"NOT THIS TIME....!"

 A wolf does not usually go after an entire flock of sheep...nor will any other beast of prey. They will try and key in on one particular potential victim, try to draw it away from the herd and then pounce.


It is this way with so many. In a world where we have so much noise, distraction, social networking and mobility, folks are more isolated than ever. We have so much more to do with our busy lives, yet hardly not a moment of peace! It is uncanny. It is almost as if there is a trap laid for us, at any moment, and many get caught up. 


You and I have been through this kind of thing, at one time or another. We would be in a crowd of people and still feel rejection; less than the others there and like that sheep who suddenly got lost in the thicket, while our heads were down on the ground, grazing on or living life.

Christians feel this way, as well as anyone else. I know people who go to larger churches, so they could get lost in the crowd and maybe no one will speak to them. The majority of American churches have 60 or less in attendance, and still there are folks isolated there, as well. 


So, we know this happens. The question is, what do we do about it - both for ourselves and others. We need to know how to combat this when the enemy lies to us and tells us that no one cares for or loves us.  Once we have mastered that, we then help someone else.  To start that process, I sought out Psalm 91:2 after much meditation last night. Here are two verses in context, below. They contain a 50 cal. gun against despair which we can fire right now, as I, briefly break it out in part:



2. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:2-3 ESV)


Declare this right now, in Jesus Name, from verse 2:


"I will say to the LORD" -  Pray "Lord, I declare, call on you, say, claim, believe and boldly ask
"My refuge" - that You promised to be my Safe Place, my Secret Place, my Hiding Place
"My fortress" - You promised to protect me. You promised to be a shield around me. You promised to be strong tower. You promised to be the Place I go when I am weak. 
"In Whom I trust" - Therefore, Heavenly Father, I seek You, right now...not then, but I cry out now for that Promise to be made real in my life. I can't live another moment without knowing for sure that Your Mighty Arms are around me, holding me, caring for me, loving me and reassuring me that I am never alone.

Because I can approach and you and do this, God, in Jesus' Name, I know you will deliver me from being prey out there to all the wolves and lions that roam, with evil in their eyes, and honey on their lips, when their eyes are evil with intent to devour me! Thank you, Father, thank You, dear Lord, thank You, in Your Name I pray, dear Jesus, amen.


Friends, if you stay in this zone and pray and claim and declare His Righteousness and Promises, you will begin to come out of this and grow in love and fellowship with the Savior! Won't you? What have you to lose? We will talk more about this in the future. But let's start here!


Trust in Him NOW, He is always there for you NOW! Amen.

(image by google)

WARM VALENTINE'S WISHES ON A COOL WINTER'S DAY!

The soft cool white blanket covering all nature and asphalt strikes a wonderful contrast to this today when all the world celebrates Love....as thoughts of sugar plums, roses and truffles abound on Valentine's Day. By the way, has anyone ever wondered what a sugar plum is? The wonderful thing about sugar plums is that you can design and assign them any flavor and color, as long is it has 1 million grains of sugar! That's a lot of sweet...which is precisely the point.

Against nature's backdrop of white snow, the red hearts and flowers associated with this day brings warm thoughts of joy and peace and true happiness...not just because of whomever you may call "Sugarplum" or your "sweet" (is in your significant other or spouse), but just like around Christmas time, Valentine's Day softens the heart towards the people in your immediate peripheral view. We all seem to have more Grace towards humanity.

There are those who always feel left out at Christmas time, with no one to love and our hearts reach out to them in Grace. We share God's goodness with them too at this time, as so many are in pain due to both internal and external circumstances. We can walk in their shoes for a minute while sharing the good news that God is for them at all times....even when they think He is far from them. In fact when the brokenhearted think He is far away, that is when He is closest. If they would only open their hearts to Him.

It was prophesied once in Isaiah 61:1-2 and then confirmed by Him Whom it was said about when Jesus said His Mission on earth was, in part, to "comfort the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18)".  We all know many who fall in that category. I see them several times per month when ministering in senior homes. I see the loneliness, fear and utter desperation. Multiply that in the workplace, church and community and you have what we see today, in a world totally devoid of Christ. 

Towards that end, I like what the Founder of Dayspring Cards, Roy Lessin, once said:
There is a grace that is sufficient
a mercy that endures
an atoning blood that cleanses
a hope that doesn't disappoint
a love that never fails
a purpose that works all things together for the good
a peace that passes understanding
a joy unspeakable
a kingdom unshakeable
a foundation indestructible
a High Priest Who prays
a Savior Who lives
a Spirit Who comforts
A FATHER WHO CARES!

You and I know a lot of people today, to whom we can share this..and not just today...but at any time. We can share the good news that He loves YOU because He cares for You....and will never give up on you, unless you walk away from Him.

That is the best promise ever made and the best Valentine's Day gift we can give....more fragrant than all the bouquets of roses and less calories than boxes of bon bons!!! 

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you......1 Peter 5:7 (NASB)

(images courtesy Google Images)