I Got You Covered
Text; Deuteronomy 33:12
The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him, and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. What is the meaning of “I got you covered?” is a question which was submitted to Yahoo Answers India. The example was given of someone going to an unfamiliar unsafe place and asking for assistance. The response of “I got you covered” means; “I will make you feel at ease and make sure nothing bad happens to you.” In this country, we know what “I got you covered” means literally as we experience a covered feeling daily with an assurance that we are protected. We are at ease that nothing bad will happen, especially here in rural America. In parts of this country and other ones, this is not true as crimes happen frequently. Evil and forces of darkness run rampant. But spiritually speaking, as Christians no matter what may come our way, we know that we are well covered. We have an assurance that some do not have. We know we have a God who watches over us and keeps us safe from harm, even in the midst of turmoil and evil. There are so many all over the world who still who have never heard the name of Jesus. There are so many who do not know how great His love is for them. They do not know the peace of being covered by our great God. May we never take for granted the blessing of God’s covering over our lives. May we always seek to let others know what it means to come to know our Savior; who asks that we go and tell all of His amazing love, mercy, and grace that keeps us covered wherever we may be.
Sizing up the Enemy
Text; II Corinthians 11:14
A lonely man bought a beautiful parrot to keep him company. He soon learned that looks can be deceiving, for nothing but vial ugly words flowed from the bird’s beak. The man found a place that trained parrots. However, the old bird would not learn new tricks or words. He continued to spit out profanity. The man decided to take matters into his own hands and washed the bird’s mouth out with soap. This didn’t stop the insanity. One morning the man was having an especially bad day. He woke to the bird using words he would not dare speak. He couldn’t take it anymore as he grabbed the parrot and put him in time out in the freezer. After five minutes he retrieved the parrot and placed him back in the cage. “Sir, I would like to offer my sincere apology for my distasteful language I have used since you so kindly took me into your home. I had no idea of the lengths you would go to, to assure that I speak properly and respectfully. I underestimated you. Please forgive me.” The man stunned said, “You don’t like the cold huh?” To which the parrot replied, “No the cold wasn’t that bad. But may I ask what did that turkey say to you?” There is a very real enemy that is most vial and ugly. he has used the same tricks for years to torment. satan often appears as beautiful to the lonely. he often appears as a roaring lion to the fearful and has no respect for anyone who allows him to enter in. However, he only has as much power as we give him. he listens to words we speak, but cannot read our minds. If God (who is all-powerful) is for us who can be against us? The devil has been placed under our feet by the power of the cross. Today take control of the situation and tell satan his time is up. Stop the insanity! Show him that you are a very real enemy. he has underestimated who you are in Christ.
Portrait of Love
Text; Jeremiah 31:3
An elderly couple sat holding hands on a bench in front of the assisted living home on Valentine’s Day. They reminisced about Valentines past. “Do you remember giving me that note with the hearts asking me to be your wife when we were in the second grade?” The husband responded, “Yes, I do and it broke my heart when you threw it in the trash.” She replied, “You should have signed it instead of drawing that ugly picture of yourself on there so I would have known who it was from.” He said, “I sure am glad I kept on trying and never gave up on you.” He smiled as he remembered the card. The picture he had drawn was of his true love, not of himself. During forty-five years of marriage, he never told her. Now that is a portrait of true love. Sometimes we mistakenly look at others in a way that isn’t too flattering. Also, some portraits we paint of ourselves are not true to who we really are. God drew us, designed each of us fearfully and wonderfully. What we see as flaws and imperfections in this picture are to God beautiful attributes. Now that is a portrait of true love. God loves us with an everlasting love. If we should throw away the invitation to be the bride of Christ at some point in our lives; God doesn’t give up on us. He keeps on pursuing us. Each time we reject Him it breaks His heart, but we never have to fear of losing His love. He will forgive even the ugliest secrets.
Thank Him for His love this week and remember to tell Him how much you love Him. Happy Valentine’s Day!
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
Walking My Way?
Text; I John 2:6
On this day in history in 1952, the first “Don’t Walk” sign was installed in New York City. In 1953 children walked to the nearest sweet-shop to buy candy after 13 years of sweet rationing ended in Great Britain. In 1931 Malcolm Campbell certainly did not walk as he set a new land speed record with his racing machine on Daytona Beach of 245 MPH. And on February 5th, 1971 Alan Shepard became the fifth human who walked on the moon. With all these walking facts for this day in history, I took a walk down memory lane in my own life. On February 5th, 1968 I had a pastor who was a singer. Our Sunday night services consisted mostly of him leading choruses easy for kids to understand and learn. On this day I still remember, “Walking, walking Jesus way while at work or while at play. Walking, walking Jesus way, I’m walkin’ like Jesus every day.” In this busy world we live in there are signs all around us. Some say “do.” Some say “don’t” which leaves many wondering which way they are to go. There are always nearby temptations offering a fast track to the moon and stars themselves. As Christians, we must remain grounded and walk like Jesus walked. (I John 2:6) We are not to not walk as fools (Ephesians 5:15) or after the flesh (II Peter 2:10). The way we are to walk is found in God’s Word. We are told to walk in the light as He is in the light. Walk in truth, walk honestly, walk in love, walk worthy of God who has called us, walk in His commandments and walk in wisdom. We may forget many historical facts from any given day, but we must not forget the things we have learned in God’s Word as we walk Jesus way every day. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; II Timothy 3:14