With all the stockpiling, the fear and the panic…with all the feelings of “will God be there for me,” “are we going to be okay” and “how long will this last…” — the heart of our feelings must be addressed.

This is essential, because —denying (shoving away, pretending they aren’t there, ignoring) feelings does not help us feel good. It doesn’t work.  Only God’s truth and promises can supersede the feelings trying to overrule us.

Prayer is a divine interchange. It is a warm bath for our feelings. Through prayer, we cast what we carry on Jesus — and then He carries it. Think: Jesus, carrying the cross. He takes what we cannot carry and He carries it. He takes what we can not fix and fixes it. We must let Jesus carry the burdens we can’t handle. We were never designed to carry this weight.  Although, I get caught up in worry and fear, sometimes, I must admit: worry and fear is sin. In my pride, I accomplish something through worry. But, I never do.

Only prayer and casting my cares on the Lord ever helps me. Only trust and believing God is sovereign brings me through. Only remembering who my Protector is — really gives me rest.

Today, we need prayer, more than we know.  Let’s pray for each other. Let’s link hands.  Let’s press in.  I want to use Psalm 84 to guide us in prayer…

Father God,

As brothers and sisters, as children of your heavenly family, we virtually join hands.  We need you.  We pray for another. We think of one another.

Father, we thank you that you are here with us.  That you love us.  That you hear us.  We put our trust in you once again.  We hand to you our fear, worry, anxiety and unrest.  Forgive us, Papa.  We don’t want to partner with these things any longer. We know you will as Sovereign King, Reigning Ruler and Lord of all Lords have a better view of what to do with them, than we do. Forgive us.  We ask for your grace to fall on us now.  Empower and equip us afresh to stand in hope and faith. Give us wisdom to who and what we listen to.  Guide our daily paths. Lead us in new routines and reveal to us what is good. Encourage us in all your ways.

Father God, we thank you that you are our Protector and Keeper. You say in Psalm 84, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.”  We choose to ever praise you today.  You say, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”  Today, we know our strength comes only as we rest in you. With this, we set our hearts on you, on your small calls and on all your ways.  Even more, you say, “As they pass through the Valley of Bakah, they make it a place of springs, the autumn rains also cover it with pools.”  We trust and hope in you to make water out of the pools of sickness, hope out of despair and life from sickness.   You say, “They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” As we lean in, we will find strength.  Keep us under the shelter of your protection. Lead us with wisdom. Keep us near your help.

We are not defenseless, hopeless or helpless, we are watched-over by God. We are yours, Papa.  We are loved and kept. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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Bam!  

Whatever hit my car — hit hard. It came out of nowhere. With no car ahead of me and only a couple of branches overhead, I couldn’t figure out where it came from.

But, what I did see, clear as a day, was the ding on my windshield.  What hit, left its mark.

Many of us, get hit this way. Something comes from out-of-nowhere and leaves a mark.

Conflicts. Bam!
Arguments. Bam!
Defeat. Bam!
Issues. Financial problems. Health issues. Rejection. Bam! Bam! Bam!

Any way you cut it, the damage feels real. It tears up your insides. It leaves you with regret. It makes you horribly sad. Now you’re looking around you, saying, “How did I end up here? Why is it so hard?”

I understand those feelings. What I also understand, is this:

“My God is my protection and with Him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; He defends me and keeps me safe.” (Ps. 18:2)

You know, I can’t help but think how that rock, or whatever it was that hit me, without a barrier, could have hit me far worse. It could have ripped open my leg or slammed into my face. It could have sent me to the hospital…that is…if a shield was not present. But a shield was present: a windshield.

God is our shield. We may not always see His cover, but His protection is real.

God shields us in ways we cannot conceive or perceive. As a Father, He protects His young. As a Shepherd, He leaves the 99 to chase down the one at-risk child. As the Deliverer, he invaded the world to save us from eternal death.

Yes, there is pain for a moment but our lifetime reward is greater. The damage appears bad, but God knows how to, miraculously, make good come — out of the horribly bad. The burden and pain is a bummer, but God prevents us from living eternally bummed-out. He works in these ways…

Just because you can’t see what God is doing, doesn’t mean He isn’t protecting, saving, helping or equipping you. It doesn’t mean that God’s best plan isn’t in motion. Just because you feel down, doesn’t mean you are really down. Christ says you are seated in the heavenlies, with Him (Eph. 2:6).

Your issues are not a summation of your spiritual worthiness. Break that lie right now. You are not summed-up by what is happening to you.

You are loved and you are protected. Kept and held. Wanted and chosen.

God is your shield. He is over you and all around you. He defends you, keeps you and guards you.

Rest encouraged. Take hope. God has you.

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Daniel went straight into the lion’s den — and survived.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery —  only to later be made ruler of Egypt.

Job got almost everything taken away — only to end up MORE than restored.

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. . .

The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.” (Job. 42:10,12)

What you face today is not indicative of what God will do tomorrow. Some of you are facing battles of epic proportions. Giants that look stronger, bigger, and badder than anything you’ve ever faced. Issues that look like they will tumult your body.

While risking that I sound callous, I say, “So what?”

So what — that the people look mighty? So what — that the barrier looks huge? So what — that it seems impossible? So what — that you lost everything?

The God above it all can restore it all — in a split second. Never doubt that for a second. He can. He has. He will take care of you. He is: Provider, Rescuer, Redeemer, Restorer and Deliverer, and those facts will never change. It is who He is, how He operates and what He does. God is faithful.

I believe, God is not as concerned about what you see as you are. For He knows who He is and that His nature is true, always.

Does this mean you won’t experience pain for a moment? No. It means: “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Cor. 4:17)

You will see a greater glory, no matter what. So don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. And don’t let your weak knees knock you out. God is faithful.

—

On another note: I need your advice?

Do you live in the Charlotte area? I am thinking about putting together a prayer/worship/speaking event in the area.

Reply back to this email with:

1. Would you want to attend?
2. Would you prefer a full-day or half-day?
3. Weekend or weeknight?
4. Any ideas on what you would like this event to include?
5. Any other blog posts, subjects or ideas that you have for me?

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