"Do Not Withhold Good"

A good man is concerned 

for the welfare of his animals... 

Proverbs 12:10 (TLB)

I saw them, as it were

On the side of the road

Abandoned, lost and lonely

Hungry, scared, without a home.

Many said, 'It's just an animal'

Ignored, they passed them by

Paws shivered in the darkness

God's creatures soon would die.

But there came a Good Samaritan

Who wrapped him in his coat

Warming him in loving arms

He slept and then awoke.

He met the eyes of his master

The one who took him in

A friend who saw his value

Who would care for him and always defend.

They formed a bond that could not be broken

The master learned so much

From the little one with the cold, wet nose

Both changed the day they touched.

They call it second chances

I call it hearts revived

When freely love is given

And pals walk side by side.

They call it chance encounters

It's not that at all

I believe in divine appointments

To help a friend who calls.

The thing that seems so ordinary

This is what is real

Reaching out to the lowly

To lend the hand that heals.

I pray that we would see them

Realizing their great worth

These treasures sent from Heaven

Every evil intent reversed.

That they may live their lives well cared for

Never again to fear

For a good man concerned for the welfare

Of an animal, that day came near.

As I was inspired to write this poem, it was the story of the Good Samaritan from the book of Luke in the New Testament that first came to mind. The Lord was impressing upon me how much He wants us to be filled with His kindness, mercy and compassion, reaching out wherever there is a need and where it is in our power to do good for He created and cares for all. Though this poem was written about animals I certainly couldn't help but think of the daily opportunities given to us to make a positive difference in the lives of those all around us. I pray that we would allow the gentle, caring hand of God to work through us each day to help alleviate suffering and encourage a heart as we share the love of Christ everywhere we go.

Scripture Meditation:

Proverbs 3:27-28 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,”  when you have it with you.

Luke 10:25-37 - And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”  So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Please consider opening up your heart and home to the precious homeless furry, feathered and scaly friends so much in need and/or giving however you are able.  Visit your local shelter or take in that stray to see how you can make a life changing difference.

"Run Away, Run Away!"

Some days I just want to run away.  Probably more days than I'd care to admit.  I  sort of feel a bit like Jonah I suppose.  God gives me something to do and I feel like I can't measure up to the task for so many reasons.  I want to board a ship and sail away to some far off land where nobody can find me.  Or, perhaps at times I feel a little like Moses when the Lord told him to go to Pharaoh and speak.  Like Moses, I say, "Who me, Lord, I can't speak.  Can't you send somebody else?"  I think of Jeremiah who was afraid of what others might think and who felt so inexperienced and unqualified for the work the Lord had called him to. 

Even the great apostle, Paul, knew weakness in his flesh and said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."  
(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Words from Scripture echo in my mind, that God uses the weak and the foolish to confound the wise, and, He will give me what I need in the hour I need to speak and that if I open my mouth He will fill it.

I still battle with fear at times and struggle with my many inadequacies.  But I continue to press into the Lord who causes me to overcome that I may accomplish His purposes as I rely on His grace and faithfulness to give me whatever I need to do His will.

Timothy struggled with fear, timidity and feelings of inadequacy as well.  But God did not give him, or you, or me a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.  I pray that we would continually stir up the giftings the Lord has placed within us and step out in faith, even when we're afraid, to do the "greater" works that He has promised.  For now is the time!

Scripture Meditation:
Jonah 1:1-3 - Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,  “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Jonah 3:1-3 -  Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,  “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”  So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
Exodus 4:10-13 - Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”  So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?  Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”   Then said I: “Ah, Lord God!  Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”  But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.  See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Matthew 10:19-20 - ...For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Psalm 81:10 - ... open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 -  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
John 14:12 -  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to 
My Father. "

"Peter, Do You Love Me?"

“How beautiful are the feet of those 
who preach the gospel of peace, who 
bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:15

The poem that I wrote below is something the Lord spoke to me twelve years ago and that He recently brought back to my remembrance and so I went digging through my files searching for it. He had been speaking to me about beginning a prayer/devotional group with the residents in a local retirement community where I work.

I found myself a bit hesitant to take on this commitment and unsure if I was really hearing the voice of the Lord but it just wouldn't leave me. So, after a couple of days I decided to take a step of faith and approach my boss about beginning a small weekly group to take place in our community chapel.

It was immediately and wholeheartedly accepted and I began the following Thursday with those the Lord had placed upon my heart to invite. Shortly thereafter, I again sensed a nudging in my spirit. This time it was to share the word of the Lord twice a month on the Sundays that I work. 

I have to admit, this is something that I'd been rolling over in my mind for a few months and I even found myself giving some impromptu messages on Sundays to the residents as I would serve coffee and donuts. But, I just kept pushing it back, again, hesitant to begin anything "formally". You see, I've struggled for the year I've been employed here with having to work on Sundays and have prayed and prayed to be released from this schedule.

Well, probably within a month of starting the first group, our Sunday service began. After gathering that Sunday and experiencing the awesome presence of the Lord, as I was on break, it became so clear. The Lord had said, "For such a time as this", and He had made my schedule just as it was to serve His purpose and to follow His plan. What a peace I had that afternoon as I ceased the struggle and saw from His perspective.  Previously, all I could think about was myself and my desires.

There are so many hurting, lost and lonely souls so desperately in need of a touch from the Lord and just waiting for an encouraging word to be spoken; that which will bring them hope, healing and the joy of His salvation.

Each day my prayer is as Jabez, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" 
(1 Chronicles 4:10)  I am so aware that I have no good thing apart from Him but that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) And so I come to feast at His table and to gaze upon His face that I may have something good to give - His word that brings freedom and life.

Who will hear His voice to go in the name of the Lord? Who will say, "Here am I! Send me." For the harvest is here but the laborers few. I continue to stand in awe of what the Lord will do through those who offer themselves to Him for His use and for the daily opportunities that He gives to share His truth and love in so many varied and wonderful ways. I pray our eyes would be opened to see and our hearts always ready to respond to make His name known however His Spirit may lead us.

"Peter do you love Me? *Feed My lambs",
echoing in my ears
But the Holy Spirit calls my name
speaking, "The harvest is here."
"Peter, do you love Me?"
reverberating, I hear His voice again,
"Would you watch over and care for
My own, My sheep to *tend?
Peter, do you love Me? My sheep are hungry,
would you go and feed
Shepherding those that I'd entrust
unto Me to lead?"
Give us shepherds hearts my God
empower us to lead
Our lives to serve the Master
in Christ to meet the need.
Move us with compassion
our hearts as one, the same
Your love to overtake us
seen, that souls be saved.

As is often the case, when the Lord speaks to me a word, He prompts me to look up certain definitions pertaining to what He's given me to help broaden my understanding. So, I thought I'd include those as well. It spoke to me twelve years ago and is still relevant today, maybe even more so as He is unfolding more of His promises to me and continues to teach me to walk in all His ways.

*FEED: to give food to, to furnish something essential to the growth, sustenance, maintenance, or operation of, satisfy, gratify, support, encourage, to be nourished or satisfied as if by food
*TEND: listen, to pay attention, apply oneself, to act as an attendant, serve, await, watch over, to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer, *cultivate, foster, to manage the operations of, mind, to stand by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance, to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction
*CULTIVATE: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops, to loosen or break up the soil about, to foster the growth of, to improve by labor, care or study, refine, further, encourage, to seek the society of, make friends with

Scripture Meditation:
Esther 4:14 - "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
John 21:15-17 - So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"  He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."  He said to him, "Feed My lambs."  He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"  He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."  He said to him, "Tend My sheep."  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"  And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."  Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."
Isaiah 6:8 - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"  Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Mark 6:34 - And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  

"Every Good and Perfect Gift"

Therefore I remind you to stir

up the gift of God which is in you...

2 Timothy 1:6

I had laid down blogging for more than a year but through an unexpected encounter I found myself pulling up my blog page once again, and began to give it a “new look”. It is then I sensed the Lord speaking to me. This had been no chance encounter but a way of getting my attention to continue to express myself through writing and speaking as the Holy Spirit inspires me.

It’s not because I have some great gift. I certainly don’t. I only long to hear the heart of God, do His will and echo His heartbeat. No matter how inadequate I may think I am He is all-sufficient.

The Lord has given each one of us gifts that He means for us to use, though at times we may feel unworthy or lacking. It’s true, I have no good thing apart from Him but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God uses the weak and frail of this world but He is the One who delights to fill and enable us to demonstrate His power.

The Father reminds me that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights and is not meant to hide under a basket but to shine for all to see as we are living expressions of Christ.

As I was in church today I found myself interceding for the people of God regarding this very thing. My prayer is that every good and perfect gift would be sought out, discovered, unwrapped, and utilized for the Kingdom of God and for His glory.

And so, “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1) He is worthy!

Scripture Meditation:
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 - For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Ephesians 4:7-16 - But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “ When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Romans 12:3-8 - For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Philippians 2:13 - … for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(See also, 1 Corinthains, chapter 12)

(Artwork by, Karla Dornacher, http://www.karladornacher.com/)

"The Joy of the Lord is My Strength"

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

This is truly one of my most loved passages of Scripture, so I just had to do a scrapbook page to include in my little inspirational book. This is one I did quite awhile ago but thought I'd begin to share some of my pages right here on my blog.

I'm slow at creating each page but I don't think the Lord's in a hurry. I find it very peaceful and relaxing as I ponder the possibilities of putting my pages together. I so strongly feel the presence of the Lord as I meditate on His Word during the creative process and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me.

I'm trying to decide which promise of the Lord I'll work on next, but in the meantime I'll see if I can get some other scrapbook pages posted. I hope they'll encourage and inspire you as they have me.

"The Restoration of Unity"

I prayed for friends who would walk by our side
And we, beside them, as Father would guide.

To strengthen and encourage, His Word to share

To lighten the burden as we offer up prayer.
Casting upon the Lord every weight and each care
Helpers through life equipped and prepared.
Through the challenges we face well able to stand
For we hold to each other as we hold the Lord’s hand.
Traveling the path before us He’s paved
Unfettered and free to walk in His ways.
With His love in our hearts, His truth to speak
Our vision made clear, His harvest to reap.
How good and how pleasant when brethren abide
The blessings of heaven opening wide.
Agreeing together to loose and to bind
Secure in Christ Jesus, our hearts to Him tied.
Sticking together through thick and through thin
Watching out for each other, protected from sin.
For we are one body and each has their part
Possessing God’s gifts, diverse, yet His heart.
Made one by His Spirit in the bond of His peace
Full grown, in love and in Jesus complete.
For Jesus is coming and so I pray our lamps, full
That we’d be wise virgins not found as the fool.
Awakened and ready, the Bridegroom to meet
On fire for Him, not those who sleep.
As iron sharpens iron we’d remain sharp
For the light of His face cuts through the dark.
And shows the way in hard places, awakening dreams
The visions of God realized as we would lean
Into Him who has promised and cannot lie
His ingrafted branches joined to the Vine.
Producing much fruit, His joy to remain
Loving one another, His truth to sustain.
I pray release of God’s counsel, establish Your plans
God utters His voice, we heed His commands.
We are firm, we are stable and shall not be moved
But declare that our lives show the praise He is due.
And so we tear down the walls that keep us apart
Releasing true unity, the kind of Your heart.
Bring about communication and the friendships You’ve formed
Forgive us jealousy and competition, where we’ve divided, we mourn.
Fill us with psalms, and hymns and sweet songs
Together making melody all the day long.
Giving thanks unto You, my God, for all things
Submitted to one another in Christ as we cling
To our Father who loves us and calls us to the same
To be imitators of Him, as the dear children He’s named.
Heal the brokenness we’ve suffered, Lord, touch Your church
Bring Your restoration, pour Your balm on each hurt.
We speak reconciliation, the resolve of disputes
Every entanglement pulled up by the root.
Come bring release from the plots, schemes and snares
From every trap that’s been laid, no longer impaired.
In humility and love, forgiveness we extend
Moving on, filled with peace, for You set right and mend.
Where there’s been a separation, You close the gap
Repairing the breach that there’d be no lack.
Thank You, You’ve called Your people to come and break bread
Continuing daily in one accord, just as You’ve said.
So where misunderstandings have stood in the way
I call forth Your clarity and Your community to pray.
Through eyes You have given to see our Reward
No disconnect but made a strong cord.
Demolishing strongholds we conquer new ground
As we march to the beat of the “oneness” that sounds.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Psalm 133:1-3 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

(Additional Scripture for study - Mat. 18:18-20, Gal. 6:1-2, 1 Cor. 12:12, 
1 Cor. 12:25-26,Eph. 4:1-6, Eph. 4:15-16, Mat. 25:1-13, Pro. 27:17,
Jhn. 15:5-17, Pro. 11:14, Pro. 15:22, Eph. 5:19-21, Act 2:44-47,
Mat. 5:21-26)

Click on the YouTube link I've posted below to view this video. It's precious and I believe you'll be greatly blessed. It ties in so nicely and I was so excited to have come across it just as I had finished writing this devotional. I knew I had to include it. Perfect timing once again from our faithful Father in Heaven.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK9Xj7eY0UU

"Making Sense of the Difficult Days"

"Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather". This is a line probably most of us know from an old 1933 song entitled, "Stormy Weather". The song popped into my head several months ago as I was praying. It made me laugh but it was truly no laughing matter.

Before I had my breast biopsy or knew I had breast cancer, I found myself meditating on more than a couple dozen Bible passages as Scripture flooded my mind. Looking back, I know the Lord was preparing me for the storm that was about to come.

Sometimes when difficult times come and we're in a storm all we can see is the rain and the clouds, the doom and the gloom. It seems we've lost our compass and don't know if we'll live to see the day; we're sinking fast, or so we think.But the "Son" is right behind those clouds. He's there, the Lord Jesus Christ, navigating us through those tempestuous waters, speaking peace to the storm and seeing us safely to shore. He invites us to step out of that topsy-turvy boat that can no longer contain or sustain us and meet Him on what seems to be an impossible surface to stand on, let alone walk on.

When the Lord beckoned Peter to step out of the boat, he was doing fine walking on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and stopped to look around at the blowing winds and monstrous waves about to swallow him up. Hey, I give the guy credit though. At least he got out of the boat, but the Lord wanted to bring Him farther to pursue the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. In order for this to happen a change has to take place in us that we may be able to contain the “new wine” that the Lord is desiring to pour into us.
(Phi. 3:12-14, Mat. 9:16-17)

The Lord teaches us obedience and brings us to a place of complete dependence upon Him, maturing and perfecting us even in the difficult places, through the storms of life, to weather them together as we are focused on Him and His truths. I thank Him that as I look to His Word He promises to transform me more into His image and renew my mind. He changes us from glory to glory, giving us understanding of the will of the Lord, enabling us to walk holy and acceptable before God and in our service to Him. 
(Heb. 5:8-9, Rom. 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 3:18)

Though at times it may seem that chaos, confusion and trouble abound, our God is a God of peace and comes reassuring us that no weapon formed against us will prosper but is only forged for our profit that we may become partakers of His holiness, yielding the peaceable fruits of His righteousness. 
(Isa. 54:16-17, Rom. 5:3-5, Heb. 12:1-11)

There are places where we have been marred, hurt, wounded, or perhaps we have allowed weeds to crop up. But the Lord has named us a new creation and has come to make us whole in Christ Jesus. He is pruning us to form us into new vessels as we hear His call to come and abide and surrender entirely to His lordship. Each of us is being fashioned by God, His workmanship, designed for His specific purpose that the fruit we bear may be abundant.
(Jer. 18:1-6, Jhn. 15:1-2, 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:10)

The Lord comes filling with joy and equipping with faith, enabling us to stand steadfast and resolute in our commitment and devotion to Him, even if for a time we suffer, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God made manifest in our mortal bodies by the power of His Holy Spirit. For we have this treasure in earthen vessels and so we die to the things of the flesh; we partake of His sufferings that His Kingdom may come even through His chosen ones to the glory of God. 
(Jas. 1:2-4, 1 Pet. 1:6-7, 2 Cor. 4:7-11, Phi. 3:7-11)

We humble and submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God understanding that in all points Jesus was tempted as we, yet remained sinless. We resist every temptation, coming to the everlasting God, full of mercy and grace to help in our time of need, who has made a way of escape through the blood covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s been where we are and fully knows our hearts.  (1 Pet. 5:6-11, 1 Cor. 10:13, Heb. 4:14-16)

And so, we remain alert and watchful, not as those who sleep, that we may be wise as serpents and gentle as doves, resisting, renouncing and casting down every enemy of our souls, walking in the Spirit, assured of God's promises, made firm, stable and unmovable in Him no matter the gale force winds, for we are settled in Christ.  
(2 Cor. 10:3-6, Gal. 5:16-18)

Oh, but you say, "I'm in the pit", but God sees and delivers you and would use you to save many people alive. Trust in the sovereign plans and purposes of God. Oh, but you say, "I'm at the brink of disaster, so much has been lost, so much is destroyed." But God would say, "I would increase and multiply for all your loss and restore more than at the first." Oh, but you say, "Daily I die and thirst in a barren land." But God would say, "My grace is sufficient, My strength made perfect in your weakness and I shall provide pools in the desert places, setting you on the road that I have carved out in the wilderness leading to My glory and My kingdom established in you."
(2 Cor. 12:7-10, Isa. 43:18-19)

I'm reminded of Paul who went through so many hardships. He did not turn aside from his faithful devotion to the Lord though he was warned of the perils that awaited him. Even when he was unjustly accused, beaten and thrown into prison, he found occasion to sing praise to God. He looked for and found opportunity after opportunity to continue in the ministry God had given him to proclaim His truth. None of his circumstances deterred or caused him to lose his focus. He was content in plenty or in want, affliction or health, hungry or full; he was satisfied in the Lord.
(Acts 16:22-34, 2 Cor. 11:22-28, Phi. 4:11-13,
Acts 21:10-13)

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and later unjustly accused and sent to prison as well, but even there God prospered Him. Throughout it all God continued to develop his character, delivered him from chains and raised him up at just the precise time in history to be over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, that many would be saved from what would have otherwise been sure destruction. 
(Gen., chapters, 37, 39-50)

I think of Job and his devastating losses. He lost all his livestock and all ten of his children in one day; he lost his health. Scripture tells us how Job responded - 'Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.' And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. 
(Job, chapters, 1, 2 & 42)

Do you ever feel like enemies are all around you and everything is coming at you at once? Well, I know I have! There have been times when I've been overwhelmed by the vast enemy army surrounding me. Then, even as the eyes of Elisha’s servant were opened, the Lord allows me to see His heavenly angels who far outnumber my foes, protecting and fighting on my behalf. 
(2 Kgs. 6:8-18)

Today, months after I first began this study, I'm still meditating on these Scriptures, trusting the Lord to faithfully guide me through one of the most challenging times of my life. He continues to speak to my innermost being through His Word that brings healing and makes me whole - mind, body, soul and spirit.

So I'll let the songs arise, knowing my victory is assured, continuing to ask for eyes to see, grateful to my Lord and King for the opportunities He arranges for the glory of the Lord to be released in power, in what we may consider to be some of the most unlikeliest of places and circumstances. May we be formed His vessels of honor.

Matthew 14:28-31 - And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 8:23-26 - Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

(Though there are numerous other Scriptures throughout this devotional, I encourage you to open up to each one and let this become an in-depth study, allowing the Holy Spirit to unfold the mysteries of God more fully to you, that you may “walk on the water” with Him, victoriously coming through every test and trial and storm.)