Prayers reach around the world

1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)

 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

In the late afternoon of February 26, 1968, James Stegalls found himself in the middle of a firefight in Viet Nam. Suddenly he heard the unmistakable sound of a rocket coming straight toward him. A friend shoved him into a foxhole and he braced for the explosion, but there was only a surreal silence. The fuse had malfunctioned. For five hours Stegalls knelt in the pit as the battle raged. He fingered an unread Gideon's New Testament in his shirt pocket. Shaking uncontrollably, he began reading Matthew. It wasn't until he got to Matthew 18:19-20 that he felt a peace and he knew things would be all right. Years after returning from home, he visited his grandmother Harris. She recounted how one night she feared for him and she prayed all night for his life. She read Matthew 18:19-20: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." She then had called her Sunday school teacher and together they prayed for James. Mrs. Harris then opened her Bible and showed James the date: February 26, 1968.

Prayer is a powerful gift the Lord has given to us. Do you take the time to pray to God each day?  Is there someone on your heart right now?

Dear Lord, help us take the time to pray for someone today. We pray for safety and that they would draw their heart to You. Use us today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Lessons from a Scarecrow – Fences

Psalm 91:2 (NIV)

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

The first thing I noticed was the digging of random holes around the back yard soon to be followed by post being placed into them. After that was time to put up the farm fence and securing it to the post. The funny part was the dogs trying to get into the fenced in area. Around and around they went but they didn’t find a way in. It looks like the garden area will be secure. 

No matter how fond of animals you may be, there is nothing heartwarming about the sight of some furry creature munching away on your garden's bounty. Repellents, traps, and scare devices can help discourage, or fend off, hungry wildlife. But in many cases, especially in rural areas, a fence may be the only effective way to keep marauding mammals away from your landscape plantings and food crops.

Fencing is the only sure-fire way to keep wild and domestic animals out of a prized garden. Although it can be expensive to keep out large animals, such as deer, it may be the only way to protect your garden from costly damage.

The safest place for any child of God is to be in His hands, hiding in His fortress and living within the fence of His grace.

God has graciously given us the ultimate fence of protection through His Word—specifically the 10 commandments that, when followed, prevent many of life’s pitfalls and miseries. So while I’m counting my daily blessings, I should thank God for the fences in my life and remember to keep them in good repair.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the fences that You have given us to protect us. Help us to always keep them in good repair. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.