Finding Refuge in the Lord

Touring old castles can give you a picture of God’s love and protection. Those castles have been around for centuries and provided shelter and protection to the multitudes. It endured battles and weathered storms yet remain. That is what David is talking about when he describes the protection God has given him. You can find refuge in the Lord as well when you turn to Jesus in times of trouble.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭144:2

“My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.”

David knew God as his protector. God had protected him as a young boy while he watched the sheep, as a young man while he was fleeing from Saul, and as an old man when he had to flee his son Absalom’s coup attempt. He saw God as his fortress that was steadfast and never wavered. Do you look at the Lord the same way? Do you recognize how God has protected you over your lifetime? When you see how He has been your shield that has delivered you repeatedly, it changes your perspective on life.

Taking a Break

Hey Everyone, This week I am taking a break from writing devotions as I take my summer vacation. I won’t be posting any new devotionals but I want to encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook page or Twitter account where it posts previous devotionals I have written in past years. The links to the…

A Wealth of Knowledge and Wisdom

Have you ever been in the same room with someone who is incredibly smart? How did it make you feel? Were you intimidated by their knowledge or fascinated by what they had to say? Some people feel this way with God. They are either overwhelmed by how great He is or exhilarated with the wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:33

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

Paul summarizes the immensity of God in these two statements. The depth of the knowledge and wisdom of God are too deep to plumb, and it is impossible to understand His ways. We don’t need to know the depth of His knowledge. All we need to know is that we will never reach the bottom, and it will never run out. If you ask for the wisdom of God, He will give you a double portion. Think about that for a second. The resources are infinite, and He gives you twice as much as you ask.

Rescued from Temptation

Old habits are hard to break. This is especially true when it comes to bad ones. The same can be said for our sin. We often repeat the same sins over and over again and really don’t have a clue how to break the cycle. Very few people possess the willpower to stop. Peter shows us another way to be rescued from temptation.

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:9

“then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”

In the previous verses leading up to this one, Peter states how God brought judgment on through the flood and on Sodom and Gomorrah, yet he rescued both Noah and Lot. If the Lord rescued them, then He knows how to rescue you from temptation. This is good news for those who struggle with daily temptation. Jesus can preserve you through the trial and strengthen you through the process. The real question then is, “Are you crying out to Jesus in your time of need?”

A Teachable Heart

Teachers have one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. I couldn’t imagine spending the whole day in a classroom with a group of students trying to keep their attention. King David had a teachable heart. He wanted to grow in his knowledge of the Word of God and was always asking to be shown the way. Do you have a teachable heart?

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:8‬

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.”

David wanted to wake up every morning with God on his mind. “Let me hear you lovingkindness in the morning.” It’s like saying, fill my heart with your love for today. He didn’t want to be bogged down with the day’s worries. Instead, he wanted to be lifted high above it all by receiving from the Lord. What a great example. David’s trust was where it should be, and he wanted that to lift his soul.

The Way to Salvation

I used to go to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on Monday nights and listen to Greg Laurie teach a Bible study in college. There were always hundreds of people there. At the end of every sermon, he would give a salvation message. I can’t remember a night where less than fifty people walked down the…

Trust the Lord with Your Path

In the book “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken, he tells the story of going to Somalia during the civil war and dealing with land mines that had been placed by warring factions. It was dangerous to walk in the streets or fields for fear of setting one of these off. I couldn’t imagine fearing my children stepping on one of these by simply playing outside. King David knew what it was like to have traps set for him. He didn’t lose hope. Trust the Lord with Your Path

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭142:3‬

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.”

One of the most challenging aspects of being overwhelmed is not knowing what to do or where to go? David felt this when he said his spirit was overwhelmed. The walls of his world were crashing in, but he didn’t lose trust in the Lord. He knew that even though he was lost, God knew the path he was on. God had put him there and was guiding him in the direction he was supposed to go. If you are feeling overwhelmed and lost, don’t lose hope. God is with you, and He knows the path you are on. Trust Him and keep putting one in front of the other.

Clothe Yourself with Humility

It is getting tiresome watching all of the arrogant politicians, actors, and athletes spew their opinions and attitudes on the rest of us. These men and women who have achieved success in one area of their lives are often train wrecks in most other areas. Pride is a cancer that is destroying communities and churches all over the world. The Apostle Peter tells you to clothe yourself with humility.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:5

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Peter has to address an issue that needs to be repeated today, submitting to authority. Too many young adults are disrespectful towards the leadership of this country and the church. Young people need to be subject to the elders. That means they purposely place themselves under the church leadership. With so many rebellious people in the church, that is a challenge for young Christians.

Looking in the Right Direction

Are you the type of person with a good sense of direction, or are you easily turned around and soon lost? It seems people are one or the other. There are few things more disconcerting than not being able to find your way. The Psalmist understands that from a spiritual perspective and encourages us when we are spiritually lost to make sure we are looking in the right direction, at Jesus.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141:8

“For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.”
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The Psalmist is on to something here. When you are looking in the right direction, many of the cares of the world fade away. We also find refuge and see our defender. A big part of fear focuses on our problem and not on the One who has the solution. Most people feel lost when they are engulfed with the worries of the world and are unable to see the refuge that available to them. Don’t become overwhelmed. Look to Jesus.

What’s On Your Mind?

I will often look over at my wife when we are on a long drive and say, “penny for your thoughts?” She will turn and look at me and smile. Most of the time, her answer is “nothing,” which means she is developing her thoughts to share with me later. Sometimes she will say, “I was thinking about…” Every once in a while, she will say, “I have an idea.” When she says this, I know a long conversation is about to follow because she had been chewing on it for quite some time. What’s on your mind? Is it things of the Spirit or things of the flesh?

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:6

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”

The eighth chapter of Romans is all about the battle between the flesh and the Spirit. This is a daily battle that each believer fights. One of the keys to victory is what your mind is focused on. If your mind is set on the things of the Spirit, it is more than likely that you will win the battle that day. If your mind is set on the things of the flesh, defeat is inevitable. Before you can win the battle of the flesh, you have to fight and win the battle of the mind. What’s on your mind today? Is it the worries of your day? Is it some impure thought? These can easily control you and direct your path.