Relieved and Revived

“You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; and you have made me the head of the nations: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.”  Psalm 18:43

The first step toward victory is, understanding why we are losing the battle!  Turning leadership over to someone more capable is hindered by pride but the outcome of the one that does is relieved and revived! 

The war is never won until we see how weak we are and how powerful the LORD is!

I had the SAVIOR take my place

In the battle I couldn’t win. 

Now I follow JESUS who leads.

And this battle He will win!

He has changed my fear and given peace

This SAVIOR of my soul.

The victories won are not my own.

Trusting CHRIST my only goal!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Let Freedom Ring

“Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.”  Psalm 18:42

Sin is a plague to the heart of all mankind.  It has the bite of a rabid dog!   Triumph over this most hideous of enemies is fruitless without the help of one more powerful than it is! 

Sins defeat comes through the One who has completely and forever conquered it!  I failed but He was victorious!   

CHRIST “subdued our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19). 

Not even the dust remains

Of sin CHRIST has forgiven.

Nowhere to be found

It’s been released from me!

Cast behind the back of JEHOVAH

Buried in the depth of the sea!

There is no freedom greater than the freedom from sin!  No one will ever find this most excellent freedom without JESUS CHRIST!

 “But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”  Isaiah 38:17 

Hollow or Happy

“They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.”  Psalm 18:41

Seeking safety through a dormant object or ideals that derive out of the thoughts of man will leave you on an island all alone, “There is none to save them”!

Happy is the one that puts GOD first in their cry for help, they will be heard!  The one that tries all other avenues will be disappointed, “He answered them not”! Be not fooled, GOD will never take second place, His Holiness demands first!

Hollow is the soul

That cries out to empty ears.  

Never hearing an answer,

To lift them from their fears!

Happy is the heart

That calls upon the LORD.

Casting all their troubles

On CHRIST JESUS their reward!

 “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Psalm 18:6

Peace through Power

“Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.”  Psalm 18:40

My biggest enemy is myself or should I say the flesh that has me bound.  Its power seizes me and tears at my very being.  It strangles me with its desires that holds me back from what my LORD wants of me.  There is a groaning within my heart for freedom from its clutching power! 

How often I have wanted the strength to take this enemy by the neck and squeeze the life from it.  I hate the hold it has on me!  My own strength is not enough. I can’t do it on my own! 

These are the repetitious sins that I try to put away and never do again; they are broken promises to me and to my LORD, they go on and on and on!

The conclusion to this dreadful state is this, as long as I try to fight on my own, there will always be never ending battles.  It is GOD’s power that gives the strength, “Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.”!

O the power we have in JESUS

O the wonders of His might!

He alone is our protection

He destroys sin from His sight!

He’ll take the things that constantly harm us.

And by His power He will destroy!

Never to worry CHRIST is with us

O my JESUS, Your powers deploy!

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:9

Six Simple Words

“For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.”  Psalm18:39

I base my salvation upon the Word of GOD and what it tells me I must do to obtain it! 

Although my heart tells me I should do some great deed and live my life by adhering to the entire commandments written in the Bible, as I read it I find that all my righteousness is as filthy rags! It is impossible for me to do anything good enough to receive true salvation!

I must depend on the work of JESUS who is the brightness of GOD’s glory and the express image of His person and the incredible sacrifice He made for me on a cruel Roman cross!  It was JESUS who lived perfect, kept all the law, tempted and yet never sinned; it was JESUS that took my place!

Over the ages great theologians have tried to declare this so great salvation with words that are most difficult to understand by the normal mind but when Paul was ask, “What must I do to be saved?” he gave his answer with six simple words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” and that is what I have done!

GOD has encircled my life,

He cares for my soul.

He gives me strength

He makes me whole. 

There is no other way

To find satisfaction sweet.

I love you my JESUS!

My salvation complete! 

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

They Have Fallen and Can’t Get Up

“I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.”  Psalm 18:38

The weapons we use during battle greatly affect its outcome!  The efficiency of those weapons depends on our ability to use them properly!  The prepared soldier that is ready for war is better than the weakling that hasn’t prepared himself. 

“GOD is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble”!  He is the Leader that never fails.  The WORD of GOD is the weapon of our faith and the protector of our souls!  The WORD of GOD, Prayer and the congregation of believers gives us the ability to overcome all we may face!

What power and strength there is for the one that is dependent upon the ALMIGHTY!  What will be said of the enemy of GOD?  They have fallen and can’t get up! 

The great battle was won the war is over; CHRIST has risen and prepares to return!  Happy is the one that is in the camp of GOD! 

When they’ve been wounded

That trust not in the LORD.

They’ll find themselves hopeless

 In their strength and their sword!

They lay on the ground

Covered with their shame!

No one to help them,

They themselves are to blame!

If only they had listened

To the preachers they heard.

They would rise with the SAVIOR

And none of this would have accrued!  

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Staying in the Battle

“I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.”  Psalm 18:37

Being on guard is good but the pursuant soldier prevails in battle!  Running toward the enemy is far better than running from them! 

It is better to overtake the enemy then to have the enemy overtake you!  Proper preparation is the beginning of a victorious end!  Retreat is never an option, faith outweighs fear!

Something to understand is a battlefield is never pretty or an easy place to be!  The soldier that stands fast is a victorious one no matter the outcome!

CHRIST JESUS is the “Commander and Chief” of the believer, the battle is already won!  Stay steady, stay strong, the battle is not yours, it is His!   “JESUS is the victory that overcomes the world”!

With all the faith we have within

We wholly trust in JESUS.

No other way can we perform,

His mighty power, it frees us!

Take your armies with their swords

You will never be able to stop us!

What you have is never enough

We keep our trust in JESUS!

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4

In CHRIST Alone

“Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”  Psalm 18:35

Thank you GOD the FATHER for the SHIELD, His salvation is the perfect protection of the believer. 

He shields us from our sin and sits us in high places.  He’s at the right hand of the FATHER, and makes intersession for those that trust Him!  He is a most excellent High Priest!

Through tenderness He guides, the HOLY SPIRIT is our Comforter!  He never leaves or forsakes us; He is continually present teaching and watching over us!  Nothing ever escapes His vision, He knows every moment of our eternal life.  He is Love in its purest form!

How great The LORD!

All Three in one!

Their presence in my heart!

No one can take my

Salvation away,

No one can break apart!

With gentleness and love

He holds me up.

He’s done this from the start.

No need for the things

This world has to give.

GOD’s grace He did impart!

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

The Music of the Word

“He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”  Psalm 18:34

It is evident, if one is to be taught they must pay attention to the teacher and take advantage of all the tools and methods the teacher gives!  The success of the student is dependent on their active participation in the process of learning.

A good teacher is more valuable then gold but a bad teacher is sour apples!  The teacher has the student’s future in their hands.  The good teacher is interested in a successful outcome to the student’s life while the bad teacher is interested in themselves.

JESUS is the good teacher, whose interest is in all students!  He is perfect and has no reason to lift Himself up.  He is as high as high can be!  GOD’s written word is the book of instruction and it will certainly guide the student to everlasting success.

JESUS, the good teacher prepares His students to win the battles of life and prepares them for everlasting glory!  Their strength is not their own but it is the power of CHRIST that carries them through.  The HOLY SPIRIT is their guide, and He directs them to safety!

I found strength in what I’ve been taught

Through the writings in GOD’s Word!

With each and every thought

Great delight has occurred!

All His grace and my salvation

Brought peace when it was heard!

No greater satisfaction

Then the music of The Word!

No matter what I’m faced with

The SPIRIT guides my way.

Showing me the steps to take

And the things I ought to say!

GOD’s teachings are the greatest

That ever could be found.

Bring shouts of Hallelujah!

With each and every sound!

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:13-17

Run or Stand

Run or Stand

“He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.”  Psalm 18:33    

  

I have spent hours watching the whitetail deer that graze the fields by my house. Most of them are doe with a fawn or yearling close by.  With each bite she takes, she lifts her head to observe her surroundings making sure of their safety.

I have seen the doe stomp her feet making a wheezing sound and run toward an approaching coyote to protect her young.  Most of the time what I observe is the quick response.  She and her young look like roller coasters as the make their high leaps into the air, over the grassy field.   

Whether the doe runs toward or from the enemy I must say it is a beautiful sight to see. Her feet are most important.  The stomping of her front feet is a warning to her enemy and the swiftness of her rear feet helps her glide through the air to safety. 

God gives the believer the power to stand against or escape from all that would harm them. They are under the Lord’s protection! Like the deer we must make a calculated decision whether we stand or run.  When we base our decisions on the Word of God we can’t miss. If we hide the Word of God in our heart, it enables a quick and decisive decision.

 I’ve felt the fear of the enemies approach.

In anxiety, I was frightened.

I’ve heard their words of great reproach.

And my fears, they were heightened.

But I found the way to escape their wrath.

I placed my trust in Jesus.

The fear has gone, and Christ I have,

His promises will never to leave us.

Now, when they come I have this to say,

Jesus is my Lord and Savior’!

I was bought by His blood on Calvary’s cross,

And I’m constantly in His favor.

So if I take a stand, you had better run.

The Sword of the LORD is with me.

I have “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother”,

And He stands right here beside me!

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  2 Timothy 1:12

What's Good about Me

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32

The Bible is full of the testimonies of the weak and meager becoming strong and powerful in the work of the LORD.  How can one forget the little red headed boy that slew a giant or a little girl taken hostage being used of GOD to see that Naaman went to the prophet to be healed?  Three Hebrew boys, Daniel, Samuel and so many others were used of GOD.  A prostate, a murderer that stuttered, a tax collector, fishermen and a little guy that had to climb a tree, all used of GOD!   These are just a few that came to mind without thinking hard on the subject.

The fact is there is only way a person can be used of GOD!  You must live by faith. In order to do this you must be totally sold out to the LORD.  Forget what you know and believe what He teaches.  Renew your minds in the Word and follow the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT!  “Become fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ;” 1 Corinthians 4:10

I’m sad to say more believers tend to follow their own way, using their own talents rather than taking the road of faith.  There is not a greater joy then the joy you receive when GOD supernaturally guides you. When you have nothing to do with it and the LORD has everything to do with it!

Anything good that comes from me 
Is truly not my own. 
It’s the presence of my SAVIOR, 
It’s His all alone. 

Any strength or any power, 
That appears to come from me.
You’re looking at my JESUS; 
It’s never me you see. 

GOD lifts me up to lofty places 
Above where I belong. 
It’s only by His power 
That keeps me going on!

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:25

GOD or god

“For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”  Psalm 18:31

There are many gods in this world but there is only one GOD!  It is a simple thing to explain what a god is but when you try to explain the one and only true GOD it is something else!

The easiest way for me to explain GOD is by His action.  One look at a clear dark sky lit up with tiny glittering stars pasted in the heavens is an indication of His power in creation.  The smell of the evergreens in the forest or the fragrance of the flower all point to the One GOD!

The lion of the field and the bear of the woods, the tiniest insect and the eagle, a blade of grass and a giant redwood, all is the action of a GOD!  I look at the sun in the morning and the moon at night, I feel the breeze of the air and smell a fresh rain and I see GOD!

I see GOD when I remember what He did for me.  He reached down from His high place in Glory and forgave me of all my filthy sins.  All of them!  He took my hand and told me He would never let me go.  I have attempted to return to old ways but GOD draws me close to Himself! 

I’ve witnessed GOD answering prayers that couldn’t be explained any other way!  It is GOD!  I live by faith and GOD honors it.  He reveals Himself to me daily.  He laughs with me and He cries with me.  He comforts me when I am in distress.  He has never told me a lie!  What He says in His Word is pure truth and I am lifted to high places when I read it. 

Let me ask you a question.  Can I say the same things about a god?  I think not!  They are made of gold and silver that tarnish!  They are made of wood that crumbles.  They are money that you lose just like all things you make a god out of!

This simple statement made by my friend, Lester Roloff puts things in the right perspective, “You’re not going to take a U-Haul to Heaven”!  Perhaps some of us need to put our minds more on GOD then gods!  

Who is GOD? He is JEHOVAH!

With all authority and majestic strength!

His ability is awesome, He’s mighty in power!

He can’t be measured by width or length!

No greater love can be found without Him.

He alone is love in its greatest degree!

His compassion is plenty! His pardon is real!

Oh the great love God has for you and me!

All other god’s that you see by your vision.

They tarnish and crumble they come to waste.

But oh my friend not the mighty JEHOVAH!

He lives forever no greater love can you taste!

CHRIST is the Answer!

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and  righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”  Psalm 19:9-10

Surrounded by the Shield

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”  Psalm 18:30

GOD is perfect in every respect, He cannot be improved on!  If this is so, isn’t it also true if man puts himself above GOD by choosing his own way instead of GOD’s  he is saying he is before GOD?

Those that choose their own imperfect way may have some successes to tease their heart and puff them up but in the end their successes are temporary, obsolete and their satisfaction is next to none.

GOD’s perfection is echoed in His Word, it is absolute and nothing can be added to it to make it more sure; it is sure in every respect!  Its writing is the guide to happiness and peace.  It is the breath of the ALMIGHTY, within it is life and its words are pure truth!

This is the conclusion.  In the beginning was GOD, He always was, He always is, He always will be and He is life everlasting to those that trust HIM!

No better way can be found

No matter where you look.

Not even by the greatest minds

But only in GOD’s Book!

Others have tried on their own

And they have always failed.

All the words of GOD’s Holy Book

By His power they have prevailed!

This living collection of GOD’s words

Is the shield that surrounds my soul!

And none can ever harm me at all

For my protection, is GOD’s goal!

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13