Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.” [Amplified Bible]

James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).”

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [Amplified Bible]

Psalm 16:7-8 “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me.   I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

Psalm 121:3-8 “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 139:2-5 “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”

Psalm 145:13-19 “The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.”

Isaiah 40:27-31 “O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?  O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard?  Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true.  He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”

Psalm 5:12 “For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.”

Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.   I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace.”

Psalm 40:17 “As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior.  O my God, do not delay.”

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”

Psalm 68:35 “God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”

Psalm 91 (Whole Psalm) This one is really good!

Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;  they will not be defeated but will endure forever.”

Psalm 144:1-2 “Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.  He makes the nations submit to me.”

Zechariah 2:5 “Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!’”

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

I have lived two very different lives. I have friends from both and am thankful for every single one.

From my teen years, I was in a steady downward spiral….. I realize now that I had no reliable compass… So I spent those years drifting and trying to figure out which way was up. I was trying to find my self worth through the eyes of others and never did find it down that alley. As my health deteriorated, my perception of my value to others decreased increasingly. My standards of others and moral values were declining in step with this perception.

And then the light shone into my darkness, He healed me of the sickness that had been stealing my life for over 18 years, He started to whisper to me in the still quiet hours of my days that He loves me with an everlasting love, that I am a precious daughter and bride that my worth to Him is infinite, and that I am accepted just as I am, that I am loveable, worth fighting for and adored.I am thankful that I never met the stodgy, wrathful, you must obey or else version of the Lord that so many religion’s try to superimpose on His loving, gracious, just (perfectly just) nature.

The sad reality, is most people don’t know Him. They know about Him through what others say and sadly, too much of what is said is outright wrong. For those who have had Jesus Christ represented inaccurately, I want to tell you He is amazing. He is patient, kind, loving, faithful beyond words, He sees you through the most favourable lens and is your greatest ally in a darkening world. He longs to talk with every single person on this planet. He can see the real you, the perfect, loving and kind you. He can see the real you in the worst moments of your life and still be for you and is forever willing to walk into the darkest places to bring you back into the light.

I know Him more and more each day. He talks to me. I love seeing me through His eyes. I love knowing that the bad things I think and do are not who he designed me to be. They are aftermarket add on things that happen to amazing good people as they try to live and breath in a fallen world. He sees you. And in case you have forgotten it on any level. You are amazing. You are kind, you are loving, you are capable of unimaginable greatness and you are very good. You matter and you are precious.

I woke up today to this thought. “You are loved with an everlasting love”…. Can I tell you how delightful it is to wake up to the Creator of the Universe whispering this into your heart.

Dear friends, You really are loved with an everlasting love. Don’t be discouraged by the religious people who have misrepresented Him in your life. You know how many people have known you but not well and therefore misrepresented or misunderstood you.

“Hope is the little feeling we have that the big feeling we are having is only temporary” – unknown

“Jeremiah 31:3-5New Living Translation3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel:“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.4 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines.5 Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there.”

I love you and am praying for you this morning.

The Power of Love

Overview:  To help people understand the infinitely deep and unconditional nature of God’s love for each one of us

Prayer :  Father God, help us to understand, really understand in our minds and our hearts that ALL of your promises are true and are a mighty shield that protect us. [Psalm 18:30]

Love Covers All Sin

Power of Praise and Worship (in prayer, in service, in music, in defense and offense)

The disciples being set free from prison through singing praises

Love of God

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+14:1-3&version=NKJV>

 am __________________( your name)

I am a party waiting to happen, 1 Peter 1:8! Angels rejoice over me, demons flee from me, James 4:7, and God himself dances over me with singing, Zephaniah 3:17. I am: the bearer of good news, Isaiah 52:7, a minister of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:18, the carrier of the King of Glory, Colossians 1:27. I am the righteousness of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and a temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19. I have an unction from the Holy one and I know all things, 1 John 2:20 I have the mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16, I am anointed by God, 1 John 2:27, And I was created by Him for good works, Ephesians 2:10! I have favor with God, favor with man and a good understanding, Luke 2:52. I am chosen by God, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4, I have been sanctified, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and made truly Holy. As Jesus is, so am I in this world,1 John 4:17! I am always on God’s mind, He thinks about me constantly, Psalms 139:17-18. Even before the creation of the world, I was planned, Ephesians 1:4. I am a child of the King, adopted into his family, Ephesians 1:5, An heir in Christ, Romans 8:17, Accepted in the Beloved, Ephesians 1:6. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3. I lack no good thing, Psalms 34:10. I have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8. I was predestined by God for success, Romans 8:28-30. I am placed and seated with Him, a king and priest, part of a chosen generation, a peculiar people, 1 Peter 2:9. I am blessed coming in and going out, Deuteronomy 28:6 My family is blessed, my flocks are blessed, Deuteronomy 28:4, and everything I touch prospers, Deuteronomy 28:8. I am the head and not the tail, above the circumstances and not beneath them, Deuteronomy 28:13. No weapon formed against me can prosper, Isaiah 54:17, no plague can come near my dwelling-my house or my body, Psalm 91:10! And nothing can separate me from the love of God- not angels or demons, not principalities or powers, nothing in this world or out of it, Romans 8:38-39! I am equipped with the full armor of God, Ephesians 6:13, packed full of the Holy Spirit, with more than enough power inside of me to raise the dead, Romans 8:11, heal the sick and cast out devils, Matt 10:1. My faith can move mountains, Mark 11:23, my words contain life and death, Proverbs 18:21, my life was bought at a price-Jesus covered it, 1 Corinthians 6:20. My days are appointed, Psalms 139:16 my life is protected, Mark 16:18 angels encamp around me, Psalms 34:7, and the blessings of God encircle me, Psalms 103:4, go before me and overtake me, Deuteronomy 28:2. The creator of the universe, my Dad, loves me with an everlasting love, Jeremiah 31:3. He is with me always, Hebrews 13:5, He thinks about me constantly, Psalms 139:17. He knows everything about me, even the number of hairs on my head, Matthew 10:30. His love for me is inescapable, insurmountable and irrefutable. I am all round awesome, just ask my Dad!

CARLIE TERRADEZ©2014

From <https://carlieterradez.wordpress.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/>

1.________________________________________________________________

Acts 10:38  “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Exodus 15:26 “He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”

Isaiah 57:19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the LORD, “ And I will heal him.”

Isaiah 58:8 [See context ]“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.”

Jeremiah 30:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer+30%3A17&version=KJV>

Jeremiah 33:6 “Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.”

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see,  that the oppressed will be set free.”

Mark 16:17-18 “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Psalm 30:2 “O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.”

Psalm 41:3 “The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. “

Psalm 103:1-3  “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.  He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”

Psalm 107:20  “He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.”

3 John 1: 2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Note this scripture is a prayer for our physical body’s health to reflect our spiritual health. We readily accept that our spiritual healing is a process  and yet expect instant healing of our physical ailments.

There is a common biblical theme that I was thinking about today. God “gives” us the land but He has delegated driving out the giants to us.

I have been meditating on this. I think most of us kind of hope that we could show up and take up residence in the “promised” land without raising a finger to fight. The reality, is the promised land was occupied by very intimidating residents. This is why the Israelites balked at moving in and refused God’s command to go. This is why they ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years instead of moving into houses they hadn’t built and eating food off of vines they hadn’t planted.

Isaiah 53 outlines several of the giants that need to go for us to “enter in to God’s rest”

Hebrews 4
King James Version
4 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

I will continue post in the comments so others can share and respond with comments of their own.

I will share my thoughts and the scriptures in the comments below. I think there is just so much in these verses that we can likely never plumb the very depths of them. I would love to hear your insights as well so do reply and share your comments too.

The term Jehovah Nissi appears only once in scripture. It means the Lord is my banner, the Lord is my Victory. I believe the story of David and Goliath reveals keys to victory against the forces of darkness, not a ritualistic formula but elements that reveal why and how David came through this encounter victorious. As always, I encourage you to avoid formulaic thinking or creating a script out of what is revealed here.

Some things I see in this passage:

1. God had provided everything on site that David would need to be victorious. The enemy provided some extra props that could have distracted David from God’s provisions and led to disaster instead of victory
2. David’s heart was prepared for the battle by His time and well established relationship with the Lord. He was victorious in part because he saw Himself as an extension of God and His Kingdom. His confidence was in the Lord.
3. David had no tolerance for anyone or anything that would defy God.
4. David had so much confidence in the Lord that he refused to be intimidated and to take stock of how things looked in the natural.

Dear friends, I am finding that I need to commit myself to regular study daily again as we have hit an exceptionally busy time in our life. I will be trying to be on one hour a day. For now here, but I hope to find an easier to use platform that will be simple for anyone who want to jump on to use.

All scripture referenced here from KJV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11&version=KJV

Do read this for yourself and share the big things that jump out to you

On our family vacation, I was blessed to watch this totally not God related video.. Love gardening as so often the lessons about the Kingdom learned here are profound.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqkpifoEUfc&t=525s

The key to fruitful tomato and squash plants is….  AIR… lots of room around the plants, especially at the base of the plant…

The parallels are profound.  In plants, many leaves and lush greenery communicates to our minds healthy.   BUT the reality is that all those leaves actually an environment that is often deadly to the plant.   Powdery mildews and blights abound in this dense canopy.  The flowers, hidden beneath the leaves, often go unpollinated which means no fruit or low fruit yields.

Overcrowded lives are very similar.   A fruitful life requires room to hear from the Lord, it requires windows of quiet, windows of time for meditation, time to study the Word so the seed of God can pollinate our hearts and lives and the fruit can follow.

Something to think about perhaps????