Author: Dr Glen

“He’s in there with you”

Daniel 3:25  “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (KJV)

I have often heard the comment “If you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.”

On many occasions people have been put in situations by pressure put on them from other people. People will try to force others to make decisions that they are not comfortable making, or the decision will go against what they believe. 

This was the case with the 3 young Hebrew boys in Daniel chapter 3. Many times it will cost a person something when that person takes a stand for what they believe in. The sacrifice or price that is paid is sometimes with a life.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of losing their lives by being thrown into a fiery furnace, rather than bow down to false gods or worship a golden image. 

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)

When we read scripture, we can see that God has been a very present help in His people’s time of need. God being with the 3 Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace is just one of the many examples that we find in the bible of God not only being that very present help, but also our refuge and strength.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (KJV)

When we show faith in God, He shows us His faithfulness. He will never leave us or forsake us, especially in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

God is not only with his people in a time of trouble, but He will allow Himself to be seen by others to show Himself strong.

Daniel 3:25 ^“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (NKJV)

Through no fault of our own, weapons will sometimes be formed against God’s people. Because the weapon has been formed, it does not guarantee that it will be prosper or be successful in defeating a believer.    

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.” (AMP)

“Lord, thank you for being in the midst of trials and tribulations that come our way, and for being a very present help. Let us be mindful that we have to go through to get too. Let us also live each day believing that no weapon formed against your people will prosper. We stand on your word, walk by faith, and believe that you will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus name!” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Gates

Nehemiah 13:19 “So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.” (NKJV)

Walls and fences serve several purposes. They can provide safety, security and also add beauty to the landscape. Depending on the height or thickness of the wall or fence, it might be possible to scale the wall or climb over the fence.

Most walls and fences have one or more gates that provide someone or something access to the secured area. An easy way to gain access to the secured area is to enter through the gate, and if a gate is left open, it can defeat the purpose of keeping an area secured.

Our 5 senses assist us with being aware of where we are and what is happening around us. The five senses that we have can also be identified as gates;

We have an ear gate to able to hear.

We have an eye gate to be able to see.

We have a tongue gate to be able to taste.

We have a nose gate to be able to smell.

We have a touch gate to be able to feel.

Believers have to constantly be watchful and on guard to what is attempting to enter their gates.

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.” (NKJV)

If a person allows one or more of their gates to remain open to the wrong thing, it can give the enemy an opportunity to “come in like a flood.”

The Spirit of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) will lift up a standard that gives a believer the power needed, to stop the attempts of the enemy to enter into our gates.

“O God, thank you for the power of your Spirit that warns and reminds believers about what they are listening too, what they are smelling, watching, tasting or touching that can allow the enemy access to enter in our gates, in Jesus name…Amen!“

Continuing in His service…Rev

Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. (NKJV)

This passage of Scripture tells the reader several things about anger.

Depending on what happens we will experience anger, but we should not allow anger to cause us to sin. The passage then tells the reader to deal with the anger as soon as possible. This passage also includes a warning about how this can be an opportunity for the devil to have influence on how we may act on the anger that we are feeling.

Anger can be a complicated emotion that has profound effects on a person, and can also have an effect on the people around that person. Anger is a feeling that a person can experience without warning at any time. Sometimes we might see anger coming and sometimes we might not, and can be easily caught off guard.

Anger often causes people to act in ways we may not be proud of, and can cause us to make mistakes that will have consequences in our lives that we may regret. Anger can be difficult to control at times, and can develop into madness or uncontrollable rage.

A person experiencing anger may often experience physical effects, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased levels of adrenaline.

Anger is a way that we can give gratification to the flesh if we are not careful, and if the anger is not dealt with correctly, and in a reasonable amount of time, it can lead to that anger bearing fruit. That fruit can be identified as feelings of anxiety, hurt, despair, rejection, financial loss or broken relationships.

Proverbs 15:1-2 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The way we respond when we get angry can determine if we are allowing anger to control us, or if we are controlling the anger.

Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (NIV)

Lord Jesus, give your people wisdom to recognize anger when it happens, and strength to control any feelings of the anger they are experiencing, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

 

Not on My watch

Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep. (NKJV)

The phrase “not on my watch” is from the nature of command on board a ship that has different shifts that have been divided and called ‘watches”. Individuals take turns to be “the person on watch” and is in charge of the ship.

To be “the person on watch” entails serious status, having a great responsibility for the entire ship itself, also everyone that is on the ship.

Everything that happens on “your watch” is your responsibility. So if any mishaps, accidents or any kind of damage occurs, the person “on watch” will be held responsible, even if they don’t have anything to do with it.

It is considered to be a bad mark against the person “on watch” if a problem occurs when they were in charge, and did not take corrective action to stop the wrong doing from happening.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch” 24/7 for His people, and will keep them from dangers seen and unseen.  

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NKJV)

A believer never has to feel that they are alone or unprotected.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (NKJV) Selah

Because God is a safe hiding place, He can keep his people from any danger that may come their way.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV)

No matter what season a person may be in, whether it be day or night, the word of God will persevere in a season of trials or tribulation that may arise.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. (NKJV)

God can see weapons that are being formed against His people. Because He is on watch constantly and will intervene on His peoples behalf, He prevents what is being done, or what is being said from prospering and having an effect on His people.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Psalm 91:10-11 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways. (NKJV)

“Thank you heavenly Father for being “on watch” for your people and for preventing any evil or plague to come near. Thank you also for encamping angels around and about your people, that keep your people each and every day. You said in your word that you would never leave us or forsake us. Our trust is only in You, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev