“His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”                               Ps 91:4 NLT

A vendor at a state fair gave Mavis Gustafson Pigford a free Gideon Bible. She tucked it in her purse and forgot about it. Later as she walked along, a car pulled up, the driver pointed a gun and told her to get in.

She writes: “I did as he said. He pulled over and tried to force me down on the seat. I struggled…and finally he ordered me out of the car. Before my feet hit the ground, I heard a shot and felt a sharp pain in my side. I collapsed, and the man came around…took my wallet…threw my purse at my head and shot it. I felt a dreadful impact. Still conscious…I heard the car drive away and I stumbled to a nearby farmhouse. The woman called for help…and as I was rushed to the hospital the police closed in on the drug-crazed driver who attacked me.

Before surgery to remove the bullet in my side, my sister came to see me. ‘Do you know what saved your life?’ she asked. She handed me the Bible from my purse. A bullet was lodged inside, its tip stopping exactly at Psalm 37:14-15: ‘The wicked draw the sword…to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken’” (NIV).

Yet another example of how God’s always a step ahead: “He will rescue you from every trap…shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection…he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go…

The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me…protect those who trust in my name” (Ps 91:3-4, 11, 14 NLT).

​- https://www.jentezenfranklin.org/posts/hes-always-a-step-ahead-2 -

In Genesis 4, we came across a character named Enosh. The name Enosh means frail, mortal man. Just like Enosh; as humans we are all frail and mortal. Although we hope to live a joyful and victorious life, none of us is free from problems such as weaknesses, uncertainty, sickness, or pain.

Some of us might be very determined and strong in character. But human's strength and patience has it's limit.

At the time of Enosh, people began to call on the name of the Lord. Even today, we can also call on His name. It is a comfort to know that our God is living, He listens and He cares. We might be weak at times, but He is always strong. We might be unable, but God is able. We can cast all our worries and cares to Him.

Genesis 4:26 
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
Matthew 28:20
..., I am with you always, to the end of the age.

- Diven

​“If we walk in the light…the blood of Jesus…cleanseth us from all sin.”  1Jn 1:7

Twice in Scripture God spoke into our darkness. In Genesis chapter one He said, “Let there be lights” (v. 14). And in John chapter three Jesus declared, “Light [has] come into the world” (v. 19).

To walk with God you must reject the ways of darkness and walk in the light. Fungus grows best in the dark, but when you turn on the light it withers and dies. This is more than a metaphor—it’s a spiritual fact of life! Jesus said, “[People] loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Jn 3:19 NIV).

As Ester Nicholson says, “Secrets keep us sick. They keep us in shame and uncertainty.” Secrecy is the ideal environment for sin to grow until ultimately you’re taken captive by thoughts, deeds, and habits. And staying in darkness intensifies your cycle of secrecy and slavery to sin. “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1Jn 1:6 NIV). Once you step into the light everything changes!

​So confess your secret sins to God, and, if necessary, to a trusted friend or counselor who can pray with you. Then through God’s strength reclaim your power to overcome sin and live victoriously. Once you’ve turned on the light, the fungus begins to wither. Its grip loosens, and freedom dawns. Each time sin comes knocking at your door bring it into the light immediately. When you do, cleansing and fellowship with God will be yours. The Bible says, “If we walk in the light…we have fellowship…and the blood of Jesus…cleanseth us from all sin.”

- https://www.jentezenfranklin.org/posts/walk-in-the-light-2 -

​“Anyone who…looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God.”  Lk 9:62 

Jesus sought out people prepared to do more than just believe in Him—He wanted people willing to follow Him. His early ministry was marked by people like Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel (See Jn 1:35-52): people willing to leave where they were and what they owned in order to follow Him.

Jesus called people to a life of radical commitment. When He “called the crowd to Him…He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives’” (Mk 8:34 NCV). No half-measures, but a willingness to follow Him full-time.

Trusting in Jesus will get you into heaven, but nothing less than following Him daily will make you useful in His kingdom on earth. Three different men told Jesus, “I’ll follow you, Lord” (Lk 9:61 GWT), but they weren’t willing to give up the priorities of their old lives (See v. 62). And Jesus responded with this powerful metaphor: “Anyone who puts his hand to the plough and…looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God.”

​Following Jesus means whatever is back there, stays back there—old hang-ups, attachments, and lifestyles. You can’t plow the straight furrow of discipleship looking back at the past. Don’t let the gravitational pull of past failure, guilt, fear, shame, betrayal, loss, abuse, rejection, resentment, and unforgiveness ruin your future. Cut the cord; join those willing to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev 14:4 NKJV).

- ​https://www.jentezenfranklin.org/posts/dont-look-back-2 -

The story is told of a woman who loved Jesus very much and wanted nothing more than to please Him. “I’ll gladly do whatever You ask,” she promised, hoping secretly for some noble and noticed place of service.

To her dismay He handed her a heavy, rough burlap sack and asked her to carry it as they walked through life together. As they started on their way, the woman sank down under the weight of her burden. “It’s too heavy!” she protested.

“My strength is made perfect in your weakness, and I will always be at your side,” Jesus reassured her. “When the way gets steep or you feel faint, lean on Me.”

So they walked on together, and it was just as Jesus had said. Sometimes the woman stopped and told Him that the weight was too much for her to bear, and so they bore it together.

By and by they arrived at their destination. The woman set her bundle down at Jesus’ feet and heaved a sigh of relief. Her burden-bearing days were over.

“Let’s see what’s inside,” Jesus said with a twinkle in His eye. With one stroke of His hand the knots were undone, the sack fell open, and the contents spilled out. “The riches of heaven!” the woman exclaimed as her eyes feasted on treasures of unearthly beauty.

“This is your eternal reward—My gift in appreciation for all you have been through,” Jesus explained.

The woman fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Oh Lord, forgive me! I misunderstood all these years. If I had only trusted You and not doubted! If only I had understood what was inside the sack, it would have been a joy to carry. I never should have grumbled or complained!”

You may look around and see others whose burdens appear to be much lighter than your own, and you may wish you could trade places. Each burden is tailor-made for its bearer, and is fashioned with the greatest of love and care. God knows exactly what’s best for you. Trust Him.

Proverbs 3: 5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

- Anonymous