Tag: provision

I am Thankful for Faith

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I know my past—I was designed and created by a God who loves and values me.

I know my future—I will live forever in an untarnished, unblemished world.

I know my present—I am secure and safe in a world where darkness aggressively pursues new territory.  

My faith allows me to live in peace and security.

  • My confidence is in the One who sits on Heaven’s throne, not in the one who sits in the White House.

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

  • The promises of my Provider assure me, the DOW and economic predictions do not.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24

  • My Creator is also my Healer, not limited to modern medicine or its advances.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

  • My dreams, relationships, and satisfaction rely on the One who directs my steps and opens doors that cannot be shut, not on the favor of those in power.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

My faith calms me, satisfies me, and centers me—but only when I feed it.

Enemies

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

“We live in a hostile environment.” I drafted that sentence a week ago, before the assassination attempt. I was thinking about hostilities toward Biblical thought and aggressions against Christians and Christianity. I was fed up with the negativity of politics, on all sides. And then bullets were shot on a beautiful Saturday afternoon that took the life of a husband and father. I could easily be detracted from Psalm 23 and go off on who really pulled the trigger—whose words provided the ammunition for that fatal shot? But I will not go there. It’s a big story now, but it will fade, whereas the presence of our spiritual enemies will remain a constant.

Our enemies are not weaponized with physical bullets. They deliver spiritual attacks on our person, our minds, our psyche. They besiege us with thoughts that sow fear and suggestions that incite anger. They aim at our faith and attempt to render us ineffective. In this setting Psalm 23:5 offers us assurance:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

He makes provision for us. He feeds us what is needed to prevail. He sets us apart. We are able to overcome because our supply overflows.

Do not wander from the Shepherd or His flock. We need His care and protection and we need the flock.

Photo by Sally Teschon

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

Dwelling and Feeding

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I can’t move on to my next blog post until I share part of a verse that gripped me the other night. It is the last phrase in Psalm 37:3: “Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”

I laid in bed and turned the words over and over. How does one “feed on” God’s faithfulness? Does it mean think about it? Or thank Him for it? When I feed on food I don’t just think about eating—I’d still be hungry. I thank Him before my meals, but I’m not full until I actually ingest food. How do I “feed on” God’s faithfulness?

You probably see the answer quicker than I did, but just before dozing off a picture flashed in my mind—the picture I posted last week. I saw the birds feeding on my husband’s faithfulness.

They were not deterred by the storm. They were not hiding in their safe places or huddled in a feathered conference. They were freely, innocently enjoying the food faithfully supplied for them.

Lord, let us be that simple. Guard us from the worries and fears that complicate our lives. Give us hearts that readily accept the gifts you freely give, the supply you never fail to provide. We are grateful. Thank you, Lord.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3 NKJV

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart