A Mighty Fortress is Our God

I received this little bookmark (added to this photo) in the mail. I sensed God was saying those words to us: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my FORTRESS, my God, in Him I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2. Often, our physical AND spiritual eyes just can't see it.

I am certain that the key to our peace of mind and joy of spirit is making sure we’re staying in God’s refuge and fortress. I turned the bookmark over and it read: “God is My Refuge – In difficult times, you won’t understand everything God is doing. Trust He is in control, and stay close to Him in prayer and praise. He will carry you through.”

Need I say more? No, I don’t, but I’m sure you know I can’t help myself. I’ve got to put the jelly on the peanut butter! If ever we needed places of refuge, it is in these times. I just heard that a pastor and his wife of a mega-church in Frisco has the Covid. My prayers go out to them for divine healing and restoration. I know God will carry them through. This Covid is no respecter of persons. But, no matter what -- we go to our fortress.

My friend posted this photo of her two grandsons, who, for the first time ever in their lives, have their own bedrooms in the beautiful and comfortable home she has for them now. That is a miracle story I’ll save for another day. What blessed me so much was they didn’t stay in their individual bedrooms that first night. They have a fort – a fortress to sleep together under Josiah's bed. It was a “comfort” place. They’ve been together so long – of course, they couldn’t separate just yet.

And, isn’t that what we need – a place of absolute certainty that everything’s gonna’ be alright in that place of safety and refuge. I remember Robert Schuller’s book entitled “Tough times don’t last – but tough people do!” I've known some tough people that weathered some of the greatest storms of life and they did so because of their Anchor, their Rock, their Refuge Who was their Mighty Fortress.

Maybe you're feeling a little shaky today -- in your faith and in your emotions that are getting the best of you, and in truly believing that you will survive these storms that have prevailed for months now. In spite of the worst possible scenarios, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. Through it all – the torrential downpours to the most solid and stable, our God remains steadfast and faithful. There is no earthquake, tornado or hurricane, whether natural, moral, physical, financial, or spiritual, that can shake us out of his loving arms!

Guarding My Attic AND My Heart

Squirrel intruders started last year. So bad that they burrowed into my attic with a 6” x 3” hole. I heard them scampering around having a “heyday” all season long. Grrr! I surmised the enemy was out to get me and my peace! But, eventually, no more noise plus $150 bill from my handy man to seal the hole.

Again, this year, I hear the scratching and see the shavings on the ground. I run out like a crazy lady, waving my broom stick and rodent-spray. I'm done and ready to take him out. Still, he comes back. I decide it’s time for big guns. A $70 sure-fire deal, an Advanced Ultrasonic Rodent Repelling System is on its way. Can I just insert here “I love Amazon Prime!” Next day, the system is set up and I feel empowered. But, alas, the rascal comes back and I catch him in the act of burrowing a 1” hole. I call the repelling system company, explain my torment, and I’m sent an add-on device specificaly for squirrels.. I set it up. But, my foe is still bound and determined. I accelerate my wild west woman moves, taking after him with the spray and I put a metal shower rod up the hole. That was three weeks ago. I think (I hope) he may have found a less violent home! Whew!

Now, to the point of this blog – besides being able to vent about a varmint with the tenacity we all should have in going after what we want -- the device makes high intensity sounds that my grandkids detect right away. They complain about the shrill noise they hear coming from my back yard. We adults don’t hear the noise at all. I unplug the device and their pain is gone. They leave. I plug it back in. Payton comes over and "Nana, please turn off your device. It hurts so much." I did, until he left.

I read up on the ability to hear high-pitched sounds or not, and it seems children and teenagers can hear those sounds. As we age, our ability to hear high-pitched sounds wanes – a process that naturally occurs as the cells in our ears age.

Here's my wise sage advice at the end of this long saga. Like that annoying squirrel -- so is the enemy of our souls. My grandchildren heard those pesky, annoying sounds until I unplugged the devices. Maybe my older, wiser self with the inability to hear the taunts of the enemy is because I have learned to guard my heart. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Our best defense against annoying intruders or circumstances that try to steal our peace is doing what we can to get on the offense instead of letting the enemy take over. Seal up and fortify the weak places, like in our attics AND in our hearts. We seal the vulnerable places and we apply prayer and God's Word to our heart. He will give us His peace that’s beyond anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds against the anxieties that can be as persistent as that squirrel. I’m hopeful that the squirrel has moved on to greener pastures. I'm also hopeful and determined to be on guard against the enemy of my soul! "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion (or a scratching squirrel) looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

More Peace of Mind

Day 41 of Photo Inspirations -- More Peace of Mind
I've heard my friends tell how their credit or debit cards had been compromised and fraudulent charges appeared in their accounts.  I guess I was a little smug about that fact as I had never experienced such misdeeds.....that is, until today.

Early this morning my phone rang and it was the Crime Department for my bank, Bank of Oklahoma -- asking if I'd been to the UK or had purchased something from the UK lately.  Hmmm!  No -- not me!  The representative said, "We didn't think so, so we immediately canceled your card and not to worry -- BOK will refund all the money to you."  WOW!  I was impressed with BOK's watchful eye, but I was also concerned that someone could have invaded my privacy and confidentiality in this way.  "How does this happen?", I inquired.  And the rep told me "It's very common.  In fact, we deal with over one hundred fraudulent charges daily."  Yikes!   I had to go to my branch bank to dispute the charges as well as get a new credit card since they had canceled the other one.

On the way to my next stop, I passed this billboard with BOK's advertisement, "More Peace of Mind" on it and it sure stood out for me.  I had first hand experience with having a bank that cares enough about its customers to have a Crime Department that is on the lookout for their customers.  Yes, that does give me additional "peace of mind".

And common sense goes into play, too.  First of all, I encourage everyone to have online banking so you can regularly check your accounts for similar fraudulent charges.  I know I'm on heightened alert to frequently check mine more now.  And, second of all,  "peace of mind" comes with making wise choices in business, dealing with ethical people, having "written" agreements that guarantee a good business or personal outcome.

And, the PEACE of MIND, that comes from doing the right thing when no one is looking.  PEACE of MIND that comes from seeking God and trusting Him for EVERYTHING that concerns us.  There is nothing like it!  I live by this scripture in Philippians 4:6-9 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Yes, indeed....that is MORE PEACE OF MIND!
#PeaceOfMind #BankOfOklahomaRocks #GotPeace?