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<\/a>Secondly, we have a guest speaker this morning at Rocky Mountain Christian Church and we are very excited that Lee Strobel will be sharing his story with us. If you live in the area and know a friend or family member who has dismissed Jesus, perhaps this is a message they need to hear. Lee\u2019s message is powerful and compelling.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Your local congregation may not have a guest speaker like Mr. Strobel this morning, but might I say that your local pastor has a story to tell as well. It\u2019s Jesus\u2019 story. And Jesus\u2019 message is more powerful and more compelling than any man\u2019s. So don\u2019t hesitate to invite your loved ones to hear Jesus\u2019 message. It will change their life.<\/p>\n
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This Sunday morning I share the letter \u201cs\u201d from my A to Z blogging challenge. I pray that you will find shelter in the arms of God today.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Shelter in Place \u2013 Blogging A to Z<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This past week has brought some great tragedies as well as some great victories. For those who are struggling through the healing process in Boston, my heart and prayers are stretched your way. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering you bear. For those who have lost a loved one this past week, I pray for strength and comfort as you deal with this loss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the events of last week developed, a phrase was repeated on Friday for those living in the Boston area. Shelter in place. For these communities, this phrase meant to remain inside. Keep doors locked. Not to answer the door unless it was a uniformed or well identified officer. Report any suspicious behavior.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While I would never suggest I understand what they were feeling, I might venture a guess. Perhaps fear. Perhaps uncertainty. Perhaps frustration. Perhaps anger. Perhaps loss of control.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These would be justifiable feelings during a day of violence in the streets of a city or town. And perhaps, there were even more emotions I cannot comprehend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I heard this phrase during the day as I sat close to my television, my mind continued to dwell upon God and the shelter that I have in Him through the storms of my own life. I am certain I would feel many of the above emotions on a daily basis if I weren\u2019t sheltered in His care.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So today, I offer some wonderful visions of being sheltered by God. I pray that you\u2019ll find peace, comfort, safety and perhaps joy as you read through the following passages.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deuteronomy 33:27a (NIV) tells us, \u201cThe eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.\u201d <\/em>In His arms we have refuge. In His arms we find protection. With God, we are in the shelter of His loving arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV), David shares these words. \u201cHe who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, \u2018He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.\u2019\u201d <\/em>This is one of my favorite verses about being sheltered. Knowing that I can trust my God in times of trouble to shelter me is very reassuring.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n David certainly knew about God\u2019s shelter and protection and asked for it frequently. In Psalm 5:11 (NIV), David rejoiced in God\u2019s refuge. \u201cBut let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.\u201d<\/em> We can rejoice in God\u2019s protection as well, because we love His name!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another passage in which David praised God for protection is Psalm 32:7 (NIV). He says, \u201cYou are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.\u201d<\/em> When we hide from our enemies within the shelter of God\u2019s protection, we will be delivered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We read in Psalm 31:28 (NIV) that when we act justly and are faithful, God protects and is faithful to us. \u201cFor the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.\u201d<\/em> Oh and don\u2019t forget our shelter is there for our protection forever!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And finally in Psalm 40:11 (NIV), David says, \u201cDo not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.\u201d<\/em> God\u2019s love and truth always protect. What a promise!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I pray that these passages are as comforting to you as they are to me. The world we live in belongs to the evil one and that means there will be trouble here. But as we look to God, we know we are within His sheltering arms. We certainly can shelter in place with Him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you are waking this morning to fear and anxiety in your life, why not give it all to God? There may be consequences, but you can have peace and be sheltered in God\u2019s loving arms in the midst of these troubling times. You\u2019ve tried it your way, why not try it God\u2019s? It is worth a try.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For those of us who are already sheltered in God\u2019s arms, let\u2019s keep these verses close to our hearts. They will continue to remind us that He is sheltering us. We have no reason to fear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m reminded of a song\u2026perhaps you know it. “Forever Reign,”[i]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You are good You are good You are peace You are peace [Chorus] You are more You are more [Repeat Chorus]<\/p>\n My heart will sing <\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to listen to this beautiful melody, click here <\/a>to hear Hillsong\u2019s version of this song.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thanks for stopping by this morning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n
\nWhen there\u2019s nothing good in me
\nYou are love You are love
\nOn display for all to see
\nYou are light You are light
\nWhen the darkness closes in
\nYou are hope You are hope
\nYou have covered all my sin<\/p>\n
\nWhen my fear is crippling
\nYou are true You are true
\nEven in my wandering
\nYou are joy You are joy
\nYou\u2019re the reason that I sing
\nYou are life You are life
\nIn You death has lost its sting<\/p>\n
\nOh I\u2019m running to Your arms
\nI\u2019m running to Your arms
\nThe riches of Your love
\nWill always be enough
\nNothing compares to Your embrace
\nLight of the world forever reign<\/p>\n
\nThan my words will ever say
\nYou are Lord You are Lord
\nAll creation will proclaim
\nYou are here You are here
\nIn Your presence I\u2019m made whole
\nYou are God You are God
\nOf all else I\u2019m letting go<\/p>\n
\nNo other Name
\nJesus
\nJesus<\/p>\n