eph. 6:10-18

Friday April 21st-Psalm 140-Prayer Protection!

1:00 PM

 

Psalm 140, Proverbs 27:5-6

Years ago I had and still have a dear friend who was in trouble with family members wanting more than their fair share of the family estate after her husband passed away suddenly.  I asked the Lord to give me something to pray to help her in this situation.  He did, this psalm!  At first I thought can I really pray this?  Yes I can!   I believe that we are praying against the enemy who uses people, devising evil things in their hearts, who continually sharpen their tongues as a viper, they are violent and wicked.  We see this all too much these days.    

In the darkest of times, in the heat of the battles, in the struggles and hardships of life, we can find great reassurance and powerful reminders through the book of Psalms of who God is. He alone is the One who can deliver and set us free from our troubles. So often we run everywhere else for help, but turning to His words of truth first is the best place to go. Praying God’s words back to Him aligns our hearts with His, brings peace to our spirits and reminds us that He’s at work on our behalf. It brings us comfort to know we’re never alone, and we can find refuge in Him and strength for our days. [I believe]

David knows what the enemy is up to. That they are evil, violent and devising evil things in their hearts, continually stir up wars, purposely tripping up his feet, setting snares and traps for him.

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars.  They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet.  The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set snares for me. Selah. Psalms 140:1-5

David knows who He is God is!  He knows the One he can trust! I said to the LORD, “You are my God;  give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications. “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Psalms 140:6-7

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Psalms 31:14-15

David knows how to pray for them!

As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lips cover them.  “May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot rise.  “May a slanderer not be established in the earth; may evil hunt the violent man speedily.” Psalms 140:9-11

David knows that he and those who call out to Him will be thankful, praising Him!

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor.  Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence. Psalms 140:12-13

Here are some good scriptures to help you in your times of troubles.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Hebrews 4:12-13

Are you in a battle? What are your weapons? What scriptures has the Lord given you to fight the battle you are in?

Father, we come before You, asking You for help in our time of need. The enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy but You have come to give us life abundantly.  We will praise You in this trial knowing that we will grow in our faith.  We lay before You_________ and ask that You intercede for us.  Rescue us from the schemes of the evil one.  We will praise Your name and give You the honor and the glory.  Blessed be Your name, Amen     


 Lyn                                                  

Eph. 6:10-20

Psalm 70 - The Lord is Great!

2:00 PM

 

Read Psalm 70- Eph. 6:10-20

Spending time in the psalms this fall has been so life changing.  I have spent much time in the psalms in the past and still every time I do I come away so enlightened by His Word.  I learn something new each time.  I love that about His word, it never gets old or boring.  It is life giving.

How about you?  Can we really pray against those who taunt us and make our lives miserable?  Yes, we can!  This psalm is short but powerful. 

During these past months we have learned about David’s struggles, anxieties and fears.  He was honest with God and told Him like it was.  Many of them start out with where are you God, he felt alone and rejected.  Yet in those same psalms he praised His Savior. He did not take his focus off God but kept it on Him. He knew who his Savior was.  We have an enemy always scheming against us.  Some days can be more exhausting than others.  I like what Matthew Henry says “urgent trials should always awake fervent prayers.”  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b

This psalm starts out with him crying out to the Lord to deliver him and do it quickly!  He ran to the One he knew could help and deliver him.  He also prayed against those who sought his life to destroy it.   He encourages us who seek Him to rejoice and be glad.  We are to continually say the Lord is Great! Once again at the end he cries out to God to not delay in helping him.

 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of  buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unawares,
And let the net which he hid catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall. Psalms 35:1-8

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” Psalms 40:16

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
4  Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;                                                                                                       For You I wait all the day. Psalms 25:1-5


We have a full armor that we can put on everyday of our lives.  We do not fight against flesh and blood.  Eph. 6:10-17 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 1 Timothy 6:12-13

But the goal of our  instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

Are you being honest with God?

Are you putting on His armor each day?

Are you taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ?

Are you praising Him?

Praise the Lord on your bed at night, praise him when you wake up in the morning, praise him as you prepare breakfast, praise him on your way to work or school, praise him when you gather with other believers. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise”! –Heb. 13:15 [Jim Cymbala}

Lord, I thank You that You have given us everything we need to stand strong against the enemy of our soul.  It is You “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” and I submit myself to You as Your servant.  Help me to always understand who my enemy is and be able to clearly recognize his hand in everything.  I know You do not ever bring confusion on us, but You can confuse the enemy (I Cor. 14:32).  Whenever he tries to cause confusion in my life, I pray You will cause confusion in his camp when I pray.  I know the enemy is no match for You.  You are a God who hears and answers.  All things in our lives work together for good because we love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Thank You for Your armor that we can be equipped with everyday to withstand the schemes of the devil and resist him in the evil day.  You are a very present help in time of need.  We can boldly and confidently come before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and grace for help in our time of need.  We rejoice in You Lord!  We praise Your Holy name!  You are the Holy One of Israel!  Almighty God!  

We writer's will be taking a break and will be back Jan. 16th 2023.  May your time during this season of the remembrance of the birth of Christ bring you into a closer relationship with Him.  

Lyn