January 2021 – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

Ready In White

“For where your treasure is,
There your heart will be also.”

This is a bit different for me, but as you read, I believe it will be a word of encouragement for each of us as we keep our eyes and heart set on Jesus Who loves us. Love ya, Denise xoxox

“Sleeping sound throughout the night.

Dreaming a dream birthed in white.

Eyelet and threads of fine yard,

Woven in expectation of a new birth to be born.

Waking in peace as I remembered the plan.

At the end, I was rushing to pack,

For the plane would soon land.

Departure was imminent,

Its time was sure,

12:40 marked the numbers I saw on the door.

In peace and pleasantness I pondered these events.

“Lord, are You birthing something new in me, or is the message deeper sent?”

But as I lay in the folds of the breaking dawn,

My peace escaped me as the morning dove’s song.

Worry and anxiety replaced all birthed in me,

As I recalled the days of this now place in our current history.

Fighting back the fear of the doubts,

I grasped to recall the dream’s details shout.

“Departure at 12:40” but what was that all about?

So I searched the Scripture to see what I could see.

Psalm 12 has 8 verses, and David speaks it well.

“The wicked prowl on every side.”

So this verse could not tell.

Psalm 124 has 8 verses,

The Songs of Ascent.

David recalls the Lord’s faithfulness in their life’s events.

“Blessed be the LORD Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.” Verse 6

Written in the margin,

Next to the teeth,

“They gnashed their teeth at Him.”

Spoke of my Jesus Who knows their deceit.

Thinking of the Man Who died for my sins.

Remembering He knows and has experienced the

Pain I’ve been in.

Fire ignited and I thought,

“Look in Luke!”

Maybe, the answer is found in his Book.

Well lo and behold, the verse spoke well clear.

Draw near my soul,

For I’ll write it down here.

“Therefore you also be ready,

For the Son of Man is coming

At an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:40

One can’t get a better answer than that.

My Jesus is speaking directly to me.

“Do not have an anxious mind.” Luke 12:29

Nor a heart filled with anxiety.

“Do not fear, little flock,

For it is your Father’s good pleasure

To give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:32

“For where your treasure is,

There your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34

“Let your waist be grided and

Your lamps burning.” Luke 12:35

For

“Blessed are the servants who the Master,

When He comes,

Will find watching.” Luke 12:37

For the Lord will surely come “quickly” Revelations 22:20

And make “All things new.” Isaiah 43:19

For continue to trust Me,

For I’m coming back for you.”

“I will come again,

And receive you to Myself;

That where I AM,

There you may be also.”

John 14:3

Beautiful In Time

“Go, lay down, its not time yet.”

I heard myself tell Abby, my dog, this morning.

How many times have I asked her to trust me.

Go ahead and rest.

Why does she doubt me?

I’ve always come through for her,

Why doesn’t she believe me?

Thinking these words, my heart heard the instruction to myself.

Denise,

“Go lay down, rest your emotions.

It’s not time yet.

Trust Me.

I AM Faithful and will work all things for your good according to My glorious plan and purpose.”

“I am convenience that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us.

The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters!” Romans 8:18-19 The Passion Translation

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Resting in Jesus Who loves me,

Denise

No Internet Needed

“You and me, Lord,

Meeting in the morn.

Battle through the night,

Choking hands of scorn.

Steadfast in Your Love;

No thoughts of abandonment.

Your Holy Spirit strong;

Removed the fear and stench.

Waking in Your Presence,

Curling up with You.

No need of internet;

You and me will do.”

“His massive arms are wrapped around you,

Protecting you.

You can run under His covering of Majesty and hide.

His arms of faithfulness are Shield

Keeping you from harm.”

Psalm 91:5

The Passion Translation

Piercing Soul and Spirit

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Eight – Gezer – Precipice – Cut Off

“…the king of Gezer, one.” Joshua 12:12 NKJV

The fierce enemy Joshua faces conceals a two-edge sword.

One side of the blade, his name Gezer means – precipice or a vertical cliff. On the other side of the edge, his name can also be spelled Gazer which means “cut off”.

A vertical drop when I listen to his double talk.

“Then Horman (his name means elevation) king of Gezer came up…and Joshua struck him and his people, until he left him none remaining.” Joshua 10:33 NJKV

Lord, my I too have a Joshua spirit! Cutting off the lies and double talk tactics of any attack against my mind and heart. May I open my mouth boldly by wielding the powerful sword of Your Word keeping my emotions, body, soul, and spirit firmly position on The Rock, Your Son Jesus Christ.

“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and

Sharper than any two-edge sword,

Piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,

And joints and marrow,

And is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God… that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel…” Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

The Circling

Day Seven – Eglon – Revolve, Circular-round

“…the king of Eglon, one:” Joshua 12:12 NKJV

“Having arrested Him, they led Him…” from the Mount of Olives, to Annas and Caiaphas the High Priest house. When morning came, they led Him to Pilate, who sent Jesus through the market, packed with people, and vendor’s wares to Herod’s palace. Circling back around, Herod sent Him back through the streets of Jerusalem to the Praetorium to stand before Pilate again. Circling around the City, and up the hill to Calvary… in my place, for me.

Thank You Lord, You walked to Calvary for me.

In the pressing, and circling of my mind,

I will look only unto Thee.

For Your Son Jesus wore the circle of thorns,

Providing rest for my mind, and

The taunts from the enemy.

“Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth…”

Isaiah 40:21-22 NKJV

“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence,

Which has great reward.” Hebrews 10:35 NKJV

Luke 22:39 through Luke 23:33 and John 18:1-17 follows the circular path of Jesus to Calvary. All Scripture found in the NKJV

His Word Shines!

31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Six – Lachish – Impregnable

“…the king of Lachish, one:” Joshua 12:11 NKJV

How can I find victory over an impregnable enemy who appears strong and not easily taken by force?

The key to success over Lachish can befound in this enemy’sfirst name.

“…Japhia king of Lachish,” Joshua 10:3 NKJV

“Japhia” means “shine”.

Lachish wants to shine his strong imprisonment of distractions into my heart; causing me to battle with him all day.

Like Joshua, when I meditate, ponder, and store up God’s Wordin my heart, I’m empowered with the strongest shield of Light and an impregnable defensed against any battlefield tactic or diversion the king of Lachish can cause in my day.

“For in You is the fountain of life;

In Your Light we see light.”

Psalm 36:9 NKJV

Oh, mighty warriors, traveling companions of mine, when we meditate and let His Word Shine into our thoughts, we are empowered to conquer the Lachish of our minds!

God bless you and thank you for joining the study.

Denise

“But then I recall all You have done, O LORD.

I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.

They are constantly in my thoughts.

I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works.”

Psalm 77:11-12 NLT

Day 5 – Jarmuth – Height

Today’s word is Height.

I need to be on the lookout to guard my mind against anything (fear, anxiety, health, the concerns of my heart) that would exult itself above Christ.

“The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall now want.” Psalm 23:1 NKJV

Thank You Lord for Your reminder. You are my Shepherd, and in You I have no lack.

Helmet on and ready to step into the day.

May you bless in Jesus Who loves you.

Denise

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought in to captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV

Founded in Peace

Up the hill we climbed.
Each step drew us closer
To the days back in time.

Jerusalem – Anyone who knows me well, knows my heart skips a beat at the mention of the word, Jerusalem. According to the name meanings in the Strong’s Concordance, Jerusalem means – founded in peace.

Drawing my thoughts back to Israel, bits and pieces of memories penciled into my pocket journal. May I share a poem penned on the last day of our journey into the gates of Jerusalem in January 2018.

“As all the days before,

We started our journey

With the open bus door.

Up the hill we climbed.

Each step drew us closer

To the days back in time.

Through the Lion’s Gate.

The place were Stephen,

A “man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”

Was crowned a saint.

Along the streets of old,

One day knowing,

Will be made of gold.

Carried right along,

We sang our final pilgrim song.

Each note tucked deep inside

Hearts overflowing,

Washed in emotions tide.

In this place we understand,

The price He paid to

Save this wretched man.”

May you and your family be founded in His peace today.

Thank you for sharing the journey with me.

Denise

Xoxox

No matter where you are located in Israel, one says, “going up to Jerusalem.”

“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” Acts 6:5 NKJV

Stephen’s story begins in Acts 6 through Acts 8:2.

Day 2 – Ai, which is beside Bethel.

…comforting words through the House of God – Bethel

Speak a word of encouragement (Bethel) into someone’s heap of ruins (Ai).

Pondering what would I speak as a word of encouragement into someone’s life after the year we come through? So many losses, health issues, financial worries, the list goes on and on.

Ai (a heap of ruins) which is beside Bethel. Bethel means House of God.

What word from the house of God, what Scripture would I offer to encourage and comfort? What encourages and comforts me?

Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.” Would not be my first verse of choice. How can one think of plans when experiencing great loss. “Be still and know,” Psalm 46:10 does settle my heart when I’m in a spin, but what verse really speaks to me when I’m broken within?

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.” Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

Of all the verse in times of distress and pain, it is very comforting for me to know,

Jesus, Himself, sympathizes with my weakness. He feels my pain, and He is interceding (praying) for me in my loss.

“Christ…who is even at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:34 NKJV

Right now, in heaven, on the right hand, the side of favor, Jesus is praying for us. What a blessed encouragement this is to my heart.

“Ai, which is beside Bethel. Joshua 12:9”

Maybe it’s not always about sharing a Scripture verse, maybe it’s about reaching out to encourage someone we know because Christ, in His prayer for them, has put in on our hearts to encourage who He is praying for. Isn’t that the sweetest! His hands, feet and comforting words through the House of God – Bethel. 💞🙏

Thank You Jesus, in our heap of ruins, You do not leave us nor forsake us on our own. All our Ai places in life are right beside Your Word – Bethel – in the House of God – the Bible.

I pray this Scripture would be an encouragement to someone today as we look to you to guide our way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

God Will Open

Pull me out of thinking about last night, last year’s troubles.

Waking to remember, I got my car stuck in the mud last night bringing my Mom home in the pouring rain.

It didn’t help leaving the car running for 15 minutes while I got her settled in for the night. Then there was the hesitation when I tried to pull away. I knew then, “I’m in trouble now” Reminding myself of the advice I recently heard,

“To hesitate is to tolerate.”

Marcus, who helps me every night to transport Mom and her wheelchair up and back from our house for dinner, (she is no weight bearing for another couple of weeks), we tried throwing rugs under the front wheel, but the tires continued to spin and sink deeper into Mom’s front yard. How stupid is this, I know better, now I’ll have to tolerate (endure, accept, stomach) the results of my actions.

Determined not to let it ruin our night, the last night of the year, we gathered our things and walked back up the lane singing. Yep, what else could we do in the cold, pouring rain of New Year’s Eve 2020. Seemed like a fitting end to this year.

“Over the river and through the woods,” we walked home, feet soaked, (of course, I didn’t slip on my rubber boots by the backdoor before leaving the house. I’m only going to be 15 minutes) Yes Mom, I remember, “Always put-on clean underwear when you go out in case something happens.” Only this time I could have used this advice for wearing my rubber boots!

So this morning, the first morning of the new year, I wondered to myself pouring the first cup of coffee, before dealing with my car “stuck” in the mud, “Gosh Lord, is this the word for the new year?

Don’t get stuck thinking about your troubles of 2020.

As is my way to study and understand, I picked up the Concordance to see if “stuck” was in the Bible. Nope, no “stuck”. That’s comforting, looks like God doesn’t see things as stuck. Humm, “What are you trying to say Lord?”

Opening the pages to Isaiah, my eyes fell on

“For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard,

Nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God beside You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him.”

Isaiah 64:4 NKJV

Yes Lord, “Who acts for the one who waits for Him.”

The editor noted in the margin, next to verse 64: 4 “Psalm 31:19”. Seeking to hear and understand, I followed the path to Psalm 31. The answer to my question for this year was found in verse 4.

“Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,

For You are my Strength.”

Psalm 31:4 NKJV

Pull me out –

Yes Lord, You “lead and guide me” verse 3.

Pull me out of thinking about last night, last year’s troubles.

Lead and Guide me, for You are my Strength.

The Hebrew word cluster for “pull me out” is numbered in the Concordance as #3318 (for those who like to dig deeper). Pull me out – yatsa – to go, to bring out, carry forth, a variety of words…shoot forth, spring out. #3319 – to finish.

Glancing up to see #3317 – (wait for it)

#3317 – Yiphtach or Jiphthah El

God will Open!

Now there’s a word I receive and can carry forth, shoot forth, spring out into the new year of 2021!

Don’t get stuck looking back on my troubles in 2020.

Yes, God knows I still have to deal with getting my car out of the mud, but I’m not to let, my troubles keep me stuck in yesterday’s problems. Following His path to see and hear, “God acts for the one who waits for Him”.

God will Open

Thank you Lord, You will open, carry forth, ALL Your good plans as we allow You to “lead” and guide” us through this New Year in Jesus’ Mighty Name! Amen!

And what was verse 19 in Psalm 31 that sent me there in the first place?

“Oh, how great is Your goodness,

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

Which You have prepared for those who trust in You

In the presence of the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19

Ps: Blue and Sarah our good friends are on their way to help us out! Thank You Jesus!