When the Missile Hits the Mark

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of

whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 17:1 (NIV)

For two weeks the Lord had been preparing me for the missile attack. At first, I thought the Scriptures that jumped out at me during my prayer time were intended for someone else.

My Bible fell open to Isaiah 41:10 “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.” I thought of a friend who was going through a struggle with a loss and sent the Scripture with a note of encouragement.

On another day I read “Psalm 17:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” and emailed it to a teacher who was battling a group of students who had no desire to learn but every desire to bully.

And on another day my devotion was 2 Chronicles 20:15 “…This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”

Suddenly it occurred to me that my Father was preparing ME for something in which I was going to have to totally and completely rely on Him and trust Him to handle. I was right.

The day after  my devotion reminding me that the battle ahead was not mine, but God’s, the missile of slander came out of nowhere and with deadly precision hit its mark in the middle of the intended target: me.

The comments made were designed to hurt and to cast doubt as to my character but were made anonymously which eliminated any way of correcting what was said or confronting the offender.

I knelt beside my bed, wounded and confused at the obvious intent to cast doubt on my witness. “Why, Lord?” I cried. “I’ve tried all these years to do what you would have me do. Why is this happening?”

In the quietness of the morning, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart: “When did I ever tell you that it would be easy . . . following me? Remember what I told you? Your strength is in Me. Do not be afraid. I will do battle for you, just as I have . . . all these years.”

Have you been attacked today? Perhaps the comments of someone you do not know have reached your ears. Or maybe you have felt the sting from a dear friend who spoke your name in an unkind way.

Whatever it may be, rest assured that we have a Father who understands and who encourages us to hold on to Him as He continually and faithfully does battle in our place.

            Father, thank you. For being strong for us when we are weak and for holding on to us when we have no strength on our own. For preparing us for what is to come and for allowing us to watch as you battle in our place. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• What is your immediate reaction when someone says something completely false about you?

• Do you mentally make a “get even” list and store it for future reference or do you forgive and trust the Lord to battle for you?

Application

• Memorize one of the power verses below and repeat it back to yourself when you have been shot at and/or hit with a missile.

• Share what has happened with a trusted prayer warrior and ask for wise counsel and prayer to determine if any steps need to be taken.

Power Verses

• Psalm 17:1 (NIV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

• Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) “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.”

• 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV) “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”  

Quiet on the Set!

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . ."

Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

I was watching a documentary on how movies are made, from beginning to end. But what was most interesting to me was what happened before the actual taping of each scene.

Activity on the set was crazy! There were last minute makeup and hair touch ups as one person ran over to straighten a collar on an actor while lighting was corrected and props moved to their correct position by two more workers. It reminded me of ants scurrying to find cover as rain began to pour on their home.

Then, suddenly, four short words were spoken and everything immediately changed: “Quiet on the set!” Instantly there was complete silence. After several seconds, an assistant yelled “Action!” and everyone focused on one goal: to film the scene.

It reminded me of how my life is - a lot of the time. There are Bible studies and speaking engagements and writing deadlines and retired teacher meetings and doctor appointments and meals to prepare and laundry to wash.

There are groceries to buy and a lawn to be mowed and oil to be changed in my car. There are walls to paint and kids to pick up from school and ball games and email and Facebook. And on and on and on . . .

None of those activities are bad but when I do not take the time to first simply stop and listen to the Lord – to be “Quiet on the set!” and acknowledge Him as the Creator of the Universe – then I completely miss what His “Action!” is for me for the day.

Friends, my plea to you today is this: before one activity is begun, before you make your to-do list with everything that has to be addressed, climb out of your bed and kneel down and simply say “Lord, here I am…still before you, acknowledging you as my God, my Father, my Daddy, my Creator. I am yours. My day is yours. Please direct my day to focus on you.”

            I promise you that God will give you clear direction as you look to Him and become “quiet on the set.”

Lord, each day is yours, from beginning to end. I am still before you now, asking that you direct my every thought and action this day and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Do you ever have those days where your list of activities to get done gets longer instead of shorter and you don’t seem to accomplish anything?

• Did you seek the stillness of the presence of the Lord before you addressed that list?

Application

• Make your list of activities for the day and lay it on your kitchen table and lay your Bible on top of it.

• Sit silently before the Lord for two minutes as you ask Him to direct those activities and your path for the day. Listen for His answers through His Word.

Power Verses

• Psalm 37:7 (NIV) “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”

• Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “Be still and know that I am God.”

• Philippians 4: 6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Deal With It!

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my

cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear

to me, I will call on him as

long as I live.”

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

My husband and I had taken our three children on a mini-vacation to visit family in another state. There wasn’t a lot of time to do very much but the one activity that everybody loved was to go to the local swimming pool.

 Our three kids were part fish and never missed an opportunity to swim, no matter where they were. Off we drove late one afternoon with four adults, six children, inner tubes, towels, goggles and sun screen but we had forgotten one very important thing: the closing time for the pool.

We walked up to the counter, money in hand. But instead of letting us pay and go on in, the two pool managers began a lively debate on how much to charge or whether they should even let us in since it was almost closing time.

Finally, one girl turned to the other one and said “I’m really too busy for this so…deal with it!” and walked off.

The manager who was left looked at us for a few seconds, sighed, and then said “I just don’t have the time to deal with you either. There’s no point in your coming in since we close in a few minutes.” and turned away, leaving us standing with everything we needed to swim except permission to enter.

How thankful I am that when I approach my Heavenly Father in prayer, He has never said “You got yourself into this situation so deal with it!” and turned His back in dismissal.

Not once have I knelt before God, only to have Him say “Permission to enter refused, Nancy. I have too many other things much more important than you. Come back tomorrow when I’m open between the hours of 10 and 2 and I’ll try to work you in.”

David knew about calling on the name of God. In Psalm 34:15 we read David praising the Lord for being “attentive” to his cries for help and then thanking Him for His answers when he cried out loud to the Lord in Psalm 3:4.

David never got a busy signal or a recorded voice nor was he ever told to “deal with it.” Instead he got a Father who not only heard his cries for help but answered!

The great news is, we have that same access today to our Creator. He longs for us to come before Him with every praise, every problem, every sorrow, every situation. Not only does He hear our voices but He is attentive to each word that we utter in His presence.

Call on Him today. He longs to “deal with” everything you bring before Him and you will never be turned away.  

Father, I praise your name for being a God who desires to have us come before you with every detail of our lives. Thank you for your faithfulness in hearing our prayers and answering our needs. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever experienced a situation similar to the one in today’s devotion?

• How did it make you feel to be told that you and your situation were not important enough to be addressed?

Application

• Journal prayer requests that you bring before the Lord along with the date.

• As God answers each prayer, write down the date and compose a praise to Him for His willingness to hear us when we call on Him.

Power Verses

• Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV) “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”

• Psalm 34:15 (NIV) “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry . . .”

• Psalm 3:4 (NIV) “To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Holding It Together

“He is before all things, and in him

all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:17 (NIV)

When our children were small, my husband and I decided to buy them a swing set. I was in favor of a simple one with one swing, a glider and a slide.

But my husband felt that with three children bigger was better and we ended up with a monster set complete with monkey bars and every swing, slide and glider known to man. 

           

Stamped on the box in huge letters were these words: “five minute assembly, instructions included.”

May I tell you that it took five minutes just to pull the parts out of the box and another 55 minutes to find all the nuts, bolts and screws that fell out on the ground? It did. And TWO days later (yes, you read that right), only the frame was assembled.

When we finally completed the job (“we” meaning my husband, his brother and two curious truck drivers who came over after delivering a dryer next door), there was some resemblance to the picture on the carton. But there were problems.

The bolts that came with the set weren’t long enough to hold the rides onto the frame and the frame itself was not sturdy enough to support one child, much less three. In addition, some important parts – like chains for the swings – were missing.

We had to reinforce the entire frame and change the bolts and screws for every ride on it, just to get it to hold together. Our five minute assembly was finally completed - in five days.

Life is like that sometimes. Instructions say one thing but reality says something totally different. Relationships that promise “forever” fall apart and no amount of reinforcement can hold them together.

A career that was supposed to have been a perfect fit until retirement crumbles to the ground without warning and we struggle to pick up all the pieces.

In today’s Scripture in Colossians 1:17, Paul shares a part of Christ’s character that is vital to us as believers. When we have lost all hope, when there is no earthly way a problem can be solved or a relationship mended, Jesus the Creator is able to hold ALL things together. Not some things. Not a few things. But ALL things.

While we know there may be times when restoration of certain situations or relationships may not occur, we also know that God remains in control.

Where are you today? Are you facing a situation that promised to be a “five minute assembly” but, weeks or months later, there is no solution in sight?

 When you cannot hold it together, call on the One who can. No instructions needed.

Father, thank you for holding my life together in your hands and keeping me on solid ground through your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like everything in your life was falling apart and you had no hope?

• Was your first reaction to take it to the Lord or to give up?

Application

• Journal a situation that you are currently facing that does not seem to have an earthly solution.

• Spend time in prayer with Jesus and ask Him to take that situation and reassemble it for His glory. Praise Him for His faithfulness in all things.

Power Verses

• Colossians 1:17 (NIV) “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

• Acts 17:28 (NIV) “For in him we live and move and have our being . . .”

• Psalm 75:3 (NIV) “When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.”

Is That An Alien?

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers

in the world, to abstain from sinful desires,

which war against your soul.”

I Peter 2:11 (NIV)

 “Light Beam on Mars Proof of Alien Life?” the article headlined this week, accompanied by a video supposedly showing a shaft of light coming from the planet’s surface.

Immediately the staunch supporters of alien life forms championed their cause and the equally strong opponents challenged every theory that was proposed concerning the light beam and aliens. And so it begins again.

It seems like we who watch from the sidelines are periodically bombarded by photos from 50 years ago to the present, touted as “absolute proof” of aliens here on earth while scoffers explain away each sighting as fake.

There seems to be a huge fascination with the idea that aliens might be living among us and we aren’t aware of their presence. We are even treated occasionally to television shows and movies that feature a community of extraterrestrials living on earth.

Can I let you in on a secret? There ARE aliens living here on earth. They are called Christ followers . . . Christians. Read today’s Scripture from I Peter 2:11 as Peter cautions us “as aliens and strangers in the world” to remember who we are and the war that we are fighting every day against “sinful desires” which battle to capture our souls. But why warn us in this way?

Peter understood the tendency for Christians to want to belong and fit in with people in the world around them. It’s an easy thing to do, isn’t it.  We hear the old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” In other words, do what you need to do to fit in, no matter where you are or who you are with at the moment.  But that is completely opposite of what the Lord wants us to do!

Have you ever traveled to another country where you did not speak the language or understand the customs? While it can be scary, we are urged – not encouraged – but urged by Peter to live every day as if we were in that foreign country and absolutely did not fit in.

For example, we should be speaking love and forgiveness when those around us are peddling hate and revenge. When the world is promoting wealth no matter the cost, we should be sharing the cost of the Cross with our neighbors.

While the media is glorifying the powerful as gods, we must be focusing on the One True God and sharing Him with the lost living in this foreign land. We must be very aware of anything that is in conflict with the Word and counter with truth from Jesus.

This is a temporary home for us, my friends. We truly must be aliens and strangers, passing through to our eternal home. I urge you today to live your life in such a way that people will look at you and say “There is absolute proof that aliens do live here on earth. They are called Christians.”

Father, I pray that I will be able to stand strong every day as I share with those around me that you are the only way to eternal life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever been tempted to do whatever you needed to do to fit in with the crowd?

• Did your decision make it clear that you were a Christian? Why or why not?

Application

• Journal situations that you are considering being a part of in your life.

• Beneath each one, write “alien” or “earthly” and back up your decisions with Scripture.

Power Verse

• I Peter 2:11 (NIV) “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”

• I Chronicles 29:15 (NIV) “We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers.”

• Matthew 10:22 (NIV) “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”