seriously....this is my life

Qualification (Daily Word)

Qualification-a condition or standard that must be complied with (as for the attainment of a privilege)

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.  Our qualification comes from God.  2 Corinthians 3:5

What are your qualifications? Let’s see I am a degreed and certified Elementary school teacher.  I’ve completed CPR training. I’m building my photography portfolio so that someday I can be qualified to bless others with my talent.  When looking for a job your resume shows your qualifications; your degree, work experience, and even recommendations from those who can attest that you are qualified for a specific job. 

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul explains that his mission to spread the Gospel doesn’t necessarily come with a resume or recommendation letters.  In fact, he would be considered the last person qualified based on his former years of persecuting Believers.  He states that his qualifications come from God.  While encouraging the ministers of the new covenant, he explains that the only letter or recommendation they need is themselves; their actions.  Do they walk the walk?  Genuine belief in Christ was and is marked by the Fruits of the Spirit reflected in life. 

Paul is teaching that we don’t need to attend seminary or fill our bookshelves with Christian titles to serve our God.  We are enabled by His Spirit to be ministers of the Good News.  This does require sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.  Oftentimes I avoid many service opportunities because I don’t feel qualified.  But, if I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to step out of my comfort zone to serve or share the Good News, I am opening myself up to experience God’s power in a new and unexpected way. 

Where have you been holding back because you don’t feel qualified?  What is the Spirit stirring in your soul that you know will require you to step out of your comfort zone?  Remember God’s will is always paired with His power.  Through Him you have qualifications that you won’t know about until you step out and rely on Him.

 

Morning (Daily Word)

Morning—the time from sunrise to noon; a period of first development

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.  Lamentations 3: 23-25

His mercies begin afresh each morning…how refreshing is that??  He doesn’t wait for a new calendar year, or a birthday, or until we get it all together to shower us with His mercies.  Each day we get a new beginning, a start over, a blank slate to glorify our God.  Mercies are defined as a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.   I don’t know about you, but this encourages me.  Failure, disobedience, sin are a daily thing for me.  I can go to bed with a laundry list of places throughout my day where I messed up.  But if I repent and recognize my shortcomings I can get a fresh start the next day.  I don’t know about you, but I love fresh starts like I love fresh sheets.  Sometimes I just have to stop and realize that my sheets are dirty before I can take the step to get them clean and back on the bed…feeling fresh and clean.

Our God knows our need for fresh starts each day, for mornings, that hold possibilities for a new day.  I have made it a priority in my life to begin each day in God’s Word, otherwise I feel like I’m beginning my day on my own power.  Here’s what my mornings typically look like.  Beginning at 6 am (ish) I wake up to an irritating alarm.  I grumble and consider snoozing it, or just turning it off, but most of the time I groggily stumble out of bed, go to the bathroom (don’t be offended…we all do it), and head to the kitchen to make the most important drink of the day, my first cup of coffee.  Then I head to my place on our loveseat and surround myself with my Bible, journal, to do list, devotionals, current Bible Study, highlighters, colored pencils, and a pen.  As I read my Bible and devotionals I am always searching for the one thing God wants me to consider for the rest of the day.  Some days it jumps off the page and applies to a recent prayer request other days I have to dig a little deeper. 

The point is this…God will give us new mercies each morning.  Who doesn’t want that at the beginning of every day?   If I begin my day watching the news, listening to secular radio, or checking Facebook, them I am not preparing my heart to welcome these mercies into my life.  I don’t believe you have to spend much time before the Lord, but in order to gain God’s perspective on your day you have to start your day with God.  If your mornings are hectic like many mornings are in many households then wake up 5 minutes earlier and read one Psalm or work on memorizing one verse.  The last part of this Scripture says that God is good when we depend on Him and search for Him.   In the mornings who or what are you depending on…searching for?  Other than my cup of coffee I hope that every morning I continue to depend on God to reveal Himself to me.

Jesus made it a priority to get up early and go spend time with His Father.  That’s humbling…if He needed this communion with God each morning don’t you think we do too? 

thoughts on discipline and cultivating a Christ-like life

Clearly I need to work on remembering ALL of the Fruits of the Spirit.  I have now added faithfulness and kindness and I double checked to make sure I included 9 of these Christ like qualities!!!  Sorry if you printed already....updated on 3/6/12

Discipline seems to be the word of the week in my life.  Maybe because the topic week 3 in my Brave Bible Study is discipline.  Discipline is such a two edged sword...we all want it, have it down in certain areas of our lives, but in other areas it's well....lacking.  I am really disciplined in some areas; having a daily quiet time, planning menus and cooking, getting dressed every day (as in not staying in my jammies all day).  But there are areas where I am totally undisciplined; exercise, buying stuff I don't need, picking up my shoes off the living room floor (Brian calls the area by our coffee table, the shoe farm!  He's so funny..ha ha). 

It seems like as soon as I gain discipline in a few areas I struggle with, other areas fall apart.  I wish I could just get it all together...once and for all.   I think we all struggle with these feelings.  No one has it all together...even the perfectionist you know.  I can be a huge perfectionist in so many ways, but I think it's because I'm attempting to fill in the areas of my life where discipline is lacking. 

I read this in my study today and had to share it with you...this totally spoke to me and gave me some relief and comfort. 

Holy Dependence

What if on this earth we will never be completely disciplined in every area of our lives at the same time?  And what if that's on purpose? A design element.  A Creator component.  An intentional decision by our God so that a holy dependence is require for us to mature toward each new place in discipline.

Maybe God allows my lack of discipline because it keeps me running to Him.  His strength is the source by which I will grow into greater discipline.  He makes me able to take the next brave step.  Maybe if I woke up tomorrow completely disciplined, perfected even, I would think more about myself and my great accomplishment and less about God and how much I need Him. 

I do not speak for God, and the Scriptures do not elaborate here, but what if a perfectly disciplined life was never God's intent?  What if He intended holy dependence for life-long growth toward Himself?

In this study, Angela Thomas also gave 10 practical steps on how to begin creating more discipline in your life.  She noted that she got this information from The Pillars of a Christian Character by John MacArthur. 

1. Start with the small things--do one thing that has been rewritten on your daily to do list over and over and over again.  For me, this was putting my Christmas dishes away.  I can tell you, that this was the first thing I did this morning after my quiet time and I fell SO much better!
2. Get yourself organized--  Thank God I am very organized, but I do have a basket of papers in my office that needs to be dealt with today or tomorrow. 
   
3. Don't constantly seek to be entertain--  The fact is there are some things we just don't want to do, but it's got to be done.  Turning off the tv during the day has completely transformed this area of my life.   I will only allow myself to watch recorded programs after I've done what needs to be done!
   
4. Be on Time--typically not my issue, but I know many people who run late all the time...it just stresses me out way too much to run late.  (if you saw a silver CX9 zipping down the beltway yesterday morning that might have been me, running late to the Pediatrician appointment, so yes, it happens in my life, but I detest it)
5. Keep your word--Let your yes be yes and your no be no.  Matthew 5:37
6. Do the most difficult (or dreaded) task first-- then it's finished and you can breath a sigh of relief
7. Finish what you start--this can be tough for me.  I tend to get lots of projects going in one day.  Scrapbooking, laundry, cooking, blogging, editing photos and of course playing with and caring for Karsten.  I think I need to learn to simplify my to do list each morning and not bite off so much.
8. Accept Correction-- "He whos ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding."  Proverbs 15:31-32
9. Practice self denial---make Godly and wise choices even though you would rather do the fun or easy thing.
10. Welcome responsibility--Grow up, make good decisions, and make a plan to live differently

 

Cultivating a Christ-like life, a huge part which is discipline, requires the fruit of the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit's presence in my life there is no way I can begin to emulate Christ.  My selfish desires will take over every time.  I will want to sleep in instead of getting up early for a quiet time.  I will have judgemental thoughts about someone instead of seeing them as Christ sees them. 

The last section of Galatians 5 speaks of the power we have through the Holy Spirit.  If you believe that Christ was crucified for your sins and then resurrected from death 3 days later and you also believe that He is the ONLY way to heaven then you are a Believer, a Christian.  When you accept this as TRUTH you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.  This week's printable is the Fruits of the Spirit.   Living out these characteristics in my life should be my daily to do list...with all of my chores at the bottom.  So, I'm going to print this out and place it several places in my house (my bathroom mirror, my kitchen counter, my office, and maybe my car) 

If you right click and save you should be able to print out a 4x6 or save it as your screen saver on your computer, or both!!!

Meditate (Daily Word)

Meditate--Think deeply or carefully about (something).

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

right click image to save and print

In the first chapter of Joshua God gives a charge to Joshua to continue what He had directed Moses to do; to lead His people into the Promised Land.  In verse 8, God tells Joshua to study the Book of Instruction continually.  But God doesn’t stop there, He tells Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night and to obey everything it says. 

How does this apply to believers today?  Meditation seems to be a popular culture word these days.  People build meditation rooms and fill them with tranquil items.  Others may meditate during yoga or sitting quietly in a dark room.  Certainly none of these ways of meditating or the places we do it are wrong.  It’s not about how, where, or when we meditate; what’s important is what we’re meditating on.  Christians are called to meditate on Scripture, but in order to meditate on them we must know them, read them, study them, and write them on our heart.

Just as Joshua was called to meditate on the Book of Instruction, so are we.  We live in a world inundated by worldly values and godless priorities.  In order that we don’t begin to accept these unrighteous standards we must guard our hearts and minds through memorizing and meditating on the Word.  What do you find yourself thinking deeply or carefully about?  Are you consumed with thoughts of worry? Anger? Bitterness? Jealousy? Hopelessness? Or maybe you’re consumed with thoughts of how to make sure that your child succeeds, or that your spouse gets that raise, or that you just feel stuck in life.  I challenge you, along with myself, to take those thoughts captive and to replace them with God’s Promises, His Truth…found in His Word. 

This will require time in His Word.  If you’re not sure where to start, begin in the Psalms.  We, as Believers, simply can’t neglect His Word---The Bible and prayers are the key to doing His Will.  We must know Him before we can know what He desires us to do.   Take some time today to read Scripture and then meditate on it.  What does it mean to your life?  How could you apply what you’re learning to your journey?   Study—Meditate—Apply

Desire (Daily Word)

Hello Wednesday!!!  It's going to be a rainy day here in Houston....a good day to stay home if you ask me!  I recently discovered a great website called Internet Cafe Devotions where they host something called Word Filled Wednesdays.  It's a place where I can link up my devotionals and Scripture printables to bless others.  I am hoping to link up every Wednesday in order to be accountable to writing at least one devotional each week.  I also hope to create a 4x6 Scripture printable to support my devotional. 

I came across this verse last week and knew it would be my next verse to memorize.  Then I came across it again last night and God confirmed that indeed I needed to etch this into my heart and mind.  Please feel free to right click and save this printable and then print it out.  I have a simple white frame, purchased at Target, that I place each weeks memory verse in.  It sits on my kitchen counter and I work on memorizing it as I wash dishes, prepare meals, and feed Karsten.  I also write my devotional on an index card to add to my index card file, but I like having something cute to look on my counter. ***I'm also adding each printable to my Project Life album***

 

Here's the devotional:

Desire: To long or hope for

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him.”  Philippians 2:13

Seeking God through a daily quiet time has consistently been a part of my routine for the past year.  Before that quiet times were consistently inconsistent.  I struggled to make it a habit—having an authentic moment with God one day and then allowing many days to pass before sitting at His feet again.

Last year I chose this verse to set the tone for the year.  “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him and He will help you.” Psalm 37:4-5 

I made a conscience effort to get up early every morning and spend time with Him.  As I did this, my desires began to fade while His desires for me became my goal.  Once our desires are aligned with His desires He gives us the power and clarity to follow through, to do what pleases Him.  This requires that we spend time with Him every day so that we can know His desires for us.  It requires that we surrender our personal dreams, plans, and desires and become obedient. His desires for us rarely allow us to stay in our comfort zone.  He will stretch and challenge us in order that we fully rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom and it takes steadfast obedience to do so. 

Last year my husband and I were waiting to adopt a baby.  We didn’t say we wanted a specific gender, but both of us thought that God would bring us a girl.  It’s what we had dreamed of for many years.  When the adoption agency called late one evening and said they had a possible match for us I asked if they knew the gender.  She said a boy and for the smallest moment I hesitated, but then I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to surrender my plans for God’s much better plan…His desires in place of my desires.  As soon as I did that I had a peace flood my body, mind, and soul and later that week we brought our beautiful son home.  There is nothing better than God’s plan for your life…His desires for us are so much better than the desires we have based on our limited knowledge.  Our son is perfect in every way and the moment I laid eyes on him I knew that God has created him just for us.

What is your heart currently desiring the most?  Is it to be married? To have a child? To find a perfect job? While none of these are bad desires I challenge you to make seeking God daily your #1 desire.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit your desires will be aligned with His desires and you will then be filled with the power to do what pleases Him.   

Obedience (Daily Word)

hello Daily Word post...it's nice to see you again!!!  I'm really trying to get back to writing devotionals...out of obedience...not because I feel like I have anything profound to say, not because I think I'm a great writer, but because God has called me to write.  He's put it on my heart and I will obey...even though I have no idea where it will lead (if it will lead anywhere or to anything)...even though I have so many other creative projects I would rather work on...and even though sometimes I feel like I have nothing to say.  Obedience---that's truly the mark of someone sold out for Christ....something I'm striving for more and more each day. Below is my "devotional" on Obedience. 

Obedience

Definition: The act or practice of obeying; dutiful or submissive compliance.

“Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all.” Psalm 65:1

“No!”  That’s what I say in a loud voice as my 9 month old approached the electric outlet.  He stops in his tracks, sits up, and then looks at me and then looks back to the outlet.  He ponders which choice to make---obedience or disobedience, his will or Mommy’s will?  At nine months old he typically chooses to crawl back to me, seeking love and attention.  It’s too bad that I often choose my own will instead of God’s Will.

Have you ever sensed God telling you, “NO” to a particular choice?  Have you ever had that gut feeling tell you to leave a situation…to flee from temptation?  Obedience or disobedience that is the decision we go back and forth between everyday of our lives.  Do I get in the gossip circle or walk away?  Do I allow my temper to take over or do I step back and allow God’s peace and perspective to guide my words? Do I spend all my money on myself or do I tithe? Do I engage that flirty guy at work or do I keep him at a distance?  Do I stay in my comfort zone or allow God's courage to propel me out of my comfort?

Without the Holy Spirit’s active presence in our life we will often take the “my road” instead of the Most High road.  Once you accept that Jesus Christ died for your sins you are filled with the Holy Spirit, but time with God is necessary to keep you attuned to His guidance in your life.  Christ demonstrated the obedient life.  He spent time in prayer in order to clearly understand God’s Will for Him.  If Christ found time with God necessary, shouldn’t it be on the top of our priority list as well.  It’s really difficult to be obedient to His Will if we haven’t spent time with Him discovering His Will.  Commitment is necessary in following Him.  This requires that we deny ourselves, resist temptation, and intentionally choose His path. 

Are you praying for change, yet not willing to change?  Is obedience to God’s Will for your life your true desire or do you just want His protection plan without being truly committed to Him at all cost?  Set aside some time for Him today and ask what you might need to give up or bring into your life so that you can begin living in obedience. 

reflections on a year of DELIGHT

I can hardly believe that another year has slipped by, but I am ever thankful that I've recorded milestones, everyday life, new beginnings, ups and downs, and the good and the bad here on my blog.  This year I made a conscience effort to delight in 5 things:

GOD'S WORD:  I can honestly say that this year I have had the most consistent quiet times; studying God's Word, applying it to my life, reflecting on His Truths, and allowing myself to stretch and grow through His Word.  I worked through many Bible Studies: One in a Million, parts of Revelation (I missed several lectures, but hope to complete the study some day), Faithful, Abundant and True, and I'm currently working through Breaking Free. I have delighted in the times I've set aside for God and can feel a change in myself.  I have a LONG ways to go, but I feel that I'm headed in the right direction.

THE EVERYDAY: I truly love my life....I am blessed beyond measure. Sometimes everyday life is mundane, sometimes it's really difficult, sometimes it's better than you could have ever imagined.  I attempted to capture glimpses of my life through my camera lens, blogging, journaling, and stepping back to take it all in.  Not everday has been fun---on Feb 14 I fell and broke my wrist, but I did delight in the fact that I didn't break a leg, or both wrists, or my neck.  It was difficult to delight in living in a teeny tiny apartment...and then to have both of our cars stolen from parking lot, but we did delight in God's protection over us.  We were unharmed, a huge drug ring was busted, and people were put in prison.  I continue to delight in being able to stay at home, care for our child, and be creative.

RELATIONSHIPS: I did put forth effort in this area, but with all of the crazy changes in our life this past year I know that those relationships that are precious to me will be a focus of 2012.  I'm finding it more challenging to cultivate relationships with girlfriends when you have a wee one, but I see that I have a deeper need for these relationships now.  

SERVING OTHERS: I can always use improvement in this area, but have felt God's grace in this area as well.  There are certain capacities of serving that come very natural to me...things I do for others that fill my soul and bring me (and hopefully God) delight.  I love cooking for others and I believe that people appreciate a homecooked meal.  I took great delight in taking photos of families in time for Christmas.  I also delight in caring my husband and child.

BECOMING A MOTHER:  I wrote this last year when unveiling my word DELIGHT  

"I know that this will be the one area that delight will pour out of me along with my energy.  When I'm in the trenches of sleepless nights and a crying baby I want to remember that God created me to be a mother...and I want to find delight in caring for the precious child He already has selected for us."

I had no idea what God had in store for us, except that He would bring us a baby in 2011.  I didn't know the sex, the temperment, how I would handle it, how Brian would handle it, if the baby would have colic, if he/she would sleep...etc.  I couldn't have selected a more perfect baby for our family.  The moment I laid eyes on Karsten I knew he was God's chosen one for our family.  Looking back on it the going to the hospital was completely surreal...I remember it, but I cannot explain how I felt.  Then when we got home and I held Karsten for the first time all I felt was love.  On my first Mother's Day was when it truly hit me that I was a Momma...I was his momma and I couldn't imagine anything better. 

He continues to delight me every single day.  His temperment and joy for life has blessed our lives in more ways than I could've ever imagined.  Although in coming years I will not choose the word delight...I will always delight in being his mother, even when he refuses eat his peas! 

USING MY TALENTS: I love creating things, photographing things, and writing about things.  I did some of this in 2011, but in 2012 I will refocus on slowing down and using my talents.  I believe that God has given me talents as a part of His purpose for me...I just need to shed off the excess in my life that I might be able to follow His dreams for me.

OTHER MOMENTS THAT BROUGHT ME GREAT DELIGHT IN 2011

Karsten's baptism

Karsten's adoption finalization

Our trip to Colorado to celebrate my 4th heart birthday and Karsten's adoption

watching the Cardinals win the World Series

having 2 of my best friends here to meet Karsten

Karsten's first Easter

Karsten's First Christmas

Watching my parents with Karsten

Watching Brian with Karsten

I could go on and on....just looking through my photo archives reminds me of what a blessed year 2011 has been. 

Tomorrow I will reveal my 2012 word along with a new blog banner.  Enjoy this last day of 2011 and look forward to the blessings of 2012. 

 

choosing a word for 2012

As soon as I turn the calendar to December I begin thinking about my word for the following year.  Well, actually, I begin thinking about it in November, but in December I think about it quite a bit. Honestly this past week it's been consuming my thoughts.  My thoughts hop between my 72 different Christmas to do lists and my word for 2012.  I don't think I've ever struggled so hard to come up with the right word.  Or maybe I'm just trying to overthink it and God will reveal it to me in His time (which is usually right after Christmas). 

This year, next year....whatever...I challenge you to take this challenge and see where it leads you.  I am so passionate about this and have seen it transform my spiritual life, my attitude during tough times, and my perspective.  Here's a post I wrote last Spring about choosing a word, the words I've choosen in previous years...and a magazine article I wrote as well. 

I know many of us make resolutions and goals at the beginning of the new year.  Yet, how many of us  consistently stick to them throughout the entire year.  That's the thing I find about the choosing one word to encompass many goals...it's a simple thing that refocuses me when I've gotten caught up in the busyness of life or am facing a trial I didn't (or did) expect. 

I would love to know if you're ready to join me on the journey of choosing One Little Word.  For some great inspiration of possible words to choose check out Ali Edwards post from last January. 

I will reveal my word on January 1st with a new blog header (which I'd better get working on!).  I can't wait to hear from you if you decide to take this journey too!  Leave a comment here or email me at angelamoore3902@gmail.com

 

 

Wilderness (Daily Word)

As a part of my One in a Million Bible study I've been reading a lot about the Israelites time in the wilderness.  This study inspired this devotional.  Enjoy and be encouraged!

Wilderness- a wild and uncultivated region, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.

“And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness.  There they could see the awesome Glory of the Lord in the cloud.”      Exodus 16:10

 

Moses had convinced Pharoah to free the Israelites from generations of slavery and bondage.  They must have been ecstatic to be headed to the Promised Land (Canaan)—a life of freedom, full of milk and honey.  I can imagine that as they walked out of Egypt they discussed and planned for a new life filled with all good things.  But, God had other plans—plans to take them on a long, arduous detour of a lifetime.  The Promised Land was not in their immediate future, they needed to stop planning their lives in the land of milk and honey, because more than blessing them with an easy life, He wanted them to experience Him, to know Him, to be obedient to Him…all in the Wilderness.  For years they had become accustomed to depending on their captors in Egypt for everything.  Their lives in bondage were grueling, but their needs were met.  In a sense, Egypt was a comfort zone because it was all they knew.  Now, they needed to learn to depend on God for their needs.   

 

God’s route was anything but the short route.  He knew what the Israelites needed—they needed to learn to rely on Him, to develop a deep intimate relationship with their Creator.  So, wilderness awaited them. 

 

The thing about a wilderness is that it differs from a desert because along the way, when you almost give up, He provides refreshment and rejuvenation.  As they traveled through the wilderness God provided many miracles, all that provided what they needed when they needed it.  Parting the Red Sea, providing manna, and guiding them to springs were a part of their journey—tangible ways that confirmed He was their great Provider.  Wilderness seasons are a part of His plan for our lives; they develop humility, dependence, and they reveal our true motives.  Do we want God or do we just desire His blessings and promises?  Have we been too dependent on Egypt (things of this world) to satisfy our deepest needs and wants? 

 

In Priscilla Shirer’s One In a Million Bible Study she writes, “The wilderness is designed to reveal whether we really want God or if we just want to “get out of town” and to Canaan as soon as possible.  He is interested in knowing if we’re submitted to the wilderness only to receive the rewards that come with Canaan or if we truly desire him more than anything…even the rewards.” 

Are you traveling through the wilderness right now wondering when God will reveal Himself to you?  Could it be that you’re so focused on your Canaan, your Promised Land, that you’re not really turned toward Him?  What is your Canaan? To get that perfect job, to finally find the right spouse, to finally have a healthy pregnancy, or maybe just to become pregnant?

 

Pray that through the Holy Spirit that you would be able to see “the awesome Glory of the Lord in the clouds.” The wilderness is a part of His plan for your life.  He wants to reveal Himself to you in ways that you never could have expected.  He is with you, step by step, as you walk towards the Promised Land He has for you.  As you traverse the long, desolate road of the wilderness know that He is with you ever step of the way, He will be your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, guiding you, protecting you, and providing for your every need.  Jesus knows that the wilderness is not easy, that it’s lonely, that there are temptations to turn back and head to our comfort zones, the “Egypts” in our lives.  Press on dear friend.  Look for the miracles on the journey and know your Promised Land does await you. 

Daily Word (Security)

Security- freedom from fear or anxiety

“You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security.  He will keep you from being caught in a trap.”  Proverbs 3:25-26

“Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.” Proverbs 19:23

Security systems, security officers, security blankets; from the time we’re small children we are grasping for something that provides security and comfort.  In the fallen world, filled with corruption and sin, we all desire something or someone who will provide protection.

 

Recently, while residing in an apartment, my husband and I were robbed.  During the dark hours of the night, while we, along with our 3 month old son were sleeping, someone broke into our apartment and stole my car keys, car, and cell phone.  The entire episode is still a baffling mystery.  It appears that whoever the thief is had a key, because there was no sign of forced entry.  When we realized what happened the next morning we were both angry and scared.  We quickly notified the leasing office and they came to change our locks.  We had been living under a false sense of security that the locks had been changed between tenants, when in fact, they had not. 

 

Some might think that I didn’t sleep a wink the following night, but that isn’t the case.  I slept quite well because not only did we have new locks on our door, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that although we were robbed, God still had His security team in our apartment that night.  We were unharmed and nothing else was taken.  This episode could have been so much more tragic, but I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God protected us.  Cars and cell phones can be replaced, life cannot.  I believe that the Holy Spirit made our son cry out that night at the point that the intruders were in the apartment which scared them into leaving quickly. 

 

The Bible tells us over and over that the LORD is our security and protection.  We need not be afraid of disaster or destruction because He will protect us.  He protects us from our enemies and harm.  (2 Samuel 22:3) He shields everyone who look to Him for protection. (2 Samuel 22:31)  He protects us in urgent situations. (Psalm 31:2)

In a world filled with war, terrorism, economic instability, illness, loss of jobs and a myriad of other potentially devastating circumstances, it’s easy to be fearful and anxious.  In those moments it is wise to recall Scriptures as a reminder of who is really in control.  Who or what do we really depend on?  If we depend on our job, our bank account, our spouse, our alarm system, and/or our government for complete and total security we will be disheartened and anxious.  The Lord is our only true rock, protector, and security system.