October 29, 2008

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  God Is My Salvation
  ~ Helen Grace Lescheid

  “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2).

  Do you ever feel like you can’t face another day of challenges? Perhaps it’s time to take a day off and to spend it in quiet refection walking through nature or reading a good book by the fireplace. But what do you do when none of this helps to lift you out of the doldrums? May I suggest something that has helped me to get out of the fog–literally and emotionally?

  One night as I was coming home along the highway, the fog was as thick as pea soup. I could not see the road in front of me. I could barely glimpse the dim reflectors marking the lanes of the busy highway. How was I going to find my way home? It was by focusing on these “bright spots” in the fog. I inched forward from one reflector to the next. What a relief when, an hour-and-a-half later, I reached the warmth and light of home!

  By using the same mind-focusing principle, I’ve learned to let Scripture guide me instead of my moods. I take a portion of Scripture like Isaiah 12—a favorite – and personalize it. Then I say it out loud.

  Today I will give thanks to you, O LORD!

  When I feel afraid I will remember, Surely God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid.

  When I am weak, The LORD God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.

  When my resources are gone, I will draw water from the wells of salvation.

  I’ve discovered there’s power in speaking the Word of God out loud. As I recite God’s life-giving words throughout the day, my mood lifts and I receive courage to move forward one step at a time.

  ~ Lord Jesus, thank you that I don’t have to navigate this day alone. With Your help I will face every challenge and conquer it. For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among us.

  * I hope that encouraged you, as it did me … there are just some days we need more encouragement than on others!  I’ve personalized scripture before … this devotional reminded me again, of how vital the Word of God is in, and to, our lives!  How often I let my moods guide me, instead of the Scriptures!  So today, I’m going to do just that … let the Scripture guide my moods! 

     

    Today is special for me and my hubby … {That’s us up there about a month before we got married on October 29, 1982 … my, oh my, how we’ve changed!}  It is our 26th Wedding Anniversary! Happy Anniversary, Sweetie .. I love you!  And yes, we’ve had our ups and downs like many couples, but we have that ‘Heavenly Glue’ that holds it all together!  Marriage is a commitment … not a contract.  Contracts are made to be broken … commitment goes so much deeper than that!  With the Lord between us, holding us together, we can make it through anything … and because of Him, we have made it through many bumps on some pretty rough roads!  The journey isn’t over yet, and we’re looking forward to some smooth highways ahead … but when we do come to those bumps, we’ll lean on the One, who we know will get us over them in ONE piece … together! 

  As for our plans today … well, I woke up to an absolutely beautiful day … the sun is shining through those golden leaves that are still clinging to the limbs … above, a clear blue sky … the weather, crisp, and cool!  My favorite kind of day, and I feel so very blessed!  We’ll be going to dinner tonight … not sure where yet, but I know it will be yummy.  We’ll probably drive around in the country to take in the beautiful colors that have finally arrived here!  And we’ll come home and look at our wedding photos … reflecting on the past, looking to the future.  This will all happen after my trip to the chiropractor … the show this past weekend did a number on my back, so this morning I started my stretching again!  I do feel better after that … just need to stay consistant with it now!  You really notice the difference when you keep up with an exercise program … and you notice it when you don’t! 

  My computer is still in the ‘shop’ … ‘Cory, the computer guy’, has yet to call me to let me know how it’s coming along … he did say he had a busy week, and just may not have gotten to it yet … I’d rather it be that, than a more serious problem!  ‘Tiny’, the little laptop here, seems to be working better today … it loads at a snail’s pace, so it takes me awhile to get around, but know that I’m working at doing just that!  I’m really so thankful for this ‘little guy’ … even though it’s slow, it enables me to get around and check in on you!  I can’t upload any photos though  … and today, I so wanted to share some ‘before’, and ‘afters’ … I am thankful that I didn’t delete the one I used here above, way back when I started here on Xanga!  I will upload more, when I get the desktop back, even though they’ll be off schedule, and maybe a bit out of season!  Please do say a prayer that Cory can save everything, and get our computer back up and running in tip-top shape!  FAITH!  

  In the meantime, you all be blessed this beautiful autumn day … let the Scriptures guide your moods … know that He is your strength for whatever it is you might be going through right now … and please know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers!  ‘Tiny’, and I will be by to see you soon … even though it will be slow going … so, please do be patient with me!

    With love, hugs, & always … many prayers,
                                                               ~ Deborah <><

  P.S.  I do apologize if the lettering is to small … it’s hard to tell on Tiny here, what the size actually is! 

   

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