Delivered From My Fears

Has your world ever been shattered?  Mine has, more than once.  There are so many culprits in the war against our hearts and minds, so many things that contend in the evil battle to take our peace. I know you can list some:  we all have them;  however, we do not have to succumb to the fears that threaten to overtake us. 

Have you cried out to God?  I have, because my heart felt torn, confused, and betrayed.  Again, I don't need to mention specifics:  I'm sure you have experienced these feelings in your life.  Most of us have experienced pain and suffering, or we know someone else who has  suffered intensely.

The psalmist David spoke words that reach right into my heart, words that remind me that God really cares and He loves me.  David sought the Lord, and  [God]  answered [him].  If God had an answer for David, then He has an answer for me.  I am absolutely sure of that:  I have experienced it in my own life.  However, I haven't always gotten instant answers:  more often than not, I have had to wait.  But there is one thing I have not had to wait on:  I haven't had to wait for peace in my heart, for the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.    

I sought the Lord,and He answered me, 
And delivered me from all my fears...
^5 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 

And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

Psalm 34: 4-8

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 

www.lockman.org



P. S.  Today,  I was reading "God, Are You Aware?"  in Teri Lynne Underwood's blog Where The Sacred And The Secular Collide.   I am often amazed at how God puts a scripture, a sermon, a book, or a blog in my path;  and, it meets a particular need or a lesson God is teaching me.  Even though, I may be amazed, I am not surprised;  because, it has happened so often in my life.

Our Hope: Eternal Life

God has promised us eternal life if we abide in His Son and the Father.  In 1 John 2:23  we are told whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either;  he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  That's straightforward:  there are no other sons, just Jesus, the Son and  no special rules to follow to have eternal life.  Romans 10:9 states that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  God provided a very simple way for us to know Him -- so simple, a child can understand.  In fact, we need to come to God, believing with the heart of a child.  Jesus said in Matthew 18:3,   “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

~~~A Child's Heart~~~

       
1 John 2:25 promises us eternal life based on the truth of the above verses.  What a blessing!  What a joy!  If we die before Jesus returns, we are assured that we will live eternally with God.  This seems incomprehensible, because we have only known living in our earthly bodies.  However, we are told in 1 John 3:2,  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.    Someday, we will know.

Finally, in 1 Corinthians 13:11-12  we are told,  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  It is clear, even though we want to completely understand; we will not, until we stand face to face with Jesus.  At times, we have an in-depth vision of God and His Truth, more than we have ever had before;  but then, we are left with understanding our comprehension is still limited, and that God is more than any person can totally comprehend, even though He has revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Father God, as I study Your Word, my horizons are stretched, sometimes gently and sometimes with a jolt.  As I understand what You have done for me by sending Your Son to be the payment for my sins, as well as knowing that as I acknowledge the Son, You also abide in me, I am filled with awe and thanksgiving.  Thank you for my hope, which is Your promise -- Eternal Life.  I look forward to the times, I shall know for I will see You face to face.  In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen.

Today, the majority of the focus scripture is taken from 1 John 2: 22 - 1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV).

²² Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? 
  He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son
²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either;
 he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
²⁴ Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.
  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you,
  you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
²⁵ And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
²⁶ These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
²⁷ But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you,
 and you do not need that anyone teach you;
  but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things,
  and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
²⁸ And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears,
  we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
²⁹ If you know that He is righteous, you know that 
  everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,
  that we should be called children of God!  
 Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
 ² Beloved, now we are children of God; 
   and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, 
   but we know that when He is revealed, 
   we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
 ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.

 Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-King-James-Version-NKJV-Bible/

Perfect Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26: 3  NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

 and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
 for correction,

 for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete...

(Taken from 1 Timothy 3:16-17  NKJV)

"Prayer"  courtesy of graur razvan ionut

    FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As I read this verse this morning, I felt that perfect peace flood my soul -- not just my soul, but even my body:  it was as if a warm blanket covered all of me.  Perfect peace is something, that I believe, every human soul longs for.  We desire our minds to be clear of anxiety and our souls to be comforted.  It  is difficult to know exactly where this spirit that belongs to each of us resides: some say in the heart, some think in the brain.  But it doesn't matter, not really, because if one is honest with oneself, we know, that we know, our spirit is something beyond cells in a body.  Science 
knows that a stressed, pained spirit affects the body.  This stress can even develop into serious health problems.

Therefore, it seems logical to suppose, that the opposite is true.  If one feels peaceful, it is going to be healing, whether physically or mentally or both.  However, I know from my own experience, it does take some effort on my part:  like clicking on Bible Gateway or opening my Bible and reading it,  being blessed by a dear friend that has sent a card with scripture and reading it, or going to Facebook where a precious friend has posted just the scripture I need to hear today.  I am not saying God will not put His arms around you or speak to you in your heart:  I have felt or heard God speak to my heart when I was not reading the Bible.  I just know, as I grow stronger physically and mentally, I have to step out a little more.  I call these steps baby steps.  I need to reach out to God for my own well-being and out of obedience to Him.  I need to pray and meditate.  This is righteous; this is good; this is healthy.   

Dear Father in Heaven, I did not know this was going to be a devotion on baby steps to peace.  However, I am thankful You have given me people and books that have taught me baby steps to help me to get to where I need to go.  Sometimes, I feel like it is taking too long; and then, You have the scripture I need to hear for today, right there for the taking.  Bless my readers, dear Lord.  May they be strengthened in their walk with You and fill their hearts with the perfect peace only You can give.  I love You, Lord.  In Jesus Holy Name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 26:2-4

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

King James Version (KJV)  

by Public Domain

I Want That!!

http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Today, I had a lovely time reading and browsing articles of interest on the internet.  At the same time, I was watching a home decorating channel on the television,  where I saw an unusually themed house and property that totally caught my imagination.  My response was, "I want one!"  However, as the day progressed, I began to think, "When is the point one crosses from like to lust?

In 1 John 2: 15 we are told not to love the things in the world, but the truth is that most people do.  I don't  think I have met anyone that does not love things, but I think I have figured out the difference between like and lust.  When a person covets a thing to the point  he or she would do anything to have it, that is lust.  It is acceptable to like something that is lovely or fun, but if this exceeds our allegiance to God, we have a problem.  

There is absolutely nothing in this world more important than what God has to offer.  1 John 2: 17 says the world is passing away, and the lust of it;  but he who does the will of God abides forever.  I choose abiding forever.  How about you?

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

New King James Version  (NKJV)
The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.