Sheltered From the Storm

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This evening I went grocery shopping. It was raining when I came out of the store. I had four bags in my hand and did not have the ability to hold an umbrella. There was a lady standing beside me in the lobby. I turned to her and said, “I’m trying to figure out how I will hold my umbrella so I can cross the street without getting drenched.” She quickly offered to carry two of my bags while holding her umbrella over us while we crossed the street. I said kindly, “thank you” as we departed.

It didn’t take long for the bus to come. I jumped on the bus and rode to my connecting stop. It was raining very hard by this time. However, it didn’t take long for the next bus to come. I jumped on the bus and while I sat there I watched two women get on the bus with a plastic poncho. One of the women sat directly in front of me. I was staring at her white hooded poncho as she got off the bus. I never really liked those things, but at this time it really looked nice and I desired to have one.

The temperature had dropped and I was wearing a summer top with leggings. I was uncomfortable, cold and wet. My shoulders were bare and I was very cold from the air condition blowing on my wet skin. I was debating whether I should get off the bus to get one of those plastic ponchos to cover myself.

There were two stops that I passed. I continued to look out the window because I just didn’t want to get off the bus again. I also wasn’t sure if the store would sell them so I decided to take the risk and walk in the rain. How bad could it be to get rained on in the summer anyway? I got off the bus and was waiting to cross the street dreading the 15 minute walk home. In the corner of my eye, I saw a connecting bus that would carry me down the street and drop me exactly a few feet away from my home! Usually that never happens to me! When I got off the bus, a lady got off the bus with me. I turned to her and told her how worried I was about getting caught in the storm but I said, “Where God guides, He provides!” She let me share her umbrella as we walked up the street and we spoke about how good God has been to us. Surprisingly, I only walked about 3 feet in the rain!

When I got home, I thought about my experience and was motivated to share my story. So often we worry about the storms we are going through in life. We are trying to figure out what we should do or how we will do it. We plan our course of direction and we are not prepared when the storm comes our way. We may even see a solution to the problem but it may be out of our reach.

When you walk through the storm, the Lord goes before you and provides protection, provision and favor. He carries you through the storms of life and leads you to your destinations. The timing of God is always perfect. Did you notice in the story how smoothly my connections were made. When God is working, your path opens without resistance and without a struggle. In Him, you may rest. For the good sheppard knows what you are in need of exactly when you need it, so trust Him. When we allow Him to work out our problems, we will be covered through the most heaviest storms of life.

“He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. “Psalms 91

How Do You Like Your Meals….Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?

Last night, I went to heat up some leftovers in the microwave. When I took it out, it was lukewarm. I instantly popped it back into the microwave. I feel there’s nothing worse than cold spaghetti.

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Receiving God’s Love

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God loves those who love Him, and those who seek Him early ad diligently shall fine Him. (Proverbs 8:17)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He has loved me, as the Father has loved Him; and He instructs me to abide in His love. (John 15:9)

For the Father Himself loves me because I have loved Him and have believed that He came out from the Father. (John 16:27)

Hope never disappoints or deludes or shames me, for God’s love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me. (Romans 5:5)

I love God truly (with affectionate, reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing), I am known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and I am owned by Him.) (I Corth 8:3)

Let everything I do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for me.) I Corth 16:14

The love of Christ controls and urges and impels me, because I am of the opinion and conviction that (if) One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live might live o longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him who died and was raised again for our sake. (2 Corth 5:14-15)

Christ through my faith dwells in my heart. I am rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, I have the power and strength to apprehend and grasp with all the saints (God’s devoted people, the experience of that love) what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of it) (I have come to know (practically, through experience for myself) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; I am filled (through my being) unto all the fullness of God (I have the riches measure of the divine Presence, and I have become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.) Esph 3:17-19

My life lovingly expresses truth (in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly living truly.) Enfolded in love, I grow up in every way and all things into Him who is the Head, (even) Christ.

I walk in love as Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me, a slain offering and sacrifce to God a sweet fragrance. Eph 5:2

I carefully build myself up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the cent of God’s love, keeping my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 20:21)