It has been a rather wild and rocky couple of weeks. The ongoing reports of a worldwide pandemic has brought fear and caution into our homes and often times our hearts as well. . I know last week I had to turn off the TV and run to the word to keep myself steady. Pastors have done an amazing job reminding us of God’s protection during these uncertain times. Regardless of closed meeting places they have continued to encourage us on line and with great podcasts.

Many of us are at home, either working from home, helping with childcare or taking the opportunity to do spring cleaning. As for my house we are buried in the worst snow storm of the year with no power this afternoon so nothing feels all that different! Yet it is, there are new realities that are hard to fully comprehend, with a future that is difficult to predict.

Last night the Lord woke me up at 4 in the morning with instructions for today.  The first thing I heard was silver linings. Please know that most of the time when we hear the Lord it is in our own voice, the difference is that we probably wouldn’t be saying these things to ourselves.

The Lord impressed me not to miss the silver linings within these dark clouds. Families are together. Just Saturday my son Jason felt he should move his family up to Lake Almanor to his in-laws summer home minutes from us. In the natural it seemed rather rushed Saturday night as a huge snow storm was underway, however by Monday we could see why they moved when they did with the bay area on lock down. God made a way for us to be together and answered a prayer of mine at the same time. I had just been praying the week before for a plan to see my 4 grandchildren more often… A sliver lining

Then the instructions came as to who to call the next day. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to this amazing opportunity to touch base over the phone with a number of people. I prayed with several, caught up with others and was able to walk ( or talk) in my gifts, encouragement and prayer. Golden nuggets were picked up with each and every call with more to come as I follow His lead.

I have been camped out with many of you in Psalm 91 this week.

Psalm 91

1 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]

2 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”.

3 

Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4 

He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 

You will not fearthe terror of night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 

A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

8 

You will only observe with your eyes

    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 

no harm will overtake you,

    no disaster will come near your tent.

11 

For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways;

12 

they will lift you up in their hands,

    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 

“Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 

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

    I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

16 

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

To dwell means to settle down and make my home under the protection of Jesus. As I do this there is rest. When I move out from underneath His protection of truth I find myself battered by bad news and fears. Keeping my heart centered on His promises is the only thing that will truly bring us rest.

We have studied many times the power of our words, the power of life and death being unleashed in the words we speak. What a reminder to say out loud that God is who we are trusting in, period. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the preached word of God. Self preach my friends!

Verse 14 reminds us to acknowledge His name:

 Jehovah Shalom: He is our peace.

 Jehovah Jireh: He is our source

Jehovah Rapha: He is our Healer

Here are a few other favorite scriptures to keep close:

Philippians 4:6-7(NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We have to guard our hearts and minds.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

When fear comes in remember it is not from God.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

10 

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

 

As I settled down to go back to sleep this is the scripture that came to mind:

Isaiah 26:3  (NKJV)

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

God continues to remind us to not be afraid but to trust in Him and intentionally keep our minds guarded by Jesus by staying in His word.

We have amazing opportunities before us. Lets take advantage of more time to worship and study and listen to the ways He would use us s on a daily basis.

Reach out to those you haven’t touched base with for awhile. Ask the Lord who you are to call and perhaps pray with or for. Many who may have been closed to the good news of Jesus may be open to hearing about His love now. Ask who in your circle of influence you are to pray for or share with.

Celebrate time with family. Use your gifts. Bake for those who don’t, shop for those who can’t and j ask how you are to be a blessing. God is faithful and He is ready to instruct us in the way we should go.

There are silver linings and golden nuggets to be found daily! I don’t want to miss any of them!

God Bless,

Irene