we might learn about You. Thank You for coming in flesh to save us from sin and eternal separation. Please, continue to open my mind to Who You are. Please help me to live out these truths. Thank You, Jesus for Your goodness!