The Gospel lesson for this weekend was from John 17.
A prayer for US! For protection. Protection from the evil one.
Jesus was leaving us and couldn't be here physically to protect us- He had to go prepare a place for us.
So he prayed very unselfishly, for US! For His people!
"Father, protect them..." (John 17:15)
Protect us from what? Well, there is a very, very old hymn that is entitled, "The World is Very Evil.."
Protect us from the sinful nature of the world and Satan. What is that, even more specifically?
Any thing, any person, any device that goes against the call and the will of God and what He says in His Word.
I've encountered a lot of things which I wanted protection from.
I wanted protection from a debilitating illness.
I wanted protection from the lies Satan was feeding me.
I wanted protection (and still do) from the 3-4 who hate me and continue to persecute me.
I want protection from whatever future problems may come.
I realize now that protection was and always will be provided.
A hymn that comes to mind is How Firm A Foundation- namely, verse 4.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never, forsake!"
Hell has surely shaken my soul. Via illness, lies, betrayal, persecution, struggles, frustration, problems, fights, sleepless nights, other issues.
But Jesus has held me in his arms. I've leaned on Him and He's protected me.
Thank God for His protection.
How about you? What has God protected you from?
Blessings:
-Early morning rise to get things done
-Very, VERY productive day
-Shared music at a church of a different denomination today. It was awesome! I'd go there every Sunday if I had to. He had the congregation hollering standing, cheering, clapping, screaming praise to God! THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE! He deserves every bit of it!
-Many, many encouraging compliments and comments after.
-Partaking in the Sacrament of Communion with them
-Nap
-Sitting outside and reading
-Laughs with grandpa
-Lots of good ideas came to me today through reading
-Got some organizing done
-Popcorn chicken with rum-spice-pineapple dipping sauce for dinner. Yum!
-Feeling well-protected today! And every day!
He's protected me from emotional problems and insomnia. Well, he hasn't protected me FROM them, but he's helping me THROUGH them. Also, I love your smile in your picture! :)
ReplyDelete^That's great! :)
ReplyDeleteI think He's protected me by giving my strength I never knew I'd have, and by showing me to love myself and become so much happier in who I am, even though I'm still the awkward girl that doesn't deal with people very well. At least I'm okay with acknowledging that now and it doesn't bother me too much. And that makes everything a lot easier.