Feeling Pressed?

The Lord will relieve you...

I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31:6-8

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

The hymn happens to be a favorite though it isn't one from my childhood. I have become familiar with it since my new birth. I have framed it and have it hanging in my office.

Just today I had a call from a war~weary soldier who was having a hard time seeing over the top of the curb. For some reason the Lord has allowed her to be buffeted repeatedly and with more things at once than you can imagine. I know a few who are facing severe trials. It is like the waves keep coming crashing upon the shore of their hearts, families, bodies...Lord have mercy and strengthen my friends!

I read her the hymn. All four verses. Click here to read the lyrics. Perhaps you or someone you know needs encouragement and a refreshing view of our eternal reality...

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

This is our hope...that His truth WILL triumph through us. Get up into it! Don't lose hope. Don't let the devil disourage you. Rest in the loving, powerful arms of Jesus.

Battles for Building

Today...There are many battles raging around me...people hurting, and lives breaking with divorce, unfaithfulness, death, family friction. As we encounter these broken things, we are fighting with the weapon of prayer. Struggling to take thoughts captive. Speaking truth over their situations. We have seen God's hand move in mighty ways as we bring our needs to the throne of grace. One of my favorite authors: Francis Frangipane sent an email today that was full of encouragement. It ignited my heart, and made me feel priveleged to be in the battle and moved me to face them with more worship, faith and firmness.

He reminded me that victory in warfare comes from true worship. That our pain is a sweet fragrance to the One who loves us and blesses our surrender to Him with life and Christlikeness. Reminding me of the privelege of suffering for Christ. The fact that He uses our pain for gain, for His Kingdom and for our own good helps us to stick it out with faith. Keeping our eyes on the author and perfector of it, Jesus.

You can read the article at http://www.frangipane.org/ It is called "God's army of Worshipers"