HIS ROD AND HIS STAFF THEY COMFORT US!

All of us have read this Psalm many times and many of us probably even know it by heart. It is very familiar to us, as a matter of fact, sometimes it may be too familiar! Wouldn't you agree? We have quoted it from memory or read it over and over or heard it read at funerals, but how often do we really read it and study it? I read a devotional this morning that gave me a new look at a portion of this well-known Psalm. The writer was talking about a cabinet full of walking canes at his grandfather's house. He pointed out that each time he had reached for one, he was reminded that the Word of God is a staff!

Psalm 23:4 tells us that "His staff comforts us!" In the midst of awaiting to know if the mass growing inside my mom is cancerous, the verse "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord!" (Ps. 112:7) is a staff to walk with on many worry-filled days. On days when I become overwhelmed with the fact that my dad's dementia is getting worse by the day and the future scares me to death, I choose the staff, which has never failed, "For I know the plans I have for you,...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." What precious Word has been a staff for you lately?

"It is quite true that God's rod is like a schoolteacher's pointer to a child, pointing out a letter so the child will notice it. In this same way, God points out many valuable lessons to us that we otherwise would never have learned. BUT, God always sends His staff with His rod." WOW! What a promise! Alexander Maclaren said, "Each of us may be sure that if God sends us over rocky paths, He will provide us with sturdy shoes. He will never send us on any journey without equipping us well!"

Sister, grab your Staff!! We've got some traveling to do!

I love you and I'm praying for you!

Wendy

To:

wendylwm@bellsouth.net

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NEED A RESCUE?

Have you ever been in a situation physically or spiritually where you needed rescuing? This question has been on my mind all weekend. Ben was home this weekend and shared with us that Bob Scott, the guy that shot Facing the Giants and Fireproof was actually in Haiti when the earthquake hit. As soon as was possible he began sending emails to his family and below is an excerpt of one that he sent out to all his friends and family on Friday.

I am home! In my house with my family!

We were evacuated by the US military in 4 Black Hawk Helicopters Friday afternoon to a US military base in the Dominican Republic then flown home and welcomed by a crowd of 400 cheering family and friends. After that experience no one should ever doubt the might of the US Military - I knew they would use any resource and stop at nothing to get us safely out of Haiti and back home to our families. I have never been more proud to be an American!

As Ben read this to us, I couldn't help but think, "Am I that grateful every time God rescues me??" Do I share with my loved ones...."I have been rescued by My Rescuer and I knew that He would use any resource and stop at nothing to get me safely out or to deliver me from temptation in that area....and I have never been more proud to be a child of God!!" We could all proclaim that each and every day!

Psalm 18 promises us that "The Lord is my rock, my rescuer and my deliverer!" So, if you find yourself in need of rescuing, you have Someone so much more powerful to call on than 4 Black Hawk helicopters...the Word tells us that He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways! Psalm 91 goes on to say, "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him."

That is awesome news and definitely something to write home about!

I love you!

Wendy

www.seekerofhim.blogspot.com

WHAT ARE YOU PLANTING?

In Sunday School this morning, we were looking at all the letters written by Paul. We were talking about the fact that Paul traveled much of the time and planted several churches along the way. Being the elementary teacher that I am, I immediately thought about the story of Johnny Appleseed traveling all across America planting apple seeds all those years ago. As I was thinking about that, the Lord asked me the question, "What are you planting?" You know, that is a great question. When your name is brought up, what is the first thing others think of? Do you go about planting criticism or complaints? Do I go about my life planting negative words to others? What if all of us became as purposeful in our "planting" as Johnny was in his distribution of apple seeds? Or as determined as Paul was about preaching Christ? What if we set out from this moment on to plant words of encouragement everywhere we went?

Just as a farmer plants seeds each spring, may each of us be very intentional about what we are planting in the fields that we frequent. As we are faithful to sow whatever God directs us to into our fields, we will see a harvest! I am praying for you right now as you seek the heart of God about what you are to plant in the fields that He has given you because it is always planting season!!

In His Love!

Wendy