Category: Uncategorized

Psalm 91:4 – Faith Pictures

Two weeks back, desperate to hear a word of encouragement from God, I went in search of the word “hope”.

I was surprised to find so many verses and variations of the word.

The “hope” I settled on is the Hebrew word machseh #4268 in the Strong’s Concordance. The definition surprised me. “hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.”  His hope is my place of refuge and shelter when I trust in Him.

Often, I will look up to the word above and below to the next Hebrew word in the order. Often the Hebrew words are similar in spelling and a bit more of explanation is often given. Surprisingly, the word above and the word beneath “machseh” #4268 hit the reason for my desperate search for hope.

The word above #4267 machanaq means choking – strangling.

Hope, Refuge, Shelter, Trust

The word beneath #4269 machsowm means a muzzle – bridle.

This struck me, my Hope is found between the strangling and the bridle. I’ve pondered this for many days.

Last night, in the middle of the night, the sensation of pressure, or the strangling of my heart woke my sleep. I lay there praying, my hope, my place of refuge, my shelter, my trust is right here in the middle of any feeling of strangling of my heart or the muzzling of my freedoms. Peace replaced the pressure and I slept as His beloved for the rest of the night.

In step with the verses, today’s photograph, with the feather that began the whole Psalm 91 series which I will share another time, reminded me,

 He is my Hope, my Refuge, my Shelter, and my Trust.

Blessings,

Denise

Break of Day Luminous

“The revelation-light of His Word makes my spirit shine radiant.” Psalm 19:8 TPT

The Hebrew understanding of this verse can be as this:

The break of day, luminous light of His Word causes my eyes to shine with the knowledge of His Face, and favor in life.

Praying you too may be so captivated by the Light of God’s Word and the radiance of Jesus’ Face; your eyes will shine new with understanding of His love for you by His grace!

God bless you,

Denise

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD makes His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV

Psalm 91:3 – Faith Pictures

The Hebrew word for pestilence can also mean “poisoned arrows”.

I can’t help but think the “poisoned arrows” are those doubtful thoughts “shot” into our head causing us to doubt what the Word of God says.

Jesus praying right before He begins the long night of His passion,

“I am not asking that You remove them from the world,

But I ask that You guard their hearts from evil,

For they no longer belong to this world any more than I do.

Your Word is truth!

John 17:15 & 16 The Passion Translation

In the Morning

Included in my prayers Sunday night while the temperatures dropped and the heavy snow continued to come down on the cows and outside animals, I asked the Lord to merciful in the morning.

Oh how my heart rejoiced to see the sun rising. Giving me hope and reassurance He hears my prayers and cares deeply for the concerns of our hearts.

God bless and stay warm as we get ready for the next storm this evening.

Denise

Hearing Love – 2:14

My heart always skips a beat when I discover what I like to call a “2:14 heart verse”.

Spending time with my Beloved in the

Song of Solomon 2:14 NKJV

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,

In the secret places of the cliff,

Let me see your face,

Let me hear your voice,

For your voice is sweet,

And your face is lovely.”

Journaling my heart’s secret thoughts beside the Dead Sea, Israel.

Oh the sweetness found in 2 Corinthians 2:14

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,

And through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

His fragrance is captivating.

Who could resist imaging oneself sitting at the table with Boaz our Kingsman Redeemer in

Ruth 2:14

“Now Boaz said to her at mealtime,

“Come here, and eat of the bread, and

Dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.”

Vinegar can speak of “tears” in the Bible. Oh, how my heart weeps with Jesus’ love and comfort when I spend time in His Word.

I can share my tears with Him safely.

And the ultimate love of the One Who gave His life for me found in

Colossians 2:14

“He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us,

He erased it all – our sins, our stained soul – He deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved!

Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto His Cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation.” The Passion Translation

He first loved me.

I pray you find a 2:14 love verse for yourself as you curl up with the One Who loves us on this Valentine’s Day.

Love ya,

Denise

xoxox

Psalm 91:2 – Faith Pictures

“He is the hope that holds me…”

The word “refuge” in Hebrew is also the word used for “hope”.

May we find His personal shelter and hope as we walk through this day; trusting in God alone, Who is our fortress and great confidence.

“He’s the hope that holds me,

And the stronghold to shelter me,

The only God for me,

And my great confidence.”

Psalm 91:2 The Passion Translation

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

The Circle Dance

2020-12-30

Gilgal – The Circle Dance

It’s been a while since I picked up my Joshua journal, opening the book, thumbing through the pages finding today’s date – Day 30 – and the words penciled – Gilgal.

Gilgal – the circle dance.

Spinning back around to the Promises of God. Held back, often by ourselves or the people we travel with in life, from the Promises of God. –

What is my Gilgal?  What promises am I circling back around to today? Lord, I don’t believe it is by happenstance I reached for this book today. What are You speaking on this 30th day of this season?

“Command the priest who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan…and it came to pass, when the priest who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD and come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before….and they camped in Gilgal.” Joshua Chapter 4:14-20 NKJV

Gilgal – The place where the priest, (a shadow of you and me) the place where the priest feet stood firm (trusting in God) in the crossing of the Jordan, (into the Promise Land) bearing the Ark of the Covenant, (His Word tucked into our spirit, soul, and mind) to come up out of this year stepping into all the good promises found in His Word and encamp there (staying in the Word, circling back around time and time again to His faithful promises) in the coming new year.

The circle dance of Gilgal.

“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen.” Galatians 6:18 NKJV

Denise

“Praise the Lord!

Sing to the LORD a new song…

Praise His name with dancing…

For the Lord delights in His people.”

Psalm 149:1-4 NLT

The Joshua Journals – Introduction

“…empowered to live victorious…”

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

Can there be lessons learned from Joshua’s battles and victories found in the Book of Joshua? Joshua battled and claimed victory in the lands and territories of thirty-one different kingdoms.

Struggling with the battles and direction in my days, I couldn’t help wondering if there were insights on how to successfully look for and be forewarned of the little kings or enemies.  Those unexpected distractions diverting my attention and depleting my strength fighting battles throughout my day. How could I be more like Joshua and walk in the land God had promised and assured Joshua belong to him.

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” Joshua 1:3 NKJV

In the following days, I invite you to share in fresh daily insights and reflections of the past two years of traversing the battles and more importantly the victories found in Joshua.

I thank you for joining me and pray you are empowered to live victorious daily in Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles.

Denise

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

From The Joshua Journals by denisebalog©2020

Photo by denisebalog©2020

Bridal View

Reservations cancelled and scheduled for another time and season.

In the midst of this storm we ride out together there is hope in our future.

 

“Today I thought Your plan involved a wedding in Virginia.

Family gathered, hugs and kisses, future commitment.

Instead You’ve revealed Yourself so clear.

“Draw into My Presence”

For I Am Your shelter, joy, and wedding feast,

Hope unlimited.”

 

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God.

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So, the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth

Before all the nations.”

Isaiah 61:10-11 NKJV

 

Poem by dbalog©2020

Photos by dbalog©2020