"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 question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!
And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!
Today's word: refuge
What does the word refuge mean to you?
What do you need/want refuge from?
How does God provide refuge for you?
Let me know what you think!!
"The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you..." (Deuteronomy 33:27, NLT)
"May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:12, NIV)
"...you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat." (Isaiah 25:4, NLT)
"...let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy." (Psalm 5:11, NLT)
"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7, NLT)
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me..."
(2 Samuel 22:2-3, NLT)"So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." (Hebrews 6:8, NLT)
DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:
God will protect you because He will answer your cries of distress; He is bending down, compassionate and interested in your prayer. Believe in your heart that God will use His power to protect you. When you look to God with expectation, you receive the protection you so desperately seek...God is willing and able to protect you faithfully. He is the only One who can truly shield and protect you, so lay your cares at His feet.
*Protect me as the apple of Your eye - hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..."
(Psalm 17:6-8, NIV)
(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)
"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 really like Hebrews 6:8.....God giving us His promise and His oath.....I love that he is my refuge, my protected, shelter, my place of safety.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Sharon! I love the image of refuge, and of God 'bending down' to hear me. Just like I would kneel before my children to zip up a coat, or have them tell me a secret. That he comes to me, and covers me with his presence and grace...now THAT'S refuge!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to make God my 'go-to' instead of the louder voices that cry out in my head. Those words don't offer me refuge, that's for sure. It's good to know the difference. Better to heed it!
Have a wonderful weekend my friend. Love coming here!
Ceil
Refuge, a place of safety, to retreat in times of trouble and stress. I like the thought of being hidden in the shadow of His Wings. Have a truly blessed weekend Sharon
ReplyDeleteI like how Nita defined refuge; mine would have been similar. I am so glad that God is my refuge!!
ReplyDeletebetty
Refuge is the place where I run when I want to hide in safety. That's all I've got for you this morning.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that popped into my head....a soft place to fall. That's what He is to me...Hugs Sharon...hope your weekend is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Sharon, Beautiful Word and Name of God (one of my favorite) but I don't think I have done this one (yet) but I think it's coming still in a group of others similar (fortress, strong tower, shelter) ...
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "refuge" in Scripture, I usually see it with "strength" and also "protection" (Psalm 91 and 46 are my favorite for this word). Now thanks to you and your verses, I have many more (lol)...
Refuge (for me is a place of protection, safe, covered, and comfortable). My pine acreage in MN is this for me and many woodland creatures (like the deer). Looks kinda like your photo to the right (except not where the paths have been cleared). The deer come here to camouflage, munch on whatever they find, lick the slat blocks and water (when I'm there) or corn in the shelter (that use to be for the horses) and for protection from the hunters. A place to rest and catch their breath.
If you can believe I just came upon a study by Kathy Howard on God as My Refuge (only have the sample for now)... it's the place, I need for such a season as this. It's a place to feel safe from troubled times and comfort for a heart that aches or is broken, in need of mending.
I need "refuge" from the world often. The troubles in my life, my marriage, my woes and heartaches. I need refuge from the enemy or sometimes relentless pursuit of attack after attack (seemingly)... just a break from any more problems to face. A time to regroup and refresh. Many times a chance to rest. Back home, a place to enjoy God's presence and His beauty in nature. (I guess here also but I don't really have a place of my own). The beach can be a refuge but usually there are too many people to enjoy the solitude of the refuge there except if I find a place in the cleft of the rocks and take refuge from the waves and the people (but it's been a long time since I've done that or ventured out like that)...
So God provides that Refuge for me (right where I'm at)... whenever I collapse into His arms, into His Presence, into the soft comfort of His lap ...away from it all. Just He and I! In prayer time or in time of rest! He is there, He is My Refuge!
God gives me this place of security! This is what I so need: Security I find only in Him! (when that is shaken, I feel like all is crumbling around me) I rely on God as My Refuge more often than I can count these days.
If Karen's book was not as expensive as your 365 C. Tiegren devotional(he has so many but I wanted to get the one you shared in the beginning of the year and once in awhile in your Fan the Flames), I may have gotten it ... but I save them on my wish list until I can choose or decide. Enjoying getting away from it all, reading a good book or more... and asking God what He thinks. God soothes and calms me in that sweet place of Refuge. Thinking of putting on some music and enjoying Him as My Refuge today!!!
My Ma'on (Hebrew) machaseh or machseh: refuge, shelter
Strong's Concordance
My favorite Psalm 91:
Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
My prayer for both of us (all of us)! Love, hugs, and thanks for fanning my flame and keeping me loved and focused ... I'm so blessed by you.
Peace,
Peggy
refuge...the place in my heart where I go to refuel. It might be a walk outside with nature and communing with God. My refuge in Him restores my soul...my soul gets tired and I need refuge!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read that scripture tonight. (2 Tim.1:6-7)
I am anxious about a Dr. appt. tomorrow, and I have often remembered that scripture at times like this....Perhaps that is why I did not read this post until tonight...God knows what we need & when!
Blessings and Love~ Lisa
The song comes to mind -- There is a calm a sure retreat; tis found beneath the mercy seat. It's my refuge!
ReplyDeleteRefuge for me is God saying, "I Am your home" ... on earth and in heaven. Something I hang on to more and more.
ReplyDelete