Category Archives: God Watches Over Us

Nov17

God Leads The Way

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

With God as your life’s Heavenly Navigator, you never have to worry or be fearful when forging ahead into uncharted territory.  You can confidently trust that the Lord is going before you, guiding you in the path that is best for you.  He promises to be with you each step of the way…even in the deepest, darkest valleys and through the most treacherous terrain. When the going gets tough, He will never abandon you or forget about you.

Perhaps you are struggling with decisions about your career, finances, relationships, child-rearing, education, or even treatment options for a health crisis.  You would never travel to a new place without consulting a map or GPS system. Why do you think that you could blindly traverse though life’s journey without consulting God’s divine wisdom?  He is your holy Field Guide for your earthly trek. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or afraid, focus on the fact that God is already ahead of you, leading the way.  He knows the plans He has in store for you ~ seek His excellent guidance and ask Him for wisdom.   With Him by your side, you can have confidence that the choices you make are best

He’s already in your future…follow His lead.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Genesis 28:15
“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.”
Deuteronomy 4:31
Nov13

Do Not Fear…God Is Here

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;”
I will help you.

Isaiah 41:11;13

My Precious Child,

No matter what you are facing, don’t be afraid or intimidated.  Don’t be discouraged or dismayed.  As you walk through the “wilderness” of the world, there’s no need to fear because I’m your God, your Heavenly Father, and I’m always watching over you.  Don’t panic.

I’m the Friend who will never leave you alone or forget about you.  I’m right here by your side.  When you feel too weak to go on, I will give you the strength you need to endure.  I will help you through this. I will hold you up and support you.  I won’t let you fall. I will hold your hand with My firm grip.  I’m not letting go!

Believe in My promises to you. You have nothing to fear.

Love, your Heavenly Father

Trust that God is big enough to supply anything you need:  comfort when you’re in pain or grieving, healing when you are sick, safety when you face danger, compassion when are heart-broken, friendship when you are lonely, support when you are weak, courage when you are fearful, provision when you are in need, and never-ending, limitless love and grace to all.

Nov7

Prisoner of Hope

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fortressReturn to your fortress,

O prisoners of hope;

even now I announce

that I will restore twice as much to you.

Zechariah 9:12

Usually the thought of being a prisoner of anything is extremely undesirable.  It conjures up negative images of a place of confinement, such as a jail cell, where freedoms are completely relinquished.  Aside from being held in a prison, there are many other prison-like strongholds in life ~ without locks and bars ~ that can hold us captive.  Some are prisoners of fear, overwhelming debt, difficult life circumstances, a troubled past, controlling relationships, or shameful addictions.  The encouraging message here is that you can break free of anything in life that holds you captive by completely surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.  The key to your freedom lies in His nail-pierced hands.

If you are a Child of God who is completely surrendered to Him, you are essentially a prisoner of Hope.  You are eternally tethered to His divine Hope and captivated by His grace and mercy.  In Colossians 1:27, Christ is referred to as the “Hope of Glory,” and Hebrews 6:19 calls this glorious Hope an “anchor for our soul” that is firm and secure. So you are a prisoner of hope, if you are totally committed to the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.  All control of your life has been freely relinquished to your Heavenly Father, and your soul is securely anchored in His limitless love forever.  It’s not just a “life sentence”…it’s eternal!

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8: 34, 35

God is your fortress, your strength, and your refuge in times of trouble and distress.  He is a high tower for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of desperation, and a shelter from the storms of life.   So as a prisoner of hope, there’s no better place to be than in the safety of your fortress, the Almighty God.  You will always be under His loving and watchful care.  “Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope”…

 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 59: 16 – 17

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation). 

Psalm 9:9 (AMP)

Oct30

God of the Angel Armies

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011912_1251_MeteoricLov1.jpgSeek good and not evil— and live!
You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
being your best friend.
Well, live like it…Amos 5:14a (MSG)

“I, I’m the One comforting you. What are you afraid of—or who?…You’ve forgotten me, God, who made you, who unfurled the skies, who founded the earth….For I am God, your very own God, who stirs up the sea and whips up the waves, named God-of-the-Angel-Armies.  I teach you how to talk, word by word, and personally watch over you.  Isaiah 51:12-13;15-16a(MSG)

How would you go about your day differently today if you truly lived like the “God-of-the-Angel-Armies” is your best friend?  How much courage, comfort and hope does that thought instill in you to face whatever challenges you may encounter?  The truth is, as a child of God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies is always by your side.  He formed the heavens and the earth and everything in it…including you, and the He personally watches over you moment by moment.  He’s never asleep on the job. 

Live today like you believe this truth.  Envision the God-of-the-Angel-Armies intervening in your behalf, protecting you, instructing you, and walking beside you every step of the way.

 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?If God is for us,who can be against us?” Romans 8:31(NIV)

Oct25

The God Who Sees Me

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2011 Football banquet and Field Trip 254The Lord talked to Hagar.

She began to use a new name for God. She said to him,

“You are ‘God Who Sees Me.’”

She said this because she thought,

“I see that even in this place God sees me and cares for me!” 

Genesis 16:13 (ERV)

Mistreated, abused and rejected, Hagar was running away from her circumstances.  She found herself alone in the desert feeling frightened, forgotten and weary from her journey.   Yet, at her lowest point, the angel of the Lord appeared to her, calling her by name, and encouraged her…right in the middle of her wilderness.

Maybe you are in the midst of a “wilderness” in life.  The path you are traveling seems rocky and desolate, littered with extreme difficulties.  You feel that no one knows or cares about your dire circumstances.  You are lonely and afraid, and perhaps you feel the only possible solution is to “run away” from your problems.  The God Who Sees also cares about you.  He sees you right where you are, and He knows about every tumultuous detail of your life.  He knows your name…and your needs.  Turn to Him for guidance and direction.

As for Hagar, the Lord instructed her to return to her owner, Sarai, and to submit to her authority.  Notice that He didn’t remove Hagar from her circumstances, but He gave her guidance and encouragement on how to live the life she was destined for.  He also promised to bless her for her obedience and encouraged her concerning the child she was carrying, Abram’s son.  If Hagar had continued running, she and her unborn child would have met with certain disaster.  God knew His plans for her life…and the life of her unborn son…, and He gave her specific instructions about how she should live.

This story is a great example of how God causes all things…even bad things…to work together for good.  (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28) Hagar’s obedience brought God’s blessings upon her life.  God also sees you in your wilderness, and He has a marvelous plan for your life.  Listen to His instructions.  Remember that “running away” is not the solution, and it often leads to sure disaster.  Instead of running away…run into His arms and listen to His instructions.  Your obedience to His plan will bring divine blessings upon your life. Remind yourself that “even in this place, God sees me and cares for me!”

“…I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.”  Hosea 2:14b

Sep15

Butterfly Wings

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Orange Butterfly dry brush copy

“Yet God has made everything beautiful in its own time.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLT)

The wondrous transformation of a grubby caterpillar into a graceful butterfly is one of the most fascinating processes in nature.  The last important phase of the complete metamorphosis includes the newly formed butterfly’s struggle to emerge from its gauzy cocoon.  As the new creature works to free itself from the cocoon encasing, fluid is pumped into its delicate wings.  If someone from the outside tries to “help” the butterfly by ripping open the cocoon, the butterfly’s wings will never be fully developed, nor strong enough, for flight.  So the struggle to emerge from its protective covering is perhaps the most critical step in the butterfly’s preparation for its new life of flight.  Without the struggle, the butterfly will never be capable of flight.

Compare this process to your own life.  Are you struggling through some sort of difficulty right now?  At the moment it is impossible to envision any sort of “beauty” that could emerge from the ugliness of your circumstances.  Perhaps you long for an easy way out of your problems.  You wish that someone would come along and make everything “right” again.

But remind yourself that as you work though your challenges, you are becoming stronger.  Your “faith muscles” are being groomed and strengthened.  God will use this hardship to transform your development as a believer, and you will emerge from your trials with stronger faith than you ever would have experienced without the struggle.

Remember that you are not alone during this rough time.  God promises to be with you through every difficult circumstance.  Turn to Him and seek His guidance to help you solve your problems.  Ask Him to give you the strength to endure the trial.  Trust Him completely and know that you will come out on the other side of the challenge as a well-developed child of God, ready to face a new phase in life.

Most of all, remember that God makes everything beautiful in its own time.  Wait patiently to see the beauty that will emerge from your struggles.

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.
So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.
Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. “
James 1:2-4 MSG
Sep12

The Collector of Tears

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Rainbow at Niagra Falls Canada

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.

Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

Is anyone crying?  God is listening.

In fact He cherishes you so much that He catches each one of your tears with tender compassion and records them in His ledger.  Not one tiny tear goes unnoticed by God.  You are precious to Him, and He cares deeply about your pain.

“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says:  I have heard your prayer and seen your tears;”

Isaiah 38:5b (NIV)

If you are overwhelmed with a heavy burden of sorrow, grief, regret or heartache, your loving Heavenly Father promises to be close to you.  He keeps a watchful eye on His children, and His ears hear your faintest cries.  He comforts those who are crushed in spirit.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. “

Psalm 34:  17-18 NIV

If you are brokenhearted, you are not alone in your agony; the Lord is right there beside you.  He knows your most private anguish.  So when you feel like no one cares or understands, remember that God sees your weeping and hears your cries.  He keeps an account of your sorrows and collects each precious tear.  God even promises that those tears, like tiny seeds, will one day reap a harvest of joy!

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5

 “The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;” Isaiah 25:8b

Aug29

Refreshment For Your Soul

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Peaceful Waters

“…He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.”

Psalm 23:2b-3a(NIV)

The 23rd Psalm beautifully illustrates our relationship with the Lord, describing Him as our gentle Shepherd who lovingly and tenderly provides for the all the needs of His sheep.  When we follow the lead of our Good Shepherd, He will guide us in the direction that is best for our lives. 

If you are weary from life ~ perhaps worn down from hard work, or weak from illness, or drained from mourning a loss, or exhausted from battling a difficult relationship, or tired from too many sleepless nights,or anxious from financial concerns, or fearful of dangerous living conditions ~ follow the lead of your loving Shepherd.  He is gently guiding you by peaceful streams so that you can take a long, cool drink of refreshment for your soul. He knows your every need, and He cares for you.  Follow Him to the path that directs you right into His loving arms.  Our loving Shepherd would never guide you to the stagnant waters of filth or corruption, nor dangerous, rolling rapids, nor a roaring, tumultuous sea.  His quiet waters are peaceful and calm.  He longs for you to take a soul-refreshing sip of His Living Water. Taste of His goodness and know the quiet contentment of His divine nourishment.

 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42:2a(NIV)

 O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for you.

Psalm 63:1(NIV)

 Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Psalm 34:8a(NIV)

Aug27

Unseen Footprints

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Your path led through the sea,

Your way through the mighty waters

though Your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 77:19 (NIV)

Maybe you don’t have an army chasing you like the Israelites did after Moses led them out of Egypt, but you may find yourself ensnared by a situation in which you feel hopelessly trapped.  Perhaps you feel that your back is against the wall, and it is impossible to escape from your circumstances.

When the Israelites were cornered against the Red Sea, they were terrified and felt doomed.  Moses calmed their fears with these words, “Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”  (Exodus 14:13a, 14)

If you feel doomed by your circumstances and see no possible means of escape, pray and ask God to intervene on your behalf.  The same powerful Hand that parted the sea for the Israelites can provide a pathway out of your trouble.  Don’t be afraid; don’t panic.  God can open up a way out for you.  Simply stand firm in your faith and watch the deliverance God will bring you.  Follow His unseen footprints…

“But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”  Exodus 14:29

Aug26

The Light of Life

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Sunrise Amelia April 2006 021

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

“I amthe Light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

 In a darkened room, the flickering flame of one small candle can illuminate the entire space.  On a grander scale, God used a pillar of fire at night to guide the people of Israel through the wilderness.  As they roamed through the desert on their journey to the Promised Land, they never had to take a step in darkness.  When the pillar of fire moved, they followed.  It was an ever-present symbol of God’s presence, protection and guidance in their lives.

 Jesus came to illuminate the darkness of the entire world.  He brought God’s presence, protection and guidance to each one of us.  Do you follow the Light of Life?  Is He the light of your world?