Under His Wings is Your Refuge

I have always loved chickens. From the time as a little girl watching my uncle feed them to being an adult and having a few of my own.  A friend of my parents gave my kids a bantam hen and rooster back in the day.  The hen had a passel of chicks. She and the rooster were black as coal and the baby chicks were too. They were fun to watch and fun to listen to. She had different voices for different events. Often you could hear her cooing quietly. At that sound they would run up to her and gather under her wings. She took incredible care of those babes of hers.

One day we had a dangerous visitor.   I was in the house and I heard a hawk calling nearby.  I looked out the window as the mother hen began cackling loudly and running everywhere!  I raced outside to run the hawk off and found only the mother hen.  It appeared that every one of her babies was lost to the hawk’s wily abilities.  I was just sad as I returned inside the house to finish up whatever chore I was involved in.

Sometime later I was sitting at the window resting and watching the beautiful woods in our back yard. I could hear the mother hen still talking softly from underneath the back porch.  I guessed she was missing her babies as much as I was. Suddenly baby chicks appeared from nowhere!  They popped out from under the thick bed of leaves at the back of the yard.  They ran over to their mother, who once again gathered them up under her wings and spoke soft mother hen talk to them.

I was amazed. That mother hen had instructed her babies to hide! And when time had passed and the danger was gone, she called them out from the safety of the leaves. What looked like a disaster was simply the love of a mother protecting her babies.

Oh beloved, are you having a hard time? Are you wondering how you got in trouble, got left out alone, got in danger or worse? Are you wondering if you will ever feel protected, safe and secure again? Maybe you’re sure that no one will ever rescue you or keep you safe. God sees your life and He knows every detail, from the mistakes you make to the transgressions that come against you. He is the One Who has kept you all these years and He is the One Who will see you safely home! Trust Him this morning, for under His wings is your refuge. Look to His Word as your guidance for under His Banner is your safety. Because of His incredible love for you He will never fail you or forsake you and on that alone you can rely!

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.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.

1 Samuel 2:9 He will protect His faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.

Psalm 138:7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out Your hand, and the power of Your right hand saves me.

God Will Get You Through the Dark

Danny presided over a forming chapter information meeting last night. It was held in a town in the Ouachita Mountains about 3 hours from home. It was a very nice ride yesterday afternoon as we traveled through beautiful country and saw a few deer and other wild animals. Last night, after the meeting was over it had turned dark. The ride home was far different from the ride over. The mountains are harder to navigate at night and instead of observing the wildlife we found ourselves dodging them as they bolted in and out of the headlights. What seems easy and pleasant in the daylight can turn rough and disagreeable when darkness overtakes the day. Putting your hands in the driver’s ability is no problem when you can see where you’re going, but in the depth of the darkness you just have to hold on and trust them even when you can’t see.

Everyone wants pleasant sunny days. We love to bask in God’s blessings and enjoy His beautiful world. We never know when the day will turn dark and some downturn of events comes upon us, literally obscuring our beautiful view. Everyone knows that there’s a time for the day and a time for the night, but really it’s hard to accept when it does come. What do we do when the mountains of difficulty, sorrow or loss loom in our horizon? Where do we go to find comfort and help to see things through? How do we know we will make it? It’s hard to negotiate the curves and the climb is so very steep?

Oh beloved, there is One Who is with you in the pleasant days of joy and peace. He is the Same One Who is with you in the hard times and dark moments of life that must be faced. Run to the Lord, the One Who is your Navigator. He Who is with you in the good times and the warmth of sunlight will also be with you in the nights of your life. He loves you and because He loves you He will get you through whatever it is you must negotiate. He’ll see you through sorrow, despair, and even death. There is absolutely nothing you cannot trust Him with, because even when you can’t see ahead, He knows the way! He will guide you with His loving care all the way through. He who promises to see you through will also give you songs in the night. Put your life in the One Who sees it all and promises that your life will be kept all the way to heaven.

Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, 'You are my people!'"

Psalm 42:8 But each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalm 126:5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.

(Oh Beloved, Live in the Light of His Word! is published daily - Rebekah Beene copyright)

It's Time for the Party! Jesus is the Reason!

It’s Christmas Eve. There’s still time you know. It’s not over yet. In just 48 hours it will all be over. Christmas will be a thing of the past. But for now, in the hush of early morning, there’s time.

When our kids were young and had birthday parties we didn’t have a single party without them. They were, after all, the reason for the celebration.  A sweet confection with their name on it, candles aglow, and even gifts were made ready.  But without the presence of the birthday boy or girl it wouldn’t be much of a birthday party.   Without Christ there can’t be a Christmas. He is the reason for the Season! You just can’t have Christmas without Christ! Try as the world would like to snuff out the star, dismantle the stable, rearrange the cross, not find the tomb empty, He is there! He is here! He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! He is the Savior of the world!  He is the reason we have this special day!

Oh beloved, God wants to speak to your heart today. He wants you to know that you are special! That you are worth it! That you are His alone and you are beloved! Maybe your day started out without thinking about Him, but He’s been thinking about you for eternity!  He knows your hurts, He knows your hopes.  He knows your dreams and your hearts’ desires.  He knows today could be looking pretty empty, but with Him….with Him at the center of your celebration all things will turn out right.  

He promises to be the Light for your dark places. He will cover you with the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness. His loving care is the reason for the Season. His blessings abound for those who celebrate Him now while there’s time.  He promises to turn your mourning into dancing. He walks with you through the valleys of life. He calls you a conqueror! He says your victorious! He says “Behold, I make all things new!” 

He whispers to your heart while it’s still early, I love you! I loved you before you were born, I love you now, I will love you always. And because I love you, together we will not only get through this holiday, we’ll make it Holy! Because I love you I will be with you all the days of your life! Because you are worth it and that’s all that really matters.

Hebrews 12:2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  NAS

Mark 10:27  Looking at them, Jesus said, “ With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” NAS

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

Romans 8:32 Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?

Colossians 2:9-10  For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.  So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Psalm 36:5-7 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Running Out of Steam? Let Christ Be Your Strength

I rented a commercial carpet cleaner the other day.  I was skeptical but I thought I’d try it. I have to admit I was pretty amazed at the results - at least with the cleaning of the carpet. What I didn’t like was the weariness from lifting gallons of hot water and pulling a heavy machine along the carpet. Back and forth. Lift and shift.  The commercial says this machine is “screaming mad at dirt”. But I say it was screaming mad at me! 

The next morning I found achy muscles and a sore back. I had to move very slowly! But the carpet looks great! After the wrestling match I may wait until more muscle is around to attempt this. I have to admit though, I am rather proud of the way things turned out.  I was wanting to give up, go to bed and hope for the best but I persevered.  As I pat myself on the back I am reminded that right about midnight I was panting and ready to quit.  And asking God to give me supernatural strength.  So it was the Lord who came through on my behalf.  I asked, He provided and I was able to finish the job.

Oh beloved, you may be running out of steam. Your last ounce of strength may be more empty than full.  The Lord hears your cries and He is answering each call on your behalf. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Let Him take over and pull you through to victory.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that just as we admit we can do no more, He steps in and says, “but you can, through Me!” He loves to reward you through your diligence to seek Him in your trials, efforts and pain. Yay God! Yay you! One day He will put His arm around your shoulder and together you will observe the blessings that come after the work is done! What wondrous love is this to know the Creator of Heaven and Earth has your best in mind.  He loves you and He's there for you always!

Psalm 42:8  But each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Psalm 121:2  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

Isaiah 40:29  He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 59:1 Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call.

2 Corinthians 12:9  Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.