Omnipotent

Greetings!!!

Have you ever thought about God being omnipotent? This particular word is only mentioned one time in the King James Bible in Revelation 19:6 "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying, Allelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The New World Dictionary of American English defines omnipotent as "having unlimited power or authority; all-powerful. The same Greek word for omnipotent is translated elsewhere as almighty. Although omnipotent is used only one time in the King James Version of the Bible, Almighty, in reference to God, is mentioned fifty-six times.

Two of my favorite verses that speak of God Almighty are found in Revelation 4:8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and who is to come." And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; For Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."

And in Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Usiah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seriphs, each with six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: " Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory." 

What comes to mind when you think of all-powerful? There are a lot of things I can think of that are powerful... the wind, a storm, a team of horses, a train, a bodybuilder, and many other things, but when I think of all-powerful, the only thing that comes to mind is God. It is amazing to me that the angels declare that the whole earth is full of His glory. How often do you look the glory of God in the face and ignore it, get annoyed by it, or never even see it? God has left traces of His glory everywhere to be seen by everyone. Have you looked for it lately? It cannot be hard to find. The angels declare that the "whole earth is full of His glory." You just need to take the time to look. So what are you waiting for? Start looking!!

The LORD bless you with experiencing His glory everywhere.

I love you,

Ruth

What Is Your Darkness?

Greetings!!!

As a child of God, have you had times of darkness and heaviness that you did not understand? In those times have you wondered if you had done something wrong or if there was some sin that you committed that the Lord just did not reveal to you yet. As you groped through the darkness, did you wonder if you would ever again see the light... would you ever again experience joy. 

As I sat in church Sunday morning thinking about the darkness that sometimes shrouds God's children, Psalm 91 washed over me like an enormous wave.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, 

My God, in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, 

And from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with His pinions, 

And under His wings you may seek refuge; 

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand; 

But it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes,

And see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the LORD, my refuge, 

Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hand,

Lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

You will tread upon the lion and cobra, 

The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him,

And let him behold My salvation."

Is it possible that the darkness and heaviness that engulfs you today is that God has His hand upon you and is  holding you in the shadow of His wings? Could it be that the mental abuse being heaped upon you by the devil is so great because that is all that can reach you under God's mighty hand? Could it be that no specific sin is brought to your mind because God will not entertain any accusation against you? What is the source of your darkness? Is it spiritual heaviness and darkness because of a stronghold of the devil in your life that you need to confess and repent of, or is it that you are under the shadow of the Almighty? 

The LORD bless you with choosing to dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I love you,

Ruth

Appointments

Greetings!!!

Do you make appointments? What kind of appointments do you make--doctor, dentist, or hairstylist. Do you schedule time to meet a friend or to do a job interview? Are you careful to keep your appointments? Do you know the prophet Daniel kept appointments. His most precious and most costly appointments were his times with the Father.

Daniel 6 gives all the details. I will only give you a few of the verses here. To give you some background, King Darius appointed 120 men to rule throughout the kingdom. Daniel was appointed to one of three leading positions. These jealous men tried to find Daniel doing something wrong but could not. Vs. 5 "Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." So they set up Daniel by going to the king with a request that for thirty days it would be illegal to pray to anyone but the king. Vs. 8-11 "Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." So King Darius put the decree in writing. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree."

How did these men know when to go catch Daniel defying the king's decree? They knew he set apart time to pray every day. If you were in a position like Daniel, would  people, jealous of your position, be able to find anything wrong in your life. If they wanted to bring a charge against your faith in God, would they find enough evidence to come up with a charge? Would they know when to catch you in the act of your service to God? You may not be able to set apart three times each day to pray, but of the 1,440 minutes in each day, can you not make a thirty minute appointment to be with the only wise God, the Creator of the universe, the lover of your soul?

The LORD bless you with realizing what truly matters... your relationship with Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Your Gifts

Greetings!!!

Do you know that you have gifts from God? Look at 1 Peter 4:10-11: "As each one has receives a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 

What are your gifts and talents? What makes you come alive? Pursue excellence in those areas. If you are a student, be the best student you can be to the glory of God. Work diligently to be the best you can be where you are right now. Do what it takes to get the best grades you can. Do not be satisfied with just getting by. Jesus said in Matthew 5: 14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 

In the process of letting your light shine, remember Philippians 2:3-8 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasp, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

The gifts you have been given are important gifts to do the work of God where you are. Do not minimize your gifts. Do not fail to recognize your gifts. Do not let the gifts you have been given remain unopened or unused. You are important in the kingdom of God. Find your place and be all you were created to be. 

The LORD bless you with recognizing and using your gifts for His glory.

I love you,

Ruth

Are You Mighty?

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been called to do great things for God? What would you consider a great thing? Who in your estimation is doing great things for God? Is there anyone like Joshua, the mighty man of God? What made him the fearless leader of the people of Israel?

God spoke in Joshua 1:2-3,5-9. "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan... Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Do you want to be like Joshua? Do you want to do great things for God? The greatest thing you can do for God and yourself is to read and meditate on the word. Do you want success in the things you endeavor to do? The secret is in knowing the word of God. Not just the head knowledge that comes from reading it, but knowing it in your heart by studying it, meditating on it, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring understanding. But even that is not enough. Once you gain understanding, you must do what it says.

The LORD bless you with choosing to be a mighty man or woman of God.

I love you,

Ruth

Fear and Dread

Greetings!!!

What is causing fear in your life today? Perhaps it is the war in the Middle East and the terrorism that is being produced there? Are you afraid of the economy? Perhaps you are one of those who could soon be among the unemployed. Is it a health issue? Maybe things are shaking within your family... there are struggles with a child, a brother or sister, or father or mother.  What do you fear or dread? 

Take a look at Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, 

My God, in whom I trust!" 

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper,

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day; 

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness;

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not approach you. 

You will only look on with your eyes,

And see the recompense of the wicked. 

For you have made the LORD, my refuge

Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands, 

Lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; 

I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him, 

And let him behold My salvation."

As a child of God, you have a Father who loves you and cares about your every need. Do not be afraid. Rest in the One who has everything in control. Rest in the One who has you in His hand. Rest and be at peace. You are safe no matter what is going on in your life.

The LORD bless you with freedom from fear.

I love you,

Ruth

Merry Christmas

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Isn't it amazing that God would send His Son as a baby? Isn't it amazing that He was born in a stable? Isn't it amazing that the ones first told about His birth were shepherds? At least they realized that this was no ordinary child. Do you?

Isaiah 9:6

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; 

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called 

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Peace.

May you experience our amazing God in a deep personal way this Christmas, and may your eyes and heart be opened to His wonders and glory throughout the 2009.

I love you,

Ruth

Suddenly, All Is Changed

Greetings!!!

Isn't it amazing that in the blink of an eye all of our best plans can be thrown to the wind?  It is that way in all areas of life. An accident can change the whole course of a life. The wrong word or lack of one can ruin a relationship. Poor business practices can leave a successful career crumpled in a heap at the bottom of the ladder. The economy can cause a handsome investment portfolio to become worthless.  So what are we to do? Not plan?

James 4:13-16 tells us, 'Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.'

Even with doing this, sometime it seems everything falls apart. What then? Turn to the Scripture again. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Sometimes, maybe that is now for you, it feels like you are walking blindly with no idea in what direction to turn, but even then God is in control. He loves you with an everlasting love. His arms are beneath you ever ready to catch you when you fall or to pick you up after you hit the ground. He will use either one to complete His purpose in your life. He loves you. You are a special treasure to Him. He delights in you. So, no matter what is going on in your life, rest. Stop fretting and rest in His great love. 

The LORD bless you with thrusting the full weight of your situation into His hands.

I love you,

Ruth

No Place to Hide

Greetings!!!

Have you seen the breathtaking beauty of sunrises and sunsets lately? If you have not, you really need to take the time and go somewhere so you can sit and watch a remarkable masterpiece unfold. I have been told that the Chaiten Volcano in Chile, the Dalaffilla Volcano in Ethiopia, the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, as well as many others, are responsible for spewing dust, ash, smoke and gases miles into the air resulting in our spectacular and vibrant morning and evening displays. Isn't it amazing that something so far away can have such an effect here?

As I thought of those volcanoes blanketing the earth's atmosphere with dust and ash, Psalm 139:1-12 came to mind.

O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known me. 

Thou dost understand my thoughts from afar. 

Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And art intimately acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before there is a word on my tongue, 

Behold, O LORD, Thou dost know it all. 

Thou hast enclosed me behind and before,  

And laid Thy hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. 

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Thy Spirit? 

Or where can I flee from Thy presence: 

If I ascend to heaven, Thou are there; 

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. 

If I take the wings of the dawn, 

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 

Even there Thy hand will lead me, 

And Thy right hand will lay hold of me. 

If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, 

And the light around me will be night," 

Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,

And the night is as bright as the day. 

Darkness and light are alike to Thee. 

Maybe you feel like God is as far away as those volcanoes, maybe even farther. Perhaps you feel that He is unaware of the details of your life, or that if He is aware, He surely does not care? Let me reassure you that as surely as the earth cannot get away from the dust and ash of those volcanoes, you cannot get away from the ever loving arms of God, and He is not far from you. He loves you. He has you in His hands, and you are safe. Rest child of God. Rest.

The LORD bless you with allowing yourself to rest in His arms and allowing Him to comfort you.

I love you,

Ruth

Are You Heavy Laden?

Greetings!!!

As I walked my route one morning last week, everything was covered with snow. Our area had an unexpected snowstorm through the night. Everything looked so beautiful covered with snow. When I got to the place with a bamboo grove, I was surprised. The bamboo was hanging close to the ground from the burden of snow. It reminded me of so many people who are struggling to get through the holidays.  

I can almost hear Jesus say, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle an humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Matthew 11:28-30

How are you feeling this holiday season? When you look around can you see no brightness or joy, but only shades of gray and sorrow.  Do you feel you will soon break under of the enormous load that you bear?  And do you believe that you have nowhere to turn? Again, I direct you to Scripture. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

Do not beat yourself up because of your feelings. Feelings come and go. They go up. They go down. Sometimes feelings are dark and foreboding, while other times they are merry and light. You are feeling what you are feeling, but do not press into them. Press into the One who loves you so much that He made every provision for you through Jesus Christ. What are you waiting for? Go! Run to the Lover of your soul and give all this to Him.

The LORD bless you with soul rest in Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Tough Road

Greetings!!!

Do you have snow this morning? Instead of the rain that was predicted here, we got snow last night-enough that it made the going very difficult on my morning walk. At first I was slipping and sliding all over the place making me aware of the fact that I needed to be careful because there were many treacherous places. Some were quite obvious so I slowed down and used extra caution. But several times, when I came to a stretch that seemed safer, because the sun was melting the ice, I got more confident and walked with a quicker step. On one such occasion, I hit black ice. After being held up by the hand of God - it certainly was not my own ability, I should have fallen - I looked back. There was no evidence of any ice on the road, but it was icy.

As I thought about that situation, it reminded me that life is like that. So often you are going along with not a care in the world. Then, suddenly, it is like the rug has been pulled out from under you. Is there no safe guard? You can find it in Psalm 119:105-112

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

I have sworn, and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances.

I am exceedingly afflicted; 

Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word.

O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Thine ordinances.

My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Thy law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not gone astray from Thy precepts.

I have inherited Thy testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes

Forever, even to the end.

Whether you are confident in your walk or feel you are on shaky ground, there is only one safe guard. That is the Word of God. Are you using it as the light for your path and the lamp for your feet, or are you content to make your own way? If you are going your own way, I must warn you, be careful of the black ice that is just waiting for you. It looks all right. It looks safe. But in the end you could be struggling for all you are worth not to go down, and go down hard. When was the last time you sought the Word of God for direction in your life? Maybe it time to start today.

The LORD bless you with recognizing His light in your life.

I love you,

Ruth

The Reunion

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been to a funeral? Have you ever been to a reunion? On November 1, 2008, I went to the funeral of a very special lady-           Mary Simmons. Since we have been attending a church that is closer to our community, arriving for the viewing was much like a reunion for me. I saw so many precious friends that I have not seen in a long time. I said to several people that being at a funeral should not be such a blessing, to which one person responded, "That is the way Mary would have wanted it." When the service started, Pastor Bellis announced that Mary wanted this service to be a celebration. We were to rejoice in her going home to be with "her Jesus".

As I thought about feeling like I was at a reunion and a celebration, I got an image of this picture from heaven's side. There will be a reunion! There are two Scriptures came to mind that make me believe this. First is Luke 16:19-22. Jesus is telling a parable to the people. "Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered in sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man died and was buried also." 

The other Scripture is in Luke 23:40-43 where Jesus is on the cross between two thieves. One of the thieves, along with much of the crowd, is hurling insults at Jesus. The other thief responds, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" An He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

In the footnote of my Study Bible it says, "The Talmud mentions both Abraham's bosom and Paradise as the home of the righteous. Its bliss is the quality of blessedness reserved for people like Abraham." Also, that "paradise refers to a place of bliss and rest between death and resurrection." Whatever or wherever that place is, those who die in Christ will be there together with Jesus until the day He returns to earth. When I think of some of the people I know who are waiting there, I know there is a big celebration going on, and I am waiting, with great anticipation, to join them there. 

The LORD bless you with being ready for that great and glorious reunion!

I love you,

Ruth

The Gap

Greetings!!!

As I was running last week, I looked to my right and saw the gap between the mountains, and it really struck me like a neon sign. Once again I have a word stuck in my head--GAP. As I thought about the word gap I found that it has various meanings: the geography term which started this-a narrow opening, especially through a mountain;  a break or hole; an unfilled space or interval; a difference, especially an undesirable one, between two views.

In Ezekiel 22-23-31, Ezekiel tells us: And the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rain on in the day of indignation.' There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her.  Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and I am profaned among them. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the LORD GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and oppressed the sojourner without justice. And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declared the LORD GOD.

Are you willing to intercede with God on behalf of your nation? Are you willing to be the one to stand in the gap and plead for the mercy of God on the souls of men? Are you willing to humble yourself and pray and seek God's face and turn from your wicked ways so that God's wrath and destruction will be abated. Are you willing to pray that the sins of your nation will be forgiven and your land healed? Choose to be like Moses who stood in the breach before God to turn away His wrath from destroying Israel while they were in the desert. Your prayers are powerful and avail much, but you have to pray them!! Stand in the gap!

The LORD bless you with taking the time to pray.

I love you,

Ruth

Strong Tower

Greetings!!!

Are you still reeling from the election results? As a child of God, are you confused, hurt and maybe even angry because you feel God did not answer the prayers of the saints. I know that many people where fasting and praying about the elections, and I want to assure you that God did not fall asleep and not hear the prayers and petitions of His saints. God did not hear their prayers and forget to act. God is still on the throne and still in control.

David's words from 2 Samuel 22:2-4 really spoke to me today. I pray that  they minister to you as well.

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

My shield and the horn of my salvation, 

             my stronghold and my refuge;

My savior, Thou dost save me from violence.

I call upon the LORD. who is worthy to be praised;

And I am saved from my enemies."

No matter what you are facing today--disappointments, financial struggles, physical difficulties, confusion or whatever is your enemy today--God is in control. God loves you. God has good plans for your life. The things going on in your life can be used by God to bring Him glory and you good. Rest in Him.

I conclude with the words from "Strong Tower" by Kutless

When I wander through the desert

And I'm longing for my home

All my dreams have gone astray

When I'm stranded in the valley

And I'm tired and all alone

It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to Your mountain

Where Your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower

Shelter over me

Beautiful and mighty

Everlasting King

You are my strong tower

Fortress when I'm weak

Your name is True and Holy

And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness

In the midst of all my fear

You're my refuge and my hope

When the storm of life is raging

And the thunder's all I hear

You speak softly to my soul

Now I'm running to Your mountain

Where Your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower

Shelter over me

Beautiful and mighty

Everlasting King

You are my strong tower

Fortress when I'm weak

Your name is True and Holy

And Your face is all I seek

The LORD bless you with peace and assurance of His control.

I love you,

Ruth

Anchor

Greetings!!!

Have you ever had a word stuck in your head? For at least a week the word anchor has been rolling around in my head and I have not been able to get to my blog. What is an anchor? I like the New World Dictionary of America English definition: any device that holds something else secure; anything that gives or seems to give stability or security. What is the the anchor in your life? Is it a good job or having enough money in your savings accounts? Perhaps it is in having the right relationships. With just completing the Presidential election in the United States, do you have your anchor in who will run this nation? What is your anchor?

As I listened to my Biblestick, I heard: "When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.' And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves and the oath confirms what is said and puts and end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that , by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled  to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

No matter how shaky the anchors are in your life, there is an anchor for your soul that is actually able to hold you securely and that truly gives you stability and security. Is your soul secure? It can be. It is as simple as choosing to have a relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord.

The LORD bless you with realizing the security you can have in Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Keep Watch

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been surprised by a dog? There is a family on my morning route that has not one, but six dogs. I have never surprised by them. I know for a certainty that when my foot hits a particular place on the road, one dog will sound the alarm, and that that dog will be joined by a chorus of barking that will continue until I am well out of sight. This morning as I approached the house, I noticed that the one dog was watching -standing guard- anticipating my coming.

Are you watching? Jesus said in Matthew 24: 36-44 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Are you standing guard? Are you looking with expectation, waiting to see the return of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? The King is coming, and I pray you will be ready.

The LORD bless you with being prepared for the return of the King.

I love you,

Ruth

Lies! It is All Lies!

Greetings!!!

Do you get a lot of spam in your email box? Almost one third of all my mail is not just spam, but lies. Lies from people who claim to be from the UK, Chevron or Texaco, Yahoo and Msn, various banks, or who claim to be a Senator, lawyer, or an FBI agent. What is their lie? There are many approaches: "I found your contact particulars in an address journal I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of $35 million dollars to you...", or "You were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of 10,600,000GBP", another is "$6.8 million dollars has been credited in your favor..." And what do I have to do in order to receive these millions of dollars at least 15 to 20 times a day? Give all my personal information to them so they can steal my identity. They want to take what I have and ruin my life.

Hmmm. That sounds a lot like what the devil does in the life of a believer. He constantly badgers hoping to catch someone off guard, hoping that maybe this time he will break through the defenses. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that you brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."   1 Peter 5: 8-9

Is the constant barrage in your life wearing you down. Take a look at         1 Peter 5: 5-7 "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert." Whether the lies you are dealing with are from people or Satan-the father of lies, run to the Savior. Run to Him and bring everything to Him that is weighing heavy upon you. He will lift you up!

The LORD bless you with finding safety under God's mighty hand.

I love you,

Ruth