God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance -
His faithful love endures forever.
a special possession to his servant Israel.
His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136: 21, 22
As the children of Israel were obedient to God's call, He rewarded them. They had to fight the battles, but in faith they knew God was with them, giving them victory over the enemy. When the battle was won, God gave them their inheritance - something that would always remind them of the battle, their obedience, and God's faithfulness. He gave them the very land the enemy had possessed.
Father God, thank you for going ahead of us in battle. Thank you for your faithfulness and love as you give us victory. Please help us stay faithful to you. Help us win the battle and take possession of the inheritance you have prepared. In Jesus' name, Amen.
What battles do you fight today? We pray that you meet the enemy with faith, knowing God is with you and giving you victory!
Showing posts with label Victory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victory. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Depression, Addiction, Brokenness, Loneliness... And yet.
It has been brought to my attention repeatedly over the last few weeks that so many people are suffering seemingly unbearable circumstances. I say 'seemingly' because our hardships and heartaches rise up and threaten to choke us. The weight of our battles press us down until we have no strength. We buckle under the oppression. Ruined finances. Persisting unemployment. Desperate loneliness. Severe depression. Broken relationships. Unshakable addictions.
In the midst of it, something nags at me. I have to think, "And yet..."
I've fallen prey to many of these disasters, and most of them just in the last 36 months. Depression that threatens my life. Finances that look so impossible we'll never know freedom again. Months of unemployment that I thought I'd never experience. Loneliness that takes my breath away. Disappointment on a mammoth scale.
And yet...
There is a light if I look for it. There is hope if I can silence the confusing babble of the destroyer. If I can just utter the words that take me back to my Savior, 'and yet' has significant meaning.
It means that there are those who refuse to buckle. As many of the Chilean miners did upon their rescue from the underground this week, there are people who raise fists high in the air and proclaim victory. Perhaps more than anyone, these people know the truth of Psalm 30:3. "O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."
These strong souls encourage me, bless me with their determination to defeat the enemy. They tell me not to buckle. They remind me that I'm not alone and God knows each breath I take. He knows the ones taken from me, too. He is good and faithful and full of mercy. Whatever happens in this life, He is worthy to be praised.
Have you praised Him in spite of your circumstances lately? Tell us about it. What defeats the enemy more than a group of Jesus lovers uniting and shouting their praises?
And when another disaster seems imminent, remember: "For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall" (2 Samuel 22:30). Let's start leaping, dear readers.
Lord, I love you. How much more is my love because you hear my voice and my supplications. Because you incline your ear to me, I will call upon you as long as I live. Even when death surrounds me and the enemy seems to close in, when trouble and sorrow call my name, I will call upon the name of my God. Deliver my soul, Lord! For you are gracious and righteous and merciful. Amen.
(A prayer from Psalm 116:1-5)
Many blessings to you,
Shelley
In the midst of it, something nags at me. I have to think, "And yet..."
I've fallen prey to many of these disasters, and most of them just in the last 36 months. Depression that threatens my life. Finances that look so impossible we'll never know freedom again. Months of unemployment that I thought I'd never experience. Loneliness that takes my breath away. Disappointment on a mammoth scale.
And yet...
There is a light if I look for it. There is hope if I can silence the confusing babble of the destroyer. If I can just utter the words that take me back to my Savior, 'and yet' has significant meaning.
It means that there are those who refuse to buckle. As many of the Chilean miners did upon their rescue from the underground this week, there are people who raise fists high in the air and proclaim victory. Perhaps more than anyone, these people know the truth of Psalm 30:3. "O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."
These strong souls encourage me, bless me with their determination to defeat the enemy. They tell me not to buckle. They remind me that I'm not alone and God knows each breath I take. He knows the ones taken from me, too. He is good and faithful and full of mercy. Whatever happens in this life, He is worthy to be praised.
Have you praised Him in spite of your circumstances lately? Tell us about it. What defeats the enemy more than a group of Jesus lovers uniting and shouting their praises?
And when another disaster seems imminent, remember: "For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall" (2 Samuel 22:30). Let's start leaping, dear readers.
Lord, I love you. How much more is my love because you hear my voice and my supplications. Because you incline your ear to me, I will call upon you as long as I live. Even when death surrounds me and the enemy seems to close in, when trouble and sorrow call my name, I will call upon the name of my God. Deliver my soul, Lord! For you are gracious and righteous and merciful. Amen.
(A prayer from Psalm 116:1-5)
Many blessings to you,
Shelley
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
An Answered Prayer
The day dawned cool and cloudy, dropping a cold Rocky Mountain drizzle in parts of the city. I would find out in just a few hours how annoying those dark clouds could become.
Part of our goal at Elohim Prayer Beads is to help you learn how to pray according to Scripture. We hear time and again how people find it difficult or intimidating to go before God and simply lay out their hearts. After all, He is the Creator of the universe. It is easy to get tongue tied when you consider His magnificence.
In truth, prayer is simply talking to God as you would to a trusted friend. Matthew 6:8 and Hebrews 4:12 tell us He already knows our needs, our desires, and our thoughts. As a father who delights in his children, He longs to hear us share all this with Him.
As a tool in our teaching prayer, we will soon be offering very unique prayer beads. I met with Carol this afternoon to go over our designs and put several strands together. These bead strands each have a specific prayer focus and Scriptural prayer that goes with them. We have worked for several weeks to find exactly the right beads and combination of Scripture to offer as you go before the Lord.
But we have met with opposition. Like the low clouds blocking the sun this morning, we have felt stifled in our efforts to move forward.
Some would say this opposition is coincidence, and some would say it's just life. Others (read: Carol and Shelley) would declare an attack from Satan. Remember, we do not fight against flesh and blood. Whatever your theology on opposition in serving God, we have battled situations that include the wrong color beads. Beads too big or two small. Beads that are too lightweight or too heavy. Beads that break or don't stay on the strand. This week we received a shipment of thousands of beads that were not what we ordered and can not be used.
In spite of the appearance of things, we declared victory and determined to move on with our plans to serve you and the Lord. A trip to our local craft store brought us in touch - literally - with beautiful beads that we have loved working with in the past. We approached the clerk to ask about ordering in bulk. As we spoke, a new employee told us about a wholesale bead catalog that she receives in the mail each quarter. She excitedly told us she will give us her copy and we can order any bead that crosses our minds.
Driving away from the store, the sun broke through the clouds. Bright light shone over us and we felt God say, "I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people’" (Isaiah 51:16).
Victory, indeed!
Do you have an answer to prayer? Share it with us!
Many blessings on you,
Shelley
Part of our goal at Elohim Prayer Beads is to help you learn how to pray according to Scripture. We hear time and again how people find it difficult or intimidating to go before God and simply lay out their hearts. After all, He is the Creator of the universe. It is easy to get tongue tied when you consider His magnificence.
In truth, prayer is simply talking to God as you would to a trusted friend. Matthew 6:8 and Hebrews 4:12 tell us He already knows our needs, our desires, and our thoughts. As a father who delights in his children, He longs to hear us share all this with Him.
As a tool in our teaching prayer, we will soon be offering very unique prayer beads. I met with Carol this afternoon to go over our designs and put several strands together. These bead strands each have a specific prayer focus and Scriptural prayer that goes with them. We have worked for several weeks to find exactly the right beads and combination of Scripture to offer as you go before the Lord.
But we have met with opposition. Like the low clouds blocking the sun this morning, we have felt stifled in our efforts to move forward.
Some would say this opposition is coincidence, and some would say it's just life. Others (read: Carol and Shelley) would declare an attack from Satan. Remember, we do not fight against flesh and blood. Whatever your theology on opposition in serving God, we have battled situations that include the wrong color beads. Beads too big or two small. Beads that are too lightweight or too heavy. Beads that break or don't stay on the strand. This week we received a shipment of thousands of beads that were not what we ordered and can not be used.
In spite of the appearance of things, we declared victory and determined to move on with our plans to serve you and the Lord. A trip to our local craft store brought us in touch - literally - with beautiful beads that we have loved working with in the past. We approached the clerk to ask about ordering in bulk. As we spoke, a new employee told us about a wholesale bead catalog that she receives in the mail each quarter. She excitedly told us she will give us her copy and we can order any bead that crosses our minds.
Driving away from the store, the sun broke through the clouds. Bright light shone over us and we felt God say, "I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people’" (Isaiah 51:16).
Victory, indeed!
Do you have an answer to prayer? Share it with us!
Many blessings on you,
Shelley
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