Thou Oh Lord Art A Shield (Psalm 3)

Good evening all, I know it's been a while, but I assure you I am back and ready to get back on track with where I left you all.

Without fail, life brings it's ups and downs, and what you do with the 'downs' in your life really define you (I think). Psalm 3 is one of those powerful psalms that helps pick you up when you are feeling down, so as The LORD reminded me of this, I wanted to share the words of this psalm with you - prayerfully read/meditate on these words:
---------

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
 
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
 
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
 
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
 
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
 
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. 

The Morning After (The Storm)

What a merciful and loving God we serve!

We in the Northeastern states were warned about this very terrifying blizzard that would start on Monday (1/26/2015) and end on Tuesday (1/27/2015). We were also told that this storm would possibly dump over 2 feet (you read right! 2 feet!!!) of snow and would affect parts of Pennsylvania all the way up to Maine, but so far, most of us have been spared from the storm.

Weather prediction is just that; a prediction. With all the advancements in technology and radar equipment, sometimes the weather professionals may still be incorrect in their assessments of a weather situation. But more than that, I believe GOD steps in and intervenes many, many, MANY times. I thank God for toning 'Juno' down and allowing us to retain power and heat throughout the storm. I also thank HIM that our snow totals were below the predicted numbers, and that we were safe. While others may jeer and chide at the weather folks and governmental officials (who ordered mandatory shut-downs of all mass transit lines), I believe time and time again, The LORD steps in and calmed the storm! Amen!!!

Just wanted to praise HIM and look at a few places where His Merciful Nature is mentioned in Scripture:

• Exodus 34:6   And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
• Deuteronomy 4:31   (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. 
• Psalms 37:26   He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.  
• Psalms 103:8   The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  
• Psalms 116:5   Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.  
• Psalms 117:2   For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. 

Praise ye The LORD! Thank You for protection and bringing us safely through the storm!

Perilous Times, But Pray and Praise Anyway

I cannot keep up with the signs of the times....

As I type, there was a U.S. airstrike on Isis in Syria, a sit-in near Wall Street to protest Climate Change, a bus tragedy that resulted in 2 deaths and many injured; increased prevalance of the Ebola and Chikungunya outbreaks (in West Africa and in the Caribbean respectively), and the capture of a White House intruder who had more than 800 rounds of ammunition!

And that's not even the half of it.

Our world is in turmoil. Those who once dreamed or believed society was 'getting better' are now realizing that things are indeed getting worse. Despite it all, the Bible had forewarned us about the times in which we live in. It also tells us that we should be spending a lot more time in prayer AND praise.

How do you react to these different headlines I just mentioned?
 
Do you just shrug your shoulders and keep on living?
 
Does depression grip you and fear for the future?
 
Do you ignore it? Do you pray about it? What do you do with it?

Friends, fear is not from God (2 Tim 1:7). Even as we see so many painful situations in the world, The LORD gave us The Comforter (in the form of The Holy Spirit) to comfort our hearts and to be our teacher in all of life's matters. Two of the most comforting verses in the book of John reveals the work of the Holy Spirit and the compassion of The LORD to give us The Comforter in these troubling times:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14: 26-27

Did you notice that? We can have peace in THIS world! Peace! 

Cling to Christ. Pour out your heart to Him. Give Him your fears, anxieties, trepidations, worries and everything in-between. You cannot burden Him, and He never gets tired of hearing from us (He never sleeps!!!). As we struggle in our day to day lives, endeavor to make time to pray and to praise God without ceasing. To learn how to pray, go to Matthew 6:5-15. To learn how to pray, go to the Book of The Psalms. 

Life's hard and it won't be getting any easier. Why not come unto The LORD, give Him your burdens and He will give us His rest (Matt 11:28). Learn to pray and praise Him more than ever before.

Thanks and Praise!

Praise God!

Last week was a rough week. I was tested spiritually and had to cling to hope and trust in the midst of my trials. I am happy that the LORD answered my prayers in His time AND earlier than I thought! In the end, I praise The LORD for the trials! I am truly thankful for all the tests because I had to lean on His Word and on His promises like never before. It is true, you find out more about yourself and more about how much you trust the LORD when everything in your life has been turned upside down. It is in these moments, {I believe} The LORD helps you grow the most!

God's faithfulness is AWESOME! Despite whatever trials we go through, HE is always faithful and by our sides. Let's look at our friend Job. Job was upright and righteous before The LORD, but consequently, hated by the enemy. Satan tried everything he could to get Job to 'curse God and die', but despite it all, he continued to trust in His Heavenly Father. We must do the same. Although we do not understand some of the trials that come our way (because let's face it, some times we cause some headaches in our own lives!), when they do come, we must look to the hills from whence comes our help. Keep on praying, keep on pleading, keep on studying, keep on sharing, keep on holding on to The One who will never leave you nor forsake you.