The night is inky black and the air hangs still. Jesus says to Peter, James and John in Gethsemane, “My heart is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Jesus knows His hour has come, to suffer the pain and anguish of the cross. In His humaness, fear and anguish overwelm Him. He prays to His Father and pleads that this cup be taken from Him. Three times He prays this.
However, in the end He says, “My Father! If this cup can not be taken away unless I drink it, (if there is no other way) Your will be done.” (Math. 26:42)
Once He said this, with the Father’s help, He set His face like flint and was determined to do His Father’s will. (from Is. 50:7)
Then He turned to face His betrayers. The crowd who came for him with swords and clubs. And He asked them who they were searching for.
“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.
“I AM HE”, Jesus said. And they all fell to the ground. (John 18:4-5)
Amazing! Just the name, I AM was enough to flatten the brave soldiers. Yet Jesus let them take Him.
Although this was not enough for Peter. Quickly he drew his sword and slashed off an ear of one of the soldiers. Ouch!
Jesus calmly told him to put his sword away.
Then Jesus said this, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us and He WOULD SEND THEM INSTANTLY?” (Math. 26:53)
12 legions of angels is what the greek says. One legion is 6,000, so 12 legions would be 72,000 angels, at least, at Jesus’ disposal.
One word to the Father and his attackers, the religous leaders, all those against Jesus, possilby the whole nation, maybe the whole world would have been TOAST.
The power and the rescources Jesus had at His disposal was beyond our understanding.
Jesus asked His Father to take the cup of suffering from Him, yet He wasn’t forced to walk that road to the cross.
He was not ordered to come to earth, it was not manditory that he die, it was not required of Him to give His life.
Yet, voluntarily He held out His hands so they could tie them. Willingly turned His face and let them slap His cheek. Meekly He stood and let them spit in his face. Submissively He turned His back so they could whip it to shreds.
He suffered mightily, He was crushed, He willingly laid on that cross, so you and me could live eternally with Him. Thank You Jesus!
For without His sacrifice, all of mankind would have been doomed to eternity, forever and ever in utter darkness where there is knashing of teeth and every kind of evil.
That’s why He did it. It was the Father’s plan, there was no other way, His Father asked, but Jesus willingly let them lead Him to slaughter only and foremost because He loves us. Every one of us.
Let that sink in.
“He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels but he died alone for you and me.” (Ten Thousand Angels by Billy Henderson and Steven Dale Jones)
“As the deer longs for the streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him.” (ever feel this way, oh if I could only stand in the Glorious Presence of the living God!)
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise Him again, my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember You.
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as Your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
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.
“Oh God, m rock, ” I cry, “why have You forgotten me? Why must I wonder around in grief opperessed by my enemies?”
Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
Why am I discouraged? Why is m heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will prise Him again, my Savior and my God!
Declare me innocent, O God! Rescue me from these unjust liaras.
For You are God, my only safe haven.
Why have you tossed me side? Why must I wander around in grief oppressed by my enemies?
Send out Your LIGHT and Your TRUTH
Let them guide me.
Let them lead me to Your holy mountains, to the place where You live. (to God’s Glorious Presence)
There I will go to the altar of God, to God, the source of my JOY.
I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again, my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42: 1-2, 5, 7-11 43:1-5
I don’t know who the author is of this Psalm, (a descendent of Korah, who actually was a temple worker, a very bad dude who led a revolt against Moses and God, and who ended up burried alive in the ground by God, Numbers 16) but he is in great distress. He longs for God’s presence, he wants only to go to Him and worship his God.
He is discouraged. He senses trouble coming upon him like the raging waves of the sea. Each day this trouble sweeps over him like a roaring tide.
Yet he says, “Each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me. And I will sing praises and pour out my heart to Him.”
He asks God, who is his only rock, “why have you tossed me aside, why have you forgotten me?”
Yet he cries out to God, “send me Your Light, give me Your truth, guide me, only, to You, oh God.
There I will worship You. There I will praise You, even though trouble washes over me. You alone are the source of my JOY.
Why am I discouraged,” he says over and over, “why is my heart so sad?
I will put my trust in My God.
And I will praise Him again and again.”
I know some of you face dire problems. I know there is much trouble, sickness, sadness, sorrow, and discouragement to over come in this world. But my friends, the key to victory over these things is trusting in our God at all times.
When its the hardest to trust that’s when we need to trust the most.
Running to Him first in all things, laying all our troubles and burdens at His feet. Every time.
Long for God. Worship your God through Praise and thanksgiving. Praising Him no matter what the circumstances, no matter how wrong it seems, no matter how burdened we are and thanking Him all the time gives us victory. Victory over all the dark places Satan would love for us to be.
Do I do this all the time? NO. I need lots of reminders. I need a psalmnist telling me that he had troubles aplenty, and was in dire straights, yet he longed for God, he needs God like a deer needs water.
Go to God first. Turn your eyes upon Him. Long for Him. Run to His side. Hide under His wings. Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him all your worries and troubles. But most of all, Thank Him and Praise Him!
If God sends you rain then look for the raindrops.
That is what I wrote on a post a few days ago. Well God tested my words. Guess He doesn’t want me to preach something I won’t practice.
Last night found John and I pretty much sitting in the dark conserving power. The back up generator was not charging the batteries and its been so cloudy lately the solar is no help at all.
The owner was trying to get someone to come out but becasue of the holiday it wouldn’t be until at least next week. So we were looking at roughing it for awhile.
Yesterday we met a pickup on the road when going out to town. Now in the 10 or 12 times we have gone out since we’ve been here we have met maybe 3 rigs. This one stopped to talk and we met another neighbor. John told him about the generator and he said he was having an electrician come out the next day to do some work. He would ask him if he had time to come up here and check the generator. John tired calling the electrician later but didn’t get an answer so we pretty much wrote it off.
I was a bit upset last night. “I didn’t sign up for this!” I thought.
But things happen. Life throws a curve ball sometimes.
This morning I remembered my post about raindrops. So I better get to looking for those raindrops! Right?
If David could praise the Lord when hiding in the depts of a dark, dank cave, then I certianly could praise Him when sitting in a nice warm, cozy, if dark house.
So I began to praise Him and thank Him for taking care of us and for His strength to get through a hard time and for His provision.
“You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
In Your strength I can crush an army, with my God I can scale any
wall.” Ps. 18:28-29
Well the wrote-off electrician did come and he found a broken wire. An easy fix and the generator is working again! Praise God!
Now you can’t tell me that we just HAPPENED to meet the neighbor on the road and that he just HAPPENED to have an electrician coming up the next day. God didn’t send the sun but he did send raindrops!
“”God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid Rock?
God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. (which is pretty much impossible)
You have given me Your shield of VICTORY! (not in getting the generator fixed but in finding the raindrops.)
Your right hand supports me. Your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” Ps. 18:30-36
He provides a way.
He protects, not just my physical body, but my soul.
On top of hiding from Saul, being a refuge in Philistine territory, being rejected by the Philistines in battle (which turned out to be God’s hand working) David and his men arrived home to find their village to have been raided and all the women, children and anyone else to be carried off as captives. David’s two wives are among them.
David and his men were devestated and wept unitl they could not weep any more. (from 1 Sam. 30:3)
However his men became bitter and laid blame on David. They threatened to stone him. So now his own men are turning against him! David is greiving, he is afraid. What does he do?
“But David found strength in the Lord his God.” He didn’t run or hide from his men, he didn’t get mad, he didn’t despair, he didn’t run off on his own to rescue the captives, no, he turned to his God.
“Then David asked the Lord, ‘Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?’
And the Lord said, ‘ Yes go after them. You will surely recover everthing that was taken from you!”
“David and his men rushed in among them and slaughtered them throughtout the night and the entire next day until evening. (fighting all night and all day!) None of the Amalekites escaped except 400 young men who fled on camels.
David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anthing else that had been taken. David brought everything back. He also recovered all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock. “This plunder belongs to David!” they said. ” 1 Sam. 30:17-20
What a victory! And with only 400 men against the vast Amalekite army! So, now his men are singing David’s praises! Only God!
David questioned God and I’m sure at times he was angry with God. He was afraid, he was near despair at times, he was lonely, he thought he was going to die, yet he always ran to God, He leaned on God and he depended on God for guidiance.
David hid under God’s protecting wings. He always ran to the hiding place. And David always praised his God.
“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Let Your favor shine on Your servant. In Your unfailing love, rescue me.
How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence far from accusing tongues.” Pa. 31:14-16, 19-20
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation–so why should I b afraid?
The Lord is my Fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord–The one thing I see most–Is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.
For He will conceal me there when troubles come. He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high Rock.
Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me.
At His sanctuary I will offer sacrifieces with shouts of JOY, singing and praising the Lord with music.” Psalm 27:1-6 NLT
Remember David’s enemies were people and armies but our enemies can be fear, worry, anxiety, sickness, pain, anger, sin, doubt, unbelief and anything that leads us from God’s path.
This is what David says when he is in deep trouble, possibly hiding out from Saul.
“O God listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats. Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrong doers. They sharpen their tonues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly.” Psalm 64:1-4
“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He did for me.
For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him AS I SPOKE. (as he cried out for help)
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But God DID listen! He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw His unfailing love from me.” Psalm 66:16-20
“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering Rock of safety, for you are my safe Refuge, a Fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in Your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of Your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress where I will never be shaken.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope (the assurance of a sure thing) is in Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my Refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me. ( repeats himself twice to make a point)
Oh my people, trust in Him at ALL times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our Refuge.” Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
David runs to God first, he cries to Him for help, he confesses his sin, he praises God while things are still bad, he relies on God completely, he leans on God, he claims God as His refuge and Fortress.
“You are my strength; I wait for You to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
In His unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.” Psalm 59:9-10
David is in a tough spot. Saul, his king and trusted leader has betrayed him and is out to murder him. He has to flee his home, his wife and his dear friend. Saul is relentless in his pursuit of David, pulling out all stops.
David says, “My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.”
Since he refuses to fight his king, he is running and hiding in caves like a wild animal.
My enemies may not be a dranged king, or a vast army, but things like worry, anxiety, fretting, anger, grumbling and complaining come against me just as relentless and as powerful. Saten uses all these things to discourage me, to get my mind off Jesus, to weaken my faith to discredit my testimony. So what should I do?
As David says: “But as for me, I will sing about Your powers. Each morning I will sing with JOY about Your unfailling love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
Oh my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” Psalm 59″15-17
I sing, I praise and I pray. For when I’m in a tough spot, my God will stand with me. He may not take the situationa away, but He will fight for me. He will always be my champion. He is my refuge, my strength and my place of safety. Instead of letting my enemies stomp me, I will fight back with JOY.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.Commit your ways to the Lord and your plans will be established.” (in His way) Proverbs. 3:5-6, 16:3
Let me tell you a little story. Well, not so little so you might want to get a cup of coffee or tea and grab a snack and settle in for awhile.
One fine day, when John and I were heading to a wedding, he told me something that knock-your-socks-off shocked me. Let me back up a bit. Now we were perfectly happy and content in our little one hundred year old farm house south of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. We had very close friends, a wonderful church family and a very supportive community “family”. We were set, ready to hunker down and spend our last days, either till God called us home or until we heard that trumpet call. In fact John had just told me a few days earlier, “I guess I’ve outgrown my wanderlust.” Well I was all for that. A little bit of maturity and stability never hurt anyone!
So then that fine day, the end of August, he hit me with a bomb. “So I saw this job online that would be perfect for us. It’s a caretaker job, on a non-working ranch in the mountains.”
Well save it to say, my mouth dropped open and I was, for once, speechless. “Of course, we wouldn’t want to do it,” he continued, “I mean we have such a nice place to live right here.”
“Where is it?” I finally choked out.
“In Oregon.” “OREGON!” I cried. Ha that seals the deal, John said he never wanted to go back to Oregon. Then he added, “Eastern Oregon, the northern corner, in the Blue Mountains, its very remote. But of course we wouldn’t want to move since we have such good friends here.”
Well like I said I was in shock so not much came out of my mouth at that point. I should have let sleeping dogs lie. But I kept thinking that maybe, just maybe this was something God had for us. Something He wanted us to do so maybe we needed to seek His will in this. So I brought up this point to John. That was all he needed to pursue the job. “I’ll just send a message that we are interested,” Did I say we were interested? “But I doubt they will get back to us.”
Well one thing led to another and soon he was sending a resume. “I don’t think anything will come of it,” John said. Meanwhile I was trying to subtly or not so subtly say, “I DO NOT WANT TO MOVE. I think John got the point but God had other ideas.
Well we did hear back from the owners and John soon had a phone interview. Wait a minute, stop this train and let me off! Of course all this time we were praying about this. John was praying if God does not want us to do this, He would shut the door. I was praying, Lord please SHUT THE DOOR.
I came up with red flags and questions that John should ask during the interview, the deal beakers that would stop this project in its tracks. But God was going before us, preparing the way, leveling the mountains and smashing gates of bronze. All the red flags I had and all the deal breakers were positive, no road blocks, no closed doors.
Now this was getting serious. I really did not want to leave my dear sweet friends. I prayed that if it was His will, God would change my heart and give me the desire to move to the Blue Mountains in Oregon and that John and I would be on the same page, which we were not at this point.
After looking at some pictures of Grant County online, I could see it was beautiful. A few things happened at our place to make me think moving might not be a bad idea. The secluded, quiet ranch we had lived on for 13 years was not quite so secluded and peaceful as it had been. So when the owner in Oregon called and said he was seriously considering us for the job, I was beginning to warm up to the idea.
Then John did an about face. He said he didn’t want to uproot us and make such a big change at our age. We were settled, we were comfortable, we were in a good place. He wrote a message to Tom, the owner saying we had changed our minds and decided to stay in North Dakota. Oh phew! I was relieved, our friends were relieved, everyone celebrated!
So we closed the door with a big sigh. However, when God tells you to move you gotta move! He wouldn’t let the door stay closed. I just didn’t feel good about that decision. I kept thinking, what if God wants us to do this? What if it’s a blessing He has for us? What if He has a reason for wanting us in John Day Oregon? Then the biggie: If we trust Him shouldn’t we trust Him even in this, even in our old age, even when the way seems impossible?
For you see, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He DELIGHTS in EVERY DETAIL of their lives. Though they stumble they will never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Ps. 37:23-24 So do we trust Him or do we not?
Come to find out John had been thinking along the same lines. Then, twice Tom wrote and asked us to reconsider and at least go out and see the place and meet him. We had been planning a camping trip heading east in ND so we decided to go west instead.
When we saw the area of John Day and Grant county, we felt like we had come home, back to mountains like we had lived in most of our lives. When we met the owners and saw the ranch, there were no red flags and all concerns were met positively.
God seemed to be saying: “I will go before you, Cyrus, (Wendy and John) and level the mountains. I will smash gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness and secret riches” (where you do not see them) Is. 45:2-3
So suffice it to say we decided to take the leap of faith, not really knowing what was down the road. We have done that several times since we’ve been married but this time it seemed much more daunting. It was very hard to say goodbye to dear friends and church family. Its scary to go from the known that is good to the unknown that you have no clue of.
I remember months earlier when we didn’t even have an inkling we would be leaving, I was sitting on one of “my” hills and praising God for giving us such wonderful place to live, as I often did. I remember thinking, “if we ever had to leave here it would break my heart.” Right on the heels of that thought came, “But if I close a door I will always open another one just as good or better.” Then I remembered when we were moving to North Dakota, where I definitely did not want to go, how God led us to Boyd’s place and living there turned out to be a most wonderful blessing. Also, He brought us to a great church family and provided close friends. If He did it once, He would do it again.
“Remember things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God and there is no one like Me! Only I can tell the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass. I do whatever I wish.” Isaiah 46:9-10
After making that leap of faith, the job before us of packing and moving everything a thousand miles seemed overwhelming. So many lasts; last time to go to church, last ladies Bible study, last trip to Wild Vines coffee shop, last time to have a meal with friends, last goodbyes. So many tears and fears and much trembling. Often following God’s will means sacrifice and leaving our true and good friends was a sacrifice.
However, friends are friends forever if God is the Lord of them! Here there or in the air! became our mantra.
“I am fearless because God is faithful!” Is on my wall. Reading those words and relying on my faithful God gave me strength and courage to keep going.
You see when God leads, He straightens crooked paths and gives light in the darkness. I’m not saying He makes it easy, but He makes it possible. He might illuminate only a small part of the path and the rest is dark and unknown, but we have to take that one step and then another as He leads. Our job is to trust. His is to get us through. He levels the mountains that are impossible to climb.
It was amazing! Every little detail fell into place. Even concerning my horse, but that’s another story. Many things were sold, boxes were slowly filled, friends offered to help drive a rig to Oregon, a u-haul truck was available for the date we needed, kitties were given a home (in the same house) friends helped load the truck, in a snow storm no less, rigs started even though it was -15 the morning we left Beach.
And we were on our way. A thousand miles with a pickup pulling a loaded stock trailer, a large u-haul truck pulling a car hauler, and my Edge and we had no trouble, no flat tires, no problems whatsoever. The miles ticked away for three days until we reached our new home in the Blue Mountains near Mt. Vernon Oregon.
Since we’ve been here, just short of 4 weeks, God has led us to a wonderful welcoming church. Amazing how we can go from one family to another and feel at home. We have met neighbors and are getting to know friends in the church. We love the milder weather although we still have winter, just not driving wind, deep drifts and bitter cold. We are falling in love with the mountains all over again and I can’t get enough of the view of the Strawberries just across the valley, as some of you know from my photos on facebook. He has shown us many treasures in the darkness already. I can’t wait to see what more He has in store. All I can say is God is good! All the time!
“There is no one like the God of Israel, He rides across the sky to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge and His ever lasting arms are under you.” Duet. 33:26-27
Do not fret! Do not forget! Have a very blessed Christmas and New Year!
We also want to say thankyou to everyone who helped get boxes, load the truck, provide meals and most importantly, provide prayer support!
I create light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times.
I, the Lord, am the One who does these things.”
Lamentations 3:31-33, 37-39
“For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion, because of the greatness of His unfailing love.
For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?
Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?
Then why should we, mere humans complain when we are punished for our sins?”
Jeremiah 32:42
“This is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them.”
Amos 3:6
“When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed?
Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?”
Apparently, according to these verses, God does plan, bring and allow calamities and troubles to come our way. So why?
One reason is to punish sins, specifically Israel’s sins of rebellion and idolatry. However, today I believe He brings consequences and hard times so we will recognize our sins and He can draw us back to Him. Yet, Many times troubles are piled upon us when there are no unrepented sins in our lives. Again I ask, why?
“This is what the Lord says:
“I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the One who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:2-3 NLT
If I never had a mountain before me, I would never be able to see my God level one.
If I was never imprisoned by gates of bronze and bars of iron, I would never see Him cut through them to free me.
If I was never in the darkness, I would never find hidden treasure and secret riches that are hidden there.
You see if I never had to climb a mountain, I would not have seen the glorious view. I would not have known how He put my feet in foot holds and my hands in hand holds. I would not have felt His arms carrying me or His strength bolstering and supporting me.
“I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will now there is no other God.” Is. 45:5-6
If there never was a battle, I would not have known how He prepared and equipped me. Or how He fought the battle for me and right along beside me.
I have done this, He says, so you may know that I am your God. So with my heart I would really know Him, and see His face and feel His love surround me.
Without terrible trouble in my life I would not have heard the Most High calling my name. And I would not have known that He is enough.
Like Job, I say, “I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes.” Job 42:5
From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. (remember, she writes as if Jesus is talking)
“I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that—abundantly!
Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on ME alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence.
This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment.
Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.”
Grasping and controlling is the way I tend to run. In this time of rising costs and an uncertain future, my instinct is to stock up. And believe me I have! Every available space including cabinets and any mouse proof container in the basement is nearly full to the brim. But as John says, “you can only stock up to last so long.” Unless, of course, you have a bunker.
Yes, I believe a certain amount of preparedness is prudent. However, at some point, preparing becomes grasping and controlling. Doncha think?
There comes a time when I must let go and let God. Give it all into His capable hands and let Him provide my needs. After all, He knows what I need better than I do!
He holds me in His hand. He is with me to the end of the age. He cares for me. He provides all my needs, now and forever.
Do I believe that or do I not?
(Wait a moment, I’ll be right back, just as soon as I go buy another package of toilet paper. LOL!)
It’s not my job to strive, to worry, to be completely prepared for all things.
It is my job only to trust Him.
Psalm 27:1-6 NLT
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my Fortress, protecting me in danger, so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord–the one thing I seek most–is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple. (being in His presence)
For He will conceal me there when troubles come. He will hide me in His sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me.
At His Sancturary (in His presence) I will offer sacrifices with shouts of JOY and singing and praising the Lord with music.”
Sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise brings joy in all circumstances.
“Are there not twelve hours in a day? If anyone walks in the day he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night he stumbles because the light is not in him.” John 11:9-10
In a small village near Jerusalem called Bethany lived a man and his two sisters. This man fell gravely ill and his two sisters sent for their dear friend whom they knew could heal their brother, with a touch. This friend loved their brother greatly, so Mary and Martha knew He would surely come.
Somewhere beyond the Jordon, soon after nearly being stoned in Jerusalem, Jesus was preaching to many of John the Baptist’s followers. A runner rushed up to him one day and gave him the message that his dear friend Lazarus was sick and possibly dying.
Prairie Wind 