encouragement – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

It’s Time

– Redeemed, quietly wait, trusting.-

“O people, of God, your time has come to quietly trust, waiting upon the Lord now and forever.” TPT

dbalogc2022

Photos by dbalogc2022

A Good Expectation

“Thank You Lord, for this day.

No expectations, only play.

Snoring dog on pillow resides;

Christmas tree in hope reminds.

This year has nearly come to close,

But here at Your feet,

A confident expectation of Your good

In the coming new year glows.”

“Out of Zion, the Perfection of Beauty,

God will shine forth.

Psalm 50:2 NKJV

Enjoying the last days of 2021.

Blessings to you and your household from Abby and me.

Denise

Not Afraid

Good morning Lord,

Thank You for this day.

You set it all in place; You planned it this way.

Glorify Your Son. Let the people call upon His Name!

For in Christ Jesus, we are redeemed and forever changed!

“I am Yahweh, Your Mighty God!

I grip your right hand and won’t let you go!

I whisper to you; ‘Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you!”

Isaiah 41:13 The Passion Translation

Stepping into a new day, and week holding on to the One who reminds me, “Do not be Afraid.”

Blessings,

Denise

Photograph by denisebalogc2021

Good Hope

“Where are the promises of Your song?

They seem to be distant like a long ago storm.

Remembered in name but gone all the same;

Where are the notes of Your horn?”

“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!

“For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

“When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go! Let’s hurray and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the LORD has revealed to us.” Luke 2:14-15 TPT

“You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.” Isaiah 57:10 NKJV

“I created the fruit of the lips, “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near.” says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:19 NKJV

Poem by denisebalogc2021

Photographs captured by denisebalogc2015 – Prestonwood Christmas Program, Dallas, TX

My Own Small Way

“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.” Alfred Austin

I decided this summer,

As I watched my Flag wave,

I’d save which was once lost,

In my own small way.

With renewed hope and delight,

Plans were laid out,

As I dreamed through the night.

In the cool of the morning,

My work would begin,

Planting and digging were gardens had been.

With the sweat of my brow on 90 degree days,

I’d press through the heat wiping my face.

The moisture of salt mixed with my tears,

Remembering the former beauty of my garden’s earlier years.

***“Tears are the summer showers to the soul.” Alfred Austin***

Day after day,

Going back out at first light.

I’d press to restore her,

It only seem right.

In her kindness and sweet morning refrain,

She draws me to her moist soil,

As my Flag bravely waves.

“And now, Lord,

what do I wait for?

My hope is in You.”

Psalm 39:7 NKJV

Alfred Austin was an English Poet Laureate in 1896.

Born May 30, 1835-Died June 2, 1913.

Poem and photographs by denisebalogc2021

Set Free

“Up early, desiring You.

So many questions,

Answers few.

“Be still and know,”

Remains the same.

Stay close to Me,

For I removed your chains.

Chains of time,

Prison lines

Step upon step,

Heart’s neglect.

Now your set free,

Continue with Me.

For I’m about to show you

Life’s tapestry.

Your heart’s not dead,

Nor your ear to hear.

Continue the safe path

For the way is clear.

Can’t you feel His Breath,

He’s flowing in you.

Stirring your heart,

Empowerment too!

Stay the path,

Follow the lines.

Precept upon precept,

The bud’s on the Vine.

Bursting forth in your identity,

Don’t turn back now!

For whom the Son sets free,

Is free indeed!’

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Psalm 91 – Faith Pictures

“He who dwells…” Psalm 91:1

Beginning a new journey. In the following days, I will be sharing my personal photographs with Scripture verses from Psalm 91.

It would be an honor to have you join me.

Blessings,

Denise

Day 30 – Joshua Journals

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

Day Thirty – Gilgal – Circle

“…the king of the people of Gilgal, one.” Joshua 12:23 NKJV

Gilgal – means circle. Stemming from the Hebrew root word, galgal, which means a wheel, or a cartwheel used in the process of threshing or crushing grain, and a tool used to draw water from a well.

Lord, You are a God of seasons and times. In Your perfect order, the road turns back around to circle the story of where the people began.

As Joshua completed his appointed circle of time, he reminded the people as they came to the end of their journey with him, to “hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” Joshua 23:8 NKJV

Joshua was circling back around to remind them of the faithfulness of God. “And you know in all your hearts…not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. Joshua 23:14 NKJV

In the place of their ending, the victory for the future would rely on their circling back around to remember the faithfulness and the Promises of God.

“All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14 NKJV

I don’t know what season you are personally walking through, but as Joshua encouraged the people to remember, may we too be encouraged to circle back around and remember God faithful and He keeps His promises.

“God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for Himself as a cherished, personal treasure…He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promises He made to your ancestors.”Deuteronomy 7:6-8 MSG

Denise

Photo by denisebalog©2011 – Memorial displayed outside The Knesset, Israeli (Parliament) building. Designed by artist David Palombo. It memorializes the fallen soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces. This artwork visually provokes the image of the crown of thorns Jesus bore on His head.

Day 25 – Joshua Journals

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

Day Twenty-five – Taanach – Castle- Fortress

“…the king of Taanach, one.” Joshua 12:21 NKJV

Taanach – castle

Why is castle mentioned twice in Joshua’s story? Lord, is there a reason why You are bringing me back here again?

Is the second mention of castle a struggle with something generational? Maybe a fear or doubt Joshua went back to in his mind.

In all of Joshua successes, knowing there were still enemies to encounter, is it possible Joshua wrestle with a dark castle surrounding his head of hidden fears and doubts. Joshua’s father’s generation let fear and doubt in the LORD’s faithfulness keep them from reaching and entering the Promise Land. Was Joshua worried he would not have the faith to complete his journey?

For victory over the king of Taanach, Joshua’s would need to go back to where his journey began.

“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6 NKJV

The Promise remained the same. “…which I swore to their fathers.”

“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9 NKJV

Castles of fear and doubts cast out, Joshua the son of Nun, continued his journey with a victory shout!

“…being confident of the very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV

May you be blessed by the Father’s mercy and grace to continue your own personal journey. In Jesus’s Name. Amen

God bless,

Denise

Photo captured the Mount of the Beatitudes from the Monastery of the Franciscan Mission Sister of IHM by the Sea of Galilee.

Day 18 – Joshua Journals

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

Day Eighteen – Hepher – Pit

“…the king of Hepher, one.” Joshua 12:17 NKJV

Joshua would have heard Moses say, “Be strong and of good courage” three times before he was appointed the new leader of the people.

“Then He inaugurated Joshua, the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:23 NKJV

The same words were spoken four times by the LORD, before Joshua began his assignment of going into the land and conquering Jericho.

Seven times Joshua heard these words of encouragement. Seven in Scripture speaks of completion. Did the seven-time reinforcement of the words provide Joshua with insight to his good success in defeating the king of Hepher – the pit?

The “strong” in Joshua’s “Be strong”, is the Hebrew word chazaq which means – to fasten upon, seize, to bind, to conquer, and strengthen oneself.

Perhaps on hearing these words seven times “Be strong!” from both His teacher Moses and the LORD, Joshua understood his destiny was complete. By “fastening” himself to God’s plans and binding this truth to his heart, Joshua was then enabled to “Be strong” and defeat the king of Hepher, the enemy of falling into the Pit.

Lord, I too can face the enemy of the Pit in my daily battles. Help me fasten myself to Your Word and good promises to my heart, for my destiny is complete in You. I can either fall into the pit of unbelief or take the “pit” and plant the seed of Your Faithfulness growing to be strong and prosperous!

Thank You Father for Your Presence ever near.

Encouraging me in my weakness,

Casting out all fear.

Strengthening me as you teach me by Your hand.

For by the Power of Your Word

I am more than able to conquer the land..

“Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. The also brough some of the pomegranates and figs.” Numbers 13:23 NKJV

Day 13 – The Joshua Journals

Day Thirteen – Libnah – Whiteness

“…the king of Libnah one.” Joshua 12:15 NKJV

Libnah means – whiteness, a desert place

“Now the children of Israel moved on…” Numbers 21:10

Legend has it when God brought Moses to the top of Mt. Nebo, located in the Southern desert, he was able to see all the way to the white cap top of Mount Herman in the north.

I wondered as Joshua traveled through the desert, when he looked to the north, did he catch a glimmer of the white snow on top of Mount Herman encouraging him to continue his journey forward?

Last night stepping into my closet, the laundry basket overflowed again with the day’s laundry, I questioned myself how does one family use all these clothes? As I sorted between the darks and lights, I was thinking on the word “whiteness” for today. Asking the Lord, “whiteness”, what does that mean to me? Why did Joshua need to have victory over whiteness?”

I heard the soft voice say, “Why not whiteness, you spend your whole day sorting through darkness and the light.”

Like Joshua, I too have to decide daily, do I believe in, trust in, and look to the Truth, the purity, the whiteness of God’s Word and promises, or are my eyes clouded by what I see in my daily world preventing me from moving forward, walking by sight and not faith.

Lord, thank You for Your understanding of the battle word of whiteness. May I forever remember Jesus is the True Light who guides my way. May I never forget the price He paid, for “He was clothed with the robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13 NKJV

Your Word empowers me to be victorious over the king of Libnah by remembering I am “…clothed in fine linen, white and clean…” because He paid for it with His Love. Revelations 19:14 NKJV

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess…because He loves you.” Deuteronomy 7:1-7 NKJV

Mount Herman is located on Israel’s farthest northern border. Jesus and his disciples would have walked from Caesarea Philippi here for what many believe is the location of the Mount of Transfiguration. I love how Scriptures gives us this little detail of the walking distance, “Now after six days Jesus…led them up on a high mountain…His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1–2 NKJV

Mount Herman fascinates and stirs my heart. While sailing the Jesus Boat on the Sea of Galilee, a sparkle of sunlight caught my eye causing me to look up. There in the distance, I could see what appeared to be snow. Peering through the haze over the water, my eyes could make out what looked like a snow top mountain. Yes, it was Mount Herman, and each time we have returned its majestic whiteness never disappoints this pilgrim’s eye and heart. I can’t help thinking, Joshua and King David might have felt the same way too.

Thank you, fellow sojourners.. May you find safety and good health as we travel together following Jesus who loved us from the beginning.

Denise

Day 12 – The Joshua Journals

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

Day Twelve – Arad – To Sequester Itself, Fugitive, Wild Ass

“…the king of Arad one.” Joshua 12:14 NKJV

Is there a lesson I can learn from the king of Arad’s name?

As a young man traveling by Moses side, Joshua would have encountered the king of Arad as the Israelites made their way through their enemy’s territories.

“The king of Arad…who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim. Thenhe fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. Numbers 21:1 NKJV

Arad means to sequester itself, fugitive and wild ass.

Wondering how often in my day I act like a fugitive or wild ass allowing myself to be sequestered and taken prisoner by the king of Arad.

“Do not be like the horse or like the mule,

Which have no understand,

Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle…” Psalm 31:8 NKJV

Joshua and the people, on the road to Atharim, which means offense, asked the LORD to defeat their enemy. Asking for His power, and not relying on theirs, they were enabled to “utterly destroy” the king of Arad and have good success!

“I will instruct you

And teach you

In the way you should go…”

Psalm 31:8 NKJV

“Thank You Father, You Word reminds me to look to You,

Encouraging me each day as You guide me through.

Teaching me how to be victorious in this very hour,

For I desire to be sequester in Your Presence and power

Lifting up all my cares and weakness to You,

For You are my Strength and the battle belongs to You!”

Thank you, fellow pilgrims, for traveling with me these past twelve days. I pray you have been blessed and I invite you continue the journey as Joshua leads the way.

Denise

Photo captured is in Southern Israel. This region would also be known as The Negev where David and his men would have fled to hide from his enemy King Saul. The city Arad Moses and the people traveled through, was located further south and west of Negev flourishing in the third millennium.

PS: To our western mindsets, when the Bible speaks of “the wilderness” we often think of trees and dense forest. This desert picture is what is known as “the wilderness” in Israel. A dry, arid place with little to no water.