EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE...

…makes a man (or woman?) healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Except for me.

In my case, this little adage might read more like this:

"Late to bed, early to rise
Makes one cranky, grumpy, with puffy eyes."

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.

Never have been – probably never will be.

So, it's no surprise that most mornings, the first thing that pops into my head is this sentiment:

"I do not wish to face this day."

Most days, there's no real reason to feel this way.

Most days, the calendar is free.  There's no impending root canal, no looming tax appointment – most days I am relatively healthy, most days are sunny.

However, if you are a person beleaguered by anxiety, most days arrive with an aura of doom about them.

I hate my anxiety.

You see, anxiety does not require a REASON for the feelings it generates.

It doesn't need to make sense, it just needs to make fear.

Sure, there have been a few mornings when I received a phone call with unsettling or scary news.  There have been days where something scheduled has brought legitimate anxiety.

I have been sick.  There has been cloudy or rainy or snowy weather.

But, most days there is NO. GOOD. REASON.

Just a free-floating sense of dread – like I'm waking up just to wait for the phone call or the piece of mail or the "event" that I'm so afraid will happen – to happen.

Hence, most days I just want to roll over and go back to sleep.  To escape reality.

Does this sound like a victorious Christian?

It doesn't to me.

But, unfortunately…it DOES sound like me.


When I think of the way that we believers are supposed to face the day, I think of this verse:

"This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it." 
(Psalm 118:24)

A great verse, yes.  But a verse that usually makes me feel guilty – because I am not rejoicing.

So, in an effort to assuage my sense of guilt, and in an effort to find out how I just might actually rejoice – I have decided to study this verse more closely.


First of all, who wrote this verse?

Interestingly enough, the writer of this psalm is anonymous.

I kinda like that idea.

It isn't David, or Solomon, or Moses, or Asaph – or one of the other named psalm writers.

It's just an unnamed person – a person just like you or me.


Second, that means that we don't know exactly when this psalm was written.

However, my research indicates that is was most likely written after the return from the Babylonian exile.

I find that interesting.

This was a psalm written after a terrible time in the history of the nation of Israel.

This was written by someone who had endured the pain of being forced from their homeland, taken against their will to a foreign and pagan nation, subjugated to harsh and difficult circumstances.

This was a person, in my opinion, who had experienced anxiety.

And now, this person had experienced a miraculous homecoming.  An unexpected and exciting return to Israel.  (Maybe the feeling could be compared to a POW being freed, and brought home to America after a war).

Joy, yes – unmitigated joy at newfound – RE-found – freedom.


So, finally this brings me to the issue of context.

What was the context of this verse?

Well, much of my research pointed out that this verse is often taken out of context.  It is usually understood just like I have always understood it – referring to the new day.  In other words, TODAY – the day that God has given us.  And so, we should rejoice in it.

Yes, that's true, but Psalm 118 is actually talking about the work of God in Christ, and the future day when God will lay His foundation stone – the Lord Jesus – the Stone that will bring salvation.

So, let's read the two verses that precede Psalm 118:24:

"The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.  This is the LORD's doing, and it is wonderful to see."

NOW…we read Psalm 118:24:

"THIS is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Indeed.

The day of the coming Messiah was a day that the nation of Israel had looked toward for centuries.  And this psalmist, after recently returning from exile, perhaps had this future day of salvation on his mind like never before.

He had just experienced a foretaste of that future day of rescue.

Freed from an evil and powerful nation, returned to where he belonged, he looked deeper into his feelings of exultation.

He looked forward to the day of the Lord's ultimate salvation.


So, I'm looking at this verse in a whole new way.

"THIS is the day the LORD has made…"

Well, my friends, that day is  Resurrection Day!

And that is truly a day to rejoice and be glad.

And also, because of that day, every other day you or I will ever face is forever changed.

There are no "bad" days – in the sense that nothing that ever happens now can affect us eternally.  

Every day is clothed in the protection and the promise of salvation.


We were saved on THAT DAY from a world ruled by the evil one.

We were saved on THAT DAY from slavery to sin.

We were saved on THAT DAY from the fear and the power of death.

We were saved on THAT DAY to ensure a future homecoming to where we belong.

We were saved on THAT DAY to live forever in the Presence of God.


Ahhh, I'm smiling.  Are you?

Sure, there are going to be days when the last thing I want to do is rejoice. I'm going to wake up in a bad mood, or life is going to be out of hand, or I might be plagued with sorrow or guilt or overwhelming anxiety.

But…

(And this is the crucial crux of everything…)

…because of THAT day, each new day is a day to love and serve God.

Because of THAT day, each new day is a day to remember that I no longer belong to this world, I am no longer controlled by sin, I am no longer a prisoner of death.

So.

This perspective radically changes my thinking.

Yes, I probably will wake up many mornings with this sentiment:

"I do not wish to face this day."

But, because of THAT day, I can now add this:

"But Lord, because of Your gift of salvation, I need not fear today or tomorrow.  For I am securely wrapped in Your love, and I face nothing alone.  Whom then, what then, shall I fear?"

And because of THAT day, every day that I wake up on this earth is just another day closer to the day when I wake up and see Him face-to-face.

Ahhh, I'm smiling.

Are you?!

God himself will be with them.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
All these things are gone forever.

"And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!... It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.'" (Revelation 21:5-6)



How does THAT DAY, the day of salvation, change your perspective on today?


(SIDENOTE:  Today I am honored to be a guest on ENCOURAGE 24/7, a wonderful website hosted by Tracy.  Please feel free to visit and read my post about "EN-couragement."


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Promise

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: promise

What is a promise?

Have you ever had someone break a promise to you?  How did you feel?

How can we know that a promise made by God will come true?

What is the one promise of God's that means the most to you?  Why?


Let me know what you think!!


"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."  (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I TOLD YOU SO...

I've been a believer for a long, long time – practically all of my life – (over 50 years for those of you who are counting…and stop counting!)

And sometimes, a *seasoned* believer can think that there's nothing new under the sun. The Bible stories are very familiar, the characters are like old friends, doctrine is solid – and though we might not think we know it all, we may think we've heard it all.

But – and I just love this – God still has a way of surprising us.

You see, I truly believe that the Word of God is the WORD of God.  It is a living thing, full of God's inspired words.  And there is always something new to hear…

So, a few weeks ago, it was Easter Sunday.

A blessed day, a day of celebration indeed.

And I was expecting to hear the familiar story about the resurrection.  Notice I said *familiar* – as in, I love the story but I've heard it so often that I could probably recite it myself.

Except for this Resurrection Sunday.

For one thing, our pastor gave a message that was innovative, refreshing, inspiring.  Instead of telling us about the empty tomb, he told us what God had said to him from the empty tomb.

It was powerful.

But, the thing that really, really hit me – and the thing that I am still pondering – is something I heard in Scripture.  Something leaped off the page, and spoke…

Let me quote it here, with the part that spoke to me underlined:

"He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." (Matthew 28:6, NLT)


What struck me is this – Jesus did what He said He would do.

He fulfilled His own prophecy.

You see, for centuries, the prophets had made many predictions about the coming Messiah.  And, when Jesus arrived, He fulfilled every single one of them.

That is nothing short of amazing.

But, Jesus also made a prediction.  He predicted His own death – and He foretold His Resurrection.

And that prophecy came true, too.

That is nothing short of a miracle.

But it was the phrase – "just as he said he would" – that reverberated in my soul.

If Jesus said He would rise from the dead – if He promised it would happen, AND IT DID – then we can believe EVERY SINGLE PROMISE He ever made!

For some reason, this is what hit me like a lightning bolt.

Jesus said it – it happened.

Jesus rose from the dead – JUST. AS. HE. SAID. HE. WOULD.

This excites me as I think about it.

If the craziest, most improbable, most extraordinarily supernatural thing actually happened – then Jesus will do everything else He predicted and promised for us!


So, what else did He promise?

What else will surely happen?


Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God!

He will never leave us or forsake us!

We will never die – we will conquer death through His LIFE!

He is preparing a place for us!

We will inherit the Kingdom of God as His children!

One day, we will see Him again face to face!

We will live in His Presence forever!


Think of it!

Think of everything that Jesus said about us, everything He said to us.  Every prediction, every promise.

It is ALL. GOING. TO. COME. TRUE!

Yes, of course, I have always believed these promises.  But, for some reason, this Resurrection Sunday they all sounded fresh and new to me.  It was as if I heard Jesus say them *personally* to me.

They came alive – as I experienced the weight and glory of His resurrection more powerfully than ever before.


I felt like one of the two on the road to Emmaus, seeing Him for the first time after the resurrection.

Sometimes we have to read between the lines of Scripture, and feel the excitement, the amazement of the moment.

And I wonder if it was all as hushed and somber as it sometimes feels to me.  I wonder if our Lord might have said, with a twinkle in His eye:

"I told you we would meet again!"

And maybe, just possibly, He grinned from ear-to-ear for a moment before He disappeared.


"Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'" (Luke 24:31-32)


I'll tell you what – MY heart is burning within me!

And one day, when all the predictions and promises have come true, and I see the Lord Jesus, my precious Savior, face-to-face…

He might just say to me, with a twinkle in His eye…

"I told you so!!"


Praise the Risen Lord!

HE SAID IT.

I BELIEVE IT.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

They will see his face... 

What is one promise that comes alive for you today?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Honor

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: honor

What does it mean to honor someone?

If your parents are alive, in what ways can you honor them?  (If not, how would you honor the elderly you know in your life?)

What else does Scripture say about whom we should honor?

What does it mean - in practical, action-oriented ways - to honor God?


Let me know what you think!!


"...I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me." (1 Samuel 2:30, NLT)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

PASSING THE BATON

I love watching relay races.

I hate watching relay races – if I care about the outcome!

They make me nervous!

Those terrifying moments when the baton is passed – three times! – is enough to make the heart stop.

Back in the day, "The Hub" was a runner.

And he was fast – very fast.  Since I went to school with him, I can remember watching him run relay races.  He always ran in the *anchor* position.  That was the last position, and it was reserved for the fastest runner on the relay team.

And, that *fastest runner* was "The Hub."

Oh, how he ran!

His face strained forward, his hair flew, his arms pumped, and his legs covered distance like a train barreling down the track.  I saw him take a minor lead and turn it into a huge lead at the finish line.  I saw him in "even" races where he nosed out the competition.  And, I have seen him overcome a huge come-from-behind deficit and win!

Like I said, he was fast.

However, in a relay race, speed isn't the only thing.  There is also an element of finesse involved.

Baton-passing is an art.

I am thinking about baton-passing this morning.

You see, things have changed in the last few weeks with my parents.  My dad has fallen multiple times, and a couple of weeks ago, he fell badly.  And, on top of that, both of my parents got very, very sick.

So, my brother, sister, and I decided it was time to step in – to have more of a presence in their daily life.  This is the beginning of a new phase in all of our lives.

There just comes a time when the baton passes on to another generation.

It requires timing, concentration, sensitivity, and teamwork.

Let me tell you, it's a delicate dance.

Especially when there's quite a bit of *pushback* from those baton-passing parents.  They (my dad) are kinda holding on tightly.  It's tough – batons don't get passed if the forerunner doesn't let go!

We're working on it.

As I think about this, I am also thinking about Jesus.

He spent three years with the disciples.  Can you even imagine how intense those three years must have been?  He was their leader, their shepherd, their caretaker.  The disciples relied on Him.  They turned to Him for advice, and counsel, and guidance.

He was like a parent to them in many ways.

And then, the time came when He was going to leave them.

God bless those disciples – they didn't really *get it* at first.  But when they did, I think it was shocking and disturbing – their Lord was leaving them??

It was time for the baton to be passed.

Jesus said these words to them:

"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  (from Matthew 28:18-20)


I wonder what they felt like.

I'm thinking they felt much like I do.  Scared, overwhelmed, inadequate.

I'm really used to having my parents be *top dog* – I am uncomfortable with taking on new responsibilities.

But, here we are.

And I am thinking, too, about the fact that Jesus has also passed on the baton – not just to His twelve disciples – but also on to me (and you!)

He uttered "The Great Commission" to all of us.

My first reaction is "What was He thinking??"

How could He trust something so important – spreading the Gospel of His life-saving message – to HUMANS?!  Fallible, stumbling, sinful humans??

But He did.

He passed the baton.

At just the right time.

So, though I am often uncomfortable with the responsibilities of being a representative of Christ, a bearer of His Good News – and though it's most often an overwhelming task – I am comforted and encouraged and strengthened by what Jesus said:

"I am with you always…"

That's the secret.

It is Jesus who helps me as I enter this new phase of taking care of my parents.  It is Jesus who helps me hold on to the baton tightly, and gives me the power to run my part of the race.

And it is Jesus who helps me spread His message to the world.

Let's run, friends!

With determination, with perseverance, with faith.


I don't know about you, but I'm going for a world record!!

The Light Passes On and On... 

"And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." 

(Hebrews 12:1)

"Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you." (Deuteronomy 5:16)

What *new race* is God calling you to run in your life?


(SIDENOTE: My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who were affected by the terrible events at the Boston Marathon.  Words can never express my sorrow.  May we dedicate ourselves to spreading the Good News about a loving God who did something about this fallen world.)


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Relationship

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: relationship

What is the meaning of the word relationship?

What makes a relationship different than an acquaintance?

What does it mean to be in a relationship with God?

How can you nourish and enhance your relationship with God?


Let me know what you think!!


"You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you." (Exodus 34:14)

"So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God -- all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God." (Romans 5:11)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

PRAYING ABOUT THE DUMB STUFF

Prayer.

It's serious business, right?

At least that's what I've always thought.

Deep, important – might I say, pious – communication with God.

In fact, I've always sorta categorized prayer – and, without necessarily meaning to, I've *ranked* it, too.

For instance:

There are the "arrow" prayers – the two-second prayers – like "Help me!" or "Save me!"

Then there are the "formula" prayers – like a favorite bedtime prayer, such as "Now I lay me down to sleep…"  Or a prayer that you might say before a meal – (I've always been a fan of "Rub-a-dub-dub, God bless the grub!")

I've alway thought of those as *fluffy* prayers.

Then there are the more *serious* prayers – like the ones you'd say in front of people, or the ones you'd say during your quiet time.

But, the most important prayers, in my opinion, are the "long" prayers.

These are the prayers uttered by *prayer warriors*.

I've heard of people who have spent an hour (or more) praying.  I've even heard of people who literally lay prostrate on the floor in prayer.

Truth be told, I admire them.  I wish to emulate them.

But, I've never really considered myself a warrior.  I'm more like an enlisted man, a private – (maybe one of those guys who blows the bugle in the background somewhere).

[Sidenote: Isn't it funny how we humans have a need to rank stuff?  We do the same with sin.  There's the "fluffy" stuff like a little white lie – and then there's the "serious" stuff like murder].

But, I digress.  

So, today I'm thinking about those *rankings*.

Fluffy or serious.

And I'm thinking about all the dumb stuff I pray about.

Do you do that?

I know I sure do.

But what constitutes dumb stuff?


Well, here's a list of some of the recent dumb things I've prayed about:

To get a parking place.

To lose some weight.

To find something that I've misplaced.

For the kitchen knobs and pulls to show up soon.

For a headache to go away.

To get our taxes done on time.

To fall asleep.


I could think of many other things, because I pray about dumb stuff all the time.  But, I got to wondering about this the other day.  Should I be praying about these things?  Are they a waste of my time?

Are they a waste of God's time?

But who am I to categorize prayer?  Who am I to rank (judge??) the levels of communication?

Who am I to determine what God likes hearing?

Does He only want *serious* prayers?

And does He enjoy the words of serious *pray--ers* more than hearing from me?

(Those were rhetorical questions – I'm pretty sure the answer is NO!)


I got to thinking about how my sons communicate with me.

Do I rank their conversation as fluffy, formula, or serious?

Do I judge their words as important or dumb?

Do I only want to hear from them when they've got something *meaty* to say?

Certainly not!

I just want to hear from them!!


God is the same way.

Sometimes I'll have those big, important, *serious* conversations.

And sometimes all I'll be able to manage is an arrow prayer – (or maybe even a "Rub-a-dub-dub…")

More often than not, I'm pretty sure I'll be praying about dumb stuff.

But here's the thing – most of the day I'll be talking to God – including Him in the details of my life.

The meaty and the mundane.

And, after all, isn’t that what matters most?

(That was a rhetorical question – I'm pretty sure the answer is YES!)


So, this is my conclusion –

God is in the details.

He cares about anything and everything I want to say to Him.

He's just waiting to hear from me.  PERIOD.

And so, when I say these words:

"Lord…"

I just know that He says:

"Ah yes, my dear Sharon, what's on your mind?  Tell me all about it…"


So talk to God, my friends.

He loves hearing from us.

Fluffy or serious…

…even the dumb stuff.

"Nothing is too small for God."

- A quote from one of my mountain friends!

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion."  (Ephesians 6:18)

"Never stop praying."  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)



Is there anything you're not sharing with God because you think it's too trivial?



Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE ENEMY STRIKES

Spam.

I have come to despise that word.

I've been reading lately in Blog Land about a recent (and annoying) influx of *fake comments* that are infiltrating our beloved blogs.

So far, I thought I had escaped.

But, in the last couple of weeks, I've had a few pesky (and annoying) comments "sneak past" Blogger's spam filtering system.  (I'm not going to get snide here – but honestly, spam filters should actually WORK, right???)

These comments were obvious attempts to get me to click on over to some random website - (not a *real* blog, mind you).

Oh, they were sneaky.

One complimented the great content of my blog.  (Working on the flattery angle evidently…)

One said I was having browser viewing problems.   (Working on the fear angle evidently…)

But, the other night, I was attacked.

That's my word for it.  Let me tell you why.

First of all, let me set things up a bit.

It had been a very long day.

Late in the afternoon the previous day, I had made the long trek down the hill.  Woke up to a day full of activity.  Errands in the morning, a long hair appointment, and then a fun jaunt up the freeway to go to a hockey game with my oldest son…during rush hour…to Los Angeles.  (For those of you who live in Southern California, you'll understand.  For those of you who don't, picture billions of cars moving an inch at a time for almost 1½ hours).

It was a very exciting, but very close game.

Let me tell you, I really, really love hockey.  And I really, really get into the game.

So, a very close game is emotionally draining for me!  Fortunately, our team won.  But it was a touch-and-go battle.  Phew…

Then, son and I had to stop and get something at a Walmart on the way home.  (I didn't know that Walmart stayed open until midnight in some places).  I was tired, yes, but shopping with my oldest is a treat.  He’s very funny, and we always get the giggles.

Then we had to finish our yakking when we pulled into the driveway. Suffice it to say, that I finally walked in the door at 12:30 AM.

I'm not sure what made me check my blog.

Well, actually, I totally believe it was a God thing.

"Oh," I thought to myself, "I got another comment today."

So, I went to read it.

SPAM.

But, this comment was different.  It was full of terrible words and impure thoughts and lewd suggestions.  (Working on the filth angle evidently…)

I. WAS. SHOCKED.

Stunned by what I was seeing.

Like I said, I felt attacked.

I quickly deleted the comment, and then logged in to remove all traces of this disgusting invasion.

I worried, too.

What if someone read that comment?  I know that people would quickly realize that it was something that I had no control over, and that it was an unabashed attempt to discredit the Christian content of my blog.

But still…

I was chagrined to think that anyone might have been exposed to such awful language.  (If you were, I really am so very sorry…)

After I deleted the comment, I simply looked at the computer screen and muttered:

"Hello, Mr. Satan."

(Spam, as defined in Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary):

S atan
P ersecuting
A ttacking
M aligning

I had trouble sleeping for a while, and I have a feeling that I'll be watching my blog like a hawk for quite a long time.  If it keeps up, I'm going to have to enable comment moderation.  Thank goodness that we have that option!

But, I was mostly kept awake thinking about how ugly our enemy 
can be.

Prince of the power of the air (Internet) indeed.

I was reminded of the scene when Jesus confronted a demon – (I like the way The Message relates the story):

"Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.  They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.  In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'
  
'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.  All the people were amazed and said to each other, 'What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!'

And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area."  

(Luke 4:33-37, MSG)


An attack.

An attack against the words of Jesus.

And in a way, an insight into the way that followers of Jesus will also be attacked.

Persecuted.  Maligned.  Belittled.

Perhaps even "smut-splattered" by Spam comments.

The father of lies is all about conducting a *smear campaign* against the Lord.  And, because of our association with Him, the enemy is going to go after us, too.

So, what to do?

Well, what we always do.  We pray, we put on our armor – and we fight back.

I have been praying for all of us who seek to spread the Good News in Blog Land.  I have been praying for a hedge of protection to surround us.  I have asked God to guard the words He speaks through us.  I have prayed for God's courage – so that we might not be dismayed, or discouraged, or defeated.

I have prayed for the power of The Word to overcome.

And, of course, it will.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8, NLT)


That night, as I finished talking to the Lord, as I turned over to go to sleep, I heard the words that He seems to be speaking to me lately – over and over again:

"Don't be afraid."

OK, Lord.

Fight for me.  Fight for all of us who seek to honor and glorify You in this place called Blog Land.

And I believe this is His strong response:

"I got this one.  Rest easy, dear ones.  I will not be thwarted."

Yes, Lord.

Let it be so.


"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." 
(Isaiah 55:11, NLT)

That Wily Serpent

How do you fight back against the enemy?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"