Don't Let Your Guard Down

During the long years that Floyd was silent and hospitalized, I would often tell him that his "voice" was still being heard through his writings and videos.  I often shared messages from people who had been ministered to by what he'd shared.  I wanted him to know that he wasn't forgotten, and that his ministry was ongoing.

I still want that to happen.  Listening to his video message that I shared about in my last post made me sad that he's no longer around to keep preaching - but we have an abundance of things he's shared in the past.  I believe God still wants to anoint and use Floyd's ministry.

I have been battling with a persistent infection lately which some days leaves me feeling weak.  We've also had some very hot summer weather.  The heat leaves me feeling weak too.  And the combination of the two really leaves me feeling weak.  In this weakness, I find my emotions are vulnerable - to feeling lonely, to being discouraged, to being tired of the long unexpected journey I've been on, etc.

I have had to remind myself to stand against these emotions and keep my focus on the Lord.  I do this and I think it's "done and dusted" as they say.  But the sneaky thing about these emotions is that they keep trying to pop up again.  I have been reminding myself to keep looking to the Lord - day by day and hour by hour.  I can't let my guard down.

I've heard from a number of friends who are battling "Covid fatigue."  They're so tired of this pandemic going on and on.  I understand that.  I'm tired of it too.  It's such a disruption to our lives.  And there is sickness and loss thrown in.  One friend shared with me that she's lost 4 friends in the last month.  My heart breaks when I hear that.

This is another situation where we have to keep our focus on the Lord.  The enemy would love to discourage and defeat us over this pandemic.  It's hard!  But we can't let the enemy drag us down - I can't let the enemy drag me down.  I am choosing over and over and over again to look to the Lord for everything that is weighing heavily on my heart.  He alone can carry me and lift me up.  He is a sure Rock upon which I can stand.  I cling to Him.  There's plenty of room on that Rock for all of us to stand firm in these difficult times.

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  Psalm 18:2

"There is no Rock like our God."  1 Samuel 2:2

"From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  Psalm 61:2

He is my Rock.  He is my firm foundation!

I woke up the other morning singing old songs from when I was growing up in my Assembly of God church in Galveston, Texas.  I find it fascinating how the subconscious works.  I have no idea what brought these songs up, but they immediately took me to a place of worship.  I found my heart welling up with thanks to Jesus for shedding His precious blood for us.

“Oh the blood of Jesus

Oh the blood of Jesus
Oh the blood of Jesus 
It washes white as snow.

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

“At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith
I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day.”

“To the faint He giveth power
Through the mountains makes a way
Findeth water in the desert
Turns the night to golden day.

And I know, yes I know
Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean
And I know, yes I know
Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean.”
 

“What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Our songs have changed through the years.  There are so many beautiful songs of worship being written these days.  But there is something about the simplicity of these old songs that made my heart so grateful that Jesus shed His blood for me.  How lost I'd be if He hadn't done that.

During a week like this past one where I’ve had a number of frustrations and I have felt weak, I find it helpful to tune everything out and sit singing these songs. It’s good to remember that the most important thing in life is that Jesus has given His precious blood to cleanse us, heal us, and give us new beginnings. Ultimately nothing else matters. How grateful I am for His saving grace!!

Blessings to each one reading this. Because of His redeeming love our hearts are connected for all eternity!