Christ

Week #2 My God in Whom I Trust

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I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:2)

            A military wall or high strong fence is a means of protection. It prevents enemies or vicious animals from coming inside the protected area. Those inside the protected area are secure from whatever is on the other side of the wall or fence. If the wall or fence has holes or is weak, the people inside the protected area are vulnerable. We know in our minds that the Lord is a refuge and fortress.  Yet, at times we have doubts. Or, we allow fear to break into our fortress. These can be our own natural tendencies or fleshly worries, concerns or stresses.

One way we can remind ourselves of the strength of the Lord, is to say it out loud. “I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress…” (Ps 91:2)

            There is strength and guidance when we speak to the Lord and recognize his protection. It is not as if the Lord provides a sudden barrier, like in action movies. The writer of the psalm or song used 4 different titles for the Lord: Most High, Almighty, the Lord, and God–these names represent the power of our Creator God and the endearing Love of our Covenant God. God’s name and character is the fortress and our refuge.

            Through our spoken words, our heart grabs onto that which our mind already knows—The Almighty, the Most High is our sanctuary. Notice the confidence of the writer.., I will say to my My God in whom I trust” And as we say to our nursing students, you build confidence by saying it, doing it and believing in the confidence. We don’t wait to feel secure or “positive”. We say it out loud knowing the power rests in the God to bring it forth (Isaiah 55:11; March 11:22-24). Like the Psalmist, proclaim with confidence, “I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ”

  • Write out and memorize: Psalm 91:1 & 2
  • Reflect: Spend time this week exploring ways you need the Lord’s refuge and fortress. They can be physically (from the coronavirus) and spiritually (fear, stress, etc.). Then, confidently proclaim “My refuge and My fortress, my God, in whom I trust” over every concern you listed.
  • Pray/Praise: Almighty, Most High God, we have found refuge in You as a strong encouragement to hold fast to and a hope set before us through your Son, Jesus. He is our hope, an anchor for our soul that is sure and steadfast. Amen. (Hebrews 6:18-19)
  • Song: A Mighty Fortress is our God

NCFI Cares: In the Garden with Jesus

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With Easter fast approaching and Christians around the world preparing to celebrate the resurrection, the tendency may be to rush past the pain and suffering our Lord endured. He invites us into the garden and into his experience: “My soul is deeply grieved, even to point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” (Matthew 36:39). Amidst his anguish and turmoil, we can learn from our Master to steadfastly pray, to endure suffering, and to welcome death as a path to life with him. (Romans 6:8; 8:17). Use the hymn below entitled, “Go to Dark Gethsemane” as a meditation or reflection as we spiritually accompany our Lord through his suffering.

Go to dark Gethsemane,

Christ In Gethsemane

Christ in Gethsemane by Michael D. O’Brien

You who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see;
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Follow to the judgment hall;
View the Lord of life arraigned;
O the worm-wood and the gall!
O the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss;
Learn of Him to bear the cross.

Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb
There’ adoring at His feet,
Mark the miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete:
“It is finished!” Hear the cry;
Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

Early hasten to the tomb
Where they laid his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom;
Who hath taken Him away?
Christ is ris’n! He meets our eyes:
Savior, teach us so to rise.

GYouTube video: https://youtu.be/vD6tcMroY0A

Hymnal w/ music: https://hymnary.org/text/go_to_dark_gethsemane

NCFI Cares: Just A Sprinkle

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I New sproutslive in a part of the United States where there is a distinct difference between the “dry” and “wet” seasons. This is especially true since the past few years have been exceptionally dry and has left my neighboring hills and fields with the barren tundra of cracked dirt and parched grasses.  Thus, when those first drops of rain sprinkled across our thirsty landscape bringing just enough moisture to wet the pavement, the hard dirt gave way to small shoots of grass straining to find the sun. This small amount of moisture awoke the grasses in anticipation of nutrients and growth.

I couldn’t help but make the parallel to the human soul or spirit. Like the drought ridden dirt blown away and grasses with withering roots, a soul and heart can be barren without the nutrients of Christ. Whether it is a blade of grass or a dry soul, a drop is all that is needed to awaken the soul to spring forth in anticipation of the nutrients of a renewed soul.

Many times in the evangelical world we think that a non-Christian heart needs a bucket or river of water to bring growth, not necessarily. All life sprouts anew in response to a sprinkle of water. Imagine the greater miracle when the moisture is the living water of Christ (John 4:14; Rev. 7:17; 22:1).  Don’t worry about bringing the bucket or river of salvation. Just sprinkle God’s love to our drought-ridden communities and watch the fruit of the Spirit bloom!

1 Cor. 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow.”

Blessings for 2015

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NCFI Cares: Resistant to Hope

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With burning hatred Saul traveled to Damascus seeking to imprison and destroy the radical disciples of the Way. During the journey Jesus miraculously intervenes and blinds Saul. Dazed and confused Saul spends three days in holy darkness amazed by his encounter with the Christ (Acts 9:1-9).

Biblical scholars are confident that Saul had met Jesus before. Even though scripture does not tell us, Saul knew about the labeled “trouble maker” Jesus. It is also quite possible Saul had seen Jesus perform miracles and heard his teachings. Nonetheless, Saul’s heart had remained resistant to the Messiah—Israel’s fulfilled hope. It took a drastic post-resurrection encounter with the All Powerful (Revelation 1:8) to expose Saul’s heart to the true identity of the Messiah.

We all have family, friends, and even colleagues who have closed their heart to the truth of Jesus. Like Saul they may know Jesus, but are blind to the grace and love found in our Savior (2 Corinthians 4:4). Let’s stay steadfast in prayer and love for those who need a powerful encounter to see beyond the man or the myth to experience the tangible hope found in Jesus.

Choose one person you can bring the love of Christ to.

Grace & Peace,

Carrie