A Place of Protection - Glenda Mills

                            courtesy of photobucket.com

He orders his angels to protect you wherever you go

(Psalm 91:11 NLT).

Of all places and times to have a flat tire…. the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a rainy cold morning during the busy Christmas Holidays! My husband quickly pulled off to the side of the road,  called AAA, and was informed it might take some time before they could dispatch someone to help us. 

We felt like sitting ducks as the heavy traffic zoomed past us....We needed prayer support! Grabbing my cell phone, I called my sister and quickly shared our predicament. Carole prayed for protection and asked God to send someone to help us. To our amazement, a truck pulled up behind us—just as I ended my call.

A dark handsome young man with a beard, mustache, and smile got out of his truck and immediately went to work. Within five minutes the tire was changed and we were ready to get back on the road. 

Delighted with such quick service, Dave reached to give the young man a grateful handshake and tip…. and true to my husband’s friendly nature asked, “What’s your name?” 

“My name is Joshua.” 

My husband responded with a big smile, “God bless you!” 

“God bless you!” he answered, and before we knew it—the young man climbed into his truck and was gone. 

Humbled and grateful, we felt an angel had been sent to help us!

When we pulled back onto the road, I reached for my phone—I could hardly wait to share the news with my sister! “Carole, he said his name is Joshua.” 

“Glenda…Joshua means Jesus!” 

They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet. (Psalm 91: 12-13 NLT). 

Moses and David would have encountered dangerous predators on their journey in the wilderness, yet an angel protected them because: 

1. They lived in the Presence of God Most High. 
2. The Almighty overshadowed them. 
3. The LORD was their Refuge and Trust. 
4. They knew the name of their God and had set their love on Him. 

Thankfully, most of us don’t face fierce lions and slithering snakes in our daily lives. Yet there are other dangers we face in the turbulent world we live in. 

The promises of God’s Word are just as powerful today as they were for Moses, David, and all those who had faith in God down through the ages. 

Have you cried out to God to protect and deliver you from today’s present dangers… ghosts of the past…fears of the future?

Dear friends, what enemy in the wilderness would have overwhelmed and defeated you, had you not been trusting in God? 

Prayer: Father in heaven, how grateful we are for your promises of protection and deliverance. Give us grace to continue to stay in your shelter, shadow, and salvation. Amen. 

A Secure Place - By Glenda Mills

www.geekphilosphers.com

“If you want to know God, you must be willing to have your heart broken as His was.” That would be me I thought. My heart was already broken. The challenges our family faced during a turbulent, stormy season threatened to tear us apart. I needed to hear those challenging words from the minister and I left the chapel that day with a desperate heart cry...“Lord I want to know You”.

A couple of days later, I stood in a bookstore staring at a book. The beautiful floral cover caught my attention—the title captured my heart. There it was…. The very prayer I had prayed;

 “Lord I Want to Know You”–Kay Arthur. 

Hope soared as I opened the pages to the *book and ministry that literally changed my life and the life of my family. Within its pages I found the place to run for comfort, hope, and encouragement. I also found a Secret and Sheltered Place…a Place of Security and Peace…and a Place of Protection and Promise. Finally I found a Shield of Truth that continues to guard my heart and protect my mind.

To God be the Glory! I am so grateful for the things He has done in my life and the life of those who call on His name.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

What a joy to continue our study of Psalm 91 with my dear friend Jamie Britt. Last week, Jamie blessed our hearts as she shared about “A Sheltered Place”…under the shadow of God’s Wings (See last week’s post).

This week we dig a little deeper into this classic psalm written down that we may learn to know God in a deeper way.

Moses the man of God, and David the man after God’s own heart, called out to God in the deserts of their days—when they needed protection from predators, pandemic diseases and plagues. They knew His promises and they revealed His character as they spoke and wrote about His name.   

Reading from Psalm 91: 3-4 (New Life Version).

A. It is He Who:

            1. takes you away from the trap,
            2. and from the killing sickness.
            3. He will cover you with His wings,
            4. and under His wings you will be safe.

B. He is faithful like:

            1. a safe covering
            2. and a strong wall

These verses record just a few of the promises and attributes of God.  There are more to come, but today let’s focus on the Hebrew names of God in this chapter.

Who is the He who promises all the benefits above? This psalm speaks of just four of the Hebrew names of God.

1. God—El-ohim, Creator  

   In the beginning God created the heavens and earth

  (Genesis 1:1).

2. God Most High—El-Elyon, Sovereign Ruler of the Universe

   The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His  

   kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19).

3. Almighty God— El-Shaddai, Powerful Breasted One

    I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—'God Almighty' (Exodus 6:3a).

4. LORD—YHWH-Jehovah, Self- Existing One

    Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid:  

    for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He 

    also is become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2).

Where do you run when the stormy seasons of life threaten you and the ones you love? Have you found that place of security and rest under the shadow of El-Shaddai-s wings?

Jamie and I would love you to leave your comment below. 

If you have yet to experience the overshadowing love of God, I encourage you to call out His Name. To learn more about how God manifested His love towards all who call on Him, click here How To Have Peace With God .

Jamie, that’s all I have to share today. Do you have any thoughts or a prayer you’d like to leave with us today?

Jamie writes:
Glenda, All I can say about this post is wow! I needed this today myself!

Jamie’s prayer: Father, thank You for giving us that sheltered secure place to run to during times of distress and trouble. When the storms of life come so suddenly, we feel as though we're sinking. Thank You for showing us that if David…. who was a man after Your own heart could run and seek refuge from you Lord, so can we. Thank You for giving us that access to not only come to you… but to come boldly. Help us run to…and not away from You in our time of need. In Jesus Name, Amen.

*To learn more about the book “Lord, I want to know You”, and the ministry behind the book, contact http://www.precept.org

Glenda Mills was deeply involved for many years in women’s ministry; teaching, training, mentoring, and encouraging women to find their identity and purpose through an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. She loves to encourage others to seek truth for themselves as they learn to study the Bible inductively. Mother of two, and grandmother of six, Glenda enjoys life in her autumn years, with her husband Dave, on top of a mountain in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. 

Glenda was recently published with ChristianDevotions.us>You are invited to view her devotional at: http://www.christiandevotions.us/tag/glendamills/ and to visit her blogsite at: http://www.glendamills.com

A Sheltered Place

courtesy of www.geekphilospher.com

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
"He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."
Psalm 91: 1-2 

“

When I think of being sheltered from a storm, my mind goes to a hurricane shelter. The shelter is used to protect us from the danger the weather presents. We trust operators of the shelter to keep us safe as long as the need is there. 

 There's another shelter…. A shelter from the storms of life. We can trust the operator of this shelter—more than those who run hurricane shelters. 

We can trust God to never leave us and never let us down. 

When we feel as though we're backed into a corner so dark we can't emerge, we can take comfort that the darkness we're facing is –the Shadow of His wing. 

 So let me encourage you today—Run to the Safe Shelter. There's not a better place for you to find comfort, peace and rest. And if you're hearing about this provider of a shelter for the very first time, you can come as well. Just ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart. It's that simple! 

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT). 

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Rev. 3:20 NLT). 

Prayer: Father, You are our Shield, our Strong Tower, and our Refuge. Help us to run into your safe, secure Shelter. Amen.

Glenda writes: Thank you Jamie! You’ve caused my heart to soar with encouragement this morning!

 I love your strong statement: “When we feel as though we're backed into a corner so dark we can't emerge, we can take comfort that the darkness we're facing is –the Shadow of His wing.” 

Ladies, can you relate? Has your past or present circumstances caused you to feel you were backed into a dark corner you couldn’t escape? Did you experience the shadown and safety of His wings? 

Thought for the week: Darkness cannot hide the face of our Savior…we are being held under the Shadow of God’s Wing!

Dear Friends, its your time to leave a word of encouragement for someone who may be struggling in a dark place today.  Please leave a comment below. 

 God bless you all, 
Jamie and Glenda 

You may contact Glenda at http://www.glendamills.com

A Secret Place - By Glenda Mills

Awakening just before daybreak, I quickly dressed, grabbed my bible and headed for the beach. Our family was experiencing the loss of a precious relationship. The ache in my heart was real, yet a song flooded my mind as I walked toward the shore.

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.” Horatio Spafford 

The sound of fluttering wings caught my attention as I stepped under the boardwalk. Looking up I saw a dove resting on the ledge of the crossbeam. Deeply aware of the presence of the Lord, I quickly opened my bible to the scripture that came to mind.

"Oh my dove, in the cleft of the rock, in the secret place of the steep pathway, let me see your form, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your form is lovely." (Song of Songs 2:14 NASB). 

Bible scholars believe the Song of Songs is a picture of Jesus Christ and His Bride. To be known and loved by God in such an intimate way is the greatest joy one can ever know. Psalm 91 also speaks of a secret place. A place seen by One who loves and knows his own... calls us by name... and knows all the details of our lives.

Good Morning Friends! Welcome to our study! Will you join me in prayer?

Father God, we gratefully enter the secret place of the Most High...not because we deserve it, but because of your great mercy and love. I pray you will open our spiritual eyes of understanding and our hearts to receive all that you want to show us through your Word. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. 

Here's the outline for our study:
"Sheltered Under His Wings" Psalm 91
1. A Secret Place 
2. A Sheltered Place 
3. A Secure Place 
4. A Place of Peace 
5. A Place of Protection 
6. A Place of Promise

When you read Psalm 91, you may notice it has no title or author....

So who wrote the Book? 
During my time of preparation for this study, I learned that Jewish scholars assign un-named psalms to the writer of the previous psalm. If so, then the author is Moses...yet other scholars believe David wrote it.

Do you think it matters? There is no way to know for sure who the author is and we dare not be dogmatic, but it might just be worth looking a little deeper into the psalm to find clues that might help determine who wrote this most beautiful and comforting Psalm.

What's the story behind the psalm?
 Read through the chapter and look for descriptive words or phrases that describe the author's circumstances. You might also look for cross-references on the side or bottom bar of your Bible that reveal the history and surroundings of the writer.

Why do scholars differ on who wrote the psalm?
 One of my favorite sites for Bible Study skills and commentaries is Study Light. Click here <http://www.studylight.org> and check out C.H. Spurgeon's "The Treasury of David". You might also want to check out the opposing view by Adam Clark.

Question for today: Is it important for you to know who wrote Psalm 91? Why?

Let's talk about it! Please leave a comment below.
That's all for today, friends. Join us next week when Jamie will post: “A Sheltered Place”.