Out of Sight

“Oh, what joy 

for those whose disobedience is forgiven, 

whose sins are put out of sight."

Romans 4:7 NLT

Because of the LORD's great love 

we are not consumed, 

for his compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 

The best elementary education professor I ever had in college, was one who gave us this advice: 

Every year you will have that one child who has a lot of behavior issues and can really "push your buttons" if you let him or her. So, when you and the child have have a rough day, take him aside just before the dismissal bell rings, and assure him that all is forgiven, and that you will start over fresh the next morning.

I am so glad my Heavenly Father treats me the same way.

Liquid Mountains

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"It's wonderful to climb
the liquid mountains of the sky. 

Behind me and before me is God
and I have no fears."

Helen Keller

Thus saith the Lord that made thee, 
and formed thee from the womb, 
which will help thee; 
Fear not...

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, 
and my blessing upon thine offspring:
And they shall spring up as among the grass, 
as willows by the water courses.
Isaiah 44:2,4 KJV

Light in the Darkness

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We were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
 
Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
1 Peter 1:16-19 NLT

I have read that very few Christians have any interest in Bible prophecy. The Apostle Peter is saying that we MUST pay close attention to God's Word, for it is like our back-up generator when the lights go out.

This  past week, I felt overwhelmed by the tragedies in West, TX, and Boston. There were also deadly earthquakes in China and Iran and many atrocities in the news around the world.

I asked my son to pray with me and as he prayed, he got a picture of the lights going off in a region, like a major power grid failure, but then God showed him that HIS light in believers would shine even brighter in the darkness.

Father, I pray for the nations, that people may see Your Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, and turn to Him in repentance.

SHELTERING STRONGHOLD

As a child walking home from running errands on a hot day, I can remember breathing a sigh as I came back into our yard full of large old shade trees.

All the neighbor kids played in our yard, and their Moms liked to sit on our rocking chair porch under the giant oak tree.

I pictured those shade trees when I read these verses:

Be to me a rock of refuge in which to dwell, and a sheltering stronghold to which I may continually resort, which You have appointed to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress. For You are my Hope.
Psalm 71:3,5a Amplified