Angels Available

There are various beliefs and teachings about angels. I attended a memorial today where a cousin of the man who died shared an angel testimony. It seems his cousin was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance when the EMT said, “Hurry, we’re losing him.” The man lived, and later he said, “I heard the EMT, opened my eyes, and saw two angels sitting beside me.”

Angels are mentioned in the psalm I studied today, too. Only sixteen verses long, this psalm first impacted me when an older member of the church where we pastored stood up and said, “I’d like to share my insurance policy.” He then quoted Psalm 91. I was highly impressed.

Faith in God is good, but it must be activated to be effective. We do that when we pray, asking God to deliver us from evil and the evil one. This can include traps of various kinds, diseases, and disasters (*Psalm 91:3-4, NLT).

Psalm 91 can be divided into five sections:

1.       Have faith in God (V. 1-2)

2.       He will help you (V. 3-4)

3.       Do not fear (V. 5-8)

4.       Angels are available (v. 9-13)

5.       The Lord helps those who trust in Him (V. 14-16)

We can make the Lord our refuge when we know His promises. We can call upon Him to help us as we stand upon (believe in) His word (Psalm 91:14-15; 4). The question then is, “How well do you know God’s word?” If you take time to read it for yourself each day, you will learn His faithful promises. This psalm says they can function as your armor and protection (V. 4).

There is no reason to live in fear or dread, day or night (V. 5-6). Instead, we are urged to pray because the Lord will rescue those who call upon Him (V. 14-15). He has angels to dispense as our supporters and protectors (V. 11-12).

How wonderful to serve a God who cares about us. Let's remember this powerful God can help us and provide needed protection whenever we activate our faith to call upon Him for help.

*Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2207 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by Permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

*Pixabay: Bible, Open, Book Images; Pexel.

 

You Can Count On This

I once asked Mom, “What is your favorite Bible verse?” She immediately answered, “Great peace have they who love thy law: And nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165, KJV).

As a minister’s wife for fifty years, I’m sure there were plenty of times this verse helped her. Offensive things can be odors, actions, or words. But I think words take the prize.

I tried to follow Mom’s example. God’s word was my peace, and I wanted to please Him above all others. But I also appreciate the wisdom of Solomon in that there is . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak (*Ecclesiastes 3:7b, BSB).

I was reminded of Mom’s verse this week as I studied Psalm 119. Perhaps you know that this Psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible. If we could read it in the original Hebrew, we would see that there are twenty-two sections, each one beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I so enjoy these small nuggets of God’s word.

I stopped to consider Psalm 119:160 this week. The New Living Translation (*NLT) says: The very essence of your words is truth; all your regulations will stand forever. I don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time knowing who’s telling the truth these days.

What a relief to know I can read God’s word and trust what it says. It’s not ever going to become obsolete since God’s word will stand truthfully forever. We are cautioned to be people of truth as well. First John 2:3-6 says if we say we love God, but don’t keep His commandments we are liars, there’s no truth in us.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Could it be any plainer?

You can’t count on what you don’t know. Are you reading your personal Bible daily?

Time is valuable. Consider your earthly and heavenly priorities. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

BSB: The Holy Bible, The Berean Standard Bible, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

KJV: The Holy Bible, King James Version, The World Publishing Company, New York, USA, Used by permission.

NLT: The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois, Copyright 2012, Used by Permission.

My Favorite Four-Letter Word

I hear this word five days a week at the end of *Allen Jackson NOW. This is a new half-hour program where Pastor Jackson of Murfreesboro, TN handles pertinent topics with interviews, then ends with a pastoral perspective. He closes by saying, “I believe we have more reasons for hope than despair.”

Love used to be my favorite word, but it varies from the mundane to the sublime. I love lemon pie, I love going on vacation I love my husband, I love God and God loves me.

Levels of love seem to vary, depending on other people; however, hope is a personal choice.

Job is one of the best examples of hope. His wife had no patience with his suffering. She said, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

To Job’s credit, he let her negativity float on by. Hope was his choice, and he would not give it up. He said she was speaking foolishly and concluded with this: “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” (**Job 2:9-10)

When three well-meaning but non-comforting friends came by, Job had an even stronger answer: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15). His hope gave him the strength to stay focused on his faith.

Hope results in joy. Characteristics of believers are to include being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and persistent in prayer. (Romans 12:12) Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures to help us develop these three things in our lives.

If you have not read the book of Job lately, now would be a great time to do so.

Job’s story is one of personal patience, perseverance, and his choice to endure. The way I see it, hope might have been Job’s favorite four-letter word, too.

*Allen Jackson NOW is available on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) Monday through Friday. I watch on DISH, but if you prefer streaming look for their app at tbn.org.

**All scriptures are from the Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022, Used by Permission.

Pixabay Illustration: I pulled this one years ago for my picture file. That was before I knew I was to credit someone. 

A Good Break

I’ve just enjoyed a good break. It was better than the one in March when I needed a partial hip replacement. But I’m happy to say, “Praise the Lord.  I’ve come a long way in my recovery.”

I took a break from writing my weekly blog and did a lot of reading instead. I enjoy writing my blog, but my challenge is to make a meaningful point in less than 400 words. The reason is that many people read on their cell phones and do not enjoy long articles. I’m one of them.

Writers are always on the lookout for golden nuggets.  These ideas can be further developed in time, and mine are usually jotted down on sticky notes or handy scraps of paper.

Life has routines, but breaks are important. Anyone who works eight or more hours a day will tell you even fifteen minutes away from tasks is refreshing. During our forty years of ministry, my husband and I enjoyed our assignments, but we looked forward to our weekly refreshing day off.  

God Himself took a break. In Genesis chapter one we read of His day-by-day creation of the heavens, skies, and seas, plus everything in them. But chapter two breaks from chapter one by saying on the seventh day God rested from all His labor. He also blessed the seventh day and sanctified it (*Genesis 2:1-3).

That blessing showed up again. When God gave Moses ten basic commandments for a healthy society, number four was:  Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy, do no work (Exodus 20:8-11). “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word “shabbat,” meaning to cease or desist.

Jesus always worshiped on the Sabbath, but He rebuked the finger-pointing legalists by saying He was Lord of the Sabbath and He desired mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 12:1-14). He also declared that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).

After Jesus’ resurrection, His followers started worshiping on the first day of the week. But God’s plan for a weekly break was never pulled back. The fulfillment is up to us. If you’ve thought it wasn’t important, please think again.

*All Scriptures from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022; Used by Permission.

Pixabay Illustration: Paper, Pen, Notebook; Ivan_Digon.  

Break Time

My next inspirational blog will be Sunday, September 22, 2024.

I’ve been re-reading the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. She usually gives credit to the creators of her inspirational quotes. But this week I read one that she didn’t know who to credit. I wrote it in my journal. Yes, it's simple but so worthy of serious consideration.

Fear knocked on the door;

*Faith Answered.

No one was there.

*For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (BSB)

I’ll be looking forward to connecting with you again in 3 weeks!

*All Scriptures from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022; Used by permission.

Pixabay Illustraton: Break, Time Out.

 

 

From Inside Out

It’s hard to tell what a person is thinking if they are quietly resting somewhere. If they were dancing, singing, or waving their hands we might guess they were happy. If they wore earbuds, we might think they were listening to some moving music.    

Some people are more outgoing than others; I’m one of the quieter people. My friends like to tease me about my phlegmatic attitude, but I’m not without opinions. They see me riled up now and then.

What we carry on the inside matters. Sometimes angry people seem calm until something sets them off. Have you ever been the shocked recipient of such an outburst?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Read it sometime. While writing about the value of God’s word, David said, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). 

How much time have you spent reading, studying, or meditating on God’s word this week? We make time for things that are important to us. A daily devotional is good, but it’s more like a spiritual snack. You need a more nourishing scriptural meal sometime each day.

Here’s another question: Have you listened to any Godly music lately? Paul said we could encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, while at the same time giving thanks to God in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19-20). Remember Psalm 100? Praise and thanksgiving help us enter into God’s presence.

There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Sometimes I meditate quietly on the goodness of the Lord, and sometimes I join with others in outward worship.

At church, I want to be actively involved, not just stand there and never move my lips even if I don’t know the song well. The amazing thing is that I often have one of the worship songs come to mind at home. And here I thought I wasn’t learning anything!

*All Scriptures from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022; Used by permission.

Pixabay Photo: Seagull, Man, Sea; sahinsezerdincer.

 

The Weight of Waiting

In many ways, we live in a society of instant gratification. We can use drive-throughs for food, banking, and med pickup. Even groceries can be called in and ready for us when we arrive.

I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful for cell phone instant communication, even if it takes 40 texts to cover a conversation that might have taken five minutes by phone. Of course, that’s if we didn’t have to wait for a return call after leaving a voicemail.

The weight of waiting affects us all. For me, waiting for a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment plan seemed pretty weighty. I had a year of treatments, and, thanks to God, they worked!

Twice I was a caregiver. Two and a half years for dad, and two years for my husband. Days dragged by for all of us. My waiting weight was lifted daily by Lamentations 3:22-24. Fresh NEW Godly mercies, what could be better?

I study the Book of Psalms quite often. Today, in Psalm 40, David poured out his heart to God from a miry pit of despair. Oozing mud bogs you down. 

David declared that God lifted him out of his emotional pit, steadied him, and gave him a new song (v. 1-3). We know it’s usually happy people that sing. I remember when I first got engaged and we were driving from California to Arizona to tell my family. While driving, my fiancé burst out in song about us, and it made me happy to know he was happy.

There is joy in trusting in the Lord and in doing His will (v. 4, 8). David declared this to be true because of God’s mercy shown by His unfailing love and faithfulness (v. 10-11).

God is as available to us as He was to David. The LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations (Psalm 100:5 BSB).

Like David, let’s trust in God and pour out our hearts to Him. With renewed hope, don’t be surprised to feel some relief from the weight of waiting.

*All Scriptures from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022; Used by permission.

Pixabay Photo: Business Man, Men's Suit; gy geralt/GerdAltmann