My Light in Shining Armor

Dec9


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

My Light in Shining Armor 

By Sindy Nagel

 

You called me out of darkness

Into Your glorious light

Where once my eyes were blinded

You gave me back my sight

 

You freed me from the prison

Where Satan held the key

No longer am I bound by lies

Your truth has set me free

 

You reached down with a mighty hand

And pulled me from the pit

You set my feet on solid ground

A new light in my heart you lit

 

You’re my song every morning

My friend throughout the day

You whisper truth into my ears

When I make the time to pray

 

My comfort and my guide You are

I trust you my life to You

You walk with me in challenges

In trials, You see me through

 

Your praise I will forever sing

Your joy flows from my heart

You’ve blessed my life in countless ways

I don’t know where to start

 

Thank You for your goodness

In my weakness, You are strong

You comfort me in sorrow

And change my grieving into song

 

You’re my bread when I am hungry

My manna for each day

Your living water quenches thirst

You are my hope and stay

 

You took my wretched, dreary soul

And gave my heart new zest

To live a life that pleases You

And offer You my best

 

Accept my praise to You today

As lowly as it seems

You are my Light in Shining Armor

The Man of all my dreams

 

Thank You, Jesus. You’re the Best!

 

 

Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks

Nov26

Heavenly Father, Almighty King–

Thank you for Thanksgiving. Thank you for a day that reminds us to be thankful for the many blessings you have given us. Thank you for…

Dying on the cross for me.

Your forgiveness and providing newness of life.

Your Word which is a lamp to my feet.

The gift of Your Holy Spirit Who lives in me.

The ability to hear Your voice within my thoughts.

Your goodness and faithfulness.

Your unconditional love.

Your guidance and protection.

Your perfect joy and peace, even in the midst of struggles.

My excellent husband and partner in life.

My children and the many gifts you have given them.

A godly husband for my daughter and a profession she loves.

A beautiful mind for my son and the ability to pursue the career of his choosing.

Faithful family and friends with whom we can share our lives.

My home and its furnishings, clothes to wear, and food to eat.

A church where I can worship You and fellowship with other Christ followers.

A country and constitution that still upholds the freedom of religion.

A new direction in federal government.

The promise that You are in control and will use everything for our good and Yours.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

Let Your Praises Ring

Nov21

Praise the Lord, O my soul

Everything in me sings your praise

All my heart, soul, mind, and strength

Will praise you all of my days

 

Praise the Lord, O ye heavens

Praise the Lord, ye earth below

He is worthy of all glory

He is awesome, this I know

 

Before I rise in the morning

Let His praises be on my lips

And when I fall into bed at night

Let the praise in my heart do flips

 

Every moment I will praise Him

For He is my EVERY thing

Let admiration flow from my mouth

As my tongue His praises sing

 

I lift my hands in holy praise

To the Almighty God above

I delight myself in the Lord of lords

And He fills my heart with love

 

The One Who bore my sin and shame

Deserves the best words I can shout

His praise flows from within my soul

And through my lips pours out

 

He is my guardian and my friend

My trusted confidant

He provides me all I’ll ever need

Much more than I shall want

 

I thank Him for His Spirit

He placed within my heart

Who seals me for the final day

When this earth I will depart

 

I hear His voice within me

He whispers in my ear

“I am with you always…

There is no need to fear”

 

If Jesus is your Savior

The Lord of what you do

Just make the time to listen

And you will hear Him too

 

Escape the crowds and noise of life

And to the Lord draw near

Pay attention to the thoughts you think

His still, small voice you’ll hear

 

He speaks to us through Scripture

When we find ourselves in need

He counsels us in God’s good ways

And convicts us of our misdeed

 

He is our hope and healing

Our anchor in the storm

When battles rage against us

He keeps us safe and warm

 

Do not forsake your time with God

He wants to be your friend

To speak with you throughout your day

From the day’s beginning to its end

 

Pay attention to His voice within

As you walk out your faith today

Be conscious of His words to you

I bet you’ll hear Him say:

 

“My child, I love you more than life

You are My special lamb

I want to be Your Shepherd

And show you Who I AM…

 

I’m your light in the darkness

I’m your stronghold in the war

I’m your comfort in your sorrow

I’m the angel at your door

 

I give you food and shelter

I protect you from your foe

I speak the truth within your heart

The things that you should know

 

I hear you when you call Me

I’m with you in all you do

And when you cannot find the strength

You can be sure I’ll carry you

 

Trust in Me, obey My words

And I will see you through

I do not ask you to perform

Without preparing you

 

And when My work you’ve carried out

My joy is your reward

Let your praises ring, let Me hear you sing

‘Halleluiah to the Lord!’”


 

Take heart! We can have peace in a troubled world.

Nov18

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:2-4)

My dear children, in this world you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world. In Me you may find your peace. My peace is available to you at all times, through all the trials of this life. Though the storms rage around you, you need only look within to find your tranquility. I am in you and you are in Me, just as I am in My Father and My Father is in Me.

Turn to Me, and I will calm the wind and the waves that threaten you. Though you are weak, you may find your strength in Me. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, for I am with you always. I do not leave you alone as orphans. My Spirit lives in your heart.

When you accept Me as your Savior, you are born of God. When you believe that I am the Son of God, you too, in faith, will overcome the world. Live victoriously in your faith. Show yourself to be My children by loving each other as I have loved you. When you obey My commands, you will remain in My love. My joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.

My peace and joy are available to you, even in the trials and turmoil this world brings. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Remain in Me and I will remain in you. My love, joy and peace will remain in you as well. Let My joy be a shining light in a world full of darkness. Radiate My love to a broken world.

See also John 14:27, John 15:4, John 15:9-13.

“United” States of America? Not!

Nov16


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

Jesus Christ is the One and Only True God of the “United” States of America.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of UNITY among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (emphasis mine, Romans 15:5-7)

The one star on the flag pictured here suggests UNITY–Fifty individual states that come together to form ONE nation under GOD. In a week of divided discontent and the protests of a nation against the man elected by its people to serve as the next leader of the free world, it would behoove us to consider the Scripture above.

As followers of Christ, we are called to a spirit of unity, so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify God. Therefore, we MUST ACCEPT one another, just as Christ accepted us, in order to bring praise to God.

If you find yourself wanting to protest the most recent leadership choice of the nation, should you instead channel your energy into glorifying God by accepting one another? Remember the words of Paul in Romans 8:28 & 31, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

UNITY–“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Since Jesus Christ graciously accepted me, a sinner, shouldn’t I imitate and obey Him by accepting others? With man (or woman), this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Paul is the perfect example of how God can use even the worst of sinners for the good of those who love Him. I think God can handle the latest election results. Yes, God can use even Donald Trump for the good of those who love God. Let this be your testimony to your friends who are eager to sign their name to a petition and march with a sign in their hands. Imitate God and encourage a spirit of unity. Accept one another in order to bring praise to God.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Pray for Donald Trump as he prepares to lead the Not-United States of America.

 

Hunting Widow’s Special – 2 FREE Kindle Books on November 15 only!

Nov15


Hunting Widows: While your loved one is in the woods pursuing the elusive Whitetail, you can be pursuing a more intimate relationship with your Lord and Savior. Grab your KINDLE reader and download the first two books in the Hearing God’s Voice Series – absolutely FREE today only - Tues. November 15.  Click on these two links and get your FREE copies of

7 Simple Steps to Hearing God’s Voice 

AND

7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speak.

A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

Book One in Hearing God’s Voice Series

A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

Book Two in Hearing God’s Voice Series

Do you feel like winter wheat?

Nov14


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

winter wheat

A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

perennial wheat grass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When old man winter strikes with a vengeance, do you relate more to winter wheat (left) or perennial wheat grass (right)? Do you remain in a vegetative phase during the winter but produce a higher yield in the spring or summer? Or do you flourish and produce your best harvest in the harshness of winter weather?

I’m a hybrid wheat. I don’t enjoy the colder weather, so I stay inside and keep to myself. My activities and relationships may go dormant for a few months. However, this also affords me time to read, study, write and produce good content for the harvest.

It’s okay to be the winter wheat recluse, as long as you are bulking up in spiritual knowledge and rebuilding your energy to produce your best harvest when warmer weather returns.

My child, I am the Vine; you are the branch. Remain in Me and I will remain in you. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. If you remain in Me, and I in you, you will be even more fruitful. (See John 15:1-8)

If you are winter wheat, be sure to remain in the Vine during your dormancy. Use your alone time to bulk up in spiritual knowledge by remaining in God’s Word. Don’t let your relationship with Jesus go dormant. Spend time with Him daily in two-way conversation—talk to Him, and then leave room in the conversation for Him to speak to you.

Winter wheat generally produces a higher yield. You will too, when you remain in the Vine during the solitude of winter.

Shine like a Star

Oct6


 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.[1]

My A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.blessed one, live out your faith in awe and reverence, for it is I Who work in you to carry out My good and perfect will. Shine brightly like a star in a dark generation as you hold on to My word of life. Listen intently to My voice within you and radiate My words of love to a corrupt world. Take every opportunity to refer to Me in your conversations and your actions. Keep My name and My Word in a prominent position daily as you live out your life in peace. Walk in step with My Spirit, paying close attention to His teaching and prompting. Be a light to those who live in darkness. Deliver a message of hope and good news to those held in the bondage of sin. Bring sight to those who are blind to My ways. You are My messenger of salvation. Be a shining star, reflecting My glory for all to see.

stock-illustration-design-background-of-blue-luminous

© OlgaYakovenko

[1] The New King James Version. (1982). (Php 2:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

A Delicate Balance

Oct1

Body

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Mind

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Spirit

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12)

 

My beloved one,

Honor Me with your body—it is My dwelling place. Deep within your inmost being, I make your heart My home. Do not defile your body, it is My holy temple. You are not your own. You have been purchased by My blood; I redeemed you. You belong to Me; therefore, honor Me with your body. You are My child. Put to death the misdeeds of the body and live by the Spirit of the One Who adopted you for all time.  

Renew your mind with My good pleasure. Immerse yourself daily in My Word. Do not be conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed by Me. Do not believe the lies that originate in the darkness. But listen to the truth spoken by My Spirit. Let Him recreate your thoughts. Bathe yourself in Scripture, using it as your fortress and your defense on the battlefield of your mind.

Your spirit has been linked with mine. Live in step with the Spirit, disregarding the desires of the flesh. Set your mind on what the Spirit desires and deny the impulses of the body. When your body, mind, and spirit all cooperate with My Spirit, He gives life to your mortal body and purifies your depraved mind.

The balance between body, mind, and spirit is delicate and difficult to achieve. Only when you live by My Spirit will you find your equilibrium. Listen to My voice within and submit yourself daily into My care and guidance. I am here to help you succeed. Take My hand and walk with Me. I will see you through your challenges and rejoice with you in your victories. We will overcome.

Let My children, called by My name, delight with Me in the joy of My salvation!