God's Love is Your Hedge of Protection

God’s Love is Your Hedge of Protection 

by rebekahbeene

I saw a news report on a new threat that may soon be growing in our yards. It is called the giant hogweed. It is listed as an invasive species of concern in Arkansas and many other states. The agriculture specialist speaking about the plant said that a slight touch combined with sweat or any other form of water will give huge blisters. Contact with the eyes can cause temporary and sometimes permanent blindness. An ordinary looking plant with pretty white flowers and huge green leaves can prove a terrible nuisance and danger. 

Most research indicates that five years of intensive management is required to attempt to eradicate it. Five years! Much work must be done to remove the threat of the plant by digging, mowing, cutting, and herbicide application. The person eradicating the plant must wear protective clothing and gloves as well as facial protection. This is a seriously dangerous plant that is highly invasive.

Life can be like an invasive plant at times. Things that normally wouldn’t bother us cause whelps of pain if it comes via the hand of one you thought was a friend. There are also areas of our life that we feel should have no problems –our families, our ministries, our jobs and our homes. Yet all our territory is subject to the invasion of the enemy of our souls. Without proper eradication methods, we are hopelessly embroiled in his dangerous tactics which leave us wounded, blinded and without hope.

Life in Christ however, will make things wonderful. Even when we’ve had contact with noxious things of the world we can be healed. We don’t have to live injured by the things that come our way. We are protected by divine right by God Himself. The King of Kings is our antidote for all of life’s poisons. 

God wants you to know that He is your protector from the noxious weeds of life. The closer you get to Him, through His Word, prayer and fellowship, the less affected you will be by the things around you. He protects your life, your heart, your mind and your faith. Poisons from enemy territory can’t touch you as long as you know what God says about things. His peace passes all understanding – what you know about the world, what you feel about the problems and what you perceive as truth. As you begin to dig into the Word, it will uproot the enemy’s thoughts, poisonous weeds of doubt and fear will have to flee! Application of the Word over all the lies and half-truths will cause them to shrivel away.

Oh beloved, how loved you are! Someone may have sowed seeds of untruth into your life – that you are unworthy, unlovely or unneeded. God says the opposite – Christ has said you are valuable to Him, you are beautiful in His sight and you are useful and have great potential for the Kingdom of God. It’s time to eradicate the untruths and replant God’s truth! Everything you are in Christ is perfection. Every Word you speak with the Father is heard. Every hope you have is being turned toward God so that He will give you the very desires of your heart! You walk in blessings, you stand in faith, you kneel in prayer and you step forward in victory – because the noxious things of life cannot overtake you.

God loves you and He’s for you – that is a hedge of protection against which no enemy can encroach! Rejoice as you live loved and walk in His blessings all the days of your life. 

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 10:17 O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear

Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Psalm 3:3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. KJV

Jude 12 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

God is Greater and His Weapons are Powerful!

Although I don’t play many games there is one that I have gotten pretty addicted to. It’s a hunting game and there again, I don’t hunt and wouldn’t shoot an animal  “in real life”. Part of the enjoyment of the game is that the two youngest grandsons love it as well. They will come over and as soon as they can they’ll say, “Can we shoot some animals?”  The game begins with easy shots and fair guns. You get to buy better ammunition, sharper scopes and steadier barrels. You point and shoot and an animal takes a hit and you rack up cash and gold.  Shooting the bears and larger predators is a little scary because they will come out of nowhere while you are aiming at something else and get you. You have to watch and be aware of them or you will lose the game.

Life is no game and there is a real predator out there. His name is satan and his desire is to steal, kill and destroy.  He lunges at you in any way he can. He literally comes out of nowhere to knock you off your feet and get you down. Unless you are prepared to shoot, he will win the skirmishes every time. He will come into your life and take everything he can. He will take friendships, fellowships and relationships. He wants your finances, your welfare and your family. He is the ultimate predator who will stop and nothing and it’s not a mere game.

God wants you to know that although the enemy is ferocious, He is greater! And He has ammunition for you that is out of this world! The ammunition in God’s arsenal is all for you. It’s not locked away or blocked from you to use and it costs you no silver or gold to use it. As believers we all have access to the same wonderful abilities. God speaks to our hearts and reminds us that we are overcomers and our shartshooting abilities are honed as we learn to live in the light of His Word and take up our weapons of warfare in the Spirit. When we are attacked by the enemy, our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The Word is our only weapon of choice. But when we speak the Word over our situation and in the midst of enemy assault, he has to flee.  Each and every time we praise the Lord, whether through song or with our voices speaking the Words, “Praise the Lord” the assaulter has to flee –for he hates the praises of God’s people. God speaks again and He wants us to learn the Word, speak the Word, live in the light of the Word and know that no weapon formed against us will prosper.

Oh beloved, it’s been a real assault on your life hasn’t it? The enemy has been coming out of the bushes and coming at you with all his might. You’ve been down and out, worried, afraid, concerned. You’ve begged for relief. You’ve been cast out, rejected, removed, blasted, and left bleeding and dying with wounds of the spirit that are nearly fatal. But God says arise and take your rightful place as a believer. All the strength of the Army of the Lord is with you. All the Lord’s arsenal of praise, worship and the Word are with you. What was intended to harm you, God is going to turn for good. You are not done in, you are only beginning to fight with the Spirit of the Lord. Everything that has come against you will fall at your side as you quit looking at the situations and begin to look at God’s Word. The focus of your scope is where you will find the overcoming ability to move on, move up and move into God’s plans to prosper you in the Spirit and in life.

Rejoice this day as you learn to live powerful in the Spirit of God and overcoming every fiery dart of the enemy. Whatever you are facing God is with you, the power of the Word is strong and invincible and you are able to aim with accuracy and send the enemy running. God’s purpose for you will not be overthrown as you live in the Truth and walk in the Spirit. You are more than a conqueror and you will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord in spite of the circumstances. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that matters as you take aim in praise and march on with the Word of God as your shield.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,  for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 6:11 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Romans 8:37  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

What Have you Been Hearing?

“So then Faith comes by hearing…and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10:17

My husband gets tickled at me as he watches me grab bits and pieces of conversations all around the room. Problem is I just get bits and pieces. I may hear two or three words, but then if I don’t hear the whole thing I may perceive a whole different story than was actually spoken. Later I might ask him about the $90,000 house to find out that particular conversation revolved around 90 people not $90,000!

There is much to listen to in this world. Even the weather channel no longer deals strictly with weather. You can find politics and other stories if you watch for very long. And when it comes to reporters, even those who are considered conservative will wander over into views that aren’t really that conservative. So much information, only two ears and throw in muffled talk and muted voices and you could make up your own version of most any story.

When it comes to faith, though, we don’t have to take other peoples’ word for the truth. They may be speaking the truth, but for us faith comes by hearing and that hearing should be coming straight from the Word of God. Our best quality of information gathering comes when we go straight to the Word of God for our information.  There are many “channels” of faith talk, but we must always sort through the Word of God for ourselves – straight to the source – to make sure we’ve heard things right.

What have you heard?  Maybe you heard that you are useless, castoff, done for. You may have been given a piece of information that said you don’t fit in, you don’t have the right criteria, you are less than. You may have thought you were hearing correctly when the sentence of judgment came past your ears. Those things don’t feed your faith because they don’t line up with the Word of God. Unless you go straight to the source and find out the truth for yourself, you will be destined to live in the darkness of untruth and half-truth.  Partial information hinders your walk, maims your life and keeps you fettered on the sidelines, unable to break the chains and run free.  

Oh beloved, faith comes by hearing! Hearing the Word of God! Hearing the truth about you! You are not less than, you are more than. You are not beaten down, you are an overcomer.  You can dance free from any chains that seek to bind you by others’ words because you are free in Christ! It doesn’t matter what others say, because it’s not about them. Keep your ears attuned to God’s Word and watch as your faith grows and grows. And when your faith grows your fears subside.  It doesn’t matter what the enemy says, for you don’t have to listen to a word he speaks. He is a liar and the father of all lies. Get that  - the father of, the originator of – all lies. Anything that is spoken about you or over you that doesn’t line up with the Word of God is not a word of faith. You may need to repeat the Word out loud over the lies that come your way or the half-truths that threaten to derail your faith, but lies cannot stand in the presence of Truth.

Every Word of God holds true. The more you hear the truth, the stronger your faith will be. The stronger your faith is, the better your hearing becomes. Eventually you will begin to cast out the things you hear in the background as you discern the difference. God loves you and that’s the truth, backed by the Word of God, and He’s for you – which is another truth backed by the Word, so that you can live with clear hearing and strong faith and that’s what God has for you all the days of your life.

Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.

Matthew 4:4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Psalm 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

Psalm 138:2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.

What Tools Are You Trying to Use?

One of my friends has been sharing a lot about His walk with the Lord during a very trying time. Just recently he shared about trying to get to church one Sunday when things started falling apart. They raise chickens and there were problems in the chicken house he had to take care of. He realized he wasn’t going to make it to church and got really frustrated. Just as he thought he might blow a gasket he looked at the wrench in his hand and realized it was his daddy’s. After that he relaxed and began to enjoy every twist of the tool.

That really spoke to my heart. Each of us have gone through, are going through or will go through tough times. Often the phrase says tough times don’t last, but honestly sometimes those tough times are long and winding and rough. We get desperate in the midst of it all. As if the hard time wasn’t enough, things just seem to fall apart all around us. We try to get it all back together and we try to move on to better things. But it’s hard. It’s hard to believe God, it’s hard to believe the sun will shine and it’s hard to see where we are in the big scheme of things. We work though, hard sometimes, fighting the feelings, trying to restore order and all the time we’re hoping that things will start working again and we can move on. Frustration, anxiety and even self-pity try to come help us, but they’re useless. They’re not fit tools to use in the hands of a believer.

Just about time we think we’re going to boil over with outrage at it all we look up to the heavens and cry out! And then we see. Our Father God is with us. But He hasn’t left us to our own human devises to get through it all. He’s not just absently looking down from heaven. No, He’s with us. And He has given us tools to get things working again in our faith. He’s given us every Word, breathed out for us, straight from the throne room. We have every tool we’ll ever need and we can use them as often as we need to. They’re unbreakable, unbendable and undeniably perfect.

Oh beloved, are you sitting there this morning looking at the broken things? Maybe you’re wondering how you got to this place? You’ve tried every trick in the book and it’s all a mess anyway. Rejoice! Looking at the things our Father gives us helps us get through the rough times. He’s given you everything you need to get through. Repairs needed? Every tool imaginable is there for you. Grace, favor, joy, peace, and more. Prayer, worship and fellowship with God are our grandest tools. No matter how you feel, no matter what is happening, God Himself is here to give you everything you need for this time. He hasn’t left you, He won’t forsake you and He gives you all you need from the storehouse of His Word to get through.

Rejoice in the Word of God! Look up to the heavens and cry thank you! Then reach for the tools your Father God has given you. Every promise is full of strength for you. They won’t break and they won’t disappear when you need them. You are blessed, you are forgiven, you are walking in the light of God’s Word. You have access to the Lord of heaven and earth and as you pray, as you worship Him right where you are, His presence will be so overwhelming that you will know your life is blessed. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can trust His Word to get you through, fix you up and get it all running for His glory and your good.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. NLT

Psalm 88:13 But I, O Lord, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

Psalm 22:2-4 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble;

Refreshment You Cannot Live Without

From Saturday, January 11th

I read the preface to a book about spiritual warfare. It contained the story of the author caring for his wife at her last stages of Alzheimer’s disease. She was at the point where she knew no one and communicated nothing. The author was there watching as the husband read Psalm 91 over his very ill wife. As he read those words she came to herself and began saying, “Right! Right! Right!” God’s Word had been so indelibly imprinted on her heart and mind that even the end stages of Alzheimer’s could not steal those Truths from her.

It really caught my heart in my throat. This study of Scripture, our daily discussions of God’s wonderful Word, our talk about all that He is, all that He has, all that He does for us, with us and to us is no fairy tale. The Word of God will indeed literally take us all the way to heaven, no matter what trial we have to pass through on the way there.

You may not realize what the Word is doing to you and for you as you take it in daily, but you are being changed. Unlike rote memorization of simple human things, this study of God’s Word is life and has incredible substance. Disease cannot dim it, discouragement cannot cover it, heartache and hardship cannot devalue it. Every time you read a verse from God’s Word you are taking in necessary nourishment unlike anything else you will ever ingest. Left on a shelf it does nothing for you. But taken in as your daily bread it is amazing stuff. Those who drink and eat of it never thirst or go hungry again. Nothing in all creation can take it away from you.

Oh beloved, how precious are God’s thoughts about you. Even the hairs on your head are numbered. Every step you make is watched over. Every decision you make can be taken to the throne of God for help in making. The more you read the Word the stronger you get. The more you speak the Word over your life the straighter you will walk. The more you concentrate on God’s Word the clearer your vision will become.

God’s Word is your most necessary refreshment. By God’s Word you can revive your dreams, speak to your problems, pray for your loved ones, and agree with your Heavenly Father. Every time you believe God’s Word your faith is increased and your protection is increased as well. No foe can defeat you, no lie can confuse you, no distraction can call you away from God’s plan when you are saturated in His Word. Oh precious one, you may have to let other things go but do not neglect the Word. Find time to read it, meditate on it and build your life on its precepts to strengthen your life.

Don’t let the enemy steal another Truth from you another single day. If you are born again, if you have given your heart and life to Jesus, then You are a mighty child of Valor and Value. You are full of the Spirit of God. You are destined for heaven. You are born again for His purpose. He loves you and He’s for you and that’s why He breathed the Word into existence so you will remain steadfast all the days of your life, living in the Light of His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. Amplified

John 6:63 [Jesus said] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Romans 5:14 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Psalm 119:104-105 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

Watch That Trap - Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

We’ve traveled the same road for over 30 years heading to one of our favorite getaways. We know that highway like the back of our hands. Sometimes we see a new house that wasn’t there on the last trip. Depending on the time of year we might see beautiful fall leaves or tractors mowing pastures. But most everything we see is about the same.

The last time we were on that road I saw a sign I’ve never seen anywhere ever. It was a bright yellow sign that read “Warning: Large Traps in Area” attached to a gate leading into a wooded area.  It also read trapper license for this season has been issued. I don’t know about you but that’s enough warning to keep me from taking a nice walk through those woods!

As we drove on past, I wondered: Wouldn’t it be nice if there were signs prominently displayed for believers so that we could avoid the traps of the enemy? If we could know that there was extreme danger ahead, signified by a sign, we’d surely avoid those areas altogether. Wouldn’t we?

God speaks to my heart: My precious child. I am your Protector. I walk ahead of you and I cover your back. I direct your steps so that you can avoid the traps of the enemy. I take care of your going and your coming and you are free to live a life of purpose, joy and blessings. I will keep you safe and guard your heart and your mind. My Word is full of warning signs regarding life in Christ and if you heed My warnings you will remain safe in My care. It is when you step out of My will and My precepts that you can get trapped in situations you were never meant to be in. There are times when I speak to your heart and you ignore the intuition and proceed headlong into dangerous areas. You can’t see the danger ahead but I can. Let Me guide you to safety, let Me walk you through the valleys, let Me keep you from the harmful ways that can injure your spirit, mind and body. Because I am your shepherd you can trust Me to guide you into green pastures and away from deadly traps. My plans for you are good and godly and blessed. Don’t follow your own instincts but follow My Word intently. Together we will navigate the things that would trap you and cause you pain and you can walk free to live in the Light of My Word.

Oh beloved, rejoice! God is on your side, watching over you, guiding you, directing your every step so that you can walk free!  The enemy has many, many traps set for you. But the Lord will help you navigate through the situations you are in so that you don’t get trapped in the enemy’s snare. The enemy will never stop trying to set traps, but as long as you remain close to God and walk in His wisdom you will remain free. You can rejoice too that even when the trap is sprung and you find yourself unable to get yourself free from the tyranny of the enemy, God will come to your aid. He’s only a prayer away and He’s able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all  you could ever ask or think. Call out to Jesus today. Ask Him to guide you. Ask Him to release you. Ask Him to heal the broken places the trap has caused and set you free to enjoy His loving care again.

Lord, help us. We are so prone to wander into enemy territory. Even when signs are present we often ignore them. We acknowledge to You today that we can’t make it through the wilderness without You. We give over our wanderings and our waywardness to You and ask that You renew Your vows to be our Shepherd, our Lord and our Savior. We have no one who can set us free or keep us free but You. Thank you Lord that You love us and You are for us so that we can walk in safety and freedom all the days of our lives.

Psalm 91:2-3 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”  For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper….

Psalm 118:5 In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.

Psalm 5:8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make Your way plain for me to follow.

Psalm 25:15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for He rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

Psalm 31:4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in You alone.

Psalm 119:98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

Psalm 119:45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to Your commandments.

You ARE On a Need To Know Basis!

Kids are so inquisitive. They seem to pick up on the very things you try to talk about in private. Their ears perk up more on the quiet whispers between adults than anything else. Ask them to clean their room, close the door, turn down the music or do their homework and they’re often oblivious.




I can remember asking my own parents for more information and mother hushing me. I can remember my ow...n kids inquiring and telling them never mind. I often remember hearing people say and may have used the phrase myself, “You’re on a need to know basis and you don’t need to know!”



Unlike kids, who don’t really need to know everything, believers are on a need to know basis and they do need to know everything! They need to know the Word of God, so they can live not just exist. With the entire counsel of the Word of God, children of the Heavenly King know how to live, how to manage, how to fight and how to win. Not only that, they need to know desperately what it means to be a child of God and just what all is available to them as His children.



Believers need to know that the entire Word of God is true. We need to know that the council of God is right for their life. We need to know that the precepts of the Lord are pure and that they will enlighten the eyes of our understanding. We need to know that the ways of the Lord are right and will keep us walking close to Him. We need to know that the Love of God is always available to us, along with His mercy, grace, and peace. We need to know that we receive our strength from waiting on the Lord.



We need to know how to walk in blessings, how to live in security and how to shine the light of the Gospel for others to see. We need to know that every single Word of God is written so that we may be strong and invincible, victorious over our enemies.



Oh beloved, what do you need to know this morning? What are you wrangling with? What have you heard? You may have gotten a bad report, been told wrong information and become discouraged, disappointed, fearful or worried. Those feelings are not from the Word. God tells you this morning that regardless of your circumstances, which are always temporary, He has a plan for your life and it is wonderful. His plan was settled for you before the foundation of the world so that when you could not see beyond your troubles you could rest on His Word and delight in Him no matter what. Run to His Word, read it all and live by it for that will bring you the Truth in the midst of a perverse generation that knows nothing about the Bible and lives in exact opposition to it.



God will always help you. He will either help you out or help you through. Regardless of your circumstances God is with you. His Word is His bond and you need to know this day, He loves you and He’s for you and that’s the most important thing you will ever know.



Psalm 119:89 Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven.



Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.



Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.



Philippians 2:15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,



Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.



John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free



John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

God's Word is Pure Delight!

What is it about ice cream that makes us want it, no matter how many times we’ve tasted it? I absolutely loved the homemade ice cream we made on the porch of my aunt and uncle’s house at the fire tower where my uncle worked. I always got to sit on the churn (I may have mentioned it before, sorry but it’s one of my absolutely most favorite memories of childhood).  Both my mother and my aunt had a secret concoction of canned milk, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Cooked on the stove, cooled and poured into the maker, a cousin would crank the handle of the machine until they could not turn it one more time. Carefully removing the towel that held the ice in the reservoir, we’d get ladled dollops of the most luxurious stuff.

There’s ice cream and ice milk and sherbet and sorbet. Chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough, mint and things you’d never think of on your own. There’s vanilla and for my way of thinking, you just can’t beat a bowl of good old fashioned vanilla. There are shakes and floats and frosties and smoothies.  Any way you slice it, ice cream is just wonderful. When a certain Arkansas brand of the luxurious concoction went out of business, people all around were in great dismay! What would we do without it?

If it’s so wonderful and we’ve had so much of it, why on earth do we keep going back for more? Why do we need yet another bowl full if we’ve had the best? What makes it worth return visits, loosened belts and frozen lips?

It’s because we’ve tasted it and it is good!  If it didn’t taste good, we wouldn’t come back. If it didn’t do something for us, we’d have none of it. If it was boring, bland and same ol’ same ol’ we’d probably move on to find something better, but for those who love ice cream there’s nothing better.

Just as ice cream cools the brow in summer and soothes the throat when feeling bad, the Word of God soothes our hearts and softens the furrows in our brows. His Word is tasty and highly valued. The Bible verses from Genesis to Revelation contain the finest ingredients that are out of this world. No matter how you serve it, something wonderful comes forth. If you need refreshing, it will refresh you. If you need encouragement, it will encourage you. If you need confirmation, determination, strength, endurance, perseverance, all of that is in the container of the Word. If you don’t know where to go, what to do, how to escape, you can find it there. If you’re hungry, thirsty, weak, or scared, one bite will begin to heal you, and set you free. Open the container and get a big spoon! It’s all yours for the taking! No one can stop you, there’s an unlimited supply and not one drop of it will harm you. Unlike real ice cream which contains those dreaded calories, God’s Word only contains health for your body, mind and spirit.  Eat fully and enjoy it completely for it’s the only thing on earth that will ever really satisfy.

Oh beloved, God is speaking to your heart this morning. You’ve tried everything. You’ve been left with no real change, no real purpose, no real enjoyment. Satisfaction, though sought by you with intense longing, hasn’t come no matter what you’ve partaken of.  Once you taste of the Word of God for yourself and behold its wonderful benefits, you’ll continue to come back for more! God says to you this morning, Come, beloved, I AM the One Who created you to enjoy My Word. I created you to live for Me in the Light of all that I AM. I will comfort you, feed you, heal you and let you return to My Word daily. My Word is available to you day and night. It will give you everything for life and godliness and as you become more and more reliant upon the Word I will use you more and more for My kingdom.

God loves you and His Word is your delight! Nothing else on earth will ever satisfy your heart, your mind or your spirit like the Word of God. Take a big helping every time you can, for it is the only spiritual food you will ever need.

Jeremiah 15:16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies.

Psalm 119:103 How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

I Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. (NAS)

Feed Your Faith and Fears Will Flee!

“Lions and tigers and bears oh my!” one of my favorite lines in The Wizard of Oz. In the original movie, there were lots of scary things appearing and lots of scary situations going on! It was so full of scariness that my mother wouldn’t let me watch it until I was older. I was sure that there were monsters under the bed, in the closet and around the corner.

They were taking a trip together but found themselves entering a dark forest. They began discussing the dangers that could appear along the way. One moment they were embarking on a delightful trip and the next moment the Scarecrow was thinking he might meet a straw eating villain along the way. The Tin Man tried to encourage them but instead scared them more as he said, “…mostly lions and tigers and bears”.

The life of faith is a wonderful trip. We have an incredible destination! We’re blessed that like-minded believers walk along the path with us throughout our lives. It’s of great encouragement to have folks who believe the Word and heed God’s call along the way.

While most folks are sure of the destination, others aren’t so sure about getting there.  After all bad things happen. People get sick. Friends get transferred. Kids grow up. Parents pass away. Pastors go to new congregations. Jobs go away. Hobbies change. All these things can be pretty scary.  Other people’s perceptions of you, discussions of you or pronouncements can keep you cringing in fear.

As Dorothy and her comrades discussed the dangers that could happen, they began to feed one another with fear instead of faith. Soon they were cowering together and certain that the worst would happen.  They were losing hope and not sure if they’d make it out alive!

How important it is that you walk the walk of faith with those who live out their faith! Fearful situations will come along, but we can be fearless for we know Who walks with us. When we have troubles we consult the word of God first and friends next.  It’s imperative that we seek out strong people of faith to walk alongside us and keep God ever before us!  He is the True Light of the pathway, shining brightest in our darkest moments. He is the keeper of the Destination, guiding all the way to our ultimate reward.

Oh beloved, are your cringing in fear? Are you feeling hopeless? Are you feeding on that fear rather than feeding on faith? Run to the Word and speak it aloud! Tell God how you feel, but tell that fear to get out of the way for you are coming through.  You have the Lord God Almighty who lights the path. He not only lights the way, He is the Light! He loves you so much that He will always guide you, always keep you safe and always honor your faith. Speak faith today and your fears have to flee! Speak love today and hate has to vanish! Speak the Word today and lies have to scurry back into the darkness they came from!  You have a changed heart and a badge of courage given to you from God and He will never take it away!

I Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. NAS

2 Timothy 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight NAS

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

picture from www.dailylifeverse.com

You are a Super Hero of the Faith!

There are games children play that transcend the generations. Remember putting a towel around your neck and becoming a super hero? I saw one of the grandkids doing the same thing the other day. As soon as he donned the “cape” he took on the mantel of the hero and he began sailing around the room! He was invincible!


There is a mantel of life God puts on every born again person. We don’t often see ourselves as a super hero. Even after we give our hearts to Christ, we find that life can pretty hard. We feel that at times we get a one two punch and we’re down. The hurts and burdens on our lives make us weighed down and feel that we just barely make it.

But God says you are a super hero of the faith! Once you “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ, everything changes. All the benefits, all the spiritual abilities, all the Kingdom principles are there, between the covers of God’s Word, just for you! Because Christ is our ultimate Hero and God is our Father, we have access to wondrous things! Life can often be hard, but when we walk in the Word of God, we can overcome and be victorious through all things. Just as all superheroes have a nemesis, we do too. His name is satan but He cannot come at us when we put on the Word, for it is living and breathing and we hold a two edged sword in our hands! It is our only weapon, but wielded correctly under the authority of Jesus Christ, we are truly invincible in the faith.

Oh beloved, I know it can be oh so hard. Things are thrown at you and you may be feeling the effects of sorrow, tragedy, hurts, anger, rejection, dejection, discouragement and more. You may be ready to “throw in the towel” and walk away. But God says to you this morning, because I am your Super Hero, your King, your Redeemer, your Savior and Friend, I will be with you forever! I will show you the Word so that you can take it in and live it out through Me. I will show you the My Realm and I will take your life and make it new! I will give you power to know that you are redeemed, cared for, watched over and loved. My Word is my bond – it is the written proof of Who I AM. Let Me show you all that you can be through Me. If you will let Me, I can take you beyond the mundane and morose and show you life in Me is victorious and winning!

Run to God’s Word this morning and read it! Then take it in! Then ask God to let you learn to live it out and be a super hero of the faith! The life may not always be easy, but it will always be wonderful because the King of Kings and Lord of Lords loves you and He’s going to be for you all the days of your life!

Ephesians 6:10-12,17 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 1:19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him...

I Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where Do You Live, Beloved?

Both Danny and I moved quite a few times when we were kids.   Sometimes it required changing schools in the middle of a school year. That was never fun.  We’ve lived where we are now for the longest we ever lived anywhere. Now we travel a lot, both around the state and longer trips. When we meet people, the question usually comes up both ways, “Where do you live?” 

You may well be asked, “Where do you live believer?”  Do you live in the light of His Word? Do you live in the realm of His precepts? Do you know that you are a royal citizen of a holy nation?  We have indeed become strangers in this land, for our hearts no longer lean towards the secular but the spiritual.  We have a new country, heaven, as our reward. We are no longer content with the status quo. We find ourselves out of sync with today and looking forward more and more to a home with Jesus in heaven for eternity.  

Oh beloved, where are you living this morning? Are you living in perfect love? Are you living in mercy, grace and peace? Are you living by every Word that proceeds from His mouth? Do you realize just how wondrous this life in Christ really is?

God loves you (PERIOD)  God loves you because His essence and being is LOVE. He doesn’t love you because of anything you do or don’t do. This perfect love transcends our deepest failings, it overcomes our greatest needs, it covers our hardest lifestyles. It overlooks all, it never gives up on you! He loved you before you were conceived, He loved you in your mother’s womb, He loved you as He watched you grow and mature. He loves you when you accept Him as Lord and Savior and He loves you when you falter and stumble. He will love you, beloved, forever and always.  And because He loves you He is for you – to guide you, direct you, protect you, care for you, pick you up, dust you off, restore your losses, forgive your sins, bless your life, renew His mercies on your behalf, gather you up under His wings, walk with you through valleys, floods and more.

Oh beloved, live in the light of His Word, for there is no other place you can live so loved. Earth has lost its charm and heaven is waiting. Spend time with the love of your life and live loved!

Philippians 3:20  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (NAS)

1 Thessalonians 5:8  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Colossians 1:12  always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.

Psalm 119:93  I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. (NAS)

God's Love is Your Perfect Christmas Gift!

A Charlie Brown Christmas came to mind last night as I read a friend’s post.

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, everyone who’s ever seen the little 30 minute kid’s movie knows that Charlie Brown’s tree was absolutely pitiful! It was almost completely bare of needles and the top looked broken and bent. Now this tree was once a much better specimen. It started out like most trees. Growing in a tree farm, it was cared for lovingly. Fertilizer in the spring so the needs would be deep green and the limbs remain healthy. Mowing underneath all year long so that weeds and vines wouldn’t encroach. Trimming ever so carefully by the skillful hands of the tree farmer, just so. Not too much removed, but just enough to make the little tree and all the other trees in the farm stand perfectly and become full and robust.

Once the tree was cut and removed from the farm it was destined for someone’s home. But there are many variables in the life of a Christmas tree – from the farm to the store to the home. The little tree of Charlie Brown’s evidently had it pretty rough. First, with lack of natural water the needles got dry and ginger. The liveliness of the tree began to wane. Then the winds came and the trunk became bent underneath the trauma. Finally, after being thrown from truck to yard it had all the effects of mistreatment. After all, once at the store, trees are just mean to be a cash crop. No real care given to any of them.

Charlie Brown’s tree was not met with enthusiasm. In fact it was a cause for derision and great laughter. But somehow Charlie Brown saw something important in that little wisp of a tree. And, when he got at his lowest point, his friend Linus came to his rescue. Linus did not offer him more money to get a better tree. He didn’t offer to discard the tree for him. He didn’t try to make the tree better by adding to it. He didn’t even try to convince Charlie Brown that he was okay, did the right thing or any such advice or help.

Instead, Linus did the only thing that would truly help. The only thing that a true friend could do. He pointed Charlie Brown to the real meaning of Christmas.   

Linus states he can tell him, and recites the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'" Linus finished by saying, "...And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Which takes me back to my friend’s post, reminding me that when we point one another to the real meaning of not only Christmas, but life itself, we have done well. When we share the TRUTH about God and His wonderful, magnificent, astounding, unending, eternal, everlasting, perfect love for each and every one of us, we have done our part to take that friend out of the elements of life and into the warmth and caring of Almighty God. As we give out the living water and they take it in, things change. Attitudes change. Hearts change. Lives change.

Oh beloved, are you absolutely sure that you understand that God loves you? That you are truly indeed His beloved? And, because you are His beloved, you can look past the forlorn elements of your life to the Living Gospel and see! Rest beneath the promises of God! Rest under the shade of the Mighty Living Lord! Hear Him calling you? Yes, you. He always says Beloved, and if you ever hear words that don’t speak love and tenderness, you are not hearing from the Lord!

Run to His Word this morning and ask Him to make it real to you. The enemy of your soul wants you to believe his lies and he has been formulating them for a very long time. However, the Savior and Lover of your soul formulated His love songs to you before the foundation of the World! He is Loyal, Faithful and True! And His love was created just for you! Let His living water revive you. Let His constant care and tender pruning make you what you could never hope to be on your own. Rejoice as He speaks His love song into your heart singing “I love you, I’m for you, I will deliver you and heal you and keep you forever with me!” What wondrous love is this, oh my soul, oh my soul!

Psalm 31:7  I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil—for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep. (AMP)

John 15:9 I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love.

Ephesians 6:11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

John 8:44 b  …(satan) was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 8:37-38 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

 

 

 

 

Hard Places? Trust Him!

As I woke up from election night I looked at Danny’s minister’s license and ordination papers in their frames on the wall.  I recall many years of seeking God and following His plan. Along the way there were always people trying to tell Danny what to do and how to do it. But Danny always listened to God. And when God led him to be ordained it was right.

Those papers belong to Danny and they are a symbol of his walk with God.  They are also a symbol of God’s work in Danny’s life.  He is ordained to preach the Gospel.  Nowhere in those papers will you see that Danny is ordained to call elections, participate in campaigns, or sell motorcycles. His role is preacher, teacher, leader of the Gospel. Nothing else, nothing less, nothing more.

This election has some of us reeling.  The signs of the times are plainly written on the walls of history and are being written anew in our futures. Neither Danny nor I crusaded for either candidate, even though we had our druthers.  But that’s not our focus, that’s not our platform.

The Gospel is our only Hope. The Gospel is our only pledge. Though the walls of my home will eventually crumble, and those papers may be lost, the call to preach the Gospel will be there always. I pray this morning as you begin to pick up the pieces of whatever you are going through, that you always remember that Christ is in you and that He is your hope of glory. Share Christ, share love, share Truth. For we are His speakers to a lost and dying world.  We are His standard to a nation and a world that wants to bury the Truth of the Gospel.

Oh beloved, Run to His Word this morning and find His Truth and live it! Learn it well for you will never walk in the light of His Word unless you take it in! Study to be sanctioned of God. Let His Word be your certificate on the wall of your heart so that no matter what comes you will be able to stand - In Christ alone. His love for you will carry you through the good times and the bad, the pleasant places and the hard spots, the joys and the sorrows.  As long as you live in the light of His Word you will be safe regardless of your circumstances or whoever is elected because you will be able to say He’s on your side. And absolutely without a shadow of a doubt this is truly, truly  all that really matters.

Galatians 1:11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.

Matthew 24:14  And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Luke 22:35  Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.

Ephesians 3:7  By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

Philippians 1:27 [ Live as Citizens of Heaven ] Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

1 Peter 1:23  for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

Feeling Sluggish in Faith? Ask for a System Restore!

I left work Friday a little frustrated with technology.  It’s hard to imagine that one small change in a network could wreak such havoc on everyone, but it can.  One computer “died” so I replaced it with another one we had.  Suddenly neither of the network printers could be used by anyone. It was as though they’d never been there.  By Monday evening, we finally had the host computer and one other networked computer able to use the printers. In the meantime I had gone to a website looking for the recliner Danny wanted for Christmas and found a lovely present – a lovely fake anti virus malware infection! I turned my computer off and went home.

This morning as I turned on my computer I was expecting more trouble. Then I remembered one of the state office computer techs saying that if one could get to system restore, then that virus malware could be defeated. I tried it before my computer finished booting up and yes, thankfully I was able to restore the computer to last Saturday and my crisis was nipped in the bud!

System restore is a greatly needed item for humankind as well.  Even those of us who have given our lives to Christ can get malware running in the background.  The Word says it best - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – these things can overtake us. As they do, we find our spirit life running slower and slower, bogged down by earthly things that tend to catch us and hold us captive.  We still may attend church, may join, and may get very involved, but all the time that “stuff” is running in the background.  We find that we must go to our Manufacturer for a full system restore, daily, to keep the virus of our flesh at bay. 

Oh beloved, maybe you have been feeling a little sluggish lately. Everything seems fine, but you just don’t seem to feel the thrill of faith anymore. Or you’ve let your mind wander to things that aren’t of faith.  Run to God’s Word, the Ultimate Technology and let Him give you a system restore! He loves you so much that the Holy Spirit will do this for you without fussing or fuming or lecturing you! He’ll just take you in His arms and revive your spirit. In turn, you will begin to feel revived in your body and mind as well! Oh thank Him this morning that His Restoration is instant and His promises are all True! He is your Maker, so He is your Guide and your Sustainer all the days of your life! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

I John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Psalm 13:3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.

Lamentations 3:23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.