Forced to a Lonely Place

He said this because Jesus had already told the evil spirit to go out of him. The man had often been attacked by the demon. And even though he had been bound with chains and leg irons and kept under guard, he smashed whatever bound him. Then the demon would force him out into lonely places. (Luke 8:29 CEVUS06)

Isn't this the plan of the enemy - lonlely places. There is a marked difference between being alone, and being lonely. 

How often does the enemy try to make us feel lonely, that no one else has experienced what we are facing, and no one else really cares? It is good to go to solitary places often - where we can be alone with the Lord. It is not good to go to lonely places - believing the lie that God has abandoned us - or that we are alone. Elijah went to a lonely place after Mt. Carmel, and God showed Him that He was not  alone!

God keep me from lonely places. I will fear no evil - for You are with me!

Take My Hand, Precious Lord

At first, Lot just stood there. But the Lord wanted to save him. So the angels took Lot, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. (Genesis 19:16 CEVUS06)

It's amazing how clearly it is stated, and shown, that the Lord wanted to save Lot. Lot 'just stood there', so the Lord's angels grabbed them all by the hand and led them.

I feel like this is exactly what I need as I start this brand new year. The first day in the office of 2014 and I feel like I am just standing here - staring at the future not knowing where to start. 

Lord, I know you want to save many this year - please take me by the hand an lead me on. My heart is willing, but my mind is weak. My determination will fail, my strength will deplete, my desire wane, my commitment fail. I need you to lead me. Fill me with your Spirit, take my hand, and lead me on. Amen.

Happy New Year

Here I am with my kids and Dree in beautiful Peoria, Az. We had a nice new years eve as the girls played phase 10 and the boys watched the masterpiece "The Three Amigos". Today was a nice walk to Starbucks and Uncle Norm bought me and Aud breakfast. Dougie woke up with an Aura migraine so that has put a kink in all our plans, espwecially his.

I am going to attempt to read the CEV bible, but it sure is differetn. 

Here it my daily SOAP:

That's why a man will leave his own father and mother. He marries a woman, and the two of them become like one person. Genesis 2:24

There is a great thought behind one person, rather than one flesh. It focuses not just on the physical part. 

I want to consider hiw i can better become one person with Audrey. It doent mean being the same, but it does mean being one- not at ofds with her in any way. 

Lord, please help me to walk in the unity of this union with my Dree. Amen. 

Cain and God

Afterwards the Lord asked Cain, “Where is Abel?” “How should I know?” he answered. “Am I supposed to look after my brother?” “You're making me leave my home and live far from you. I will have to wander about without a home, and just anyone could kill me.” (Genesis 4:9, 14 CEVUS06)

I never guessed this before. Cain heard and knew the voice of the Lord. Cain presented his offering before the Lord and God spoke to him then too. And you can hear in his voice how he does not want to live far from God or his parents. Its the first time ive seen the sorrow of Cain. 

I can see that Cain, even though he was a murderer, had feelings too. I need to remember this in my encounters with people. Feelings. Emotions. No one wants to be expelled. No one wants to be excluded. This was never Gods perfect plan for Cain, nor was its Cains plan. 

Lord, please help me to be sensitive to the outcast. Help me reach out to those who live far from you.