You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

Psalm 122, 124, 133, 134, 135, 136, and 138 

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138:7

Day 122 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue today with the group: "Psalms of Joy and Praise".

Today's psalms focus on praise for Jerusalem, and the house of the Lord, for escape from enemies, for the joy of brothers living harmoniously, a call for temple servants to praise God, for the many things for which temple servants can give praise, a special poem of thanksgiving for all things, and praise for a faithful God.  A few days ago I posted on praise, and how it is a critical aspect of our relationship with God.  This morning my focus is on how we must recognize the daily battle we face against Satan and sin, and how God is our only weapon against this battle.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

We must no doubt praise God for how he has protected us, continues to protect us, but most importantly we must put on the "armor of God" daily so that He can protect us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who has protected me and continues to protect me.  You also arm me with Your armor, the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet and salvation, sword of the Spirit, and word of God - I am not deserving of how You love and protect me.  I sin...daily.  I am grateful for Your love, compassion, mercy, and protection but I need it daily!  Please forgive me for me sin and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me arm myself with what You provide to protect myself in this daily battle with sin and satan.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.

Psalm 120, 121, 140, 143 and 144

Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Psalm 140:4-5

Day 113 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue with "Psalms of the Troubled Soul".

Today's psalms focus on prayers for deliverance from lying Gentiles who press war, praise for the Lord who watches over his people, prayers for protection from violent persons, prayer for preservation of life and protection against trouble, and for God's power.

As motivation to draw near to God, so we can draw upon the strength of God's promises and protect ourselves with a heart of gratitude, we should recognize that there is a battle raging for our soul over sin.  Satan is all around us and on the prowl.  David gets it right - we all need a savior.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

 

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of Your love and protection.  I continue to sin...primarily in the workplace but everywhere in my life.  Please forgive me Lord.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Exodus 12-13:16

When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. Exodus 12:23

Day 25 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's wrath on Pharaoh and all of Egypt as He delivers the Israelites out of bondage.

Just as God passed judgement on the Egyptians (Exodus 12:12) and protected the Israelites so will He protect His servants once again in the final days when Jesus returns (see my notes from David Platt's study on Revelation) - see also Revelation 7:3 as an example.

We all sin and need a Savior - I am grateful that God protects me from the destroyer.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has protected from the destroyer now and in the final days - thank You Jesus.  I know You provide victory over sin and death - thank You.  I am not deserving of such a gift. I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others a You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message to me today and every day.

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

1 Chronicles 21

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. v1

Ever since The Fall, sin has been part of the world.  Even the greatest among us fall prey to Satan.  

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Our personal relationship with Jesus, The Word, the Holy Spirit, and our fellow believers all offer strong support for us to protect ourselves against sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is always with us and who protects us from sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I worry - far too much!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.

1 Samuel 28

Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. v16-19

Saul is bent on killing David, even though he tells David that he will not.  Saul's life becomes what James predicts when we follow sin down the slippery slope: 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

Lord Jesus, please help me stay near to You.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has protected me from many sins - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. v9

In the first nine verses of Joshua, the Lord tells Joshua to strong and courageous three times (v6,7,9), including verse 7 where Joshua is told to be "[b]e strong and very courageous".   

God wants Joshua to be strong and courageous because He will be with us wherever we go (v9).  We are also to be strong and courageous because there is temptation and sin in the world and we will face difficulties.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

God give us His Son, the Holy Spirit, His Word, faith, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ who pray and support us, etc.  With all of this we have the armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who protects us and keeps us strong during times of difficulty - You are our Rock.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  My sin continues.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Deuteronomy 20

Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” v3-4

The enemies in our lives are many including Satan.  We need protection and God provides such refuge - He will fight with and for us.

See also:
Exodus 14:14
Deuteronomy 1:30 
Deuteronomy 3:22 
Joshua 23:10 

Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides and protects.  You also teach, encourage, heal, guide, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  You are my all and all and You demand my attention - yet I am often distracted and I neglect my relationship with You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

Genesis 39

But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. v39

God wants us to be set apart or to be holy, but there are often circumstances where we are "trapped" and God wants us (with His help of course!) to flee from sin.  We cannot just allow sin to consume us.  

In the case of Joseph, God is clear - flee from sexual immorality.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Learn and memorize scripture - be able to test what is being said and done against God's word.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

When we need an escape, call out to God for help.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, patience, and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of such grace.  I often fail to give grace to others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

Genesis 4

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. v7

Sin is indeed crouching at our doors.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

 

 We can protect ourselves by reading, studying and memorizing scripture.

See Proverbs 2, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and other verses.  We can also protect ourselves by avoiding those who do not believe and consistently demonstrate willful sinful behavior - we must instead surround ourselves with other believers who can encourage us and be in prayer for us.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

 

 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God who is able to beat sin and death.  You give me this same power and I am grateful Jesus!  Thank You.  However, I often lack complete trust in You and am taken away by sin.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me protect myself through faith and trust in You.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. v8-9

I have previously posted on these verses on being alert regarding the pervasiveness of sin in this world.  Yet this morning, I am encouraged to focus on how we can stand "firm in the faith" through the fellowship of other believers.  We cannot do this alone. 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17  

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:12-15

Lord Jesus, please help me surround myself with brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can in the fellowship of Christ and prevent each other from falling into sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have many people into my life - brothers and sisters in Christ who have helped protect me from sin...Thank You Jesus for these many blessings. Yet I am not deserving of such blessings. I am harsh with my words and actions and I have slandered and gossiped.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

1 John 5

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. v18

God does not want us to sin yet He knows that we do and that we will...that is why He sent is one and only Son (John 3:16-18). God saves us from being slave to sin and also protects us from sin through His Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and through the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You save me from the sting of sin and death and You help protect from my own sin...thank You Jesus!  I know You love me. I am not worth such love because I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.

Zechariah 14

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. v3

In "this world", as believers we are surrounded by sinful influences, and at times it can be overwhelming.  In chapter 14, Zechariah prophesizes about challenging times indeed. Yet, we don't need to worry because God will fight for us and He will give us victory...in this life or in Heaven.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.  I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Psalm 45:4-8

 

But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. Psalm 129:4

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God indeed.  You protect me from my Satan and give me victory over sin and death - what a great God You are!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such a God.  I continue to sin...worry, impatience, envy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

Proverbs 27

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. v20

Peter also warns us that Satan is always there, on the prowl, looking for us to fall for temptation and for us to sin and be separated from God.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

We must equip ourselves with scripture and surround ourselves with the "armor" that only God can provide.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that protect me from sin - You have protected me and I desperately need You to continue to protect me.  I am surrounded by sin and temptation.  Only You can protect me.  Thank You Jesus for how You have protected me.  Forgive me for those times when I have fallen prey to Satan and His forces.  I love You and I need You.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.


 

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Proverbs 7

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.  Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. v1-5

Although this Proverb speaks specifically about the danger of lust, these scriptures speak just as much to the lure of all sin, how easily we are ensnared, and how God's protects us.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 

2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

See also this post. 

My Prayer: Lord, You are great and You are the Great Protector.  I have felt Your hand in my life as protection from sin - which is greater than any other harm that can come to me.  Thank You Jesus for Your protection.  I am not worth such mercy, grace, and compassion.  I worry, and I have other sin in my life.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

Psalm 141

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers. v5

David is seeking the protection that we all need that only God can provide - protection from temptation, sin, and death.  See also my post from a few days ago.  Protection can come in many forms - including from our brothers and sisters in Christ, who we invite into our lives to provide accountability.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

God demanded from Noah that he keep "an accounting for the life of his fellow man".

"But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." Gen 9:4-6

We need others in lives in so many other ways: for confession and prayer, encouragement, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, compassion, patience, etc. for me even though I am not deserving of all of the love You pour out for me.  Thank You for providing men brothers and sisters in my life to help protect me.  Thank You Jesus.  I continue to be angry, impatient, harsh, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129

But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. v4

The world is full of sin (including myself) and I need protection from the sin and the wicked influences that are part of the world.  I am DEEPLY thankful that I have a God who is willing to die on the cross to protect me from the sting of sin and death.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

Only God can do this and Jesus proved in Matthew 4 that God is more powerful than Satan.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love, compassion and mercy.  You have saved me and You continue to save me from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such efforts.  I worry FAR too much.  Please forgive me. Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. v7-8

I often lament how I don't have as many people in my life that help me stay accountable in my walk with Christ.  While we need these people in my life, I should not forget that God is watching over me all the time and that if I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me:

 Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

With God by side, I have greater confidence that I am protected from my own sin and the influence of others' sin. See also my various posts on this.


Better still would be for me to have these "one anothers" in my life:

¹³ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You give me life to the full...You protect me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such efforts and love.  I often seek my own comforts and desires vs You and Your glory.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Satan is as deadly as Cancer
Ephesians 6

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. v12

There is certainly no doubt that evil is real, on the "prowl", powerful, and very deceptive - we must protect ourselves.  The devotion today devotes little focus on how.  Yet the verses before and after verse 12 speak directly to how we can protect ourselves and Romans 12 and other verses get more specific in this regard.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11

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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:13-18

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

 ...

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We MUST be in the word, stay rooted to Him, etc. - see also Deuteronomy 6, John 15.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are my protector, in all things and all circumstances.  Thank You for You protect me daily...I know You are slow to anger and abounding in love...Thank You!  I am not worth such protection and love yet You are full of mercy anyway.  I often fail to be the man You intend for me - I should be sharing the Good News about You all the time yet I don't - please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me be more bold.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Putting Out the Spirits Fire
1 Thessalonians 5

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. v19-22

As I have posted recently, Satan is all around us and on the "prowl". The only way to defeat sin is through Jesus Christ. 

A vivid example of how Jesus defeats Satan and sin is from Matthew 4 (see also Mark 1 and Luke 4) where Jesus is tested in the wilderness but uses scripture (Deuteronomy) to guard His heart.

See also Proverbs 3 as referenced here and other references here about the importance of staying near to God to guard our heart.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, creator of all things, capable of all things, knowing of all things and full of mercy and compassion for me...I am not worth such a gracious God...I continue to be full of worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me guard my heart by staying near to You, Your Word, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer and the remaining side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.