Seeking safety in an unsafe world. March 10, 2012

Remember the verse, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways?” Today’s parallel might be more like, “How do I seek safety?  Let me count the ways”.

Is there anyone who feels totally safe in today’s hate-filled, violent, dangerous world?

Physical safety is threatened by abuse in families, dangers of travel including accidents and road rage; abduction of any-age persons; drive-by shootings, school shootings and terror attacks; even violent storms crashing in without warning; dread disease attacking unexpectedly.

Mental and emotional safety is violated by verbal abuse in homes and work places, bullying, belittling, slander and rejection.

Financial safety? Is it really secured in purchasing gold? Maybe. But there is enough uncertainty in the world’s financial arena to leave most feeling a lack of safety for their future.

If you are still reading this rather dismal picture of our unsafe living situation, take heart. There is a place of safety for people who will avail themselves of it. Be encouraged to seek true safety of your whole person in relationship with Christ alone:

Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 12:5 – “…Now I will arise, says the Lord, I will set him in the safety for which he longs”. [Strong's #3468: safety means deliverance, liberty, rescue, welfare, prosperity]

Ps. 50:15 – “And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me.”  (“rescue” [Strongs 2502] means to strengthen, fortify, remove from danger.)

Ps. 73:28 – “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all Thy works.

SAFETY IN CHRIST ALONE

As you see yourself seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Col. 3:1), you can soar above the fearsome realities of an "unsafe" world. In your darkest hour of difficulty, He will be with you as you seek His protection and deliverance:

Phil. 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Blessings for the journey – IN CHRIST.

Blog Post: Tragic victims of tornados need our love. March 5, 2012 and prayers.

I spent the evening in our church basement with friends and 5 dogs, including my husky-chow-chow mix.  Fierce thunderstorms and tornado warnings issued for our area made some of us apartment dwellers seek sturdier shelter. We emerged, gratefully, unscathed, untouched by the devastating destruction in our state and others surrounding us.

Yet, we are touched deeply, weeping with those who weep, over loss of life and property. Only the most hard-hearted individual, and surely not a believer living "in Christ", can adopt the attitude of "Ho-hum...dodged a bullet"attitude when fellow citizens and believers are suffering unbearable loss. Through our prayers and in practical ways we can help to comfort our friends; we can encourage survivors to go on, to receive strength and courage from Christ, and to walk toward His healing of heart, mind, and body. Consider these "in Christ" exhortations and promises as you prayerfully lift up those who are hurting today:

"so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Rom. 12:5)

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, not height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38-39).

Let us help to bear the load of grief and loss to the Father as we lift up our brothers and sisters before His throne, coming boldly to Him in our time of need.

Blessings.