November 26, 2024

A Shield Of Faith

February 18, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Sometimes I’m battle weary; I forget to use my shield
The arrows pierce my armor and I stumble in the field

     A shield won’t do you much good if it’s hangin’ by your side
     Keep the shield of faith before you if you want to stay alive

I’ll think my life is over but the Lord He comes to me
He heals my wounded spirit and He sets me on my feet

Sometimes your battle weary but the war’s already won
Keep your head and hold your shield high ‘til your days of life are done

~  Songwriter: Ron Block / Performed by Alison Krauss and Union Station ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Life throws many surprises at us on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. It has its ups and downs.  We stumble, fall, get back up, and keep on trucking until we draw our last breath.  We as people have the freedom of choice…and this is where most of us often stumble.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore,
having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish
all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
Ephesians 6:10-18

We face a world full of temptation every day.  Satan is tempting us from the moment that we get up each morning.  We live around, and work with, people who do not believe in the power of God.  We can be tempted to doubt our own beliefs just by having intelligent conversations with other people.  We can even doubt our own beliefs when we see all the disasters and suffering on television or see it with our own eyes.

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him]:
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is,
and [that] He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

If we put on our shield of faith every day, we are protected from the evil that will bombard us every minute.  Yet, when we do not wear our shield, we are subject to fall into temptation and sin.  We wear our shield with faith, and are rewarded with healing and peace.  God rewards our faith and seeking by being in a personal relationship with us. He protects us through our shields of faith.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that our shields of faith are strong and grow stronger with every passing moment.  Without You we would be lost to temptation and sin.  With our shields of faith, evil cannot pierce us or bring us down.  Thank You for never leaving us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Cry Answered

February 17, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalms 116:1-7

As a mother, I can only imagine the anguish that Mary must have felt as she watched her Son and Savior die on the Cross on that Easter Friday.  She was down on her knees crying and praying for a miracle.  What she probably did not realize was that she was witnessing the greatest miracle known to man.  She knew that when she gave birth to Jesus that He was destined to save mankind.  At the moment of His death and resurrection, Jesus was answering the silent cry of help from mankind.

Of course, Mary was overcome by distress and sorrow at the death of her son…just as  any mother would be.  However, I would agree that her distress and sorrow turned to joy when she realized that Jesus died for her and the rest of us so that we may live eternally with God in worship and praise.  Jesus would not stay in the anguish of the grave. He would rise from the dead three days later to seal the deal of redeeming man back to God.

Mankind had to have a way to get past sin to be with God.  The Lord showed His graciousness and mercy by shedding His own blood for His children—those who believe by faith that Jesus died on the Cross for them.  Before Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, man had to depend on different rituals performed by the high priests for forgiveness and assurance of forgiveness.  Jesus’ death wiped this away. We only now have to believe that He died on the Cross for us to know that we are saved and to spread the word of this wonderful gift.

 * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful gift of eternal life by showing faith that we believe that Jesus died on the Cross for us. I no longer have to show distress or feel anguish over dying. I know that when it is time to meet You that I will be among the other believers who are waiting to see You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Perfect Protector

February 10, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

As for God, His way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
He shields all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except out God?
It is God who arms with strength and keeps my way secure.
Psalms 18:30-32

Perfection.  I will go ahead and say that I have tried many times to be perfect. Have I ever achieved it?  No.  I never will. I have flaws.  I was born that way.  God made me with flaws for His own reasons.  I can either take advantage of those flaws to make myself better or let those flaws bring me down.  God gives me the strength to get past these flaws.

If we let our flaws bring us down, we can take refuge in a God who understands us because He made us.  God knew us before we born.  He knit us in our mothers’ wombs; therefore, He knows every fiber of our body.  This is one way He is our Rock and Shield.  He knows where we need protection and a fighting way against the evil of the world.  He arms us with the ways to stay strong and secure in our lives.

As Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold,” God delivers me from my flaws which allow me to fall into temptation and to feel down.  He arms me with the strength and tools I need through His Word—the Bible. I only have to make the choice (which I already have) to accept Jesus into my heart and to pick up the Good Book. Through this, I am armed with God’s Shield to protect myself and my loved ones from Satan, and I have a Rock to lean on in hard times.

God  does not just not only makes me feel secure…He is my security. Just like a child depends on a blanket for security, God envelops us with His loving and strong arms to protect us. We can get that same security blanket feeling if we just depend on the rock that is always giving us protection and love.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the flaws that make us what we are. We can use those to make our lives our betters if we let You show us how to deal with them. You are perfect. We are not. Your perfection is what makes You our great Protector and Father. Without you, we would be lost to the world. In Jesus name, Amen.

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A Shield of God

February 7, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our Help and our Shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy name.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.
Psalms 33:18-33

Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it?  I have.  I live sandwiched in between four states that have the lottery. Oh, that temptation to gamble!  I will go ahead and admit I have bought my share of lottery tickets.  (Shame on me.)  However, I have never won.  I can already know that I never will.  My odds are probably greater of winning Publisher’s Clearing House than winning the lottery. I tell people this as the reason why I have never won and will probably never win: I fear God too much!  (And He knows that by winning the lottery I would have given into temptation and the Devil).  He is ever watching out for those who fear and love Him.  He gives them what they need and when they need it.  He never leaves us no matter what we are going through.

If we trust in God then He becomes our Shield as we traverse through life.  He looks out for us and protects us from that which could harm us.  Too many times people have come into a vast sum of money without it being an inheritance, and the money ruins their lives.  God wants us to meet Him halfway and work for what we have.  He provides for us every day.

In all circumstances take up the Shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:16

When we accept Jesus, we are shielded with this Shield of faith from God.  He shields us from all that could harm us or ruin us.  He is our Rock.  He shows us His mercy by being there for us when we most need it or are the most tempted.  I know that I have been tempted, but thanks to the Shield of faith that I have, I know that God is going to protect me from harm and bring me through the many trials and tribulations of life.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for shielding us from harm. I wear the Shield of faith every day because I know that You are there to protect me and help me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Covenant of Love

January 28, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
Continue Your love to those who know You,
Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psalms 35:9-10

As we age many of us wonder where the time has gone.  Some of us age with grace, while others try to maintain their youth.  Some of us lose our youth to diseases such as cancer or heart disease.  Yet, there are those who refuse to grow old.  Those are the ones that may look old, but they don’t act like it.  They live by the mantra, “You’re as young as you feel.”  I have to say that I like that mantra, too.  I may be approaching my middle age, but sometimes I don’t feel like I am in my thirties. Sometimes I still feel like I am in my twenties.

Many have searched through the centuries for the so called “Fountain of Youth” but with no success.  A fountain of youth does exist…but it is not in the sense that many wish it to be.  The fountain of youth is really the fountain of life—an eternal life with God.  This eternal life shines like a light to the world through those who have accepted the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to mankind.

Know therefore that the Lord Your God is God,
the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him
and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations….
Deuteronomy 7:9

God loves those who love Him.  He loves those who do not.  He created a new covenant with us when Jesus was crucified on the Cross.  He has kept to this covenant (eternal life through acceptance of Jesus Christ) with us for over 2,000 years.  God is faithful to us in all things.  He never leaves us—from the time that He creates us to the time He calls us home.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the blessings and the eternal life that we can look forward to in heaven.  We feel Your love and faithfulness every day. Without Your love, we would be lost forever.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Awesome God

January 22, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

There’s thunder in His footsteps and lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)

And the Lord wasn’t joking when He kicked’em out of Eden
It wasn’t for no reason that He shed His blood
His return is very close and so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

~  Singer/Songwriter Rich Mullins: Our God Is An Awesome God  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;
and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1

Our God is a wonderful, loving, merciful, and graceful God. He loves us all in a way that we will never truly understand. The closest that we can come to understanding any of it is that He shed His own blood on the Cross for us. God has shown us the greatest love by giving us the greatest sacrifice of all time—His own blood.

Our God is a wonderful loving Father who takes cares of us, provides us with what we need, and rebukes us when we do wrong.

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.
He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat,
and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden
to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out,
he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword
flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:21-24

Adam and Eve committed the first sin recorded in the Bible. God had told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Yet, Eve, as most humans tend to do, followed her own nature, listened to the serpent, and ate of the tree. Then she convinced Adam to do the same. When they did, they became conscious of themselves and realized that they had sinned. They tried to hide, but were not able to. God found them. He knew where they were and did not have to look for them.

Even though they disobeyed Him, God still loved them. As any loving Father would do, God punishes Adam and Eve and sent them from the Garden, but He still provides for them. He clothed them and provided them with food by providing Adam with an area to farm. He punished Eve just a little more, but this pain also brings a gift. Through the pain of childbirth, women bring forth life. To keep them from eating of the Tree of Life, God banished them from the Garden. They were punished by their Father, but He also continued to provide for them.

God loves His children. He provides for them in amazing ways. He also knows what is best for us and provides and cares for us in ways that we need. God loves us, and that is amazing enough.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being so amazing. Thank You, Lord, for shedding Your blood to show us how much You love us. Without this great sacrifice, we could not be close to You or live eternally with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God Hears

January 20, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!
Psalms 66:19-20

When we speak, God hears us. He hears us when we speak in everyday conversation. He hears us when we talk to him through prayer. Even when we think God is not listening—He is. God is omnipresent. He is aware of everything.

I remember both times that I was pregnant with our son and daughter. I prayed for a boy when I was carrying our son. I almost jumped off the table when the ultrasound technician told us we were having a boy. I fist-pumped when God answered my prayer for a little girl. I wouldn’t have minded another boy, but I asked God to let His will be done. I told God if He wanted us to have a little girl then to please let the baby be a girl. That must have been what God wanted because that was how He answered my prayers. I have several friends who have sons. Each time that they had their last child and were wanting a girl, I prayed for them to have a girl because they were praying for a girl. There was only one mom that He gave a boy instead of a girl. (But then, of course, I was not the only one praying for them.)

My point is that God listens to us all. He does not turn away from us. He is our heavenly Father. He loves us all. God is not going to turn from us at any time. God is listening to us even when we are not in prayer. He knows our heart. He knows our wants, needs, and desires—even when we do not tell Him directly.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and He shall hear my voice.
Psalms 55:17

No matter what time of the day or night we talk to God, He will hear us. I talk to God whenever I want or need to. I will talk to Him when I drive, take a shower, or just about anytime I want to. Thanks to the death of Christ, I can talk to God anytime I want and in a way that I can. God hears me no matter the way in which I talk to Him.

*  ~  * ~  * ~ * ~ *  

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful listening and answers to our prayers. The answers may not be the ones we want, but they are the ones that are best for us. You know us better than anyone here on Earth. Thank You for Your love and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Pray to the Father

January 13, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

You will call to Me and come and pray to Me,
and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12

 Do you ever feel alone? Do you ever feel like you have more on your list than you can handle? Do you ever feel like there is no hope? Do you look for a miracle; perhaps you receive it or you do not receive it? Do you ask for something only not to get it? I think that everybody can answer yes to these questions—at some point in their lives.

Yet, many people rely on the outside world to find answers to these questions. However, the world itself cannot truly fulfill the answers to these questions/feelings. We must call on the highest power—the power of God—to answer these questions. He does not leave us. He will be there for us and help us when we feel like we have too much to handle. God brings us hope, love, and peace. He gives us the miracle we need (not what we may think we need).

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4:1

 Prayer is our way of talking to God. We should pray daily. Through prayer we can talk to God about our problems and request help for situations that we cannot control. If we hold true to our faith in God, He will bring relief to us. He will show us mercy and listen to us. As His children, God always has our best interest at heart. We may not like how God answers our prayers, but He answers them in ways that are always for our good.

Our Father loves us dearly. He answers our prayers in the ways that He knows we need. We may want something very much, and pray for it, but if God knows that it is bad for us, He will answer us in a way that protects us. He answers our prayers in the ways that are best for us. He knows what will harm us, and as any father would do, He protects us from what is not good for us.

*  ~  * ~  * ~ * ~ *  

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for looking out for us. Sometimes we do not know what is best for ourselves or our families. You do. Without You, we might make the wrong decisions and put ourselves in harm’s way. Continue to protect us and look out for us. In Jesus name, amen.

 

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A Refuge of Strength and Love

January 1, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

It seems as if in the past weeks that a lot of us have had something happen that just saps us. Yes, many of us are enjoying the holidays. The New Year is on the horizon, but it seems as if the holidays, as joyful as they are, can also become a wearying time. Loved ones die every day;but if they die during this time of year, for some reason, it seems harder to enjoy this time of year. Someone you know maybe affected by some trauma that has been inflicted on a family member or friend. Financial troubles can cause major headaches. Our military families are hoping for the return of their loved ones.

We all know somebody who fits one of the descriptions above. Some of them have happened this month as we creep closer to holiday breaks. We know people who are not on their feet. We know military families that will not see their loved one(s) this holiday season because of deployment. We all know someone who is sick or injured. We all know somebody that has died. It is called life, and it happens just as God plans it. It happens every day.

I am weary right now because of certain situations that are going on, but I have a Refuge. I have Someone I can talk to, ask for healing from, and ask and receive strength from. God is hope, love, strength, joy, etc. He is always there. He aids us when we are in trouble. It is a comfort to know that I have Someone that I can turn to when I am down and ask to intercede for those who are injured and sick. We should rely on God everyday of our lives not just during Christmas and Easter. We should use anything that brings us to down to make us stronger in the Lord. He never leaves us, and we should never leave Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for letting us take refuge in Your heart. Thank You for never leaving us when we are in trouble. Please heal those who are sick or injured. Please be with the ones who have lost someone. Please be with the military families as they make their sacrifice. In Jesus name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional

Great Joy and Rejoicing

December 26, 2013 by

luke SeekingHimLogo

Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This final week’s theme is JOY.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

“But the angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said.
‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Luke 2:10

“Don’t be afraid”…”great joy!” God has sent His only Son as a gift of love, peace, joy, and hope to all mankind.  His Son, who would die for us so we could have everlasting life, is good news to all those that hear and believe (with faith) that Jesus was born, lived as a man on earth, and died, then rose from the dead. Good news is hard to find these days as news of odd and bad things now seem to fill the air waves and other news-reporting media. It is reassuring to know that Jesus is on our side.

Just knowing that Jesus was born was great joy for the people of Israel on the night He was born. They had long been waiting for their Savior to be born. His birth brought joy to the people. His life brought peace and hope to those who believed, skepticism from those who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, His death and resurrection brought joy and hope in anticipation of eternal life.

It is hard to find joy in death even though we know that, if our loved one was a Christian, that they are in a better place. Yet it is easy to find and show joy in the fact that one day, if you believe in Jesus and the Resurrection, that you too will find the same peace and joy when you see Jesus.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Always have joy in the Lord. Rejoice every day. As we immerse ourselves in this busy and joyous season, I always remember the words of Kevin’s mother in the movie, Home Alone, “This is the season of perpetual hope! This is Christmas!” Just remembering those words bring joy to my heart. Those are two of my favorite quoted lines during the Christmas season. I rejoice just in knowing and feeling that knowing Jesus brings thoughts of love, peace, joy, and hope.

The shepherds found joy in the news that their Savior had been born. Prophecy had been fulfilled. They were so overcome with happiness and joy that many of them left their own flocks of sheep to meet the Baby who would grow into the man who would save us all. We should all have the same joy as we go through this holiday season and every day as we go into the New Year.

* * * * *

Dear Heavenly Father, we find great joy in the gift that you sent over 2,000 years ago. This gift brings hope, love, peace, and joy to us all. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

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