You Are Favored and Protected

It started out with two little sleepy eyed boys showing up on my doorstep before work. They came in and played while I finished getting ready for work. Long story short, our biggest little boy was supposed to be getting dressed for school. It was a L O N G trip to school with me that morning. When we arrived we walked in to go to his classroom.  Keep in mind I had not been inside that school since our 11 year old grandson was there. So I was surprised that we could not get farther than the first set of doors and the office.

He was “buzzed” through the next set of doors and went to class. I was left feeling sad that I didn’t walk him to class and flustered at the barricade. I realized that things have really changed in our world. Once upon a time I could show up at that school, I wasn’t a stranger, and go through without talking to anyone.  I am glad though, that with all that is going on in the world, our children are protected from someone just barging through.

God speaks to my heart: Oh My favored one!  While there are barricades all over your world in the natural, there is absolutely no barricade between you and Me. You are instantly able to access me 24/7. No locks, no buttons to buzz, no hoops to jump to get to Me. In fact I AM with you wherever you may go. Don’t worry if there appears to be barricades in your path, for I AM the only door you need to travel through and I will make a way where there is no way. 

God speaks yet again: Oh My protected child! You are not out there in danger unprotected for I AM your wall of protection, I AM your Protector! Nothing, absolutely nothing will touch you without My permission and if it happens it is intended for your growth in Me and My growth in you! No weapon, absolutely none, formed against you will prosper for that is your heritage in Me. You are an overcomer, a victor, a champion in Me, for I AM your doorpost, your guard, your shield and your covering.

Oh beloved, aren’t we blessed? What seems to block God from us is just an imaginary line – for God says we have access to Him always. What seems a snare or an attack is just a stepping stone to His glory. Whatever you are going through, He is with you and you most certainly will GO THROUGH. It is no permanent situation; it is simply a stop on the walk of faith.

You aren’t banned from His care and you aren’t barricaded from His love and that’s all that really matters.

Romans 8:38 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.

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. AMP

Psalm 59:10 In His unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Psalm 91:14-15 God says, “I will save those who love Me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to Me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

No Government Shut Down with Jesus Ever!

 

Danny cousin and her husband have wanted to visit the Grand Canyon for many years. They left home Saturday to head that way in their motorhome.  This morning he sent out word that the Grand Canyon has been “shut down”. They will not be able to visit it, at least not today. 

Many places across the country will be shut down today. Non-essential employees are staying home, on furlough, without pay, until something gives. Beautiful parks all across our nation will stand idle while decisions are made regarding the fate of our economy.

The Grand Canyon and other magnificent national parks could be viewed without man’s help.  But they’ll remain closed to the public.  Travelers all across the nation are at the doorway of their destination, wondering what they are going to do. They’ve spent their time, money and energy to make the trip but they’re stopped in their tracks this morning.

God speaks to my heart:  While the national government has shut down site seeing, our Lord has opened to us a vast world of spiritual living that no man can shut down.  We are most blessed indeed that neither government, nor weather, nor enemies, nor troubles can shut God out of our lives. We have free access, not assisted by another person on earth. We can live in the light of His Word, walk in the light of His precepts and enjoy the beauty of His holiness every single day. If we have given our hearts to Jesus and accepted His gift of salvation, we have a lifetime pass to everything God has for us. Not only do we have an open road to blessings, we have an open road to obedience. God made a way for us, permanently as a child of God, to live for Jesus!

Maybe you are looking at the miserable circumstances of our government this morning. Look away from the troubles and trials and worry and fear and look to Jesus! He has a plan for redemption, a plan for regeneration, a plan for renewal and every plan is thought out with you in mind.  Whatever your needs, His response to those needs is ever ready and always available.  Although the earthly government has shut down access to many things, God has given you free access to all of His promises and given you free choice to live in the light of those promises. You may have barriers today to some earthly things, but your access is free to all of God through Christ.   

Oh beloved, God wants to remind you this morning:  Don’t walk in defeat today, but walk in My precepts.  Turn your heart away from the world and turn your heart to Me. Don’t look at the circumstances of this day but look to Me. I am your Sustainer, I will give you everything you really need no matter what things look like. Don’t look at the value of the world, but look to Me. I AM your source of value and I have redeemed you. You are worth more than mere diamonds, silver and gold to Me. Don’t walk after man’s promises, for they will all fail. But look to My Promises for each and every one is meant for you and available to you. Don’t walk in the light of the world for it will not make you happy, will not give you joy and ultimately won’t save you from life’s troubles. Look to Me for I AM your Savior, Your Protector, Your Provider and more.  I AM that I AM and your rest and hope is found solely in Me.

Run to His Word this morning and open it freely. Read of it thoroughly. Ask God to enlighten your heart and mind to take it all in. Then ask Him to teach you how to live it out and walk in the most beautiful territory ever seen – God’s will. He will always allow you to walk humbly with Him because He loves you and He calls you beloved.   Drop the worries, the fears, the troubles and the trials and grab His hand in renewed dedication and He will guide you all the rest of your days. Oh what a Savior, Oh what a King, Oh what Agape Love and care!

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

Psalm 89:15 Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Jesus is Your Key to Entrance and Favor!

Yesterday I came home from work and as I drove into the driveway I noticed a scooter in front of the garage and then I spied a pair of little boy’s sandals inside the garage.  As I got out of the car and walked up the steps to the house I saw that my front door was ajar.  Walking inside I saw some things strewn across the living room floor, a chair at the refrigerator and a tube of icing laying in front of the refrigerator.

Goldilocks came to mind as I realized my visitor had been a grandson!  He’s an icing thief! He loves to come over and eat the sweet concoction that I keep in the refrigerator for decorating cakes.  He eats it right out of the tube. I quickly cleaned up and put things away.  I was glad that the mother of this grandson lives right across the street or I’d have been fearful to walk in.

She has advised me to make sure my front door is locked from now on. Since it’s happened a couple of times I’ll probably do that. I’m not worried about robbers because she’s right here close, but they don’t need to wander in the house alone. I hate to lock it up but I am going to have to. Because the little boy loves icing the temptation is just too great.   I really don’t mind at all that he was in the house, because I love that boy and he’s one of my favorites! He knows where the food is and where the toys are and that makes me feel good that he likes to go into my house.  But for his safety we’ll have to make sure he can’t get in alone.  Still, it is cute to know that he feels welcome to come and go to his grandparents’ house, that he feels comfortable to make himself at home.

Locking our homes to keep thieves out (and to keep grandsons from eating all our icing) is the best choice. Our valuables and our keepsakes are special to us.  We wouldn’t want to come home and find our things ransacked and missing. I think of the three bears who walked into their home in the story from long ago and they knew that someone had been in there.  They probably wished they’d locked their house as well.

I’m glad this morning that although I have to lock my house for safety, God never locks us out of His home. Heaven is an open opportunity for every single person on earth. And although that would be a huge crowd of people, all are invited to freely come in.  Not only that, but all of God’s valuables and keepsakes are there for anyone to enjoy anytime they want.  No one will ransack God’s property because they’ve been granted the key by the Blood of the Lamb – the precious sacrifice made on the cross by the Owner’s Son.  The door to heaven is open to “whosoever will” and His blessings are so many and so wonderful that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord can have access to the entire banquet of blessings.

Have you been holding back? Are you unsure of your standing with God? Do you feel you’ve messed up too much, gone too far, made too many bad choices? Maybe you think you don’t measure up or have the right to enjoy God’s blessings and enter into His Kingdom. God knows all about you. He knows your mistakes, your problems, your secrets. And He’s made a way for the door to heaven to stay open for you. You can’t make it on your own.  But faith in Christ is your key! Not just to heaven either, but to all the blessings of God! You are invited, you are welcomed, you are free to enter in!

Oh beloved, Jesus is your key to a wonderful life! You are welcome to come into God’s favor and enjoy all of His blessings! You can eat from His banquet and rest in His promises. You can live like a child of the King because you are.  God holds nothing back from His own and even when you feel like you’re less than worthy, He is able to redeem you, restore you and keep you in fellowship with Him for the rest of your life.  Open the Book of Life and read about the Key to Heaven, the Way to Blessings and the Joys of Fellowship with Him! For He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters as you yield your heart to Him and make yourself at Home in your Father’s House.

John 10:9 I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Psalm 65:4 What joy for those You choose to bring near, those who live in Your holy courts. What festivities await us inside Your holy Temple.

Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.