Tag: protection

Be merciful to me.

Psalm 57:1-3

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. 
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

Be merciful to me.

His mercies are new every morning. Do we start each day remembering God’s mercies?

I know there are times when my day simply starts and I don’t always pause to pray or dedicate my day to God and leave space for His work. But, I know my days always start better when I do. Recognizing my position in this world is important, especially in comparison to God. That isn’t to say that the things I am doing are unimportant, it’s just that knowing who I am in relationship to God helps me keep things in perspective. God…fulfills his purpose for me.

Boundaries

When I was younger, I loved to push the limit and see how close to the line I could come. I used to resent boundaries and consider them a challenge to overtake. Can you relate? Amazingly enough, I have kids who do the very same thing. It must be a part of that sinful, human nature.

I have learned many difficult lessons in life because I overstepped boundaries, didn’t enforce boundaries, and ignored boundaries. I am still learning, often the hard way. Boundaries are important in marriage, parenting, friendships, work relationships and are more than just a benefit.

Boundaries are a blessing.

Consider that God has placed boundaries around you for your protection–He tells you to stay away from certain things so you will be pure. God wants you to be safe from sin and danger and He helps you to do that by telling you things to avoid. He wants you to heed His words, for your blessing and benefit.

And wouldn’t it be great if we had no boundaries for God?
Allowed Him access to every dark corner of our lives?
Recognized that He supersedes physical boundaries by being omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent?

Psalm 16

1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

God’s boundaries are good!

Speed Limits

Speed Limit 5, Speed Limit 45, Speed Limit 70, Speed Limit 80, School Zone, Construction Zone….most speed limits are posted in an effort to protect those who are living or active in a particular area.  We have a new driver in our home and so we have been paying pretty close attention to speed limits. Sometimes I overlook them, resent them, miss them. In general, I try to follow them but it is hard when you feel like you are the only one!

Have you noticed there are times when life moves so slowly? Maybe you are waiting for a report from the doctor or your are in a time of life when you are out of your element, bumbling along. Other times life moves rather quickly and you find you are traveling almost at the speed of light! Different parts of life seem to happen at different speeds. If you have grown children, maybe it feels like the kids grew up so fast or maybe it felt like forever to you. There are times I have found myself trying to ‘speed’ through some experiences that I would really rather not be in the middle of.

Has that ever happened to you?

Hurry, hurry, get me out of here!!! Sometimes God allows us to see His speed limits on our situations. Sometimes He makes us stop and lie down in green pastures so He can restore our souls. Have you ever found yourself resisting the limits or trying to close your eyes and breeze past anyway?

Think about how God uses speed limits in your life. Where are the places He would like you to slow down and take notice of His activity? You may be walking through a difficult time, but if time seems to move slowly maybe it is time to take look around thoughtfully and prayerfully. What is God doing during this time? Dig into God’s Word and notice the times when it appeared things were moving at a snail’s pace. Our time frame is certainly not God’s! Where is He going and at what pace? Is there something I can or should be doing in this time of speed limits?

Heavenly Father, please help me see the speed limits you would like me to follow in my life. Give me your insight and heighten my awareness during a restricted speed zone so I can see what is happening around me and not endanger others with reckless speeds. Thank you for Your protection and blessing in my life!


State of the Union

Our family gathered around the television last night to hear the State of the Union. It was another great reminder to pray for our country and for those who are serving and leading our nation!

Christians have many differing views on where our country is headed and the best way to get there. It is important to be informed on the issues, prayerfully ponder them, seek God’s heart on the matters, and vote when given the opportunity.

Members of US government would benefit from our prayers. We have city, county, and state government officials who would benefit from our prayers as well. Please consider praying specifically for those serving in all levels of public office that God would:

  • guard their marriages and families
  • protect their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health
  • safeguard them against the schemes of those who intend to harm or lead them astray
  • defend them when they are in the correct course of action
  • convict them when they are not
  • unveil the eyes of those who do not believe in Him
  • surround believers with others who will encourage spiritual growth
  • surround unbelievers with opportunities to engage in healthy spiritual conversation with Godly men and women

Ask God to give you other prayer areas to add to this list. You can even pray for your local, state, and national leaders by name! Don’t get too bogged down in the details–start by praying in general and ask God to direct your prayers through His Word.

Here is a link to an organization offering many different angles and opportunities for prayer. Check them out when you have a chance!!

http://presidentialprayerteam.com/index.php

Spirograph® Designs and Faith

At some point you have probably messed around with or at least seen a Spirograph® set. They can make some pretty cool designs. But recently I wondered how a Spirograph® can be a springboard for a conversation about faith.

We often crab about restrictions on our lives. Really, who likes rules and regulations? I am one who has often stepped out of line. I resented restrictions. But honestly, the times I walked over the line were the ones that brought heartache into my life.

Think about the large ring on the Spirograph®. It creates a boundary where the smaller wheels or gears can move and create incredibly beautiful patterns within the ring. Think of God’s laws or commandments as the large ring: fixed and dependable, providing structure and stability for the gear to move freely within the boundaries.

There are many ways to create beautiful patterns with a Spirograph®. Working within God’s boundaries can be freeing and refreshing. There is safety within His boundaries.

Are your fighting the boundaries that God has in place for your protection?